mTOR inhibition; How long, how often, and by how much?
Despite all the discussions on the benefits of mTOR inhibition, I'm still unclear as to what may be optimal given the current body of knowledge. What are your thoughts on optimal duration, frequency, and intensity of mTOR inhibition?
Depression Not a Diagnosis?
If depression is a symptom of so many conditions or diseases (for example, thyroid issues, tumors, adrenal issues) then why is Depression also considered an end result diagnosis as well? I ask because it seems like doctors are quick to name Depression as the issue when in reality, the lab ranges, for thyroid or testosterone as an example, are the high and low end of a person who should be in a crisis! Do you think our medical society drinks too much of the Big Pharma kool-aid by dismissing everything as Depression?
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. Fears and logic.
I try to keep my questions brief, but this one won't be. Women who are pregnant are naturally immunosuppressed. The fetus takes its toll. I recently had a patient who got her routine Tdap 28 week vaccine. The next day, she had myalgia in her legs, fell, hit her back and came in to the hospital for pain. She also had nausea and vomiting from the vaccine, which led to dehydration and therefore preterm contractions. She needed a complete abruption work-up for the fall and continuous monitoring for the contractions, to ensure that preterm labor did not ensue. I will admit that this is not a common thing. However, with the immune response that I am reading about with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, I certainly have concerns in this population. So many of my peers and our leaders want to push this vaccine (ACOG, SMFM). I understand the potential benefits that many see, but worry that (along with the other concerns that you addressed in "A few things worth checking out" 12/13/20) providers may push the vaccine or minimize some of the side effects to get more people on board and vaccinated. What are your thoughts???
Fatty Liver Treatment
Dear Peter, Thank you very much for all of your numerous, thoughtful, well-researched and intelligent contributions to medicine and health. I, a practicing physician, remain astonished that a very safe and simple treatment for fatty liver is not considered more often. L-methionine, choline and inositol 1,500mg/3,000mg/3,000mg po qday (divided or at once) x 30 days will remove most if not “all” fat from the liver in every case I have treated. Why is this simple and cheap treatment not recognized and used more? I originally learned of this combination (the L-methionine was originally not part of the formula) from former Mr. Olympia and D.C., Franco Columbu, and later learned about its use even earlier from older athletes who would use this to “clean out the liver” after a “cycle” of anabolic steroids. Since bodybuilders of yesteryear typically aimed at bulking - and therefore lifted “heavy”, and then overate and “rested” a lot - their livers tended to get fatty so they followed their cycles of anabolics with this supplement combo. I have seen it work 100% of the time verified with pre and post ultrasounds of the liver and assays of AST, ALT, and GGT. Why is this treatment not recognized given the physiological plausibility, its effectiveness, and especially given the estimated size of the problem (over 100 million in US with fatty liver)? Best regards, Rand McClain
Nicotine Gum
On a recent podcast with Steve Levitt, it was mentioned that you used to chew nicotine gum for health benefits. Could you speak more about this specifically for non-smokers, vapers, or anyone who isn't using it for the express purpose of trying to wean themselves off of a harmful tobacco product? What are the benefits, costs, risks, considerations, suggested dosage, etc.?