Genetics

ENCORE: The Twists and Turns of Humans’ Evolutionary Path, Part 1
May 18, 2023
Alex Bezzerides Ph.D. is a professor of biology and author of "Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work (Or Don't)." He contends our bodies are imperfect, the result of evolutionary compromises between conflicting imperatives. For example, big brains enabled humans to develop technology and language; but our big heads have doomed women to painful and perilous deliveries. Developing an upright posture enabled us to free our remarkable hands; but standing also cursed us with back, knee, and ankle problems. Bezzerides applies this paradigm to other health problems we’re prey to: crooked teeth, failing eyesight, choking deaths, and hernias. Are humans still evolving when we have medical technology to prevent nature from “culling the herd”? Are obesity and blood sugar problems holdovers of traits that once furthered our survival? Dr. Bezzerides is the biology professor I wish I’d had! Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: The Twists and Turns of Humans’ Evolutionary Path, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Alex Bezzerides Ph.D., a professor of biology and author of "Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work (Or Don't)." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Sports Nutrition: Nutrients for Performance and Endurance, Part 1
December 8, 2022
Today we explore Nutrigenomics and sports nutrition with Brent Luycks (pronounced “Lucks”) a former Belgian champion cyclist who is founder of 4Gold, a company focused on enhancement of athletic performance. 4Gold works with professional athletes and ordinary optimizers to develop personalized nutrition programs geared to their genetic characteristics. Brent describes what insights can be gained from nutrigenomic profiling using saliva samples of DNA. In my case, for example, it bettered my understanding of my athletic aptitude (mixed), my injury potential, my recovery ability, and my unique requirements for nutrients associated with performance and endurance. Brent, as a survivor of Crohn’s disease, describes an innovative prebiotic, 2’-Fucosyllactose, a constituent of human milk. It has the potential to address GI disorders, and supports optimal absorption, a limiting factor in athletic performance. He also details ingredients in a sports supplement embraced by many top endurance athletes on the European circuit. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Sports Nutrition: Nutrients for Performance and Endurance, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Brent Luycks, a former Belgian champion cyclist who is the founder of 4Gold, a company focused on the enhancement of athletic performance. Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for September 4, Part 1
September 6, 2021
Low-fat, Low-carb—when it comes to heart disease prevention, it doesn’t matter (REALLY??) What genetics tell us about same-sex attraction—“Born this way”? Teenage boy goes blind after subsisting on Pringle’s, white bread and French fries; Are two drugs the answer for this caller’s osteoporosis? Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most heart risk; Warning issued over vaping hazards in wake of 5 death, hundreds of reports of serious lung disease; Are nitrites and nitrates in foods hazardous—or beneficial? If bacon is bad for you, what about nitrate-rich vegetables? How mouthwash can blunt exercise circulatory benefits. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Is it possible to catch Covid from someone who is newly vaccinated?
December 9, 2020
In your opinion, is organic virgin olive oil better than non-organic olive oil?; My husband has diabetes and high blood pressure despite eating correctly and exercising. What else can he do--is it his genes?; Is it possible to catch covid from someone who is newly vaccinated?; Study reveals connection between gut bacteria and vitamin D levels. Click HERE for part 1.

The Genetics of COVID-19, Part 1
April 30, 2020
There are many factors that determine who’s more prone to hospitalization or death from coronavirus infection. But among them—and now subject to intense research—are individual genetic predispositions. Certain genes can make you more susceptible to an inflammatory cascade—cytokine storm—that presages a bad outcome in COVID-19. Integrative physician Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, MD, is co-founder of IntellxxDNA, a service that helps health professionals interpret their patients’ genetic profiles. She sheds light on how variations in gene expression can influence pathways integral to viral infection. These analyses, based on saliva samples, can yield critical insights about deployment of various nutraceutical treatments—including elderberry, andrographis, astragalus, vitamins A, C, and D, zinc, fish oil and specific pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), quercetin, melatonin, EGCG, and curcumin. Click HERE for part 2.

The Genetics of COVID-19, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Sharon Hausman-Cohen, MD, co-founder of IntellxxDNA, a service that helps health professionals interpret their patients’ genetic profiles. She sheds light on how variations in gene expression can influence pathways integral to viral infection. Click HERE for part 1.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Trials using ultrasound to treat Alzheimer’s disease?
December 11, 2019
I want to try citrus bergamot for my cholesterol. Are there any long-term harmful side effects?; Could you discuss Exosome therapy as a replacement and/or adjunct for stem cell therapy?; Are there any doctors in the MN area that treat leaky gut and histamine?; Do I have high or low stored copper? How can I assess if I have a deficiency or overload?; What do you think of the trials using ultrasound to treat Alzheimer's disease?; My friend had Shingles last July and while the rash has cleared, the pain is excruciating. Any recommendations? Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Methylation — A Nutrition Revolution, Part 1
February 21, 2019
Methylation—everything you ever wanted to know. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald discusses one of the least-understood and most controversial topics that promises to revolutionize the field of nutrition. Methylation is a ubiquitous process that turns on, or turns off DNA expression, regulates the synthesis of many essential substances within the body, and breaks down hormones, medications, and toxins. It strongly influences epigenetics—the process by which the environment shapes the expression of genes. What are the limits of genetic testing for shedding light on methylation status? Do all patients with “methylation defects” according to genetic tests (like MTHFR) require mega-dosing of B vitamins? Can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to methylation? What natural substances act as “methylation adaptogens,” keeping methylation within an optimal, safe range? How do you go about testing for methylation efficiency? What nutrients besides B vitamins promote methylation? Does a normal homocysteine always indicate optimal methylation? Can lifestyle factors—diet, stress, and exercise—influence methylation? What medications and toxins impair methylation? Which health conditions call for methylation status evaluation? Learn why Dr. Fitzgerald emphasizes a “Methylation Diet and Lifestyle” by downloading her E-book with that title at www.drKaraFitzgerald.com and use the code “Intelligent10” to obtain a special discount for Intelligent Medicine listeners. Click HERE for part 2.