Expert Interview

Ozone Therapy, Part 1
April 9, 2019
Ozone therapy is considered one of the more exotic modalities of Integrative Medicine, but today’s guest, Dr. Isadora Guggenheim (www.secondnaturecare.com) brings scientific rigor to its application to a variety of conditions. Guggenheim is a naturopathic physician (ND), as well as an RN and nutritionist. What’s the history of ozone therapy? How does it work? How can we reconcile its healing properties with concerns about ozone as a cause of respiratory injury? Doesn’t it generate free radicals when introduced into the body? Guggenheim explains the seeming paradox by marshaling evidence that medical ozone revs the body’s antioxidant defenses; ozone is a potent disinfectant, combatting viruses, bacteria and fungi alike. It also selectively targets cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Athletes use ozone to boost performance; many patients attest to ozone’s energizing and mood-enhancing effects. What are the various ways ozone can be administered? What conditions respond to ozone? Does research support its safety and effectiveness? On a separate note, Guggenheim describes laser vaginal rejuvenation—The Mona Lisa Touch procedure—as an alternative to hormones for vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Click HERE for part 2.

Ozone Therapy, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Isadora Guggenheim about medical ozone therapy and its application to a variety of conditions. Click HERE for part 1.

A Revolution in the Diagnosis and Treatment of GI Disorders, Part 1
April 4, 2019
SIBO—small intestine bacterial overgrowth—is a concept that has revolutionized our diagnosis and treatment of common GI disorders, especially IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Gary Stapleton, founder and director of Aerodiagnostic Labs, is a leading authority on the performance and interpretation of testing for SIBO. What is SIBO? Who might suspect they have it? SIBO manifestations go way beyond just gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, bloating and constipation; SIBO often is an underlying cause of autoimmune disorders and even brain fog, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Why test? What’s the principal behind breath testing? How does detection of various gases guide therapeutic decisions and increase treatment success? Are there alternatives to drugs for treatment of SIBO? What can go wrong with breath testing? Improper patient prepping, imprecise collection, poorly calibrated testing machinery, and inexperienced interpretation can confuse the diagnosis. Stapleton outlines the extraordinary steps Aerodiagnostics takes to assure quality control. Breath testing can also be used to pinpoint diagnoses of lactose, fructose or sucrose intolerance. Click HERE for part 2.

The Deplorable State of Nutrition Science, Part 1
April 2, 2019
Dr. Richard Feinman is one of the deans of the low-carb movement. He is Professor of Cell Biology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center where he teaches medical students, and is author of "Nutrition in Crisis: Flawed Studies, Misleading Advice, and the Real Science of Human Metabolism." He takes aim at the deplorable state of nutrition science. Especially problematic are epidemiological studies which draw unwarranted inferences about what people should eat. Feinman challenges the “Diet-Heart Hypothesis” which he says has never been substantiated. He is author of an authoritative review supporting carbohydrate restriction as a means of controlling diabetes. His recent work is on ketogenic diets for cancer. Feinman describes the intense resistance his iconoclastic views have met within the nutrition establishment, but believes that low-carb dieting is engendering a paradigm switch. Click HERE for part 2.

The Deplorable State of Nutrition Science, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Richard Feinman, author of "Nutrition in Crisis: Flawed Studies, Misleading Advice, and the Real Science of Human Metabolism." Click HERE for part 1.

Is “breast implant illness” real? Part 1
March 28, 2019
Breast implants are now under the gun again after a checkered history. In the 80s reports of adverse events related to silicone breast implants led to FDA scrutiny and lawsuits against Dow Corning. Now in March 2019, breast implants are once again under federal review over reports of a rare lymphoma in hundreds of women with “textured” implants. Dr. Sophie Bartsich, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, offers perspective on the current controversy. Is “breast implant illness” real? Has it been conclusively proven that breast implants cause lupus-like symptoms in women? Is there a high incidence of breast implant rupture? Do breast implants need to be checked on a regular basis after surgery? How often do they need to be replaced? How does Dr. Bartsich leverage her undergraduate training in psychology to meet patients’ expectations and address body image concerns? Which implants are safest? Are there alternatives to implants for women who don’t want foreign materials in their bodies? What about the opposite—breast reduction for women? And what options are available for men with gynecomastia? Does breast reconstruction after cancer make subsequent cancer detection more difficult? Can cosmetic breast surgery interfere with the prospects for breastfeeding? Click HERE for part 2.

Is “breast implant illness” real? Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Sophie Bartsich, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, who offers perspective on the current controversy. Click HERE for part 1.

The Science and Benefits of Hemp Derived Cannabinoids, Part 1
March 26, 2019
CBD (cannabidiol) is getting a lot of buzz lately as a hot new nutraceutical. Carl Germano, author of "The Road to Ananda", offers a comprehensive discussion of the science behind hemp-derived cannabinoids’ benefits for a multitude of conditions: pain, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions, eye problems, GI disorders, osteoporosis, and even cancer. “Ananda” is the Ancient Sanskrit word for “bliss”—Is there a “stoner” effect? Why has hemp’s legal status changed lately? How does the endocannabioid system work to influence mood, inflammation, immunity, intestinal integrity, sleep, and athletic recovery? What’s the rationale for broad-spectrum vs. CBD-only products? Why are hemp products poised to take the supplement marketplace by storm? Click HERE for part 2.

Making Sense of Mental Illness, Part 1
March 21, 2019
In this exciting podcast, Dr. Randolph Nesse, a pioneer in evolutionary psychiatry, discusses his new book "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings." Nature doesn’t care whether we feel bad—our emotions are shaped by natural selection to maximize the survival of the species. But there’s a mismatch between our ancient emotional wiring and the circumstances of modern life. What’s the purpose of emotions? Is anxiety natural? What’s the evolutionary benefit of depression? Why do schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder persist when they’re so harmful to sufferers? Why is addiction so prevalent? Are we really in the throes of a modern epidemic of childhood mental disorders? Are we over-diagnosing and treating mental conditions that are a natural consequence of our wiring? What’s the take-home message of evolutionary psychiatry for patients and clinicians? Click HERE for part 2.

Making Sense of Mental Illness, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Randolph Nesse, a pioneer in evolutionary psychiatry, about his new book, "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings: Insights from the Frontier of Evolutionary Psychiatry." Click HERE for part 1.