Expert Interview

Foundational Nutrition, Part 1
July 28, 2016
Today we do a deep-dive on Foundational Nutrition with Jerilyn Swindle, health educator for Nordic Naturals. Nordic is embarking on a community-oriented project, “Buy a Bottle, Help Us Build a Playground.” What is Foundational Nutrition? How are healthy fats beneficial to the cells? How to achieve Omega 3:6 balance? What diseases arise from relative deficiency of Omega 3 fatty acids? How can vegetarians get EPA and DHA without eating fish or taking fish oil pills? What about krill oil? Why is rancid fish oil so harmful? How can consumers be assured their fish oil isn’t spoiled? Which is a better form of fish oil: ester vs. triglyceride? What role does the microbial ecosystem play in maintaining a healthy immune system? Click HERE for part 2.

Foundational Nutrition, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Jerilyn Swindle, health educator for Nordic Naturals. Click HERE for part 1.

Encore: Curcumin for Cancer, Part 1
July 20, 2016
Curcumin for cancer. In addition to preventing cancer, it can also help augment the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy and overcome the main reason for failure of conventional anti-cancer drugs: the emergence of chemo-resistance, wherein cancer cells no longer respond to treatments. Dr. Ajay Goel, Baylor University Professor and Director of Epigenetics, Cancer Prevention and Genomics at Baylor Research Institute, details his research showing that curcumin can amplify the benefits of chemotherapy with 5 FU on colon cancer while protecting normal tissue. He describes other documented effects of curcumin in depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. How does curcumin work? Are all curcumins alike? What factors determine curcumin bio-availability? How can we be assured that curcumin that originates from foreign sources is not contaminated with harmful chemicals or heavy metals? Dr. Goel envisions a time when use of curcumin, along with other anti-cancer nutraceuticals like EGCG from green tea and isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables, might become routine adjuncts to conventional cancer treatment. Are there contraindications or cautions re: curcumin use? Can it be used for general prevention by adults and children? Click HERE for part 2.

Encore: Curcumin for Cancer, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ajay Goel, Baylor University Professor and Director of Epigenetics, Cancer Prevention and Genomics at Baylor Research Institute, as details his research showing that curcumin can amplify the benefits of chemotherapy. Click HERE for part 1.

Encore: Combating Inflammation, Part 1
July 19, 2016
Naturopathic physician Dr. Aimee Shunney sheds light on inflammation: Why it’s the common pathway for the majority of diseases that affect us, how to measure it, and what to do about it. She outlines a 5-part program for combating inflammation. Of key importance is diet: What makes the Western Diet pro-inflammatory? What are the top anti-inflammatory foods? Why most people need supplements to prevent or reverse inflammation. Fish oil plays a lead role in an anti-inflammatory regimen, as do curcumin, boswellin, garlic and bioflavonoids. What are the qualities of a good fish oil product? How much should you take? How do you assess the potency of fish oil? Are Omega 3s from fish free of toxins and heavy metals? What if you’re a vegan or don’t want to take products derived from fish? Click HERE for part 2.

Encore: Combating Inflammation, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Naturopathic physician Dr. Aimee Shunney on her five-part program for combating inflammation. Click HERE for part 1.

The Benefits of Aged Garlic Extract, Part 1
July 7, 2016
Does aging make garlic better? That’s the headline in a recent edition of the Wall Street Journal which prominently features Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract. Jay Levy, Director of Sales for Wakunaga America, dishes on the benefits of Aged Garlic Extract. Over 750 studies have been performed on this unique Kyolic ingredient. Benefits have been seen for retarding the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque, as well as for optimizing blood pressure within normal limits. Studies have confirmed that Aged Garlic Extract is compatible with many prescription cardiovascular medications. Additional benefits have been seen for supporting immunity in infectious diseases and cancer. What’s the history behind Aged Garlic Extract's discovery? How is it manufactured? What’s the optimal daily dosage? How does it differ from ordinary garlic extracts? What are the unique properties of S-allyl cysteine (SAC)? Why is allicin not present in Kyolic? Jay Levy reviews the wide selection of Kyolic formulations now available. Click HERE for part 2.

The Benefits of Aged Garlic Extract, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Jay Levy, Director of Sales for Wakunaga America, on the benefits of Aged Garlic Extract. Click HERE for part 1.

A Promising Neuro-Protective Nutraceutical, Part 1
June 30, 2016
Luteolin is a promising neuro-protective nutraceutical, with possible applications to a wide variety of disorders: autism, migraines, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), CFS/fibromyalgia, "brain fog,” multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and even cancer. Dr. Theoharis Theoharides is Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery at Tufts University School of Medicine. He explains the possible connection between autism and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: histamine and cytokines disrupt the blood-brain barrier, cause leaky gut, and allow influx of toxins and autoantigens which result in brain inflammation and damage to neural repair mechanisms. Luteolin, a flavonoid found in a variety of plants, offers a means of curbing mast cell activation in the brain. The product NeuroProtek was formulated by Alginot to maximize luteolin's bio-availability for brain applications. Dr. Theoharides describes extensive research which validates the plausibility for use of luteolin in neuro-behavioral disorders; large-scale clinical trials are planned. A new formulation called “BrainGain” promises to amplify luteolin’s protective effects. Click HERE for part 2.

A Promising Neuro-Protective Nutraceutical, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery at Tufts University School of Medicine. Click HERE for part 1.