Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Protein Intake Across the Lifespan

• Could you please comment on the new study that finds protein restriction could slow aging?
• Considerations for protein intake across the lifespan
• My bone mineral density has improved with strontium. Should I stop taking it?  What about vitamin K2?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Pros and Cons of Gallbladder Removal

• My HgbA1c is steady at 5.5. Could I reduce my metformin dose against the advice of my endocrinologist who states it’s good for longevity?
• I have a large gallstone and am wondering what the pros and cons of having my gallbladder removed are.
• I take a lot of vitamins and am wondering if there’s any easier way to ingest them?

Dr. Julie Siemers, a nurse educator and author of “Surviving Your Hospital Stay: A Nurse Educator’s Guide to Staying Safe and Living to Tell About It,” details the importance of patient safety in hospitals, the dangers of medical errors, and how patients and their families can advocate for better care. Dr. Siemers talks about the critical role of nurses, the hierarchy within the nursing profession, and the importance of effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. She also offers practical advice on dealing with high-risk medications, leveraging AI in healthcare, and ensuring better health outcomes by being informed and proactive.

Precision Hormone Health: Testosterone, Menopause, Muscle, Sleep, and Proactive Longevity: Endocrinologist Dr. Florence Comite details her book “Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer” and her precision-medicine approach to proactive longevity. She discusses testosterone decline beginning in the 30s in both sexes, stress-related low T (including in special forces), and testosterone’s roles in energy, cognition, motivation, muscle, bone, and chronic disease risk. Comite argues genes are a “draft” and health destiny can be altered through epigenetic-like choices, individualized data, and early monitoring. For women, she emphasizes estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in perimenopause/menopause, preferring bioidentical hormones and criticizing WHI’s use of Premarin/Provera and older participants. She covers osteoporosis prevention, muscle as an “organ of longevity,” protein intake, resistance training, continuous glucose monitors for individualized diet, sleep quality tracking via wearables, and selective use of DHEA, pregnenolone, growth hormone pathways, and peptides with attention to sourcing and risk.

Part 1: Watching Too Much TV May Shrink Your Brain (Literally!)

Life is longer for “those who think young”; Watching too much TV may shrink your brain (literally!); Diet and supplements may help lupus; When a high-fiber diet before surgery may be inadvisable; Your mouth may be the gateway to your overall health and longevity.

Part 2: A novel treatment for knee pain—fiber!

Advantages of time-restricted eating for body and brain; Dermatologist tells her patient to stay away from hair supplements; Do you still need colonoscopies past 75? How much NTFactor should you take? Breathing CO2 clears brain of amyloid plaque; Popular AI diet tracking apps may underestimate by as much as 345 calories; A novel treatment for knee pain—fiber! Vitamin D slows biological aging.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Varicose Veins

• Is there evidence for statins in the treatment of aortic valve stenosis?
• How the bacteria behind gum disease can affect heart health
• Wouldn’t it be better to resume taking probiotics after finishing a round of antibiotics?
• Would it be safe to take olive leaf extract with amoxicillin?
• I’m considering surgery for varicose veins. Is this just a temporary fix? Can they return?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Is chondroitin effective?

• My 25-year-old son has bipolar disorder and can’t tolerate his medications. Any natural recommendations?
• Is chondroitin effective?  It’s in my collagen capsules, which I take to hopefully reduce wrinkles
• I believe I am still suffering from the negative effects of COVID. What would you suggest I take?

Naturopathic gastroenterologist Mark Davis, ND (FABNG), discusses his work in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), research, and integrative approaches to GI disease. Davis explains FMT history, screening criteria, delivery methods, how it differs from probiotics, and why it is highly effective for recurrent C. difficile (about a 90% durable cure), while noting FDA-approved products (Rebyota, Vowst) and off-label applications. He describes IRB-approved studies on naturopathic care for IBS and ulcerative colitis and a blinded project comparing consistency across 15–20 stool microbiome labs. The conversation covers evidence for diet in IBS/IBD (including SCD and a semi-vegetarian diet), low-FODMAP as a temporary tool, breath testing and relapse in SIBO, helminthic therapy options and legality, targeted probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, Akkermansia, soil-based species), enema therapies, indigo naturalis benefits and risks, saffron evidence for mood, telemedicine practice, and a crowdfunding platform for clinical trials.

Psychedelic Therapy for Mental Health: Research, Safety, and the Path to FDA Approval: Dr. Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander, co-authors of “Psychedelic Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life,” reveal the shift from recreational psychedelics to structured, research-based psychedelic-assisted therapy for conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Van Derveer describes limitations of conventional psychiatry (citing STAR*D remission rates) and his entry into MDMA-assisted PTSD research after promising results. They contrast controlled clinical protocols—screening, preparation, safe setting, trained facilitation, medical monitoring, and post-session integration—with uncontained recreational use. The discussion covers current policy momentum under Trump and RFK Jr., VA interest for veterans, and key agents: ketamine (including abuse risks and clinic-only Spravato), MDMA (phase 3 but not approved in 2024), psilocybin (phase 3, potential FDA approval), LSD (GAD trials), ibogaine (arrhythmia risk, Mexico clinics), ayahuasca, peyote, and microdosing. They also note commercialization, including Eli Lilly’s acquisition of a 5-MeO-DMT nasal spray developer, and emphasize an integrative “all-of-the-above” mental health approach.

Part 1: Breakthroughs in Gene Editing Promise to Vanquish Aging

Science is conquering diseases—now breakthroughs in gene editing promise to vanquish aging itself; The healing potential of hydrogen; Attending concerts, museums and movies may help keep your body younger; Dr. Jeffrey Bland dishes on the benefits of a new full-spectrum fish oil, Omega-3 Rejuvenate.

Part 2: American Heart Association Does a 180° on Coffee

This week’s supplement spotlight—spermidine; American Heart Association does a 180° on coffee; How accurate are health tracker wearables for sleep, blood pressure, heart rate? A skin disorder practically no one has heard of is often confused for skin cancer; Vitamin D—what forms and what dosages are optimal? Popular sugar substitutes may be worse for the brain than natural sugar.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Nature or Nurture

• Nature or nurture—which is more important when it comes to health conditions?
• Would I benefit from taking nattokinase along with my statin?
• Mechanism of action of nattokinase vs. statin medications on coronary artery health

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Lithium Orotate for Therapeutic Benefit

• My LDL is 421, and I have mild to moderate aortic stenosis. Must I take a statin?
• Lean Mass Hyper-responders on low carb diets explained
• Would you consider writing a book about health in advancing age?
• A revisit of Dr. Hoffman’s published books
• What is the best dose of lithium orotate for therapeutic benefit?
• Must I exercise fasted? Why?  

The Brain–Body Connection, Gut Health, Stress, and Medical Gaslighting: board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Susan Trachman, author of “It’s Not Just In Your Head,” about psychosomatic medicine and the two-way brain–body connection. Trachman explains how patients with complex symptoms are often dismissed as having “medically unexplained symptoms” and discusses medical gaslighting, especially affecting women and people of color, with examples of missed diagnoses. She describes how inflammation, the gut microbiome, leaky gut, diet, probiotics, fermented foods, and even fecal transplants can influence mood and health, and reviews vagus nerve stimulation research. The conversation covers stress effects, including Takotsubo “broken heart” cardiomyopathy, CBT for anxiety, IBS, and pain, the role of sleep and the brain’s glymphatic system, pandemic-related mental health and long COVID symptoms, concerns about GLP-1 drugs causing emotional flatness, and careful SSRI tapering to avoid withdrawal.