Leyla Weighs In

Leyla Weighs In: Tackling Nerve Pain with Essential Micronutrients
September 6, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin “Weighs In” on causes and treatments of neuropathic pain, particularly focusing on the efficacy of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl L-carnitine. She discusses various neuropathic conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and burning mouth syndrome. Leyla highlights scientific research and clinical trials that show the benefits and safety profiles of these supplements compared to traditional pharmaceuticals. She also touches upon common side effects, optimal dosages, and the significant improvement in neuropathic pain management offered by these treatments.

Leyla Weighs In: Ensuring Honest and Reliable Scientific Research
August 30, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the growing concerns around the integrity of scientific research. She highlights the recent editorial by Richard Smith, a former editor at the British Medical Journal, suggesting that scientific research should be considered fraudulent until proven otherwise. Leyla introduces the RIDGID framework, developed by researchers at Monash University in Australia, which aims to detect and eliminate fraudulent studies from influencing clinical guidelines and meta-analyses. The framework consists of six steps for reviewing, excluding, assessing, discussing, establishing contact, and reassessing research studies. The episode emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to ensure the accuracy and integrity of scientific research in the medical field.

Leyla Weighs In: Is Your Medication Depleting Your Magnesium?
August 23, 2024
Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin “weighs In” on the widespread issue of magnesium deficiency. Highlighting important findings from the New England Journal of Medicine and Holistic Primary Care, Leyla focuses on the impact of common medications, like diuretics and proton pump inhibitors, which can cause significant magnesium depletion. She emphasizes the importance of magnesium in over 300 biochemical functions in the body, its role in heart health, and the associated risks of deficiency, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological problems. The episode also covers causes, symptoms, and treatment guidelines for magnesium deficiency, stressing the need for improved detection and supplementation practices among those at risk.

Leyla Weighs In: Nourishing Your Brain–The Link Between Diet and Mental Health
August 16, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin “Weighs In” on the significant link between poor diet and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. She highlights recent studies that reveal how unhealthy eating habits can lead to detrimental changes in brain chemistry and structure. Leyla emphasizes the importance of addressing root causes in integrative and functional medicine, suggesting that food quality is crucial for mental well-being. She shares practical advice on managing cravings and urges through techniques like 'urge surfing' and mindfulness. This episode underscores the message that adopting a healthy diet can mitigate stress and improve overall mental health.

Leyla Weighs In: Medicinal Mushrooms–Nature’s Health Powerhouses
August 9, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin delves into the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, providing an in-depth exploration of various mushrooms like cordyceps, rishi, chaga, shiitake, and lion's mane, highlighting their potential health benefits. These mushrooms are known for promoting immune support, healthy inflammation response, brain health, and other therapeutic effects. Leyla emphasizes the importance of proper identification and expert consultation when foraging mushrooms and encourages including domesticated varieties in everyday cooking to harness their nutritional power.

Leyla Weighs In: A Metabolic Approach to Heart Failure
August 2, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin delves into the rising prevalence of chronic heart failure and critiques conventional treatments. She emphasizes the importance of understanding heart failure as a condition marked by low cardiac energy and dysfunction. Leyla discusses the shortcomings of current dietary guidelines and the negative impact of statins on heart health. Highlighting the 'awesome foursome' proposed by Dr. Steven Sinatra—Coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, and Magnesium—she explains how these supplements support mitochondrial function and improve heart energy. Leyla advocates for integrative and functional medicine approaches, which, coupled with lifestyle changes, offer promising improvements in managing heart failure without the side effects of standard medications.

Banish the Bloat: Leyla Weighs In with Tips and Insights
July 26, 2024
Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses various reasons behind bloating and offers practical solutions. Leyla explains how factors like diet, stress, and lifestyle choices can lead to bloating and shares tips on mindful eating, hydration, and the types of food that can help or exacerbate the issue. She also covers the role of probiotics, the impact of certain medications, and the importance of exercise.

Leyla Weighs In: Vascular Vitality
July 19, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the importance of the endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) in maintaining a healthy vascular system. Referencing an article by Dr. Jack Wolfson from the January 2024 issue of “Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal,” Leyla discusses how the EGX functions as a smart barrier within the vascular system. She explains its role in delivering oxygen, nutrients, and removing waste from the body while protecting against bad cholesterol. Leyla emphasizes the significance of lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking, in supporting the EGX and overall heart health. Additionally, she reveals new scientific findings on certain nutritional supplements that aid in EGX maintenance.

Leyla Weighs In: IBS Treatment Strategies–Dietary Tips and Lifestyle Advice
July 12, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin details various diet therapies for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), focusing on the Low FODMAP diet and gluten-free options. Leyla explains the types of IBS (constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant), and provides a detailed list of foods to eliminate and suitable alternatives. She emphasizes the importance of self-preparation of meals and identifies common dietary culprits that exacerbate IBS symptoms. The episode also covers the short-term nature of the FODMAP diet and the need for gradual reintroduction of foods, alongside the holistic approach of assessing supplements, medications, and lifestyle factors that contribute to IBS.

Leyla Weighs In: Exercise as a Drug-Free Longevity Pill
July 5, 2024
Turning Back the Clock on Aging Muscles. Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the incredible benefits of exercise for aging muscles and overall health. She highlights research showing that exercise can reprogram muscle fibers to a more youthful state, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improves general well-being. She delves into different types of exercises, such as strength training, swimming, walking, and HIIT, and underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced exercise routine. Additionally, she explores the critical role of adequate protein intake and the emerging science of myokines in muscle and whole-body health.