Maria Choy, MD

02/11/2026

REM sleep is important for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and brain development. Results of a small clinical trial showed that people exposed to continuous pink noise, commonly used in sound machines and apps marketed as sleep aids, reduced REM sleep by nearly 20 minutes. Om the other hand, using earplugs actually restored deep sleep typically disrupted by environmental noise.

These findings suggest that playing pink noise and other types of broadband noise during sleep could be harmful — especially for children whose brains are still developing and who spend much more time in REM sleep than adults.

Pink noise — low-frequency broadband noise often used in sound machines and sleep apps — is associated with a decrease in REM sleep and worse overall sleep recovery.

02/10/2026

A review of 23 clinical trials found that very low‑salt diets often made people’s bodies more resistant to insulin, a key hormone that controls blood sugar. In several studies, lowering sodium raised insulin levels, worsened blood sugar responses, and sometimes even increased cholesterol, especially in people with high blood pressure.

The take‑home message: salt isn’t “all bad” or “all good” – extremes can be harmful. For many people, a moderate, whole‑food diet that doesn’t go to salt extremes may be better for long‑term metabolic health than a very strict low‑salt plan. Above all, we need to rethink our recommendations for initial treatment of hypertension.

This is just another excerpt from my soon-to-go to publisher book!

The Journal of Metabolic Health is a peer-reviewed, clinically oriented open access journal covering advances in metabolic health and related disorders. The journal focuses on pathophysiology, prevention, management, and advancing therapy for different patient populations with metabolic health issue...

02/10/2026

80% of Alzheimer's patients have either diabetes or insulin resistance. This goes beyond coincidental. It is not surprising the we sometimes refer to dementia as "Type 3 Diabetes"

Many people living with obesity say they feel “always hungry,” and this isn’t just about willpower – it’s about how the body’s hunger system gets rewired. This new review explains how hormones from our gut, signals in the brain, stress, emotions, and constant access to ultra-processed, high‑calorie foods all push us to eat more than our bodies actually need.

Over time, this “obesity‑driven hunger” can make weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems much more likely. The authors highlight that effective treatment has to go beyond “eat less, move more” and combine healthy dietary patterns with medications, psychological support, and changes to our food environment.

The key message: if you struggle with hunger and weight, it’s not a personal failure – it’s a medical and environmental issue, and there are science‑based tools that can help.

My new book, about to be sent to my publisher, will cover this topic in the last chapter. Keep an eye on this page for announcements!

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder driven by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. A critical pathogenetic component of obesity is …

02/10/2026

Thank you everyone for being flexible with schedule!

02/06/2026

All vaccines are not created equal. The original handful of childhood vaccines have good data to support its use. The same cannot be said of newer vaccines such as Gardasil or vaccines for rapidly mutating viruses. However, I cannot stay silent when half truths are being circulated such as blaming measles outbreak on current attempts to change vaccine mandates. I doubt that MMR vaccine will be affected by policies that are being discussed. THE DROP IN MMR VACCINATION occurred DURING AND BECAUSE OF covid mandates and many are still not caught up (see below, this is from AI for health professionals literature search). The measles outbreak has little to do with current administration and much to do with Covid isolation policies as has much or our medical preventative managements.

02/05/2026

The office will only be open only on Fridays for the month of February. Dr. Choy will be out of town playing grandmother! Those who have appointments this Monday will be receiving a call to reschedule soon. Thank you for your understanding.

02/01/2026

I’ve been saying this for decades: acupuncture works at DNA level. Studies found evidence of enhanced stem cell function using points typical of my treatments for dementia! Research is finally catching up with observation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BnDNVMRnu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A groundbreaking discovery from Taiwan is bridging traditional medicine and modern science. Researchers at China Medical University have shown that acupuncture doesn’t just relieve pain—it can trigger stem cells to repair damaged organs naturally. Electroacupuncture at specific points, like ST36 (Zusanli) and GV20 (Baihui), stimulates the bone marrow to release mesenchymal stem cells into the bloodstream. These stem cells then travel to injured tissues, differentiate into organ-specific cells, and release healing factors.
Within 24 hours, stem cell levels in circulation increased by 300%, providing a measurable biological explanation for acupuncture’s therapeutic effects—beyond placebo. Stroke patients treated with electroacupuncture within 48 hours recovered 40% better than those with standard care. Liver cirrhosis patients showed reduced fibrosis markers, while heart attack survivors experienced improved cardiac function.
This discovery is rewriting how Western medicine views acupuncture. For thousands of years, it was considered purely traditional, yet science now shows a sophisticated, measurable mechanism for healing. Ancient practices are finally being validated through modern imaging and cellular tracking, revealing that needle stimulation can activate the body’s own repair systems.
The message is clear: acupuncture is more than sensation—it’s a biological trigger for regeneration, showing how centuries-old practices can integrate with cutting-edge science.

01/24/2026

A healthy gut is a healthy body and immune system

A large-scale laboratory screening, by researchers at Cambridge University, of human-made chemicals has identified 168 chemicals that are toxic to

01/23/2026

We will be closed Monday 1/26/26 but will open 1/27.

Send a message to learn more

01/20/2026

We need to do the same if we are to curve the rise of chronic disease.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BeF1Yhk3e/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Italy has announced a nationwide ban on synthetic foods, becoming the first country to restrict lab-grown or artificially engineered meat products. The policy aims to regulate emerging food technologies, raising questions about the future of alternative proteins and their role in global food systems.

Synthetic foods, including cultured meat, are produced in laboratories by cultivating animal cells without raising or slaughtering livestock. Advocates highlight potential environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and land use. However, critics raise concerns regarding safety, nutrition, ethics, and long-term societal impacts.

Italy’s decision reflects a precautionary approach to novel food technologies. Regulators cited the need for more research into health implications, environmental assessments, and labeling standards before widespread commercialization. The move effectively prevents lab-grown meat, including projects supported by major investors like Bill Gates, from entering Italian markets.

Food industry analysts note that regulatory frameworks for synthetic foods vary globally. Some countries are advancing pilot programs or conditional approvals, while others, like Italy, emphasize caution and strict oversight. This divergence may influence investment, research, and international trade in alternative protein markets.

Ethical communication underscores that bans do not necessarily reflect inherent risks but rather prioritization of consumer safety, transparency, and cultural food norms. Italy’s policy also highlights the importance of labeling, informed consent, and public dialogue when introducing disruptive food technologies.

The decision has sparked debate among scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers. Supporters of synthetic meat argue it could help address climate change and food insecurity, while opponents advocate for traditional agriculture, dietary choice, and rigorous scientific validation.

Overall, Italy’s ban on synthetic foods illustrates the intersection of innovation, regulation, and cultural considerations in shaping the future of food. Ongoing research and public engagement will continue to influence how lab-grown meat and alternative proteins are developed worldwide.

01/17/2026

Unfortunately , food production is full of politics. As chronic disease spirals out of control, herbicide use is seeking immunity from lawsuits (much the same as vaccine companies). This is always associated with lack of transparecy: you will not know what has been sprayed with chemicals! We need to become pro-active or staying heathy will require us to grow our own foods!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DaP6qDGpv/?mibextid=wwXIfrinysll

A quiet but coordinated push is underway to grant pesticide manufacturers sweeping legal immunity.

Bayer and Monsanto are pursuing multiple avenues to block lawsuits alleging that glyphosate (Roundup) causes cancer and other serious health harms. These efforts include pressure on Congress, state legislatures, and now the Supreme Court.

Although a dangerous immunity provision was removed from a recent federal spending bill, the Trump administration is urging the Court to side with Bayer, a decision that could eliminate state-level “failure to warn” claims nationwide.

At the same time, Bayer-backed organizations are advancing state bills and Farm Bill language designed to silence cancer warnings and shield corporations from accountability.

This is a critical moment for public health, consumer transparency, and democratic oversight.

Write to your federal and state officials and urge them to reject pesticide immunity laws.

Read the article and take action here: https://anh-usa.org/big-chems-plan-to-poison-us-with-immunity/