Digestive Health

Leyla Weighs In: Eggs
November 6, 2020
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin answers these listener questions: What is your opinion of proteolytic digestive enzymes?; I eat two eggs every day for breakfast. Will I develop an allergy or sensitivity to it?; What do you think of protein shakes made with whey or pea protein?

ENCORE: Natural Therapies for G.I. Disorders, Part 1
November 5, 2020
Meet New York City’s first integrative gastroenterologist—Dr. Alexandra Shustina. While versed in conventional methods of addressing GI complaints, she has concluded that “many patients are treated inappropriately.” Powerful drugs are invoked when natural therapies, like diet, supplements, and stress management are insufficiently leveraged. Calling upon her training in osteopathic medicine, Dr. Shustina employs visceral manipulation to address such conditions as GERD, IBS, and severe constipation. She describes the constraints she experiences in introducing a holistic perspective to her young GI trainees in a hospital setting. She discusses the limitations inherent in using powerful immunosuppressive drugs for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. What problems are associated with the pervasive use of potent acid-suppressing medications? When can digestive enzymes help GI complaints? What role for probiotics? Colostrum? Chinese herbal formulas? Vitamin D? Is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet the best regimen for inflammatory bowel disease? Are antibiotics the best answer for H. Pylori and SIBO? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Natural Therapies for G.I. Disorders, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Alexandra Shustina, New York City’s first integrative gastroenterologist. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: The Epidemic of Diabetes, Part 1
November 3, 2020
Dr. David Perlmutter is America’s foremost Integrative neurologist and pioneering author of "Grain Brain." Five years after its publication, with over a million copies sold worldwide in twenty languages, he reflects on its success and the vindication of its central tenets: That America’s low-fat high/carb mania has promoted an epidemic of diabetes, just when optimal blood sugar is gaining recognition as fundamental to brain health; that gluten is demonstrably harmful via its effects on gut permeability; and that fat and cholesterol phobia has deprived our brains of essential nutrients. He emphasizes the centrality of exercise to prevention and reversal of dementia. The latest research underlies the concept of neuroplasticity—that the adult brain has the capacity to repair and regenerate. What newly-discovered factor helps to literally regrow brain cells? Does genetics dictate our neurological fate? Or can lifestyle overcome our heredity? What roles for sleep? Stress reduction? Coffee? Alcohol? Bio-identical hormone replacement? The microbiome? Cannabinoids? Ketogenic diet? What drugs take a toll on brain function? Dr. Perlmutter will soon be featured nationwide in a PBS Special entitled “Dr. Perlmutter’s Whole Life Plan”. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: The Epidemic of Diabetes, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. David Perlmutter, America’s foremost Integrative neurologist and pioneering author of "Grain Brain." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Nutritional Treatment of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, Part 1
October 22, 2020
Dr. Melvyn Grovit specializes in the nutritional treatment of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis—especially in kids. He describes his first case, that of a 17-year-old with Crohn’s Disease who was emaciated, debilitated, suffering from uncontrollable diarrhea, subject to frequent hospitalizations for intestinal obstruction, his academic career on hold, and at serious risk of early death. The Big Reveal: that patient was Dr. Grovit himself 65 years ago! Now 82, Dr. Grovit is healthy, in full remission without the aid of drugs, and actively treating patients in his nutritional practice in White Plains, New York. What type of diet supports healing of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Once healing has occurred, can you occasionally cheat? Which nutraceuticals has Dr. Grovit found helpful? Probiotics? Omega 3 fish oil? Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)? Fish peptides? Amino acids? Curcumin? What role can growth hormone (HGH) play in facilitating kids’ recovery? Why hasn’t the gastroenterology establishment embraced these methods? Dr. Grovit shares the remarkable results he’s seen in his practice, including a peer-reviewed study he’s published documenting his successes. He discusses the origins of NIBD in Kids, a non-profit devoted to promoting natural cures for pediatric IBD. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Nutritional Treatment of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Melvyn Grovit, who specializes in the nutritional treatment of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis—especially in kids. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach—literally! Part 1
October 15, 2020
Dr. Lee Ann Chen, gastroenterologist and microbiome researcher at NYU Langone Medical Center, explains how our gut bacteria may shape cardiovascular risk. Can antibiotics make us fat? How do low levels of antibiotics in foods or water contribute to obesity? Why is “diversity” a good thing—not just for society but for our guts? Can designer probiotics lower LDL cholesterol? Do harmful intestinal bugs promote inflammation and raise C-reactive protein, a known cardio risk factor? What’s TMAO, and how do our gut bacteria modulate its effect on atherosclerosis? Are functional probiotics to prevent or treat diseases ready for prime time? What diet changes promote a healthy microbiome? Do exercise and stress reduction play a role? What’s the latest on FMT—fecal microbiota transfer? Click HERE for part 2.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: The Great Barrington Declaration
October 14, 2020
The Great Barrington Declaration -- no more lockdowns!; I've been treated unsuccessfully for SIBO. I think it's a motility issue. How do I address that?; My husband has metastatic prostate cancer. What is your opinion of antineoplaston therapy offered at the Burzynski Clinic in Houston? Click HERE for part 2.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: The Best Type of Pillow

What is the difference between glycine, di-methyl-glycine, and tri-methyl-glycine? What are they used for?; What is the best type of pillow to use for someone with allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities?; On the back of my zinc lozenge supplement, it states "not intended for extended use." Why?; Thank you for your article on GERD. Which DGL supplement do you recommend?; Suffering with IBS-D? Bimuno may bring relief; Study: Effects of galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics on cortisol response and emotional bias; Isn't Zantac a cancer-causing drug? Click HERE for part 1.