Leyla Weighs In

Leyla Weighs In: Testosterone and Cardiovascular Risks
June 28, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the epidemic of low testosterone in men and its associated health risks, referencing a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. She explains the causes of low testosterone, including obesity, lifestyle factors, and certain medications like statins. Leyla also highlights the importance of lifestyle changes in managing chronic diseases and the global movement towards lifestyle medicine, underscored by the recent Doha Declaration advocating for lifestyle medicine as a transformative healthcare approach.

Leyla Weighs In: Preventing Cognitive Decline
June 21, 2024
The Connection Between Community, Mobility, Exercise, and Cognitive Health. Nutritionist Leyla Muedin weighs in on the impact of community, mobility and exercise on cognitive function and overall health. She reviews recent studies, including one from the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, highlighting how greater community and mobility can be associated with better cognitive function, and another study from the journal Aging Cell that demonstrates exercise’s beneficial effects on brain health at the cellular level in mice. Additionally, Leyla discusses the harmful effects of air pollution on brain health and the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing both physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices to mitigate cognitive decline and improve well-being.

Leyla Weighs In: Are Your Favorite Foods Hiding Harmful Toxins?
June 14, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the often overlooked topic of natural toxins in food. Drawing insights from the Integrative Medicine Journal, she discusses how plants protect themselves with chemical compounds that can pose health risks. She also delves into survey results from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, revealing public awareness and concerns about these natural toxins compared to synthetic contaminants. The episode highlights the ongoing debate about the safety of consuming certain plant foods and the popularity of diets like the carnivore movement, which seek to avoid these natural plant compounds.

Leyla Weighs In: Unveiling the Microbiome Theory of Aging (Second in a Series)
June 7, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin delves into the Microbiome Theory of Aging as outlined in Dr. Ross Pelton's article from the Integrative Medicine Clinician's Journal. The series explores the connection between gut health, dysbiosis, and aging, highlighting the role of dietary fibers and polyphenols in feeding probiotic bacteria to produce beneficial postbiotic metabolites. It also discusses zonulin's role in intestinal permeability, the negative impacts of the standard American diet on microbiome health, and the importance of a diverse plant-based diet for nurturing a healthy microbiome. Additionally, the episode critiques the efficacy of commercial probiotics versus the benefits of postbiotics and introduces postbiotic metabolites as an emerging, effective approach to improving gut health and overall wellness.

Leyla Weighs In: Unveiling the Microbiome Theory of Aging (First in a Series)
May 31, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin details the Microbiome Theory of Aging (MTA) through a comprehensive article by Ross Pelton in Integrative Medicine, a Clinician's Journal. The theory suggests that dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance in the gut, causes health problems that can accelerate biological aging by increasing inflammation, zonulin levels, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and triggering chronic diseases. The episode covers the roles of probiotics, postbiotics, and how lifestyle factors influence the aging process. Leyla also discusses causes of dysbiosis, including diet, antibiotics, and stress, and introduces the concept of postbiotic metabolites as key regulators of health. The importance of the gut-brain axis and the effect of stress on microbiome dysfunction are also highlighted. The talk aims to provide insight into how maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can influence aging and health, setting the stage for a deeper dive in the next episode.

Leyla Weighs In: Community Supported Agriculture
May 24, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin details the importance of good nutrition, particularly in underserved communities. She highlights a study published in the journal Prevention of Chronic Disease 2024, which assessed a distribution model designed to increase access to affordable fruits and vegetables in these areas, known as food deserts. The program, 'Good for All,' showed positive outcomes, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among participants. Leyla also advocates for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), emphasizing its benefits for both consumers and local farmers. She encourages listeners to support local agriculture by purchasing CSA shares, highlighting the advantages of eating fresh, seasonal produce and contributing to local economies.

Leyla Weighs In: Navigating Teen Health in the Digital Age
May 17, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the influence of digital platform food marketing on teenagers and raises concerns about pesticide residues in commonly consumed food items. Drawing on findings from the Public Health Nutrition Journal, Leyla explains how teens are targeted by food advertisers on social media through strategic campaigns that influence their food choices, often promoting unhealthy products like fast food and sugary drinks. Leyla criticizes the unethical nature of these marketing practices, emphasizing their potential to shape teen dietary habits negatively. The episode also covers a pilot study from the Journal of Exposure Scientific Environmental Epidemiology detailing the presence of Chlormequat, a plant growth regulator, in food and urine samples, highlighting its potential risks to human health, including reduced fertility and fetal development issues. Leyla advocates for increased media literacy, stricter regulatory measures to protect young consumers, and encourages organic food choices to minimize pesticide exposure.

Leyla Weighs In: Decoding Food Reactivity
May 10, 2024
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin “weighs in” with the distinctions between food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, as well as the importance of identifying and addressing them. She also delves into the potential healing of food reactivities through methods like enzyme supplementation and gut healing protocols. Emphasis is placed on reintroducing foods gradually, the impact of eating behaviors on digestion, and the significance of mindful eating for overall health and well-being.

Leyla Weighs In: Decoding Food Allergies, Intolerances, and Sensitivities
May 3, 2024
"Leyla Weighs In" on the differences between food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, highlighting the immune responses involved and common triggers. She also explores the rise in food reactivity, the impact on conditions like IBS and inflammatory bowel disease, and the role of environmental factors in gut health.

Leyla Weighs In: Eating for Energy and Emotional Well-Being
April 26, 2024
Have you ever experienced that sluggish feeling after a meal and wondered why? Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the surprising ways our diet impacts not just our physical health, but our emotions and energy levels too. A recent survey by Daily Harvest throws the spotlight on a staggering fact: a majority of us are unwittingly inviting fatigue and frustration at our dining tables. With 93% of participants linking their food intake to a drop in vitality and a food-induced stupor, it's clear that what's on our plate is doing more than just filling us up.