The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee - Physicians Committee

Latest Episodes:

Gut Health Hype: What Actually Works? | Christopher Gardner, PhD Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Before you buy another gut-health product, hear what the human research actually found. Stanford nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner, PhD, explains the evidence on fiber, fermented foods, and inflammation.

When you're trying to feel better, a promise of billions of beneficial bacteria can sound convincing. But what do those numbers really tell you about the product you're buying?

Gardner joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to unpack a human trial that surprised his own research team. The fermented-food group increased gut microbial diversity and had lower levels of several inflammatory markers, while the fiber group's responses were more complicated. He explains why these findings do not mean fiber has failed, and why a study of foods cannot automatically validate every product marketed for your microbiome.

In this episode:

What prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics mean
Why a bigger CFU count does not establish a better health outcome
How fermented foods and fiber produced different results in a small human trial
Why mouse findings did not predict the human results
Why fibermaxxing can be a rough transition for your gut
The limits of research measurements of inflammation
Gardner's response to seed-oil claims
How to build a varied, plant-rich eating pattern you can sustain
What he has learned from making 250 batches of kombucha

📕 Food Sense: What to Eat and Why

👉 https://link.amazon/B0ebl1EAc

🔬 Gut Immune System Trial

👉 https://bit.ly/gutimmunetrial

Exam Roomie of the Week

- Lori Goosmann

Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. All gifts of $20 or more receive a mention on the show. Gifts of $100 or more receive an exclusive Exam Room Podcast tote!

🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

- 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 action

5 Ways to Reduce Bloating | Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

You're eating healthier, but the bloating won't quit. By afternoon, your stomach feels tight, your clothes feel uncomfortable, and you're wondering which food to give up next.

Before you cut out another healthy food, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz wants you to consider something surprising: You can poop every day and still be constipated.

The gastroenterologist joins Chuck Carroll to explain five approaches to reducing bloating and why simply eating more fiber isn't always the answer.

DR. B'S FIVE TIPS FOR REDUCING BLOATING

Address constipation. Going every day doesn't necessarily mean you're emptying your bowels fully.
Reduce swallowed air. Look at habits such as drinking carbonated beverages, sipping through straws, chewing gum, and gulping drinks.
Increase fiber gradually. "Low and slow—that's the tempo." Start with what you tolerate and build at your own pace.
Consider a trial without dairy and artificial sweeteners. Dr. B explains how lactose and certain sweeteners, including sugar alcohols, can contribute to gas and bloating.
Slow down when you eat. Take time to chew, avoid rushing through meals, and try putting your fork down between bites.

BONUS: Take a "fart walk"! Dr. B explains how moving your body can help move gas through your digestive system.

You'll also hear the difference between feeling bloated and having a visibly distended abdomen, plus when ongoing symptoms deserve a conversation with your doctor.

Dr. B discusses BDR, the supplement he developed through his company, 38TERA, and explains its peppermint oil, probiotic, and capsule design.

There are plenty of laughs along the way—but the message is serious: You deserve to feel comfortable, and persistent bloating shouldn't be something you simply accept.

🙏 Become and Exam Room VIP and get early access to the interview with Dr. Michael Greger before anyone else!

👉 https://pcrm.org/examroomvip

🩺 Dr. Will Bulsiewicz

👉 https://www.theguthealthmd.com

🩺 38Tera

👉 https://www.38tera.com

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

- About Us -

Kidney Disease: Silent Signals and Best Foods | Dr. Sean Hashmi Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Kidney disease can develop quietly. What should you ask when your blood work is labeled "normal" but your numbers are changing?

Kidney and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Sean Hashmi joins Chuck Carroll to discuss foamy urine, the role of urine testing, and why he pays close attention to trends in kidney function.

Then the conversation becomes deeply personal.

Dr. Hashmi explains why he tells patients struggling with obesity that it isn't their fault, how food can become a source of comfort through trauma, and why he wants to understand someone's "why" before prescribing another major lifestyle change.

Chuck reflects on his own journey from 420 pounds and the lunchtime walks that helped him build consistency.

In this episode:

Recurrent foamy urine and questions to ask your doctor
Kidney health, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight
Pain relievers and kidney concerns
Muscle preservation during weight loss
Five-minute walks, chair squats, and wall push-ups
Substitution, realistic goals, and building trust with your doctor
Why a lab result or a number on the scale should not define you

Dr. Hashmi also shares how losing his sister shaped his understanding of pain and human connection.

🙏 Become and Exam Room VIP and get early access to the interview with Dr. Michael Greger before anyone else!

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

💻 Dr. Hashmi Website

https://www.seanhashmimd.com

▶️ Dr. Hashmi YouTube

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD

🏥 Barnard Medical Center Appointments

👉 https://www.barnardmedical.org

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

- About Us -

Health Benefits of Pink Foods: The Science Behind Their Color | Dr. Neal Barnard Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

When breast cancer touches your life, everyday choices can take on a new urgency. What should you eat? Does exercise matter? And what should you make of products wrapped in pink for breast cancer awareness?

Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to explore the science behind pink and red plant foods as part of the Physicians Committee's Let's Beat Breast Cancer campaign.

The conversation goes inside strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, and beets to explain why similar colors can come from very different compounds—and why an overall eating pattern matters more than chasing one superfood.

You'll hear:

How gut bacteria break down the colorful compounds in berries.
Why tomato sauce can provide more absorbable lycopene than a raw tomato.
What breast cancer survivor research found about fruit and vegetable intake combined with physical activity.
How the pigments in plant foods differ from the pink color in meat.
Why breast cancer fundraising tied to alcohol deserves scrutiny.
Whether cooking and freezing change the benefits of these foods.
How Dr. Barnard went from avoiding berries to eating them every morning.

The research discussion includes both a randomized dietary trial and an observational analysis of diet plus activity.

🙏 Become and Exam Room VIP and get early access to the interview with Dr. Michael Greger before anyone else!

👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom

💪 Let's Beat Breast Cancer

👉 https://letsbeatbreastcancer.org

▶️ Venus Williams and Dr. Funk Ad

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH4djQ0OATg

This episode of The Exam Room Podcast is sponsored by the Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund. Our sincere thanks to Alysoun Mahoney and everyone at the fund for their generous support of the Physicians Committee and The Exam Room Podcast.

🙂 Gregory Reiter 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 -

Breast Cancer Beyond Genetics: Better Outcomes | Dr. Kristi Funk Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

An abnormal mammogram. No ride to the next appointment. No one to watch the kids. And a paycheck that won't stretch far enough to cover both groceries and medical care.

Breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk explains how those everyday challenges can become barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment—and why helping women overcome them can change lives.

She joins Chuck Carroll to examine a troubling finding: Black women have a lower overall incidence of breast cancer than white women, yet a higher death rate. Dr. Funk explains why differences in age, cancer subtype, and stage at diagnosis don't tell the whole story.

The conversation also follows the connections between the food available in a neighborhood and the health of the people living there. What happens when nutritious food is difficult to find, but less healthy options are everywhere? And how do insulin resistance, inflammation, hormones, and gut bacteria fit into the breast cancer picture?

You'll hear:

Whether ultra-processed foods can cause breast cancer
The difference between a food desert and a food swamp
How insulin resistance can affect hormone signaling
The gut microbiome's role in processing estrogen
How patient navigators help women manage their breast cancer journey
Overlooked symptoms that deserve attention after treatment
Dr. Funk's experience working with Venus Williams

At the heart of this conversation is a practical question: What can we change so more women get the food, care, and support they need?

🙏 Become and Exam Room VIP and get early access to the interview with Dr. Michael Greger before anyone else!

👉 https://pcrm.org/SupportExamRoom

💪 Let's Beat Breast Cancer

👉 https://letsbeatbreastcancer.org

📕 Breasts: The Owners Manual by Dr. Funk

👉 https://link.amazon/B0edhJ8lr

▶️ Venus Williams and Dr. Funk Ad

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH4djQ0OATg

Exam Roomie of the Week

- Guillermo Irizarry

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

- About Us -

Dairy vs. Plant-Based Yogurt: What Matters for Gut Health? | Dr. Alan Desmond Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Is yogurt really good for your gut? What about dairy kefir—and are plant-based yogurts a better choice?

Gastroenterologist Dr. Alan Desmond joins Chuck Carroll to examine the human research behind some of the biggest claims in the yogurt aisle. They discuss why live cultures do not automatically mean lasting health benefits, where fermented dairy can help people with lactose intolerance, what to look for in a plant-based yogurt, and why your overall eating pattern matters more than one product.

Dr. Desmond also talks about his new book, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food, and the chapter that has drawn more pushback than any other.

In this episode:

Yogurt and the microbiome
Dairy versus plant-based yogurt
Kefir studies
Lactose intolerance
Fiber and gut health

🙏 Become and Exam Room VIP and get early access to the interview with Dr. Michael Greger before anyone else!

👉 https://www.pcrm.org/examroomvip

📕 Dr. Alan Desmond Book

👉 https://link.amazon/B028fE68A

📱 Website

👉 https://www.alandesmond.com

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

- About Us -

Healthy Ideas For Busy People: Quickies with PlantYou's Carleigh Bodrug Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Too tired to cook, but still want a meal you feel good about? PlantYou creator and bestselling cookbook author Carleigh Bodrug joins Chuck Carroll live on The Exam Room to talk about quick, easy plant-based meals for busy people. Carleigh's new cookbook, PlantYou Quickies, is packed with approachable recipes and ideas for the nights when your time and energy are limited. Chuck and Carleigh explore pantry staples, convenient shortcuts, flexible meals, low-effort dinners, and ways to make plant-based cooking feel doable in real life. What would you make with fifteen minutes and the ingredients already in your kitchen? Bring your questions to the live chat and join the conversation. 📕 PlantYou Quickies Book 👉 https://link.amazon/B0bZyi4fT 📱 PlantYou Videos 👉 https://www.instagram.com/plantyou Make a gift to support The Exam Room Podcast and the life-changing work of the Physicians Committee. All gifts of $20 or more receive a mention on the show. Gifts of $100 or more receive an exclusive Exam Room Podcast tote! Exam Roomie of the Week - Lorraine Smith 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom 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.

Best Iron Sources for a Plant-Based Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid | Dr. Neal Barnard Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Nearly one-third of American adults may have some form of iron deficiency. Does that mean we should be eating more meat—or could that advice create an entirely different set of health problems? Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to examine a Washington Post article recommending meat, poultry, and seafood as sources of highly absorbable heme iron. They also explore the counterargument from Dr. Jim Loomis of Barnard Medical Center, who says beans and greens are the healthier choice. You'll learn how to meet your iron needs while eating a plant-based diet, including the best foods, the importance of vitamin C, and common mistakes that can interfere with absorption. Dr. Barnard also examines the complete nutritional package that comes with each source of iron. How do beans compare with beef when calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, and protein are considered? And what could the choice mean for LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, blood pressure, weight, and other metabolic markers? Plus, discover the potential concerns surrounding heme iron, including its associations with colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and type 2 diabetes. Topics discussed include:

Heme iron vs. non-heme iron
The best plant-based sources of iron
Beans, lentils, tofu, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens
How vitamin C improves iron absorption
Ferritin, hemoglobin, and transferrin saturation
When an iron supplement may be necessary
The potential risks of taking iron without medical supervision
Calories, saturated fat, cholesterol, and fiber in iron-rich foods
Heme iron and the risks of cancer and heart disease

🥩 Iron in Meat Linked to Heart Disease 👉 https://bit.ly/meat-iron-risk This episode of The Exam Room Podcast is sponsored by the Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund. Our sincere thanks to Alysoun Mahoney and everyone at the fund for their generous support of the Physicians Committee and The Exam Room Podcast. 🙂 Gregery Reiter Fund 👉 https://gregoryreiterfund.org 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 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 action

Food Companies Control Your Cravings. How To Fight Back | David Fenton Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Why can a fast-food commercial still trigger a craving 16 years after someone stopped eating it? And how can a health movement compete with the enormous marketing power of Big Food?

Communications pioneer David Fenton joins Chuck Carroll, who lost nearly 300 pounds, to reveal how advertising, repetition, emotion, and social media shape what people believe—and ultimately what they eat.

David has spent more than 50 years helping activists, artists, nonprofits, and social movements make their voices heard. Often called the "Robin Hood of Public Relations," he explains why facts alone rarely change minds, why the most effective messages reach the heart as well as the head, and how one person with a phone can build an extraordinary movement.

Chuck also shares his experience weighing 420 pounds, consuming as many as 10,000 calories a day, and battling a severe fast-food addiction. Even after 16 years without fast food, some advertisements can still awaken old cravings.

In this episode:

How food companies program cravings through repetition
Why simple messages are easier to remember and share
How small nonprofits can compete with enormous marketing budgets
Why stories can persuade people when statistics cannot
How one person can mobilize hundreds of thousands of followers
Billie Eilish, Support + Feed, and the one-meal plant-based pledge
The role of artists and influencers in social change
Why hope should lead—and fear should play a smaller role
David's largely plant-based journey beginning in a 1970s commune
How ordinary people can begin making a difference today

📕 Get David Fenton's Book

👉 https://link.amazon/B0iZiSRlS

🎧 David's Podcast

👉 https://apple.co/3SPi70f

- Exam Roomie of the Week -

Angela Lugenbeel

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

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

- About Us -

The Science of Willpower: How to Make Healthy Habits Stick | Dr. Gemma Newman Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Why do some healthy habits become part of your life while others disappear after a few days or weeks?

Dr. Gemma Newman joins Chuck Carroll to explore the psychology behind lasting lifestyle change — and why willpower alone may not be enough.

They discuss research suggesting that sustainable change is often connected to identity, purpose, personal values, and finding a deeper "why." Dr. Newman also shares her BLEND IT framework for helping patients, friends, and family make healthier choices without lecturing, judging, or telling them what to do.

Plus, discover how whole-food plant-based diets may support weight management without constant calorie counting, why high-fiber lower-calorie-density foods can help with hunger, the role of volume eating, and how healthy eating can become something you genuinely enjoy.

You'll also hear a deeply personal discussion about compassion, self-worth, motivation, and why major life transitions can sometimes become powerful opportunities for change.

Dr. Newman is also the author of Get Well, Stay Well.

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

🙏 Dr. Gemma Newman

👉 https://gemmanewman.com

📗 Get Well, Stay Well

👉 https://amzn.to/4r9xHAu

This episode is fueled by Dr. Brooke Bussard

👉 https://drbrookebussard.com

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

- About Us -