Statins

ENCORE: How Big Pharma Corrupts American Healthcare, Part 1
June 4, 2024
According to today’s guest, Dr. John Abramson, Americans are getting less bang for their buck when it comes to ever more pricey pharmaceutical drugs. Despite enormous expenditures—17.7% of our GDP—Americans are less healthy and life expectancy lags behind other developed nations. Dr. Abramson, formerly a family practice physician, turned his attention to critiquing the pharmaceutical industry when he realized over-the-top marketing of drugs was at odds with his patients’ interests. He wrote Overdosing America, and became an expert witness in a landmark class action lawsuit over the now-withdrawn drug Bextra. His new book, "Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care—And How We Can Repair It," exposes the sleight-of-hand involved in studies that gain approval for new drugs, and how the profit motive distorts optimal drug and device development. Dr. Abramson cites the example of statins as drugs that, while helpful for some, have been vastly overhyped and overprescribed on scant evidence. He takes aim at physician education—both in medical school and post-graduate—as indoctrinating doctors to prescribe drugs with questionable efficacy and undisclosed harms. Dr. Abramson offers an insider’s critique of the medical provisions of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act—which in fact does little to cap Americans’ skyrocketing outlays for prescription drugs. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: How Big Pharma Corrupts American Healthcare, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. John Abramson, author of "Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care—And How We Can Repair It." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Selfies and Plastic Surgery
May 2, 2024
Selfies are driving up plastic surgery; Are either glucosamine hydrochloride or potassium sulfate bad for you--especially after long-term use?; What do you think of ZipSlim for weight loss?; Despite being on a strict diet, my cholesterol is 300 and increasing. I would like to avoid statins--what do you recommend? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for May 6, Part 1: Will your next doctor be a robot?
May 8, 2023
The reason vitamin D trials sometimes come up short; Pros and cons of “blood flow restriction training”; Can supplements help reduce dependency on asthma meds? UK health officials urge statins for all adults after heart attacks and strokes surge during Covid; New JAMA study highlights myocarditis risk for young male vaccine recipients; Health administrators salaries soar as physician earnings stagnate; AI-assisted computers ace medical licensing exam—will your next doctor be a robot? Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 29, Part 1: Fixes for Excessive Flatulence
May 1, 2023
A milestone as American Academy of Pediatrics advocates gastric bypass surgery, weight loss drugs for children; Teaching kids gardening in school combats obesity-related problems; Blood levels of Omega 3s predict likelihood of cognitive decline; Good hydration linked to healthy aging; New app gives you health feedback—from your toilet; Doctors give diverging opinions on whether to take a statin—what to do? Fixes for excessive flatulence; Do allergy shots work? Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for March 18, Part 1: Spring Allergies
March 20, 2023
New study says most prostate cancer patients survive as well with watchful waiting as with radiation, surgery; Vitamins/supplements for spring allergies; What to do about high lp(a); Do seed implants for prostate cancer minimize side effects? PEA—a novel cannabinoid—may help fend off neurodegenerative diseases; Soccer players who head balls have higher incidence of dementia; Even patients on statins need more attention to inflammation; Hs-CRP—why you should be tested for it, and how to lower it. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Eradicating SIBO
January 26, 2023
I have high cholesterol and my doctor wants me to take a statin!; What do you think of using pycnogenol for long covid?; Would rifaximin help with eradicating SIBO?; How can I lower my very high arachidonic acid levels? Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 26, Part 1: Vitamin D
November 28, 2022
Moderate exercise reduces heart risk, mortality—but is more better? When to hold, when to fold with statins; Medical establishment, media dismiss vitamin D bone benefits on scant evidence; Now they want to stop paying for vitamin D blood tests? Are we all at risk for monkeypox? Stress increases cravings for “comfort food” (DUH!); Dementia risk increases with consumption of ultra-processed food; Junk food during pregnancy threatens health of offspring; When osteoporosis medications become necessary. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Multivitamin v. Targeted Supplements
November 23, 2022
A discussion on statins vs. PCSK9 inhibitors; My doctor said I should take a multivitamin instead of the long list of supplements I currently take. What do you think? Click HERE for part 2.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: Eczema and Psoriasis
October 5, 2022
Save our supplements!; My dermatologist told me to moisturize my rash with Crisco! Isn't that hydrogenated?; Are there natural ways to treat eczema and psoriasis?; Can I stop taking statins or do I have to wean myself off?; Is there a natural way to treat hyperparathyroidism?; My friend just told me to stop taking vitamin D because it's toxic. What say you? Click HERE for part 1.