Intelligent Medicine

Leyla tackles this listener question: In my early 20's some gray hairs started showing up on my head. Now as I'm entering my late 30's I'm rapidly going gray. Is there any way to slow down the process?

Medical educator Robert Rountree, MD calls attention to a vastly under-diagnosed medical problem that afflicts up to 40% of adults and is now appearing at an alarming rate among children and adolescents. It has replaced alcoholism and infectious hepatitis as the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver failure requiring transplantation in the US. And it is highly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. How is it diagnosed? What is it about the U.S. diet that creates a "perfect storm" for fatty liver? What role does the microbiome play in fatty liver? Would prebiotics and probiotics help? Whereas there's no pharmaceutical quick fix for fatty liver despite a multi-million dollar quest for a cure, natural medicine offers a wealth of solutions: a variety of supplements and herbs have proven curative value. But are some supplements to be avoided?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with medical educator Robert Rountree, MD who calls attention to a vastly under-diagnosed medical problem that afflicts up to 40% of adults and is now appearing at an alarming rate among children and adolescents.

Everything you ever wanted to know about exercise. Dr. DeWayde Perry is an MD with extensive experience as a bodybuilder, martial arts competitor, and triathlete. What are the relative benefits of strength training vs. aerobic exercise? Is it true that an hour of running may add 7 hours to your life? What is HIIT (High-intensity interval training) and why is it considered the most efficient way to exercise? What’s the secret to maximizing muscle building? Is carbo-loading obsolete? What about the recent fad of very low-carb or ketogenic diets for athletes? Do gluten-free diets help some athletes? Is it best to eat before or after exercise? What about post-workout protein shakes? When performing both aerobic exercise and weight-lifting in one exercise session, which should come first? What supplements are scientifically proven to enhance athletic performance? Does pre-exercise stretching yield performance dividends? What role does yoga play in an overall conditioning program? When is too much exercise harmful? How do you recognize over-training syndrome? Do weekend warriors or occasional exercisers gain benefits from sporadic exercise or do you have to be consistent?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation about everything you ever wanted to know about exercise with Dr. DeWayde Perry, an MD with extensive experience as a bodybuilder, martial arts competitor, and triathlete.

Stay tuned for announcements on a new and improved DrHoffman.com store! I get a runny nose anytime I’m out in the cold and windy weather, is there a solution? I’ve been on a low carb diet and doing well…except I have eczema.

Is it possible to have a stroke from very low blood pressure due to over-medication? I’ve been using colloidal silver as a deodorant and it works great, but is it safe to use long term? I’m on a supplement regimen to reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease, would Bergamot be helpful?

Magnesium to prevent bone fractures; Do you need to take vitamin K even if blood tests don't reveal a deficiency? Epic fail: Low sodium diet shown to increase blood pressure; A caller with allergy symptoms whenever he goes to a public library; Air pollution can lower "good" HDL cholesterol; Dark chocolate ingredient enhances mitochondrial function in debilitated diabetics with heart failure; Aerobic exercise coupled with resistance training can boost brain power in over 50s; Antibiotics up risk for colon polyps

Unpublished Nixon-era records show subbing vegetable oils for saturated fats fails to reduce heart risk; Elevated PSA--to biopsy or not to biopsy? Supplements to take during brain aneurysm repair; Can you take your supplements with a green tea chaser? Regular exercise can reduce risk of heart problems even if you're still overweight; Telomere testing and telomere supplements--a good idea? If you have a heart attack or stroke, DHA from fish oil can limit the damage.

Hoffman Center Nutritionist Leyla Muedin has a biting response to a recent New York Times article on Vitamin D.

Polypharmacy--the prescribing of multiple medications simultaneously--is a big problem, especially among seniors. Surveys reveal that the average 65+ individual takes 14 prescription medications per year! It's not uncommon to see elderly patients taking 6 or 7 drugs daily. Su Robotti, founder of the Medshadow Foundation (www.medshadow.org), highlights the dangers of excessive medication. What three drug categories cause 60% of the serious complications among seniors? How is it that pharmaceutical meds are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.? Of particular concern is the indiscriminate prescribing of opiates for ordinary back pain, a condition that affects 70% of older adults. What are the alternatives?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Su Robotti, founder of the Medshadow Foundation (www.medshadow.org).

An underrated mineral in bone health: Magnesium. Is it safe to take curcumin while taking prednisolone for a disk problem? What is the optimal dose of vitamin K for the treatment of osteoporosis? Does sauna really help to remove toxins or is it just a lot of hype? Research says to limit eggs due to TMAO, but aren’t eggs healthy?

Which is better, Spirulina or barley grass? Can strontium help heal my lumbar spinal fracture? Do ketogenic diets cause muscle breakdown to produce glucose via gluconeogenesis? I find it difficult to sleep at night even after a single cup of coffee in the morning, would rutaecarpine help metabolize caffeine faster?

Tom Naughton is an “edu-tainer,” committed to combating dietary misinformation in his books and films. After the recent success of his book and film “Fat Head,” he has written a sequel, "Fat Head Kids: Stuff About Diet and Health I Wish I Knew When I Was Your Age." What has prompted the current epidemic of obesity and diabetes in our kids and adolescents? How to impart a message of healthy eating without stigmatizing overweight kids? Tom shares his personal background of fighting overweight, and how he ultimately conquered it; Who’s at fault, misguided “experts,” or gluttonous consumers? What’s wrong with government policies that influence food choices? Is more legislation the answer? Are programs like “Let’s Move” missing the point? What’s Tom’s quibble with Morgan Spurlock’s “Supersize Me?” What’s Tom’s vision for a healthier America?