Intelligent Medicine

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the fascinating link between dietary habits and sleep quality, particularly nightmares. Discussing a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, Leyla explains how consuming certain foods, especially late at night, can influence dream patterns. Foods like sweets, dairy, and allergens such as gluten and lactose were found to have significant effects on sleep disturbances. She emphasizes healthy eating habits, particularly avoiding food allergens and late-night eating, and suggests practical tips for improving sleep quality. Leyla also touches on how cultural beliefs and anecdotal evidence support the scientific findings, providing a comprehensive overview of how diet can directly affect dream content and sleep health.

Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a nutrition scientist and the founding director of the Center for Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research at Columbia University, details the intriguing relationship between diet and sleep quality, exploring how various foods and nutrients affect sleep patterns. Dr. St-Onge shares insights from her research on the Mediterranean diet, functional foods, and the impact of macronutrients like fiber, carbohydrates, and polyphenols on sleep. They also touch on the effects of caffeine and alcohol, as well as the role of psychological interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia. Practical advice and delicious recipes from her new book, “Eat Better, Sleep Better,” are highlighted to help listeners enhance their sleep through dietary changes.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a nutrition scientist, the founding director of the Center for Excellence for Sleep and Circadian Research at Columbia University, and author of “Eat Better, Sleep Better.”

Dr. Robert Silverman, author of "Immune Reboot: Maximizing Immunity, Restoring Gut Health, and Optimizing Vitality," provides a comprehensive primer on the immune system. He explains how lifestyle factors—diet, sleep, exercise, and stress—impact immune resilience. He offers specific protocols for optimizing resistance to Covid, what to do if you come down with it, and how to treat Long Covid, as well as how to prepare for vaccines.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Robert Silverman, author of "Immune Reboot: Maximizing Immunity, Restoring Gut Health, and Optimizing Vitality."

As natural thyroid ban looms, thyroid sufferers gird for battle with regulators; Rapid weight loss, muscle wasting—what to do? Could overuse of CT scans cause 100,000 extra cancers in the U.S.? Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket residents afflicted with tick-borne meat allergy; Beyond Meat headed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; Searching for the causes of low iron.

Report shows rapid declines in health of children and adolescents since 2007; N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for Parkinson’s; Statins increase likelihood of hearing loss, tinnitus; Lithium orotate for Alzheimer’s; Is tinnitus reversible? Novel implantable electrical vagus nerve stimulator approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin focuses on the impact of various exercise interventions on insomnia, based on a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The study compares exercise interventions like yoga, Tai Chi, and jogging to improve both subjective and objective sleep outcomes for insomnia patients. Additional discussion covers the benefits of exercise on neuroplasticity and sleep architecture, while also addressing alternative treatments such as hypnotics and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Leyla shares personal insights and practical advice for incorporating exercise into daily routines for better sleep.

For many, integrative medicine has become an unattainable luxury, and healthy diet and lifestyle the prerogative of the privileged. Today’s guest, Dr. Ramona Wallace, is attempting to change that. Trained conventionally as a DO, she undertook additional training and certification via the Institute for Functional Medicine to broaden her clinical skills. She practices primary care in an underserved community in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she incorporates diet and lifestyle recommendations to address her patients’ chronic conditions. Careful nutritional assessment has revealed that many of her patients, while overtly overweight, are decidedly malnourished. She has documented a wide range of deficiencies—of B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and D, critical minerals like zinc and magnesium, even full-blown scurvy. These are precisely the patients who are most likely to benefit from nutritional support. Discovering obstacles to compliance is a key element to effect their health transformations. Dr. Wallace believes that individualized care is the key to reversing long-standing health conditions. She mentors medical students in the first-of-its-kind Functional Medicine program at a medical school. She has also co-authored a landmark paper arguing for wellness self-care by doctors, to stave off burnout and to help them be better role models for patients.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ramona Wallace.

Serena Jo, Ph.D in Exercise Psychology and ACE-certified Personal Trainer, explains how exercise benefits the brain, and how to undertake an exercise program. Is it ever too late to start? What forms of exercise are best? How to begin an exercise program economically, even if you’re at home; Home equipment basics; Pros and cons of online workout apps; What advantages do personal trainers offer? The downsides of overzealous workouts; Overcoming psychological barriers to fitness; What is the American Council on Exercise? Why your trainer should be professionally certified; How to turn your exercise passion into a career; More resources available HERE.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Serena Jo, Ph.D in Exercise Psychology and ACE-certified Personal Trainer.

BONUS ORIGINAL CONTENT: The introduction and limitations of the drug Addyi, known as the 'female Viagra,' including its side effects and mixed effectiveness; A listener's concerns about liver fibrosis, providing dietary and supplement recommendations for liver health; The impact of plastic exposure on cardiovascular health, emphasizing the widespread and harmful effects of phthalates found in plastics.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin reveals the alarming increase in obesity-associated cancers in the United States over the past two decades. Highlighting findings from a recent study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, Leyla underscores the significant rise in cancer deaths linked to obesity, particularly among women, older adults, Native Americans, and Black Americans. She also explores the complex causes of obesity, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, and offers insights into effective weight management strategies. Additionally, Leyla examines the high rates of heart disease in various U.S. states, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications and public health initiatives to combat cardiovascular diseases.