Microbiome

The Dire Consequences of Our Depleted Microbiomes, Part 1
March 2, 2023
Is the human microbiome an endangered species? Dr. Martin Blaser, author of "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues," has now been featured in a new documentary, "The Invisible Extinction," that explores the dire consequences of our depleted microbiomes. Antibiotic overuse, C-sections, lack of breastfeeding, ultra-processed food, lack of exposure to nature, and chlorinated water conspire to deplete our bodies of beneficial bacteria; these imbalances in intestinal flora have profound far-reaching effects, not just on digestive disorders, but on immunity, metabolism, and brain function. Conditions like insulin resistance, obesity, Parkinson’s Disease, depression and anxiety and many more have been linked to microbiome deficits. What lessons do stool samples from indigenous peoples offer us? There may be a trans-generational effect of microbiome depletion. Dr. Blaser has gone so far as to advocate a Microbiome Vault to preserve our bacterial heritage. Are fecal transplants and poop pills the answer? “Vaginal seeding”? What role do high-fiber diets play? Are fermented foods beneficial? What about probiotics? Dr. Blaser describes measures we need to take now to recover our microbial diversity. Click HERE for part 2.

The Dire Consequences of Our Depleted Microbiomes, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Martin Blaser, author of "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: A Remarkable Functional Food: Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, Part 1
February 28, 2023
A conversation with the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, Dr. Jeffrey Bland. His latest innovation is the identification and popularization of a remarkable functional food, Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB). It contains an array of immunorestorative compounds, as well as unique prebiotics supportive of a healthy microbiome. HTB is available as a food ingredient, or as a concentrated supplement, HTB Rejuvenate™️. New findings suggest HTB optimizes immune parameters, counteracts insulin resistance, and improves subjective well-being of experimental subjects. Dr. Bland further weighs in on the ideal diet, the lessons of the pandemic, and why we need a renewed focus on natural antecedents to health even as we move past Covid-19. Click HERE for part 2.

Nutritional Psychiatry, Part 1
February 7, 2023
Dr. Drew Ramsey is a pioneer in the emerging field of Nutritional Psychiatry and author of "Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks." Dr. Ramsey reviews the remarkable research that has demonstrated the efficacy of diet for improving mental health outcomes. The foods we eat impact our brain function for better or for worse, delivering essential nutrients, fostering a healthy microbiome, combatting inflammation, encouraging neuroplasticity, and supporting neurotransmitters. He is co-developer of the Antidepressant Food Scale which rates foods based on their potential to support well-being. He is also director of the Brain Food Clinic which offers integrative psychiatric care incorporating “dietary assessment and food prescription along with coaching, meal planning, and hands-on skill building in your kitchen.” He believes that no single diet offers a panacea for mental health optimization, but that replacement of ultra-processed food with nutrient-dense alternatives offers the most benefits with ease of compliance. Click HERE for part 2.

What Should You Expect From Your Probiotic Supplement?, Part 1
February 2, 2023
When you start taking probiotics, it affects your whole body. This is because the bacterial colonies in your gut—or gut microbiome—impact many aspects of your health, such as your digestion, brain function, and your immune system. Dr. Ross Pelton is the Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated which specializes in premium probiotic products. He joins us with a Probiotics 101 primer. How can you tell when your probiotics are working? What should you look for in a superior probiotic formula? Also, find out how your microbiome is directly related to your aging process in Dr. Pelton's new article, "The Microbiome Theory of Aging." The article details why an unbalanced gut microbiome increases disease risk and accelerates biological aging. Click HERE for part 2.

What Should You Expect From Your Probiotic Supplement?, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ross Pelton, Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated which specializes in premium probiotic products. Click HERE for part 1.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for January 28, Part 1: Questionable Pharma Practices
January 30, 2023
Pfizer Exec dishes on hidden mic about questionable Pharma practices; Federal judge blocks implementation of California’s medical misinformation law; When surgery’s not an option for torn knee meniscus; Psychedelics show promise in depression; Study reveals inflammatory component in depression; Could stress prompt excessive weight loss? Anxiety linked to intestinal bacteria imbalance. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for January 28, Part 2: Weight Loss Drugs

Shortages are prompting some to DIY popular weight loss drugs out of mail-order chemicals; Heavy metals in some chocolate brands; Scientists propose introducing meat substitutes to captive audiences in schools, prisons, and hospitals; Impossible Foods CEO predicts demise of meat industry in 15 years; Lab-grown meat nears approval; Parkinson’s Disease is in the gut; Endometriosis found to be associated with microbiome abnormalities; Bone loss in a male with low T. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: Everything You’ve Been Told About Food is Wrong, Part 1
January 5, 2023
Dr. Tim Spector explains why almost everything we’ve been told about food is wrong in his new book “Spoon-Fed.” Dr. Spector is a UK-based physician/researcher who is an expert in gut health and nutritional epidemiology. He has pioneered the ZOE app which seeks to personalize nutrition recommendations based on artificial intelligence algorithms. Dr. Spector’s new book assails popular diet myths, e.g. one-size-fits-all diet claims; that weight gain is simply a matter of calories; universal recommendations for low-salt diets; coffee is bad for you; meat is harmful; exercise is all you need to stave off weight gain, and pesticides and herbicides that have been approved for human consumption are safe. He’s particularly concerned about the pervasiveness of ultra-processed foods in the U.S. and U.K. Dr. Spector previews a soon-to-be-released paper he’s been working on that links poor dietary habits to worse COVID outcomes. He maintains his research findings could provide the impetus for a major effort to reform diet policy in Western industrialized countries. Dr. Spector is offering you, as an Intelligent Medicine Listener, a special discount at ZOE, just use coupon code: IMED35. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Everything You’ve Been Told About Food is Wrong, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Tim Spector, author of "Spoon-Fed: Why almost everything we’ve been told about food is wrong." Click HERE for part 1.