Intelligent Medicine Radio for June 20, Part 1: Undereye “Festoons”

Nathan Jones, founder and CEO of Xlear, Inc., reveals xylitol’s role in supporting oral and nasal “gateway” microbiomes by selectively starving acid-producing Strep mutans rather than indiscriminately killing bacteria, and warns that harsh mouthwashes can disrupt beneficial oral bacteria linked to nitric oxide production and possibly blood pressure. Jones outlines Spry and Xlear products (gum, mints, toothpaste, mouthwash, dry-mouth “Rain,” and upcoming gummy candies, a new dental probiotic with added nutrients, and a direct-to-consumer oral bacteria test kit with pre/post tracking). He discusses diet, emphasizing sugar as a key driver of cavities and criticizing limited focus on sugar in a Surgeon General oral health report. In part two, Jones describes ongoing and planned legal actions against the FTC over shifting evidentiary standards and reputational damage, then reviews Xlear’s allergy and respiratory approach via nasal hygiene, product tiers (regular, Max with quercetin, Rescue botanicals, and a decongestant), and a forthcoming ectoine-based spray to support mucus barrier integrity.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Nathan Jones, founder and CEO of Xlear, Inc.

Nitric Oxide Explained: Vascular Health, Exercise Performance, and N1o1 with Dr. Nathan Bryan, international Leader in Molecular Medicine, the first to describe nitrite and nitrate as indispensable nutrients required for optimal cardiovascular health. He details NO as a ubiquitous messenger affecting blood flow, erectile function, cognition, exercise performance, endothelial dysfunction, and aging-related declines in NO production. Bryan explains why PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra prolong cyclic GMP signaling but don’t fix NO deficiency, and why beet products often fail due to variable nitrate content and inadequate dosing. He outlines his NO lozenge approach that generates NO gas from sodium nitrite and magnesium ascorbate, plus a fermented beet powder drink (NOBeets), and emphasizes the role of oral bacteria (and harms of antiseptic mouthwash/fluoride) in nitrate conversion. They review published endpoints, including flow-mediated dilation, blood pressure effects, inflammation markers, triglycerides, stem cells, plaque regression, applications to Alzheimer’s, glaucoma/microvascular disease, safety/dosing considerations, risks of arginine supplementation, and a dual-chamber topical NO serum developed from wound-healing experience.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Nathan Bryan, international Leader in Molecular Medicine, the first to describe nitrite and nitrate as indispensable nutrients required for optimal cardiovascular health. 

Should you stop taking glucosamine based on a new study linking it to Alzheimer’s? What’s behind the spate of “Tai Chi Walking” social media posts? Undereye “festoons”—what to do about them? Are antibiotics the only treatment for SIBO? Vaping after smoking hikes risk for lung cancer.

Why aren’t there more medical insurance plans that cover alternative medicine? Solutions for Long Covid; MK7 vitamin K slows arterial calcification; Keto diet shows promise for treatment of anorexia; It’s not so much salt restriction—it’s the dietary sodium/potassium ratio in hypertension; Study finds multivitamins don’t keep you from getting Covid—but when you get it, it’s milder; Incidence of social anxiety disorder is soaring among young people.

Sleep, Glymphatic Detox, and the Hidden Heart Risks of Sleep Apnea: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explains how sleep supports brain “housekeeping” via the glymphatic system, a glial-lymphatic waste-clearance network most active during sleep that moves cerebrospinal fluid through brain spaces to remove metabolites and toxic proteins such as amyloid beta, with sleep deprivation linked to amyloid accumulation. She notes other clearance pathways, including meningeal lymphatic vessels, whose impaired function is associated with neurodegenerative disease and brain injury. Reviews of human studies suggest sleep influences glymphatic outcomes, though results are inconsistent and methods vary. She emphasizes that poor sleep is associated with dementia risk, depressive symptoms, cardiovascular events, mortality, and impaired glucose metabolism, and highlights lifestyle strategies that may improve sleep. She warns that untreated obstructive sleep apnea accelerates cardiovascular aging via intermittent hypoxia and inflammation, raising blood pressure and cardiovascular event risk, while treatment (e.g., CPAP) may halt or reverse damage.

Is there any truth to some of the latest news that claims glucosamine supplements accelerate dementia and Alzheimer's?Some key points on methodology - what were they actually measuring?What does glucosamine have to do with hyperglycosylation?

What may be the real driver of persistent musculoskeletal pain in menopause?What are your thoughts on hyperbaric oxygen for treating hard-to-heal wounds?Kudos to holistic veterinarians!My prostate is Swiss cheese now after so many biopsiesWhat's the latest on melatonin?

In this episode of the Intelligent Medicine podcast, Dr. Ronald Hoffman interviews Professor Kieran Murphy, an interventional neuro radiologist and prolific inventor from Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Murphy has developed numerous innovative medical devices and filed 60 patents. He shares insights from his book, “The Essence of Invention: Medicine and the Joy of Creativity,” discussing his work on medical innovation, his unique background, and personal experiences that have driven his creative solutions. The conversation covers various topics, including the importance of creativity, the impact of bureaucracy on modern medicine, and groundbreaking innovations like ozone therapy for herniated discs and a radio-protective supplement for medical personnel. Dr. Murphy emphasizes mindfulness and paying attention to phenomena as key components for fostering creativity and innovation in medicine.