Rafael J. Sepulveda Acosta, MD, Dipl ABOM

Scientists Created a Cream That Can Regrow Hair in Just One Week Is this the end of baldness? New research out of UCLA suggests it might be. Scientists have developed a molecule, PP405, that can reactivate dormant hair follicles—and in early trials, just one week of bedtime cream application produced full, terminal hair growth, not just wispy strands. 🧴🧬 PP405 works by turning off a protein that keeps hair follicle stem cells in sleep mode. The result? Hair comes back thicker, healthier, and more naturally than current treatments allow. Backed by $16.4 million from Google Ventures, the team behind the discovery has launched Pelage Pharmaceuticals and is racing toward FDA approval. The cream could be a game-changer for those battling hair loss from aging, genetics, stress, or chemotherapy. While it won’t work for everyone, the promise is real and for millions longing for a solution, hope is finally growing. 🌱💇

205

18 Comments

Be cautious when you hear “The AMA says…” Most people assume the American Medical Association (AMA) represents the voice of U.S. doctors. In reality, only about 20% of physicians are members, and half of those are medical students or residents—many of whom join because they get a steep discount and haven’t yet seen how things work. The AMA’s leadership often prioritizes politics and ideology over patient care. Their financial engine isn’t membership dues—it’s the royalties and licensing fees they earn from CPT codes, which are the government-mandated billing codes used for insurance reimbursements like Medicare and Medicaid. That monopoly gives them outsized influence, even though most practicing physicians aren’t behind them. For example, the AMA has recently taken stances such as supporting transgender surgeries for minors, prisoners, and undocumented immigrants—positions that don’t necessarily reflect what the average American doctor believes. So when you see headlines about the AMA “urging” something or “supporting” a position, remember: they don’t necessarily represent the majority of doctors on the ground.

96

27 Comments

Antihistamines: a promising cancer therapy? Most people think of histamine as the culprit behind allergy symptoms: watery eyes, runny nose, hives. But histamine has much more of an impact on the body than that. It’s a powerful signaling molecule made from the amino acid histidine, stored in mast cells and basophils. In the immune system, histamine opens blood vessels and calls other immune cells to the scene of an injury or reaction. In the stomach, it triggers acid release for digestion. In the brain, it helps regulate sleep, appetite, and alertness. But here’s the surprising part: many cancers, including breast, prostate, colon, and melanoma, have unusually high levels of histamine or the enzyme that produces it. And histamine can help cancer grow by: -Fueling angiogenesis (building new blood vessels to feed tumors) -Suppressing the immune system’s ability to attack cancer -Driving inflammation and cell proliferation Researchers have been asking: could antihistamines (the same medications we take for allergies) have anti-cancer benefits? The answer may be yes. For example, cimetidine (an H2 blocker) has been shown to: -Reduce tumor spread by blocking cancer cells from sticking to blood vessel walls -Cut off tumor blood supply by blocking VEGF activity -Boost immune response by enhancing NK cell activity -Reduce immune suppression within the tumor environment -Even common H1 blockers like loratadine, diphenhydramine, and cyproheptadine may lower cancer risk or improve survival in certain cases — possibly by calming inflammation and interrupting histamine-driven growth signals. Antihistamines are not a replacement for conventional cancer treatment. But they may be a valuable adjunct, helping to reduce inflammation, restore immune balance, and slow tumor-friendly processes.

37

5 Comments

💊 Antidepressants 📌 What they are Medications used to treat depression, as well as anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and some other psychiatric or medical conditions. They work mainly by modulating neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine). 🔑 Major Classes 1. SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors • Examples: Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Paroxetine • MOA: Increase serotonin availability • Uses: First-line for depression, anxiety, OCD • Side effects: GI upset, insomnia, sexual dysfunction 2. SNRIs – Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors • Examples: Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine • MOA: Increase serotonin + norepinephrine • Uses: Depression, anxiety, neuropathic pain • Side effects: Hypertension, nausea, sweating 3. TCAs – Tricyclic Antidepressants • Examples: Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Nortriptyline • MOA: Block serotonin + norepinephrine reuptake; also anticholinergic • Uses: Resistant depression, chronic pain, migraine prevention • Side effects: Sedation, dry mouth, constipation, arrhythmias (toxic in overdose) 4. MAOIs – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors • Examples: Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Selegiline • MOA: Inhibit breakdown of monoamines (5-HT, NE, DA) • Uses: Atypical or resistant depression • Side effects: Hypertensive crisis with tyramine-rich foods (“cheese reaction”) 5. Atypical Antidepressants • Bupropion: ↑ dopamine & norepinephrine; less sexual side effects; also used in smoking cessation • Mirtazapine: ↑ norepinephrine & serotonin; also blocks histamine → good for insomnia + weight gain • Trazodone: Sedating, often used for insomnia at low doses 📝 Key Points • Onset of action: 2–6 weeks • Choice depends on patient profile (symptoms, comorbidities, side effect tolerance). • Always monitor for suicidal thoughts especially in the first few weeks. • Gradual tapering is needed to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

58

4 Comments

IBS, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Neurodegeneration Risk A new large scale study published in Science Advances reveals something striking: common health issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), vitamin D deficiency, diabetes, and thyroid imbalances may predict the risk of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease years before symptoms appear. The study tracked 155 health conditions and found that disruptions in gut health, metabolism, and hormones were strongly linked to later neurodegeneration. The timing mattered too. Conditions diagnosed 10 to 15 years earlier carried the highest risk. As I shared with Medical News Today: “The most striking aspect is how clearly the study links systemic disorders, particularly those tied to the gut brain axis, with neurodegeneration risk years before diagnosis. This reinforces the view that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are not isolated brain diseases but the end stage of a decades long body wide process.” In terms of prevention, these findings underscore the importance of monitoring metabolic markers, thyroid status, vitamin levels, and gut health as early warning signs. These are areas where proactive lifestyle choices, from nutrition to sleep to stress management, can have profound long term effects. Protecting the brain starts with protecting the body.

35

1 Comment

GLP-1 Therapy: Nutrition Is the Amplifier GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual agonists are rewriting the playbook for obesity care, but they are not a stand-alone solution. A recent advisory in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights the nutritional priorities that must complement GLP-1 therapy: 🔹 Protect muscle & bone → Adequate protein (1.0–1.2 g/kg/day) + resistance training. 🔹 Manage side effects → Small, frequent meals; hydration; ginger for nausea; fiber for constipation. 🔹 Prevent deficiencies → Watch for low iron, vitamin D, B12, folate; emphasize nutrient-dense foods. 🔹 Support long-term success → Lifestyle interventions are vital as many patients discontinue therapy within 1–2 years. 💡 Bottom line: GLP-1s are powerful, but nutrition and lifestyle are the true amplifiers that make outcomes healthier, more sustainable, and more cost-effective. 👉 How are you integrating diet, exercise, and counseling alongside GLP-1 prescribing in your practice? #GLP1 #ObesityCare #Nutrition #MetabolicHealth #Diabetes

157

2 Comments

Obesity in older adults is rising, and semaglutide & tirzepatide can bring significant weight loss and better heart, liver, and kidney health. Risks for older adults are muscle loss and functional decline. Policy must prioritize coverage + clinical trials for seniors to ensure access and safety.  https://lnkd.in/ewDrFdGF

74

1 Comment

Nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. That’s the hidden risk of benzodiazepines—the class of drugs that includes Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Temazepam. They’re handed out for anxiety and insomnia as if they were harmless, yet the evidence is clear: long-term use damages the brain. These drugs act on GABA, the brain’s “slow-down” signal, which is why they bring temporary calm and sleep. But they also suppress the hippocampus, the memory-forming center of the brain. Over time, the hippocampus can shrink. Patients often describe it as feeling like their memory aged decades overnight—whole stretches of life lost in a chemical fog. The research confirms their fears. A 2019 meta-analysis showed a 50% higher risk of dementia in benzodiazepine users. Another study linked use to a 3.5-fold increase. And perhaps most disturbing—these risks rise with long-acting drugs and long-term prescriptions. But there is a glimmer of hope. A 2011 study by Dr Chi-Shin Wu found that the elevated dementia risk declines the longer people are off benzodiazepines. Within a year, the risk had dropped close to baseline. By three years, it disappeared. The damage, it seems, can be reversed. The path off these drugs is not simple. Abrupt withdrawal can trigger seizures and death—something most patients are never told. Safe tapering must be gradual and carefully supervised. Without that, people endure brutal withdrawal or worse. Benzodiazepines aren’t the only option for insomnia — several alternatives exist. Diet plays a powerful role: stabilizing blood sugar with evening protein and cutting refined carbs often helps resolve middle-of-the-night awakenings. Eliminating caffeine—even the “morning only” cup—has been shown in trials to reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Daily movement, ideally outdoors, boosts vitamin D and natural melatonin production. And psychotherapy addresses the root stresses that drive anxiety and insomnia in the first place. Medications still have a role in emergencies, but occasional use—once or twice a month—is very different from the daily dependence encouraged by our system. Benzodiazepines were never meant to become a lifelong prescription. Yet for millions, they have—and memory and cognition pays the price.

89

64 Comments