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

Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses a Nature Communications study of 108,723 French adults in the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009–2023) examining long-term exposure to food preservatives and type 2 diabetes. Using detailed dietary records cross-referenced with product/additive databases, researchers identified 58 preservative-related additives and analyzed 17 consumed by at least 10% of participants; 1,131 diabetes cases occurred. Higher overall preservative intake was associated with a 47% increased diabetes risk (49% for non-antioxidant preservatives; 40% for antioxidant additives), with several specific additives linked to higher risk. Leyla questions whether the findings reflect preservatives themselves or the ultra-processed, refined-carbohydrate foods that contain them, emphasizing recommendations to favor fresh, minimally processed foods and limit refined carbs and processed foods.

A case study where a second opinion is necessary
What are your thoughts on the recent news implicating niacin in cardiovascular disease?

What could it mean to get spasms in your sleep?  Is this a prediction of Parkinson's?
What is the best general magnesium to use?
What can my brother with diabetes take for recurrent urinary tract infections?
Could my prescribed medications be causing tinnitus?
Is the herpes virus a risk factor for dementia?

Gary Taubes on Rethinking Diabetes: Diet, Insulin, and the History Behind Low-Carb Treatment: Journalist Gary Taubes is author of “Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatments.” The book traces diabetes treatment history and argues that carbohydrate restriction was standard care from 1797 through the early 20th century until insulin therapy shifted practice toward drug-centered management and higher-carbohydrate diets. Taubes explains how insulin’s discovery changed dietary priorities, how later technology (radioimmunoassay) revealed that most diabetes is type 2 with insulin resistance and high insulin rather than deficiency, and why giving more insulin can worsen weight gain. They discuss major trials (including ACCORD, ADVANCE, and Look AHEAD) that failed to show benefits from intensive drug-based glucose control, the influence of low-fat guidelines, Richard Bernstein’s role in blood-glucose self-monitoring and low-carb control, controversies about obesity models, ketosis vs ketoacidosis, GLP-1 drugs, and LDL increases on ketogenic diets.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with journalist Gary Taubes, author of “Rethinking Diabetes: What Science Reveals About Diet, Insulin, and Successful Treatments.”