Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 5

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Picture this, a tiny, 30 nm, relentless RNA virus named norovirus slips into your life, uninvited, and turns your gut into a battlefield. It’s not the flu. Forget that “stomach flu” misnomer. It’s a Caliciviridae family member, a nonenveloped, single-stranded RNA ninja that thrives in making chaos. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen it wreak havoc in kids and parents alike, and it’s a master of surprise.

It just played Risk in my GI tract last week. Not Fun!

Let’s unpack how it infects, spreads, and toys with us humans, straight from the AAP’s Red Book (2024) and other research. Norovirus causes an estimated 1 in 15 US residents to become ill each year as well as 71,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths annually, predominantly among young children and the elderly.

Norovirus doesn’t knock, more so it sneaks in, needing under 100 viral particles to ignite trouble. You’re sipping contaminated water, munching an oyster from a shady bay, or your toddler’s unwashed hands after a playdate deliver the payload. It’s mostly fecal-oral, stool to mouth via food, water, or surfaces. But don’t sleep on aerosolized vomit. One hurl in a crowded daycare, and airborne particles linger, landing on toys, doorknobs, you name it for days. Did I say lingering! Smart viral spread!

Gorilla warfare is on!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 4

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What is measles – a refresher?

Measles is a serious, highly contagious and potentially deadly viral infection. It is caused by an RNA paramyxovirus. It is spread by contact with droplets from an infected person’s nose, mouth or throat. Sneezing and coughing can aerosolize the droplets and increase the range of infectious spread. Symptoms usually develop 8 to 10 days following exposure to an infected individual. A sick individual is contagious for 4 days before and 4 days after symptom onset. The reproductive rate is very high at 12+ meaning that 1 person will infect 12 and those 12 will get 12 more sick (144) and then 144 X 12 = 1728 X 12 = 20,736 and you are off to the exponential races….Plus, The Shock of a New Diagnosis: A Stoic Path Through the Storm.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #89 – Trenna Sutcliffe, MD – Autism and Development

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Today we are joined by a remarkable guest, Dr. Trenna Sutcliffe, a board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician and the founder of the Sutcliffe Clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her educational history is impressive. She completed her undergraduate education in Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics followed by a masters degree in Biophysics at The University of Toronto. She obtained her Medical degree at McMaster University before her pediatric residency and training finished at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. And oh by the way, she then did a year of pediatric Neurology residency and a Fellowship in Developmental Pediatrics. And finally, another Masters degree in Epidemiology at Stanford University. Thus, her educational path has allowed her to see the developmental landscape through a wider lens covering many disciplines. Dr. Sutcliffe started the first Developmental Pediatrics Clinic at Stanford and played the role of trailblazer throughout her career.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sutcliffe specializes in supporting children with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, offering a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. In this episode, she’ll share her insights on the rising prevalence of these conditions, the importance of personalized care, and practical strategies for parents navigating developmental challenge. Fundamentally, Dr. Sutcliffe is a going to educate us on a better way to deliver whole person care to the developmentally challenged and beautiful children of this country.

Two words encapsulate her work: empowering and thoughtful.

Let’s dive into this conversation with Dr. Sutcliffe to learn how we can help our children thrive!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 3

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Literature Review

1) Microplastics in the Brain – From Science Advances: “Human health is being threatened by environmental microplastic (MP) pollution. MPs were detected in the bloodstream and multiple tissues of humans, disrupting the regular physiological processes of organs. Nanoscale plastics can breach the blood-brain barrier, leading to neurotoxic effects. How MPs cause brain functional irregularities remains unclear. This work uses high-depth imaging techniques to investigate the MPs within the brain in vivo. We show that circulating MPs are phagocytosed and lead these cells to obstruction in the capillaries of the brain cortex. These blockages as thrombus formation cause reduced blood flow and neurological abnormalities in mice. Our data reveal a mechanism by which MPs disrupt tissue function indirectly through regulation of cell obstruction and interference with local blood circulation, rather than direct tissue penetration. This revelation offers a lens through which to comprehend the toxicological implications of MPs that invade the bloodstream.” (Huang et. al. 2025)

This weeks podcast is a direct look at the world of toxicology and the human consequences of exposure over time. Microplastics are the new and next trouble maker on the planet. This study raises the concern that micro and nano plastics can and do enter the brain and will disrupt and thus alter brain physiological processes. More time to answer the true risk reality. Not good. and more….Plus a letter about MAHA from Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a serious take on preventative medicine as opposed to disease pharmaceutical centric medicine.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 2

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Klotho Protein and Longevity

I am reposting this information from last year because it is going to stay on my mind and I would like everyone to be aware of this peptide and the future of healing and what we can do now to be healthy. The science here is one part fascinating, one part complicated and equal parts necessary.

Ok, it is time for a potential log step shift in the human understanding of neurological decline with age starting from birth.

Enter the peptide, (C)Klotho, named after the greek goddess of fate who spins the thread of life for all. The Klotho protein was discovered by researchers looking at mice that aged faster than the general mouse population. These mice were noted to have a shortened lifespan, stunted growth, renal disease, blood vessel calcification, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension, pulmonary disease, cognitive impairment, multi-organ atrophy and fibrosis. (Prud’homme et. al. 2022) When they looked closer, these mice were found to have hypoactive klotho proteins leading to an explosion of research over the past two decades to understand why. The next question was, could the hyperactive state provide an anti aging effect? To be clear the word anti aging should really say delayed inevitable aging.

The answer was a resounding yes!…..

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #88 – Michael Collins – Sugar Addiction

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Today we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for so many of us, sugar addiction and its impact on our kids and ourselves.

We’ve got an incredible guest joining us: Michael Collins, the author of The Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide: Learn How To Quickly and Easily Detox from Sugar and Stop Cravings Completely. Michael is a former sugar addict who’s been sugar-free for over 30 years, and he’s helped thousands break free from sugar’s grip through his work as the founder of SugarAddiction.com. He’s also raised two children sugar-free from the womb to age six—a feat that’s as inspiring as it is eye-opening. In this episode, Michael will share his journey, the science behind sugar’s addictive pull, and practical strategies to detox for good, especially for families navigating the modern food landscape. Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s sugar intake or someone struggling with cravings yourself, you won’t want to miss this.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 1

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Some Key Literature Review Studies from Year 14

This is a bit of a long newsletter. That is intentional. This will be a repository for some of the best research for us to look back on from time to time this coming year to solidify the learning moving forward.

1) Time restricted eating patterns are known to help physiology and metabolism by initiating a pause in the action of mTOR and muscle synthesis as well as inducing autophagy. Autophagy is critical to the clearance of broken or damaged cells following injury or disease…..Plus a to do list and recipe of the week.

Dr. M

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