Expert Interview

ENCORE: Concussion Protocol Utilizing High-Dose Fish Oil, Part 1
November 21, 2019
"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)? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Concussion Protocol Utilizing High-Dose Fish Oil, Part 2

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." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Reversal of Cognitive Decline, Part 1
November 19, 2019
Dr. Dale Bredesen is a board-certified neurologist who is author of a landmark paper entitled: “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” He is founding president of the Buck Institute where world-class scientists tackle age-related problems. Dr. Bredesen is spear-heading research of a comprehensive program for reversing symptoms of dementia with lifestyle modification, supplements, diet, bio-identical hormones, and detoxification. A huge problem looms as millions of aging Baby Boomers become candidates for Alzheimer’s: for those without the ApoE4 allele, the risk is 9%; with one of two alleles, it soars to 30%; and with a “double-hit” of ApoE4 the risk becomes 90%. Dr. Bredesen is critical of the current “magic bullet” approach to development of Alzheimer’s drugs. While not discounting their potential, he believes the problem is so multi-faceted that it will require attention to numerous modifiable risk factors. “Normal” levels of B12, homocysteine, vitamin D, insulin, and C-reactive protein may not be optimal for prevention of cognitive decline. Adequate sleep, stress reduction, and exercise are lifestyle approaches that need to be deployed aggressively to counter memory loss. Promising supplements include resveratrol, DHA, Lion’s Mane, Bacopa, Ashwaganda, acetyl-l-carnitine, curcumin, citicholine, and nicotinamide riboside. Attention must be given to hormones, especially testosterone and pregnenolone which can be neuro-protective. Heavy metals like iron, mercury, lead and cadmium are implicated in some cases of cognitive decline. When it comes to diet, some controversy remains, but the ideal food program should target insulin resistance and inflammation. To this end, ketogenic diets, plant-based nutrition, gluten-avoidance and intermittent fasting show promise. Dr. Bredesen has demonstrated that cognitive decline CAN be reversed with a multi-factorial approach; if inaugurated early enough, patients can experience dramatic recovery of functionality. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Reversal of Cognitive Decline, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Dale Bredesen, board-certified neurologist who is author of a landmark paper entitled: “Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain, Part 1
November 14, 2019
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? Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Rav Ivker, an expert on the application of cannabis-derived products for pain syndromes. Click HERE for part 1.

Why We Age and How to Stop It, Part 1
November 12, 2019
Anti-aging researcher Sandra Kaufman, MD, leveraged her extensive background in cellular biology to develop the Kauffman Protocol. She discusses why we age and how to stop it. Are there inherent limitations to human longevity or can we hack our biology to create super-centenarians? What are the “7 Tenets of Aging”? How can we harness our understanding of the mechanisms of senescence to create precision protocols that will extend life? Dr. Kaufman discusses the roles of pterostilbene, astaxanthin, carnosine, nicotinamide riboside, curcumin, EGCG, and metformin. She has created an app which allows people to customize a personalized anti-aging program addressing their aging vulnerabilities. Click HERE for part 2.

Why We Age and How to Stop It, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with anti-aging researcher Sandra Kaufman, MD. Click HERE for part 1.

Holiday Digestive Issues, Part 1
November 7, 2019
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Martie Whittekin, Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and the author of the best-selling book, "Natural Alternatives to Nexium…and Other Acid Blockers" does a deep-dive on digestive issues around the holidays and how probiotics can help. Her latest book is entitled, "The Probiotic Cure." Click HERE for part 2.

Holiday Digestive Issues, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Martie Whittekin, Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and the author of the best-selling book, "Natural Alternatives to Nexium…and Other Acid Blockers." Her latest book is entitled, "The Probiotic Cure." Click HERE for part 1.