The People's Pharmacy - TopPodcast.com

Dr. David Spiegel, leading expert on hypnosis and its medical uses — **Show 1406: How Hypnotherapy Helps People Heal from Stress, Pain and Trauma** Oct 31, 2024
This week, a nationally-renowned expert on hypnotherapy describes how this tool can be used to help people heal from stress or pain. Have you tried it?

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on November 4, 2024.

How Could Hypnotherapy Help People Heal?

People who see a healthcare provider for pain, anxiety or insomnia are frequently offered a prescription for a pain reliever or an anti-anxiety drug. While these may work in the short term, they are far from ideal for addressing an ongoing problem. Why not use hypnotherapy, which puts relief right into the patients’ own hands? Evidence shows that this can be very effective.

Research has shown that hypnosis has three components: focusing on a goal, putting everything else outside of the immediate attention, and practicing cognitive flexibility. This allows the person to try on different ways of being to see how that feels. You might believe that you could not be assertive, because you’re just not that kind of person. But during hypnosis, you could practice standing up for yourself and discover it feels good. Perhaps it isn’t quite as hard as you imagined. When setting goals for hypnosis, it is important to focus on what you are for rather than worry about what you are against.

Who Can Benefit from Hypnotherapy?

Anyone who could be hypnotized might potentially benefit from this mode of treatment. Although some people are more hypnotizable than others, most people can enter a trance state and use it to make changes they need in their lives. Dr. Spiegel classifies people into three groups based on ease of hypnosis: poets, who are very easily hypnotized, diplomats, who tend to analyze the experience later, and researchers, who are hard to hypnotize because they tend to keep their attention on the multiple other stimuli in their environs. He has found that transcranial stimulation can temporarily increase hypnotizability and improve the patient’s motivation to change.

Hypnotherapy Against Pain:

The crisis of opioid overdose deaths underscores how many Americans are in pain that has not been adequately treated. Unfortunately, when narcotics have been used for more than a short period of time, the nervous system adapts. The consequence is that when a person stops taking the medicine, they may experience “withdrawal hyperalgesia,” more pain than before. This is an advantage of using hypnotherapy for pain relief instead. It does not result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Hypnotherapy Helps People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

Studies suggest that one in four veterans who have seen combat may experience post-traumatic stress. This does not respond well to the usual medications, but hypnotherapy can be very helpful. In addition, veterans are not the only ones to suffer PTSD. This treatment can be useful for those recovering from all sorts of trauma.

Hypnosis for Healing:

The ultimate use of hypnosis is to help us achieve our best selves. The common misconception that you might lose control under hypnosis is exactly backwards. Done properly, hypnotherapy can help us team up our body and mind together to accomplish our aspirations.

We can do that in multiple contexts, potentially reviewing the best aspects of our sexual relationships. There is some discussion of the ability of hypnotherapy to help people overcome pornography addiction near the end of the show, so parents may want to use discretion in listening with children.

Research on Hypnotherapy:

Here are a few of Dr. Spiegel’s papers:
“Hypnosis: The Most Effective Treatment You Have Yet to Prescribe,” *American Journal of Medicine*, March 2021.
“Hypnotic responsivity and the treatment of flying phobia,” *American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis*, 2015.
“Hypnosis in Cancer Care,” *American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis*, July 2017.
“Testing Hypnotizability by Phone: Development and Validation of the Remote Hypnotic Induction Profile (rHIP),” *International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis*, Jan-Mar 2021.

This Week’s Guest:

Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Spiegel has more than 40 years of clinical and research experience studying psycho-oncology, stress and health, pain control, sleep, hypnosis, utilizing neuroimaging and conducting randomized clinical trials. He has published thirteen books, 425 scientific journal articles, and 175 book chapters on hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. He is Past-President of the American College of Psychiatrists, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Spiegel is Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of **REVERI**, an interactive hypnosis App: https://www.reveri.com/

David Spiegel, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, November 4, 2024, after broadcast on Nov. 2. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

Redford Williams, Jr, MD, author of Anger Kills — **Show 1405: Why Does Anger Harm Your Heart?** Oct 23, 2024
This week, we’ll dive into the research on how emotions affect your heart health. Specifically, we talk with two scientists who have studied the impact of anger on blood vessels. How might that shape your risk of a heart attack? Can you change your impulse to react with anger when somebody else is thoughtless or rude?

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on October 28, 2024.

Does Anger Harm Your Heart?

Decades ago, a pair of cardiologists noticed that many of their heart-attack patients had a similar emotional profile: impatient, hard-charging, competitive and irritable (*International Journal of Psychiatry*, May 1968). They inspired many investigators to look at the personality characteristics of people in research studies. The idea was to tease out whether time urgency, competitiveness or irritability and hostility were more important in determining the increased risk.

By the 1980s, some scientists had begun to determine that hostility, anger and cynical mistrust of others were more important than other aspects of the type A behavior pattern in driving cardiovascular risk (*American Journal of Cardiology*, Dec. 28, 1987). Dr. Redford Williams was one of the pre-eminent researchers in this field, confirming that anger can harm the heart.

Why Does Anger Harm Your Heart?

More recently, investigators have been striving to determine the mechanisms. What is it about anger and hostility that is so bad for the body? Scientists have learned that people have differing reactions to recalling a situation that made them angry. Some people can tell the anecdote like a story, without attaching much emotion to it in the retelling. For others, remembering the situation upsets them greatly and they become angry once again. They may even hang on to their anger for hours.

A study published earlier this year demonstrated that for these individuals, recalling something that made them angry affects the lining of their blood vessels. This surprisingly long-lasting reaction of the endothelium reduces the flexibility of their blood vessels, including their coronary arteries (*Journal of the American Heart Association,* May 1, 2024). Dr. Matthew Burg, one of the investigators, describes the study and its implications.

What Can You Do About Anger?

If your cholesterol is high, your doctor will probably prescribe a statin to lower it. When blood pressure is an apparent risk factor, you’ll be encouraged to control it with a medication. We know that loneliness, depression and hostility are bad for physical as well as emotional health. Surprisingly, though, few physicians appear to think they can or should intervene to change hostile reactions. Perhaps they don’t think that is possible, or maybe they just don’t know how. No doubt they might benefit from training in medical school to help them (*Academic Psychiatry*, May-June 2008).

You Can Change Your Reactions:

Dr. Williams and his wife Virginia have written about a number of strategies to help people moderate their tendency to react with hostility to any challenge. The first step could be to recognize when you are angry and what triggered that emotion. Keep in mind that sometimes anger may be useful. Dr. Williams suggests this shortcut: I AM worth it. I stands for is this matter Important? A: is my anger Appropriate? M reminds us to assess if the situation can be Modified. Then we need to evaluate if the action we would take would be WORTH IT. If so, then the next step is to take the most effective action possible.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy can be a great help. The Life Skills that Redford and Virginia Williams recommend are also impactful. Learning to listen carefully and respectfully and reflect back what you have heard can make a huge difference in relationships.

Ideally, this type of training would be part of every middle school curriculum. Helping people change before their cardiovascular systems have been exposed to years of damage could contribute to life-long health. The most important message, in conclusion, is that even if you discover you are a hostile individual in too many situations, you CAN change. And changing could save your life.

This Week’s Guests:

Matthew M. Burg, PhD, is Professor of Medicine in the section of Cardiology at Yale School of Medicine. His website is: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/matthew-burg/ Dr. Burg is author of *Psychological Treatment of Cardiac Patients*

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Redford Williams Jr, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. His website is https://medicine.duke.edu/profile/redford-b-williams
His books, co-authored with Virginia Williams, PhD, include *Anger Kills: 17 Strategies for Controlling the Hostility that Can Harm Your Health*; *Lifeskills: 8 Simple Ways to build Stronger Relationships, Communicate More Clearly, and Improve Your Health*; and *In Control: No More Snapping at Your Family, Sulking at Work, Steaming in the Grocery Line, Seething in Meetings, Stuffing Your Frustration*.

Redford Williams, Jr, MD, Professor Emeritus Duke University

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, October 28, 2024, after broadcast on Oct. 26. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

Dr. Linda Birnbaum, scientist emeritus, former director of NIEHS, discusses PFAS — **Show 1404: How You Can Avoid the Harms from Forever Chemicals** Oct 17, 2024
This week, an eminent toxicologist, now retired, describes the concerns about PFAS compounds, also known as forever chemicals. Although scientists have known for decades that they get into our bodies readily, the apparent benefits led to their widespread use. These are compounds that do a wonderful job keeping your boots and rain gear dry, keeping the grease from your fast food inside the package and preventing stains in carpets, upholstery and clothing. Are you still using nonstick pans? If so, there’s a chance you are ingesting some type of PFAS every time you cook. How can you avoid the harms from forever chemicals?

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on October 21, 2024.

Avoiding the Harms from Forever Chemicals:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were first created in the 1930s and 1940s. Since then, they have become nearly ubiquitous. They are, of course, essential to **Teflon** for nonstick pans, but they are also found in kids’ school uniforms, exercise clothes, fast-food packaging of various sorts and automobiles. You’ll even find them in cosmetics like waterproof mascara, not to mention their use in fire-fighting foam for large fires. No wonder almost all of us have PFAS detectable in our bodies.

Because these are not natural compounds, we do not have good ways to remove them from our organs and blood streams. No chelating agents can pull them out. As a consequence, our best defense against the harms from forever chemicals is to avoid the products that contain them as much as possible.

Can You Take Forever Chemicals Out of Your Drinking Water?

Much of our drinking water contains PFAS. If you are on a municipal water system, you may get an annual report to tell you which ones have been detected and at what levels. Home purifiers can help, though. Water filters with granulated charcoal can remove most of the forever chemicals. Even better, water filters using reverse osmosis remove virtually all of them. To continue getting these benefits, we do have to change the filters on the recommended schedule. What’s more, we should be treating these used filters as hazardous waste rather than simply chucking them in the trash bound for the landfill.

Other Sources of PFAS:

If upholstery, carpets, clothing and shoes are made with PFAS–as so many are–it is inevitable that dust in the home or the office will be loaded with some of these forever chemicals. There are, after all, an estimated 12,000 to 16,000 different compounds with at least 200 use categories. No wonder they are so hard to escape. To minimize ingestion, wash your hands carefully after cleaning and before eating. And don’t leave food sitting out. The likelihood of dust getting on it or into it and contaminating it increases with time.

That’s indoors. Three states have recently asked the US Environmental Protection Agency to add four specific compounds in the PFAS category to the list of Hazardous Air Pollutants. That would also governmental regulation to minimize their emission.

What Are the Health Harms from Forever Chemicals?

PFAS don’t usually seem to cause acute problems. Instead, they are more insidious, apparently contributing as risk factors to many common chronic conditions. High levels have been linked to problems with fertility and low birth weight in both humans and domestic animals. Moreover, obesity, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes have all been linked to PFAS by numerous studies. These compounds may also affect the immune system, possibly reducing its ability to fight infection. In other cases, forever chemicals appear to increase a person’s chance of developing autoimmune disease. Some experts have called for routine toxicity testing (*Current Environmental Health Reports*, June 2024). Tests are available for some, but not all, PFAS compounds. They are not part of routine health screening, and insurance companies may be reluctant to pay for them.

What You Can Do:

We asked Dr. Birnbaum to summarize her recommendations. She suggests:

Filter your water (reverse osmosis is best)

Don’t cook with nonstick pans. Check with Green Science and EWG for alternatives.

Never use plastic to heat food in the microwaves.

Urge our government representatives to follow the lead of the EU and ban the production and use of any PFAS that are not strictly essential. This problem is too big for us to solve it as individuals; it will take communal effort.

This Week’s Guest:

Linda Birnbaum, PhD, is a toxicologist and scientist emeritus. She was director of the of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program for many years. Prior to that, she directed environmental health research at the EPA. Dr. Birnbaum served as president of the Society of Toxicology and chaired the Division of Toxicology at the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. She is a scholar in residence at Duke University.

Dr. Linda Birnbaum, scientist emeritus, former director of NIEHS

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, October 21, 2024, after broadcast on Oct. 19. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

David B. Peden, MD, MS, expert on seasonal allergies — **Show 1403: Managing Year-Round Allergies with Medicines and Herbs** Oct 10, 2024
This week, our guests share their expertise on how to deal with sniffles and congestion, whether you are reacting to seasonal triggers or suffer from year-round allergies. Can you reduce the amount of allergen you are exposed to? Which medications could help, and what are the downsides? We’ll also discuss some herbs that can help ease uncomfortable symptoms.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on October 14, 2024.

Is Climate Change Making Allergies Worse?

We’ve been talking about the misery of allergies for decades, but it seems as though they are getting worse. Could there be a link to climate change?

Dr. David Peden says that is very likely. With climate change, plants start releasing their pollen earlier in the spring and continue later in the fall. Depending upon which pollens trigger a person’s allergic response, they could start suffering sooner or discover they are miserable later in the year.

Does the Indoor Environment Contribute to Year-Round Allergies?

Outdoor air carries pollen, but indoor air can also be full of allergens. Pet dander and dust mites are common culprits. What can you do to protect yourself from hazards inside?

Ventilation is key to getting enough clean air. One tool that can help assess the ventilation in your space is a carbon dioxide monitor. That’s not because you need to avoid carbon dioxide but rather because it tells you if the air around you is circulating or just sitting and accumulating contaminants. A good air filtration system is vital for controlling indoor allergens and managing year-round allergies.

Medications to Treat Year-round Allergies:

Antihistamines:

Some of the best-recognized medications for allergies are antihistamines. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has been around for many decades. Although it blocks histamine quite effectively, it has a significant downside for daytime use. People taking Benadryl during the day may feel too sleepy to function. In fact, OTC nighttime pain relievers such as **Advil PM** or **Tylenol PM** continue diphenhydramine to cause drowsiness. Short-term use could help you breathe at night during allergy season. We worry about long-term use for year-round allergies because it could affect cognitive function. Moreover, using any of the antihistamines, including cetirizine (**Zyrtec**) or fexofenadine (**Allegra**), continuously for an extended period my result in reduced effectiveness.

Decongestants:

Decongestants shrink the blood vessels that lead to swollen tissue in your nose. That can help you breathe much more easily, but of course there’s a catch: Decongestant nasal sprays are limited to about three days. If a person uses one for longer than that, their body may adapt, and stopping use could result in rebound congestion. Oral decongestants don’t usually create that problem, but they are much less likely to be helpful. Scientists know that one common ingredient, phenylephrine, is essentially ineffective.

Steroid Nasal Sprays:

Within the last decade, a number of steroid nasal sprays have become available over the counter. These can be very useful in alleviating congestion and other nasal symptoms. They are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds being delivered right where inflammation is causing the most trouble. None of these should be used indefinitely, however.

Allergy Shots:

There is still a role for allergy shots in desensitizing people to certain allergens. Although doctors recommend them more often for severe allergies such as bee sting that could result in anaphylaxis, they can also be used for seasonal allergies. People who have had a series of allergy shots also seem to be less susceptible to respiratory infections.

Nasal Lavage:

Lavage is a fancy word for “washing.” You can clean allergens out of your nasal passages with a neti pot or saline nasal spray. Dr. Peden suggests this can be quite helpful.

Natural Approaches for Alleviating Allergies:

As we have learned, many of the agents used to treat allergies can be helpful, but they have downsides. What natural products might be beneficial? Dr. Tieraona Low Dog suggests that the gut microbiome may play a role in the immune system reaction we call allergy. One way to address that might be with a probiotic. To find an appropriate choice, she recommends consulting usprobioticguide.com

Bitter Herbs:

Traditional healers around the world recognize the value of bitter herbs for a range of symptoms including congestion as well as digestive problems. The bitter taste receptors that are found throughout the body, including the lungs, prevent mast cell degranulation. One medication that The People’s Pharmacy often recommends for allergies also stabilizes mast cells so that they don’t release histamine or other inflammatory compounds. Cromolyn (**NasalCrom**) needs to be used preventively, before allergy season starts, to get the most benefit. Bitter herbs may sound exotic, but dandelion root is readily available. Another herb, *Andrographis*, is termed the king of bitters and can be useful for seasonal and year-round allergies as well as cold symptoms (*PLoS One*, Aug. 4, 2017).

Other Supplements:

Quercetin is a compound that is found in numerous plants, including many that we consume often, such as apples, garlic and tea. To use it for allergy symptoms, Dr. Low Dog often recommends a reliable extract (500 mg twice daily during allergy season). An herb that helps with symptoms of stuffiness, butterbur, requires careful shopping. If the toxic compounds (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) are not removed, there is a risk of liver damage. The brand name product **Petadolex** has been treated appropriately and is safe. Some people take 50 to 75 mg twice a day for symptoms (*PLoS One*, April 11, 2024). Finally, an extract of stinging nettle (*Urtica dioica*) is also useful for calming symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.

This Week’s Guests:

David B. Peden, MD, MS, FAAAAI, is the Andrews Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean for Translational Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as the Chief Research Officer & Director of the UNC Clinical Research Alliance. In addition, he is Medical Director of the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology in the Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at The School of Medicine of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David B. Peden, MD, MS
Harry S. Andrews Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics
Senior Associate Dean for Translational Research
Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma & Lung Biology

Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties, American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy of Women’s Health. She was elected Chair of the US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplements/Botanicals Expert Committee and was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Council for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Her books include: *Healthy at Home: Get Well and Stay Well Without Prescriptions*, *Life Is Your Best Medicine*, and *Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and More*.

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Her website is:
https://www.drlowdog.com/books

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog describes natural ways to treat heartburn

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 30, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 28. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

**Show 1403: Managing Year-Round Allergies with Medicines and Herbs** Oct 10, 2024
This week, our guests share their expertise on how to deal with sniffles and congestion, whether you are reacting to seasonal triggers or suffer from year-round allergies. Can you reduce the amount of allergen you are exposed to? Which medications could help, and what are the downsides? We’ll also discuss some herbs that can help ease uncomfortable symptoms.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on October 14, 2024.

Is Climate Change Making Allergies Worse?

We’ve been talking about the misery of allergies for decades, but it seems as though they are getting worse. Could there be a link to climate change?

Dr. David Peden says that is very likely. With climate change, plants start releasing their pollen earlier in the spring and continue later in the fall. Depending upon which pollens trigger a person’s allergic response, they could start suffering sooner or discover they are miserable later in the year.

Does the Indoor Environment Contribute to Year-Round Allergies?

Outdoor air carries pollen, but indoor air can also be full of allergens. Pet dander and dust mites are common culprits. What can you do to protect yourself from hazards inside?

Ventilation is key to getting enough clean air. One tool that can help assess the ventilation in your space is a carbon dioxide monitor. That’s not because you need to avoid carbon dioxide but rather because it tells you if the air around you is circulating or just sitting and accumulating contaminants. A good air filtration system is vital for controlling indoor allergens and managing year-round allergies.

Medications to Treat Year-round Allergies:

Antihistamines:

Some of the best-recognized medications for allergies are antihistamines. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has been around for many decades. Although it blocks histamine quite effectively, it has a significant downside for daytime use. People taking Benadryl during the day may feel too sleepy to function. In fact, OTC nighttime pain relievers such as **Advil PM** or **Tylenol PM** continue diphenhydramine to cause drowsiness. Short-term use could help you breathe at night during allergy season. We worry about long-term use for year-round allergies because it could affect cognitive function. Moreover, using any of the antihistamines, including cetirizine (**Zyrtec**) or fexofenadine (**Allegra**), continuously for an extended period my result in reduced effectiveness.

Decongestants:

Decongestants shrink the blood vessels that lead to swollen tissue in your nose. That can help you breathe much more easily, but of course there’s a catch: Decongestant nasal sprays are limited to about three days. If a person uses one for longer than that, their body may adapt, and stopping use could result in rebound congestion. Oral decongestants don’t usually create that problem, but they are much less likely to be helpful. Scientists know that one common ingredient, phenylephrine, is essentially ineffective.

Steroid Nasal Sprays:

Within the last decade, a number of steroid nasal sprays have become available over the counter. These can be very useful in alleviating congestion and other nasal symptoms. They are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds being delivered right where inflammation is causing the most trouble. None of these should be used indefinitely, however.

Allergy Shots:

There is still a role for allergy shots in desensitizing people to certain allergens. Although doctors recommend them more often for severe allergies such as bee sting that could result in anaphylaxis, they can also be used for seasonal allergies. People who have had a series of allergy shots also seem to be less susceptible to respiratory infections.

Nasal Lavage:

Lavage is a fancy word for “washing.” You can clean allergens out of your nasal passages with a neti pot or saline nasal spray. Dr. Peden suggests this can be quite helpful.

Natural Approaches for Alleviating Allergies:

As we have learned, many of the agents used to treat allergies can be helpful, but they have downsides. What natural products might be beneficial? Dr. Tieraona Low Dog suggests that the gut microbiome may play a role in the immune system reaction we call allergy. One way to address that might be with a probiotic. To find an appropriate choice, she recommends consulting usprobioticguide.com

Bitter Herbs:

Traditional healers around the world recognize the value of bitter herbs for a range of symptoms including congestion as well as digestive problems. The bitter taste receptors that are found throughout the body, including the lungs, prevent mast cell degranulation. One medication that The People’s Pharmacy often recommends for allergies also stabilizes mast cells so that they don’t release histamine or other inflammatory compounds. Cromolyn (**NasalCrom**) needs to be used preventively, before allergy season starts, to get the most benefit. Bitter herbs may sound exotic, but dandelion root is readily available. Another herb, *Andrographis*, is termed the king of bitters and can be useful for seasonal and year-round allergies as well as cold symptoms (*PLoS One*, Aug. 4, 2017).

Other Supplements:

Quercetin is a compound that is found in numerous plants, including many that we consume often, such as apples, garlic and tea. To use it for allergy symptoms, Dr. Low Dog often recommends a reliable extract (500 mg twice daily during allergy season). An herb that helps with symptoms of stuffiness, butterbur, requires careful shopping. If the toxic compounds (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) are not removed, there is a risk of liver damage. The brand name product **Petadolex** has been treated appropriately and is safe. Some people take 50 to 75 mg twice a day for symptoms (*PLoS One*, April 11, 2024). Finally, an extract of stinging nettle (*Urtica dioica*) is also useful for calming symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.

This Week’s Guests:

David B. Peden, MD, MS, FAAAAI, is the Andrews Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean for Translational Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also serves as the Chief Research Officer & Director of the UNC Clinical Research Alliance. In addition, he is Medical Director of the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology in the Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at The School of Medicine of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David B. Peden, MD, MS
Harry S. Andrews Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics
Senior Associate Dean for Translational Research
Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics
Director, Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma & Lung Biology

Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties, American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy of Women’s Health. She was elected Chair of the US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplements/Botanicals Expert Committee and was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Council for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Her books include: *Healthy at Home: Get Well and Stay Well Without Prescriptions*, *Life Is Your Best Medicine*, and *Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and More*.

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Her website is:
https://www.drlowdog.com/books

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog describes natural ways to treat heartburn

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 30, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 28. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

Dr. Fekrat studies what your eyes reveal about your brain — **Show 1402: How You Can Protect Your Precious Eyesight and Keep Your Eyes Healthy** Oct 03, 2024
This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your calls about how you can protect your precious eyesight. Have you been struggling with dry eyes or diagnosed with glaucoma? You can share your experience or ask your questions at **888-472-3366** between 7 and 8 am EDT on Saturday, October 5, 2024. We also invite you to send you comments in beforehand to **radio@peoplespharmacy.com**.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Oct. 7, 2024.

What Visualizing the Retina Tells Us About the Brain:

The very back of the eye, where the images form when we see, is called the retina. Our guest, ophthalmologist Sharon Fekrat, has led cutting-edge research on retinal imaging and dementia diagnosis. Specialized imaging called optical coherence tomography angiography combined with artificial intelligence analyses can discriminate between people with serious brain changes and those with healthy brains. Not only does this offer earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease or other dementias, it also suggests that keeping the retina healthy might also benefit the brain.

If you have questions about retinal detachment or other retinal problems, please get them to us through email or phone. We will also be discussing diabetic retinopathy and welcome questions about screening and treatment for that condition.

Why Are So Many Kids Nearsighted?

A study published last month in the *British Journal of Ophthalmology* (Sep. 24, 2024) analyzed 276 studies covering more than 5 million children and youth. Rates of myopia, the technical term for nearsightedness, have been rising rapidly. Now, more than one third of youngsters are nearsighted and many need glasses to see well. Is there anything parents should be doing to try to prevent this problem?

Clearing Your Vision of Cataracts:

As we grow older, the proteins in the lens of the eye begin to deteriorate. This can cause the lens, which starts out clear, to become cloudy. At some point, the cataract will impair vision. The standard treatment is surgical removal of the clouded lens and replacement with a synthetic lens. When should you have cataract surgery? What else might be causing your visual problems?

Protect Your Precious Eyesight from Glaucoma:

Glaucoma can begin so gradually that there may be no symptoms at first. Eventually, though, it can lead to vision loss because the optic nerve becomes damaged. When an eye doctor measures the pressure in your eyes, he or she is assessing you for glaucoma. Not every case presents with high intra-ocular pressure, though. What other diagnostic tests should you undergo? When do you need them? What treatments do doctors use when they diagnose glaucoma?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration May Threaten Your Vision:

Like many of the other conditions that can undermine your precious eyesight, the risk of macular degeneration rises as we age. The macula is the central part of the retina responsible for clear vision. When it begins to break down, people may have trouble seeing directly in front of them. This makes driving dangerous and reading extremely challenging.

The two types of macular degeneration, dry and wet, have different characteristics and different treatments. The FDA recently approved two new treatments for dry macular degeneration with geographic atrophy. They are **Syfovre** and **Izervay**. When they are injected into the eye on a regular basis (every month or two), they can slow the progression of the atrophy. We don’t yet have treatments that can reverse it.

The treatment of wet macular degeneration also involves injections into the eye. In this condition, small blood vessels start to grow under the retina where they don’t belong. If they leak, they can scar the retina. This serious condition is also treated with injections to stop the formation of blood vessels.

The eye doctor may also suggest taking a multivitamin with the **AREDS2** formula since a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that this can slow progression of macular degeneration.

Why You Should Wear Safety Glasses to Protect Your Precious Eyesight:

Any time you work with tools that might create flying shards, it is critical to wear safety glasses. People with impaired vision in one eye should be especially conscientious about wearing 3mm polycarbonate shatterproof lenses to protect the good eye.

What to Do with Your Old Prescription Glasses:

Respectacle is a resource/website where used prescription glasses are repurposed (cleaned and posted on their website). At the website, one’s prescription can be entered and possible glasses prescription “matches” show up to consider as an option. The glasses cost $5 and provide an option for those who may not currently have the resources to pay for standard prescription glasses and as a result are doing without.

Join the Conversation:

Please share your inquiries and your stories about protecting your vision. You can email us: radio@peoplespharmacy.com or call 888-472-3366 between 7:00 and 7:50 am EDT on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

This Week’s Guest:

Sharon Fekrat, MD, is a retina specialist at the Duke Eye Center and vice chair of faculty affairs and professor of ophthalmology and neurology at Duke University School of Medicine. She is associate chief of staff at the Durham VA Healthcare System and past interim chief of surgery there. She is currently Director of Duke iMIND Research Group and Chief Editor of the book *All About Your Eyes*. She also edits the *Duke Journal of Case Reports in Ophthalmology*. Dr. Fekrat is past President of the NC Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, October 7, 2024, after broadcast on October 5. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Download the mp3.

David Fajgenbaum teaches old drugs new tricks — **Show 1401: Are Miracle Cures Hiding in Plain Sight? Unlocking the Lifesaving Potential of Old Drugs** Sep 26, 2024
This week, we talk with a physician who was struck with a catastrophic illness as a medical student. He nearly died from it; in fact, a priest administered last rites. But David Fajgenbaum wouldn’t give up. He helped find the treatment–an existing drug for a different health condition–that has kept him alive for more than a decade. Now he is working on unlocking the lifesaving potential of old drugs for other patients.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 30, 2024.

Miracle Cure Hiding in Plain Sight:

Our guest, Dr. Fajgenbaum, was excited when he discovered that his condition, Castleman disease, was associated with excess MTOR. The acronym stands for Mammalian Target of Rapamycin. Rapamycin, also called sirolimus, is prescribed to transplant patients to keep them from rejecting their new organs. As Dr. Fajgenbaum states, it was sitting on the shelf at the local CVS. Because it was an old drug, doctors had a pretty good idea of its potential side effects and pitfalls. Everyone was delighted to discover that it worked (and is still working) to keep Dr. Fajgenbaum’s Castleman disease in check.

Overcoming Adversity with Hope and Action:

Even during the darkest days of his illness, Dr. Fajgenbaum (a med student in those days) did not give up hope. But he realized that hope needed to be more muscular than simply wishing someone would come up with a cure. He needed action to reinforce the hope. Here are his three steps for overcoming adversity:

Have a vision of the future.

Keep your family and close friends near, to provide support to you and each other.

Take one step (in his case, one breath) at a time.

Unlocking the Lifesaving Potential of Old Drugs:

Medicine has developed numerous medications that work for specific conditions. There are, however, many more human ailments that have no cures or even good treatments. Dr. Fajgenbaum has dedicated himself to investigating the lifesaving potential of old drugs. If drugs exist that could be used to help people who have no other treatments, why not try? Of course, clinical trials are critical to this effort. A theoretical mechanism of action is not enough to ensure that a medication will actually make a difference for a sick patient. The COVID-19 pandemic gave us a few examples, including both meds that worked and ones that didn’t.

Dr. Fajgenbaum’s organization Every Cure has identified 14 drugs with lifesaving potential. One is the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab, initially approved for the treatment of melanoma and certain types of lung cancer. Now, Every Cure has found that this medicine can be helpful against a devastating disease called angiosarcoma. Dr. Fajgenbaum has also found an unexpected use for an asthma drug called omalizumab (Xolair).

One barrier to uncovering the lifesaving potential for old drugs is that most of these existing compounds are no longer on patent. Consequently, the pharmaceutical firms that created and marketed them initially no longer have an incentive to invest in research on them. That is why the work that Every Cure is doing is so important.

This Week’s Guest:

David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, is Associate Professor of Medicine and Founding Director of the Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL) at the University of Pennsylvania where he is one of the youngest tenured professors in the history of Penn Medicine. In addition, Dr. Fajgenbaum is Co-Founder & President of Every Cure and Co-Founder & President of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN). He is national bestselling author of *Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action*. The photo of Dr. Fajgenbaum is by Rebecca McAlpin.

You can buy his book from the Amazon link above or from Bookshop.org here: *Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action.*

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, University of Pennsylvania

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 30, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 28. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

Marty Makary, MD, MPH, author of Blind Spots — **Show 1400: Exposing Blind Spots: Unmasking the Myths of Modern Medicine** Sep 19, 2024
This week, our guest calls attention to beliefs and practices in medicine that are based on dogma rather than data. Why don’t doctors or researchers question these blind spots? You’ll hear about some of the most striking myths, and maybe you’ll be surprised.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast at your convenience. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 23, 2024.

Exposing Blind Spots:

Our guest, Dr. Marty Makary, defines blind spots as statements that go unquestioned even though they are not supported by evidence. These reveal a medical culture of groupthink. Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon. Back in the mid-19th century, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis investigated the high mortality rate in one maternity clinic he managed. When he found that doctors were going straight from cadaver dissection to delivery, he demanded that doctors wash their hands with disinfectant. His experiment was a great success, since the maternal mortality rate plummeted.

On the other hand, doctors did not believe that washing their hands could possibly make a difference. They refused to adopt the practice, and Dr. Semmelweis became a pariah. Even though this was before people understood the germ theory of disease, the evidence that Dr. Semmelweis had collected was compelling. Despite this, it took more than a century for doctors to accept the necessity of washing their hands before and after every patient.

Surely, an event of this sort could only happen in a benighted era before medicine understood the theory behind infection. At least, so we would hope. However, Dr. Makary cites multiple discoveries that are overlooked for years because they don’t happen to be part of an NIH Center. In some senses, these Centers are silos.

Sticking to Established Standards of Care:

If people are reluctant to stray beyond the accepted wisdom, they won’t make room for new evidence to change how they approach a problem. However, that is the essence of science. Dr. Makary described his participation in grand rounds presenting new information. The committee responsible for overseeing the presentation wanted an assurance that none of the information presented would go beyond the bounds of currently accepted knowledge. He was planning to present new information, which is, after all, the point of education. Consequently, he had to discuss this controversial approach with the committee. It is another way that blind spots get reinforced.

Eggs and Cholesterol:

One medical myth that we have railed against for years is the idea that eating eggs puts your heart at risk. For many years, healthcare professionals maintained that eating foods rich in cholesterol (as eggs are) would raise blood cholesterol. Since elevated cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, many people were advised to avoid eggs and to spread margarine instead of butter on their toast. None of those recommendations were based on evidence, but they are among the most persistent blind spots in medicine.

Ulcers and Bacteria:

Another example is medicine’s initial resistance to the idea that stomach ulcers can be caused by bacterial infection, specifically *Helicobacter pylori*. When Australian gastroenterologist Barry Marshall presented the evidence to his colleagues in 1982, they were slow to stop blaming stress as the primary cause of stomach ulcers. Dr. Marshall persisted and continued to gather evidence. In 2005, the Nobel committee awarded him and his collaborator J. Robin Warren the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for that research.

Blind Spots on Dementia:

Another ongoing case of doctors doggedly ignoring evidence relates to medications to treat Alzheimer disease. Pharmaceutical firms have spent billions of dollars developing drugs to remove amyloid from the brain, even though the original research that set off the stampede has been questioned. People with Alzheimer disease usually have an accumulation of amyloid plaque in their brains. However, it is not clear whether the amyloid is the principal actor or a bystander of sorts. What is clear is that removing amyloid, as many of these medications do, does not produce impressive clinical benefit. Should medicine rethink this approach?

This Week’s Guest:

Dr. Marty Makary is the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins. A public health researcher, Dr. Makary leads efforts to improve the health of communities and focuses on the “re-design of health care” to make healthcare more reliable, holistic, and coordinated, especially for vulnerable populations. He leads national efforts to increase medical transparency and lower health care costs for everyday businesses and consumers. Dr. Makary is a New York Times bestselling author. He is the recipient of the 2020 Business Book of the Year Award for his book, *The Price We Pay*. Dr. Makary’s most recent book is *Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What it Means for Our Health*. The website is https://geni.us/blindspots

Dr. Marty Makary of Johns Hopkins University

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 23, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 21. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free. This week the podcast features additional information on how Johns Hopkins is redesigning healthcare. We also discuss making informed consent truly informed and how treatment guidelines may put patients and providers at odds.

Please Note:

The People’s Pharmacy is reader supported. When you buy through links in this post, we may earn a small affiliate commission (at no cost to you).

Download the mp3.

**Show 1399: Why Are Patients Using Magic Mushrooms for Cluster Headaches?** Sep 13, 2024
This week, we talk with a sociologist and a neurologist about the extremely painful condition known as cluster headaches. The sociologist has studied how patients have sought out relief that the medical profession could not provide. They found it in magic mushrooms and shared the details among patient groups termed ClusterBusters. The neurologist has studied the use of psilocybin to alleviate cluster headaches.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 16, 2024.

The Agony of Cluster Headaches:

Cluster headaches could well be termed the headaches from hell. Although they are less common than migraine headaches–which are terrible enough–people find the pain worse. In fact, people who have had gunshot wounds or kidney stones say their cluster headaches surpass those kinds of pain. The head pain is often a burning or stabbing pain centered on one eye.

Unlike migraines, they don’t usually last very long, but they do recur. They may happen at the same time each day, or they may occur on a regular schedule. Anticipating the pain really impairs the quality of a person’s life. People have taken extreme measures to try to escape cluster headaches.

Treating Cluster Headaches:

Doctors do have some treatments for cluster headaches, but they aren’t always effective. Part of that has to do with the head pain itself, which may be recalcitrant. In addition, doctors don’t always know exactly how to apply therapies that have been shown to be effective, such as high-flow oxygen. However, oxygen, even when applied properly, stops cluster headaches but does not prevent them.

Other therapies that show promise for treating cluster headaches include galcanezumab (Emgality), a medication that FDA approved for preventing migraines. In addition, vagus nerve stimulation can stop some cluster headaches.

Studying Magic Mushrooms for Cluster Headaches:

Cluster headaches are exceptionally difficult to study because they are sporadic and relatively short-lasting in many cases. Although some people have headache cycles that are very regular, everyone’s recurrence is different. That level of unpredictability is a nightmare for clinical trial investigators. Moreover, doctors and patients alike would like a way to prevent cluster headaches, as that would be the best approach to managing them well. That is where magic mushrooms come in.

Patients Using Magic Mushrooms:

Patient groups were meeting online to provide each other support and information about how to deal with cluster headaches. Then one person reported on his personal experimentation with magic mushrooms and how well they worked to prevent his cluster headaches. Although it took nearly a year to catch on, eventually other patients followed his lead and found that low doses hallucinogenic mushrooms do indeed help prevent the headaches. Scientists such as our guest, Dr. Schindler, are now studying psilocybin for this purpose. It should not be taken by people with cardiovascular problems such as unstable blood pressure or a history of heart attack or stroke. Likewise, anyone with a history of psychosis should not take psilocybin or the magic mushrooms it comes from.

This Week’s Guests:

Joanna Kempner, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers University, is an award-winning sociologist of science, medicine, technology, and inequality, and the author of *Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine* and *Not Tonight: Migraine and the Politics of Gender and Health*. Her website is https://www.joannakempner.com/

Joanna Kempner, PhD, Rutgers author of Psychedelic Outlaws

Emmanuelle Schindler, MD, PhD, is a board-certified neurologist and headache medicine specialist. She is Medical Director of the Headache Center of Excellence at Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine. Among her efforts to optimize the management of headache disorders, she has executed the first controlled trials of psilocybin in headache disorders. She has published the results in *Headache* (Nov. 2022) and in the *Journal of the Neurological Sciences* (May 15, 2024).

Emanuelle Schindler, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the Headache Center of Excellence at Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 16, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 14. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free. This week, the podcast contains additional information about the timeline of psychedelic use over history and other uses for psilocybin such as depression of PTSD. We also discuss certain other types of headaches and possible treatments. How can you choose the correct treatment when there are so many options?

Download the mp3.

**Show 1399: Why Are Patients Using Magic Mushrooms for Cluster Headaches?** Sep 13, 2024
This week, we talk with a sociologist and a neurologist about the extremely painful condition known as cluster headaches. The sociologist has studied how patients have sought out relief that the medical profession could not provide. They found it in magic mushrooms and shared the details among patient groups termed ClusterBusters. The neurologist has studied the use of psilocybin to alleviate cluster headaches.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 16, 2024.

The Agony of Cluster Headaches:

Cluster headaches could well be termed the headaches from hell. Although they are less common than migraine headaches–which are terrible enough–people find the pain worse. In fact, people who have had gunshot wounds or kidney stones say their cluster headaches surpass those kinds of pain. The head pain is often a burning or stabbing pain centered on one eye.

Unlike migraines, they don’t usually last very long, but they do recur. They may happen at the same time each day, or they may occur on a regular schedule. Anticipating the pain really impairs the quality of a person’s life. People have taken extreme measures to try to escape cluster headaches.

Treating Cluster Headaches:

Doctors do have some treatments for cluster headaches, but they aren’t always effective. Part of that has to do with the head pain itself, which may be recalcitrant. In addition, doctors don’t always know exactly how to apply therapies that have been shown to be effective, such as high-flow oxygen. However, oxygen, even when applied properly, stops cluster headaches but does not prevent them.

Other therapies that show promise for treating cluster headaches include galcanezumab (Emgality), a medication that FDA approved for preventing migraines. In addition, vagus nerve stimulation can stop some cluster headaches.

Studying Magic Mushrooms for Cluster Headaches:

Cluster headaches are exceptionally difficult to study because they are sporadic and relatively short-lasting in many cases. Although some people have headache cycles that are very regular, everyone’s recurrence is different. That level of unpredictability is a nightmare for clinical trial investigators. Moreover, doctors and patients alike would like a way to prevent cluster headaches, as that would be the best approach to managing them well. That is where magic mushrooms come in.

Patients Using Magic Mushrooms:

Patient groups were meeting online to provide each other support and information about how to deal with cluster headaches. Then one person reported on his personal experimentation with magic mushrooms and how well they worked to prevent his cluster headaches. Although it took nearly a year to catch on, eventually other patients followed his lead and found that low doses hallucinogenic mushrooms do indeed help prevent the headaches. Scientists such as our guest, Dr. Schindler, are now studying psilocybin for this purpose. It should not be taken by people with cardiovascular problems such as unstable blood pressure or a history of heart attack or stroke. Likewise, anyone with a history of psychosis should not take psilocybin or the magic mushrooms it comes from.

This Week’s Guests:

Joanna Kempner, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers University, is an award-winning sociologist of science, medicine, technology, and inequality, and the author of *Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine* and *Not Tonight: Migraine and the Politics of Gender and Health*. Her website is https://www.joannakempner.com/

Joanna Kempner, PhD, Rutgers author of Psychedelic Outlaws

Emmanuelle Schindler, MD, PhD, is a board-certified neurologist and headache medicine specialist. She is Medical Director of the Headache Center of Excellence at Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine. Among her efforts to optimize the management of headache disorders, she has executed the first controlled trials of psilocybin in headache disorders. She has published the results in *Headache* (Nov. 2022) and in the *Journal of the Neurological Sciences* (May 15, 2024).

Emanuelle Schindler, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the Headache Center of Excellence at Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 16, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 14. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free. This week, the podcast contains additional information about the timeline of psychedelic use over history and other uses for psilocybin such as depression of PTSD. We also discuss certain other types of headaches and possible treatments. How can you choose the correct treatment when there are so many options?

Download the mp3.

Show 1398: Protecting Children from the Perils of Plastic Sep 05, 2024

This week, we talk with the People’s Pharmacy Pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, about the incredible proliferation of plastic particles in our environment and our bodies. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies and brains are still developing. Find out about protecting children from plastic microparticles.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 9, 2024.

The Perils of Plastic:

We all appreciate the benefits of plastic. It is lightweight, economical (so long as you don’t consider disposal costs) and durable. No doubt that is why plastic has become ubiquitous in food packaging and countless other uses.

But what do we know about the perils of plastic? Several of the compounds used to make plastics are known endocrine disruptors. That is, they interfere with the way our hormones work. This is a particular concern for children exposed to plasticizers, as most are.

Chemicals are not the only way we are exposed to plastic, however. Recent research shows that microscopic particles of plastic have gotten into our bodies through the foods we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. They circulate through our bloodstream and have lodged in our organs. Researchers report that nanoplastics are found in arterial plaque, (New England Journal of Medicine, March 7, 2024) in our livers, kidneys, testicles (Toxicological Sciences, May 15, 2024), placentas and brains. While the full implications of nanoplastics in our bodies are still not clear, most evidence suggests they do not benefit health.

How Can Parents Prioritize Protecting Children?

Younger people appear to be more likely to have absorbed plastics into their bodies than older folks. Yet we worry that accumulating plastic nanoparticles could be especially harmful to children. Dr. Greene offers a number of practical recommendations to help parents protecting children from plastics. We discuss how to recognize and avoid ultraprocessed foods, as one common source. (Limiting ultraprocessed foods also has other health benefits for both adults and kids.) Storing and microwaving food is another point where we can make a difference. Dr. Greene also recommends pacifiers made of silicone rather than plastic. Toys that kids will chew should not be made of plastic.

Treating Children with Common Health Problems:

On a separate occasion, we asked Dr. Greene about how to treat some of the most common health problems children may experience. We offered him a hypothetical trip to a desert island in which he would be responsible for keeping a group of youngsters healthy. (Dr. Greene is especially well-equipped to meet this challenge.) What medications would he need?

Allergic Reactions:

Life-threatening allergic reactions happen unpredictably in children. To address them, you need epinephrine on hand, either Auvi-Q or EpiPen. In addition, an antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) could be useful.

Gastrointestinal Infections:

This is another common problem that can quickly become dangerous, as small children get dehydrated quickly. Dr. Greene would pack the anti-nausea drug ondansetron and an antibiotic that could work against a bacterial infection. The most important medicine for this problem might be oral rehydration solution. He also helped develop a treatment for diarrhea called DiaResQ. That too would go into his medicine kit for the desert island.

Finally, we discuss two other problems: bellyaches, often caused by constipation, and poison oak, poison ivy or poison sumac. An over-the-counter product called Zanafel is extremely effective for washing away urushiol and getting to the cause of a poison ivy rash.

This Week’s Guest:

Alan Greene, MD, is a pediatrician in private practice, committed to giving extraordinary care to his patients. In 1995, he launched DrGreene.com, cited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Website.” In 2022 he launched DrGreene.ai which provides answers to health questions for over half the world’s population in their native language. Dr. Greene is the founder of La Conexión and the founding president of the Society for Participatory Medicine. He is the author of Feeding Baby Green, Raising Baby Green, and From First Kicks to First Steps. He published his first children’s book, Flower Moon, in 2023.

Alan Greene MD

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 9, 2024, after broadcast on Sept. 7. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Get the mp3.

Show 1372: Breaking the Cycle of Food Cravings (Archive) Aug 28, 2024

This week, our guest is renowned addiction psychiatrist Jud Brewer. He teaches at Brown University in both the School of Public Health and the Medical School, and he has developed programs that utilize mindfulness to help us figure out why we overeat, get hooked on social media or drink too much. His approach has helped countless people break their own bad habits, whether it’s smoking or giving in to food cravings.

You may want to listen to this rebroadcast through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on September 2, 2024.

The Siren Song of M&Ms:

Have you ever come to the bottom of a bag of potato chips and wondered where they all went? How could they have disappeared so quickly? After all, you weren’t actually inhaling them.

Or perhaps the empty bag in your hand once held M&Ms. Plenty of foods have been carefully designed to hit the bliss point–a nearly irresistible combination of sugar, salt and fat. As a result, we may frequently find ourselves munching on something when we aren’t even hungry. Instead, we are eating from habit.

How Habits Begin:

Habits are not unique to humans. Even sea slugs develop habits, because they save effort and require fewer decisions. The habit starts when the organism (that could be you) notices a cue or trigger. They then try a behavior to manage that trigger, and if the result is useful in some way, we can call it a reward. That’s how it works. However, you may have noticed that some habits are helpful and some (like the M&M munching habit) are less beneficial. Sometimes a habit may start off as helpful but get applied more widely so that it is now more of a hindrance.

The Cycle of Food Cravings:

Dr. Jud Brewer points out that we have to eat in order to survive. So if we are feeling anxious because we are hungry, and we find some M&Ms and eat them, the reward is that we no longer feel hungry. The danger is that we begin to associate M&M eating behavior with alleviating an anxious feeling. That’s one way food cravings can get started and set us on a path of eating even though we are not hungry. Unless we pay attention, we may even forget exactly how we feel when we are hungry.

Willpower as a Myth:

Lots of us have heard that all you need to deal with food cravings is willpower. Many people believe that, but it turns out willpower doesn’t really work. Moreover, if we give in to food cravings (because willpower doesn’t work, but we expect that it should), we may end up blaming ourselves and beating ourselves up emotionally. Feelings of shame and guilt often lead us right back to feeling bad about ourselves, which might be the trigger for food cravings and overeating behavior. You can see how easily this could set up a vicious cycle that might be tough to stop. To help us start to break these habit loops, Dr. Brewer recommends self-kindness or self-compassion instead of self-judgment.

Re-Establishing our Reward Hierarchy and Demoting Food Cravings:

One way of breaking our habit loops is to find a bigger, better reward. To do this, it helps to practice mindfulness, paying attention to how we feel as we consume whatever food-like substance has us in its grip. Slowing down, we might be able to determine if the first and second spoonfuls of ice cream make us feel good, but by the fifth spoonful the enchantment is gone. Or we might realize that after we eat a bowl of nachos, the heartburn was not worth the momentary pleasure. What behavior can we substitute that will offer a better and more lasting reward?

Accepting the Craving Monster:

Another step in breaking the cycle of food cravings is to accept the craving monster. Acknowledge the craving (I feel like eating mint chocolate chip ice cream) and explore what it feels like. Get curious about it. Cravings come and go, and if we can learn to investigate them as phenomena, we don’t have to act on them. Curiosity and kindness can help us step out of the cycle.

This Week’s Guest:

Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, is an internationally renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is a professor in the School of Public Health and Medical School at Brown University. His 2016 TED Talk, “A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit,” has been viewed more than 19 million times. He has trained Olympic athletes and coaches, government ministers, and business leaders. Dr. Brewer is the author of The Craving Mind: from cigarettes to smartphones to love, why we get hooked and how we can break bad habits, the New York Times best-seller, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind, and his latest book is The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We’re Not Hungry and How to Stop.

You can find more information on the Eat Right Now app that Dr. Brewer developed at https://goeatrightnow.com or in the app store.

Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, Brown University

Listen to the Podcast:

The podcast of this program will be available Monday, September 2, 2024, after broadcast on Aug. 31. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.

Download the mp3.

Show 1397: The Surprising Secrets of Sunlight’s Health Benefits Aug 22, 2024

This week, our guest is a dermatologist who wants us to consider sunlight’s health benefits. That is a minority opinion among dermatologists. Dr. Richard Weller tells us why vitamin D is overrated and not the most important aspect of sun exposure. You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream […]

Show 1396: Home Remedies That Work Aug 15, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your calls about your favorite home remedies. Which ones really work to solve common health problems? You can share your experience at 888-472-3366 between 7 and 8 am EDT. We also invite you to send your comments in beforehand to radio@peoplespharmacy.com. You could listen through your local public […]

Show 1395: Gut Check–How Digestive Health Influences Everything Aug 08, 2024

This week, we talk with integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan about why our digestive health is so important. Of course, our digestion provides us with the nutrients that power our bodies, including our muscles, hearts and brains. There is also crucial two-way communication between the gut and the brain. You could listen through your local public […]

Show 1394: Viruses, Vaccines and Alzheimer Disease Aug 01, 2024

This week, we explore the role viruses may play in the development of dementia. That certainly sounds like a downer, but here is the brighter side: vaccines can significantly lower the risk! Joe and Terry talk to two leading researchers about their findings and the implications of antivirals or vaccines and Alzheimer Disease. You could […]

Show 1393: How to Get the Sleep You Need Jul 25, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry talk with sleep expert and medical communicator par excellence, Dr. Roger Seheult. With his certification in sleep medicine, he will tell you why you need to get enough sleep along with how much is enough. If you find you have trouble sleeping, what can you do about it? Dr. Seheult […]

Show 1392: Grappling with the Mysteries of Long COVID Jul 17, 2024

Our interviews this week focus on what is known and what is still being discovered about the mysteries of long COVID. We speak with a physician heading the long COVID Care Center at Yale University and with a microbiologist heading up a multidisciplinary research initiative. You could listen through your local public radio station or […]

Show 1391: Key Steps for Healthy Feet Jul 11, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions about keeping your feet healthy. Dr. Jane Andersen is a foot and ankle specialist who will take your calls about a range of podiatric problems. Have you had trouble with plantar fasciitis? You can ask your questions about foot health and share your experience at 888-472-3366 […]

Show 1374: Marvelous Medicinal Mushrooms (Archive) Jul 04, 2024

This week, we talk with 4th-generation herbalist, research scientist and mycologist, Dr. Christopher Hobbs. He extolls the benefits of mushrooms not only as nutritious foods, but also as important components of natural medicine. What should you know about marvelous medicinal mushrooms? You may want to listen through your local public radio station or get the […]

Show 1390: How Insurance Company Rejections Impact Medical Care Jun 27, 2024

If you need surgery, medication or some other medical intervention, you count on your health insurance company to pay the bill. When the treatment is unusual or the expected cost is especially high, it seems reasonable to ask for prior approval. Increasingly, though, insurance companies are denying those requests and not paying the claims. How […]

Show 1354: How Hypnosis Can Help Your Health (Archive) Jun 19, 2024

Would you be surprised to learn that hypnosis is a powerful tool for healing? If your primary exposure to this practice has been in books and movies, you may have a few misconceptions about how it works and what it can do. Some people imagine that when you are hypnotized, you lose control. Instead, it […]

Show 1389: Getting Off the Medication Treadmill Jun 13, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions and stories about difficulties in stopping medicines, whether prescription or OTC. Dr. Richard Friedman, an expert on drugs to treat anxiety and mood disorders, describes the symptoms of discontinuing such an agent too suddenly. Have you had trouble getting off the medication treadmill? You can ask […]

Show 1388: Dreams That Help People Find Hope and Meaning at Life’s End Jun 06, 2024

Our culture tends to avoid thinking about death. Even though we know it is inevitable, we tend to act as though it doesn’t actually pertain to us. As a result, most of us have spent little time learning how people find hope and meaning at life’s end. The intense dreams and visions that dying people […]

Show 1387: The Patient-Led Revolution in Health Care May 29, 2024

For years, the reigning paradigm in health care has been “Doctor knows best.” Providers rarely sought input from patients about their needs or experience. That picture has been changing, though, as more people have been using online tools to band together and find solutions for themselves and their loved ones. Susannah Fox describes the patient-led […]

Show 1386: Why Survival Depends on Natural Balance May 24, 2024

The term “homeostasis” was coined about a hundred years ago. What does it mean? Essentially, it is a way of describing how various systems in the body work together to maintain internal equilibrium even in the face of a changing environment. This concept is crucial to good health, as healers have known intuitively for millennia. […]

Show 1385: The Dangers of Overdosing on OTC Meds May 16, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions and stories about the dangers of overdosing on OTC meds. Dr. Lisa Sanders, an acknowledged expert on medical diagnosis, starts us off with a story about a patient’s mysterious illness. How was it linked to the medicine he was taking? You can ask your questions about […]

Show 1315: Are We Medicating Normal Emotions? (Archive) May 09, 2024

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we examine the consequences of prescriptions for anxiety or grief. All of us, at some point in our lives, will experience some of these emotions. If we discuss them with a healthcare provider, there’s a chance we’ll end up with a prescription. When are medications helpful and […]

Show 1384: Mending Mistrust–Can We Rebuild Faith in Medicine? May 03, 2024

. Decades ago, people trusted their doctors and assumed that physicians always had the patient’s best interests in mind. That belief has faded and trust in medicine seems to be in tatters following the divisive battles of the pandemic. In this episode, we consider how doctors might rebuild faith in medicine. You may want to […]

Show 1383: How to Calm Your Mind with Food Apr 25, 2024

Plenty of issues in the public eye could well make anyone anxious. Some people suffer more than others, however. What we feed our gut microbes–and ourselves–can make a big difference. In this episode, a nutritional psychiatrist and professional chef explains how to calm your mind with smart food choices. You may want to listen through […]

Show 1250: Antimicrobial Resistant Infections Could Be the Next Pandemic Apr 24, 2024

Everyone is weary of the coronavirus pandemic and ready to be done with it. So the news that a new pandemic is already slowly unfolding is unwelcome. But unless we pay attention and do what we can to reverse the growing trend of antimicrobial resistant infections, they could end up causing even more death and […]

Show 1382: What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer Apr 18, 2024

What do you want to know about prostate cancer? This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your questions about the latest screening tools and treatments for prostate cancer. Almost 300,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, but stigma keeps many from discussing it. As a result, they may not learn about the latest […]

Show 1381: How to Eat Less Plastic Apr 10, 2024

Chemists use compounds such as bisphenols and phthalates to help make plastic packaging strong and durable. In this episode, two experts describe how these chemicals get into our food and how we can minimize our exposure. They share their advice on how to eat less plastic. You may want to listen through your local public […]

Show 1380: Avoiding Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases Apr 04, 2024

In this episode, two experts draw on the latest research about avoiding Lyme disease and other infections that may be transmitted through tick bites. Why are these conditions so difficult to diagnose? Most importantly, how can people with lingering symptoms from Lyme get help and start to feel better? We consider both conventional and alternative […]

Show 1350: Why Psychotherapy Matters: Lessons from a Harvard Zen Master and Psychiatrist (Archive) Mar 29, 2024

If you tell your healthcare provider that you’re feeling anxious or depressed, chances are they will prescribe you a medication. Millions of people take anti-anxiety pills or antidepressants, and many find that the medicine makes life more bearable. But can you understand what makes your life meaningful? For that, you might need to tell your […]

Show 1379: The Healing Power of Pets Mar 21, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon welcome your stories and questions about living with animals. Does a cat purring on your lap help you calm down after a hectic day? Has walking the dog become a part of your exercise routine? Tell us about your pets at 888-472-3366 between 7 and 8 am EST. Or […]

Show 1378: Rediscovering the Power of Medicinal Herbs Mar 15, 2024

This week, two guests describe their work with the healing power of medicinal herbs. They draw upon family histories of herbalism along with their own studies of how to use botanical medicines. You may want to listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer […]

Show 1377: Tell Me When It’s Over! Mar 08, 2024

This week, we talk with Dr. Paul Offit, author of the new book, Tell Me When It’s Over. Most of us are more than ready to move on from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll discuss how public health officials could regain our trust. In addition, we consider what lessons we should take away from this experience. […]

Show 1376: How Well Does the FDA Monitor Drug Quality? Feb 28, 2024

This week, our guests examine the quality of medications. Does importing a majority of our medicines from plants in places like India or China compromise our national security? Just how well does the FDA monitor drug quality? You may want to listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 […]

Show 1375: The Science Supporting Home Remedies Feb 22, 2024

This week, Joe and Terry Graedon entertain your questions and stories about home remedies. What do you do for leg cramps or heartburn? Call in your favorites at 888-472-3366 between 7 and 8 am EST, or send us an email beforehand: radio@peoplespharmacy.com. We’ll explore whether there is science supporting home remedies. You could listen through […]

Show 1373: Malady of the Mind Feb 07, 2024

This week, our guest is one of the country’s leading experts on schizophrenia, Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman. He teaches at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, part of Columbia University, where he studies the treatment of mental illness. His research led to the therapeutic strategy of early detection and intervention for a malady of the […]

Show 1371: America’s Pharmacist Compares Natural Healing and Pharmaceuticals Jan 25, 2024

This week, we talk with America’s Pharmacist, Suzy Cohen, about the effectiveness of medications and natural healing. Suzy has a multimedia presence in newspapers and on television. Millions of people trust her advice on over-the-counter and prescription medicines. She is also a strong advocate for natural approaches. You may want to listen through your local […]

Show 1370: Winterizing Your Skin and Hair Jan 18, 2024

This week, dermatologist Chris Adigun joins us live in the studio to answer your questions about how to treat your skin and hair when the weather gets cold. Cold wind, low humidity and forced hot air indoors can all conspire to dry out your skin. Call in your questions about winterizing your skin at 888-472-3366 […]

Show 1369: What to Do If You Catch the Flu Jan 11, 2024

This week, we hear from pulmonologist Roger Seheult, MD, about ways we can strengthen our immune responses to respiratory infections. Seasonal influenza activity is high and still rising in most parts of the country. In addition, wastewater surveillance shows that COVID-19 cases are widespread and surging. Cold viruses are also circulating. Find out what strategies […]

Show 1368: Why Overcoming Loneliness Is Crucial for Your Health Jan 04, 2024

In this week’s interview, Dr. Robert Waldinger of Harvard University explains why overcoming loneliness is essential for our health. His research, summarized in The Good Life, shows that close relationships are crucial for a satisfying life. In addition, the Surgeon General has issued a comprehensive report on the epidemic of loneliness and its effects on […]

Show 1345: Secrets to Living a Long Healthy Life (Archive) Dec 28, 2023

Too many of us assume that aging automatically brings debility and cognitive decline. So it is a pleasure to talk with a centenarian who is ready to share the secrets to living a long healthy life. Secrets to Living a Long Healthy Life: Dr. Gladys McGarey is 102 years old. She spent her childhood in […]

Show 1324: The Hidden Epidemic of Eating Disorders (Archive) Dec 21, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, you’ll hear an internationally recognized expert on overcoming eating disorders. There are several different types of eating disorders, and they are far more common than most people realize. With so much emotion surrounding food and body image, you might have a hard time understanding how to help […]

Show 1367: How to Evaluate Prescription Drugs Dec 15, 2023

In this week’s interview, Dr. Aaron Carroll of Indiana University discusses what we should take into account when we evaluate prescription drugs. How can we tell if the benefits would outweigh the risks for us? You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 […]

Show 1366: How a Pharmacist Helps Doctors with Deprescribing Dec 08, 2023

In this week’s interview, a board-certified geriatric pharmacist explains why taking an older person off a medication might be just as important as putting them on one. In fact, since prescriptions tend to accumulate over time, the delicate art of deprescribing is even more essential. This pharmacist helps physicians determine how to reduce the number […]

Show 1365: Revealing the Secrets of Sudden Cardiac Death Dec 01, 2023

This week’s interview is on an underappreciated killer, sudden cardiac death. This is not the same thing as a heart attack. Our guest, Dr. Zian Tseng, has been studying cardiac arrest for years to learn why it happens and what to do about it. You may want to listen to it through your local public […]

Show 1364: Staying Sharp Through Better Hearing Nov 23, 2023

This week’s interviews focus on the benefits of better hearing. Dr. Frank Lin describes the results of the ACHIEVE study, in which some participants got a very significant delay in the onset of cognitive decline if they were provided with needed hearing aids. We also talk with a reporter about recently introduced over-the-counter devices. You […]

Show 1322: Herbs for Healing and Optimal Wellness (Archive) Nov 16, 2023

In this episode of our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with two physicians who have looked closely at the research on using herbs for healing. Sometimes, people dismiss the medicines we can find in plants as old wives’ tales or silly home remedies. Increasingly, however, scientists are confirming that certain herbs can be very […]

Show 1363: Defeating Seasonal Affective Disorder Nov 09, 2023

This week, we interview the doctor who first identified seasonal affective disorder (back in 1984!) and went on to develop treatments. You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so […]

Show 1362: Lowdown on New Medicines for Treating Obesity –Part 2 Nov 02, 2023

This week’s radio show is the second of a two-part series on new medicines for treating obesity. This episode features Dr. Robert Lustig, neuroendocrinologist and anti-obesity crusader. He discusses the uses and disadvantages of drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). In addition, he offers a completely different way to combat obesity. You […]

Show 1361: The Lowdown on New Medicines for Treating Obesity Oct 26, 2023

This week’s radio show is the first of a two-part series on new medicines for treating obesity. This episode features obesity expert Dr. Jamy Ard. He’ll describe how he uses drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). What are the pros and cons of these medications, and what other approaches are available? You […]

Show 1360: The Pros & Perils of OTC Drugs Oct 20, 2023

In this broadcast, we answer listeners’ questions about over-the-counter drugs. If you have bought a medicine without a prescription, how do you use it wisely? Dr. Stefanie Ferreri, Distinguished Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is standing by, along with Joe and Terry, to answer your questions about the pros […]

Show 1359: Is the Food on Your Plate Real or Fake? Oct 12, 2023

This week’s radio show features two of the country’s leading nutritional epidemiologists, Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard and Dr. Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina. They discuss some of the challenges with the food on our grocery shelves and advise us on how to tell if the food we choose is real or […]

Show 1358: Upsides and Downsides of Immune-Modifying Drugs Oct 06, 2023

This week’s radio show features one of our favorite guests, Dr. Robynne Chutkan. She is a gastroenterologist in Washington, DC and is a brilliant communicator. You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here […]

Show 1323: Practicing Compassion as a Wonder Drug (Archive) Sep 27, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with one of the authors of Wonder Drug: 7 scientifically proven ways that serving others is the best medicine for yourself. A self-proclaimed data nerd, Dr. Steve Trzeciak and his coauthor were charged with improving performance and patient satisfaction for a large hospital. The consultants […]

Show 1357: Revisiting Ventilation to Avoid Airborne Germs Sep 22, 2023

According to the CDC, cases of COVID-19 have been rising in several parts of the country. Cases of hospitalization for COVID are also up. One way to protect ourselves from airborne germs like the SARS-CoV-2 virus is through better ventilation and air filtration. How well are we using these techniques? Maximizing Ventilation to Avoid Airborne […]

Show 1356: Looking Through the Windows to the Brain Sep 14, 2023

Since at least the 16th century, people have suggested that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In the 21st century, ophthalmologists have developed technology that allows them to assess our health beyond our eyes. What do they see when they look through these windows to the brain? Eyes as the Windows to the […]

Show 1355: Uncovering the Shocking Dangers of Misdiagnosis Sep 08, 2023

When you develop a health problem with symptoms that trouble you, the first step is to find out what it is. Diagnosis may be the most basic task a doctor or other healthcare provider undertakes. That doesn’t mean it is easy, though. New research is uncovering the shocking dangers of misdiagnosis. The Dangers of Misdiagnosis […]

Show 1353: Cutting Edge Cardiology from a Top Heart Doctor Aug 24, 2023

When you think of preventing heart disease, what comes to mind? We hope you envision regular exercise and a healthful diet (whatever that means to you). Perhaps you also plan for regular checkups and know what your cholesterol levels are. If they have been high, you may be taking a statin cholesterol-lowering drug to get […]

Show 1352: Home Tests, Tech and Tools to Improve Your Health Aug 17, 2023

Only a few decades ago, most households had very limited ways of measuring their members’ health. There were thermometers to tell if someone had a fever. A bathroom scale could tell if you were losing or gaining weight. For quite a while, if you wanted to know about your blood sugar or your blood pressure, […]

Show 1351: Are You Risking Your Life Trusting Mail Order Medicines? Aug 10, 2023

Have you ever taken a package out of your mailbox on a hot day and noticed that it was warm to the touch? If the pouch contained a tee shirt or a pair of sneakers, you probably didn’t think much more of it. But millions of people get their medications by mail, and some medicines […]

Show 1349: Solutions to Summer Skin Problems Jul 27, 2023

No question about it, sunshine and heat can be stressful for your skin. This episode is all about solutions to summer skin problems. Sunscreens offer the promise of protection from sunburn, but are they as good as we think they are? Does sunscreen block vitamin D formation? Find out which sunscreen ingredients work best and […]

Show 1348: How Heat Challenges Human Health Jul 20, 2023

It’s way too hot, not just in the United States, but in other parts of the world as well. The temperature in Rome this week was 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It is anticipated that the islands of Sicily and Sardinia could reach as high as 118. Temperatures were also dangerously high in Athens, leading authorities there […]

Show 1347: How to Combat Adrenal Fatigue Jul 14, 2023

You are probably familiar with adrenaline, the hormone that jolts through your body in an emergency. As a result, your heart beats faster and harder, your hands shake, your pupils dilate and your muscles are mobilized for fast action. This is extremely useful in a crisis. But what if your body goes into crisis mode […]

Show 1295: How Delicious Flavors Shape Human Behavior (Archive) Jul 06, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, our topic is evolution and the role of delicious flavors. We talk with Dr. Rob Dunn, ecologist and evolutionary biologist, about how the search for food with delicious flavors as well as high nutrient content might have shaped our behavior as we evolved. How Humans Define Delicious […]

Show 1346: The Roots of the Herbal Industry Jun 29, 2023

Until 1994, when Congress passed legislation on dietary supplements, most people using herbal medicine made it themselves or got it from a friend or family member with a green thumb. Before that time, most stores selling herbs in tinctures, capsules and tea bags were small, and so were the companies supplying them. Now, though, the […]

Show 1344: Managing Meat Allergy and Other Tick-Borne Diseases Jun 16, 2023

If you are like us, you welcome the first warm days of the season with joy. And then you start to fret. How can you avoid tick bites? Many people recognize Lyme disease as a serious health threat from deer tick bites. However, fewer are aware that a bite from a completely different tick, the […]

Show 1343: Hidden Harms of Herb and Drug Interactions Jun 09, 2023

Millions of Americans take dietary supplements, and most of us assume that they are safe. While that is probably a reasonable rule of thumb, there are some situations that require more vigilance. In particular, we need to beware of herb and drug interactions. Even your doctor may not know about the hidden harms. How Risky […]

Show 1342: Balancing Your Movement Diet for Good Health Jun 01, 2023

Physical activity is a key pillar of good health. Fewer than a fourth of American adults move their bodies enough to keep them healthy. The rest of us may spend too much time sitting in front of a computer or television screen. We recognize we need more exercise. But just as we wouldn’t try to […]

Show 1274: Can We Make Sick Buildings Healthy? (Archive) May 26, 2023

Are you getting enough fresh air? More than a century ago, Florence Nightingale insisted that hospitals needed good ventilation to get lots of fresh air. That would keep patients from spreading dangerous respiratory infections like tuberculosis. Although she didn’t use the term, she was describing the concept of sick buildings. Over the last year and […]

Show 1326: Think Different About Alzheimer Disease May 25, 2023

For decades researchers have told us that beta amyloid accumulation in the brain causes Alzheimer disease (AD). The FDA has recently approved two new drugs, Aduhelm and Leqembi, based on this theory. There is a third drug, donanemab, waiting on the runway. All three medications are very good at removing amyloid plaque from the brain, […]

Show 1341: Lessons Learned from Long Illness May 19, 2023

You may not have thought much about long illness, but chances are you know someone who is suffering with one. The CDC estimates that some chronic condition afflicts as many as one in six American adults. That could be more than 130 million people. What counts as a long illness? Now, as experts declare that […]

Show 1320: The Fascinating World of Tiny Animals Living on Us (Archive) May 11, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the ecology of our bodies, especially our skin. Our faces, our armpits and even our bellybuttons harbor a multitude of tiny animals that we don’t see most of the time. What are they doing on us? The Fascinating World of the Tiny Animals Living on […]

Show 1340: Were the Old Wives Right? May 04, 2023

This week’s episode begins with an interview. We talk with Dr. Craig Hopp of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health about why doctors so often dismiss home remedies as old wives tales. Then he describes how we could evaluate remedies without randomized controlled trials. Natural products may offer leads for new drug development. […]

Show 1339: Harnessing the Power of the Vagus Nerve Apr 27, 2023

We have multiple nervous systems. You are probably aware of the nerves that help move your arms to throw a ball or move your legs to jump. No doubt you also know about the fight-or-flight response triggered by a fright. The oddly named sympathetic nervous system is in charge of that. Many of us don’t […]

Show 1181: How to Keep Your Hair from Falling Out Apr 24, 2023

Do you love your hair the way it is? Many of us wish our hair were different–curlier, straighter, darker or lighter. But what people worry about most with their hair is when they lose it. Can you keep your hair from falling out? Why does hair loss affect some people, including women as well as […]

Show 1338: What 80+ Years of Research Tell Us About Happiness Apr 20, 2023

Have you ever wondered what makes for a meaningful life? Philosophers have debated this for centuries, but now science has something to add. The current director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development shares the findings from this long-running, in-depth research on the factors that lead to happiness and a meaningful life. 80+ Years of […]

Show 1337: Pros and Cons of LASIK Eye Surgery Apr 13, 2023

In this episode, four guests share their diverse perspectives on LASIK eye surgery. This procedure surgically changes the shape of the cornea with the goal of helping people see better, ideally without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Experts estimate that ophthalmologists perform about 700,000 of these in the US each year. We are told that most […]

Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial (Archive) Apr 06, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the power of cocoa compounds to help heart health. Our first guest is Harvard’s Dr. JoAnn Manson, lead investigator of the COSMOS trial. That stands for Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study. This very large, randomized placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of a multivitamin […]

Show 1336: How the Antiviral Gut Tackles Pathogens from the Inside Out Mar 30, 2023

This week our guest is gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan. She explains how keeping our digestive microbiota in good health can help our immune systems fight off pathogens from the inside out. This show will air Saturday morning April 1, 2023 at 7:00 am. You can stream the live show by going to our host station, WUNC […]

Show 1335: Visual Thinking and the Value of Neurodiversity Mar 24, 2023

This week, we talk with renowned author Temple Grandin. She reveals why she thinks visual thinking is underappreciated. Most importantly, she describes how we could change our educational system to better utilize a wide range of mental skills. Practical Applications of Visual Thinking: Most of us are not aware of how our brains work. Often, […]

Show 1334: Healthy Eating for Two Mar 17, 2023

In this week’s episode, learn about healthy eating for two. Most people realize that diet is especially important during pregnancy, but they may not know which foods are most nutritious. Researchers report that following a Mediterranean diet and practicing mindfulness around meals can both have health benefits during pregnancy. Mediterranean Diet for Those Eating for […]

Show 1292: Natural Ways to Treat Heartburn (Archive) Mar 08, 2023

Whether we call it indigestion, reflux, sour stomach or heartburn, this condition is painful. When acid from the stomach splashes up into the lower esophagus, it burns. Even though heartburn doesn’t actually have anything to do with the heart, the name makes sense. The pain is generally behind the sternum, in the center of the […]

Show 1333: Overcoming Insomnia Without Medication Mar 02, 2023

In this week’s episode, sleep expert Dr. Jade Wu will join us in the studio to answer your questions about overcoming insomnia without medication. Email us [radio@PeoplesPharmacy.com] or call 888-472-3366 between 7:10 and 8:00 am EST on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Why Does Sleep Matter? Adequate sleep is a critical pillar of good health. During […]

Show 1332: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Weight Loss Feb 24, 2023

In this week’s episode, find out what everyone gets wrong about weight loss. Why don’t diet and exercise work very well? Do official guidelines and weight loss drugs offer a clearer path to success? Health Consequences of Excess Weight: With nearly three-fourths of American adults either overweight or obese, we can’t ignore the problem any […]

Show 1331: Staying Healthy During and After COVID Feb 17, 2023

In this week’s episode, we explore a range of practical approaches to staying healthy even in the midst of an epidemic or pandemic like COVID. Our guest offers evidence-based advice on what lifestyle changes can make a difference. Practical Strategies for Staying Healthy: Dr. Roger Seheult was already scouring the medical literature even before COVID-19. […]

Show 1330: Rethinking Hypothyroidism Feb 10, 2023

In this week’s episode, our guest explains why treating hypothyroidism isn’t always as simple as it seems. He is a leading researcher on questions relating to thyroid hormones. What Is Hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, is one of the most common hormonal disorders. It was first […]

Show 1329: Dealing with Dangerous Food Allergies Feb 03, 2023

In this week’s episode, food allergy expert Dr. Edwin Kim will join us in the studio to answer your questions about dangerous food allergies in real time. Email us [radio@PeoplesPharmacy.com] or call 888-472-3366 between 7:10 and 8:00 am EST on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Dealing with Dangerous Food Allergies: Dangerous food allergies have been increasing […]

Show 1328: Teaching Old Drugs New Tricks Jan 27, 2023

Our interview this week is all about repurposing medications. Hundreds of rare diseases don’t have effective treatments. Even some common conditions lack approved therapies. The research to develop new medications to manage or cure them is costly and time-consuming. Is there a way to teach old drugs new tricks? That could allow us to repurpose […]

Show 1327: What Have We Learned About Long COVID? Jan 19, 2023

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, it seemed there were only two outcomes from an infection. Either you died (as far too many people did) or you survived and moved on. Now, physicians, researchers and a growing number of patients are coming to grips with symptoms that persist months or possibly years after the initial infection. […]

Show 1325: Recognizing the Ravages of Silent Inflammation Jan 06, 2023

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, our guest describes the causes and consequences of silent inflammation. Usually, inflammation (redness, swelling, heat, pain) is a tool the immune system uses to fight infection. But what happens when it gets out of control? The Dangers of Silent Inflammation: A number of factors might help explain […]

Show 1262: How to Manage Your Anxiety (Archive) Dec 30, 2022

More than two years of living through a pandemic has really increased anxiety for a lot of people. If we define anxiety as worry or unease about an imminent event with an uncertain outcome, it’s easy to see why. However, it really isn’t healthy to feel anxious all the time, even when outcomes are uncertain. […]

Show 1212: Should You Worry About Forever Chemicals? Dec 29, 2022

Virtually everyone in the US has been exposed to PFAS chemicals. That stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances found in fire-fighting foam, nonstick coatings, food packaging and waterproofing or stain resistant chemicals used on clothing, furniture and carpets. Pesticides are also an important source. These are also referred to as “forever chemicals” because they persist […]

Show 1284: The Book of Hope–A Survival Guide for Trying Times (Archive) Dec 22, 2022

Jane Goodall is an eminent naturalist who spent years studying chimpanzees in their natural habitat. It was she who first reported that we humans are not the only primates to make and use tools. She transformed our understanding of these animals. Now she is an elder stateswoman speaking out for action to help reverse climate […]

Show 1298: The Health Benefits of Tart Cherries (Archive) Dec 08, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, we talk with two scientists who have been studying how eating cherries affects our physiology. Both are experts in sports medicine who have done some intriguing research that may convince you to include tart cherries in your diet. Tart Cherries for Precovery: First we speak with Dr. […]

Show 1279: Challenging Dietary Dogma on Weight Gain (Archive) Nov 17, 2022

We hear a lot about the obesity epidemic in the United States and around the world. Scientists acknowledge that this has occurred too rapidly to be explained by changes in genetics. Instead, nutrition scientists often turn to the energy balance model: people eating more calories than they expend. However, this dietary dogma on weight gain […]

Show 1290: Approaches for Managing Chronic Pain (Archive) Nov 09, 2022

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 50 million American suffer from debilitating chronic pain. Despite that number, in 2016 the agency issued stringent guidelines limiting opioid prescriptions to a bare minimum. Such drugs are often the first line for treating pain. Unfortunately, although this was an effort to reduce drug overdose […]

Show 1321: Rebalancing Our Microbiome Through Personalized Nutrition and Viruses Nov 04, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we consider how to maintain a healthy balance in our gut microbiome. Each of us carries a vast collection of microbes in our digestive tracts. Although we usually think first of bacteria, there’s also an enormous number of viruses that feed on the bacteria. Could these bacteriophages, […]

Show 1319: How to Have Healthy Hair and Nails Oct 21, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week we’ll be taking your questions live. We have invited two distinguished dermatologists to discuss problems affecting the hair and nails and tell you how to have healthy hair and nails. Green Nail Syndrome: For years, listeners have been calling in questions about nail fungus that makes toenails […]

Show 1318: Challenging Dogma About Alzheimer Disease and Depression Oct 13, 2022

Examining the Basis of Neuroscience Dogma: This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, our guests discuss the evidence supporting widely accepted ideas about Alzheimer disease and depression. Neuroscience dogma holds that Alzheimer disease results from the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. Moreover, nearly any psychiatrist, when asked, will tell you that SSRI […]

Show 1193: How a Doctor Faced Down His Rare Disease (Archive) Oct 06, 2022

This week, an exciting interview from our archive airs on Oct. 8, 2022. A healthy young medical student, David Fajgenbaum, had been a student athlete in college and maintained his extraordinary level of fitness through much of medical school. Because of his enthusiasm and athleticism, his friends called him The Beast. When he suddenly found […]

Show 1317: Psychedelic Compounds for Healing Sep 30, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we speak with scientists studying the potential of psychedelic compounds to help heal mental illness. Recreational use of drugs like LSD during the 1960s gave these compounds a bad reputation. As a result, funding disappeared, and research withered. Over the last decade or so, however, investigators have […]

Show 1316: Protecting Your Digestive Tract Sep 22, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated public radio show, we invite gastroenterologist Nicholas Shaheen into our studio to answer your questions about protecting your digestive tract. He is a nationally recognized expert in esophageal diseases and has helped write numerous treatment guidelines for gastrointestinal illnesses. Detecting Digestive Tract Tumors: Two of the most common cancers […]

Show 1303: The Mental Health Crisis Affecting American Teenagers Sep 21, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel. His latest series for The New York Times takes a long look at the mental health crisis affecting American teenagers. This is not a tale of COVID disruption, although COVID has made it worse. This is a story of […]

Show 1314: Better Air Quality Through Ventilation and Filtration Sep 08, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with one of the world’s leading experts on indoor air quality. If we had been paying more attention to air when the COVID-19 pandemic began, we might have saved millions of lives. Improving air quality is still critical to our health. Not only is SARS-CoV-2, […]

Show 1285: The Plant Hunter’s Quest for Nature’s Next Medicines (Archive) Sep 01, 2022

Cassandra Quave is an explorer and an ethnobotanist uncovering potential ways that plants can benefit human health. She has a particular interest in multi-antibiotic resistant infections. Not only do these pose a grave risk for people around the world; her professional interest is also personal. When she was three years old, she suffered a post-surgical […]

Show 1313: Avoiding Germs in Bathrooms and Bedrooms Aug 25, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we learn where the most germs are lurking in our homes and workplaces. Public toilets often make people nervous, but in fact, says Dr. Chuck Gerba, cafeterias and break rooms are much more likely to harbor dangerous pathogens. What will help us in avoiding germs? Hint–keep on […]

Show 1299: Is Evidence-Based Medicine an Illusion? Aug 22, 2022

Modern medicine looks back on many old treatments with a great deal of disdain. A classic example is the lobotomy. In the mid-twentieth century, lobotomy was employed to treat serious mental illness. One of the earliest developers of this procedure, Dr. Egas Moniz, received the Nobel Prize in 1949 for this approach to treating depression, […]

Show 1312: Fiber, Phytonutrients and Healthy Soil Aug 22, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we discuss the importance of fiber and phytonutrients in our food for keeping our intestinal microbes healthy. We’ll also find out why encouraging a varied and thriving microbiome in the soil is critical for producing healthy food crops. Fiber and Phytonutrients: Do you know what is the […]

Show 1311: Why We Should Fight Back Against Ageism Aug 11, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the impacts of negative attitudes toward aging and how to fight back against ageism. In the US, many people hold negative stereotypes about growing older. These beliefs can affect our health as we age. Why Are Negative Stereotypes About Aging So Destructive? Psychiatrist Robert Butler […]

Show 1310: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care Aug 05, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated public radio show, Dr. John Abramson describes the impact of Big Pharma on American health care. In the US, we spend more on healthcare than any other country (both overall and per capita). However, our health metrics are mostly mediocre. Compared to other wealthy countries, they are abysmal! Big […]

Show 1308: Saving Money on Prescription Medications Aug 01, 2022

On our nationally syndicated radio show we take questions from listeners about how to save money on prescription medications. As with nearly everything else, drug prices have been rising. First, we speak with health and medicine investigative reporter for Consumer Reports Lisa Gill about five ways to save on prescription drugs. How many of her […]

Show 1309: Coping With Dry Eyes and Tear Problems Jul 28, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, learn how to cope with tear problems. This is an extremely common eye disease, but that doesn’t mean it is trivial. An estimated 16 million adults in the US suffer with dry eyes, and suffer is the right verb for many of them. What Is Dry Eye […]

Show 1257: The Metabolical Results of the American Diet (Archive) Jul 21, 2022

Dr. Robert Lustig has been warning us all about the hazards of sugar since 2009, when his YouTube lecture “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” went viral. As a pediatric neuroendocrinologist, he spent much of his career treating the causes of obesity in children. Now, he turns his impressive expertise to helping adults as well as children. […]

Show 1271: New Approaches to Managing Depression (Archive) Jul 06, 2022

For many months now, people have been dealing with the pandemic, Which has brought both grief for the lives lost and anxiety about the threat of infection. At the same time, fires and floods have made it clear that climate change is not a fuzzy future concern, but an urgent issue. The economic impact of […]

Show 1306: The Best-Kept Secret in Heart Disease Jun 23, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week you’ll learn about a cardiac risk factor you may never have heard mentioned. Although scientists identified lipoprotein a as an important problem in the 1970s, your doctor may never have measured your level. We ask one of the country’s leading experts why Lp(a) has been overlooked for […]

Show 1305: When Will the COVID Pandemic Be Over? Jun 16, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, we talk with Dr. Aaron Carroll, who is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Chief Health Officer of Indiana University. Despite rising infection rates, many of the precautions common last summer are melting away. There are no mask mandates on […]

Show 1304: Fixing Your Foot Problems Jun 09, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, we have a guest live in the studio. Podiatrist Jane Andersen will be ready to answer your questions about foot problems and what you can do about them. Fixing Your Foot Problems: Has the pandemic been hard on your feet? Some foot doctors report seeing 20 to […]

Show 1227: What Do You Need to Know About Airborne Virus? (Archive) Jun 09, 2022

After more than two and a half years have we learned anything about how an airborne virus like SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted? Judging from the way people have been acting lately and the way public health authorities have been responding to the latest COVID-19 surges, the answer is not much! An article in JAMA (June 7, […]

Show 1302: Managing the Microbiome for Better Health May 26, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, we with an international expert about managing the microbiome. How does the microbiome interact with our immune system? Each of us has trillions of microbes living in our digestive tract. The exact number and type of species varies from one person to the next, so in essence […]

Show 1244: Life-Saving Lessons for COVID-19 from the Ebola Epidemic (Archive) May 19, 2022

We are heartbroken that Dr. Paul Farmer, with whom we spoke in this episode, died suddenly on Feb. 21, 2022. He was a true hero. Our condolences to his family and colleagues. We are airing this interview in memoriam. In 2014, an Ebola epidemic broke out in three countries of West Africa–Liberia, Guinea and Sierra […]

Show 1301: What Are Forever Chemicals Doing in Food Packaging? May 13, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, our guests discuss “forever chemicals” (PFAS) used in a wide range of products. How do they affect our health? What Are PFAS, or Forever Chemicals? Scientists refer to a large class of synthetic chemicals, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, as “forever chemicals.” A Dupont chemist created […]

Show 1300: How Vitamin D and Omega-3s Help Your Health May 05, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show this week, we consider the benefits of two dietary supplements against autoimmune diseases. Although health care providers are sometimes skeptical about the value of supplements, the VITAL trial represents gold-standard research. In fact, this large, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids each reduce […]

Show 1249: How Near Death Experiences Transform People’s Lives (Archive) Apr 14, 2022

For many years, possibly even centuries, some people who unexpectedly survived a life-threatening event have recounted amazing experiences. Between the time they appeared to die and when they revived, they often encountered places and beings unlike those of everyday life. What should we make of such near death experiences? Reports from the Operating Room: Occasionally, […]

Show 1235: Safer Sex in the Time of COVID (Archive) Apr 14, 2022

In the midst of a pandemic, many people feel isolated. When you are not even supposed to shake hands, much less hug or kiss, how can those who live alone meet their needs for sexual intimacy? Is it possible to date without running a high risk for COVID-19–or a sexually transmitted infection? How can people […]

Show 1297: How Chimps Treat Wounds Sheds Light on Home Remedies Apr 11, 2022

In our nationally syndicated radio show we are live this week for the first time in more than two years. First, we speak with biologist Simone Pika about her very interesting observations of chimpanzees treating wounds. Wild chimps at the Ozouga Chimpanzee Project in Gabon have been observed catching insects, mashing them between their lips […]

Show 1296: Why the War on Drugs Failed and How Harm Reduction Can Help Mar 31, 2022

Our nationally syndicated radio show this week (initial broadcast 4/2/22) offers interviews with two guests who have thought deeply about addiction. In the US, this is a serious public health problem. We have been fighting the war on drugs since the early 1970s. However, we haven’t seen much benefit from this effort. More people die […]

Show 1275: The Vicious Cycle of COVID and Diabetes Mar 24, 2022

There are at least two pandemics raging through the world at this time. The first is obesity. The second is, of course, COVID-19. Diabetes sits uncomfortably at their intersection. In a vicious cycle, diabetes makes COVID-19 infections more likely and more dangerous. Meanwhile, COVID-19 can trigger diabetes or make it worse. A new study in […]

Show 1294: New Treatments for Migraine Headaches Mar 17, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we learn about the most common neurological disease humans suffer. Just in time for the Migraine World Summit, we will discuss new treatments for migraine headaches. Recent advances include methods for prevention as well as relieving symptoms. What Are the New Treatments for Migraine Headaches? For decades, […]

Show 1293: How Heartbreak Can Literally Lead to Broken Heart Syndrome Mar 10, 2022

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we learn how heartbreak can have physiological consequences on the heart and other organ systems. Broken Heart Syndrome, also called Takotsubo, is a form of stress cardiomyopathy. The effects of stress hormones due to an emotional blow or a serious illness can weaken the heart muscle. A […]

Show 1291: Which Cooking Spices Are Contaminated? Feb 24, 2022

Do you add thyme to your chicken soup? Basil and oregano to your pasta sauce? These herbs are staples in most kitchens, and they help good cooks make their meals extra-tasty. We love using herbs and spices ourselves when we cook. Consequently, we were dismayed to read that some cooking spices are contaminated with heavy […]

Show 1289: Living with an Overactive Thyroid Gland Feb 10, 2022

For such a small organ, your thyroid gland has an outsize impact. It controls energy utilization throughout every tissue in your body. When the thyroid gland isn’t working well, you may notice changes in your digestion, your heart rate, your skin, hair, muscles and your weight. A faltering thyroid may even have an impact on […]

Show 1156: How the Microbiota in the Good Gut Takes Care of You (Archive) Feb 03, 2022

Research over the past few decades has revealed that we humans host a bewildering variety of invisible creatures, our microbiota. We can almost envision the collective genome of all these microbes, the microbiome, as a sort of second genome for human individuals. Unlike our human genome, the microbiome can be altered based on our diet […]

Show 1288: Culinary and Medicinal Properties of Fantastic Fungi Jan 27, 2022

Have you ever put mushrooms in a salad? Might you add them to an appetizer? Stir-fries and frittatas with mushrooms are no longer surprising. Which mushrooms would you select for those dishes? You can find out in a gorgeous cookbook called The Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook. Editor Eugenia Bone describes her fascination with fungi and […]

Show 1287: Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID Jan 20, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been dragging on for longer than most people imagined possible. With each new variant, cases surge and people need to make complex risk calculations about school, work and social interactions. Needless to say, all this can create a great deal of anxiety. Health care workers are under enormous strain. So are […]

Show 1286: What You Need to Know About Hoarding Disorder Jan 14, 2022

We have heard that some people used their time locked down at home during the pandemic to clean out their closets and clear away the clutter. For others, though, we suspect that such projects would have been overwhelming or possibly even undesirable. Perhaps you know someone with hoarding symptoms such as excessive acquiring activities, difficulty […]

Show 1117: What Can Chinese Centenarians Teach You About Long Life? (Archive) Dec 30, 2021

More Americans are living to old ages, but frequently their later years are plagued with chronic diseases. Is there a way to stay healthy into the ninth and tenth decade of life? To find out, we take a virtual trip to visit centenarians in a remote village in southern China. Visit to Longevity Village: Dr. […]

Show 1258: Preparing for Post-Pandemic Relationships (Archive) Dec 23, 2021

Can you have too much togetherness? After a year of pandemic restrictions that kept many couples cooped up together for months, some have discovered that minor annoyances loom larger. Couples have had to negotiate their roles and responsibilities more intensely than ever. This has put quite a strain on some relationships. Pre-existing problems have been […]

Show 1283: What We Should Learn About the Coming Plague Dec 10, 2021

Almost thirty years ago, Laurie Garrett published The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance. In this thorough, carefully researched analysis, she laid out why public health authorities should be watching for new pathogens and how they should respond if that happened. Since then, of course, a number of bacteria and […]

Show 1282: How Climate Change Affects Our Health Dec 02, 2021

In September, more than 200 top medical journals around the world took the unprecedented step of publishing the same editorial. It was “Call for Emergency Action to Limit Global Temperature Increases, Restore Biodiversity, and Protect Health.” In it, editors of various journals identify climate change as the greatest threat to global health. As a consequence, […]

Show 1199: The Life-Saving Science of Spontaneous Healing (Archive) Nov 25, 2021

Doctors rarely study spontaneous remissions from serious diseases. Why not? They are unpredictable, for one thing. For another, they are said to be exceedingly rare. Despite this, Dr. Jeffrey Rediger has found that most of his colleagues are aware of at least one case that defies explanation by conventional science. He set out to learn […]

Show 1281: New Antiviral Pills and the Future of COVID-19 Nov 18, 2021

Before this pandemic began, a small group of researchers were already paying close attention to coronaviruses and their potential for causing serious illness. Virus experts around the world recognized our guest, Dr. Ralph Baric, as the coronavirus hunter for his outstanding work in this area. In this episode, he joins us to discuss the future […]

Show 1280: Learning Lessons from the Pandemic Nov 12, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming, not only in terms of the huge numbers of people who have gotten sick or died. We have also been engulfed with information about the virus, the infection, the risk factors, what we should do and what we can expect. Much of this information has been contradictory. We turn […]

Show 1278: Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Medical Breakthroughs Oct 28, 2021

Everyone gets excited about the idea of medical breakthroughs. Fewer of us, if we are honest, are anxious to be the first one to benefit. After all, if you are the first, you know nothing about the potential harms, and neither does the person offering you the experience. Medical innovation is necessarily fraught with uncertainty. […]

Show 1277: Why Our Healthcare Costs Are So High Oct 21, 2021

Over the last year and a half, while the nation endured a terrible pandemic, patients with COVID-19 were treated even if they couldn’t foot the bills themselves. Will the high cost of COVID break the bank? Now that people will end up paying for treatment out of their own pockets, will more Americans than ever […]

Show 1276: How to Make Better Choices About Your Health Oct 15, 2021

How do you decide what you should do in a health crisis? Over the past year and a half, many people have faced this problem. Do you go to the hospital for treatment in the midst of a pandemic? What medications or supplements might be helpful and which are more likely to be harmful? We […]

Show 1273: Finding Ways to Manage Long COVID Sep 23, 2021

When the COVID pandemic began, doctors thought that patients either recovered fairly quickly or they died. Before long, though, some patients identified themselves as “long haulers” because they were suffering debilitating symptoms for months after their diagnoses, neither dying nor recovering. There are people who become short of breath just walking up a few steps, […]

Show 1272: How Your Eyes Reveal Your Health Sep 16, 2021

You may have heard that the eyes are the window to the soul. That could be difficult to prove, but scientists have now shown that the eyes offer significant clues to your overall health. Most exciting is the possibility of assessing brain health based on special imaging of the retina. We speak with a leading […]

Show 1190: The Best Way to Deal With Anger (Archive) Sep 02, 2021

At a time when opinions about nearly everything are highly polarized, how can you have a civil discussion? What do we do when we encounter a person who is extremely angry? For that matter, how do we handle our own emotions? What works to defuse anger and what sorts of responses just make it worse? […]

Show 1270: How Your Microbiome Shapes Your Immune Response Aug 26, 2021

In the middle of a pandemic, you probably want to know how well your immune system is functioning. Even more important, what if anything can you do to support it? Scientists have found that the microbes in the digestive tract communicate closely with the brain. What’s more, they now have evidence that the gut microbiome […]

Show 1269: How the First Survivors of Alzheimer’s Saved Their Brains Aug 19, 2021

For more than a century, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have been condemned to a relentless slide into dementia. Experts stress that there is no cure for this devastating condition. Even the drugs that FDA has approved for treatment help only a little, slowing the progression of cognitive decline. Although the agency approved a new […]

Show 1268: Learning How to Sleep Aug 12, 2021

Are we in the midst of a Great Sleep Recession? Sleep deprivation is common and serious but not always appreciated. One of the tipoffs that people may not be getting adequate shut-eye is that they wake up tired, have difficulties paying attention and may frequently be in a bad mood. But can people really learn […]

Show 1267: Unscrambling Unreasonable Medical Bills Aug 06, 2021

Medical bills are notorious for being difficult to understand as well as expensive. Most people are intimidated by medical professionals and the bureaucracy. But we can and should fight back, according to our guest Marshall Allen. Errors in medical bills are common, and fraud is not unheard of. Why does Allen urge us never to […]

Show 1266: How Women Can Improve Their Hormone Intelligence Jul 30, 2021

Hormones are essential to every cell in our bodies, but most of us don’t know much about them. We might recognize estrogen and testosterone as sex hormones, but these crucial compounds go far beyond that. Endocrinologists specialize in treating hormonally-related problems, but even they may not be focused on the hidden hormone epidemic we are […]

Show 1265: The Advantages of Whole Brain Living Jul 23, 2021

Is it true that we only use 10 percent of our brains? That seems to be a myth, along with the relegation of logic to the left brain and emotion to the right. How can we engage in whole brain living? How a Stroke Led to Insights: Years ago, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor suffered a […]

Show 1264: How to Make Exercise More Enjoyable Jul 15, 2021

In your great-grandparents’ day, hardly anybody exercised. There were sports enthusiasts who raced or danced or rode horses, played ball or rowed for fun. But then, as throughout evolution, very few people went to the gym. Still, they stayed physically active, either because their work required it or because they had found something, such as […]

Show 1224: What Is the Best Way to Manage Your Heartburn? (Archive) Jul 08, 2021

Bellyaches and heartburn are among the most common problems driving people to the pharmacy to seek relief. Heartburn, a burning sensation behind the sternum, happens when acid escapes from the stomach up into the esophagus where it doesn’t belong. People used to chew antacids like Tums or Rolaids to neutralize the acid. Do you know […]

Show 1178: Do We Need a Revolution in Managing Pain? (Archive) Jul 01, 2021

Pain is a difficult topic. To begin with, the experience of pain is completely subjective. There are no independent objective measures that doctors can use to assess a patient’s pain. They have to take her word for it. Second, pain has a very significant emotional component that must be addressed along with any physical causes. […]

Erin Sharoni Discusses How to Delay Aging Jun 28, 2021

In addition to our interviews with Dr. David Sinclair and Dr. Terrie Moffitt in Show 1263, we also spoke recently with Erin Sharoni. In this conversation, the entrepreneur (co-founder of Juvicell) discusses the importance of epigenetics. She also addresses the evidence on several of the ingredients in the Juvicell supplement and describes some simple approaches […]

Show 1263: Can We Reverse the Aging Process? Jun 25, 2021

Can you reset your biological clock? You can’t make time run backward, but you may be able to slow or even reverse the aging process. Dr. David Sinclair believes that aging is far more reversible than we thought. He told the New York Times, “Cells can clean themselves up, they can get rid of old […]

Show 1261: Overcoming Hearing Loss Jun 10, 2021

Hearing loss is a common problem, but many people with difficulties don’t know how to address it. Not everyone who has trouble hearing in noisy spots like restaurants or busy workplaces needs hearing aids. However, they need ways to manage a situation when they can’t hear what people are saying. Reducing background noise–which might be […]

Show 1260: The Pros and Cons of Online Therapy During the Pandemic Jun 03, 2021

Last year, just when more people than ever needed the help of a therapist, stay-at-home restrictions made it difficult or impossible to get face-to-face counseling. Moreover, most therapists were completely booked and couldn’t accept new patients. As a result, people increasingly turned to online therapy, either with apps, online support groups or one on one. […]

Show 1259: Preventing and Treating Parkinson’s Disease May 27, 2021

Cases of Parkinson’s disease have been rising steeply, but what we see now could be just the tip of the iceberg. The accumulation of certain chemicals in the environment may be contributing to an increased risk of this neuromuscular disorder. Pesticides such as chlorpyrifos appear to increase the risk for farmers and farm workers, while […]

Dr. Marvin Singh Tells You How to Establish Healthy Gut Balance May 27, 2021

Integrative gastroenterology combines the perspective of conventional allopathic medicine with a holistic approach to patients and their lives–mind, body and soul. Sometimes adjusting diet or lifestyle can be even more effective than using medications, especially when it comes to establishing a healthy gut balance. COVID-19 and the Digestive Tract: Although we think of SARS-CoV-2 as […]

Show 1223: How to Care for Summer-Stressed Skin (Archive) May 14, 2021

During the pandemic, fewer people by far have been making ordinary appointments with the dermatologist to have their skin checked. However, some skin conditions can become much worse if they are neglected. Summer-stressed skin may also need attention. In general, people should consult a dermatologist if there is a persistent change in a spot on […]

Show 1256: How Vaccine Diplomacy Can Help Prevent the Next Pandemic Apr 30, 2021

Dr. Peter Hotez has been working on vaccine development and the treatment of neglected tropical diseases for decades. Now that vaccines are the key to returning to something like normal life, his expertise is greatly sought after. A History of Vaccines: Dr. Hotez describes the first vaccines that were useful in Western society. In fact, […]

Show 1255: Natural Ways to Keep Your Immune Response Optimal Apr 23, 2021

In the middle of a pandemic, it’s important to know how to stay healthy. Sleep, stress management, handwashing, exercise and a healthful diet (cutting back on refined flour and sugar) are all crucial. In addition, supplements and herbs might help maintain a robust immune response. The Value of Vitamin D: There is significant evidence that […]

Show 1254: Combating the Long-Term Effects of Post-COVID Syndrome Apr 16, 2021

The experience of COVID is highly variable, as we have all learned by now. For some people, the infection is so mild they may not even notice the symptoms, while for others the virus wreaks devastating havoc. The post-COVID syndrome may afflict even those who had mild infections initially, and it can make life very […]

Show 1253: The Lessons of COVID-19 on How to Avoid Airborne Viral Transmission Apr 08, 2021

Over the past year, the world has faced a global pandemic due to a previously unknown virus. People wanted and needed to know how the virus spread from person to person. At first, the focus was on fomites. Consequently, people spent a lot of time wiping down groceries and sanitizing surfaces. Gradually, it became clear […]

Show 1179: What Should You Do About Digestive Distress? (Archive) Apr 01, 2021

Have you ever had horrible heartburn or a really bad bellyache? Most of us have experienced digestive distress at one time or another. When do you need to seek medical attention for your problem? What Causes Digestive Distress? When the gastrointestinal tract is working as it should, you chew your food and swallow it. Then […]

Show 1252: The Impact of COVID-19 on American Health Care Mar 29, 2021

Over the last year, hospitals and their intensive care units have been stretched to the breaking point caring for the huge number of people desperately ill with the coronavirus. What is the impact of COVID-19 on American health care? Will the changes we have seen to date continue? Who Pays for COVID Care? Days and […]

Some Hand Sanitizers Are Contaminated with Benzene Mar 25, 2021

Hand sanitizers have become ubiquitous in homes, doctors’ offices, supermarkets, banks and dozens of other establishments. There have been problems with some products that were contaminated with methanol, also known as wood alcohol. Read about this known problem here. Now a new impurity has surfaced. A surprising number of hand sanitizers are contaminated with the […]

Show 1251: How Chemicals Are Threatening Our Health and Fertility Mar 19, 2021

Sperm counts have been falling for decades. In fact, they’re down 50 percent over the last four decades. Should we worry about young men’s health and fertility? How can we explain this trend? Threats to Health and Fertility: Sperm counts are not alone in their decline. Men’s levels of testosterone have also been dropping steadily, […]

Show 1248: How to Keep Moving and Feel Better During COVID-19 Feb 26, 2021

COVID-19 restrictions have interfered with the way many of us exercise. Yet the benefits of moving, for both our physical and mental health, are more important than ever. How can we keep moving to feel better, despite the pandemic? Moving at Home to Feel Better: You may not have a home gym, but there are […]

Show 1247: What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines and Variants Feb 19, 2021

After a year of COVID-19, the country (and the world) is in a race to get people vaccinated before the new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus can gain the upper hand. We talk with two experts on these COVID-19 vaccines and variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to get you the information you need. New […]

Show 1246: Getting the Sleep You Need Even in Anxious Times Feb 11, 2021

Adequate sleep is essential to good health. That is not a news flash; your grandmother and great-grandmother knew it. It’s simply become more difficult to get the sleep you need in these anxious times. An ongoing pandemic and all the disruptions it has caused to work, school and other aspects of life could keep millions […]

Show 1245: Overcoming Chronic Lyme and Post-COVID Syndrome Feb 05, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging through the world for more than a year. More than 455,000 people have died in the US, but the vast majority of people who become infected survive. Unfortunately, for a significant proportion, symptoms associated with COVID-19 may last for weeks or months. Physicians have dubbed this post-COVID syndrome, or […]

Show 1243: Why We Fall for Medical Myths Jan 22, 2021

There’s an old saying that a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its boots. This possibility is especially noticeable and potentially harmful when it comes to health claims. How do medical myths get such widespread credence? Why We Fall for Medical Myths: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought […]

Show 1242: How the Dental Diet Can Lead to Better Health Jan 14, 2021

Imagine a dental diet designed to keep your teeth and gums in good health. What does it look like? Does it have any impact on your health beyond the limit of your tongue? A Dentist Champions the Dental Diet for Overall Health: Few people realize that there is a strong connection between gum infection (periodontitis) […]

Show 1198: How You Can Age Better (Archive) Jan 07, 2021

Whoever said growing old isn’t for sissies really got it right. But not everyone has the same experience with aging. Why do some people do well up to and into their 90s, while others are over the hill in their 70s? Genetics certainly plays a role, but it is not the whole story by any […]

Show 1194: How You Can Discover the Joy of Movement (Archive) Dec 31, 2020

Do your New Year’s resolutions include getting more exercise? By now, everybody knows exercise is good for us. But a lot of people view it as a chore or a bore instead of a delight. How can you experience the joy of movement? Humans are built to move, and anthropologists have offered a hypothesis that […]

Show 1241: Coronavirus Update for the Close of 2020 Dec 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has dominated life around the world this year. Now, the FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for two vaccines, one from Pfizer/BioNTech and one from Moderna. How will they alter the course of the pandemic? We offer listeners a coronavirus update for the close of this pandemic […]

Show 1240: The Link Between Vitamin D and COVID-19 Dec 18, 2020

Scientists have long suspected that vitamin D is crucial for the immune system to function properly. Presumably, that is why cod liver oil was utilized as a tonic to ward off colds and flu in northern climes. After all, as you get farther from the equator, you get less sunshine during the winter. Consequently, you […]

Show 1239: How Can We Prevent Diagnostic Disasters? Dec 11, 2020

It seems obvious that to provide the proper treatment, a doctor first needs to know what is wrong. However, although medical experts have been focusing on improving diagnosis in medicine for more than a decade, people still suffer from delayed or incorrect diagnoses. In some cases, these result in diagnostic disasters. We hear from a […]

Show 1238: How Is COVID-19 Affecting Mental Health? Dec 04, 2020

These are stressful times. Many people are grieving the death of a loved one, while others are struggling with working or studying from home. Being separated from loved ones can be emotionally draining. How are you dealing with the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic? Trauma and Kids’ Mental Health: Trauma, like that experienced […]

Show 1237: Improving Your Mood With Food Nov 27, 2020

Working from home during the pandemic has wrought havoc with a lot of healthy eating habits. It’s harder to shop safely, and minimizing time in the grocery store may mean people have stocked up on shelf-stable highly processed foods. What’s more, lots of us have been responding to stress by eating sweet or salty treats […]

Show 1236: The Inside Story on Vaccines Against COVID-19 Nov 24, 2020

SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, has infected many millions of people both in the United States and around the world. The death toll is horrifying, with more than a quarter of a million people in the US alone. With infections soaring as we head into winter, the news that a couple of vaccines against […]

Show 1234: How Microbes Evolve to Become Enemies or Allies Nov 06, 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus behind COVID-19 is changing. This should not be a surprise, since microbes evolve by nature. What implications might this have for the infection in future months? We speak with an evolutionary biologist to see how his perspective can illuminate the pandemic. How Do Microbes Evolve? SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus that evolved initially […]

Show 1233: How Does Your Immune System Overcome Viruses? Oct 30, 2020

One of the striking things about the COVID-19 pandemic is how differently people respond. Some people contract the virus but never really have symptoms, while others land in the hospital struggling for breath. More than a million people around the world have died from the infection, with about a quarter of those in the US. […]

How Can You Take Control of Your Digestive Health? Oct 27, 2020

The conventional view of the digestive system was that it took care of digestion and wasn’t involved very much with the rest of the body’s systems. Now, though, science has shown that the gut and the millions of microbes that live in it have a profound impact on other aspects of our body, from immune […]

Show 1232: What Should People Do to Protect Their Hearts? Oct 23, 2020

Far too many Americans have died of COVID-19 during 2020, but heart disease is still the number one killer. Moreover, people with heart disease are more vulnerable to complications from the coronavirus. What should they do to protect their hearts? How People Can Protect Their Hearts: There are a few things that everyone can and […]

Show 1231: How Can Women Reduce Their Risk for Dementia? Oct 15, 2020

Two out three people with Alzheimer disease are women. Why are they at higher risk for this devastating condition than men? Even more important, how can they reduce their risk for dementia? Many of the usual explanations for this imbalance don’t stand up well to scrutiny. Too many of them have been accepted without much […]

Show 1230: What Happens When COVID Symptoms Don’t Go Away Oct 08, 2020

Experts estimate that 30 million people worldwide have had COVID-19. More than a million have died, and approximately 20 million have recovered. However, while health professionals usually think of this as an acute illness, recovery may be far slower than anticipated. The CDC has found that 35% of adults who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 still […]

Show 1229: The End of Food Allergies Oct 01, 2020

Very likely you have heard of children who are allergic to peanuts. Sometimes the tiniest whiff of peanut dust can trigger a frightening reaction. Food allergies have been increasing dramatically among American children. In fact, one in 13 is vulnerable to a serious or life-threatening consequence if they accidentally consume the wrong food. The rate […]

Show 1228: Why Clinical Trials Matter for COVID-19 and Cancer Sep 25, 2020

Until December of 2019, doctors had no experience with pandemic that has now killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world. As the infection raced from country to country, they tried a lot of different treatments that seemed promising. But in many places, the onslaught of serious cases was so extreme that scientists couldn’t […]

Show 1148: What Can You Do About Kidney Stones? (Archive) Sep 11, 2020

Kidney stones afflict an estimated three million Americans each year, resulting in at least half a million trips to the emergency department. But what are they and what can you do about them? How do they form and how might you prevent them? We hear from a listener who has first-hand experience of the pain […]

Show 1226: The Coronavirus Hunter Gives You an Update Sep 04, 2020

Back in May, 2020, we spoke with a scientist known internationally as the coronavirus hunter. Dr. Ralph Baric has been studying coronaviruses for more than three decades. He was involved in the early research on some possible drugs to treat people with COVID-19. Five months is a short time under normal circumstances, but the pandemic […]

Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive) Aug 27, 2020

This show first aired in June, 2019, before anyone had heard of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19. Today, understanding how your immune system works to overcome an infection is more important than ever. Just how does your immune system manage to ward off unwanted bacteria or viruses? This “elegant defense” is sometimes described as though it were […]

Show 1225: What Is the Evidence on Vaccines and Masks? Aug 21, 2020

We have had eight months of COVID-19 pandemic, and there is nobody anywhere who isn’t ready for it to be over. That is why there is quite a bit of excitement about the potential for vaccines. Several have started phase 3 trials already. What does that mean and what can we expect? Where Will We […]

Show 1222: How Can You Optimize Your Microbiome? Jul 30, 2020

The microbiome–the genome of our collective microbiota–has become a trendy topic in medicine lately. With more microbial than human cells in our bodies, it’s becoming clear we should think of ourselves as collectives. Citizen scientists have been contributing to the understanding of microbiota biodiversity through the American Gut Project. Yet most of us don’t really […]

Show 1221: What Explains the Recent Increase in Celiac Disease? Jul 24, 2020

A couple of decades ago, most people had never heard of celiac disease. Many doctors had never diagnosed a case, and they had often learned it was an extremely rare condition. Following a gluten-free diet, the only treatment, was really difficult. Today, millions of people avoid gluten in their diets. Not all of them have […]

Show 1220: How We Can Learn Faster and Better and Remember More Jul 17, 2020

When Jim Kwik was a little boy, he had a bad fall that resulted in a concussion. He struggled with learning problems throughout elementary school and even later. But he eventually learned to stop thinking of himself as the boy with the broken brain. In fact, he now has mastered accelerated learning and teaches the […]

Show 1219: How to Achieve Maximum Memory Fitness Jul 10, 2020

In these challenging times, keeping our brains healthy and working well is important. Social isolation can be debilitating, but there are approaches that can help counteract these difficulties. Research on Maintaining Memory: What does new research tell us about achieving maximum memory fitness? How important is it for us to take care of conditions like […]

Show 1155: Can Bacteriophages Save Your Life? (Archive) Jul 03, 2020

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been cropping up around the world. These superbugs cause serious problems, especially when they fail to respond to increasingly potent medications. One approach may be to put a very old, natural treatment to work. The theory is that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Enlist viruses that infect these bacteria. […]

Show 1218: How Industry Manipulates Science to Downplay Risks Jun 26, 2020

For decades, the tobacco industry was able to ward off anti-smoking policy by claiming that science did not support it. In hindsight, it is clear that most epidemiologists came to the conclusion that smoking is bad for health without much delay. But tobacco companies were able to exploit disagreements over a few facts to sow […]

Show 1217: Natural Ways to Keep Your Immune System Strong Jun 19, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of having a healthy immune system. It appears that more than three-fourths of the people who contract the infection recover without hospitalization or obvious lingering effects. The others, however, get really sick. We can assume that our immune systems mediate our response to the virus. We want it […]

Show 1216: How Sugar Interferes With Healthy Decisions Jun 11, 2020

The telomeres that cap our chromosomes are a good way to gauge biological aging. Dr. Elissa Epel, who studies aging and metabolism at UCSF, has found a link between soda consumption and cellular aging, even in young children (Childhood Obesity, April 2018). She and her colleagues took advantage of a natural experiment at the University […]

Show 1215: Chasing a Cure for the Cytokine Storm of COVID-19 Jun 08, 2020

Dr. David Fajgenbaum was a medical student in excellent health when he was struck with a mysterious disease. He nearly died before his doctors finally diagnosed him with a rare condition known as idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. They hardly knew anything about it, and the few treatments that were available didn’t work for him. So […]

Show 1214: How to Defend Your Brain During the Pandemic and Beyond May 29, 2020

For decades, neurologists have been telling us that Alzheimer disease is driven largely by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. They have suspected that this is determined in large measure by genetics, and they’ve been searching for medications that can clear beta-amyloid out of the brain. But what if beta-amyloid is actually an […]

Show 1213: How Does COVID-19 Affect Your Heart? May 22, 2020

What comes to mind when you think of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Chances are, you think of the lungs. There’s been a tremendous amount of attention to the breathing difficulties the disease can cause. Hospitals in northern Italy and New York City have been overwhelmed because they didn’t have enough ventilators. […]

Show 1211: A Conversation With the Coronavirus Hunter May 08, 2020

Dr. Ralph Baric has been studying coronaviruses for 35 years and is one of the world’s leading experts on these pathogens. In this interview, you will learn how the virus jumped from bats to people and how it replicates. Moreover, Dr. Baric was already studying remdesivir, a medication being utilized against this infection. He will […]

Show 1210: What Are the Health Benefits of Tea, Coffee and Chocolate? May 01, 2020

Are you drinking too much coffee? Is coffee actually bad for you anyway, or might a few cups have health benefits? Have you heard about the health benefits of tea? Dr. Tieraona Low Dog delves into the plant compounds contained in our favorite beverages. How do they affect our physiology? Green, Black and White Tea: […]

Show 1209: How a Doctor Confronts Medical Error Apr 23, 2020

When hospitals are overstressed and understaffed, as they have been during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical errors are hardly surprising. Back in 2016, a group of doctors published an analysis in the BMJ claiming that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US. Could this really be true? Learn how a thoughtful […]

Show 1208: Keeping Kids Healthy in the Age of Coronavirus Apr 17, 2020

Schools are closed and kids are home so that they don’t catch COVID-19 and spread it to family members. Of course, parents don’t want their children to get sick, either. How are we keeping kids healthy in the age of coronavirus? Why Are Children Less Likely to Become Very Ill? Most infectious diseases, especially respiratory […]

Show 1132: Are Infections to Blame for Alzheimer Disease? (Archive) Apr 09, 2020

With nearly six million Americans living with Alzheimer disease, this condition is a serious public health problem. It robs people of their memories, their ability to function independently and even their very identities. When Alois Alzheimer published the first report on the brain disease that was later named for him, he described distinctive plaques and […]

Show 1207: Can You Use Your Patient Portal for Better Health? Apr 02, 2020

Staying at home and maintaining safe physical distance means that some primary care practices are not functioning normally during the pandemic. However, you may still want to connect with your doctor. In fact, you may have urgent questions about how to stay healthy or what to do if you become ill. Do you have a […]

Show 1206: Live Coronavirus Update to Answer Your Questions Mar 27, 2020

Information on the coronavirus pandemic is changing hourly. The US now has more COVID-19 cases than any other country. For this live coronavirus update on March 28, 2020, we have asked infectious disease expert and epidemiologist Dr. David Weber to answer your questions about COVID-19. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family. To […]

Show 1205: How Do Patients’ Stories Shape Their Care? Mar 19, 2020

How do doctors figure out what is wrong with a person and how they can be treated effectively? Traditionally, medicine has put great emphasis on the patient’s history, which usually means the patient has to tell a story. What hurts? When did it start? What happened next? One drawback of the way medicine is currently […]

Show 1204: How Brain Function Affects Mental Illness Mar 13, 2020

Mental health problems cause widespread disability in today’s world. Large numbers of people suffer with depression or severe anxiety. While these ailments are real, we may not be considering their causes carefully enough. Our guest, Dr. Daniel Amen, suggests that the trouble underlying most mental illness is disrupted brain function–poor brain health. SPECT Scans of […]

Show 1203: How Yoga Can Help You Age Gracefully Mar 06, 2020

Stress is nearly ubiquitous in modern life. We all know it isn’t healthy, but we may not have a lot of tools for escaping or alleviating it. People under stress may feel they don’t have enough time for yoga. Just trying to meditate may send their minds spinning into overdrive about everything waiting to be […]

Show 1202: How Can We Fix Our Broken Food System? Feb 27, 2020

In our modern world, many people have become disconnected from the source of their food. Unlike our distant ancestors, who hunted and foraged for their meals, or even our great-grandparents who raised their food on farms, most folks now eat out of the supermarket. Following a diet full of highly processed foods can result poor […]

Show 1201: Hard-to-Diagnose Conditions Can Be Deadly Feb 20, 2020

Diagnosis is a crucial first step for medical treatment. In some situations, recognizing the condition as soon as possible makes a big difference in the outcome. However, doctors may have difficulty with certain diagnoses. If patients can help recognize when they are in trouble and ask questions, certain hard-to-diagnose conditions may be identified more quickly. […]

Show 1200: Making Sense of Changing Nutritional Guidelines Feb 14, 2020

Why is nutrition advice so controversial? Often, it seems as if food fights are the fiercest disagreements in medicine. Have you had trouble making sense of changing nutritional guidelines? Changing Nutritional Guidelines: For years, nutrition scientists have been telling us that people who eat red meat are putting their health in danger. Then a few […]

Show 1197: How You Can Save Money on Medicines Jan 24, 2020

Have your pharmacy bills been going up? When Consumer Reports surveyed its readers, 30 percent of them reported that their cost for a drug they take on a regular basis rose during 2019. About 12 percent of readers said their costs had soared by at least $100. What is going on here, and how can […]

Show 1196: What to Do If Thyroid Treatment Doesn’t Work for You Jan 17, 2020

Low thyroid function is a very common problem, affecting an estimated 20 million Americans. That is nearly 12 percent of the population. Most doctors are convinced that all they need is one lab test–TSH–and one medication–levothyroxine–to treat hypothyroidism. Why don’t all patients agree? The Problem with Thyroid Treatment: The thyroid gland produces at least two […]

Show 1195: Do You Need Spine Surgery? Jan 09, 2020

People who have suffered with back pain for a long time may be told that spine surgery is their last resort. But far too often, spine surgery does not relieve back pain. Sometimes, people even feel worse afterwards. How can you tell if spine surgery would be right for you? Mark Owens’s Story: Mark Owens […]

Show 1161: What Is the Evidence for Food as Medicine? (Archive) Dec 27, 2019

Angiogenesis–the growth and development of blood vessels in the body–may seem like an obscure topic. However, angiogenesis is a critical phase in the development of tumors. If it can be blocked when it is inappropriate, we don’t get cancer. If not, we may need all the resources of modern oncology to help us recover. Is […]

Show 1192: How a Scary Fungus Is Threatening the World Dec 13, 2019

You may have heard about antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They can greatly complicate the treatment of infections. But have you ever heard of antifungal-resistant fungus? Infectious disease experts knew nothing about a scary fungus, Candida auris, less than two decades ago. It has acquired resistance to a number of potent antifungal medications. Consequently, it now poses threats […]

Show 1191: What Are Your Favorite Home Remedies? Dec 06, 2019

For centuries, people have been using home remedies as their first treatment for common ailments. With easy access to over-the-counter drugs, though, people have turned away from home remedies in the last several decades. There are still plenty of inexpensive options that work well, however. Which are your favorite home remedies? Apple Cider Vinegar: One […]

Show 1154: How to Take Good Care of Your Eyesight (Archive) Nov 29, 2019

A national survey just a few years ago showed that Americans fear losing their vision more than they fear losing a limb, their hearing, their ability to speak or even their memory (Scott et al, JAMA Ophthalmology, October 2016). What do you know about how to take good care of your eyesight? What Can You […]

Show 1189: What the Heck Should We Be Eating? Nov 15, 2019

If you like to cook, you are no doubt aware that favorite recipes change with the times, just like fashions in clothing. But a lot of Americans don’t like to cook. They may not have tried acquiring the skills or even more likely, they don’t have the time to do anything very complicated in the […]

Show 1188: The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Drugs Nov 08, 2019

Many indigenous peoples around the world have developed traditional uses for psychedelic compounds. In Western medicine, these were mostly unknown until Albert Hoffmann synthesized LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in 1938. He later tried to figure out how it might be used after having an extraordinary personal experience. By the mid to late 1960s, psychedelic drugs […]

Show 1187: Are Supplements Really a Waste of Time? Nov 01, 2019

Last summer, a major review of research on supplements to improve heart health concluded that most do nothing to prevent heart attacks, strokes or premature death from cardiovascular causes (Annals of Internal Medicine, Aug. 6, 2019). In other words, they are a waste of time and money. (The possible exceptions include omega-3 fats and folate.) […]

All About KayaBiotics Oct 31, 2019

The People’s Pharmacy radio show and podcast appreciates support from its sponsors. One of our sponsors is KayaBiotics, a German company that makes high-quality probiotics from all-organic ingredients. Germany exercises rigorous oversight of supplement manufacturing, and we are pleased that our listeners can purchase such products. The pandemic interrupted supply chains and manufacturing for numerous […]

Show 1186: What Happens When Doctors Make Diagnostic Errors? Oct 24, 2019

When you get sick, you need a diagnosis. If the diagnosis is wrong, the treatment won’t be appropriate. What happens when doctors make diagnostic errors? We talk with a leader in the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine about his recent research. What Diagnostic Errors Are Most Serious? Clinicians make an estimated 12 million diagnostic […]

Show 1185: What Are the Risks of Too Many Meds? Oct 18, 2019

Every day, an average of 750 senior Americans are hospitalized as a result of medication reactions and interactions. Part of the problem is that as we grow older and accumulate more health conditions, we also end up with longer lists of prescription drugs for them. In addition, many of us also take medicines to prevent […]

Show 1184: How Technology Could Make Medicine More Humane Oct 10, 2019

Marvelous technology like CT and MRI imaging, genotyping and microbiome analysis have given health professionals more power than ever to learn what is going wrong with an individual. Special tools like robotic surgery can help doctors treat complex problems. Highly advanced prosthetics can help people recover from devastating accidents or radical operations. Problems with Technology: […]

Show 1183: How to Manage Your Foot Problems Oct 03, 2019

Do your feet hurt? Foot problems can interfere with both work and leisure time activities. You won’t want to walk the dog or go dancing, not to mention stand at a cash register or move about a clinic with foot pain. What can you do about it? How Dangerous Could a Pedicure Be? A pedicure […]

Show 1182: How You Can Use Exercise as Medicine Sep 26, 2019

Does medicine mean “drugs and surgery” to you? That is certainly how a lot of people see it. However, physical activity–exercise–has powerful abilities to help us heal. How can we use exercise as medicine? What does it mean to use exercise as medicine? The concept may seem a bit strange unless you have encountered cardiovascular […]

Show 1180: How to Eat to Nourish Your Brain Sep 12, 2019

You know your body needs food to fuel it. You’ve probably thought about whether you should be eating more fat or less, how much protein you might need and if you are getting enough vegetables and fruits. But have you thought about how you should eat to nourish your brain? Managing Your Mood: Millions of […]

Show 1177: How You Can Avoid Toxins in Your Home Aug 22, 2019

Are there toxins in your home? As it turns out, many houses hold furniture, electronics and other products that have been treated with toxic chemicals such as stain repellents and flame retardants. Some of these are there because of misguided legislation requiring them in the past. What are the consequences of chronic exposure to compounds […]

Show 1176: The Health Benefits of Our Relationships with Animals Aug 16, 2019

Can you tell what your dog is thinking? Chances are, you have a good idea much of the time. And likewise, your dog pays close attention to your expressions and behaviors to decipher your mood. What are the health implications of our relationships with animals? Empathy Cements Our Relationships with Animals: The capacity for empathy […]

Show 1175: How to Mix Conventional and Ayurvedic Medicine for Cancer Aug 08, 2019

When a doctor is diagnosed with cancer, you can bet he will try to find the best possible treatments for the disease. Dr. Timothy McCall has long added yoga and Ayurvedic medicine to his standard medical toolkit. So when he was diagnosed with neck cancer and couldn’t schedule the first allopathic (Western medicine) treatment right […]

Show 1174: What to Do About Skeeter Syndrome Aug 02, 2019

Have your summer evenings outside been spoiled by the whine of a mosquito coming in for a bite? How do you deal with the resulting itch? Mosquito bites usually itch for a while and then go away, but some people suffer excessively. Do you have skeeter syndrome? Although it sounds fanciful, we actually found this […]

Show 1173: How Is Diabetes Diagnosed and Treated? Jul 24, 2019

Diabetes has nearly become an epidemic, both in the US and around the world. This metabolic disorder interferes with the way the body processes energy and affects more than 30 million Americans. That’s approximately one person out of every ten. Type 1 and Type 2: Do you know the difference between type 1 diabetes (once […]

Show 1145: Are Big Corporations Hacking the American Mind? (Archive) Jul 18, 2019

The distinction between pleasure and happiness might seem like a philosopher’s quibble. Fat Chance author Dr. Robert Lustig tells us why this difference is vitally important to our national wellbeing. Corporations are hacking the American mind because of our ignorance about the difference between them. Pleasure vs. Happiness: Dr. Lustig describes the neurochemical foundations behind […]

Show 1172: How Can Antibiotics Affect Your Brain? Jul 12, 2019

Antibiotics are crucial for treating serious infections, but the specter of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is scary. Many public health experts have called for more diligent antibiotic stewardship to protect the usefulness of these medication. How Might Antibiotics Affect Your Brain? Some physicians point to other, equally compelling reasons to use antibiotics more judiciously. They […]

Show 1114: How Health Care Became Big Business (Archive) Jul 04, 2019

The American health care system is a $3 trillion mess. Although it has significant technological sophistication, this big business doesn’t seem consistently able to get appropriate treatments to the patients who need them. Millions of people have no insurance, or the insurance they have doesn’t cover the care they need. Increasing premiums and unexpected bills […]

Show 1171: How Can You Avoid the Pain of Diverticulitis? Jun 28, 2019

Diverticulitis can cause excruciating pain. What causes this problem, and how can you prevent it? As we grow older, many of us acquire little pouches, pockets or potholes in the large intestine. Doctors have a term for the presence of these diverticula: they call the condition diverticulosis. However, if food or feces get trapped in […]

Show 1169: What Are the Problems with Generic Drugs? Jun 13, 2019

You may not be aware that the vast majority of medications Americans take are generic drugs. This helps hold down the costs that patients have to pay, especially if you are taking one of the medicines offered for an extra-low rate, like $4 a month, at a big-box store. That certainly sounds great, unless you […]

Show 1168: What Should You Know About Women’s Heart Health? Jun 06, 2019

When you think about heart health, you may not think about any gender differences in symptoms or treatment. Most doctors don’t, so why would patients? However, women don’t always experience the classic symptoms of crushing chest pain that we expect from tales of men’s heart attacks. Sometimes, they may be bothered with back or jaw […]

Show 1167: Will a Tick Bite Make You Allergic to Meat? May 30, 2019

For some years, emergency doctors and allergists were puzzled by people who started having extremely serious allergic reactions in the middle of the night, a long time after they had eaten or drunk anything or had any contact with obvious allergens. Smart sleuthing from our guest and his colleagues determined that a tick bite can […]

Show 1166: How Can You Manage the Misery of Seasonal Allergies? May 24, 2019

Do you sniffle through spring or feel crummy in the fall? Many people suffer with seasonal allergies, and trying to figure out which medicines make sense is no easy task. To start with, how do you know if you are sneezing from a cold or from hay fever? Why does the answer change the kind […]

Show 1165: Can Your Doctor’s Positive Attitude Improve Your Health? May 17, 2019

We all prefer to interact with people who are friendly, supportive and helpful. But when it comes to health care providers, does “bedside manner” really make a difference? Or is a doctor’s positive attitude irrelevant to the medical outcome? Does Your Doctor’s Positive Attitude Affect Your Health? We talk with a scientist who has looked […]

Show 1164: Will We Win the Race Against Emerging Superbugs? May 09, 2019

Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, after observing horrific lethal infections on the battlefields of the first World War. It was the first antibiotic to defeat a wide range of terrifying diseases. Today, however, there are frequently shortages of this critical medication. In addition, penicillin and related antibiotics may not kill emerging superbugs. Less […]

Show 1163: Should You Trust Your Prescription Drugs? May 03, 2019

Do you use mail order for your prescription drugs to get a better price? Many insurance companies strongly encourage people to order online from preferred sources so they can control how much they have to pay. Most of us like to save money. However, are there any downsides to getting your medicines mailed instead of […]

Show 1162: How to Treat Common Thyroid Problems Apr 26, 2019

The thyroid gland on your neck is not very big, but it is super important. It secretes hormones that control the activity of every cell in your body. Consequently, the thyroid regulates your metabolism, your heart beats, your bowels and even your thinking. What happens when the thyroid doesn’t work as it should? How do […]

Show 1160: How Good Is the Evidence for Cutting Salt? Apr 12, 2019

For decades, public health experts have been admonishing Americans to cut the salt in our diets. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that we limit ourselves to 2,300 mg of sodium daily. That’s about one teaspoon. Ideally, the AHA says, we would get less than 1,500 mg of this crucial mineral every day. Should […]

Show 1125: How Can You Find Your Sleep Solution? (Archive) Apr 04, 2019

You may have read or heard that adequate sleep is a pillar of good health, like exercise and a healthy diet. Sleep affects blood pressure and heart disease, metabolism and obesity, the immune system, cognitive function and mood. But if you can’t get enough sleep, that information is more frustrating than helpful. What is interfering […]

Show 1159: Do Cold Sores Boost Your Risk for Dementia? Mar 29, 2019

The past few months have produced some fascinating science stories from international sources. We interviewed two scientists in far-flung places to learn more about unexpected ways that microbes interact with us and affect our health. One researcher has developed some unique ways to study the microbiome of our digestive tract. Another is examining whether the […]

Show 1158: Will Hormone Disruptors Affect Your Children’s Health? Mar 21, 2019

Over the last several decades, our environment has changed enormously. Comparing a playground in 1962 to the same playground in 2019 gives some sense of how thoroughly we have surrounded ourselves and our children with chemicals that may have profound impacts on the hormones in our bodies. As just one example, bisphenol A found in […]

Show 1157: Why Are You Never Home Alone? Mar 15, 2019

You may think your home is sparkling clean. But even a clean house harbors a host of small creatures that have a fascinating web of interactions with each other and with the humans who live there. What do you know about the ecology of your home? How does the dust that accumulates in the corners […]

Show 1153: How to Listen to TV Drug Commercials Feb 15, 2019

If you watch television, you can’t avoid TV drug commercials for maladies from type 2 diabetes to auto-immune diseases like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis to refractory cancers. Do you see these ads as providing the information you need about your medicines? Or do you perceive them as pushing viewers to request drugs that they may […]

Show 1152: Can You Conquer Your Cravings with Mindfulness? Feb 08, 2019

Have you ever thought about how a bad habit gets started? You can blame the neural wiring and chemistry we share with all animals. When we do something that feels good in the moment, we remember it and are likely to repeat that action. But “feels good” doesn’t always translate into “good for you.” How […]

Show 1151: What Was the First Immunotherapy for Cancer? Feb 01, 2019

Back at the turn of the 20th century, the only treatment for most types of cancer was surgery. When a young New York doctor lost his first patient to sarcoma despite treating her by the book, he began to look for other approaches. What he came up with was actually the first immunotherapy for cancer. […]

Show 1150: Should You Fire Your Doctor? Jan 25, 2019

Decades ago, the relationship between a patient and a doctor was often asymmetrical. The doctor decided what treatment was needed and issued “doctor’s orders.” Patients were expected to follow through, no questions. In most cases, they couldn’t ask questions because they didn’t have access to enough information to formulate reasonable queries. How 20th century! Today, […]

Show 1149: Is Cutting Carbs More Important Than Cutting Calories? Jan 18, 2019

The diet wars have been raging for years. Each side has ardent proponents–those who insist that a low-fat diet is the best way to control weight and those who are convinced that a low-carb diet is better have had a hard time finding common ground. Even those who endorse a more moderate approach can be […]

Show 1147: How Do You Control Your Cholesterol? Jan 03, 2019

What causes heart disease? There are a number of risk factors, including cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, diabetes and others. One well-known risk is high cholesterol. Has your doctor told you that you need to control your cholesterol? New Guidelines for Cholesterol Control: The principal cardiologists’ organizations in the US recently updated their […]

Show 1063: How to Apply Emotional First Aid (Archive) Dec 27, 2018

Life is never completely smooth and easy. Along with bruised shins and skinned knees, we all experience hurt feelings from time to time. Perhaps we got left out of the game, or our best friend decided to hang out with somebody else. What do you do in a situation like this? How can you learn to […]

Show 1078: How to Have Good Digestion Without Heartburn Drugs (Archive) Dec 20, 2018

Millions of people take medicines like Prevacid, Prilosec or Nexium every day. But while such proton pump inhibitors may ease symptoms of heartburn, they can also lead to serious side effects. Dr. Philip Gorelick, spokesperson for the American Heart Association, describes the research linking these heartburn drugs to an increased risk of stroke. Alternatives to PPIs? What […]

Show 1146: Why You Should Share Your Stories Dec 14, 2018

Facts are essential for scientific understanding. Stories are critical for wisdom, understanding the arc and meaning of our lives. Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, author of two wonderful books about stories, describes how some stories can diminish us and our view of ourselves. Others give us strength and hope. Stories can reveal deep meaning in our […]

Show 1144: New Ways to Heal Your Digestive Tract Nov 30, 2018

Heartburn is a common problem. Many people take powerful acid-suppressing drugs like Nexium or Prilosec every day to treat gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD. If untreated, chronic irritation of the swallowing tube can lead to Barrett’s esophagus. Do you have to take medications forever to treat this condition? Are there better ways to heal your […]

Show 1104: Why Compassion Is Key to a Good Life (Archive) Nov 22, 2018

In a cruel world, compassion might seem like a frivolous pursuit. But our guest expert argues convincingly that we need this emotion now more than ever, if only to keep from falling into despair. What is compassion, and what does science have to do with it? The Science of Compassion: Compassion is a response to […]

Show 1143: Can You Control Your Blood Sugar by Fasting? Nov 16, 2018

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the US and around the world. Although endocrinologists consider it a chronic, progressive disorder, some experts have seen that it is potentially reversible and may be preventable. What approaches are helpful? What role could fasting play? Nephrologist Jason Fung, MD, says that you can’t manage a dietary […]

Show 1142: What Is the Science Behind Home Remedies? Nov 08, 2018

Over the years, we have heard about scores upon scores of home remedies for everything from arthritis to warts. Some make sense intuitively, while others seem silly. Most have never been subjected to scientific scrutiny. Is there any science behind home remedies? We may never know the full answer to that question, but occasionally we […]

Show 1141: Which Health Risks Should You Worry About? Nov 01, 2018

Do you enjoy a glass of wine from time to time? If so, were you alarmed to read headlines last fall announcing that ANY amount of alcohol is problematic? Here’s how those headlines came about. The researchers wrote in The Lancet (Sept. 22, 2018), in their interpretation of their meta-analysis of the health risks, world-wide, […]

Show 1140: How Can You Manage Arthritis Pain? Oct 25, 2018

More than 50 million adult Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis. While osteoarthritis is the most common form, there are many others, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and even fibromyalgia. What are the similarities and differences between these various inflammatory conditions? What are the best ways to manage arthritis pain? How Does Arthritis Affect […]

Show 1139: Will Supplements Keep Your Bones Strong? Oct 19, 2018

For years, people were urged to take calcium supplements to avoid losing bone density. This advice was aimed particularly at menopausal and postmenopausal women because they are especially susceptible to bone fragility and fractures. All the same, calcium supplements were often recommended to all older adults. Will taking calcium pills really keep your bones strong? Seniors […]

Show 1138: What Are the Health Benefits of Yoga? Oct 15, 2018

Yoga has become extremely popular over the last few decades. You have probably seen photographs of fit-looking young people in stretchy clothing and improbable poses and wondered why they are so enthusiastic about this practice. However, yoga is not about extreme poses or looking good. Practicing yoga is a path to good health. What exactly […]

Show 1137: What Should You Know About Women’s Sexual Health? Oct 05, 2018

Viagra became a household name almost as soon as the drug was introduced. Before that, though, few men were willing to talk about erectile dysfunction. When it comes to women’s sexual health, we seem to still be in the whispering stage. The only drug to have been approved for women’s sexual function, Addyi, is largely […]

Show 1136: Do You Really Need That Pill? Sep 27, 2018

Americans take a lot of medications. We appear to have adopted the advertising-based attitude that there is a pill for every ill. But while some medicines may be helpful or even essential in some circumstances, a lot of people end up taking too many of them. Sometimes doctors end up prescribing one drug to counteract […]

Show 1135: Who Do You Believe–the Experts or the Evidence? Sep 21, 2018

Doctors have been advocating evidence-based medicine for a few decades, but a surprising amount of medical practice is based on tradition. How can you sort out the value of evidence-based medicine from eminence-based medicine? (That is, what the most influential experts recommend, based on their own experience or beliefs.) The Fate of Medical Mythbusters: Collecting […]

Show 1105: How to Keep Your Nails Healthy and Beautiful (Archive) Sep 13, 2018

Nails rarely get much medical attention. They just don’t seem as urgent as high blood pressure or diabetes. Despite this, nails are part of the way we present ourselves socially. Consequently, most people are quite concerned about the appearance of their nails. What should you know about keeping them healthy? Nail Problems as Red Flags: […]

Show 1134: Can You Control Your Blood Pressure Without Drugs? Sep 06, 2018

High blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. A recent change in guidelines urges doctors to treat people whose blood pressure would not have been considered particularly high a few years ago. (Here is a link to the guidelines, published in March 2018.) Most of the time, that treatment consists […]

Show 1101: How You Can Use Essential Oils for Better Health (Archive) Aug 30, 2018

Plant-based oils often carry the scent of the plant. Plants may use them to attract insects, but people have found numerous uses for them as well. Some can be used in skin care, while others may be used for relaxation or to improve digestion. What Are Essential Oils? The volatile aromatic compounds found in plants […]

Show 1100: What Is the Story on Celiac Disease? (Archive) Aug 23, 2018

At one time, doctors believed that celiac disease was extremely rare, that the few children who had it would outgrow it and that the symptoms were primarily digestive. We now know that none of these axioms are true and the story on celiac disease is different. What is it now, and why does it matter? […]

Show 1133: How Can You Overcome Migraine Headaches? Aug 17, 2018

Nearly 40 million Americans know the nausea and throbbing pain of migraine headaches. This debilitating condition that can create one-sided head pain may make it difficult or impossible to carry on with work or everyday tasks. How Can You Prevent Migraine Headaches? There are drugs that can be used to treat migraine headaches, but the […]

Show 1131: Was Your Medicine Made in China? Aug 03, 2018

Do you know where your medicines come from? It can actually be something of a challenge to find out, because unlike shirts or apples, drugs do not have to be labeled with country of origin. As it turns out, over the past two decades, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry has followed the same route as many […]

Show 1130: Exploring the Hard Science of Self-Healing Jul 27, 2018

Have you ever thought of your body as a machine and the doctor as its mechanic? It’s a common metaphor, but one that can get us into a lot of trouble. Machines can’t heal themselves, but our bodies have superb capacities to do so, if we help them. It turns out that there is more […]

Show 1129: Is Complementary Medicine Good for Children? Jul 19, 2018

Complementary medicine has become popular in the US. Many people pay out of pocket for treatment by Ayurveda practitioners, massage therapists or chiropractors. Others take a range of herbs and other natural products as dietary supplements. Some of these practices are controversial, but conventional physicians are beginning to integrate some ideas, such as dietary advice […]

Show 1128: What You Need to Know About Tick-Borne Diseases Jul 13, 2018

If you’ve spent time out in the woods this summer, or if you hope to hike or bike outside, you need to know about ticks. Ticks are not just icky; they can also carry dangerous diseases. In fact, tick-borne diseases are increasing as ticks increase their range. Tick-Borne Diseases: Not all tick bites lead to […]

Show 1127: The Health Impact of Environmental Disaster Jul 06, 2018

Since 1995, the world has experienced twenty of the hottest years on record. The wildfires raging across western states are expected to burn more acreage than last year’s devastating fires. Hurricanes like Sandy, Harvey, Irma and Maria have caused enormous destruction. And less conspicuously but just as ominous, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have […]

Show 1099: How to Recognize and Overcome Eating Disorders (Archive) Jun 28, 2018

What could be more natural than eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full? That simple approach is far from easy for many people. Hunger and eating get disconnected in eating disorders. How can these complex problems be recognized and treated? How Common Are Eating Disorders? Many people think of anorexia nervosa […]

Show 1089: How Plants Can Improve Your Sex Life (Archive) Jun 23, 2018

People around the world have learned how to use the plants in their vicinity to heal themselves and make life better. Not surprisingly, many cultures have found plants that can improve your sex life. What are they? The Medicine Hunter: Our guest is Chris Kilham, known as the Medicine Hunter. He travels to remote locations […]

Show 1126: Can You Find Your Best Diet? Jun 14, 2018

People get excited about their favorite diets. Maybe you do, too. Are you a low-carb champion or a low-fat fan? Which one really is your best diet? The DIETFITS Study: A big study from the Stanford Prevention Research Center assigned 600 people to either a healthy low-fat diet or a healthy low-carb diet. (No junk […]

Show 1124: Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements? May 31, 2018

What is the value of vitamin supplements? There is no consensus on whether most people would benefit. Much of the research on multivitamins does not show a strong effect in preventing cardiovascular disease or cancer. Consequently, doctors often conclude that vitamin supplements are unnecessary. What Is a Well-Balanced Diet? Instead, they suggest that everyone follow […]

Show 1123: What Are the Unexpected Dangers of Medical Devices? May 24, 2018

Medical devices are far more common than you might imagine. One American in ten has an implanted defibrillator, pacemaker, artificial hip or knee joint, surgical mesh or other device. How rigorously are such devices tested before they can be used? How Does the FDA Regulate Medical Devices? You would imagine that the Food and Drug […]

Show 1122: Can You Keep Fast Food from Killing You? May 18, 2018

Fast food is taking over the American diet, and the effects are deadly. Processed meats, such as pepperoni or bologna, could be considered carcinogenic. Moreover, highly processed foods and fried foods set us up for heart disease and dementia. All the foods in bags and boxes with white flour and synthetic ingredients are a major […]

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Does Anger Harm Your Heart?

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Is Climate Change Making Allergies Worse?

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What Visualizing the Retina Tells Us About the Brain:

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration May Threaten Your Vision:

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Miracle Cure Hiding in Plain Sight:

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Exposing Blind Spots:

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The Perils of Plastic:

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The Siren Song of M&Ms:

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Willpower as a Myth:

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