Part 1: Avocado Oil

Most mayos, salad dressings and chips “made with 100% avocado oil” fail test; Borderline cholesterol—will a coronary calcium scan help decide whether a statin is warranted? Aged Garlic Extract for blood pressure; Immune benefits of BWH Beta Glucan. 

Part 2: That Fishy Smell

Low-fat dairy shown to confer no weight, cholesterol benefits over full-fat dairy; FDA and USDA to define ultra-processed foods for first time—but what are they really? Newly discovered tick-borne Bourbon virus can be fatal—but is it more pervasive than we think? Thorne supplement maker—sold 3 years ago for $700 million—acquired by Procter & Gamble for $3.8 billion. Those dark skin blotches—are they melasma, or just age spots? Is low-mercury salmon a hype? That fishy smell—does it mean your seafood is spoiled?

Part 1: The New Vaccine Schedule Recommendations

• The new vaccine schedule recommendations
• My urologist is giving me grief that my vitamin D level is too high
• Which nattokinase do you recommend to treat long covid?
• Is the vitamin K in your bone protocol different from the heart protocol?
• What about methylated B vitamins for brain vs. heart health?

Part 2: Is taking Bergamot for cholesterol really effective?

• What are your thoughts on Cleveland Clinic’s assessment of fish oil supplements?
• If I want to go on your sleep protocol, should I order all of the supplements or choose one?
• Do you still recommend individual assessments to determine natural treatments for anxiety and depression?
• Is taking Bergamot for cholesterol really effective?

Chemical engineer and MoldCo founder Ariana Thacker discusses mold-related illness, including chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), as a major blind spot in conventional care for chronic, multi-system symptoms. Thacker recounts developing rapid-onset brain fog, slurred speech, GI issues, hair loss, weight gain, and shortness of breath after six and a half months in a moldy Miami apartment, seeing over a dozen specialists who attributed symptoms to stress or anxiety. They discuss exposures beyond allergy (mycotoxins, VOCs, microbial fragments), genetic susceptibility (HLA haplotypes), and prevalence estimates tied to water-damaged homes. The episode covers home detection (sensory/visual checks, humidity, dust PCR/ERMI testing, certified inspectors) and diagnostics/treatment via Shoemaker-related biomarkers and protocols, including low-starch diet guidance and VIP peptide therapy, plus MoldCo’s testing and virtual care services. Could mold exposure be affecting you? Get your risk score. Use the promo code IntelligentMed for 15% off the CIRS, Complete Panel, and Home Test.

Creating a Healthier Home: Indoor Air Purification and Reverse Osmosis Water Safety. Environmental and wellness expert Helen Christoni discusses reducing toxic exposures at home through improved indoor air and water quality. Christoni describes her health crisis—severe osteoporosis at 42 and multiple fractures—which she attributes to chronic artificial fragrance exposure in beauty product development, and how purifying air and water helped her recover and later complete multiple marathons. They discuss indoor air hazards such as VOCs (including formaldehyde), microplastics, wildfire smoke particles, and the importance of using a sealed, high-grade HEPA (down to 0.003 microns) plus substantial carbon filtration, proper room sizing, and filter maintenance; they caution against relying on ionizers or UV add-ons. On water, Christoni urges reverse osmosis to address contaminants including lead, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and arsenic, noting boiling concentrates pollutants; they also discuss shower filtration for chlorine/chloramines. Resources include airdoctor.com, aquatru.com, isyourairqualitysafe.com, and ismywatersafe.com.

Part 1: The Pros and Cons of Male Circumcision

What happened to all those Balance of Nature commercials we used to hear? What are the pros and cons of male circumcision? Do women wearing thongs get more vaginal infections? Controversy over statins for seniors; An avocado a day may keep the cardiologist away; Major study flags frailty risks with GLP-1 drugs for seniors; Unlicensed doctor arrested after patient dies following NAD+ infusion; Short video “reels” may harm brain centers responsible for attention, executive function.

Part 2: Your Future Drug Deliveries May Be Via Drones

High-dose Vitamin D fails test in treatment of advanced colon cancer—but can prevent many early cancers from metastasizing; IV Vitamin C may delay progression Myelodysplastic syndrome, pancreatic cancer; Your future drug deliveries may be via drones; How to fight age-related “anabolic resistance”; Can osteoporosis be reversed with hormone replacement therapy and resistance exercise?

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?