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Lower Cholesterol With Food: The Portfolio Diet Explained | Dr. David Jenkins Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Can you lower LDL cholesterol by changing the foods you eat?

Dr. David Jenkins, the pioneering nutrition researcher behind the Portfolio Diet, joins Chuck Carroll to explain how a carefully selected combination of foods may help bring cholesterol under control.

Dr. Jenkins reveals why oats and barley may be particularly effective for lowering cholesterol, how their sticky soluble fiber interacts with bile acids, and why simply telling someone to "eat more fiber" may not be specific enough.

You'll also learn:

The difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol
Whether dietary cholesterol is necessary for good health
How the Portfolio Diet was developed
Why soy may lower LDL while replacing less healthy proteins
The difference between fats from plants and animals
Why nuts can be beneficial despite being high in fat and calories
What extra-virgin olive oil may offer beyond unsaturated fat
How plant-based eating can benefit human and planetary health
Why partial dietary changes can still be meaningful
How diet may be used alongside cholesterol-lowering medication

Dr. Jenkins is a professor of medicine and nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto and one of the world's leading researchers on diet, cholesterol, diabetes, plant protein, and soluble fiber.

Hear more from Dr. Jenkins at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, Aug. 13–15, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

Use code EXAMROOM100 to save $100 on tickets

Exam Roomies of the Week

Michelle Walker
Steven Alongi
Todd Lindley

Support The Exam Room Podcast and Physicians Committee and hear your name mentioned on the show!

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Can't Poop? Do This to Help Constipation | Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz returns with a complete guide to constipation, including the symptoms many people overlook even when they are having a bowel movement every day.

Dr. B joins Chuck Carroll to explain the different patterns of constipation, including slow transit, pelvic-floor or outlet dysfunction, IBS with constipation, and the surprisingly common problem of a digestive system that has simply fallen out of rhythm.

They also discuss the morning habits that may help train your body when to go, foods associated with constipation relief, magnesium and fiber supplements, questions surrounding long-term laxative use, and why a full colon can contribute to bloating, nausea, early fullness, and loss of appetite.

Chuck shares his own experience after years of severe constipation and reveals the routine that has helped him become more regular while improving his bloating and appetite.

🧠 You'll learn:

Why your bowel movements should generally follow a pattern
How a morning routine may help train your body when to go
The connection between constipation, bloating, nausea, and appetite
Foods associated with constipation relief, including kiwi, prunes, and chia seeds
The forms of magnesium Dr. B discusses for constipation
Concerns surrounding long-term laxative use
Why several days without a bowel movement followed by diarrhea may still be constipation
How travel can throw your digestive system completely out of rhythm

Plus, Dr. B explains why going several days without a bowel movement followed by diarrhea may still be a constipation problem.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Javier Santiago
Dr. Mickey Witte
Kimberly Cadieux

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

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🩺 38 Tera DMN and RCE

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🩺 Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Courses

👉 https://www.theguthealthmd.com

🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas

👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

When Healthy Eating Becomes Unhealthy | Dr. Matthew Lederman Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Can trying to eat perfectly actually make you less healthy?

Dr. Matthew Lederman joins Chuck Carroll to explore the hidden connection between food perfectionism, fear, chronic stress, gut health, sleep, and the nervous system.

A nutritious diet remains an essential foundation for good health. But what happens when healthy choices are driven by anxiety? When a small amount of oil, salt, or sugar feels dangerous? Or when every unexplained symptom sends you searching for another food intolerance, supplement, or dietary rule?

Dr. Lederman explains why two people can eat the same healthy meal while experiencing completely different physiological responses. One may be eating from joy and self-care. The other may be eating from fear—and that fear can keep the body locked in a state of heightened vigilance.

Chuck also shares candid stories from his own health journey, including the years when strict food rules created additional stress and the relief he experienced after allowing himself greater flexibility.

🧠 You'll learn:

When discipline may actually be fear in disguise
How stress and perceived danger can affect the gut
Why a "perfect" diet cannot address every health problem
The relationship between nervous-system regulation and sleep
How to build healthy habits that feel sustainable and enjoyable
Why health should make your life feel bigger—not smaller

Dr. Matthew Lederman is a board-certified internal medicine physician, medical strategist, and Certified Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Kay Gustin
Kathleen Herman
Ruth Allstadt

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

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🩺 Connection Docs

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🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas

👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

Real Meat vs. Fake Meat: Which Is Healthier? | Dr. Neal Barnard Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Are Impossible Burgers and fake meats worse for you than a steak or hamburger?

Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to examine one of today's biggest nutrition debates. A veggie burger and a beef burger may both be classified as processed, but does that make them nutritionally equal? What about plant milk versus dairy milk, packaged cereal versus bacon and eggs, or a protein bar versus a cheeseburger?

Dr. Barnard explains what "ultra-processed" actually means, why certain foods can encourage overeating, and whether the widely used NOVA classification system paints with too broad a brush. He also explores why saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, calorie density, and a food's source may matter just as much as—or more than—the number of ingredients on its label.

🧠 You'll learn:

Whether all ultra-processed foods are equally unhealthy
How a veggie burger compares with a beef burger
Whether plant-based meat and dairy alternatives are healthy
Why ultra-processed foods may interfere with fullness
Which additives and ingredients deserve a closer look
The packaged plant-based foods Dr. Barnard considers reasonable choices
What to look for first on a nutrition label
How to make healthier choices when time and money are limited

The conversation also previews the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, happening Aug. 13–15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Barnard will be joined by more than 30 leading experts for presentations on ultra-processed foods, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, diabetes, heart disease, the gut microbiome, pain, cancer prevention, kidney health, the new Dietary Guidelines, and much more.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Atchareeya Archatawan
William Klein
Sali Ortiz

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

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🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg's passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation.

🌱 Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund

👉 https://gregoryreiterfund.org

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

Food Addiction Is Real: How to Break Cravings | Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Junk food was harder for Susan Peirce Thompson to quit than crack cocaine.

The founder and CEO of Bright Line Eating joins Chuck Carroll for a deeply personal conversation about food addiction, compulsive eating, cravings, and long-term weight loss.

Susan shares her remarkable journey from crystal meth and crack addiction to becoming a PhD and internationally recognized expert in the psychology of eating. She explains why food addiction can be uniquely difficult to overcome when triggers are everywhere and eating remains necessary for survival.

Chuck also revisits his own addiction-driven 10,000-calorie days, including a daily Taco Bell meal containing more than 4,000 calories.

Together, they explore the foods that may be most addictive, dopamine downregulation, ultra-processed foods, the return of cravings years into recovery, and the personal guardrails that can help someone finally break free.

Susan also shares lessons from her book Maintain and explains why lasting weight loss is not simply about completing a diet. It requires a fundamental shift in identity and becoming devoted to the habits that support your health.

Susan also explains why a person's recovery plan must be individualized and why occasionally experiencing a craving does not mean that years of progress have been lost.

Chuck and Susan will be speaking at the Plant Powered Party in Las Vegas with Chef AJ, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and many others. Tickets are available now for the Labor Day weekend bash.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Peggy Fuchs
Monna Throop
Kathleen Adamson

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

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❓Food Addiction Quiz

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🍽️ Bright Line Eating

👉 https://www.brightlineeating.com

🎉 Plant-Powered Party Las Vegas

👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

Why Modern Medicine Isn't Making Us Healthy | Drs. Joel Fuhrman & Columbus Batiste Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Why do chronic diseases remain so common when we have more medicine and medical technology than ever before?

Chuck Carroll is joined by two leading physicians for a powerful live conversation about what truly creates health.

Dr. Columbus Batiste is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and passionate advocate for protecting the heart through lifestyle. Dr. Joel Fuhrman is a board-certified family physician, nutritional researcher, and seven-time New York Times bestselling author. Learn about Dr. Batiste and Dr. Fuhrman.

Recorded at the National Health Association Conference, this conversation explores:

Why medicine alone may not be enough to create lasting health
How food and daily habits influence chronic disease
The effects of stress on the heart and body
Why people sabotage their health despite knowing what to do
How movement, sleep, gratitude, and community support longevity
What doctors can do to better connect with and motivate patients
How to turn health information into sustainable change

Exam Roomies of the Week

Chuck's mom, Ann Carroll
Daria Dreher
Sheral Lee Schowe

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

🍽️ Food For Life Instructor Applications

👉 https://bit.ly/food-for-life-instructor

🩺 Dr. Joel Fuhrman

👉 https://www.drfuhrman.com

🩺 Dr. Columbus Batiste

👉 https://drbatiste.com

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

Raw Milk and Cow Hearts: Dr. Neal Barnard on Soccer Star's Dangerous Diet Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Erling Haaland eats six meals and roughly 6,000 calories every day to fuel his extraordinary performance on the soccer field. But should anyone else be eating like him?

Haaland's highly publicized routine includes raw milk, beef liver, cow heart, steak, eggs, fish, pasta, vegetables, and honey. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Neal Barnard joins "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll to examine whether the foods powering one of the world's greatest athletes could create serious health risks for the average person.

Dr. Barnard explores the immediate food-safety concerns surrounding raw milk and the potential problems associated with regularly consuming organ meats. Could highly concentrated amounts of dietary cholesterol, heme iron, vitamin A, and copper become too much of a good thing?

🧠 You will also learn:

Why an elite athlete may require thousands more calories than the average person
Whether eating six meals a day provides a metabolic advantage
The difference between short-term athletic performance and long-term health
Why looking lean and powerful does not necessarily reveal what is happening inside the body
Healthier ways to fuel exercise, recovery, strength, and endurance

This is not about criticizing Haaland's talent or discipline. It is about understanding why a diet created for an extraordinary athlete should not automatically become a nutrition plan for everyone else.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Roy Wessbecher
LuAnne Siwiec
Isabel Fernandes, PhD

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

🌱 Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund

👉 https://gregoryreiterfund.org

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

EXAMROOM100 to save $100 on tickets!

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

She Survived a Mass Shooting, Then Cancer | Krista Ryan Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Krista Ryan survived the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas. Years later, she faced another life-altering challenge when she was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer.

Four surgeries, chemotherapy, an ileostomy, and a difficult recovery followed.

But Krista kept going.

She joins Chuck Carroll to share the resilience philosophy she calls KFG: Know, Focus, Go. The initials also carry another, considerably more forceful meaning that captures the determination required to move forward when life becomes unimaginably difficult.

Krista explains why true resilience does not mean hiding fear or pretending that everything is fine. She shares how allowing herself to feel anger, grief, and vulnerability ultimately gave her more strength.

You will also hear how a brief conversation with another cancer survivor prompted Krista to seek testing, what it was like to tell her children about the diagnosis, how humor helped her through treatment, and why even the smallest action can be a meaningful act of perseverance.

This episode is for anyone living with illness, recovering from trauma, supporting someone they love, or searching for the courage to write the next chapter of their story.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Jennifer Rogers
Danica Brooks
X-tine Goodreau

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

📕 KFG Book

👉 https://amzn.to/4f0RiOL

💪 Krista Ryan

👉 https://www.kristaryan.com

PCRM Cancer Resources

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/cancer

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food | Dr. Alan Desmond Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

A leading gastroenterologist reveals that many doctors are never taught about food, nutrition, and the diseases that can been prevented with diet education.

Dr. Alan Desmond joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to discuss his new book, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food, and the conversations he believes every doctor should be having with patients.

Why do so many doctors avoid talking about nutrition? Are carbs really bad for you? Should healthy people worry about glucose spikes? Do GLP-1 medications fix the root problem? And what does the gut microbiome have to do with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, and long-term health?

🧠 You will learn:

The food conversations doctors and patients should be having
Why nutrition training is still limited in medical school
How food became a major driver of chronic disease
The truth about carbs and blood sugar spikes
What GLP-1 medications can and cannot do
Why "30 plants a week" is helpful but not magic
The role of fiber, legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
How diet can work alongside modern medicine
Why gut health remains central to overall health

Dr. Desmond also discusses the science behind plant-based nutrition, the power of simple dietary changes, and why building a healthier food environment may be one of the most important steps anyone can take.

Exam Roomies of the Week

Eric Knepper
Christina Clifford

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee.

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

📕 What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food

👉 https://amzn.to/4vSO460

🩺 Dr. Alan Desmond

👉 https://www.alandesmond.com

🎉 ICNM - Washington DC - 8/13-15

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm

This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

- About Us -

Brain Tumor Diagnosis Changed How Top Doctor Sees Health Care | Dr. Bobby Mukkamala Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

The president of the American Medical Association became the patient after being diagnosed with a large brain tumor.

Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, immediate past president of the AMA, joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about how his diagnosis changed the way he sees health care, medicine, prevention, access, and the patient experience.

Dr. Mukkamala opens up about being diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma, the shock of seeing an eight-centimeter brain tumor on his scan, and what it felt like to suddenly experience the health care system from the other side of the exam room. He also reflects on the extraordinary care he received at Mayo Clinic and the difficult reality that most people do not have access to that same level of care.

The conversation also explores the crushing cost of medication, including a new treatment that can cost nearly $900 per day, and why medical bills remain such a devastating burden for so many families.

Chuck and Dr. Mukkamala also discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, the future of health care, dietary guidelines, health equity, and why progress can still be powerful even when perfection is not realistic.

This interview was recorded at the Lotus Health Foundation Symposium in Rochester, Minnesota, just days before Chuck's major surgery at Mayo Clinic. At the time of the conversation, Dr. Mukkamala was still serving as president of the American Medical Association.

Topics discussed include: