Eye Health

Leyla Weighs In: AMD
May 19, 2023
Nutrition for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Glaucoma vs. Cataracts
April 12, 2023
Can you speak to the issue of flouroquinolone toxicity?; Can taking turmeric interfere with iron absorption?; Could you discuss the differences between glaucoma vs. cataracts? Click HERE for part 1.

Foods That Support Healthy Vision, Part 1
February 9, 2023
Dr. Rudrani Banik, one of America’s foremost integrative ophthalmologists, discusses her new book: "The Beyond Carrots Cookbook: A complete recipe guide for healthy vision and the prevention of eye disease." She recounts her personal transformation via a healing journey that led her to conquer her own migraines by embracing diet and supplementation, and prompted her to study Functional Medicine. Dr. Banik explains that different parts of the visual apparatus require different nutrients; there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all eye formula. Her book focuses on food sources of key vitamins and minerals. We discuss why it’s important for kids to spend time outdoors to prevent near-sightedness; excessive screen time is also causing a host of problems among adults. Dr. Banik previews her upcoming book that will address macular degeneration. Are there new breakthroughs on the horizon for curing vision problems? Click HERE for part 2.

Foods That Support Healthy Vision, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Rudrani Banik, author of "The Beyond Carrots Cookbook: A complete recipe guide for healthy vision and the prevention of eye disease." Click HERE for part 1.

Melatonin—Not Just for Insomnia and Jet Lag, Part 1
November 29, 2022
Headlines are sounding alarms over the widespread use of melatonin—especially as a sleep aid for young kids. Dr. Deanna Minich has authored a comprehensive review of melatonin, in which she likens it to vitamin D in its potential utility for a variety of ailments—not just for insomnia and jet lag, but also for metabolic syndrome and diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain disorders, autoimmune conditions, eye problems, tinnitus, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, viral infections, and even ADHD and autism. Additionally, melatonin may confer anti-aging benefits. She affirms its overall safety, but cautions that some formulations are sketchy and may contain contaminants or vastly exceed or undershoot their claimed melatonin content. She discusses how modern life, with its ever-present artificial light, shift work, and travel across time zones may disrupt our circadian rhythms and put us in a state of darkness deprivation, with consequent melatonin depletion. For many conditions less is more, and use in children should be limited to special cases. Dr. Minich also emphasizes that lifestyle factors like properly timed light and darkness exposure, blue blocker glasses and screen apps, exercise and diet are cornerstones to optimal melatonin production, with melatonin supplements constituting only part of a holistic approach. Click HERE for part 2.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 12, Part 1: Slowing Biological Aging
November 14, 2022
Preserve muscle strength to slow biological aging; Melatonin to the rescue in osteoporosis; Alternatives to corneal transplant? How blood pressure and pulse rate are related; Study reveals 42% of Gen Z’ers suffer mental disorders; Tik Tok spreads harmful nutrition messages; What is an electrophysiologist? Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for June 25, Part 2: Long Covid—Probiotics May Speed Recovery
June 27, 2022
Is there evidence that CBD causes gynecomastia? Any value to eye health supplements? Is it Long COVID, or just usual persistent symptoms from respiratory illness? Study implicates the microbiome in Long Covid—probiotics may speed recovery; Polio discovered in London wastewater may have escaped from oral polio vaccine; Doctor check-in software may harvest health data, sell to advertisers; Medical witch hunt: punish vaccine refuseniks, delicense “misinformation” docs, pass laws to prohibit medical free speech; A supplement that can reduce Alzheimer’s risk by 47%; You can regrow brain cells—even past 70. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for June 18, Part 2: Reversing Cognitive Decline
June 20, 2022
Is there a way of reversing cataracts without surgery? Federal court holds glyphosate approval unlawful citing health risks, environmental concerns; Ear wax—is there a diet connection? Dealing with coronary calcium; Reversing cognitive decline requires individualized therapy; Chinese weaponizing Covid tracking to stifle dissent. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: Natural Approaches for Vision and Eye Problems, Part 1
May 25, 2022
Dr. Rudrani Banik, integrative ophthalmologist, dishes on a variety of subjects related to eye health. Are eye shields necessary for personal protection against the coronavirus? What’s the effect of all that extra screen time we’re experiencing due to lockdown? In addition to “blue-blocker” eyewear, can nutritional supplementation confer resistance against eye stress caused by device overuse? Will limiting kids’ outdoor time spawn a generation of glasses wearers? Dr. Banik shares how her own experience with migraines led her to begin to investigate natural approaches for eye problems. She is currently conducting research on the use of mastic gum extract in the treatment of optic nerve strokes, and gene replacement therapy for a rare form of hereditary blindness. In the wake of civil disturbances, Dr. Banik reports on advocacy by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to minimize the use of dangerous crowd control measures like rubber bullets. Stem cells are showing promise for restoring vision, but Dr. Banik suggests caution on their indiscriminate use. She previews her upcoming book, "The Macular Degeneration Prevention Protocol." Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Natural Approaches for Vision and Eye Problems, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Rudrani Banik, integrative ophthalmologist. Click HERE for part 1.