Immunity

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for April 18, Part 1
April 20, 2020
A call to action: COVID-19 is truly a lifestyle disease. Americans are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress—what are some natural options for mood support? What happens when your elective surgery is delayed because of the lockdown? Optimizing metabolic fitness—are the stay-at-home orders interfering with the exercise we need to bolster our immune systems? Patients with no symptoms caused 44% of coronavirus cases; The nitric oxide connection to immunity. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for April 18, Part 2

Demolishing a dozen viral myths about the coronavirus: gloves, bioweapon conspiracy theories, is Bill Gates to blame? Can supplements boost immunity to dangerous levels? Do you need to scrub your groceries? Will that takeout burrito give you COVID-19? What’s gloves got to do with it? Can flushing toilets spread contagion? The good news—many of us may already have been exposed; The bad news—we don’t know whether exposure confers immunity—or how long it’ll last. Those antibody tests—are they ready for primetime? Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Leyla Weighs In: Increase Your pH Levels to Fight Against Viruses?
April 17, 2020
Nutritionist Leyla Muedin answers these listener questions: Could you discuss the benefits of collagen and also recommend a probiotic?; How do I know if I'm taking too much folate?; Since viruses can't survive as well in an alkaline blood environment, would you recommend any action to proactively increase the pH level in our bodies, such as taking apple cider vinegar every day?

The Applicability of Nutrients to Coronavirus, Part 1
April 16, 2020
Dr. Thomas Guilliams, author of "Supplementing Dietary Nutrients: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals" (www.pointinstitute.org) has been devoting considerable thought lately to the applicability of nutrients to the coronavirus pandemic; he shares advice about general nutritional support for immune defense, and then offers suggestions specific to COVID-19. Is there a danger of over-stimulating the immune system and risking ”cytokine storm”? What roles for A, C, D, zinc? What about melatonin, curcumin, NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, astragalus, Andrographis, mushroom extracts and beta-glucans products? As Vice President for Scientific Affairs for Ortho Molecular Products, he’s witnessing first hand some of the production bottlenecks and shortages the supplement industry is experiencing—there’s been a surge in demand for nutritional supplements, especially ones with immune-supportive caché. Click HERE for part 2.

The Applicability of Nutrients to Coronavirus, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Thomas Guilliams, author of "Supplementing Dietary Nutrients: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals" (www.pointinstitute.org). Click HERE for part 1.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: COVID-19 Updates
April 15, 2020
13.7% of a small sample of pregnant women in NY City test positive for COVID-19 without symptoms; Update on testing for COVID-19; Will Government ever come to holistic medicine for input on dealing with COVID-19?; Shouldn't vitamin D levels be checked regularly on nursing home residents?; Since viruses don't like an alkaline environment, wouldn't increasing our blood pH be effective? Click HERE for part 2.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: COVID-19 Update and More

Surprising finding: Smokers no worse off in Coronavirus pandemic; I got a fatty liver diagnosis. What foods should I avoid and what supplements should I take?; What changes can my son make to his diet to combat his animal dander allergies?; What do the various food labels mean like, natural, organic, grass-fed, free-range, etc? Click HERE for part 1.

The Impact of Natural Interventions for COVID-19, Part 1
April 14, 2020
Dr. Lise Alschuler, a faculty member of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, is lead author of a new paper exploring the impact of natural interventions for COVID-19. She explains why it’s not sufficient merely to borrow from our knowledge of what works for ordinary colds and flus—the Coronavirus has distinct characteristics. Do healthy lifestyle practices—diet, exercise, sleep, stress mitigation—confer some degree of protection from the worst outcomes? When it comes to supplements, do we need to know “when to hold and when to fold” with regard to immune boosters? What about the alleged potential of some of these—like elderberry—to generate “cytokine storm”? Dr. Alschuler provides a detailed rundown on plausible vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals for COVID-19. Click HERE for part 2.

The Impact of Natural Interventions for COVID-19, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Lise Alschuler, a faculty member of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Click HERE for part 1.

Continuing COVID-19 Coverage on the Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for April 11, Part 1
April 13, 2020
Coronavirus update: We’re at the apex, and hopefully on the brink of the downhill slope of cases; Are scarce masks reusable? Can you sanitize them with sunlight, in the microwave, or with hydrogen peroxide? Press articles contemptuously dismiss diet and supplements as no way of “boosting immunity”—but strong evidence supports their benefits; The conundrum of high prevalence of serious COVID-19 among African Americans—could vitamin D deficiency be a factor? Why “metabolic fitness” counts—and the scary fact that only 12% of Americans have it; Why some states are making things worse by closing health food stores as “non-essential. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.