Leyla Weighs In

Leyla Weighs In: Foods to Lower Blood Pressure
January 24, 2025
Foods and Lifestyle Changes to Manage High Blood Pressure: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses effective ways to manage high blood pressure through simple lifestyle changes and dietary choices. She highlights the importance of achieving a healthy weight and outlines how foods like beets, celery, pistachios, asparagus, sweet potatoes, and salmon can support healthy blood pressure levels. Leyla also emphasizes the need to avoid processed foods, excess sodium, and alcohol, presenting a comprehensive approach to improving cardiovascular health.

Leyla Weighs In: The Surprising Benefits of Good Cholesterol for Brain Health
January 17, 2025
The cholesterol conundrum: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses recent research suggesting that HDL, or 'good' cholesterol, may protect against brain atrophy and dementia. The study from UT Southwestern Medical Center, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, found that higher concentrations of small particle HDL are linked to better cognitive function and greater gray matter volume. Leyla emphasizes the importance of understanding cholesterol's role beyond just heart health and challenges common misconceptions. She also highlights the benefits of dietary fats and criticizes outdated medical advice that promotes low-fat diets. This episode encourages a more nuanced view of cholesterol and its significant impact on overall health.

Leyla Weighs In: Kickstart 2025 with Protein-Packed Breakfast Ideas
January 10, 2025
Nutritional Insights for a Healthy New Year: Breakfast Ideas and Metabolic Health: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the importance of a protein and fat-rich breakfast to stabilize blood sugar levels. She emphasizes the metabolic benefits of avoiding carbohydrate-heavy meals in the morning and shares various breakfast ideas that are convenient and nutritious, such as protein shakes, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and leftovers from previous meals. Leyla also highlights the impact of diet on menstrual health, citing studies showing how ketogenic diets can regulate menstrual cycles and treat conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Listeners are encouraged to adopt these dietary habits for better overall health and well-being in the new year.

ENCORE: Leyla Weighs In: From Soil Health to Food Security–The Role of Regenerative Agriculture
January 3, 2025
The Importance of Regenerative Agriculture: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the concept of regenerative agriculture in response to a listener’s question. She explains how regenerative agriculture goes beyond organic practices by enhancing soil quality and promoting a healthier ecosystem. Leyla covers various methods such as composting, crop rotation, and water management, emphasizing the importance of soil health in producing nutrient-dense food and combating global warming. She also highlights the economic advantages of regenerative practices and encourages listeners to support local farmers engaged in sustainable agriculture.

ENCORE: Leyla Weighs In: From Autophagy to Weight Loss–The Power of Intermittent Fasting
December 27, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses intermittent fasting, specifically addressing whether skipping morning coffee affects metabolism. She explains different approaches to intermittent fasting, including Bulletproof Coffee and time-restricted eating (TRE). Leyla also delves into a study on the effectiveness of TRE in weight loss and cardiometabolic health, highlighting that eating within a specific time window (7am-3pm) led to greater weight loss and improved mood compared to a broader eating period. She emphasizes the importance of a minimum nightly fast of 12 hours for autophagy and overall health benefits.

Leyla Weighs In: Exploring Vitamin D and Immune Health
December 20, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the significance of vitamin D, especially during the winter months in northern regions. She explains how the lack of sunlight exposure from October to April can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which is linked to various health issues including autoimmune diseases. Leyla emphasizes the importance of vitamin D for immune function, bone health, and overall well-being. She also offers practical tips on obtaining sufficient vitamin D through supplementation and dietary sources, as well as by safely getting sunlight exposure. The episode highlights recent research on the effects of vitamin D deficiency during childhood development and its potential long-term impacts on health.

Leyla Weighs In: Exploring Yoga’s Therapeutic Role in Neurological Disorders
December 13, 2024
Harnessing Yoga's Potential in Neuro Rehabilitation and the Gut-Brain Connection: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses a pilot study from Germany highlighting the benefits of integrating yoga into inpatient neuro rehabilitation for conditions like multiple sclerosis and stroke. The study shows significant improvements in pain, spasticity, anxiety, and overall quality of life. Additionally, Leyla explores the expanding research on the gut-brain axis, revealing how a healthy gut microbiome influences mental resilience and stress response. She emphasizes the importance of addressing both physiological and psychological factors to manage anxiety and improve mental health.

Leyla Weighs In: The Importance of Posture and Core Strength
December 6, 2024
The Importance of Posture and Core Strength for Health: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the critical role of posture and core strength in overall health and well-being. She provides practical advice on improving posture, from standing and sitting techniques to exercises like planks and balance-focused activities such as yoga and Tai Chi. Leyla emphasizes the impact of good posture on physical comfort, mobility, and even mental well-being. Additionally, she offers tips for setting up an ergonomic workspace and highlights the importance of taking breaks to minimize strain and promote better circulation. The episode underscores the significant benefits of incorporating intentional posture improvements and core-strengthening exercises into daily routines.

ENCORE: Leyla Weighs In: Navigating Holiday Temptations and Immune Boosting Tips
November 29, 2024
Staying Healthy and Balanced During the Holidays. Nutritionist Leyla Muedin provides insights on maintaining health during the holiday season. She addresses strategies for enjoying holiday meals without derailing dietary plans, emphasizing the importance of avoiding guilt and focusing on the quality time spent with loved ones. Leyla touches on the significance of gut health, proper handwashing, and quality sleep for immune function. She highlights the impact of antibiotics, poor diet, and stress on the gut, and suggests probiotics and immune-enhancing supplements for support. Additionally, she discusses the vital role of B vitamins for overall health and energy, advocating for a varied diet to obtain these essential nutrients.

Leyla Weighs In: GLP-1 Meds–New Hope for Addiction and Health?
November 22, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin weighs in on the potential of GLP-1 medications in addiction and she addresses menopausal symptoms naturally. Leyla details recent findings on the use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Monjaro in reducing opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxication rates. Leyla also explores the case of a menopausal woman and delineates a holistic approach to managing menopausal symptoms, emphasizing the importance of addressing nutrient deficiencies before opting for herbal or pharmaceutical remedies.