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Leyla Weighs In: Grocery shopping tips
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
It’s National Nutrition Month, and it’s all about eating better! Now that you’ve arranged your kitchen, pantry and refrigerator for ease of use for food preparation and cooking, let’s tackle grocery shopping. The lament I hear from most people is lack of…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: My go-to chicken soup
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
This isn’t a soup I make only when I feel like I’m coming down with a cold or flu, it’s hands down, my favorite chicken soup. My eldest auntie taught me that wings impart the best flavor. She wasn’t kidding!…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: How to get a good night’s sleep
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I am a 78-year-old man in great health. My weight is excellent and I exercise and run on a regular schedule. My problem is waking up after four hours and not being able to fall back to sleep. What causes…read more
Leyla Weighs In: Health or disease? You choose
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
March is National Nutrition Month. Health or Disease? YOU choose. Believe it. In many cases, you have a choice. The state of our health care system today doesn’t promote health. It is more like a “sick care system” in my opinion,…read more
Categories:General Medicine General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: February is Heart Disease Month
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Last week, I highlighted the American Heart Association’s misguided stance on saturated fats and vegetable oils. The focus of this week’s article is on the more critical risk factors for heart disease. Let’s talk inflammation. We know for a fact that those with…read more
Categories:Heart Disease Heart Health Inflammation Metabolic Syndrome
Leyla Weighs In: American Heart Association is still saturated fat phobic
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Despite so much scientific evidence absolving saturated fats as dangerous to the heart and promoting heart disease, the AHA is still having trouble discerning fact from fallacy when it comes to informing the public about health. As Dr. Hoffman referred to in…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Heart Health Nutrition Controversies
Ask Leyla: Which type of exercise is best—HIIT or endurance training?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Which is preferable for health and conditioning, long, grueling marathons or relatively short bursts of intense aerobic activity? Some say the latter is more natural. A: Let me first say, I think all forms of exercise are beneficial to…read more
Categories:Exercise
Ask Leyla: Why is my arachidonic acid so high?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Arachidonic acid is a pro-inflammatory fatty acid responsible for the production of series 2 prostaglandins, a hallmark of inflammation associated with conditions such as asthma and arthritis, to name a couple. However, arachidonic acid is not altogether a foe. It…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: My go-to roast chicken
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
I come home from work on a typical weekday and pull out of the fridge an approximately 3 ½ pound organic chicken I purchased the other day with my other groceries—salad greens and other veggies to roast in the oven…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What are the benefits of DHEA?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I keep hearing about DHEA. What exactly is it, and how important is DHEA to health? Should I take a supplement? How can I boost my DHEA levels naturally? A: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a vital hormone secreted by the…read more
Categories:Endocrinology
Leyla Weighs In: Red food dye and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
A recent study from McMaster University concludes long-term consumption of certain artificial food dyes can be a potential trigger to IBD such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Allure Red food coloring, which includes FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17…read more
Categories:ADD/ADHD Crohn's Disease IBD
Ask Leyla: Diet compliance and your busy life; Navigating your therapeutic diet
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m on a strict therapeutic diet for an autoimmune condition and am worried about being able to stay on my plan and maintain a social life. How do I navigate this without wrecking my diet? I don’t want to risk a…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Focus in the New Year: Your terrain
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
2023 will be a time to think differently about health, wellness, disease and even contagion as our great awakening unfolds. The health of your terrain is a determinant of your vulnerability to illness. Whether it’s cold and flu or autoimmune…read more
Categories:General Medicine
Ask Leyla: Is my waist-to-hip ratio a health risk despite my daily exercise routine?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My BMI is 19.8 but my waist-to-hip ratio is 0.96. My body fat percentage as measured in a health club ranges from 38 to 40 percent! My doctor said it’s hereditary—both my mother and grandmother carried weight around the…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Obesity
Ask Leyla: How much water should I be drinking every day?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I hear a lot about how important it is to be hydrated, but I’m not always sure if I’m drinking enough to make sure that happens. What is your recommendation for how much water I should be drinking in order…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Eat the rainbow
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: How can I ensure that I’m getting the most nutrition possible from my food? A: The digestion and absorption of the nutrition from your foods depends on the health and well-being of your gastrointestinal tract, microbiota, and any medications…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Which matters more—the amount or type of calories you consume?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What difference does it make if I’m on a low-fat or low-carb diet for weight loss? Isn’t it all about the calories? Don’t I have to burn more calories than I take in? A: It does make a difference…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Ask Leyla: Can I still have my morning coffee during intermittent fasting?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve read about the health benefits of intermittent fasting and want to incorporate it into my routine. But does fasting mean I’ll need to give up my morning coffee? And can intermittent fasting slow my metabolism over time? A:…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What can be done to improve bone mineral density?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My sister is 59 years old and her bone health has progressed to osteoporosis. A year ago she started Fosamax, strontium, calcium, 1000 IU vitamin D, and magnesium among other vitamins including fish oil. She is fairly active every…read more
Categories:Muscle and Bone Health
Ask Leyla: Can vitamin C raise blood sugar?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I am a type 2 diabetic who takes 4,000 mg of vitamin C each day. I recently heard that vitamin C can raise your blood sugar. Is this true? A: Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for maintaining optimal…read more
Categories:Diabetes Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: The benefits of cocoa flavanols
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Chocolate lovers rejoice! Now you can have your chocolate and eat (and drink) it too thanks to the proven benefits of flavan-3-ols. Flavonoids in foods are shown to confer a vast array of health-promoting benefits due to a synergy of…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Heart Health
Leyla Weighs In: A strong immune system starts with a healthy gut
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
If you’re concerned about the state of your immune system this cold and flu season, focus on your gut. Seventy percent of immunity is in the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) which is part of the gastrointestinal tract. The most…read more
Categories:Immunity Microbiome
Ask Leyla: Should iron and vitamin C be taken together?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Are there some supplements that should not be taken together? I seem to recall reading that supplements containing iron and vitamin C should not be taken together but I don’t recall why. Can you shed some light on the…read more
Categories:Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: The dangers of very low cholesterol
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Cholesterol is not a foe in and of itself. Here’s why: Cholesterol is a necessary substance in our bodies. It’s part of all of our cell membranes—the phospholipid membrane. As much as 80 percent of cholesterol is produced by the…read more
Categories:Heart Disease Heart Health
Leyla Weighs In: Are we destined to lose muscle mass as we age?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Sarcopenia is the loss of lean body mass, especially with advancing age. Think frailty. Indeed, physically inactive people can lose between three to five percent lean body mass every year—starting as young as age 30! Current recommendations for daily protein…read more
Categories:Aging Exercise Muscle and Bone Health
Ask Leyla: What is “lean diabetes”?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m 75 years old and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I’m skinny and have never been overweight. I was told I have “lean diabetes”. What does this mean? A: There are a number of factors contributing to your…read more
Categories:Diabetes General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: September is Food Safety Education Month
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
The importance of food safety cannot be overstated. Every year there are an estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illness. Proper handling of food is critical to keeping it safe to eat. Preventing cross-contamination is key. When checking out at…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: More on atrial fibrillation
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I read your article on atrial fibrillation (AF) and was intrigued by the emphasis on the importance of lifestyle changes for prevention of the condition. Can you elaborate? A: What I find striking about AF is its recent prevalence. That might be explained…read more
Categories:Heart Health
Ask Leyla: Is salt making me fat?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I think we are all aware that excess sodium intake can cause water retention. However, I guess I wasn’t fully aware of the relationship between a high-salt diet and fructose production? Is salt itself causing weight gain? Do I…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Nutrition and Weight Obesity
Ask Leyla: Which is better for inflammation, borage oil or evening primrose oil?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve heard that both borage oil and evening primrose oil have anti-inflammatory properties, but I don’t know much about them. What makes these oils beneficial? Which would you recommend for someone who is looking to reduce inflammation? A: Borage oil is…read more
Categories:Inflammation Supplements
Ask Leyla: Can dietary changes help improve my anxiety?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My fiancé suffers from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). He has been on antidepressants for a long time but they don’t seem to be of much help. Are there any nutritional recommendations to support him? A: Barring any emotional/psychological issues…read more
Ask Leyla: Should I start drinking red wine for heart health?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve never been a heavy drinker, but I’ve heard red wine has beneficial compounds for heart health. I’d like to start drinking it, but am unsure which wine is best. How do I know which red wine has good…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Heart Health
Leyla Weighs In: Want to get happy? Eat your veggies!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Might increasing vegetable intake increase happiness? According to a recent study, yes. We know the physical health benefits of eating more vegetables and fruits (like prevention of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer), but a growing body of evidence has revealed that…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Mental and Emotional Health
Ask Leyla: Should I be worried about my granddaughter’s weight?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I have a nine-year-old granddaughter who is quite overweight. The rest of the family, mom, dad and three siblings are all normal weight. They don’t keep a lot of junk food or sodas in the house and she doesn’t…read more
Categories:Nutrition and Weight Obesity Pediatric Health
Leyla Weighs In: Worried about heart health? Take care of your teeth!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
As a dietitian, some of the most important questions during my intake include an assessment of oral health. Poor dentition can put someone at nutritional risk due to reduced consumption of high fiber foods, instead opting for processed foods that…read more
Categories:Heart Health
Ask Leyla: How can I maximize my sun exposure to get the recommended amount of vitamin D?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve read that twenty minutes of sun exposure will give us 10,000 to 20,000 IV of vitamin D. If I am fully clothed with a long-sleeved shirt am I still getting 20,000 IU? Short-sleeved shirt? How about without a shirt?…read more
Categories:Skin and Hair Supplements
How can I encourage someone to live a healthier lifestyle?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: How do you advise a 70-year-old to start a healthier life when they have horrible eating habits and are a certified couch potato? A: The simple answer? You don’t advise them to do anything. Unless of course, they’re looking…read more
Categories:Exercise General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Why is my vitamin D still low after supplementation?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m a healthy 61-year-old female with an ongoing vitamin D deficiency. My doctor has given me 25,000 IU vitamin D per week over a 10-week period a few times over the last 18 months and my levels continue to…read more
Categories:Supplements
Ask Leyla: What’s causing my low testosterone?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve been told I have lower-than-normal testosterone levels. Can you shed some light on what might cause that and if there is anything I can do to help raise my testosterone levels? A: Many things can lower testosterone levels,…read more
Categories:Men’s Health
Ask Leyla: Which supplements do you take?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What supplements do you take and how do you determine which are most important for you given how expensive nutraceuticals can be? A: Let me answer the expense question first. I consider my supplement protocol a very important adjunct to the…read more
Categories:Supplements
Ask Leyla: What should I keep in mind when looking for supplements on a budget?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What are the most important supplements to take for people on a budget? A: This is a great question because most people are interested in taking supplements to maintain their health and longevity. While getting the best bang for…read more
Categories:Supplements
Ask Leyla: Is my doctor recommending too much calcium?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My doctor advised me to take 1,200 mg of calcium daily for bone health. Is this the correct dose? No other vitamins or minerals were mentioned. A: The recommendation made by many doctors to take that dose—or an even…read more
Ask Leyla: Frequently asked questions about supplements
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Supplements are an important part of your comprehensive medical and nutritional treatment program, but many who are prescribed supplements have questions about their use and benefits. This week, I’ve tried to tackle some of the most commonly asked questions. Why…read more
Categories:General Medicine Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: Benefits of regenerative agriculture (part two)
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Last week I talked about the benefits of regenerative agriculture with respect to healthy soil. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, soil health is measured by the soil’s ability to function as a living system while maintaining air and water quality, performing…read more
Categories:Environmental Health General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Industrial agricultural practices like tilling, monocropping and heavy use of chemical and fossil fuel-produced fertilizers disturb and degrade soil health, so much so that the United States lost 1.7 billion tons of it to wind and water erosion in the year…read more
Categories:Environmental Health General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Is soy bad for me?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I read various health newsletters and books and websites on nutritional advice, which I would like your opinion on. I recently saw one of those click-bait videos whose tagline was: “Which health food should you be avoiding?” It turns out…read more
Categories:Food Sensitivity General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
In an effort first started by the National Academies of Sciences in 2017 to increase transparency and manage bias, The Nutrition Coalition along with six other agencies and universities recently undertook a study to measure incidence of conflicts of interest within…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What can I do to help alleviate my PMS symptoms?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Like many, I suffer from PMS symptoms and would like to manage them naturally as much as possible. Is there anything I can do to make the symptoms less severe, or prevent them altogether—or am I stuck taking the usual…read more
Categories:Supplements Women’s Health
Ask Leyla: Why am I craving fat?—A follow up
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Recently I emailed you that I had decreased my carbohydrate intake significantly but developed a new obsession: nuts, cheese, and seeds! Well, my co-workers threw me a going-away party and guilted me into eating cake (they were fully aware…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Why am I craving fat?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I used to eat myself into a sugar coma most days of the week, so it came as a pleasant surprise when I did not experience withdrawal symptoms from significantly decreasing my total carbohydrate intake. However, over the past…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What should I eat and what supplements should I take?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: The more I read and listen, the more confused I get about what to eat! I feel like I need a PhD when I go to the grocery store and supplement aisle. I don’t know if I’m getting enough…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: Planning to prevent hunger pangs
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Yes, you’ve had a longer day at work than usual and can hardly scare up the motivation to do anything about dinner except take out or delivery. And even though you know the toll it takes health-wise to eat fast…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Optimizing your kitchen
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
March is National Nutrition Month and an opportunity to bring you more information on nutrition and health. It’s a good time to take stock of your eating habits and see where there’s room for improvement. Let’s start with food prep….read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Which magnesium is right for me?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q:I have heard magnesium is very important and many people are deficient in it. What form would you recommend as I see there are several different formulations. A: Magnesium is an important mineral involved in many essential biochemical functions including muscle and…read more
Categories:Supplements
Ask Leyla: Should I have metal dental fillings removed to reduce mercury exposure?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My daughter is seriously considering having the silver fillings in her teeth removed in order to protect her future children from toxicity and possible learning disabilities. What are the health risks to her—not getting it done vs. getting it…read more
Categories:Dental Health Environmental Health General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: How can I regain weight after illness?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I lost 10 pounds last year after a bout of food poisoning. I was treated for SIBO, included more animal protein, and slowly added more carbs back into my diet, but I still have not gained the weight back….read more
Categories:Digestive Health Nutrition and Weight Supplements
Ask Leyla: Is a low-fat diet good for heart disease?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My mother has had undiagnosed pre-diabetes for years and now has established coronary artery disease (CAD). Her cardiologist has her convinced that embarking on a super low-fat diet will help to decrease her LDL cholesterol. Hoping you can explain…read more
Categories:Heart Disease
Ask Leyla: Is olive oil safe for high-temperature cooking?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I often see recipes using extra virgin olive oil with oven temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Doesn’t that produce harmful free radicals? What cooking oils do you recommend when cooking or baking at high temperatures? A: Vegetable oils that…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Are nitrites good or bad?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I am avoiding bacon only because of nitrites. In doing my research on exactly what nitrites are, I am seeing a lot of sites claiming that nitrites are not bad for you either. I’m confused again. Are nitrites good…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Should I include cold cuts in my Mediterranean diet?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Please weigh in on the effects of including cold cuts such as salami, prosciutto, and capicola in one’s diet. Are all cold cuts created equal? I’m confused because of the recommendation to eat a Mediterranean diet. Cold cuts seem…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What’s a good breakfast for someone with coronary artery plaque
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Would you please suggest some breakfast ideas for someone who has coronary artery plaque and is on a statin? A: A cause of cardiovascular disease is inflammation. That inflammation is typically triggered by poor diet consisting of inflammatory foods…read more
Categories:Heart Disease
Leyla Weighs In: It’s 2022—Make it a year for change
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Experts say we don’t break a habit. We simply replace it with a new one, a new behavior. How we eat is actually a behavior. For example, if you’re always the first one to finish your meal at the family…read more
Categories:Exercise General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Can I eat a high fat meal if I’ve had my gallbladder removed?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Is it harmful to ingest too much fat at one meal after you’ve had your gallbladder removed? A: The gallbladder is essentially a depot for bile secreted by the liver. Bile is necessary for the emulsification, digestion, and absorption…read more
Categories:Gall bladder disease
Ask Leyla: What’s causing my brittle nails?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My fingernails are so brittle! Do you have any suggestions? A: Onychoschizia, or brittle nails, is more common in women than men according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). The first thing to find out is what’s…read more
Categories:Skin and Hair
Leyla Weighs In: How to cook when you’re short on time or motivation
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
A frequent question I get from my patients is, “I don’t have time to cook every day. How can I possibly implement my prescribed diet?” The simple answer is you don’t have to cook every day. Full disclosure: I like…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Is my struggle to lose weight on a new diet due to my hypothyroidism?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve been trying to lose weight on a low fat, low calorie, mostly plant-based diet—about 1200 calories a day—with little success. I feel I have to go this low because of my hypothyroidism. Why isn’t it working? A: One…read more
Categories:Endocrinology
Leyla Weighs In: Hemoglobin A1c vs. Glycomark: A tale of two tests
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
You’ve heard me touting the benefits of the gold standard glucose tolerance test (GTT). Another test we’ve relied on to determine blood sugar values is the Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c). The HgbA1c is a marker of average blood glucose over a…read more
Categories:Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome
Ask Leyla: What are my optimal blood sugar levels?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What should my blood sugar reading be? A: I am going to assume you mean fasting blood sugar because this is what most doctors check first to determine any abnormalities. Generally, the normal range for fasting blood sugar, depending…read more
Categories:Diabetes Hypoglycemia
Ask Leyla: Any tips for sticking to my therapeutic diet over the holidays?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m on a strict therapeutic diet for an autoimmune condition and am worried about being able to stay on my plan through the upcoming holidays. How do I join in the festivities without wrecking my diet? I don’t want…read more
Categories:Autoimmune Diseases General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Want to eat less? Sleep better!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Are you snacking much? More than usual? It may have to do with how much sleep you’re getting—or not getting which is more to the point. We know that not meeting sleep recommendations contributes to poorer health and increased risk…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Sleep
Ask Leyla: Do you have any dietary recommendations for psoriasis?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Our 26-year-old, otherwise healthy daughter has psoriasis on her legs and elbows. She has been taking injections of Humira, tried light therapy, a gluten-free diet, and topical creams, all with little effect. What else would you recommend to help…read more
Categories:Skin and Hair
Leyla Weighs In: Got high blood pressure? Check your meds!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
If you’ve been told of recent high blood pressure, you are likely concerned about its impact on your health. Most often, high blood pressure is due to weight gain, stress and a poor lifestyle. Losing 5 to 7 percent of…read more
Categories:Hypertension
Leyla Weighs In: Identifying your stage of change
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
How close are you to making a change in your lifestyle, behavior, or habits? How you eat, how you move, your outlook, has everything to do with your health status and any expected outcomes for success. Are you even considering…read more
Categories:General Medicine General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What’s the difference in how fructose and sucrose impact physiology?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Glucose and fructose are both called sugar and combine to form sucrose, common table sugar, but how similar are they? How do these affect human physiology? A: While fructose and sucrose (table sugar) may taste the same and provide…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What’s your opinion on avocado oil?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What do you think of avocado oil so widely used today in mayonnaise? A: Avocadoes are a superfood, rich in monounsaturated fats and beneficial plant sterols—that’s the plant’s cholesterol, in case you didn’t know. Avocado oil in its native form…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Impacts of nutritional deficiencies on mental health
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Micronutrient malnutrition, or deficiencies in one or more critical vitamins or minerals, can adversely impact both mental and physical health and potentially lead to chronic illness. According to national statistics, there are several nutrient shortfalls that are common, chiefly, potassium,…read more
Categories:Depression/Anxiety General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: How important is DHEA to health?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a vital hormone secreted by the adrenal glands which sit right above the kidneys. Smaller amounts are produced by the gonads and brain. DHEA is the substrate from which other sex hormones are made, such as estrogen…read more
Categories:Endocrinology
Ask Leyla: What’s your take on popular meat substitutes?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What is your take on meat substitutes that have become popular lately, like Beyond Beef or Impossible Burger? Are the ingredients above board? A: Food science, with its creation of flavors and macronutrient substitutions, is a fascinating field. I…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Nutrition Controversies
Ask Leyla: Is it safe to cook with aluminum?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My family has been incorporating wild Alaskan salmon into our diets regularly. We cook them either in the oven or on the grill in aluminum foil. Is it healthy and safe to cook in aluminum foil? A: I don’t recommend…read more
Ask Leyla: What are some non-dairy probiotic foods?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m allergic to dairy so I can’t rely on probiotics from yogurt or kefir. What do you recommend instead for people like me who can’t have dairy? A: Dairy isn’t the only source for probiotics. There’s a wonderful world…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Probiotics
Ask Leyla: Do paleo/keto diets cause gluconeogenesis (“new glucose”)
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Do ketogenic and Paleo diets cause any muscle breakdown to produce glucose via gluconeogenesis? A: Gluconeogenesis (“new glucose”) is made in the liver from amino acids—the building blocks of protein—to support blood sugar metabolism known as glycolysis. These amino…read more
Categories:Ketogenic Diet Paleo Diet
Leyla Weighs In: Essential Detox: The importance of a healthy liver
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Your liver is an organ essential to life. As the body’s filter, everything you swallow or absorb passes through it. The liver is the major organ of elimination and the manager of detoxification processes in the body. We could not…read more
Categories:Liver disease
Ask Leyla: A Healthier Nation
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: If there was just one change you could make to the typical American diet to make us a healthier nation, what would it be? A: What a great question! With the twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes – Diabesity, it’s…read more
Categories:Diabetes General Nutrition Obesity
Ask Leyla: How can I lower my HgbA1c?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Six months ago, my HgbA1c was 5.9 which was very concerning but now my most recent bloodwork indicates it’s up to 6.5. I’m on a low carb diet, and the only remaining sugars in my diet result from three…read more
Categories:Diabetes
Ask Leyla: Should I avoid certain foods during a shingles outbreak?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: What foods must I avoid when I have shingles and what do I have to do to hasten the resolution of this condition? A: The herpes virus, in this case herpes zoster – a reactivation of the varicella virus…read more
Categories:General Medicine General Nutrition Supplements
Ask Leyla: What’s the difference between gluten sensitivity and celiac disease?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I hear a lot about gluten sensitivity and celiac disease these days, and gluten-free products and menus seem to be everywhere. But what’s the difference? Are they the same thing? A: According to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,…read more
Categories:Gluten Sensitivity
Leyla Weighs In: Size matters!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Portion size, that is. Did you know a New York bagel was about the size of a hockey puck back in the 1970s? Today, it’s equivalent to four or five slices of bread. And if you hollow out the middle,…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Obesity
Ask Leyla: I’ve been diagnosed with diverticulosis—what foods should I avoid?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with diverticulosis, and I am researching which foods to avoid and which to eat. However, I’m getting conflicting information. Can you provide some guidance? A: Diverticulosis is very common, especially in those over the…read more
Categories:Digestive Health
Ask Leyla: What do I need to know about branched chain amino acids?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I know that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are good to consume after a workout, but aside from whey protein, I’m not sure which foods can provide them. Are there any sources of BCAAs other than whey protein? A: There…read more
Categories:Exercise General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: What are the health benefits of apple cider vinegar?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve heard that apple cider vinegar is good for your health, although I’m a little unclear on how. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about it—could you discuss its benefits, if any? A: Besides being a favorite…read more
Categories:General Medicine General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Time Restricted Feeding—Better than counting calories
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Here’s another reason to stop counting calories if you’re trying to lose weight. As published in the journal Cell Metabolism, scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego have found that Time Restricted Feeding (TRF) may be more effective for…read more
Categories:Nutrition and Weight
Ask Leyla: Why is my vitamin D still low?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’ve been taking a daily vitamin D supplement for a long time and my levels are still low. Can you offer any advice as to why that might be? A: There are many reasons serum vitamin D levels remain…read more
Categories:Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: It’s Food Allergy Action Month – What is allergic addiction?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Based on evidence in the scientific literature and case studies of my patients over the years, I can say with certainty that as many as 60 percent of the population suffers from hidden food allergies. According to Alan Gaby, MD, “hidden food…read more
Categories:Allergy
Ask Leyla: What is causing my low energy?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m a 39-year-old woman who often finds myself with low energy. Do you have any suggestions for what might be causing it, or possible solutions? A: There are a myriad of reasons for low energy. Here are some obvious…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: When a healthy diet isn’t enough—getting to the bottom of stubborn weight loss
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
For many patients, it takes more than a healthy diet to win the battle of the bulge. Our practice is typically a last resort for patients who have tried and failed many popular diet programs, from Jenny Craig to Weight…read more
Categories:Nutrition and Weight Obesity Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: Is atrial fibrillation a lifestyle-related condition?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
We are seeing more and more cases of A-fib and the medical management that such a diagnosis requires. But in an article in Medscape, Dr. John Mandrola writes that his approach to treating patients with atrial fibrillation has changed “completely…read more
Categories:Exercise General Nutrition Heart Health
Leyla Weighs In: Do Vegetarian/Vegan diets impact bone fracture risk?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
A recent study looked to examine the impacts of vegetarian and vegan diets vs. meat-eaters on bone fracture risk. Previous epidemiological studies have shown vegetarians to have lower bone mineral density (BMD) than meat-eaters, but associations of those diets with…read more
Categories:Muscle and Bone Health Vegetarian Diet
Ask Leyla: It’s Alcohol Awareness Month – What lifestyle changes can help my son manage his alcoholism?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My son who is in his late twenties has had a drinking/drug problem for years. I do not know after reading your article whether it is actually alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Regardless, it has become a real problem both personally and…read more
Categories:Alcoholism
Leyla Weighs In: The causes of IBS
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
April is IBS Awareness Month The prevalence of IBS has increased dramatically over the last decade. In fact, an estimated 30 to 45 million people in the United States—10 to 15 percent of the population—are affected by IBS, according to…read more
Categories:IBS
Leyla Weighs In: The link between inflammation and mental illness
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
In setting out to determine how chronic inflammation affects the brain, researchers have found a mechanism that directly links inflammation to mental illness. As much as 75 percent of the 1.5 million Americans afflicted with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are…read more
Categories:Inflammation Mental and Emotional Health
Ask Leyla: Can good gut bacteria help reduce kidney stones?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I had a kidney stone for the first time at 52 years of age, and I was researching why this happened at this stage of my life. I read how a gut bacteria called Oxalobacter formigenes metabolizes oxalates in the…read more
Categories:Endocrinology Microbiome
Leyla Weighs In: Why see a nutritionist?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
CELEBRATING NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH You already have a regular doctor, right? Like a primary care practitioner, general practitioner or internist? But did you know there are many benefits that you may not be aware of to also having a nutritionist?…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Why do I feel sick if I don’t eat every few hours?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I have adult female friends who are somewhat overweight who say if they don’t eat every three hours they feel nauseous and sick. The foods they eat are not from healthy sources. Is their nausea a withdrawal symptom or a…read more
Categories:Food Sensitivity Hypoglycemia
Ask Leyla: How can I lower my triglycerides?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: You’ve talked about high triglycerides being an important risk factor for heart disease—even more so than cholesterol. What can I do to lower mine? A: Yes, that’s right. It’s not all about cholesterol when it comes to heart disease. High triglycerides are…read more
Categories:Heart Health Metabolic Syndrome
Leyla Weighs In: More On Heart Disease: Oxidized LDL
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Fact: Those with diabetes, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome progress to coronary artery disease as much as 70 percent faster than individuals without diabetes. High blood sugar and insulin levels create inflammation, especially in arteries. The high carb diet associated with…read more
Categories:Atherosclerosis Heart Disease Heart Health
Ask Leyla: What does my elevated LDL say about my heart risk?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I am a 71-year-young man in excellent condition. At my last physical, my HDL was 63, triglycerides 55, and LDL was 173. I’ve been told this is on the high side for LDL. How do I reduce my LDL…read more
Categories:Atherosclerosis Heart Disease Heart Health
Leyla Weighs In: Keep a budget – A carbohydrate budget
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Weight loss diets are definitely doable if you learn to keep a budget. But I’m not talking about budgeting money or even calories here, I’m talking about carbohydrates. Just as in personal finance where a budget is a tool to…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Nutrition and Weight
Leyla Weighs In: The best approach to weight loss I ever learned
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
One of the most important components of education and training to become a nutritionist is nutritional counseling. It’s critical for changing eating behavior and is particularly germane to weight loss. I was struck by an interesting psychological strategy used by…read more
Categories:Nutrition and Weight Obesity
Ask Leyla: To eat bread or not to eat bread? That is the question.
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I’m still unsure about whether I should eat regular bread. I don’t have a gluten problem. Can I just eat bread when I feel like indulging? A: The simple answer would be you can eat bread if you don’t…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Gluten Sensitivity
Leyla Weighs In: Take your thyroid medicine with water, not coffee
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
If you have low thyroid and are taking thyroid medicine, you were likely advised to take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, preferably 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. This advice is correct, however, many individuals…read more
Categories:Endocrinology Hypothyroidism Medications
Leyla Weighs In: It’s 2021: Establishing new habits is a worthy resolution
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Experts say we don’t break a habit. We simply replace it with a new one, a new behavior. How we eat is actually a behavior. For example, if you’re always the first one to finish your meal at the family table,…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: In pursuit of instant gratification
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Do you desire pleasure or fulfillment without delay or deferment? Maybe you operate on the Pleasure Principle—the force that compels us to gratify our urges, wants and needs now rather than later, because to deny them causes varying degrees of tension…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Holiday eating done right!
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Sometimes the best way to stick to a diet plan is to break all the rules. Yes, that’s just what I said. The holidays are a perfect time to help you stick to your diet. You just have to follow…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Nutrition and Weight
Leyla Weighs In: The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Breaking the sugar habit can be tough, but replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners carries its own challenges and risks. By making the change to artificial sweeteners, we’re not really breaking the sugar habit. Instead, we’re using a substitute that tastes…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Leyla Weighs In: Handwashing to prevent food poisoning
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Today marks the end of National Handwashing Awareness Week. You’re probably rolling your eyes—I know! We’ve been inundated with messages of the importance of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic, even more than we usually are during cold and flu season….read more
Categories:General Medicine General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: I’m diabetic; what’s the best way to shed stubborn weight?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I am a 46-year-old male, weighing 260 pounds at 5’9” tall. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes several years ago. My most recent Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) was 8, and I currently take Metformin, Lantus, and Altace. I am…read more
Categories:Diabetes Nutrition and Weight Obesity
Ask Leyla: It’s National GERD Week—What are your guidelines for going off PPIs?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My sister, who is in her mid-sixties, has been treating her acid reflux with Nexium for years. Her new doctor would like her to go off Nexium. I’ve heard you talk about how difficult that can be. What are…read more
Categories:Digestive Health GERD
Ask Leyla: Is yacon syrup a good sugar substitute?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: I recently read about yacon syrup as a sugar substitute. What are your thoughts on it versus other sweeteners? Does it have a high glycemic index like agave? A: Agave is akin to high fructose corn syrup. And please be…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Ask Leyla: Are whole foods or yeast-based vitamins safe for everyone?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: Can you offer your opinion on whole food multivitamins that seem to have a yeast basis? Is the yeast base questionable even for someone without a yeast allergy or a propensity to yeast infections or would you advise against…read more
Categories:Supplements
Leyla Weighs In: Important self-care tips to support immunity
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
If we’ve learned anything so far in 2020, it’s to pay extra attention to self-care. Here’s how: Eat right: Sugar, white flour, and factory-made trans fats wreak havoc on health and immune function. Eliminate them from your diet. Eat more vegetables…read more
Leyla Weighs In: Five ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Besides regular hand washing—which can reduce your chances of getting the flu by 50 percent according to the CDC—here are some other things you can do to keep your immune system optimal during cold and flu season: Take a probiotic. As…read more
Categories:Colds and Respiratory Infections Flu
Ask Leyla: What’s the difference between common inflammatory markers?
By Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN
Q: My husband’s high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is 1.62 and his homocysteine is 13.1. If they both measure inflammation, why is one result normal and the other one high? A: While both hs-CRP and homocysteine are markers of inflammation, they…read more