Part 1: Are migraines predictive of heart attacks?

A cautionary tale about a life-threatening reaction to the double flu/Covid booster; Are migraines predictive of heart attacks? Where does all our recycling go? (The answer will shock you!); Ultra-processed foods damage male reproductive health.

Part 2: Stress Hormone Testing

Why vaccines have become so polarizing; Florida to remove all vaccine mandates; A modest proposal for revised Covid vaccine guidelines has the CDC in an uproar; Gastroparesis—what causes it and how to alleviate it; options for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation; New tech enables continuous home testing of levels of stress hormone; The mystery of a dog’s sudden death.

References & Resouorces

Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health
Cell Metab. 2025 Aug 22:S1550-4131(25)00360-2. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.08.004. Online ahead of print.

Migraine headache: An under-appreciated risk factor for Cardiovascular disease in women.
Journal of the American Heart Association  Volume 8, Number 22, https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.014546

Hemangiosarcoma accounts for 5% of canine malignancies
Canine Health Foundation, August 16, 2007

Florida seeks to end the state’s vaccine mandates
By Joseph De Avila and Alyssa Lukpat, WSJ  September 3, 2025

An evidence-based approach to COVID-19 vaccination
N Engl J Med 2025;392:2484-2486

Gastroparesis is a chronic stomach disorder where the stomach muscles don’t move food into the small intestine properly, causing a delay in gastric emptying
Cleveland Clinic

Open-label pilot study: non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation improves symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis
Neurogastroenterol Motility Volume 32, Issue 4

Meet Hormometer, the first continuous monitoring system
Eli Health

Part 1: Potatoes and Diabetes

• Potato intake and diabetes risk.
• How much daily leucine is required to regain muscle?

Part 2: Hair Regrowth

• I have high LDL cholesterol and a ‘0’ calcium score.  Why does my doctor insist I take a statin?
• How much vitamin D should I take?  Which product do you recommend?
• Some doctors assert omega-3s are proinflammatory.  What say you?
• Study: Magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer
• Do you have any products to regrow hair?
• I have a calcium score, but prefer to avoid Lipitor.

All about scars, and how to prevent them with Dr. Gary Linkov, a Facial and Plastic Surgeon specializing in lip procedures and hair restoration. What are scars and why do some people scar more than others? How good operative techniques can reduce scar susceptibility; Why exposing healing scars to air is less optimal than covering them; What’s the proper sequence of topical applications? Why some popular over-the-counter scar gels can irritate healing skin; The rationale for the ingredients in Dr. Linkov’s scar treatment; Brazilian Butt Lifts—what can go wrong? Ozempic face—will it drive more plastic surgery? What’s the future for hair restoration based on the latest research? Do natural hair supplements work? Why plastic surgeons sometimes need to leverage psychology skills in establishing realistic goals for patients; How to find a reputable cosmetic surgeon. (These topics and more are covered in depth on Dr. Linkov’s YouTube channel.)

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.