Root of the Cause Radio

Health and fitness influencer Ben Greenfield provided animal-based diet proponent Dr. Paul Saladino a platform to discuss his dietary ideology via a guest-hosting solo episode on his popular podcast a few years back. A primary feature was Paul breaking down the perils, as he framed it, of phytochemicals. In this episode, I focus primarily on correcting the misinformation Paul presented on the phytochemical sulforaphane. You can listen to Dr. Paul Saladino’s episode on Ben Greenfield’s podcast here.Studies cited by Paul:Study 1Study 2Study 3Studies I cite on the benefits and benign nature of sulforaphane: Study 1Study 2Study 3

There's so much talk about taking GLP-1 these days. But how does our bodies' own GLP-1 work? And how do you know if your GLP-1 levels are suboptimal? I dig into this very subject as well as how to restore your body's own GLP-1 function. I also uncover the health implications - particularly blood sugar dysregulation - of low GLP-1 and how GLP-1 function is often the very first domino to fall on the path to diabetes. I first discussed GLP-1 back in early 2020, before semaglutide was widely available on the market as a weight-loss drug, in an episode titled Blood Sugar Physiology 101. Listen to it here for a detailed explanation of the body's Phase 1 insulin response and its relationship to GLP-1.

In this episode, I give my take on GLP-1 analogs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc.). I talk about the benefits, the potential risks that are rarely spoken about and the likely long-term limitations. I get into how these compounds differ from the GLP-1 we make on our own as well as ways to leverage that natural secretion for health benefits. I also dispel the notion that the "natural" GLP-1 stimulators are even remotely on par with the drugs on the market.

BioHarvest Sciences CEO Ilan Sobel and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Cornblatt join the show to talk about how BioHarvest Sciences has hacked all of the sustainability and logistical issues that traditionally come with manufacturing plant-based compounds. They discuss the groundbreaking process by which - through its patented technology – BioHarvest Sciences is able to essentially supercharge the compound within the plant that has the most scientifically-backed therapeutic efficacy, all without chemically altering the molecule. BioHarvest Sciences has figured out how to properly get those healing compounds into the blood stream, into our cells, and into our tissues in an ingenious way - again, without chemically altering the molecule AT ALL. Most importantly, they put enormous amounts of resources into research and development so that their claims are not just theoretical but actually backed by clinical data. Plus, they join the show on an exciting day as BioHarvest Sciences began trading on the NASDAQ. 2:57 – Ilan Sobel’s story and the ethos of BioHarvest Sciences10:18 – BioHarvest’s patented technology, and how it leverages the most therapeutically efficacious part of the plant and maximizes solubility in a way no other company is able to 21:25 – VINIA’s capacity to potentiate the ability of other supplements to enter the cells through increased blood flow25:25 – VINIA’s achievement of 82% solubility (proven through clinical data) vs. the 1% solubility of ALL other brands26:35 – Twelve hours of sustained levels with two peaks (proven by blood testing) vs. twenty minutes for ALL other brands 28:50 – Breaking down the math of how much of piceid resveratrol actually reaches the blood stream as compared to cis and trans (generic) resveratrol 34:20 – The exquisite pharmacokinetics (how a compound gets absorbed and broken down) of VINIA, and the science behind how BioHarvest was able to achieve what no other company has38:31 – Future plans for BioHarvest to create more products and compounds using their patented technology 41:00 – BioHarvest’s leveraging of the powerful verbascoside molecule for therapeutic purposes within the olive that no one has been able to achieve yet43:00 – CEO Ilan Sobel reveals BioHarvest’s future plans to partner with nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies47:46 – There are 140 drugs that use botanically-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). This comes with challenges similar to those of nutraceuticals. BioHarvest’s plans to solve this problem with their patented technology54:32 – Timeline to produce a product from start to finish (including the research and development). Cost for a company to have BioHarvest create a product, which includes owning the patent57:43 – Cellular detox and VINIA’s role59:50 - Dr. Cornblatt breaks down how unique and groundbreaking the soon-to-be-released olive-based product will be1:03 - CEO Ilan Sobel makes his first public announcement aboutBioHarvest Sciences’ debut on the NASDAQ (ticker: BHST) bioharvest.comVinia.com

Today I'll be picking up where I left off in the previous episode on acid reflux. I'll be delving into the negative downstream effects of taking acid-blocking drugs long term as well as discussing the interplay between H. pylori and acid reflux. I'll also break down what H. pylori is, how to properly test for it, the incremental, long term consequences of not treating it, and how acid-blocking drugs compound those effects in a profoundly negative way. 

Today I'll be taking a deep dive into acid reflux. There is so much confusion and misunderstanding and so many misconceptions surrounding this very common ailment. Many "experts" will claim it's caused by low stomach acid, while others (if not most) claim it's from high stomach acid. So who's right? Are they both wrong? The answer...YES! I'll get into all of that, including the very overlooked H-pylori connection. I'll go over what H-pylori is, how to best test for it, how the testing works, and, ultimately, what to do about it. I also break down what acid reflux actually is, what is really driving it and what can be done to "fix" it. 

Dr. Brian Cornblatt is back to share his gripping story of medical misdiagnosis. What started as a challenging Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis turned into a years-long health journey that saw Dr. Cornblatt eventually unearthing the root cause of his health issues and triumphantly reversing his diagnosis. Got a question, comment or suggestion for a future show topic? Email ROTC@rootofthecause.net.SHOW NOTES2:06 - Dr. Cornblatt’s MS misdiagnosis story 8:35 - How, after 6 years, with genetic testing and functional lab testing, Dr. Cornblatt figured out that he didn’t have MS19:55 - The Nitric Oxide genetic polymorphism that contributed to Dr. Cornblatt’s MS symptoms24:40 - PON1 gene: how it impacts oxLDL, detoxifying pesticides, appetite, leptin, insulin sensitivity, and how to upregulate this protective gene30:22 - VINIA study on reducing HbA1C (longer term blood sugar) in type 2 diabetics by 7.8% 36:50 - The value and limits of peripheral blood markers 43:15 - Acid reflux, H-Pylori, acid blocking medications lowering nitric oxide, impacting heart health49:12 - Oxidative stress impacting heart health (BH4)51:55 - Dr. Cornblatt's immune system SNP and what supplement provides support 53:00 - How to evaluate blood tests in context with the individual 

Dov is once again joined by Dr. Brian Cornblatt, Chief Medical Officer at BioHarvest Sciences, for a spirited and in-depth conversation. They take a deep dive into the detox process and discuss the science behind VINIA, a revolutionary supplement that leverages the power of technology to deliver unparalleled bioavailability of detoxifying phytochemical compounds. Dr. Cornblatt is a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Graduate with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Division of Toxicology. He is also the inventor of 7 issued patents and 9 pending provisional patents focused on plant-based bioactive compounds and health promotion. RESOURCESThe Science of VINIA VINIA’s Solubility AdvantageVINIA’s Bioavailability Advantage      Research ArticleGot a question, comment or suggestion for a future topic? Email ROTC@rootofthecause.net.SHOW NOTES5:15 – Dr. Cornblatt explains why he likes discussing the chemical compounds heterocyclic amines and benzene9:05 – Testing for benzene levels in the body10:30 – Objective methods Dr. Cornblatt implements to determine one’s ability to detox benzene using phytochemicals; Lab report measuring benzene levels (see page 4). 11:34 – Phase 2 enzymes and how they work like a dimmer switch; how plant-based bioactive compounds can modulate the switch 17:27 – Glutathione S Transferase: how these enzymes work and the many redundancies at the cellular level19:30 – How Glutathione is made and how plant phytochemicals can upregulate it21:40 – Are plant phytonutrients antioxidants, pro-oxidants or “indirect” antioxidants? 24:14 – The evolutionary principle behind how and why these plant compounds produce phytochemicals 26:32 – Benefits of taking phytochemicals; stimulation of NRF2, ET1 (impacts vasoconstriction) and eNOS (impacts vasodilation); how VINIA stimulates all 3 pathways, helping to modulate blood pressure and oxygenate the blood, aiding in the reversal of chronic fatigue31:40 – How the piceid form of resveratrol in VINIA is vastly different from standard resveratrol (cis and trans form); unparalleled absorbability and bioavailability and the innovative ways Dr. Cornblatt’s team achieves this41:00 – New innovations coming soon from BioHarvest 44:00 – VINIA’s impact on insulin sensitivity; VINIA's wide-ranging polyphenolic content versus standard resveratrol's limited polyphenolic content 48:55 – LDL cholesterol vs oxidized LDL and how VINIA upregulates a phase 2 enzyme called PON1, preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol59:37 – The value of genetic testing when applying nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals in a customized way 1:04 – Does the body recognize the difference between human-made...

In this solo episode, I present a foundational primer on the very misunderstood topic of detoxification. I deconstruct all the phases of detox, including the very overlooked and unspoken phase zero. I also include the often forgotten (yet what I feel to be the most important) part of detox: the elimination phase. I, of course, cover phases 1, 2 and 3 as well, explaining how detox conjugation works, what the 6 conjugation pathways are and how we can leverage these pathways when embarking on a detox. Listen for a fun analogy I use to simplify this very complex topic and help you understand just how practical, as well as critical, detoxification is in today’s unavoidably toxic world.For questions or to suggest future topics, email ROTC@rootofthecause.net.

Part 2 of my discussion with Roxanne Grobbel, leading expert in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Listen as Roxanne demystifies EMDR and teaches us just how effective and well researched this treatment is.Roxanne is a certified EMDR therapist and consultant. With a career focused on trauma-related issues, she is widely considered one of the leading experts on EMDR today. Roxanne is also an EMDRIA-approved EMDR instructor, teaching clinicians both basic and advanced EMDR courses and traveling around the country conducting workshops and lectures. Roxanne currently provides intensive trauma treatment at the 11th Hour Trauma Retreat in Denver, Colorado.emdria.orgwww.insightcounselingandeducation.com or www.Center4emdr.com EMDRrox@gmail.com For questions or to request future show topics, email ROTC@rootofthecause.net.

My guest this episode is Roxanne Grobbel, leading expert in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Listen as Roxanne demystifies EMDR and teaches us just how effective and well researched this treatment is.Roxanne is a certified EMDR therapist and consultant. With a career focused on trauma-related issues, she is widely considered one of the leading experts on EMDR today. Roxanne is also an EMDRIA-approved EMDR instructor, teaching clinicians both basic and advanced EMDR courses and traveling around the country conducting workshops and lectures. Roxanne currently provides intensive trauma treatment at the 11th Hour Trauma Retreat in Denver, Colorado.emdria.orgwww.insightcounselingandeducation.com or www.Center4emdr.com EMDRrox@gmail.com 2:49-What is EMDR?5:40-The connection between R.E.M. and EMDR8:33-Taxation of working memory while doing a secondary task. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC4325664/#S1title10:38-What to expect from your first EMDR session14:44-How does an EMDR practitioner extract repressed traumas that are driving a fear, phobia or anxiety?23:37-Is EMDR effective for everyone? Is there an efficacy spectrum?26:12-Reasons for non-responders29:55-Is EMDR for trauma-related struggles only?36:25-The impact environment has on children aged 0-3 and how the practitioner taps into a trauma their patient was too young to remember (as opposed to a repressed memory)For questions or to request future show topics, email ROTC@rootofthecause.net.

In this episode of Root of the Cause Radio, I’ll be covering the good, the bad and the ugly of estrogen metabolites: the more benign 2-Hydroxyestrone, the duality of the 16-Hydroxyestrone and the dreaded 4-Hydroxyestrone.1:53 - Phase 1 estrogen detoxification and estrogen metabolites2:47 - 16-Hydroxyestrone, the impact, risk and reasons for high levels and the possible downsides of very low levels4:06 - Can Estriol convert into anything harmful or helpful?5:40 - The bad and ugly of the 4-Hydroxyestrone and how methylation plays a critical role7:42 - Phosphatidylcholine and how it can indirectly help to neutralize the 4-Hydroxyestrone metabolite9:23 - What happens to the 4-Hydroxyestrones that don’t get methylated? Hint: DNA damage9:42 - How sulforaphane stimulates glutathione S transferase and quinone reductase to mop up DNA damaging quinones11:12 - Can you measure quinone levels? Can you measure DNA damage from oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine)?12:00 - How glutathione is made and the critical nutrients necessary13:49 - How glutathione and sulforaphane impact estrogen metabolites that don’t get methylated

Today’s episode is part 2 of my 3-part series on estrogen, where I’ll be covering the nuts and bolts of how we properly eliminate estrogen from the body, what’s needed to do so and some reasons for why that process may become suboptimal. I also discuss the timing of testing as well as how and why that detail can render greater value for some people.2:58 - Does the day of the month you test for estrogen matter? If so, when should you test and why4:52 - Mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and its importance with estrogen testing6:24 - Estrogen clearance 1016:52 - The gallbladder’s, liver’s and bile’s impact on estrogen clearance7:53 - Bile production, bile flow, bile acids vs. bile salts and glycine/taurine and how they all impact estrogen clearance9:50 - Phosphatidylcholine, PEMT gene and their impact on bile and the gallbladder11:13 - Gut dysbiosis14:11 - Calcium D-glucarate15:29 - Some potential reasons for high estrogen in men

Today begins part 1 of my 3-part series on estrogen.I believe estrogen to be a very misunderstood hormone in the body, which is why I decided to use this platform to break down the finer points of estrogen, not only for women but for men as well.2:30 - Estrogen basics in women4:12 - Estrogen, bone density and PTH’s (parathyroid hormone’s) interplay5:05 - How estrogen is made in men6:18 - The aromatase gene (CYP19)7:07 - Effects of high and low estrogen in men10:16 - The 3 main estrogens and the pros, cons and limitations within the various testing methods14:35 - SHGB (sex hormone-binding globulin)19:42 - Estrogen metabolites (2-, 4-, and 16-Hydroxyestrones) and the value of knowing your levels

In this episode, we cover leaky gut, immune modulation, cancer, IGF1, growth hormone, pathogens and liposomal delivery systems, just to name a few.My guest today is Douglas Wyatt. Doug is the founder of Sovereign Laboratories, which provides the most efficacious bovine colostrum for immune resilience and maintaining homeostasis. Colostrum has been shown to help restore gastrointestinal damage caused by leaky gut, a primary cause of chronic disease. As Director of Research for the Vibrant Life Institute, Doug is the leading expert in colostrum and is credited with reintroducing bovine colostrum for human use.Mr. Wyatt is also a proponent of colostrum’s unique and powerful bioactive components that show incredible promise for turning the tide on the prevention and treatment of the world’s increasing chronic disease epidemic.2:10 - Doug’s story of his serendipitous discovery of colostrum and how he became a leading authority on the subject 12:08 - What is colostrum? What is its biological purpose and function for a newborn child? 17:05 - The effects on infants who do not receive colostrum and what can be done to remedy that19:33 - What else can colostrum do other than what it’s most known for – healing leaky gut? Contains lactoferrin (antimicrobial, inhibits viral replication, iron sequestrate), immunoglobulins (aids in fighting pathogens), polypeptides (immune modulatory)29:48 - Colostrum…immune “booster” or immune modulatory and what the difference is 35:20 - Liposomal turmeric and vitamin C 38:56 - What liposomal is and why liposomal colostrum is superior44:00 - Leaky gut. Is it real? If so, how to test for it? 48:59 - Secretory IgA (the gut’s immune system) in the context of colostrum51:33 - The IGF1/growth hormone with colostrum, cancer and if there are possible concerns

The final installment with Dr. Mensah, where we continue to take a deep dive into undermethylation.1:03 - Quantifying the severity of undermethylation using the whole blood histamine marker, and the thresholds that begin to hinder versus enhance performance8:35 - Calcium supplements for undermethylation, the mechanism and the potential down sides12:07 - Dr. Mensah's thoughts on the enzyme catecol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and what, if anything, can be extrapolated from knowing your COMT status14:52 - Dr. Menshah feels undermethylating people are sensitive to folate. Should they then want to induce a mild deficiency?18:24 - SSRIs for someone with high histamine vs. SSRIs for someone with optimal histamine levels, or…is it copper overload?23:52 - Dr. Mensah's thoughts on genetic tests for pharmaceutical use Genesight.com 25:44 - Dr. Mensah’s thoughts on receptor down regulation concerns with SSRI medication28:00 - Zinc and its role in methylation, serotonin production and mental health29:13 - Dr. Mensah's thoughts on 5HTP supplementationMethylation Pathway Visual Aid SSRI 101 Visual AidMensahmedical.comListen to the Accompanying Episode Here: Methylation: A Primer to My interview with Dr. Albert MensahEmail ROTC@rootofthecause.net to ask a question or request a future episode.

Part two of my three-part series with methylation expert Dr. Albert Mensah.1:40 - Is it ever appropriate and/or helpful to combine pharmaceutical approaches with nutraceutical strategies for mental health in the context of methylation?4:13 - SAMe – a natural SSRI?7:35 - The SERT gene, SAMe, folate and various other ways one’s methyl status impacts serotonin10:20 - SAM to SAH ratio test: how and why this test can render actionable data Methylation profile/SAM to SAH ratio test17:50 - Ways the SAM to SAH ratio test can become skewed11:50 - What actually is homocysteine both in the context of methylation and in general? Do homocysteine levels correlate to methyl status?26:15 - Glycine: have this amino acid’s methyl-buffering effects been overstated?28:50 - Methionine: the concerns over excess methionine. Overstated and out of context?31:17 - Folate, folic acid and cancer32:40 - Folate pathway via MTHFR. Is it the main pathway, as most “experts" would have you believe, or is it the backup pathway to re-methylating homocysteine?Methylation Pathway Visual Aid SSRI 101 Visual AidMensahmedical.comListen to the Accompanying Episode Here: Methylation: A Primer to My interview with Dr. Albert MensahEmail ROTC@rootofthecause.net with your questions, episode requests or feedback.

Dr. Albert Mensah, MD, discusses cutting edge (and affordable) ways to test for undermethylation, plus its mental health implications, nutraceutical solutions, pharmaceutical options and much more.Dr. Mensah is the founder of Mensah Medical, an international biomedical clinic for patients diagnosed with autism, ADD, ADHD, OCD, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and eating disorders. He treats patients with advanced nutrient therapy, an effective and natural alternative to prescription medication.Answering the need for specialists with backgrounds in both traditional and natural medicine, Dr. Mensah founded Mensah Medical after serving as a primary physician at the original Pfeiffer Treatment Center. While at Pfeiffer, he received extensive training from Dr. William J. Walsh, PhD, founder and former director of the Walsh Research Institute and a pioneer in methylation and mental health research. Dr. Mensah works closely with the Walsh Research Institute, updating therapies and protocols, initiating cutting-edge paradigms and serving as a clinical instructor for its International Doctor Training Program. 3:38 - What is methylation?7:00 - Serotonin production, activation, recycling and reprocessing9:03 - Whole blood histamine blood marker and its implication in methylation. The personality characteristic often seen in those with high whole blood histamine (undermethylators) and the advantages and struggles undermethylators are prone to12:26 - How and why there is an inverse relationship between methyl and histamine13:53 - How Dr. Mensha approaches a treatment plan for a high histamine individual15:56 - Can a genetic polymorphism (SNP) for histamine skew the whole blood histamine levels that would otherwise correlate to methylation?18:03 - Are whole blood histamine levels genetically determined or can they be altered if one “fixes” their undermethylation issues?19:06 - Why do many undermethylators do well on the supplement SAMe and don’t do as well when folate and/or folic acid is added to the SAMe?20:25 - Folate/folic acid – methylating agent or demethylating agent? Or both??22:30 - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and the biochemical rationale behind this class of drugs25:53 - Why undermethylators tend to be hyper responders to SSRIs27:06 - Folate – select serotonin re-uptake enhancer? Folate contraindicated in undermethylators despite contrary popular belief? 29:45 - When and why to take and not take folate, irrespective of methyl status, particularly during pregnancy30:42 - The potential issues with haphazardly taking folate and/or folic acid during the entire pregnancy due to folate being a “double agent”31:35 - How the increased use of folic acid has contributed to global epigenetic changes32:03 - Dr. Mensah further explains how folate/folic acid is a “double agent”36:06 - Is methyl-folate as effective as it’s thought to be, and why?41:21 - Which type of B12 is best for undermethylators and balanced types? Methylcobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Hydroxocobalamin?Methylation Pathway Visual Aid SSRI 101 Visual AidMensahmedical.comListen to the Accompanying Episode Here: Methylation: A Primer to My interview with Dr. Albert MensahFor questions or requests for future show topics,...

Today I’m doing a solo episode covering key concepts I discuss in my upcoming interview with one of the leading experts on methylation today, Dr. Albert Mensah. Dr. Mensah was in the game many years prior to the word methylation even becoming part of the functional medicine vernacular. He mentored under Dr. William Walsh, who started doing groundbreaking work on methylation in the mental health sphere decades before MTHFR became a trendy buzz term and years before methylation was at all talked about outside of academic circles. Dr. Mensah is part of this lineage of the great pioneers in the field of methylation research, and as such, you’ll see that his knowledge in this area knows no bounds. With that said, I felt that doing a solo episode to provide some background information and a better understanding of some of the advanced concepts we discuss would be of value. Look for my three-part interview series with Dr. Mensah, which will be released in the coming weeks. 2:16 - Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor SSRI physiology 1016:04 - How homocystein is biochemically made7:30 - Methionine converting to S-adenosyl-L-methione (SAM)8:03 - SAM converting to SAH9:02 - The SAM to SAH ratio9:55 - The methylation misconceptions of folate 12:14 - Selective serotonin reuptake enhancers 13:02 - gene polymorphism (SNP) 10113:41 - Glycine in the context of methylationMethylation Pathway Visual Aid SSRI 101 Visual AidEmail ROTC@rootofthecause.net with questions or requests for future episodes.

Today is part two of my two-part series with Robby Besner, where we continue to take a deep dive into all things sauna therapy, light therapy and detoxification.0:58 - Demystifying red light and the difference between actual red light wavelengths and red light bulbs5:19 - Therapeutic effects of the red Tri Light Panel9:11 - What is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and how does it differ from the light from an infrared sauna?14:53 - Electro Magnetic Frequencies (EMF) and Extremely Low Frequencies (ELF) regarding infrared saunas26:02 - Infrared sauna therapy for cancer. Testing to determine if a cancer is heat sensitive and radiation sensitive (reference page 2, section 4 titled “Radiotherapy/Hyperthermia Sensitivity” of the Heat Sensitive Cancer Test29:02 - Ozone therapy and its synergy with infrared sauna 32:52 - Mineral loss from sauna therapy and what to do about it38:50 - Detoxing organophosphates using infrared sauna therapy https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gpl-tox42:10 - The reason your head remains outside the sauna in Robby’s sauna design Therasage.comInstagram: @therasageinfraredEmail ROTC@rootofthecause.net with any questions or comments.