Substance Dependency

Leyla Weighs In: What is the best diet to help someone quit smoking?
July 6, 2018
A listener asks: "My sister recently had a severe asthma attack with some pneumonia and is currently taking a lot of medication. Are there any nutrients she can take to mitigate the side effects and improve the function of her lungs?" Plus, what is the best diet to help someone quit smoking?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2
March 14, 2018
More on CBD and marijuana; Help! I have an overactive bladder and low urinary flow; Despite a healthy diet, I still struggle with SAD food triggers and my cravings are intensifying. Could it be due to nutrient deficiencies?; I'm a 61-year-old female with low blood pressure. Should I be concerned? Click HERE for part 1.

Kids’ Exposure to Electronic Media, Part 1
February 6, 2018
A conversation with the “Mediatrician”, Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician whose practice and research center around kids’ exposure to electronic media. He recently supported a stockholder initiative to persuade Apple to offer more options for parents to shape their children’s media exposure. Are the big social media companies compromising our children’s well-being for the sake of more ad clicks? What are the health consequences—physical and mental—of kids’ heavy use of social media? How does it contribute to obesity? To depression and suicidality? To poor school performance? To sleep deprivation? Why prohibition is not the answer; Is there such a thing as “internet addiction”? Should kids below a certain age have zero screen time? Dr. Rich offers tips to parents and grandparents via his column “Ask the Mediatrician” at the website of his Center on Media and Child Health at http://cmch.tv/parents/askthemediatrician/. Click HERE for part 2.

Kids’ Exposure to Electronic Media, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with the “Mediatrician”, Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician whose practice and research center around kids’ exposure to electronic media. Click HERE for part 1.

Leyla Weighs In
December 29, 2017
Low prenatal red meat intake tied to kids' substance misuse; Gum disease tied to yet another deadly illness.

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for September 16, Part 2
September 18, 2017
Binging on sugar alters deep-brain structures in a way similar to drug, tobacco addiction; Menopausal hormone replacement therapy doesn't curtail longevity; Health benefits of mangos; Treatment of post-concussion syndrome; What to do for frequent urinary tract infections? Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Nutrition Counseling as Part of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Dependency, Part 1
August 22, 2017
Nutrition in Recovery: The opioid epidemic has just been declared a national emergency. Coupled with alcohol dependency, addiction to illicit and legally-prescribed drugs has reached crisis proportions, yet our current treatment models often are inadequate. In this setting, David Wiss, a Registered Dietician Nutritionist, has founded Nutrition in Recovery, a premier service offering nutrition counseling as part of a multidisciplinary approach to dependency. Why is what you eat during recovery so important? Do addicts have unique nutritional deficits? Why is the microbiome involved? How is fiber crucial? Why does "disordered eating" complicate recovery? What vitamins, minerals, amino acids, probiotics, and EFAs support abstinence? Why does substance dependency blunt appetite for healthy foods? How is the brain's reward system involved? What role does meal-timing play in taming addiction? Click HERE for part 2.

Nutrition Counseling as Part of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Dependency, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with David Wiss, a Registered Dietician Nutritionist and founder of Nutrition in Recovery, a premier service offering nutrition counseling as part of a multidisciplinary approach to dependency. Click HERE for part 1.

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for July 15, Part 2
July 17, 2017
Are algae-based Omega 3s superior to fish oil? Building muscle after an injury; If you have trouble sleeping, congratulations, you’re an evolutionary marvel! Persistent mental stress linked to heart disease (DUH!); Is a genetic test to predict addiction a bridge too far? Why are two black pastors suing Coca-Cola? Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

The Potential Benefits of Medical Marijuana, Part 1
December 1, 2016
Dr. Rachna Patel is a pioneer in research and application of medical marijuana. She is careful to distinguish her practice from “card mills” that indiscriminately hand out prescriptions for marijuana to mostly recreational users. Rather, she tailors various formulas comprising differing ratios and dosages of THC and cannabidiol according to patients' medical conditions. She finds many of her patients with pain conditions respond well to medical marijuana: fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathy. Many are able to taper their prescription meds due to the pain relief they obtain. She describes topical application of marijuana for psoriasis and sore joints. Patients with MS experience decreased spasticity and patients with Parkinson’s Disease see improvements in tremors. Patients with anxiety enjoy freedom from panic attacks. Medical marijuana is well-suited for insomnia. It ameliorates GI pain in IBS and colitis. What patients are NOT candidates for medical marijuana? Can it be used in kids and adolescents? How might it paradoxically help ADHD? Do patients feel stoned? Does it create addiction or dependency? What about "amotivational syndrome" that is reported in chronic pot smokers? Does it provide support to cancer patients? Might it possess anti-inflammatory effects? Why does Dr. Patel eschew use of inhaled marijuana products? Should users trust the internet or should they access prescription marijuana via official licensed dispensaries? Click HERE for part 2.