ENCORE: Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Almonds and Blood Sugar

• Study: A handful of almonds before meals promotes weight loss, reduces belly fat, improves blood sugar, lipids, may reverse diabetes
• A better alternative to bicarb for GERD symptoms
• Please critique the Wapo article on probiotics impact on gut health
• Is the Atkins Diet a healthy way to eat low carb?

ENCORE: Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Glaucoma v. Cataracts

• Can you speak to the issue of fluoroquinolone toxicity?
• Can taking turmeric interfere with iron absorption?
• Could you discuss the differences between glaucoma vs. cataracts?

Enhancing Gut Health with Innovative Digestive Enzymes: In this episode of the Intelligent Medicine podcast, Dr. Ronald Hoffman discusses the importance of digestive enzymes, particularly innovative formulations, with guest Steven Wright, a health engineer and co-founder of Healthy Gut. They delve into Wright’s journey with digestive health, his development of the enzyme product HoloZyme, and its efficacy backed by clinical trials. Dr. Hoffman and Wright also explore the benefits of tributyrin butyrate supplements for gut health. They emphasize the role of enzymes in combating IBS, dietary intolerances, and enhancing overall digestion. The episode also features a special offer for HoloZyme on healthygut.com.

Dr. Drew Ramsey is a pioneer in the emerging field of Nutritional Psychiatry and author of “Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks.” Dr. Ramsey reviews the remarkable research that has demonstrated the efficacy of diet for improving mental health outcomes. The foods we eat impact our brain function for better or for worse, delivering essential nutrients, fostering a healthy microbiome, combatting inflammation, encouraging neuroplasticity, and supporting neurotransmitters. He is co-developer of the Antidepressant Food Scale that rates foods based on their potential to support well-being. He is also director of the Brain Food Clinic, which offers integrative psychiatric care incorporating “dietary assessment and food prescription along with coaching, meal planning, and hands on skill building in your kitchen.” He believes that no single diet offers a panacea for mental health optimization, but that replacement of ultra-processed food with nutrient-dense alternatives offers the most benefits with ease of compliance. 

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 26, Part 1: EMF Radiation

Tariffs pose challenges for supplement manufacturers, consumers, due to over-dependence on offshore sourcing; Remnant cholesterol as a robust predictor of heart attack, stroke; Sudden cardiac death linked to long-term antidepressant use; Air pollution damages toddlers’ brains; Is your EV zapping you with EMF radiation? Low-fat diets—and cholesterol drugs—may sap men’s testosterone. 

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 26, Part 2: Nearsightedness is Skyrocketing

Will “Gentle Cure”—a nonsurgical treatment—supplant standard Mohs surgery as a treatment for common skin cancers? Cranberry extract scores UTI benefits; Does exercise really extend life? Nearsightedness is skyrocketing—but a simple method may prevent it; 3/4 of doctor visits involve prescribing drugs; Omega-6 fatty acids from ubiquitous seed oils may fuel cancer growth. 

References & Resources

Low-fat diets and testosterone in men: systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology  Volume 210, June 2021, 105878

Study suggests ‘Remnant Cholesterol’ as stand-alone risk for heart attack and stroke
Hopkins Medicine  September 8, 2021

Is your electric car zapping you with EMF radiation
Alliance for Natural Health USA  January 24, 2023

Exposure to air pollution in childhood is associated with reduced brain connectivity
Science Daily  April 1, 2025

Sudden cardiac death risk linked to long-term antidepressant use
By Todd Neale, tctMD  April 1, 2025

Omega-6 fatty acid promotes the growth of an aggressive type of breast cancer
Science 14 Mar 2025 Vol 387, Issue 6739

Whole cranberry fruit powder supplement reduces the incidence of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections in females with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection: A 6-month multi center, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition  Volume 121, Issue 4, April 2025, Pages 932-941

Does exercise really extend life? Finnish twin study offers new insights
Sciencedaily, March 13, 2025

Why we now think the myopia epidemic can be slowed-or even reversed
By Graham Lawton, NewScientist  November 13, 2025

Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IG-SRT)
GentleCure

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Intermittent Fasting

• A discussion of the latest medical shows on TV
• Comments on tariffs
• Would cooking with fat instead of vegetable oils still apply to someone with familial hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery plaque?
• Does intermittent fasting increase Apolipoprotein B?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Urinary Tract Infection

• What is the best method to heal a urinary tract infection?
• What is the difference between hypertension and pulmonary hypertension?
• I have osteoporosis and take Warfarin. How can I support my bone health?
• Would you put someone with my lipid profile on a statin?
• Would urolithin A help increase my energy? Or must I succumb to age limits?

Diabetes Deep Dive: Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, an integrative medicine physician and author, discusses diabetes from a multifaceted perspective. They explore the connections between diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, metabolic syndrome, and long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum offers insights into the historical emergence of diabetes in correlation with lifestyle and dietary changes, particularly the Western diet’s high sugar and low fiber content. They discuss the roles of vitamin D, magnesium, and other nutrients, as well as the impact of chemicals on metabolism. The conversation also covers the importance of sleep, stress management, and lifestyle adjustments. Dr. Teitelbaum recommends natural supplements like Sucontral D, berberine, and melatonin to manage blood sugar levels effectively. The episode concludes with a discussion on the controversial role of pharmaceutical interventions like GLP-1 drugs and insulin. Dr. Teitelbaum emphasizes a balanced, integrative approach that empowers self-care and holistic health management.

Dr. Rudrani Banik, a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in an integrative approach to vision health, details various aspects of eye health. The conversation covers the upcoming Eye Health Summit, which will feature 35 experts discussing eye strain, ocular nutrition, and advancements in eye health. Key topics include digital eye strain, myopia, macular carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, stem cells, and innovative high-tech solutions like gene therapies and potential eye transplants. Dr.Banik also highlights her book “Beyond Carrots: Best Foods for Eye Health A to Z,” emphasizing a holistic approach to eye care through diet, lifestyle, and supplements.

The Eye Health Summit is a free, global event taking place on May 1–7, coinciding with National Healthy Vision Month. The Summit features more than 35 expert-led discussions on topics from eye strain and ocular nutrition to cutting-edge advancements in eye health. At the summit, participants will learn practical strategies to help safeguard their vision now and for the future. Register for FREE to The Eye Health Summit.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 19, Part 1: Enhanced Digestive Enzymes

Vaccine proponents push back against study showing flu vaccines INCREASE chances of getting flu; A memorial to a low-carb diabetes pioneer who vastly extended his life expectancy; An engineer takes up the challenge of designing an enhanced digestive enzyme formula; Health impact of sauerkraut postbiotics.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 19, Part 2: Acupuncture for Sciatica

The President’s physical; CBD may help ameliorate autism symptoms; The controversy over Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; As Wikipedia brands acupuncture “pseudoscience”, new study confirms efficacy for sciatica; Will AI replace doctors for diagnosis, medical information? Creatine, good for muscles, also delivers brain benefits.

References & Resources

Acupuncture vs sham acupuncture for chronic sciatica from herniated disk
JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(12):1417-1424

CBD cannabis extracts could reduce autism symptoms in youth
Physicians Weekly  April 17, 2025

The gut health benefits of sauerkraut
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2025; DOI: 10.1128/aem.02234-24

Read the results of Trump’s 2025 physical exam
By Medpage Staff, Medical News | MedPage Today  April 15, 2025

Single dose creatine improves cognitive performance and induces changes in cerebral high energy phosphates during sleep deprivation
Sci Rep 14, 4937 (2024).

What to know about creatine, the gym supplement with wide benefits
By Ian Taylor, newscientist.com  November 22, 2024

Efficacy and safety profile of oral creatine mono hydrate in add-on to cognitive-behavioural therapy in depression: An 8-week pilot , double-blind, randomized, placebo- controlled feasibility and exploratory trial in an under-resourced area
European Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 90, January 2025, Pages 28-35

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: America’s Food Fight

• America’s food fight and dietary guidelines
• My son-in-law suffers from bloating and abdominal pain. Any suggestions?
• I have positive but low anti-gliadin antibodies. Should I embark on a gluten-free diet?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: CoQ10 v. PQQ

• I’m a 70-year-old woman with hip arthritis. Any recommendations?
• A treatment on the horizon for high Lipoprotein (a)?
• After chemotherapy to help shrink a tumor near my husband’s spine, he now has numbness and neuropathy in his legs
• Another study implicates meat, and now poultry and fish, in causing cardiovascular disease
• What do you think of Consumer Lab’s recommendations on supplements?
• I take CoQ10, but I just heard about PQQ. What are your thoughts?

There’s apprehension about the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)—are we about to enter the dystopian future world of The Matrix? But today’s guest discusses the innovative application of AI and VR to a common problem: menopausal hot flashes in women for whom estrogen is contraindicated because of the risk of cancer. Using a VR headset, menopausal women were presented guided imagery featuring cooling and relaxing suggestions. A pilot study showed it reduced the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall well-being. Dr. Joseph Feuerstein discusses a comprehensive strategy for menopause, comprising acupuncture, natural products (Estrovera and Relizen), exercise and diet. Are soy isoflavones OK for relieving menopausal symptoms, even in breast cancer patients? Dr. Feuerstein is also co-author of “The Cannabinoid Cookbook,” which is not merely a guidebook to marijuana edibles; instead, it focuses on the numerous foods that support the body’s endocannabinoid system—Including cocoa, omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and truffles. These foods deliver compounds which confer a multiplicity of mood and anti-inflammatory benefits.