Coronavirus

ENCORE: How to Create a Kitchen Pharmacy, Part 1
April 27, 2023
The pandemic has prompted an intense focus on immunity. Today’s guest, Marie Ruggles, focuses on natural support for resilience with her book "Optimize Your Immune System." She is a Columbia-trained Registered Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist. Her goal is to empower consumers with simple economical tips on how to create a kitchen pharmacy. What are the 3 phases of immunity? What foods are immune superfoods? What foods are immunosuppressive? What herbs are beneficial? What are the basic supplements to bolster immunity? She maintains a list of actionable resources at her website MarieRuggles.com. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: How to Create a Kitchen Pharmacy, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Registered Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist Marie Ruggles, author of "Optimize Your Immune System." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: In the Grips of “Twin Pandemics,” Part 1
April 11, 2023
Covid-19 may finally be receding, but we remain in the grips of “twin pandemics”, according to today’s guest, Dr. Ross Arena, professor of physiology and developer of the HL-PIVOT program. Far exceeding the death toll from Covid-19 are avoidable deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These are largely attributable to physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle—now a worldwide crisis. Lack of physical fitness has been demonstrated to be a crucial determinant of the severity of Covid-19 infections—and the likelihood of dying. The current pandemic is thus a call-to-action to increase resilience through healthy lifestyle promotion—that’s HL-PIVOT’s mission. Dr. Arena discusses how health inequities have only been exacerbated by Covid-19; he emphasizes that we must go from a reactionary healthcare system to one more grounded in prevention. He says exercise doesn’t have to be heroic; dividends accrue if you just sit less and move more—any movement is beneficial. He discusses how he and his family have remained active during lockdown. Exercise also delivers benefits for enhancing mood and alleviating stress. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: In the Grips of “Twin Pandemics,” Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ross Arena, professor of physiology and developer of the HL-PIVOT program. Click HERE for part 1.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 8, Part 1: Fish Oil v. Cognitive Decline
April 10, 2023
I made Flava Naturals chocolate brownies for Passover—and they were a hit! Fish oil scores vs. cognitive decline in new study; Is crystal healing legit? Becoming a stool donor can yield big bucks—but few qualify; An epidemic of back pain in young girls is tied to excess screen time; Big Pharma has plans to harness mRNA technology for cancer, autoimmune disease, genetic conditions by 2030—but is it ready for primetime? Survey shows confidence in CDC recommendations varies by party affiliation; Body composition is a strong determinant of risk for severe Covid. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 8, Part 2: The Key to Shedding Pounds

Earliest evidence of human use of psychedelics—3000 years ago; The key to shedding pounds and diabetes prevention may be a handful of almonds prior to meals; What combination of diet and exercise yields the healthiest weight loss results? Why newly-popular weight loss drugs may lead to frailty; The verdict on masks—they help little if at all; When routine screenings—PAP smears, colonoscopy, and PSA—make little sense for elderly; Lifestyle habits in 30s may be crucial foundation for healthy aging. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: The Crucial Role of the Microbiome in Immunity, Part 1
April 5, 2023
Christine Rosche, M.P.H., C.N.S., Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and Digestive Health Expert developed an integrative approach to digestive health based on 25 years experience in the health care field. She describes how an imbalanced microbiome predisposes to bad Covid outcomes; additional studies suggest that drastic alterations to intestinal contents occur with Covid infections, and may be responsible for the persistence of symptoms in Covid “long-haulers”. Rosche describes the suite of tests that can help evaluate the status of the microbiome. A HeartMath™️ evaluation of heart rate variability can show whether stress is impairing a patient’s recovery. Additionally, a little-acknowledged effect results from continual exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Diet modification, pre-and probiotics, targeted nutraceuticals, and stress reduction can reverse harmful alterations of the microbiome. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: The Crucial Role of the Microbiome in Immunity, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Christine Rosche, M.P.H., C.N.S., Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and Digestive Health Expert. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for March 25, Part 2: Breakthrough Obesity Drugs
March 27, 2023
Can Covid cause hair loss? Breakthrough obesity drugs work—but are pricey and come with side effects; Caller experiences headaches from whey protein; Melatonin improves sleep in autistic children; Probiotics for sleep apnea? Learning piano in late life improves cognition and mood; The toll of Covid lockdowns on elderly brains; Should doctors warn patients about downsides of Medicare Advantage plans? High optimism propels women to longevity. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: A Remarkable Functional Food: Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, Part 1
February 28, 2023
A conversation with the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, Dr. Jeffrey Bland. His latest innovation is the identification and popularization of a remarkable functional food, Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB). It contains an array of immunorestorative compounds, as well as unique prebiotics supportive of a healthy microbiome. HTB is available as a food ingredient, or as a concentrated supplement, HTB Rejuvenate™️. New findings suggest HTB optimizes immune parameters, counteracts insulin resistance, and improves subjective well-being of experimental subjects. Dr. Bland further weighs in on the ideal diet, the lessons of the pandemic, and why we need a renewed focus on natural antecedents to health even as we move past Covid-19. Click HERE for part 2.