Expert Interview

Big Changes Coming to Your Supplements in 2020, Part 1
December 5, 2019
Big changes are coming in 2020 for supplement consumers. Brian Wommack, Senior Vice President of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), previews the new label requirements that are mandated starting next year for dietary supplements. He explains the changes you’ll see when it comes to levels of vitamins A, D, E, and folate. International Units (IUs) will be supplanted by micrograms (mcgs). CRN’s “Label Wise” campaign (www.belabelwise.org) seeks to prepare consumers for the changes and improve label literacy. Wommack discusses the role of CRN as mediator between government regulators and supplement manufacturers; CRN’s goal is to represent progressive, responsible stakeholders within the supplement industry. He decries claims, so often echoed in the media, that the supplement industry is “unregulated” and is a “Wild West” of unaccountable players offering dangerous, adulterated products to unwary consumers. Click HERE for part 2.

Big Changes Coming to Your Supplements in 2020, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Brian Wommack, Senior Vice President of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), who previews the new label requirements that are mandated starting next year for dietary supplements. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: The Case Against Fragrance, Part 1
November 28, 2019
Are you bothered by fragrance? You’re not alone. "The Case Against Fragrance" by best-selling novelist Kate Grenville reveals how widespread fragrance intolerance is, and how it may pose a major health threat. Many suffer headaches, nausea, malaise, asthma, nasal congestion, rashes and brain fog on exposure to fragrances; additionally, most fragrances are artificially synthesized from petrochemicals. Are “natural” fragrances preferable? What about aromatherapy, essential oils, and scented candles? Haven’t most of these chemicals been safety-tested? Why are musks a special case? Is there a downside to tampering with our innate scent-guided biology? Why is perfume use not just a matter of personal choice? Do people have a right to fragrance-free air? Don’t you need fragrance to make deodorant effective? Are there sources of fragrance-free detergents, soaps, personal care products, and cosmetics? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: The Case Against Fragrance, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Kate Grenville, author of "The Case Against Fragrance." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Concussion Protocol Utilizing High-Dose Fish Oil, Part 1
November 21, 2019
"When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries," a new book by West Point graduate and retired military physician Dr. Michael Lewis, details specific evidence-based protocols for concussion recovery. Millions of head injuries occur annually sometimes causing long-term, debilitating symptoms, not just in wounded GIs, but in high school, college and professional athletes, as well as the elderly who are prone to falls. What are the symptoms of a concussion? How is it diagnosed? Why might fish oil promote recovery from head injuries? Could taking fish oil preventively limit the severity of concussions? Are there ancillary benefits to taking fish oil? Why has the military been recalcitrant about instituting fish oil as preventive therapy for combatants? Does fish oil increase the risk for brain bleeds? Could Omega 3 supplementation reduce the incidence of CTE in professional athletes? How much do you need to take? What should consumers be looking for when they read labels? What additional therapies speed recovery from head trauma? Exercise? Bio-identical hormone replacement? Additional supplements? Hyperbaric oxygen? Cannabidiol (CBD)? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Concussion Protocol Utilizing High-Dose Fish Oil, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Michael Lewis, author of "When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Reversal of Cognitive Decline, Part 1
November 19, 2019
Dr. Dale Bredesen is a board-certified neurologist who is author of a landmark paper entitled: “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” He is founding president of the Buck Institute where world-class scientists tackle age-related problems. Dr. Bredesen is spear-heading research of a comprehensive program for reversing symptoms of dementia with lifestyle modification, supplements, diet, bio-identical hormones, and detoxification. A huge problem looms as millions of aging Baby Boomers become candidates for Alzheimer’s: for those without the ApoE4 allele, the risk is 9%; with one of two alleles, it soars to 30%; and with a “double-hit” of ApoE4 the risk becomes 90%. Dr. Bredesen is critical of the current “magic bullet” approach to development of Alzheimer’s drugs. While not discounting their potential, he believes the problem is so multi-faceted that it will require attention to numerous modifiable risk factors. “Normal” levels of B12, homocysteine, vitamin D, insulin, and C-reactive protein may not be optimal for prevention of cognitive decline. Adequate sleep, stress reduction, and exercise are lifestyle approaches that need to be deployed aggressively to counter memory loss. Promising supplements include resveratrol, DHA, Lion’s Mane, Bacopa, Ashwaganda, acetyl-l-carnitine, curcumin, citicholine, and nicotinamide riboside. Attention must be given to hormones, especially testosterone and pregnenolone which can be neuro-protective. Heavy metals like iron, mercury, lead and cadmium are implicated in some cases of cognitive decline. When it comes to diet, some controversy remains, but the ideal food program should target insulin resistance and inflammation. To this end, ketogenic diets, plant-based nutrition, gluten-avoidance and intermittent fasting show promise. Dr. Bredesen has demonstrated that cognitive decline CAN be reversed with a multi-factorial approach; if inaugurated early enough, patients can experience dramatic recovery of functionality. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Reversal of Cognitive Decline, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Dale Bredesen, board-certified neurologist who is author of a landmark paper entitled: “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain, Part 1
November 14, 2019
Dr. Rav Ivker is an expert on the application of cannabis-derived products for pain syndromes. In his book "Cannabis for Chronic Pain," Dr. Ivker describes protocols for shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, arthritis, migraines, insomnia, colitis and IBS, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, surgical pain, back pain, and anxiety. How best to consume it: Vaping? Tinctures? Edibles? Topicals? What are the downsides? Can you work, drive, is it addictive? What’s the difference between THC and CBD? What are the legal considerations? How does it work? Does it have anti-cancer benefits? Could medical marijuana be the solution to the nation’s opioid epidemic? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Rav Ivker, an expert on the application of cannabis-derived products for pain syndromes. Click HERE for part 1.