Nutritionist Leyla Muedin, a registered dietician nutritionist, discusses insightful findings from a University of Colorado Boulder study linking later onset menopause to healthier blood vessels and lower heart disease risk. The study, published in the American Heart Association Journal Circulation Research, reveals that women who experience menopause at age 55 or later have a significantly lower risk of heart attacks and strokes in their postmenopausal years compared to those who go through it earlier. Leyla explains the physiological benefits of later menopause, focusing on better mitochondrial function and lower metabolic abnormalities, and emphasizes the potential impact of dietary interventions on women’s heart health. The episode highlights the importance of metabolic health and suggests that addressing metabolic abnormalities through a low-carb diet can delay menopause and improve overall vascular and heart health.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the potential benefits and considerations of using local raw honey as an immunotherapy for seasonal allergies and allergic rhinitis. Leyla explains how small amounts of local pollen in raw honey might help desensitize the immune system to allergens over time. She reviews various studies, highlighting both promising and inconclusive results, and cautions about the variability of pollen in honey and the risk of allergic reactions. Leyla also addresses the potential side effects of long-term antihistamine use, including an increased risk of dementia, and advocates for exploring natural alternatives. The episode is informative for individuals considering natural remedies and provides guidance on the safe use of honey for allergy relief.

Nurturing Hair Health: Nutrition, Habits, and Aging: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin highlights the importance of nutrition and proper care for maintaining healthy hair, especially as we age. She discusses how aging impacts hair growth and quality, the role of essential nutrients like iron, protein, and vitamins, and offers practical tips for hair care. Leyla advises on dietary choices, beneficial foods, and the importance of reducing stress and avoiding damaging hair practices. She emphasizes eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, avoiding pro-inflammatory foods, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits to improve overall hair health.

Low FODMAP and Low Carb Diets Outperform Drugs for IBS Treatment: In this episode of Intelligent Medicine, Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses a study published in the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology Journal examining the effectiveness of diet versus drug interventions in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study presents findings from a single-blind, randomized control trial comparing low FODMAP, low carbohydrate diets, and pharmacological treatments. Results indicate that both diet groups significantly outperformed drug treatments in symptom severity reduction, with specific benefits observed in patients suffering from constipation and diarrhea-dominant IBS. Leyla highlights the advantages of dietary interventions as first-line treatments for IBS, the practical aspects of implementing these diets, and the study’s broader implications for improving quality of life for IBS sufferers.

Heavy Metals and Mineral Deficiencies: Their Link to Migraines. In this episode of Intelligent Medicine, Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the correlation between heavy metals, trace mineral deficiencies, and migraines. Recent studies from researchers in the Netherlands and Turkey highlight significantly higher levels of lead and cobalt, and lower levels of zinc and selenium in migraine sufferers compared to healthy controls. Leyla explains the impact of neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and impaired detoxification pathways on migraines. She also explores the benefits of zinc and selenium supplementation in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of addressing mineral imbalances and toxic metal exposures in migraine management.

In this episode of Intelligent Medicine, Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the rising importance of integrating culinary medicine in modern healthcare. Leyla emphasizes the need for blending ancient dietary wisdom with contemporary scientific practices to improve overall health and prevent disease. She highlights how convenience foods laden with preservatives and additives are detrimental to our gut health and advocates for a more thoughtful approach to nutrition. Traditional practices from Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine are revisited, stressing the importance of addressing root causes rather than relying purely on pharmacological solutions. Leyla calls for a healthcare approach that includes nutrition professionals to provide personalized dietary advice, ultimately leading to a proactive, holistic, and sustainable health management system.

Foods and Lifestyle Changes to Manage High Blood Pressure: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses effective ways to manage high blood pressure through simple lifestyle changes and dietary choices. She highlights the importance of achieving a healthy weight and outlines how foods like beets, celery, pistachios, asparagus, sweet potatoes, and salmon can support healthy blood pressure levels. Leyla also emphasizes the need to avoid processed foods, excess sodium, and alcohol, presenting a comprehensive approach to improving cardiovascular health.

The cholesterol conundrum: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses recent research suggesting that HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol, may protect against brain atrophy and dementia. The study from UT Southwestern Medical Center, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, found that higher concentrations of small particle HDL are linked to better cognitive function and greater gray matter volume. Leyla emphasizes the importance of understanding cholesterol’s role beyond just heart health and challenges common misconceptions. She also highlights the benefits of dietary fats and criticizes outdated medical advice that promotes low-fat diets. This episode encourages a more nuanced view of cholesterol and its significant impact on overall health.

Nutritional Insights for a Healthy New Year: Breakfast Ideas and Metabolic Health: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the importance of a protein and fat-rich breakfast to stabilize blood sugar levels. She emphasizes the metabolic benefits of avoiding carbohydrate-heavy meals in the morning and shares various breakfast ideas that are convenient and nutritious, such as protein shakes, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and leftovers from previous meals. Leyla also highlights the impact of diet on menstrual health, citing studies showing how ketogenic diets can regulate menstrual cycles and treat conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Listeners are encouraged to adopt these dietary habits for better overall health and well-being in the new year.

The Importance of Regenerative Agriculture: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the concept of regenerative agriculture in response to a listener’s question. She explains how regenerative agriculture goes beyond organic practices by enhancing soil quality and promoting a healthier ecosystem. Leyla covers various methods such as composting, crop rotation, and water management, emphasizing the importance of soil health in producing nutrient-dense food and combating global warming. She also highlights the economic advantages of regenerative practices and encourages listeners to support local farmers engaged in sustainable agriculture.