Mark Blumenthal is founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC)<;u>. We commemorate the 35th anniversary of the ABC, the 40th anniversary of HerbalGram, an informative publication about botanical medicine, and Mark’s 50th anniversary as an herbal advocate, consultant, educator, and researcher. His Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program is a resource to the natural products industry to combat fraud, contamination and toxicity of herbal products. We discuss the science underlying such nutraceuticals as curcumin, berberine, maca, ashwagandha and black cumin. Mark traces the development of the botanicals industry from its origins with teas and tinctures to today’s standardized and scientifically vetted products.

The Role of Science-Based Herbal Medicine in Healthcare, Part 1

Audio presentations by Dr. Ronald Hoffman on the topics of preventive medicine and natural healing

Alternative Health

Health

Nutrition

Health & Fitness

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin details the Microbiome Theory of Aging (MTA) through a comprehensive article by Ross Pelton in Integrative Medicine, a Clinician's Journal. The theory suggests that dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance in the gut, causes health problems that can accelerate biological aging by increasing inflammation, zonulin levels, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and triggering chronic diseases. The episode covers the roles of probiotics, postbiotics, and how lifestyle factors influence the aging process. Leyla also discusses causes of dysbiosis, including diet, antibiotics, and stress, and introduces the concept of postbiotic metabolites as key regulators of health. The importance of the gut-brain axis and the effect of stress on microbiome dysfunction are also highlighted. The talk aims to provide insight into how maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can influence aging and health, setting the stage for a deeper dive in the next episode.

Leyla Weighs In: Unveiling the Microbiome Theory of Aging (First in a Series)

You might be taking too many medications; Are there any dangers of taking apple cider vinegar daily long term? How much is too much?; How can I prevent yet another bout of shingles? What do you think of the vaccine?

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Are you taking too many medications?

My friend has spondylolisthesis and would like to avoid surgery. Any suggestions?; Protecting your free speech; Can food allergy reactions impact CGMs with glucose spikes? Is there a relationship?; A comment and thoughts on the state of school lunches.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 2: School Lunches

The Covid pandemic should’ve served as a wake-up call, highlighting our vulnerabilities as a nation. Ross Arena, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago, is spearheading a bold initiative called HL-PIVOT to underscore the role that healthy lifestyle plays in enhancing resilience. He is lead author of a new paper that demonstrates the roles that obesity, poor diet, smoking, and inadequate sleep play in setting the stage for poor Covid outcomes. Instead of a pandemic, he argues that we’re experiencing a “syndemic”—a perfect storm of chronic diseases that in themselves exact a terrible toll of chronic illness, but at the same time render Americans more susceptible to Covid. The surprising disparity between US regions with healthier, more active populations versus sedentary precincts within “food deserts” spotlights the important role lifestyle plays as a mediator of Covid severity. Arena argues that this has important social justice implications, with underserved populations experiencing the brunt of the syndemic.

ENCORE: The Role Lifestyle Plays in Enhancing Resilience, Part 1

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Ross Arena, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The Role of Science-Based Herbal Medicine in Healthcare, Part 1

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