Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the importance of quitting smoking. She shares her personal experience with smoking and how she successfully quit. Leyla provides insights on the current statistics of smoking in the U.S. and worldwide from the CDC and WHO. She emphasizes the benefits of quitting smoking, including immediate health improvements and long-term risk reductions. Leyla also offers practical advice on using food and other techniques to curb nicotine cravings, highlighting specific fruits, vegetables, and tools that can help. She concludes with a strong message about the impact of smoking on secondhand smoke victims, including children and pets, and encourages listeners to consider quitting for both personal and communal health benefits.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the crucial role of iron in the body. She explains iron’s importance in producing hemoglobin for oxygen transport, supporting the immune system, and ensuring overall energy levels. Leyla delves into iron’s impact on brain health, cognitive function, and mood regulation, and discusses the differences between heme and non-heme iron in foods. Emphasizing the need for balance, she warns against both deficiency and excess iron, and highlights groups at higher risk for iron deficiency. Listeners are encouraged to get their iron levels checked and consult healthcare professionals for appropriate supplementation.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the importance of trace minerals selenium and iodine, their health benefits, and food sources. Leyla details the roles of selenium in immunity, thyroid function, antioxidant protection, reproductive health, DNA synthesis, and reducing cancer risk. She addresses sources such as Brazil nuts, seafood, and enriched foods while cautioning about possible toxicity. Leyla then covers iodine’s critical function in thyroid hormone production, brain development, and immune support, highlighting sources like seaweed and iodized salt. Emphasizing the global concern of iodine deficiency, especially in pregnant women, she underscores the minerals’ significance for overall health.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses recent advancements in the detection and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Topics include the new FDA-approved Lumipulse blood test, the role of a ketogenic diet in improving mitochondrial health, and the significance of lifestyle changes such as social and cognitive activities. The episode also highlights promising research from the University of California, Irvine on using natural compounds like nicotinamide and EGCG to rejuvenate aging brain cells and address the buildup of Alzheimer’s-associated proteins. Leyla also provides insights into the difference between Alzheimer’s and general dementia and emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the critical role of mitochondrial health throughout the lifespan, citing Dr. Jeffrey Bland’s insights on mitochondria as a cornerstone of 21st-century health. The episode explores the benefits of ketosis and the ketogenic diet, particularly in supporting neurological health and conditions like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis. Leyla highlights how ketogenic diets stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis and improve mitochondrial function while addressing potential contraindications for specific populations. The importance of a functional medicine approach and personalized interventions is emphasized for optimal health outcomes.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the fascinating link between dietary habits and sleep quality, particularly nightmares. Discussing a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, Leyla explains how consuming certain foods, especially late at night, can influence dream patterns. Foods like sweets, dairy, and allergens such as gluten and lactose were found to have significant effects on sleep disturbances. She emphasizes healthy eating habits, particularly avoiding food allergens and late-night eating, and suggests practical tips for improving sleep quality. Leyla also touches on how cultural beliefs and anecdotal evidence support the scientific findings, providing a comprehensive overview of how diet can directly affect dream content and sleep health.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin focuses on the impact of various exercise interventions on insomnia, based on a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The study compares exercise interventions like yoga, Tai Chi, and jogging to improve both subjective and objective sleep outcomes for insomnia patients. Additional discussion covers the benefits of exercise on neuroplasticity and sleep architecture, while also addressing alternative treatments such as hypnotics and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Leyla shares personal insights and practical advice for incorporating exercise into daily routines for better sleep.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin reveals the alarming increase in obesity-associated cancers in the United States over the past two decades. Highlighting findings from a recent study presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, Leyla underscores the significant rise in cancer deaths linked to obesity, particularly among women, older adults, Native Americans, and Black Americans. She also explores the complex causes of obesity, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, and offers insights into effective weight management strategies. Additionally, Leyla examines the high rates of heart disease in various U.S. states, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications and public health initiatives to combat cardiovascular diseases.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the recently released 2025 report on the best overall diets. She critiques the methodology behind nutritional research, emphasizing issues such as recall bias and the reliability of food frequency questionnaires. Leyla then provides an in-depth review of the top ten diets listed in the report: Mediterranean, DASH, Flexitarian, MIND, Mayo Clinic, TLC, Menopause, Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-inflammatory, Volumetrics, and Cleveland Clinic diets. She argues that many of these diets are misrepresented, particularly regarding their fat content and sustainability claims. Leyla also offers her insights on what constitutes a truly effective and sustainable diet.

Understanding the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15: A Guide to Healthier Produce Choices: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Highlighting the importance of making informed produce choices, Leyal explains the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, which list the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables, respectively. Key findings include the presence of harmful pesticides in 75% of non-organic produce and the health risks associated with pesticide exposure. Leyla offers practical tips on reducing pesticide intake, such as opting for organic produce, washing fruits and vegetables, and utilizing frozen options when fresh organic produce is unavailable.