In this episode of the Intelligent Medicine podcast, Dr. Ronald Hoffman discusses men’s health, a field that often receives less attention compared to women’s health. He is joined by Neil Levin, Senior Nutrition Education Manager at Protocol for Life Balance (PFLB) and Now Foods. They explore the reluctance of men to visit doctors and how genetic and behavioral factors might contribute to men’s health issues. The conversation delves into the specific challenges men face as they age, including declining testosterone levels, cardiovascular diseases, and prostate problems. Neil Levin introduces several PFLB products designed to support men’s health, such as ‘Virility for Men,’ ‘Prostate B,’ and ‘Raw Maca,’ explaining their ingredients and benefits. They also highlight the importance of rigorous product quality control and the fight against counterfeit supplements in the industry.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Gingivitis

• How reliable is nutrition science?
• I have gingivitis, and my dentist recommended Listerine. Won’t that disrupt the microbiome in my mouth?
• I take a diuretic for high blood pressure. Is it okay to stop drinking water by 8pm, or will I dehydrate?
• Is there a way to get rid of seborrheic keratoses?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Ganglion Cyst

• How much leucine should I take to regain muscle?
• Should I increase my creatine dose to 10 grams daily for the cognitive benefits?
• You talked about the cancer risk of CT scans. What about CT angiograms?  
• I’ve had a ganglion cyst drained twice. How can I keep it from coming back?
• Who can I contact for treatment of mast cell activation syndrome?
• I heard you should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste if there’s no fluoride in your drinking water

In this episode of the Intelligent Medicine podcast, Dr. Ronald Hoffman discusses the health benefits of Muscadine grapes with Dr. Stephen Talcott, a PhD chemist and professor of Food Chemistry at Texas A&M. The conversation delves into the unique biochemical properties of Muscadine grapes, their polyphenol content, and their potential health benefits compared to other fruits like Acai and common grapes. They also explore the bioavailability of nutrients, the role of phytoalexins, and the benefits of Muscadine grape-derived products. Dr. Talcott shares his insights on ongoing research at Wake Forest University, the advantages of Muscadine grape products for chemotherapy patients, and the benefits of using these products as natural health supplements. The episode highlights various Muscadine grape products available from Mighty Muscadine and Vinetastic, including juices, supplements, and topical applications, and offers a special discount code for listeners.

In this episode of the Intelligent Medicine podcast, Dr. Ronald Hoffman discusses enhancing brain performance naturally with Dr. Leigh Richardson, a PhD leader in brain health and performance, and author of “Turn Your Brain On, Get Your Game On.” They delve into various brain-related issues, highlighting natural alternatives to traditional medications for conditions like ADHD and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Richardson shares her personal journey into brain health spurred by her son’s traumatic brain injury and her own. They explore the benefits of neurofeedback, diet, lifestyle changes, and the impact of music on productivity. Dr. Richardson underscores the importance of cognitive, emotional, and social resilience, and elaborates on integrating traditional and digital ways to improve brain health and performance.

Part 1: Her new doctor said, “Vitamins are hogwash”—so she fired him.

Those injection-free sublingual GLP-1 drops for individualized microdosing—do they actually work? Options for treating stubborn neuropathy; Her new doctor said, “Vitamins are hogwash”—so she fired him; There is hope for tinnitus—via diet and lifestyle; I’m taking German classes, and a new study suggests it’ll help me ward off cognitive decline. 

Part 2: Alleviate Knee Pain

The “China Study” is cited as evidence vegetarian diet is best—but big new study shows vegetarians age less well than omnivores; Can a popular men’s health supplement ward off prostate cancer? MAHA officials hit pause on looming natural thyroid ban; Can diet alleviate symptoms of lipedema? Precision-engineering your gait can alleviate knee pain better than NSAIDs; After a lifetime of profound depression, novel brain implant enables man to experience joy for the first time.

References & Resources

Why a weight-loss pill is still a big deal
By David Wainer, The Wall Street Journal  August 8, 2025

Oral semaglutide for weight loss: does it work?
By Jihan Myers, joinmidi.com  April 14  2025

Does microdosing weight-loss drugs boost your health?
By Susan McBratney, PhD, Medical News Today, February 20, 2025

Flanking age: Multilingualism and its role in shaping cognitive decline and neural dynamics
Neuroimage. 2025 Aug 15;317:121312. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121312. Epub 2025 Jun 14.

The role of diet and lifestyle in tinnitus management: a comprehensive review
Cureus. 2024 Apr 30;16(4):e59344. doi: 10.7759/cureus 59344.

Can a daily supplement help you live a healthier, longer life?
By Carissa Wong, New Scientist, February 3, 2025

FDA approved novel non-opioid treatment for moderate to severe acute pain
http://www.fda.gov  Jan 30, 2025

Brain implant lets man ‘experience joy’ for the first time in decades
By Carissa Wong, New Scientist  August 19, 2025

One small walking adjustment could delay knee surgery for years
The Lancet Rheumatology, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/S2665-9913(25)00151-1

Can a diet ease lipoedema?
ScienceDaily  August 10, 2025

Vegetarian diet and healthy aging among Chinese older adults: a prospective study
npj Aging 11, 25 (2025)

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: An Update on Natural Thyroid

• An update on natural thyroid availability and the FDA
• A correction on disseminated sarcoidosis and stress
• I’m a former smoker. Should I be concerned about beta carotene in the Alpha Base multivitamin?
• A comment from a user of lithium orotate for the last eleven years
• Does long-term use of Horse Chestnut cause a thiamin deficiency?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Lyme Disease

• Does cider honey eradicate cadmium in the body?  Is there any truth to this?
• Can Mitopure be consumed with dairy?  Does dairy in any way interfere with its absorption?
• I’ve read and heard that supplements are worthless—can even shorten lifespans.  Is this true?
• Should I be concerned about the xylitol in my toothpaste since I read it can increase blood clots and stroke risk?
• How much omega-3 do you recommend for multiple sclerosis?
• Is there any new protocol or treatment for Lyme disease?

Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a nutrition scientist and the founding director of the Center for Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research at Columbia University, details the intriguing relationship between diet and sleep quality, exploring how various foods and nutrients affect sleep patterns. Dr. St-Onge shares insights from her research on the Mediterranean diet, functional foods, and the impact of macronutrients like fiber, carbohydrates, and polyphenols on sleep. They also touch on the effects of caffeine and alcohol, as well as the role of psychological interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia. Practical advice and delicious recipes from her new book, “Eat Better, Sleep Better,” are highlighted to help listeners enhance their sleep through dietary changes.

Dr. Robert Silverman, author of “Immune Reboot: Maximizing Immunity, Restoring Gut Health, and Optimizing Vitality,” provides a comprehensive primer on the immune system. He explains how lifestyle factors—diet, sleep, exercise, and stress—impact immune resilience. He offers specific protocols for optimizing resistance to Covid, what to do if you come down with it, and how to treat Long Covid, as well as how to prepare for vaccines. 

Part 1: Could overuse of CT scans cause 100,000 extra cancers?

As natural thyroid ban looms, thyroid sufferers gird for battle with regulators; Rapid weight loss, muscle wasting—what to do? Could overuse of CT scans cause 100,000 extra cancers in the U.S.? Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket residents afflicted with tick-borne meat allergy; Beyond Meat headed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; Searching for the causes of low iron.

Part 2: NAC for Parkinson’s

Report shows rapid declines in health of children and adolescents since 2007; N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for Parkinson’s; Statins increase likelihood of hearing loss, tinnitus; Lithium orotate for Alzheimer’s; Is tinnitus reversible? Novel implantable electrical vagus nerve stimulator approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

References & Resources

Projected lifetime cancer risks from current computed tomography imaging
JAMA Intern Med. 2025;185(6):710–719. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0505

Beyond Meat headed to Chapter 11 bankruptcy
By Daniel Kline, The Street   Aug 12, 2025

Common CT scans are major cancer risks from current, study claims
By Ed Cara, Gizmodo  April 14, 2025

FDA approves first-ever vagus nerve stimulator for rheumatoid arthritis
By Michelle Falci, Med Central  Aug 8, 2025

Statins and their effect on hearing: an all of us database study
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2025 Jul 29:34894251359135

N-acetylcysteine increases dopamine release and prevents the deleterious effects of 6-OHDA on the expression of VMAT2, α-synuclein, and tyrosine hydroxylase
Neurol Res. 2024 May;46(5):406-415

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Are dental mouth guards toxic?

• Is the FDA phasing out natural thyroid?
• Study:  Lithium for Alzheimer’s disease
• More on water filtration issues
• My mother-in-law has hallucinations when she has a UTI.  Why is that?
• Are dental mouth guards toxic?  Is there a better alternative for clenching and bruxism?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Is gentle rebounding and indoor recumbent biking safe for someone with chronic venous insufficiency?
• Were you talking about ‘disseminated sarcoidosis’?
• What are your thoughts on AI-enhanced EKGs?
• What can I do to find relief for my irritable bowel syndrome?
• Are there benefits to chelation therapy, or has it fallen out of favor?
• Some brands of stevia don’t contain erythritol.  Can I use those?