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Nutritional psychiatry with Dr. Georgia Ede. Dr. Ede is a Harvard-trained, board-certified psychiatrist who emphasizes diet in her treatment of mental conditions. She is a frequent contributor to Psychology Today, and we discuss her recent article there highlighting the role of nutrition in curbing the risk of severe Covid. She describes how healthy diet impacts psychiatric conditions through three main mechanisms: inflammation, oxidative stress, and blood sugar dysregulation. Ups and downs of glucose affect mood, and insulin resistance deprives brain cells of fuel. She advocates a low-carb diet, even keto, to address certain psychiatric conditions. At the very least, intermittent fasting helps the brain achieve a needed “reset”. She’s not a fan of exclusively vegan diets, and critiques the EAT-Lancet report which calls for minimizing animal protein. She discusses recent research linking food additives and diet to attention deficit disorder. Dr. Ede offers a keto course for clinicians at her informative website diagnosisdiet.com.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained, board-certified psychiatrist who emphasizes diet in her treatment of mental conditions.

Are we now in a pandemic of Coronaphobia?; I'm struggling with collagenous colitis. Will Low Dose Naltrexone help?; Many doctor's offices are using disinfectant wipes that trigger my asthma - help!; I got the vaccine and had a strange feeling in my arm. Could it have been administered intravenously?; I'm a healthy 44-year-old woman. Why would I need to subject myself to the vaccine?; Is MCT oil healthy? Doesn't it raise cholesterol?

Is Celiac an autoimmune disease? Can it be cured? What causes it?; I'm interested in organic gardening. What do you think of those at-home gardening kits that don't use any soil?; I'm bony and muscular and have trouble putting on any body fat. Why?

Howard Garrett, "The Dirt Doctor," is a leading expert in natural organic gardening and landscaping. He details the parallel between detoxifying and restoring health to the soil and that of improving our internal environments. Just as it is important to have beneficial microbes in the soil along with a supportive soil base high in nutritious organic material, our intestinal tract could be compared to a soil bed. If the intestinal tract is healthy, there is a matrix of beneficial bacteria that reside in that intestinal lining. In turn, they help break down fibers and produce beneficial compounds – called postbiotics – that promote better digestion, support the immune system, and even produce important vitamins that we need for a host of body functions. And just like the deterioration of the microbes and soil web lead to poor growth and health of the plants in that soil, the overuse of antibiotics, highly processed foods, chemical preservatives, etc. wreaks havoc on our internal microbiome. As a result, poor health ensues.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Howard Garrett, "The Dirt Doctor," a leading expert in natural organic gardening and landscaping.

Contradictory messaging about Covid: Reversals on outdoor masking, social distancing, lockdowns are giving people cognitive whiplash; Getting better or bracing for Covid resurgence—which is it? Study reveals majority of Americans ate worse, exercised less during stay-at-home edicts; Condom sales rebound after lockdown eased; Natural support for stubborn chronic sinusitis; What is VLDL cholesterol, and why does it matter? Why India is experiencing a disastrous Covid surge; First-of-its-kind study demonstrates age-reversal effects of comprehensive lifestyle program.

New study shows use of certain supplements associated with better Covid outcomes—but a new bill bundled with the 1.9 trillion dollar Covid relief package empowers FTC to fine you if you make claims; Natural approaches for blood pressure control; How dangerous is a thyroid nodule? Eat more fat to boost testosterone; Loneliness hikes risk for cancer in men; Cardiorespiratory fitness curbs risk of serious Covid, pneumonia; Long Covid is prompting doctors to prescribe opiate pain medications and anxiety drugs, hiking risk of addiction for sufferers.

The beneficial effects of meditation on inflammation; Inflammation and food -- mast cell stabilizing foods.

Covid-19 may finally be receding, but we remain in the grips of “twin pandemics”, according to today’s guest, Dr. Ross Arena, professor of physiology and developer of the HL-PIVOT program. Far exceeding the death toll from Covid-19 are avoidable deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These are largely attributable to physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle—now a worldwide crisis. Lack of physical fitness has been demonstrated to be a crucial determinant of the severity of Covid-19 infections—and the likelihood of dying. The current pandemic is thus a call-to-action to increase resilience through healthy lifestyle promotion—that’s HL-PIVOT’s mission. Dr. Arena discusses how health inequities have only been exacerbated by Covid-19; he emphasizes that we must go from a reactionary healthcare system to one more grounded in prevention. He says exercise doesn’t have to be heroic; dividends accrue if you just sit less and move more—any movement is beneficial. He discusses how he and his family have remained active during lockdown. Exercise also delivers benefits for enhancing mood and alleviating stress.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ross Arena, professor of physiology and developer of the HL-PIVOT program.

The many benefits of exercise; I was surprised to read in your newsletter that "masks work..." when there are other studies that show the ineffectiveness of them; What do you think of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training to increase muscle mass? I'm 74 with osteoporosis.

My father's PSA keeps increasing despite the fact he's been doing everything right for nearly 20 years!; What do you think of using spirulina, curcumin, and Boswellia to shrink benign thyroid nodules?; I have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Would you recommend NAD for this condition?; How does the CV Sciences product you talked about differ from Viracid?

Dr. Madeleine Castellanos (www.thesexmd.com) joins us for a discussion of integrative treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Dr. Castellanos is a chapter co-author with Dr. Hoffman of "Integrative Sexual Health," part of a Dr. Andrew Weil series of textbooks about integrative medicine. She offers a deep-dive on women’s sexual responses which involve a complex interplay between physical and psychological factors. What health benefits does sex confer? What are common roadblocks to sexual enjoyment among women? Why was “female Viagra” a bust? What roles for testosterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, oxytocin, estrogen, progesterone? Why are birth control pills and antidepressants sexual downers? Can a woman’s thyroid get in the way of her sexual enjoyment? Do diet and supplements make a difference? Are nutraceuticals like Maca, ginseng and soy isoflavones helpful? What does “Mindfulness” have to do with sex?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Madeleine Castellanos (www.thesexmd.com) about integrative treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

Higher mushroom consumption slashes cancer risk; A caller with an abnormal MTHFR test seeks advice; Will the vaccine alter DNA permanently, or increase the risk for Mad Cow Disease? A single dose of the Sinovac confers meager protection; Reliance on Himalayan salt and sea salt may raise specter of iodine deficiency; Women report menstrual abnormalities after Covid vax; Mammograms may yield deceptive results in aftermath of shots; Betaine found to reverse abnormal behaviors in mouse model of schizophrenia.

Regarding your podcast on statins and coronary artery calcification, does this problem apply to the naturally occurring statins in red yeast rice? Plus: I question whether nuts, butter, and fatty meats are bad for GERD. What are your thoughts?

Artificial food coloring found to be a detriment to children's health; Has Dr. Hoffman taken the covid vaccine? The answer will surprise you; Who should and shouldn't take the covid vaccine?; Any advice on establishing a fun, well-rounded physical activity program for a 40-year-old female?

Is Zoloft addictive?; What are your thoughts on the vaccine causing anaphylactic reactions in some people?; Is citrulline superior or inferior to L-arginine?; What is the best way to lose weight while taking Prozac?; What radio station is your show on?