Intelligent Medicine

Dr. Cate Shanahan, author of “Dark Calories: How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health and How We Can Get It Back,” details the controversy surrounding vegetable oils, arguing they are harmful and contribute to a host of health issues. She elaborates on her scientific findings and personal journey that led her to this conclusion. The conversation covers the historical promotion of vegetable oils by organizations like the American Heart Association, which Dr. Shanahan claims was based on unfounded evidence. They also discuss the prevalence of these oils in our diet, their impact on obesity and metabolic syndrome, and their role in oxidative stress and inflammation. The episode provides practical advice on eliminating harmful oils from one's diet and highlights healthier alternatives.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Cate Shanahan, Scientist, family physician, and author of "DARK CALORIES: How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health and How We Get It Back."

The seed oil controversy—toxic poison or harmless bystander? Is my medication raising my blood sugar? Mulberry extract vs. diabetes; Amarasate—a natural GLP-1 enhancer that can curb cravings, reduce appetite.

New study shows Ozempic associated with need for anti-depressants; When antibiotics aren’t enough—strategies for treating prostatitis; Do genes increase likelihood of autoimmune disorders? Can gene profiles guide medical nutrition therapy? Election year copouts—is the White House courting Black and youth voters by rescinding bans on menthol cigarettes and Juul vapes? How a former Surgeon General found himself stuck with a $10,000 bill for a short ER visit.

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.

New guidelines for vitamin D recommendations per the Endocrine Society defy personalized medicine; Highlights from the Institute for Functional Medicine and American Nutrition Association meetings: Protein Power, and are new weight loss drugs a panacea?; Where can I find Wobenzyme? Any substitutes?; Does freezing bananas and cooling rice result in resistant starch?

What impact does resistant starch have on the glycemic index of foods?; What are the pros and cons of the EBT heart scan vs. the CT heart scan?; What do you suggest for dealing with severe back pain today short of surgery?; I drink a popular mushroom coffee. Is this ok to drink if you have autoimmune disease?; What do you think of testosterone supplements for weight loss, low libido and ED?

Dr. Jonathan Clinthorne, PhD and Senior Director of Nutrition at the Simply Good Foods Company details the ongoing 'diet wars' between plant-based, carnivorous, low-fat, and low-carb diets. Dr. Clinthorne shares his expertise on nutritional immunology, energy metabolism, and the benefits of low-carb dieting, particularly through his involvement with Atkins and Quest Nutrition. The conversation explores the relationship between diet and immune function, the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle for weight loss and chronic diseases like fatty liver disease, and the misconceptions around high protein intake. They also discuss the surge in popularity of GLP-1 agonist medications for weight loss and the potential benefits of low-carb diets as a supportive treatment. The episode provides comprehensive insights from personal experiences and scientific perspectives, demonstrating the significant health benefits of a well-formulated low-carb diet.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Jonathan Clinthorne, PhD, Sr. Director, Nutrition at The Simply Good Foods (parent company to Atkins and Quest Nutrition).

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

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."

Inadequate hydration found to be a risk factor for premature death; Vitamin D for Epstein Barr? Is there a “veggie pill” for diabetes? California moves to ban PFAS-laden artificial turf; Lead exposure found to be worse than thought for brain, heart; Switch to mini-blood tubes might help ICU patients avoid transfusions; What causes MS?

Why DEXA scans don’t tell the whole story about osteoporosis risk; New Apple Watch feature tells you how much healthful sunshine you’re getting; Solutions for nerve pain in neck; Finding that Ozempic helps avert kidney failure boosts weight loss drug stocks—but tanks stocks of dialysis centers; Americans on track to spend half their lives taking prescription drugs; New intranasal Covid vaccine without controversial RNA technology shows promise.

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.

You might be taking too many medications; Are there any dangers of taking apple cider vinegar daily long term? How much is too much?; How can I prevent yet another bout of shingles? What do you think of the vaccine?

My friend has spondylolisthesis and would like to avoid surgery. Any suggestions?; Protecting your free speech; Can food allergy reactions impact CGMs with glucose spikes? Is there a relationship?; A comment and thoughts on the state of school lunches.

The Covid pandemic should’ve served as a wake-up call, highlighting our vulnerabilities as a nation. Ross Arena, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago, is spearheading a bold initiative called HL-PIVOT to underscore the role that healthy lifestyle plays in enhancing resilience. He is lead author of a new paper that demonstrates the roles that obesity, poor diet, smoking, and inadequate sleep play in setting the stage for poor Covid outcomes. Instead of a pandemic, he argues that we’re experiencing a “syndemic”—a perfect storm of chronic diseases that in themselves exact a terrible toll of chronic illness, but at the same time render Americans more susceptible to Covid. The surprising disparity between US regions with healthier, more active populations versus sedentary precincts within “food deserts” spotlights the important role lifestyle plays as a mediator of Covid severity. Arena argues that this has important social justice implications, with underserved populations ex

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Ross Arena, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Dr. Ross Pelton, a renowned expert on the microbiome and Director of Science and Education for Essential Formulas, Inc. discusses the 'oral probiotic dilemma,' highlighting the challenges and misconceptions about probiotics, the importance of dietary fibers and polyphenols, and the role of postbiotic metabolites in health. He details scientific studies demonstrating the benefits of optimizing the gut microbiome and explores Dr. Ohhira's probiotics and their unique fermentation process. The episode also touches on the broader health impacts of a healthy gut microbiome, including its potential in anti-aging, cancer treatment, and overall wellness.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Ross Pelton, R.Ph., Ph.D., CCN, Science & Education Director for Essential Formulas, makers of Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics.