Intelligent Medicine | The Best of High Tech Medicine and Alternative Modalities

Oprah’s new book encourages followers to “free themselves” from “shame and blame” by accessing weight loss meds; Her claim “it’s the obesity gene” is put to the test by twin studies; Study shows brain stimulation with external electronic headset produces weight loss rivaling shots, pills; Ultra-processed food ups daily calorie intake by 500; Breast-feeding moms gain less post-pregnancy weight; Solutions for  Myelodysplastic Syndrome; Scientists find hidden weight gain trigger in soybean oil.

Calculators that assess your risk for heart disease miss the boat—half of actual heart attack victims were said to be at low-risk; Why an app could erroneously tell you that you should be taking a statin; New ways to fix a calcified aortic valve; Common amino acid may bust Alzheimer’s plaque, Adequate sleep may trump healthy diet, exercise for longevity; Chinese vegetarians less likely than omnivores to surpass 100; Easily-gobbled “fast food” stokes total daily calorie intake; Common chemicals hike MS risk two-fold; Low-glutamate diet relieves migraines; Fish oil confers substantial stroke, heart attack protection to dialysis patients.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses how exposure to natural daylight may improve metabolic health beyond diet and exercise, highlighting a controlled crossover study of 13 adults aged 65+ with type 2 diabetes published in Cell Metabolism. Participants spent 4.5 days in living spaces lit by either natural light through large windows or artificial light, with identical meals, sleep, activity, and screen time; after a 4-week washout they switched conditions. Natural light was associated with more hours of blood glucose in the normal range, less glucose variability, higher evening melatonin, and improved fat oxidative metabolism, suggesting effects on circadian “body clocks” and coordination between central and peripheral clocks. Muedin recommends getting morning light on the face, reducing sunglasses and high SPF use, dimming lights at night, keeping consistent sleep, and spending more time outdoors; she also notes that architecture can limit sunlight exposure.

A discussion on the concepts of weight-inclusive care and healthism
Some comments on medicine's biggest failures

I've read your book on Mitral Valve Prolapse, and it helped to reduce panic attacks...but I'm still depressed
The Singulair debacle 
What are your thoughts on the Shingrix vaccine?
Is essential tremor causing unsteadiness and balance problems when I'm walking?
Can kidney stones be controlled with probiotics?
What are your thoughts on bone broth?