Intelligent Medicine

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with veteran integrative pediatrician Dr. Michelle Perro.

Full-fat milk raises good HDL cholesterol without adverse consequences for LDL, triglycerides, insulin; Why then do U.S. Dietary Guidelines still recommend substituting low-fat dairy products? Red yeast rice for cholesterol; If you’re HIV+, marijuana may slow cognitive decline; What to do if you have trouble taking Strontium at bedtime as recommended for osteoporosis? What’s the difference between raw milk and processed milk? How can you forestall declining kidney function? Wine glasses are getting super-sized, encouraging increased alcohol consumption.

Olive polyphenols forestall bone loss; If you have high cholesterol but your scan shows zero coronary artery plaque, do you still need a statin? Is Bergamot an alternative for lowering cholesterol? The latest edition of Doctors Behaving Badly; Why it’s important to balance your calcium/magnesium ratio; What’s the link between air pollution and juvenile delinquency? New evidence that Lyme bacteria resist antibiotics and hide from tests; Hot tea lowers eye pressure in glaucoma; More preemies seen when babies born within 1 kilometer of fracking sites; Family meals improve kids’ mental and physical health; Does ginkgo biloba improve outcomes for stroke sufferers?

Do food preparation methods affect allergies? How processing methods affect the allergenicity of foods; The truth about autoimmune disease.

MedShadow.org is a website devoted to critical evaluation of drugs and therapies to empower medical consumers. Its founder, Suzanne Robotti, was prompted to start the MedShadow Foundation when her son was prescribed Ritalin for ADHD. She questioned the doctor whether there were any long-term studies on side effects for ADHD medications--there were none. Suzanne weighs in on the pros and cons of the HPV vaccine; drawbacks of the popular asthma drug Advair; unnecessary and potentially dangerous medical tests; how to properly research drug side effects; food as medicine; medical marijuana; and the Choose Wisely Campaign which aims to enlist the public in curtailing useless or obsolete medical interventions.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Suzanne Robotti, founder of Medshadow.org.

Food deserts vs. food swamps: which is worse for health? I've heard vitamin B1 is effective in preventing Alzheimer's, what is your opinion? Should pregnant women avoid cold cuts and certain cheeses?

When I take a 100 mg dose of riboflavin it really hypes me up--much more than my other vitamins, why does this happen? My systolic blood pressure is always higher at the doctor's and dentist's office--especially when I'm anxiously waiting! My wife is having urinary issues and her doctor is recommending elimination of various foods, will this really help? How important is DHEA for bone mineral density?

Dr. Robert Beelman, Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Director of the Penn State Center for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health, shares his latest research. A new study demonstrates that mushrooms are high in glutathione and ergothioneine, potent antioxidant compounds with anti-aging potential. In addition to these antioxidants, mushrooms are rich sources of fiber, vitamin D, as well as beta glucans, an important immune-enhancing polysaccharide. Dr. Beelman details research that suggests that consumption of ergothioneine confers protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease and multiple sclerosis. Daily consumption of a handful of commercial button mushrooms can deliver these benefits. Do cooking methods impact the delivery of healthy mushroom compounds? Do mushrooms deserve the reputation that they are grown in manure? How best to store mushrooms? Are Shitake, porcini, oyster and lion’s mane mushrooms even more potent sources of ergothioneine? What’s “Brain Boost Bread”?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Robert Beelman, Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Director of the Penn State Center for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health.

46 million Americans headed to Alzheimer’s Disease; Canola oil implicated in cognitive decline; How safe is it for pregnant women to take the TDAP vaccine? Does the high fat content of the ketogenic diet make it unsafe? Whole eggs (with yolks) outperform egg whites for muscle-building; Is the low-fat DASH diet best for hypertension?

American Heart Association clings to low-fat dairy recommendations even as new study shows full-fat cheese lowers cardio risks; Oral contraceptive use encourages breast cancer; 57% of US children and teens at risk of obesity by age 35; Urban air pollution negates benefits of outdoor exercise; Taurine supports myelin repair in MS; Homemade yogurt resolves IBS symptoms; $65 per pill Viagra may soon yield to cheaper generics.

Leyla Weighs In

One of the most important issues that we face in the way we eat today is that people still struggle to get enough plant food in their diet. In particular, green foods. Why are greens so important to overall health? How do we get more greens in our diet? Why are green drinks a smart strategy? Jim LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N, a nationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, board-certified clinical nutritionist, and founder of Metabolic Code Enterprises, Inc., joins us today to discuss a great way to achieve “optimal” Nutritional Balance with Kyo-Green’s new and improved Green Superfood blends & powdered drink mixes.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Jim LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N, a nationally recognized clinical pharmacist, author, board-certified clinical nutritionist, and founder of Metabolic Code Enterprises, Inc.