Intelligent Medicine

Oral health is more important than you think. This episode of Intelligent Medicine explores the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Writer/producer Tom Naughton, creator of the movie “Fat Head," pushes back on the latest WHO pronouncements about the dangers of meat. “Fat Head" was a deliberate rebuttal to Morgan Spurlock’s "Supersize Me” which Naughton feels mischaracterizes the problem with fast food: It’s not the saturated fat, it’s all the refined carbohydrates, including a massive assault from high fructose corn syrup. Naughton explains why studies indicating fat have been misinterpreted. He personally has benefitted from a switch from a “prudent” low-fat diet to a Paleo-style eating plan. Naughton’s new project is a collaboration with his wife to produce an illustrated children’s book that explains healthy diet principles.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with writer/producer Tom Naughton, creator of the movie, "Fat Head."

It's World Diabetes Day brought to you by Big Pharma! New blood pressure guidelines. Could a history of taking calcium supplements increase coronary calcium scores in women?

Do you have a working protocol for the treatment of acute sciatica pain? What degree of efficacy does osteopathic manipulative therapy offer? I've heard Leyla talk about taking L-glutamine for sugar cravings, but won't that also feed cancer?

"When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries," a new book by West Point graduate and retired military physician Dr. Michael Lewis, details specific evidence-based protocols for concussion recovery. Millions of head injuries occur annually sometimes causing long-term, debilitating symptoms, not just in wounded GIs, but in high school, college and professional athletes, as well as the elderly who are prone to falls. What are the symptoms of a concussion? How is it diagnosed? Why might fish oil promote recovery from head injuries? Could taking fish oil preventively limit the severity of concussions? Are there ancillary benefits to taking fish oil? Why has the military been recalcitrant about instituting fish oil as preventive therapy for combatants? Does fish oil increase the risk for brain bleeds? Could Omega 3 supplementation reduce the incidence of CTE in professional athletes? How much do you need to take? What should consumers be looking for when they read labels? What additional therapies speed recovery from head trauma? Exercise? Bio-identical hormone replacement? Additional supplements? Hyperbaric oxygen? Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Michael Lewis, author of "When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries."

Challenging the new blood pressure guidelines; Chuck Norris raises a fist against MRI contrast harms; Why all the fuss about dietary lectins? An olive oil tasting with TJ Robinson of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club (MyFavoriteOliveOil.com); Can natural therapies halt or reverse cataracts?

Only 1 in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables; Are new blood thinners like Pradaxa and Xarelto safer and more effective than Coumadin for atrial fibrillation? The number one exercise for slowing the aging process; Sugary beverage consumption wanes, but not enough among high-risk populations to stem worldwide toll of 184,000 annual deaths; Getting a dog may save your life; Why psychologists should team with personal trainers to vanquish mood disorders; Mushrooms deliver potent anti-aging benefits; Researchers discover why the flu vaccine so often fails.

Food safety tips and resources for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Hoffman is joined by T.J. Robinson, AKA the Olive Oil Hunter, owner of the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club, as he returns from his annual visit to the Italian Olive Harvest. Dr. Hoffman tastes and evaluates the fresh-pressed olive oils direct from the Italian Harvest. What are the major mistakes people make when buying olive oil? What to look for when evaluating high-quality olive oil. Tips on how to shop for olive oil, and the best way to store olive oil so it stays fresh. Go to MyFavoriteOliveOil.com for a special offer from the Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club for Intelligent Medicine listeners.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with T.J. Robinson, AKA the Olive Oil Hunter, as they taste and evaluate fresh-pressed olive oils from this year's Italian Olive Harvest.

The new taste: Starch! Explains why some people are prone to weight gain. What can I do about a blocked Eustachian tube? I've been told my eardrums are the size of a child's! What is genomic imprinting, is it the process during conception that determines our traits?

Can you talk about the care and feeding of our microbiota? Is there any danger to trying thyroid therapy even though I'm told my numbers are within the normal range?

Dr. Rav Ivker is an expert on the application of cannabis-derived products for pain syndromes. In his book "Cannabis for Chronic Pain," Dr. Ivker describes protocols for shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, arthritis, migraines, insomnia, colitis and IBS, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, surgical pain, back pain, and anxiety. How best to consume it: Vaping? Tinctures? Edibles? Topicals? What are the downsides? Can you work, drive, is it addictive? What’s the difference between THC and CBD? What are the legal considerations? How does it work? Does it have anti-cancer benefits? Could medical marijuana be the solution to the nation’s opioid epidemic?