Dietitian Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses a Stanford-led randomized controlled trial published in Nature Medicine in which a five-day, calorie-restricted fasting-mimicking diet improved symptoms and inflammatory markers in people with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease. In the three-month study of 97 patients, 65 followed monthly five-day cycles of 700–1100 calories/day with plant-based meals, while 32 continued usual diets; about two-thirds of the fasting-mimicking group reported symptom improvement, with fatigue and headaches but no serious side effects, and fecal calprotectin and other inflammatory molecules decreased. She notes bowel rest and the specific carbohydrate diet as additional approaches. The episode also explains how antibiotics can cause diarrhea by disrupting gut bacteria, lists higher-risk antibiotics, offers supportive steps (hydration, BRAT foods, avoiding irritants), recommends Saccharomyces boulardii taken away from antibiotics, and outlines warning signs requiring medical care, including possible C. difficile.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses joint inflammation—its symptoms (swelling, pain, redness, warmth, morning stiffness, reduced range of motion) and why it is usually a sign of an underlying condition rather than a disease itself. She reviews common causes including osteoarthritis (cartilage wear and tear), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune synovium attack with prolonged morning stiffness and fatigue), gout (uric acid crystals, often in the big toe), psoriatic arthritis, injuries, autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren’s), infections such as septic arthritis requiring urgent care, and surrounding-tissue problems like tendonitis and bursitis. Lifestyle factors that worsen inflammation include excess weight, poor diet (including unaddressed food allergies; avoiding nightshades is suggested), insulin resistance contributing to gout, lack of exercise, smoking, and stress. Management strategies include rest, bracing, ice vs. heat, OTC anti-inflammatories, gentle low-impact exercise, anti-inflammatory foods, weight loss, treating root causes, and supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, bromelain, turmeric, Boswellia, and quercetin.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses news from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Take Back Your Health” tour, highlighting hospital commitments to nutrition-driven care, including connecting Florida farms directly to hospital food systems. She reports that CMS issued a quality and safety special alert directing hospitals to align meals with the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing whole nutrient-dense foods and adequate protein while reducing ultra-processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars, and reinforcing Medicare participation requirements such as meeting individual nutrition needs, dietitian oversight, current therapeutic diet manuals, and integrating nutrition into quality improvement. At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz met with healthcare leaders; the hospital signed a pledge to partner with Florida producers to improve food quality, remove procurement barriers, and expand medically tailored meals and training. Muedin praises regenerative agriculture and local supply chains and contrasts these efforts with past high-carbohydrate hospital diets.

Leyla Muedin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, discusses a UK Biobank analysis published in the Journal of Cachexia, “Sarcopenia and Muscle” (Nov 2025) linking continuous long-term statin use (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) to accelerated declines in grip strength and appendicular lean mass compared with never-users. Among 35,557 with follow-up data, grip strength declined by a mean 0.315 kg/year and appendicular lean mass by 0.057 kg/year in statin users; findings persisted after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, and a pharmacogenomic statin-response score. Leyla notes possible mechanisms (CoQ10/mevalonate pathway effects, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, calcium disruption, insulin resistance) and advises monitoring musculoskeletal health, supporting diet and regular physical activity, while not interpreting results as a reason to stop prescribing statins.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses nutrition and menopause, defining menopause as 12 months without a period and noting it can occur naturally or due to surgery/medical procedures. She links declining estrogen to increased cardiometabolic risk, endothelial dysfunction, vascular aging, musculoskeletal pain, and higher risks with early menopause (including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and dementia), and notes many estrogen-modulated conditions are associated with gut dysbiosis. She emphasizes lifestyle—especially nutrition—as key, highlighting anti-inflammatory, minimally processed eating and warning against ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, and excess omega-6. She cites research that high adherence to a Mediterranean diet improves markers like heart rate, lipids, triglycerides, CRP, and overall cardiometabolic risk, and mentions omega-3s lowering triglycerides while modestly raising HDL and LDL. She reviews diet approaches for hot flashes, suggests reducing caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and carbs, notes some women require (bioidentical) HRT, and describes clients improving symptoms with dietary change.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses a New England Journal of Medicine paper (July 2024, cited via Holistic Primary Care) warning about drug-induced magnesium depletion, especially from diuretics, proton pump inhibitors (e.g., Nexium, Prilosec), and certain antibiotics. She notes magnesium is often not routinely measured despite links between deficiency and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological problems, including arrhythmias (AFib, long QT, torsades), endothelial dysfunction, and longer ICU stays. Prevalence estimates range from 7–11% (up to 20%) in hospitalized patients and 2–4% among outpatients, with higher rates among long-term PPI and diuretic users. She reviews symptoms and causes, explains limits of serum magnesium testing, highlights associations with diabetes, alcohol use, low potassium and calcium, and outlines evaluation options and oral repletion approaches, favoring better-absorbed forms like magnesium glycinate over oxide due to diarrhea risk.

Leyla Muedin, a registered dietician nutritionist, shifts the discussion beyond cholesterol and statins to “hidden” cardiovascular risks from insufficient vitamin K and folate intake. Citing Cleveland Clinic and other research, she notes a high prevalence of vitamin K deficiency in the U.S. and widespread inadequate folate intake globally, including low folate levels among women of reproductive age. She explains that vitamin K2 may help inhibit arterial and soft-tissue calcification via activation of matrix GLA protein, with studies linking higher K2 (MK-7) intake to lower coronary heart disease risk and slowed coronary artery calcification. Folate supports vascular function through homocysteine metabolism, with evidence associating higher folate intake with lower cardiovascular mortality, emphasizing active 5-MTHF over folic acid due to conversion limitations in many people. She also notes statins can downregulate vitamin K metabolism and encourages discussing risks, benefits, and supplements with a doctor.

Resveratrol + Copper Research, Plus Grain-Free Strategies for Stalled Weight Loss: Leyla Muedin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, answers listener emails. She reviews a small India study (BJC Reports, published September 30, 2025) in which 10 glioblastoma patients awaiting surgery received resveratrol (5.6 mg) and copper (560 ng) four times daily for about 11.6 days, compared with 10 controls; the combination generated reactive oxygen species that deactivated cell-free chromatin particles in the tumor microenvironment and reduced cancer hallmarks. Asked whether this could be prophylactic against cancer, she says it is unknown and requires replication in larger studies, advising supplement use be discussed with a practitioner. She then addresses grain elimination for stalled weight loss: replace grains with more meat and non-starchy vegetables, think beyond typical breakfast foods by using leftovers, and use small portions of starchy vegetables (e.g., squash or potato) if starch helps sleep. She recommends investigating root causes of anxiety and poor sleep and suggests moderation for foods like oatmeal.

Hidden Hunger: The Importance of Micronutrients: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin focuses on the critical role of micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—in overall health. Leyla highlights the global issue of ‘hidden hunger,’ a deficiency in essential micronutrients that silently affects billions worldwide. She explains the impact of this deficit on immune function, growth, energy metabolism, and chronic disease prevention. The discussion includes key micronutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, B complex, iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, and their sources. Leyla underscores the need for dietary diversity, fortification, targeted supplementation, and nutritional awareness to combat this pervasive issue. She also advises on recognizing symptoms of deficiencies and the importance of individualized nutrition plans guided by healthcare professionals.

Understanding and Managing Heart Health: In this Heart Health Month episode of the Intelligent Medicine Podcast, nutritionist Leyla Muedin addresses a listener’s question about elevated cholesterol levels and calcium scores. Drawing on an article written by Dr. Hoffman, she emphasizes the importance of discussing statin use with a doctor, considering individual risk factors, and getting additional tests like VAPs, NMR, homocysteine, and lipoprotein levels. The episode explores the importance of vitamins K2 and folate in cardiovascular health, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and the impact of dietary choices on heart health.