Healthy Looks Great on You

Parasite cleanses are everywhere—from social media to the supplement aisle—but do you actually need one? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down the science behind parasites, parasitic infections, and the growing claims that a parasite cleanse can fix fatigue, bloating, weight gain, or even prevent cancer. You'll learn: What parasites really are and how people actually get them Which parasitic infections are seen in the U.S. (and which ones aren't) The truth about parasites and cancer risk Why common symptoms like gas and bloating are rarely caused by parasites What parasite cleanses claim to do—and what the evidence actually shows When testing and medical treatment are appropriate Where ivermectin fits into the conversation (and where it doesn't) If you've ever wondered whether you need to “deworm,” this episode separates fact from hype and explains why real diagnosis matters more than internet trends. Evidence-based medicine, minus the fear tactics—and definitely minus the worms. Healthy Looks Great on You

Should You Take a Vitamin D Supplement? Vitamin D has had quite the reputation makeover. Once overhyped, then dismissed, it's now back in the spotlight—with better science to guide us. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we break down what vitamin D actually does in your body, why deficiency is so common (even if you love the sunshine), and why more isn't always better when it comes to supplementation. You'll learn how vitamin D functions as both a nutrient and a hormone, where you can—and can't—get it from food, and why blood levels matter more than the number on the supplement bottle. We also explore emerging research, including personalized dosing studies showing potential benefits for heart health, mood, immune function, and more. If you're feeling fatigued, moody, getting sick often, or just wondering whether you should be taking vitamin D at all, this episode will help you make an informed, individualized decision. Because when it comes to vitamin D, the smartest dose is the one that fits you—and healthy really does look great on you. Healthy Looks Great on You

The holidays are over, the decorations may still be up, and you're finally catching your breath—only to realize you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering when belly fat decided to move in permanently. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we talk about why overwhelm isn't just mental—and how stress, disrupted sleep, holiday eating, and aging hormones all contribute to stubborn belly fat. You'll learn why fat redistributes to the midsection as we get older, why willpower alone doesn't work in January, and how overwhelm can quietly sabotage even the best intentions. We'll also cover why belly fat is more than a cosmetic issue, how small lifestyle changes can shift hormones in the right direction, and where to start without feeling like you need a total life overhaul. If you're ready to tackle belly fat in January with practical, science-backed strategies and supportive accountability, check out The Lab—a private community designed to help women create real, sustainable change without overwhelm. Because healthy looks great on you—and it starts with one small step. Join Healthy Looks Great on You - The LAB. Doors open January 5th, 2026.

Metabolism Reset (Without the Nonsense) If your January plan includes the words reset, jumpstart, or torch, this episode is your reality check—in the best possible way. Your metabolism doesn't have a reset button. It has feedback loops. And most “metabolism resets” actually send your body the opposite message: food is scarce, stress is high, and it's time to conserve energy. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we break down what metabolism really is (hint: it's not just about burning calories) and why extreme dieting, under-eating, poor sleep, and all-or-nothing exercise plans often lead to fatigue, brain fog, stubborn belly fat, and frustration—especially as we age. You'll learn: • What metabolism actually does in the body • Why your metabolism is more like a thermostat than a race car • How stress and sleep deprivation slow metabolic function • Why muscle is your metabolic ally—and how to build it without extremes • The simple, evidence-based signals that help metabolism recover over time No detoxes. No punishment. No January drama. This episode is about rebuilding—not resetting—your metabolism through consistent nourishment, sleep, strength, and realistic habits your body can trust. Because slow, steady, evidence-based change is how real results happen—and healthy really does look great on you. If you'd like to join an exclusive group of women tackling belly fat and healthy habits, check out Healthy Looks Great on You - The LAB

Maintaining Muscle Mass as You Age: Is Muscle Loss Inevitable? Have you noticed it's a little harder to get out of a chair… or your car… or maybe open a stubborn jar? You're not imagining things. Muscle loss—known medically as sarcopenia—can begin as early as your 30s and accelerates with age. But here's the good news: it's not inevitable, and it's certainly not too late to do something about it. In this episode, we head to mini medical school to break down what sarcopenia is, why it happens, when it typically starts, and why it matters for your strength, balance, independence, and long-term health. We'll talk hormones, protein (and why it's not magic), anabolic resistance, and the real-life signs of muscle loss you may already recognize. Most importantly, you'll learn practical, evidence-based strategies to maintain—and even rebuild—muscle as you age through balanced nutrition, resistance training, and consistent movement. No extremes. No perfection. Just real-world habits that work. Plus, I'm sharing details about the upcoming Healthy Looks Great on You Lab, a private community launching January 5th where we turn podcast knowledge into real-life results—together. Aging is inevitable. Losing strength doesn't have to be. And healthy?  Healthy Looks Great on You.  USDA Protein Calculator HERE Learn more about The LAB HERE Get details about the LAB by email HERE

Is butter really better—or just louder on the internet? In this episode, we break down the truth about saturated fat, unsaturated fat, and why the chemistry of fat matters more than the latest nutrition trend. You'll get a quick mini medical-school lesson on how different fats behave in your body, why saturated fats can raise LDL cholesterol, and how unsaturated fats support heart health, lower inflammation, and help you absorb key vitamins. We'll talk real-life food choices, simple swaps that make a big difference, and why most Americans are eating plenty of protein but not nearly enough healthy fats. If you've ever felt confused about butter, olive oil, nuts, seeds, yogurt, or anything in between—this episode brings the clarity. Want to see what I keep in my pantry for quick, balanced meals? Grab my No Plan, No Problem Pantry Guide on my website. Healthy looks great on you.  Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025

This week I'm joined by physical therapist Dr. Preeti Jha for a surprisingly eye-opening conversation about frozen shoulder—why it happens, why it's so common in midlife women, and what early warning signs we tend to miss. We dig into the hormonal connection (yes, menopause is a legit risk factor), the stages of frozen shoulder, and the specific movements that can clue you in before things get “stuck.” We also talk inflammation, lifestyle habits that protect your joints, and the powerful role intentional movement plays in staying strong as we age. Dr. Preeti shares her whole-body approach to bridging orthopedic and pelvic floor therapy, plus her mission to keep women active, confident, and capable well into their 80s and 90s. If you've ever wondered why your shoulder stopped cooperating, or you just want to stay mobile for the long haul, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Check out Beginners Strength Guide https://www.purerehabyoga.com/beginnersguide

The holidays are here, and with them, the temptation to throw your healthy habits out the window. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie shows you how to navigate the season without guilt, deprivation, or diet disasters. Building on last week's discussion about connecting food with how you feel, she shares practical strategies for staying energized, satisfied, and in control—without missing out on the festive fun. Learn the three common holiday mistakes that sabotage your progress and discover a holiday transformation toolkit that includes mindful eating, stabilizing meals, hydration, movement, and simple home routines. Dr. Vickie also shares her secret “Quick Meals, Not Quick Fixes” pantry guide to help you stay nourished even when life gets hectic. This episode isn't about rules or willpower—it's about making intentional choices that support the healthiest version of you, one small decision at a time. Tune in and reclaim your energy, focus, and wellbeing this holiday season. Grab your free pantry guide at HealthyLooksGreatOnYou.com

Dr. Vickie's Black Friday Favorites* Get ready, friend — this Thanksgiving week I'm serving up a special bonus episode! I'm walking you through my Black Friday shopping list filled with my favorite tools from all six pillars of lifestyle medicine: fitness, nutrition, sleep, social connection, stress management, and minimizing risky substances. These are the products I use, love, and recommend every day inside my own home and with my patients. From walking pads and rowing machines… to cookbooks I've discussed with their authors… to my go-to sleep tools and holiday-stress survival gadgets — this episode gives you a curated list to support your health during the busiest season of the year. If you've been wanting to invest in your well-being, refresh your habits, or find meaningful gifts for people you love, this Black Friday guide makes it simple. I share why each item matters for your health and how it supports the pillars that help you feel better, sleep better, and live fully. Think of this one as your personal shopping companion — minus the crowds and the impulse buys. Fitness: Body Pod - Let me tell you about this thing. I have a love/hate relationship with it. Walking pad Rowing machine Peloton - go big or go home Yoga Mat Air Pods Pickleball Nutrition: Blue Zones Cookbook - I use this one a lot! How Not to Die - the nice cream recipe is included. Reversing Diabetes Cookbook Power Foods for the Brain The Brain Food Cookbook (based on the MIND diet) Ninja Blender - can you say smoothies! Instant Pot - saves me time. My favorite kitchen gadget Cutting Boards Kitchen Knives - chopping is a great stress reliever too. Hibiscus Elderberry Tea Stanley Cup to stay hydrated! Sleep White noise machine Sleep mask - I use this every single night. Cooling Sheets Ashwagandha Tea Temp controlled mug Tea Kettle Lavender Body Cream Ugg socks - warm feet promotes better sleep. Favorite pillow Social Connection Code Names - my old favorite game for a group. Cribbage - we travel with this one. Mahjong Monopoly Deal - my new fav. Rummikub Pickleball The Friendship Initiative by Amberly Neese who was on my podcast. Listen here. Tales - I am excited about this one. Find Your People by Jennie Allen Stress Management Air Pods Stronger than Stress by Barb Roose. You can listen to my convo with her here. Fidget Spinner Adult Coloring Book (New Mercies) Prayer Journal Closet organizers - decluttering helps clear stress. Robe - nothing says relaxed more than a cozy robe. Yoga Mat Minimize Harmful Substances Dopamine Nation listen to my interview with this author, Dr. Anna Lembke here. Nicotine replacement Dopamine Nation Workbook Celebrate Recovery Workbooks *Contain Amazon affiliate links

Ever eaten something “innocent” at lunch and spent the entire afternoon feeling foggy, cranky, and ready to gnaw your own arm off? You're not imagining it—your food choices are talking directly to your mood, energy, and mental clarity. In this episode, we step into mini-medical school to unpack why certain foods make you feel calm and focused… and why others send you straight onto the blood-sugar rollercoaster. I'll share my Halloween Almond Joy debacle (spoiler: it wasn't joyful), explain what's really happening with insulin, cortisol, dopamine, and gut-produced serotonin, and show you how to connect what you eat with how you feel—emotionally, mentally, and physically. You'll learn simple ways to shift toward meals that support stable energy, better focus, and a calmer mood—starting with a feel-amazing breakfast and a colorful, fiber-forward plate. I'll even walk you through my favorite smoothie blueprint so you can build your own mood-boosting blend. If you're ready to feel clear-headed instead of cloudy, energized instead of exhausted, and confident instead of chaotic… this episode will help you flip that switch. Resources Mentioned: – Free pantry guide: Quick Meals, Not Quick Fixes – 7-Day Kickstart to Healthy Habits course at HealthyLooksGreatOnYou.com

Are carbs bad for you? Not so fast! In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie clears up the carb confusion once and for all. You'll find out why carbohydrates aren't the villains they've been made out to be — and how to choose the ones that actually love your body back. From the history of the U.S. dietary guidelines to the real difference between simple and complex carbs, Dr. Vickie breaks it all down with her signature blend of humor and evidence-based wisdom. You'll learn what “balanced” really means, why fiber is your best friend, and how to avoid the sugar traps hiding in your favorite foods. No calculators, no food scales, just practical, real-world advice to help you enjoy your meals — carbs included. Tune in and discover why the key to health isn't cutting carbs, but choosing them wisely. Because when you love your body (and your carbs), healthy looks great on you. RESOURCES: Dietary Guidelines 7 Day Kickstart to Healthy Habits and Lose Belly Fat  

Is healthy eating too expensive? Not anymore! In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie shows you how to eat healthy on a budget without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Discover how to use affordable staples like beans, frozen spinach, sweet potatoes, and canned goods to create quick, satisfying meals for busy weeknights or meal prep. You'll also learn smart grocery shopping tips, easy meal ideas like budget bowls, sheet-pan dinners, and soups, and strategies to reduce waste while boosting your health. Whether you're looking to save money, eat better, or simply simplify your kitchen, this episode is packed with practical, budget-friendly nutrition tips you can use right away. Resources: Download Dr. Vickie's free Pantry & Freezer Guide with recipes and meal ideas at HealthyLooksGreatOnYou.com

Remember when you could power through the day without crashing? You can feel that way again!

Have you ever opened your lab results and noticed those scary highlighted numbers next to AST or ALT? It's enough to make anyone panic. Before you start Googling “liver damage,” join Dr. Vickie for a fun, fact-filled trip to mini medical school. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie explains what liver enzymes really measure, why fatty liver has become the most common liver disease in the world, and—most importantly—what you can do to heal your liver naturally. You'll learn the difference between AST, ALT, and Alk Phos (without needing a biochemistry degree), how diet, stress, and sleep impact your liver health, and why your liver has an incredible ability to repair itself. Spoiler alert: you don't need a “cleanse” or detox tea—you just need the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine. This is real science made simple—with a few cheesy jokes thrown in for good measure.

Do You Really Need a Liver Detox? The Truth About Cleanses and Liver Health If your social feed has you convinced you need a liver detox, take a deep breath—and put down the turmeric shot. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie explains what your liver actually does, why detox products don't work, and what does help your liver thrive. You'll learn how supplements, alcohol, medications, and even trendy wellness fads can harm this hardworking organ—and why the real “liver cleanse” is a healthy lifestyle. With humor, science, and straight talk, Dr. Vickie breaks down how to protect your liver so it can keep protecting you. Subscribe at Healthylooksgreatonyou.com

Recent headlines warned pregnant women, “Don't take Tylenol.” But what does the science really say? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie — an obstetrician who delivered 5,000 babies — unpacks the FDA's statement, the studies on acetaminophen and pregnancy, and the difference between correlation and causation. Learn what the evidence shows (and what it doesn't), why context matters, and how to balance risks without adding fear or guilt. Links: FDA Statement to Physicians The White House webpage Harvard study ABC interview with Dr. Makary Press conference video The Nurses Health Study Boston Birth Cohort Johns Hopkins statement Mt. Sinai study Swedish study in JAMA Subscribe to Healthy Looks Great on You podcast  Learn more about Healthy Looks Great on You a lifestyle medicine podcast

Wondering how to get rid of a cold fast? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie breaks down evidence-based remedies that actually work to relieve symptoms. Learn which supplements may help, which ones to skip, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, nutrition, and handwashing protect your immune system. Stay healthy this season with simple, science-backed strategies. 'Tis the Season to be Sneezing The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Sickness Does Prevagen work? Growing Echinacea Probiotics

Do you think of yourself as someone who just can't sleep? I know you want to sleep better, but I'm not sure you really believe you can. You have all the information you need. You even heard about my sleep course, but you're still worried. That it's not enough to fix you. Well, you're not broken, and I can help. Sleep matters. You already know that. But do you think you just don't sleep and change isn't possible? I can prove that it is possible. Take my client, Claire. Claire was a sleep tracker, you know, smart bed with all the bells and whistles and the app on the phone that shouted disappointing score every single morning. Someone who tried everything and finally decided that good sleep was for other people. But after doing a sleep inventory with me, I was able to pinpoint the specific issues that made sleep elusive. And guess what happened? That sleep score average skyrocketed from the sixties to the nineties. And no, I am not talking about going from being a hippie to a yuppie. I'm talking about a complete sleep transformation with just a few interventions. Does sleep feel kind of mysterious to you? Have you tried white noise and sleep apps? Or maybe the 3, 2, 1 bedtime routine or the 3 3 3 or the ten, three, two, one zero? I'm not making this stuff up. Sleep has become so complicated. We forget that really it's a physiologic process necessary for the basic functions of life. And listen, you can't sleep better by trying harder. That just makes it worse. In fact, that's exactly what I cover in my sleep Masterclass. Everything You're Doing to Sleep Better is Keeping You Awake at Night, where I guide you through proven evidence-based ways to sleep better. Ask Claire how they work. Last week I shared one of my favorite tools to turn off your mind so you can sleep. It's called cognitive switching or Cognitive shuffling. I'll put a link to that episode in the show notes because it is highly effective. Someone commented on my Facebook page, "Dr.Vickie, I'll try it tonight." That's the spirit. Put it to the test, and I asked her to let me know how it worked and the next day she commented, "Yes, it worked. I used the word faithful and then went on to smart, but only got as far as the A in smart." Imagine falling asleep in less than 15 minutes instead of tossing and turning for an hour. That's a real story. It's not fantasy. It is transformation and it's possible for you, and I want to help you get there. I'm personally acquainted with sleeplessness too. It was my constant companion for years, even before delivering babies kept me up in the middle of the night. I come from a long line of poor sleepers. When I was a kid, we used to bump into each other in the hallway during the night. That's just one of the reasons I am so passionate about helping others get the sleep they need for their health and wellbeing. And that's why I created my digital course, "Unlock the Secret to Sleep Your Personal Sleep Solution." Inside, I'll walk you through simple evidence-based steps to reset your sleep so you can finally feel like yourself again. And because I know that sleep isn't a one size fits all when you join before September 17th, you'll get a personal one-on-one sleep evaluation with me. We'll look at your unique patterns and I'll help you identify the very first step that will get you moving toward better sleep right away.

 Counting sheep does not work, but this does. You likely learned to count before you went to kindergarten. So counting sheep is pretty simple. Your mind can easily flip between 45, 46, 47, and all of a sudden you're thinking about getting laundry detergent at the store tomorrow. Cognitive switching, or sometimes called cognitive shuffling is a more effective tool to help you put your mind in neutral and drift into dreamland. The idea is to mentally shift gears and focus on something slightly harder than counting sheep, and there's more than one way to do it. But first, I have a story. Big surprise. I know. Recently I sat on the couch with my husband and planned a big trip for my birthday. Did you know that you can search Pinterest for trip itineraries? But that's another story. Now I'm a master planner and give me some must see sites and I am all in. So I researched options, booked hotels, flights, a rental car, and several must see activities. The trip was booked and my mind was buzzing with excitement. The good kind. But then it was bedtime, and even though I went through my usual routine, slipped on my silky sleep mask to block out the light, I couldn't block out all those amazing adventures I had planned. Essentially, my brain was still in high gear, and even though the plans were taken care of, the excitement was keeping me awake. I knew what to do to change mental gears. I used cognitive switching, and I'm going to tell you how to do it. Think of a word. Any word, it doesn't matter how long or how short, but I thought of vacation. Then start with the first letter of the word you selected, and think of five other words. Begin with that letter. So I started with V and thought of victory vice voracious value and vapor, and then I moved on to A and thought of airplane administration armor askew. Acre and then C for castles and so on. Now, I would caution you not to spend too much effort coming up with a word. You don't want to engage your brain at a high level, but positive words are always nice too. But just go with the first thing that comes to your mind and let the words flow. Now, it can take a little while to change directions when you're coming in mentally hot. But I almost never get through a second word. So if you're still a wake and alert. When the first word is complete, repeat the process. Now, why does this work? Well, when you're drifting off to sleep, your brain starts a mental sorting process, throwing out random fragments of information. To make room for what will be stored overnight. There's a lot of work that goes on while you're sleeping. Cognitive shuffling allows your brain to focus, but is boring enough to transition from alertness to relaxed and ready to rest. So when you can't turn off your mind, give this a try and let me know how it works for you. And if you find this technique helpful, then you will not want to miss my free live online masterclass that I have coming up. It's called Everything you're Doing to Sleep Better is Keeping you Awake, and it is free. But registration is required and there are three available dates. There is Monday coming up this Monday on September 8th at noon, September 10th, which is Wednesday at 6:00 PM and Saturday September 13th at nine o'clock in the morning. So you have three options to attend this free live masterclass, just go to my website, healthy looks great on you.com, and sign up for one of those three sessions and you will get a free workbook that contains all the tips I'm going to give, but it's not going to give you all the information you need. You need to sign up and attend. If you can't attend live, go ahead and sign up anyway. You'll still get the workbook and you'll even get a replay. But what you won't get is the Food As Sleep Medicine Recipe Collection. You have to be there live to get that. And this is not just a recipe collection. This talks about the different foods and how they help you sleep. Foods that are high in things like magnesium and B vitamins and tryptophan and serotonin and melatonin. So it gives you some foods and the reasons they work. And then I have six recipes that I will share with you. I've tested all of them and they're good, and they've got all the things that a healthy gut microbiome needs for you to get a good night's sleep. But the only way you can get this recipe collection is to show up live for these free live masterclasses. So choose one. Go to my website healthy looks great on you.com, and sign up to get proven tips. And a bonus recipe collection because what if everything you're doing to sleep better is keeping you awake at night? Everything You're Doing to Sleep Better is Keeping You Awake at Night ​ 

Melatonin is one of the most popular over-the-counter sleep aids in the U.S. But, are you using it correctly? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie separates science from hype when it comes to melatonin supplements. She breaks down the difference between what your body naturally produces and what comes in the pill or gummy, and why timing and dosage matter way more than you think. If you're struggling with sleep and relying on melatonin to help, you'll want to know: When melatonin helps (and when it doesn't) Why taking too much can backfire Who should not take melatonin What the research says about quality control in supplements How to maximize your body's natural melatonin. Whether you're facing jet lag, restless nights, or just want to know what works, this episode is your guide. Don't miss "EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO SLEEP BETTER IS KEEPING YOU AWAKE," free, live masterclass. Three dates available September, 8, 10, & 13. This event is FREE, but registration is required. https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/everything-youre-doing-to-sleep-better-is-keeping-you-awake-at-night/ Plus there's a free bonus for attending, "Food as Sleep Medicine," collection of recipes.  #melatonin #sleep #insomnia 00:00 Melatonin

Melatonin is one of the most popular over-the-counter sleep aids in the U.S. But, are you using it correctly? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie separates science from hype when it comes to melatonin supplements. She breaks down the difference between what your body naturally produces and what comes in the pill or gummy, and why timing and dosage matter way more than you think. If you're struggling with sleep and relying on melatonin to help, you'll want to know: When melatonin helps (and when it doesn't) Why taking too much can backfire Who should not take melatonin What the research says about quality control in supplements How to maximize your body's natural melatonin Whether you're facing jet lag, restless nights, or just want to know what works, this episode is your guide. Don't miss "EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO SLEEP BETTER IS KEEPING YOU AWAKE," free, live masterclass. Three dates available September, 8, 10, & 13. This event is FREE, but registration is required. Plus there's a free bonus for attending, "Food as Sleep Medicine," collection of recipes. 

If you've ever wondered why you can't resist “just one more”—one more scroll, one more drink, one more chapter—this episode is for you.

How to Sleep Better When You Travel There's nothing like the thrill of travel! New sights, new smells, new experiences. But if your sleep doesn't come with you, your dream vacation can feel like a jet-lagged fog. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, Dr. Vickie explores the science behind why we struggle to sleep away from home (hello, “first night effect”) and what you can do to sleep better while traveling. From the brain's hemispheres to pillow hacks and scent cues, you'll learn practical, doctor-approved strategies to help you sleep soundly—whether you're in a five-star hotel or a rustic cabin. Plus, she shares her top bedtime routine tricks and what not to eat if you want to avoid tossing and turning all night. Whether you travel often or just want to make your next getaway more restful, this episode is packed with tips to help you feel refreshed wherever you wake up. Jet Lag Dr. Stacey Funt Adventure Travel 3 Simple Strategies to Sleep Better Tonight

Solving Insomnia: 5 Proven strategies to help you sleep through the night is a series published in Authority Magazine. This episode is part of that interview. Shawna Robins asked, "What would you advise for people should do if they wake up and can't fall back to sleep. Dr. Vickie's answers might surprise you. Check out Authority Magazine for the full interview coming soon.  5 Proven Strategies to Help You Sleep Through the Night Adjust your expectations: It is normal to wake up 5-7 times during the night. But trying harder to sleep makes sleeping harder.  Don't do clock math. Calculating how much sleep you'll get if you fall asleep now is counterproductive.  Rest, just rest. Embrace non-sleep restorative rest.  Turn off your mind. This one is definitely hard. Try cognitive shuffling.  Get out of bed if laying there is distressing. If you can't relax, get up and leave the bedroom and do something boring or soothing until you feel sleepy.  Solving insomnia isn't easy. Check out the resources on my website.   

  How Travel Transforms Your Health with Dr. Stacy Funt. Feeling stuck in your daily routine? Longing for something more than to-do lists and exhaustion? Feeling better might start with adventure. This episode is your permission slip to reset your mind, body, and soul.  Dr. Vickie welcomes Dr. Stacy Funt, radiologist, lifestyle medicine physician, and founder of LH Adventure Travel, for a powerful conversation on why travel is about more than sightseeing. It's about soul-seeing! Learn how immersive, awe-inspiring travel experiences designed around movement, community, and intentionality can radically improve your health and spark lasting transformation. Whether you're navigating a life transition, recovering from burnout, or simply craving connection and wonder, this episode will remind you of the healing power of stepping outside your routine and into something bigger.  

The Right (and Wrong) Way to Nap – What Science Says About Catching Zzz's Are naps good for you, or are they a sign of something more serious? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we're talking about the science behind napping. We explore the surprising health benefits of short power naps and the potential red flags associated with long or frequent daytime sleep. You'll learn: How long your nap should be to improve memory, mood, and focus, without feeling groggy. When daytime sleepiness is a warning sign of underlying health issues like sleep apnea or even early cognitive decline. Why timing your nap matters (and the worst time of day to doze off). Simple lifestyle changes to boost your energy without relying on caffeine or hours of extra sleep. If you love a daily nap or wonder why you're suddenly so tired, this episode will help you know when a nap is healthy (and when it's a clue to dig deeper into your health). Get your sleep cheatsheet: 3 Simple Strategies to Sleep Better Tonight Here

Food Is the Best Sleep Medicine—What If the Answer Is in Your Pantry? You've scanned labels and sipped sleepy teas, but what if the secret to better sleep is already on your plate? In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we bust myths and get real about how everyday foods affect your sleep-wake cycle. From caffeine hiding in decaf drinks to that heavy steak sabotaging your slumber, I take you from your pantry to mini medical school—sharing how nutrients like tryptophan, magnesium, B vitamins, and fiber-rich foods work with your body's chemistry to help you fall and stay asleep. You'll walk away knowing: The worst foods to eat before bed—and how they throw off your hormones Surprising foods that naturally promote melatonin and serotonin Why nuts, seeds, leafy greens, fruits (hi, kiwi!

Sleep and gut health are in a constant tug-of-war, with each affecting the other.  In this episode, we unpack how poor sleep can inflame your gut (hello, GERD and IBS flare-ups), disrupt hormones like leptin and ghrelin, and fuel cravings.  At the same time, an unhealthy gut can disturb your circadian rhythm, trigger insomnia, and even contribute to sleep apnea.  We spotlight key gut bacteria tied to better ZZZ's (like Lachnospiraceae and Odoribacter), and caution about sleep-disrupting microbes like Selenomonadales. The good news? You don't have to pick sides—you can create harmony by supporting both sleep and gut health! Top 3 diet tweaks for better sleep–and gut health: Add tryptophan-rich foods (almonds, lentils, oats) to nourish gut bacteria that support serotonin/melatonin production. Boost fiber intake through a variety of colorful fruits, veggies, and grains—perfect for gut—and are sleep-friendly. Cut refined carbs and sugar, opting for gut-and-sleep-approved swaps like “nice cream” from frozen bananas, cherries, almond butter & cocoa. Bonus resources: grab my Sleep Cheat Sheet and No-Plan Pantry Guide to put these ideas into action—and check out the Kickstart to Healthy Habits  mini‑course for extra support on building healthy habits that last. Eat Better; Sleep Better by Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge Related episodes: Meet the Microbes 101 Prebiotics and Probiotics The secret to staying on a diet

Why Healthy Habits Don't Stick—And What to Do About It Ever felt like you're stuck in a cycle of starting over—again and again? You're not alone. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Dr. Vickie shares her own health wake-up calls and reveals 7 surprising reasons we struggle to stick with healthy habits (even when we know exactly what to do). From all-or-nothing thinking to decision fatigue, she breaks down the science behind behavior change and offers real-world strategies to finally make progress that lasts. You'll learn: Why your brain resists healthy change How identity shapes your daily choices The role of systems, cues, and support in habit success Why willpower alone isn't enough And how to stop waiting for a diagnosis to take action If you're tired of starting over every Monday, this episode is your roadmap to lasting transformation—with grace, humor, and real-life tools that work. ✨ Ready to break the cycle?

Episode 178: More Than a Gut Feeling — The Gut-Brain Axis Explained In this episode of Healthy Looks Great On You, Dr. Vickie takes you on a mini-medical school field trip through the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis. Starting with the wild true story of Alexis St. Martin — the fur trapper who literally had a window into his stomach — you'll learn how early experiments paved the way to our current understanding of how your gut and brain constantly chat behind your back. We cover everything from why you lose your appetite during stressful times, to how your gut might actually cause your brain fog, mood swings, or even anxiety. You'll meet key players like the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system (aka your "second brain"), and discover simple, natural ways to heal your gut-brain axis — starting with your diet, your stress, and your habits. And as always, Dr. Vickie serves up easy-to-understand science with a healthy dose of humor (and fiber). Because when your gut is happy, your brain is happy. And when both are happy — healthy looks great on you.

In this week's episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we dive into the deep connection between belly fat, body image, and mindset. Dr. Vickie discusses how visceral fat is a serious health concern—but also how obsessing over your waistline can spiral into shame. Her guest shares an empowering 5-R framework to help you:

Could gut health be the cornerstone of your overall health? In this week's Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I take you on a behind-the-scenes journey of your gut microbiome—where trillions of organisms help with digestion, immunity, mood, sleep, and even weight. I cover how to maintain a balanced microbiome: Prebiotics to feed good bacteria Probiotics add the helpful microbes Caution around antibiotics, sugar, stress, and poor sleep If you want to feel better physically and emotionally, your gut is a great place to start!

You Are What Your Microbes Eat: Gut Health 101 This week, we're talking about your gut—home to trillions of microbes that can help you sleep better, lose belly fat, and reduce inflammation… or wreak havoc. We'll explore:

Plant-Based Living in a Carnivore Household Ever tried to introduce more plant-based meals at home, only to face resistance from your meat-loving partner? You're not alone. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, I share my personal journey of guiding my husband towards embracing plant-based eating—without any ultimatums or food battles. We'll discuss: The Power of Hybrid Meals: How combining plant-based dishes with familiar favorites can ease the transition. Gradual Changes: The importance of making small, incremental adjustments rather than drastic overhauls. Creative Cooking: Tips on using versatile ingredients like beans and mushrooms to create satisfying meals. Whether you're just starting your plant-based journey or looking for ways to involve your family, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories to inspire and guide you.   Bonus: Grab Dr. Vickie's free Pantry & Freezer Guide at PANTRY GUIDE The secret to staying on a diet Eat Plant Based Blue Zones Cookbook The Beginner's Garden - Grow Your Own Protein Protein Calculator

Healing Lupus and Autoimmune Disease Through Nutrition with Dr. Brooke Goldner Today, I'm bringing you a truly special conversation that every woman facing chronic illness, autoimmune struggles, or daily inflammation needs to hear. I'm joined by Dr. Brooke Goldner — bestselling author of Goodbye Lupus, Goodbye Autoimmune Disease, and a physician who has helped thousands of people reverse autoimmune conditions using a results-based, plant-powered protocol rooted in cellular repair and nutrition. And what makes her story even more powerful? She was a lupus patient facing kidney failure, chemotherapy, and being told she had six months to live. In this episode, we talk about: The unexpected way nutrition helped Dr. Goldner reverse her autoimmune disease Why protein panic is overhyped  What most doctors (and even influencers) get wrong about “anti-inflammatory diets” The emotional work behind healing: resilience, joy, trauma recovery, and choosing life at level 10 And how a simple smoothie protocol has changed lives — without perfection or pricey supplements We also dive into her rapid recovery program, her free community education work, and how healing is about more than just what you eat. Learn more at Goodbye Lupus If you've ever felt like your diagnosis defines you... If you've been told “you'll just have to live with it”… If you're exhausted from managing symptoms with meds but not feeling any better… You need this conversation.  

Let's talk about the thing no one wants to talk about…Belly fat. It shows up quietly, settles in like an uninvited guest, and refuses to leave — no matter how “healthy” you try to be. So what actually causes it?

Let's talk about it. That stubborn, uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing belly fat that creeps in seemingly overnight. You didn't change your eating. You didn't stop moving. But your body changed, and no one can really explain why. This week on Healthy Looks Great on You, I'm sharing:  ✔️ The real causes of belly fat (it's not what you think) ✔️ My personal story of prednisone, cheesecake, and Dr. Pepper ✔️ Why stress, sleep, and hormones matter more than calorie math ✔️ What TikTok got wrong ✔️ A practical plan rooted in the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine This episode is honest and practical. No shame, no gimmicks. Because your belly isn't a punchline, it's your body asking for help. GET THE GUIDE HERE Subscribe to get all the extras Belly Fat: Are you in the danger zone?

Find Out If Your Belly Fat is In the Danger Zone —and What to Do About It First things first:   ❌ You don't need a clock.   ❌ You don't need another app.   ✅ You just need a tape measure.   (And a little honesty.)   Here's how to check — the right way: How to Measure Your Belly Fat Accurately 1. Grab a flexible tape measure (the kind used for sewing, not the metal construction one from the garage!).   2. Stand up straight, but relax. No sucking it in like a before-and-after photo. Inhale, exhale, and let your body be.   3. Find your measuring spot: ○ Place the tape measure right around your belly button, just above your hip bones.   ○ Make sure it's snug but not cinched tight. It should rest comfortably against your skin — not digging in.   4. Look straight ahead and read the measurement — no tilting your head or pulling tighter. Honesty is power here.

 You want to eat healthy and you're doing your best. But the grocery store, it can feel like a minefield of marketing buzzwords, multi-grain, all natural, lightly sweetened or made with real fruit. They all sound healthy, right? But are they? We are going to look at the sneaky and misleading world of food marketing under a magnifying glass today so that you know how to shop smart at the grocery store.  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets as a very sick patient. When my own body betrayed me, I took a handful of pills to manage my disease and another handful to counteract the side effects. My health was out of control. Through surgery, medications, and lots of prayers, I  regained my strength only to face another  diagnosis. My doctor challenged me to make radical changes through lifestyle medicine. Now I feel great and I want to help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  Being healthy isn't just about willpower. It's about knowledge. And once you learn how to spot these tricks, you'll shop smarter, eat better, and feel more in control. This is episode 1 69. Don't fall for marketing tricks in the grocery store. You really do want to eat healthy and you check the labels and try to make good choices, but let's be honest, grocery shopping can feel like walking through a maze of healthy sounding words that don't always mean what you think. There are eight common phrases that show up everywhere on cereals, yogurts, granola bars, juices, and they sound wholesome and smart and safe. But behind the scenes, they are misleading at best and downright deceptive at worst. By the end of this episode though, you are going to be a label reading pro. You'll learn how food companies use marketing tricks to make junk food sound healthy, and how you can spot the truth with a quick glance at the label  because who's got time to stand in the grocery store aisle and read all the labels? I will say that if you missed my episode on reading a nutritional label, then you should go back and listen to that and I'll put a link in the show notes, but it's episode number 115, or you can go to my website, healthy Looks Great on you.com, and just type label in the search bar and it will come up. But if you're ready to decode the deception, let's get started. We're going to go to mini medical school, and today our class is psychology. Psychology is an important part of overall health, and marketers know it. That's why they spend millions and millions of dollars on food packaging, they're counting on you to be pulled in by the front of the package. And the last thing they want you to do is turn it over and read the nutrition label because that's where the facts are listed. That's why I wanted you to go back and listen to episode 115. But today you're going to learn that the front of the package is just bait and there's always a hook.  Here's what I'm talking about. Calming earth tones so that it looks natural, farm scenery so that it feels wholesome. And there are some buzzwords that sound really good, but they're not. And we call all of that a health halo. And what they're trying to do is give you the impression that unhealthy food is good for you.   Today, we're going to look at eight common terms that are used on the front of the package labeling, and then I'm going to give you one. Just one piece of advice that is going to change the way you do your grocery shopping, so stay tuned. Let's start with those eight labels. The first one, and you will see this everywhere, is multi grain, and that sounds so healthy  because fiber is so important in our diet to have a healthy gut. And so we want to have grains in our diet, but multi-grain, no, that's not what we need. It's whole grains that we need. and you see what happens. They can use the word multi-grain when they just mean processed grains, but more than one of them.   So they could have one or two or even 10 grains that have been entirely stripped of their nutrients, and they can still call it multi-grain. And that sounds like a healthy mix of grains, but it's not.  even if the flour is wheat flour and it's enriched. And refined, then it's just an unhealthy grain in disguise, and what you really need is whole grains that still have the brand and the germ, because that's where the fiber is, that's where the B vitamins are antioxidants. All of that is found in whole grain. So what you really should look for is 100% whole grain. Otherwise, multi-grain is usually a trick.    And a little twist on that is number two made with whole grains. Okay? How much whole grains, if it doesn't say 100%, it might be only 2% and the other 98% might be pure junk. So always look for 100% whole grain  and make sure the whole grain, like whole wheat or whatever grain we're talking about is the very first ingredient, because otherwise you could just be getting a trace of whole grains so that they can legally make the claim and the rest is just junk.  Number three is one of my favorites because it sounds so incredibly good and it's not all natural. Why would that be bad? Well, first of all, there's absolutely no regulation in this claim. They can say all natural, and it means nothing because there's no definition of that term. And even high fructose corn syrup, which I think we can all agree is to terrible for you, could be considered natural, and it makes it sound like it's coming straight from the earth and hasn't been processed  and it makes you feel safe, but it's not regulated. Number four is no added sugar. Well, that sounds good because we want to cut back on the sugar in our diet because it has inflammatory properties and it's bad for your heart and your blood vessels and your brain, but no added sugar can still have tons of sugar. It can have juice concentrates or something like evaporated cane juice. Brown rice syrups. These are all just sugars in disguise.  And listen, the type of sugar absolutely matters. Sugar from fruit - healthy; sugar from processed foods, very unhealthy. And speaking of fruit, that leads us to the next deceptive marketing term, which is made with real fruit. Okay. How much real fruit, like did you add a fleck of watermelon and call that made with real fruit?   And it's not fresh fruit either. I mean, it sounds like they're cutting up apples or putting whole blueberries in there, but it may just be juice concentrate and listen, that is not healthy. You cannot eat a fruit gummy and pretend you're eating fruit. And that leads us to number six, which is lightly sweetened.  That's a vibe, not a fact. What does lightly even mean? There's absolutely no rule behind that phrase. What you should do instead is check the number of grams of sugar  there's no lightly sweetened term according to the FDA. So you could have 10 grams of sugar that's added and still just wear this label and pretend.  And I recommend that you get all of your sugar from whole food sources like oranges and bananas, blueberries and strawberries, carrots and potatoes Okay, and coming in at number seven is probably one of your favorites. Organic. And yes, organic is great if you're trying to reduce exposure to pesticides, but it doesn't mean healthy. You can have organic candy and organic potato chips. It only means that the ingredients were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizer. But organic sugar is still sugar, and an organic cookie is still a cookie  and last on the list is another buzzword and that is gluten-free. And listen, if you have celiac disease or if you're one of 10% of people who have a gluten sensitivity, that's a big deal. But again, gluten-free cookies are still cookies and gluten-free makes it sound like that it's low carb or low sugar or low, anything bad. And what it really means is no gluten. Well, what is gluten? It's a protein that's found in the whole grain, but unless you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, there's really not a benefit to trying to eat a gluten-free diet. And you may just get tricked into eating more junk food because you think because it says gluten free, that it's better for you and it's not. So here's what you should do instead, check the ingredient list. And typically the fewer the ingredients the better. And if there is no label, that means you picked it up in the produce aisle. And that's best. Second is look at that nutrition label and remember. It's on the back. You can see how much added sugar there is. You can look at the fiber content, how many milligrams of sodium there is, and I have episodes on all of this. If you're interested, just go to my website, type whatever you're looking for in the search bar. And before I give you my number one tip, I have a challenge for you. I want you to be a label detective. In fact, I would say as soon as you finish this episode, go to your pantry and just pick up a package of food. Look at those claims that are made on the front of the packaging. And see if you have fallen for one of these tricks. But then I want you to flip it over and read the label, the nutrition labels on the back, and see if the hype matches the ingredients. And don't worry, there's no test on this for mini medical school, and you don't have to be perfect. But I do want you to be aware, here's your one tip. Never look at the front of the package. There is literally no information there that you need. Flip it over and read the back label, if you wanna take it to the next level, then try to eat foods that have one ingredient like spinach or beans because real food doesn't need a marketing tip. If this episode has made you look at your grocery little differently, that's a win.  I recommend that you go back and scroll through old episodes to get more tips like this. But if you learned something really helpful and new today, would you consider subscribing to this podcast or leaving a review? Even better, share this episode with a friend who's trying to get healthy too, because we need to spread the truth and not marketing hype because healthy looks great on you. And all of us. SUBSCRIBE Episode 115 How to Read a Nutrition Label  

You're lying in bed. Your body is exhausted, but your mind is replaying things you wish you'd said in a conversation earlier that day, rehearsing conversations that haven't even happened, or mentally writing tomorrow's to-do list. Sound familiar? You're not broken. You're not alone. And you're not powerless. In this week's episode of the Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I'm joined by my friend Carol Feil to talk about something so many of us struggle with: Episode 168: How to Stop Spinning Thoughts So You Can Sleep Inside, we unpack: Why your thoughts spin out of control, especially at night.  How people-pleasing, perfectionism, and fear fuel mental loops  What it means to recognize a thought… and replace it  The power of scripture, stillness, and reframing  Why controlling your thoughts during the day is the key to sleeping at night Mental overload affects more than sleep.It also affects relationships, health, and sense of peace.  If you've ever felt hijacked by your own mind, this episode is for you. Listen now to Episode 168: You can change the soundtrack in your mind for restful sleep.  ~Dr. Vickie Visit www.CarolFeil.com to learn more about being seen, known and loved.

  Your brain is the muscle you're forgetting to train We talk a lot about physical fitness — steps, reps, squats, smoothies. But how often do you work on brain fitness? Here's the truth: You can't afford to ignore it. I've seen the negative impacts of cognitive decline up close — the slow fade of memory, decision-making, even personality changes. Dementia doesn't just steal thoughts. It steals connection, identity, and independence. But what if we could do something now to keep our brains sharper, longer? This week on the podcast, I'm sharing: 5 Hacks to Boost Mental Sharpness (and Train Your Brain Like a Muscle) I'll walk you through: What neuroplasticity really means — and how to unlock it Why you need to challenge your brain, not just fuel it How learning new things protects cognitive function The connection between powerful muscles and longevity And why restorative sleep is the foundation of brain health Your brain is your most valuable asset.  Let's take care of it together! Click here to sign up to receive every episode in your inbox Browse other episodes Lumosity

When you see medical information, how do you know if it's true or just hype? You're often told to do your own research, but how?    I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you. Episode 1 66 "How to do your own Research." Five years ago, the world shut down. And I remember that day so clearly. I called my mother and I said, where are you? And she was getting a mammogram and I said, go home and stay home for the next several weeks. I worked from home, visited with my friends outside and distanced, and we wore a mask in public.  I even hosted my family for Thanksgiving outside on the deck. Honestly, it was one of the most memorable thanksgivings ever. I used the china tablecloths, and I even moved the dining room chairs outside. Fortunately, the weather was perfect,  but was all that really necessary.  People started asking questions and coming up with their own answers.  I've wanted to do this episode for a long time. But it's not about covid. We'll get to that later, but this is the time in history when people were encouraged to start doing their own medical research. However, to my knowledge, nobody's giving you instructions on how. I love people and I love helping people learn to optimize their health through evidence-based lifestyle medicine. And if anything I say offends you, let's talk about it. You can email me at DrVickie@healthylooksgreatonyou.com, and I'll schedule a call with you. I will not, however, engage with anyone on social media. That's just not a good way to have a conversation. We should do it in person. If you've listened to this podcast before, you know we're going to mini medical school to learn how to do your own research. But I suppose that only equips you to do mini research. Right? On top of that, there are a lot of pre-reqs for medical school classes, like statistics and basic biology. So let's start  there with a couple of definitions. In vivo versus in vitro. I bet you didn't see that coming, but stick with me. This is important.  In vitro refers to in the lab, either in a test tube or a Petri dish, in vivo refers to a living organism. And you need to understand that humans are unique. What affects a jellyfish may not affect a dog the same way. And what affects a monkey, may not have the same effects on your brother, even if he acts like one sometimes. So when doing your own research, it's important to understand where the experiment took place. For example, I recently saw someone touting the benefits of an old drug that we used to use for bladder cancer until better treatments were developed. When I looked at the source, the studies were done on mouse melanoma cells from the lab. In other words, they gave a mouse cancer, took the cancer cells out, mixed 'em in a dish with this drug, and voila, the cancer cells died.  Okay? If I need something to kill mouse cancer cells in a Petri dish, please sign me up. But you get the picture.   Now, I mentioned that I looked at the source, and if you hear me say one thing today, it's, look at the source. Always, look at the source. And it's also important to talk about the pace of science. As studies are done, new information becomes available, and recommendations may change. If you listen to the end of my podcast, I say that at the end of every episode. And listen, I do a ton of research for every one of these episodes. It takes me hours and hours longer than the writing, recording, editing, and publishing. But that still doesn't mean a new study won't come out tomorrow and make the information that I'm sharing outdated. So if you're going to do your own research, you gotta keep up and make sure there's not a more current, better designed study that suggests something different.   Let me put it like this. About a year and a half ago, I moved away from the town where I had lived for 28 years, and the whole entire time I lived there, there was this big red brick building right there on Main Street. Now, I hadn't been back in a while, but the other day I went and when I drove down Main Street, that building was white. Now if I hadn't been there recently, I would believe with all my heart that there was a big red brick building on Main Street.  But things change, and if you look at a study that's five years old, you need to understand that five years is a really long time in the world of science and research. We may have learned a lot of new information since then. Things change. So keep that in mind when you're doing your own research. Now I've been talking about sources and I'll keep doing it, but here's the deal. I see a lot of information shared without any source, medical and otherwise no source. Just a so-called fact, and people share it like it's the gospel truth.  Can I be frank?  I see a lot of my friends share misinformation. I. How do I know it's misinformation? Because I am a big time skeptic and I don't take anything at face value and neither should you.  But if you're going to share something, especially medical advice, please be sure it's credible and not just something that matches your bias. Bias is another term we need to understand because I promise it affects you, me and the scientist doing the research. So let's talk about the scientist first. I'm going to call her Dr. Ink, and she believes with all of her heart that writing with blue ink causes your hair to fall out. I mean, she is convinced it's true. So she starts asking people who suffer hair loss, "Did you use a blue ink pen before your hair fell out?" Now, here's what typically happens. People who suffer hair loss and used black ink, they just kind of move on. But those bald people who used blue ink raised their hand. Me, me, me, me, me. See, Dr. Ink was right. Blue ink causes hair loss.   Now, I know that's a ridiculous example, but seriously, bias is huge in research. You see, what Dr. Ink should have done is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial because that is the gold standard In research. A well-designed study would look at people randomly, not just those you select out because either they have hair loss or they used blue ink. That creates bias.   And Dr. Ink needs to use invisible ink so that she's blind to who used blue Ink versus who used black Ink. But Dr. Ink has decided that she's really onto something in her practice because every single person who has hair lost used blue ink, so she decides to go against the grain and share that information. We call that anecdotal evidence, or as my professor used to say, "You are unencumbered by data."  Here's the deal - even if Dr. Ink sees thousands of patients in the grand scheme of things, she does not have data. Speaking of data, we need to talk about some statistical terms. I'll let you do your own research so that you better understand things like confidence intervals. Which is the range of values within which we are confident that a true effect exists. For example, if a study finds a treatment has an effect size of 0.5 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.2 to 0.8, this tells you with 95% confidence, the true effect size is between 0.2 and 0.8. Got it.  Okay. Bottom line, a more narrow confidence interval suggests more accuracy. But seriously, if you've ever read a medical study, they talk this way. So if you're going to do your own research, you really do need to understand statistics. You  need to understand P values, which tells you if a result is statistically significant. Very generally speaking, a P value should be below 0.05. But even that doesn't mean that there's practical significance. So when you look at a P value, ask yourself if it even really matters. Class isn't over yet. Let's talk about the power of a meta analysis, and I'm not talking about meta the Facebook platform that could get me censored. I'm talking about combining lots of smaller studies from multiple different sources so that the statistical power is increased and bias is decreased. They aren't perfect and they don't even prove causality, and that's our next term. Just because someone used blue ink and their hair fell out, doesn't mean the blue ink caused their hair to fall out. Remember that. Okay, now that class is over, we need to go to the lab. And I'm talking about the other meta, and that is Facebook or your social media platform of choice. And listen, I'll be honest, I am grieved because you can say what you want about doctors, but I have been around a lot of doctors my whole adult life, and with a few exceptions, nearly all of them are trustworthy and care so deeply about their patients. But somewhere along the way, their expertise has been replaced. And, hold on, just hear me out. There are some real world examples. One of my Facebook friends, and I don't even remember who shared something medical from someone I will not name because I don't even know her, but I did investigate a little bit because the claim she was making was clearly erroneous and it was being shared widely.  Here's what I found. She has 458 Facebook friends and describes herself as a wife and mother with a green thumb. But wait, there's more. She's a biohacker. Always learning. And claims, "I can help you be healthy." Hey, that's my gig.  Her previous jobs included food and beverage manager at a major hotel chain as well as a casino worker.  She's giving widely shared medical advice. I didn't even know what a biohacker was, so I did my own research and Googled it. It's do it yourself, biology.  But she wasn't sharing biology. She was sharing blatant medical advice, albeit incorrect everything from vaccines to cancer treatment. So next time you see anything that's medical advice, check the source,  no source, then don't share it.  If you haven't hung up on me yet, let's keep going and talk about cough CPR. I mean, you wanna help someone, right? If they're home alone and they're having a heart attack, they should cough. This started circulating social media in 1999, and I guess Facebook kept coughing because recently it was resurrected. And listen, it's not true, and here's why it matters. If you're having a heart attack and you're home alone, you should dial 9 1 1 and take an aspirin. And if you're telling people to cough because you think it could help, I want you to think about this. Could it hurt? Is it true?  Do your own research and check your source. Lemme say that louder. Check your source. I did. And here's another one.  I saw someone share a post that was later edited to say they weren't giving medical advice, and they encouraged people to do their own research and come to their own conclusion.  But then they proceeded to talk about how something in particular is a cure for everything from cancer to covid, high cholesterol, diabetes. It's an anti-microbial agent against bacteria and viruses. It increases your immunity, protects you from heart disease, it's anti-inflammatory, and it treats autoimmune diseases and get this with no side effects.  Now, let me ask you a question. If there's really a drug that can do all of that, then why has Big Pharma not snatched it up off the shelves, patented it and made buckets of money from it?  That's a serious question. So I checked the source. The person giving/not giving medical advice has studied at a university and owns not one, but two businesses. One is an engraving business and the other is a handyman business.  I mean, you probably wouldn't listen to me about how to fix the hinges on your doors, but that ought to be a two-way street, and if you need something engraved, you're probably not going to go see a doctor.  But what if it's credible? You know, like a well-known TV doctor. Here's a post that's been going around for years  on Wednesday, which Wednesday? Who knows? Because there's no source. Dr. So-and-so, and I'm not even going to say the name, had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women thyroid cancer, and they said there was something called a thyroid guard that should be used during mammograms. And the post goes on to say, by coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday, and I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer and I asked why it wasn't routinely used. Answer, I don't know. You have to ask for it. Well, if I hadn't seen the show, how would I have known to ask someone was nice enough to forward this to me? I hope you pass it on to your friends and family. Well, apparently a lot of people did that. Now, first of all, this one started in 2010. Second of all, Dr. So-and-so really only discussed dental x-rays, not mammograms in that particular episode. Why does it matter? I don't know. Do you think the truth matters? Do you think credibility matters? And to my fellow followers of Jesus, remember what Paul said to the Philippians, whatever is true,  I'm just asking you to push pause before you post. Do your own research, check the source.  And if there is no source, keep scrolling unless you can verify it's true.  I think it's time we had some straight talk about facts in medicine. I may wade into some controversial waters. There is one thing that's really being promoted right now as the cure all for everything. And one of my Facebook friends is passionate about this and post all kinds of sources that look very credible. They vary in age from 2015 to 2022. Some of them are in mice, some are in vitro, and there are a few case studies. You know what a case study is, right? It's a single circumstance that happened and got reported in the literature. For example, someone got a wart on their finger and they put baking powder on it, and the wart went away. So someone writes a paper about it so that everyone knows that this one time, this one thing happened. Now if I get a wart on my finger, I'm gonna use one of those little bandaid thingies, and if that doesn't work, I'm going to the dermatologist and having it frozen off with liquid nitrogen. Even though somebody somewhere put baking soda on their wart and it went away. Now, please don't think I'm being snarky. I want you to think critically because if you're going to do your own research, you need to be aware - it's complicated. Harvard Medical School calls it the Wild, Wild West of online cancer information, and we live in an information age. It's so available and with that comes responsibility.  And I'm passionate about this because it's dangerous. It's very dangerous. Think about it.  What if you posted something that was medical advice? Discouraging people to get treatment for a disease that can be deadly.  And they saw a lot of other people posting the same thing, so they thought it must be true and they ignored medical advice and had a bad outcome.  The erosion of expertise is dangerous. False claims about cancer treatments really rile me up,  and I've witnessed it firsthand. Patients who wanted to try drinking carrot juice instead of following the standard recommendations.  And it never worked. But listen, I think carrots are great for you. In fact, I think you should eat a variety of vegetables. A healthy diet promotes good health.  But if you need some shelves built in your closet, call a handyman. And if you get  cancer, please trust your doctor. I'm totally serious.  I hope I haven't offended you, and I hope you've learned a lot about how to do your own research, and I also hope you appreciate my sense of humor. I want you to share this with your friends and family. Let's get the word out. And definitely eat the carrots.   And instead of drinking juice, eat them whole because whole carrots are naturally healthy and healthy. Looks great on you.   The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change

 Have you ever seen a therapist or maybe you've wanted to see a therapist and you haven't? Well, in today's episode, you are going to visit with Shelly Forney, and she is a licensed therapist who specializes in solution focus brief therapy.   Now, I'm not gonna promise that you're going to have all the tools you need to navigate whatever stress is going on in your life, but if you're trying to make a habit change or if you just need a starting place to take those first small steps, you're going to love this interview.  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.   Shelley is a licensed clinical social worker who practices as an individual therapist. Her favorite thing to dois help people move forward, one little baby step at a time, not big steps. When people try to manage stress, they tend to plan for the next six months, but Shelley encourages them to think about what needs to happen to get through today. She asks questions to guide people to think about what works for them. She says, " I'm not an expert on your life, but you are. My job is to ask you good questions help you facilitate what it is you want."  What works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another. You are the expert on you, so if someone tells you what you should do about stress, anxiety, sleep and depression, it often doesn't work.  You don't need 20 tips, you need a solution that works for you. That's what I teach in my sleep course.  If someone tells you to change a habit, like quit smoking, Shelley asks why it matters to them, not the doctor. Because it has to be important, or they won't be successful.  Shelley uses Solution Focus Brief therapy. Her approach is to ask her clients, "What do you want?" then she helps them move forward.  In particularly stressful situations where there's been a loss she tries to help them get through minute by minute, or a week at at time. It's effective and rewarding.  She recommends starting with what is working in your life. We all have routines that help us stop and head back in the direction we want to do.  It's not a quick fix, but it can impact your day using tiny steps.  For someone deep in grief, it might mean getting through the next hour, by accomplishing basic things, like eating and drinking. Shelley views her role as validating the next tiny step they've decided to take.  She ask really good questions and people come up with solutions and how to change things in their lives. She listens and helps them find things in their life that will work for them.  When it comes to spinning thoughts, which is a form of feeling anxious, she recommends practicing gratefulness. You can't be anxious and grateful at the same time. She encourages people to have compassion and grace for themselves. Instead of ruminating, think of it as an opportunity to learn.   The hand to heart technique can be used to interrupt spinning thoughts, by simply placing your hand on your shoulder. The act of touching tells our nervous system we are safe and can automatically calm your mind.  It feels weird at first, but what will you accomplish by negatively talking to yourself? It works. Set goals that can be pretty easily achieved. Then celebrate small wins. People often set goals that are too big and hard to achieve. Instead, figure out some first steps. If you want to exercise, decide what time of day and what you are going to wear. Pare it down to increase success rather than setting a lofty goal and failing. It's not about where you'd like to be, we are working on that. But what is it for today or this week? Baby steps in the right direction leads to more success. Form a visual picture of where you'd like to be. What does happy look like to you? Mental health is often like physical health. One thing causes another thing to be worse, spinning in a vicious cycle. Shelley would prescribe exercise, healthy eating and journaling for all of her clients. Her practice is called Intentional Steps. Visit her website: www.intentionalsteps.us Go follow Shelley Fourney, Intentional Steps on Facebook and Instagram. She posts really helpful videos.     The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change    

 Do you ever feel like the Tin man needing some WD 40 just to get moving? Let's talk about what causes joint pain and how to prevent and treat it.  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  Episode 164. Why do my joints hurt?  When I sit for a while the urge to groan when I stand up comes pretty naturally and I'm really trying hard to fight it, but I've put  quite a bit of strain on my joints over the years, and I'm not alone. One in five adults have some form of arthritis. Back in the day, old people called it rheumatism. I haven't heard that term in a while, but now I am old people. But rheumatism is used synonymously with arthritis. It's a catchall term and it doesn't necessarily refer to rheumatoid arthritis. And listen, there are over 100 different types of arthritis, but today we're only going to focus on osteoarthritis because it's by far the most common affecting over 32 million people in the United States.  And the prevalence is increasing, making it the third most common disease that is going upward behind high blood pressure and dementia. Grandpa can tell it's going to rain because his rheumatism is acting up, and in fact, damp weather can make arthritis pain flare,  but it's more than just aches and pains. Osteoarthritis is serious. In fact, it's the leading cause of disability in the United States. It's also expensive. The price tag is reported to be over $150 billion a year. Some of that is lost wages and some is because of joint replacement, and it is important to see a doctor and have your pain evaluated.   Let's go to mini medical school and learn about joints. No, not that kind of joint. Although CBD oil and marijuana have been studied for joint pain and they are effective - every bit as effective as placebo, that  smells like weed. Go figure. But I meant the articulation between bones and other structures that allow us to move. Now that I think about it, the word joint can refer to your banking account, something you smoke, a fastener to hold the roof on your house, or in this case, a place where bones meet. So let's look at all the players that gather in this meeting place besides bones. You've got ligaments and tendons that hold the joint together, and both of these are strong bands of connective tissue. The ligaments connect bone to bone. And that supports and limits movement while tendons connect muscle to bone and that controls movement. You've also got cartilage that covers the surface where two or more bones meet and that's designed to reduce friction. You know when two or more are gathered, there's always friction, so you need something to smooth things out. Another structure that helps reduce friction is a fluid filled sac called the bursa, and this is filled with a thick, clear, sticky fluid called synovial fluid that is secreted by the synovial membrane and that lines the joint and seals it into a capsule. And there are lots of different types of joints besides the ones I mentioned earlier. Some of them move in just one direction, like your elbow, and those are called hinge joints. Others allow rotation like your neck. That's called a pivot joint. Shoulders and hips are the ball and socket joints to allow movement in several directions. And the wrist is similar, but without pivots, so it's called an ellipsoidal joint. Okay. Now you've completed orthopedics 101. Oh, wait. Since we're discussing osteoarthritis today, you probably need to know that osteo means bone. And you've probably heard people say that they had a knee replacement because it was bone on bone. Well, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage is gone, and it's a gradual process that occurs over many years usually.   You probably know that the biggest risk factor for osteoarthritis is age. But listen, it's not a normal part of aging due to wear and tear, though clearly it can develop where there's been a prior injury. It's hard to think about it when you're young and doing back handsprings or shooting hoops or making tackles, but often those old injuries do eventually catch up with you. But, even without an injury, repetitive occupational or avocational activities can leave their mark. But get this, being sedentary does its own damage. Does that mean that runners are destined to ruin their knees? Actually no. Even though they're asking a lot from that three to five millimeter layer of cartilage, genetics plays a role too. So choose your parents very wisely. But even if your parents have osteoarthritis, it doesn't mean that you will, because lifestyle is a huge factor. And since I'm here to talk to you about lifestyle medicine. Let's talk about the things you can control, and we're mostly going to focus on two pillars of lifestyle medicine, and that's physical fitness and diet.  If you have joint pain, you've got to keep moving because if you stop, you might not be able to start again. Being fit helps with pain and stiffness. It improves your joint mobility, and all of that helps with quality of life, and mood. But here's the deal. Your skeletal system consists of joints, bones, and muscles. So if people with arthritis don't maintain that musculoskeletal strength, it leads to a whole cascade of events.  Weaker muscles leads to less balance that can result in a decline in function, which leads to less stability and that can result in falls with injuries like brain trauma and hip fractures. In fact, 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls, and falls are the leading cause of disability and death in seniors and exercise helps prevent falls. Not only does it keep you stronger, it boosts your confidence because oddly enough, people who are afraid of falling actually fall more than the less cautious people. Now, I'm not telling you to be reckless, but I am suggesting that you exercise. And get this strengthening muscles even reduces joint pain. And if you have arthritis, one of the best exercises is walking. Tai Chi is also recommended, and I've visited China before and it's very common to see elderly people. I'm talking about really elderly people gathered in outdoor spaces participating in this ancient martial art. It involves slow, continuous movement that is specifically tailored to improve strength and balance. But if you currently don't have access to a park in China, then maybe you could find a YouTube video and even better find a friend and a park nearby  and use a YouTube video.  And if you have access to a swimming pool. Oh, swimming is such an excellent exercise for people with arthritis.  But whatever you do, don't do nothing. Keep moving. Park in that spot that's furthest from the door. Don't ever drive to the mailbox. Find something you enjoy and keep moving. Inactivity is the very worst thing you can do if your joints hurt. Now, of course, you should consult your doctor or healthcare provider first. And I'm not talking about joint pain from an acute injury. I'm talking about old fashioned aches and pains. Any joint in the body can be affected, but the most common ones are knees, hands and hips. Check, check, check. Actually, my knees are pretty good, but I definitely have hip pain and intermittently pain in my hands.  But guess what? It is not from cracking my knuckles. That's a myth. Osteoarthritis is referred to as wear and tear arthritis, and that makes sense. I delivered a lot of babies with these hands and did a lot of surgeries, and probably gymnastics took a toll on my hip as well. But listen, you don't have to abuse your joints to get osteoarthritis. You can also get it from neglect. Being sedentary increases your risk for... you name it. So if you sit all day, set your watch and at least get up and move around every hour. So we've covered age, previous injury, repetitive motion overuse, and inactivity as risk factors for osteoarthritis. But you wanna know what else puts a lot of strain on your joints.  Obesity. In fact, weight loss can really help with osteoarthritis, especially of the knees, if only it were that simple. But get this, losing one pound takes four pounds of pressure off your knees.  There are lots of different treatments from ointments to over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications physical therapy and surgery.  But sometimes you can't fix joint pain and you have to focus on managing it instead of trying to cure it. Whatever you do, take care of your body by being fit, active and maintaining a healthy weight, which by the way depends way more on diet than exercise  and eating a joint friendly diet.  So what kind of diet should you eat for arthritis? You know, there's the DASH diet for high blood pressure and the MIND diet for cognitive health, the Mediterranean diet for heart health. But is there a diet for joint health? Not specifically, but all of the above diets have some things in common. They reduce inflammation and they promote whole unprocessed foods and avoiding foods that make inflammation worse.  You know those that are easy to grab and eat. You do need protein for your joints, but don't fall into the trap of buying packaged food that touts 30 grams of protein on the front label. My mom kept a little carton of a protein drink that her friends had recommended because it had 30 grams of protein.  I reminded her don't pay attention to the front of the package. It's just marketing. Turn it over and read the nutrition label. I really think you should go back and listen to my episode on this. It's one of my favorites, and I put a link in the show notes.   But if you eat a well-balanced diet, you don't need more protein. Now, I might argue that if you get your protein from meat and dairy. You need better protein.  Things like whole grains, soy products, beans, legumes, lentils, nuts and seeds. And did you know that fruits and vegetables contain protein? Plus they have fiber, which is crucial for weight loss and a healthy gut. And they don't contain bad fat and cholesterol. If you want to know more about growing your own protein, listen to my interview with Jill Mc Sheehy on her podcast, the Beginner's Gardener.  And she has a follow-up episode on how to actually grow that stuff in your garden. So if you're into gardening, this is a don't miss episode. And yes, there's a link in the show notes.   Also, certain spices like garlic and turmeric may help with inflammation and joint pain, but please just add them to your food. I know, I know taking a supplement seems so much easier, but it's not better. Green tea and coffee also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so drink up. But only in the morning, so it doesn't interfere with your sleep. And even though we're focusing on diet and fitness today, poor sleep, loneliness and stress all contribute to chronic inflammation. And of course, smoking is not good for your joints either. Look, inflammation is a normal process in your body designed to help your body heal, but chronic inflammation is terrible for your body. Plants contain phytochemicals that lower inflammation like antioxidants, fiber polyphenols, and Omega-3 fatty acids and the Mediterranean diet and the dash diet. Also focus on whole foods that contain these, and it's great for your heart too. Use unprocessed olive oil when you cook and think variety. Focus on adding more plants and more colors to your diet. It, but the standard American diet is really the complete opposite. It's pro-inflammatory things like sugar, which can hide in so many places like protein drinks. In fact, that carton that my mom gave me contained a ton of refined sugar, and that's what we're talking about, refined sugar, not whole fruits, fried foods, saturated fats, and dairy and meat - especially processed meats and lunch meats. That includes bacon, but it also includes deli turkey, cheeses, and most oils, which are in mayonnaises and salad dressings. Fast foods, processed snacks, donuts, pizza, french fries. Listen, if you go to the grocery store and buy something and you have to fight that little plastic bag to get it open to put your produce in there, it's probably good for you. But if you just pull it off the shelf and it's in a box or a package. Beware and at least turn it over and read the nutrition label and ignore the front. And don't fall for marketing.  Processed carbohydrates and refined greens are found in breads, pastries cakes, pasta, cookies, crackers, and energy bars. You know, they're just cookies in disguise.  Did I just describe your pantry? Hmm? Let me add canned soups, which are extraordinarily high in sodium. And all things that contain MSG and artificial sweeteners like aspartame can also worsen inflammation as well as alcohol. What about gluten?  I probably need to do a whole episode to discuss that, but gluten is found in processed grains as well as whole grains, and some people do have a sensitivity. I believe most people need whole grains in their diet, and yes, there are some that do not contain gluten, but be smart about your choices. There are lots of packaged foods that shout gluten free on the front, and they're just gluten-free junk food. What I suggest instead is pay attention to the connection between your diet and your joints. For me, it's chips and cheese dip that make my joints hurt worse. Maybe it's the cheese with all that saturated fat, all that salt or the bad oils that they're cooked in. But chips and cheese dip are not whole unprocessed foods. They aren't healthy for me or you, and there's a price to pay for eating them. So if you do figure out something that makes your joints hurt worse, eliminate that from your diet and see if it helps.  The bottom line is that plants are good for your joints and they're good for your health and healthy. Looks great on you.    LINKS: Grow Your Own Protein: The Beginner's Garden Podcast READ A NUTRITION LABEL Join my email list for more resources and to get each episode in your inbox.  The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change.

 You've gone to the doctor and had your cholesterol checked, but what do all those numbers mean? And is there anything you can do to lower your cholesterol without medications? I'm so glad you asked.  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  This is episode 1 64. Cholesterol, the Good versus the Bad. When I was about 26 years old, I had my cholesterol checked for the first time. Imagine my surprise when the number was 256.  Yikes. Now admittedly, the hospital where I was doing my residency had a fast food restaurant conveniently located right there in the cafeteria and my go-to: hamburgers and french fries. But also I have a strong family history of significantly elevated cholesterol.  The doctor said I could lower it some and I should diet and exercise and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But guess what? I eventually lowered my cholesterol to 156 without medication, and I'm going to tell you how you can do it too. But first, let's start at the beginning and go to mini medical school and learn exactly what is cholesterol. Technically we call it a lipid, which is sort of like a fat that circulates in your bloodstream. Structurally, these compounds make up parts of cell membranes and functionally they help regulate the transport across these membranes, so that's good. Right? Well, yes, we do need cholesterol to help move and store energy, produce hormones, and absorb vitamins. But you know, too much of a good thing. We'll get to that. Lipids don't dissolve in water, so they have to hitch a ride on proteins to travel through the blood, and when they get hitched, they change their name to lipoproteins. Now this is gonna sound familiar if you've ever had a lipid panel drawn.  HDL stands for high density lipoproteins and LDL stands for low density lipoproteins.  Where does it come from? Well, your body actually makes it in both the liver and small intestines. Then it's stored in the liver where it's converted to bile acids, so you can get rid of it. Is it bad or good? Well, that depends. HDL cholesterol reduces inflammation, prevents blood clots, and helps transport oxygen. And your body makes all of it that you need all of it. But here's the deal. Not only does your body make cholesterol, but we also eat it. Most of the cholesterol in the standard American diet comes from meat, eggs, cheese, and dairy products. Oh, well, who can afford eggs anyway? But seriously, cholesterol is sneaky. Rather than announcing its presence, it just slips through your blood vessels undetected, but it leaves a calling card and we call it plaque. This buildup in the wall of the arteries can lead to hardening of the arteries and therefore cardiovascular disease. Think about it. If a plaque gets big enough, it can compromise blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. And this can also happen with smaller plaques when a piece breaks off. I told you cholesterol is sneaky. Most people who have high cholesterol have no symptoms. We call it hyperlipidemia, and that's why you need to know your numbers and you need to know what they mean.  I guess all those burgers weren't helping me have healthy blood vessels when I was in my twenties.  But that's not the whole story. We could go to mini medical school and learn the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol, or we could just call them good cop, bad cop. Because that kind of sums it up. The reason LDL cholesterol is the bad cop is because it causes a fatty buildup inside the arteries and that impairs blood flow and puts you at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. You've seen those detective shows where they lock someone in an interrogation room and they just yell at 'em. No, it's not exactly the same, but I bet you'll remember now that LDL the bad cop cholesterol can make you have a heart attack. Now the good cop HDL cholesterol can actually lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. You know, it's the reassuring I'll be your friend cop. Picture the scene, bad cop is giving the suspect a really hard time and good cop comes in and sends the bad cop away.   Stick with me here. HDL, good cholesterol carries at least a little bit of the LDL or bad cholesterol out of the arteries where it causes damage and into the liver where it can be broken down and eliminated. So speaking in very general terms, you want your HDL cholesterol to be high and your LDL cholesterol to be low. We'll get to specific numbers in a sec. I do want to mention triglycerides. They are not the same thing as cholesterol, but they hang out together because you know, birds of a feather... When you have a lipid panel done, they often measure the whole flock, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL, cholesterol and triglycerides. You've also probably heard about the ratio and yes, it's very important, but whose side are these triglycerides on anyway? Well, they're the most common type of FAT in the body. And like all things in our bodies, they have a purpose and that is to store excess energy from your diet. And yeah, that's the problem. Most of us have plenty of excess in our diet.  Hamburgers and french fries, or as Steve Martin said in the old Pink Panther movie, "Am barger." If you don't know that scene and that didn't make you laugh, please google it and watch a clip.  The bottom line is that high triglycerides combined with high LDL means fatty buildup in the walls of the arteries, and that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Okay, I hope you're convinced that Steve Martin is hysterical and you need to see the clip from the Pink Panther, and you need to get your cholesterol checked.  You are convinced, right? Don't believe me. The American Heart Association recommends that if you are over the age of 20, you should have your cholesterol checked and depending on your risk factors, every four to six years after that, until you get older and have an increased risk of. every dang thing. So now you've had your blood drawn and the doctor calls you with your results.  No. Oh yeah. Your results are now on the portal and you want to know what they mean.  I do have to tell you that context matters and you really should discuss the results with your doctor, but if you don't hear from them, I'll give you some generalities for people who do not already have cardiovascular issues, and by the way, you should fast for at least 12 hours before you go to the lab and get this. You shouldn't have the test done if you're sick or stressed. Stress affects cholesterol too. It wreaks havoc on your body in so many ways. First of all, people who are stressed often smoke more, drink more, sleep less, exercise less socially isolate and eat more junk. So there's that, but also our old friend Cortisol, the stress hormone also plays a role. Cortisol is our body's way of preparing us to physically respond to a threat. So it triggers the release of glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream and muscles. So energy is available for slaying dragons   threatening our safety, and that's a good thing when there are dragons pulling up in your driveway. Not so much if you live in a constant state of stress. Of course, if you have prolonged stress, you'll have to go ahead and surrender that vein in your arm and get your lipids checked anyway, because when it comes to your numbers, you need to know. So let's get to those numbers. Total cholesterol should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter, and if it's between 201 and 239, that's considered borderline high cholesterol, and if it's above 240, that's just plain over the limit. Now, LDL cholesterol should be below 130 or even much lower than that if you are at risk of heart attack or stroke, HDL should ideally be above 60 and triglycerides below 150. Any numbers outside of these parameters should be taken seriously because you have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if you continue to eat ham ba burgers.  Now, let's say you do hear from your doctor's office. You know, the nurse calls and says you either need to take a cholesterol lowering medication like a statin or that you need to eat a low cholesterol diet and exercise. Thank you very much. But shouldn't we have a more detailed conversation about this result?  You bet. Your cholesterol is just one group of numbers. It's not the whole picture. Your risk of heart disease is impacted by other factors like smoking, high blood pressure, your family history, your age, and yes, of course your diet. And we are going to talk about a heart healthy diet in a bit. But first, let's discuss that conversation you're having with the nurse who calls from the doctor's office and said, we've sent in a prescription for a statin.  Hold up a minute. This literally happened to me last year. My total cholesterol was 202, a whopping two points above the normal range, and my ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol was excellent. So I questioned this recommendation,  but what are the recommendations? Remember, I am board certified in lifestyle medicine, which is a subspecialty of conventional medicine. So we're not opposed to treatment with medication when indicated, but before we go firing off prescriptions, we should at least examine the indications. If your cholesterol is abnormal, and I would argue that mine is not thanks to some serious changes in my lifestyle and not my inherited tendencies, then you may need a cholesterol medication. Depending on your age and the likelihood of developing heart disease, but if you're not at risk for heart disease, then you might not need a medication, even if your cholesterol is high. At least not for now, because here's the deal, the number of your years only increases and age is a risk factor for heart disease, which by the way, is the number one killer of Americans. So let's say you are at risk and your cholesterol is high and your doctor wants you to take a medication quick pharmacology review. These medications can help the body make less cholesterol, which is one source. They can block the absorption of cholesterol from food, which is another source, and on top of that, they can actually help your body get rid of cholesterol faster. Sounds great. Right, and it can be, you should probably take medication if you have known heart disease, especially if you've actually had a heart attack or stroke. And because diabetes is such a big risk factor for cardiovascular disease, you may need to take a medication if you have type two diabetes, even if your cholesterol isn't high. And that's to prevent heart disease. Of course, you need to discuss all of this with your personal healthcare provider, and I recommend following their advice after you've had a conversation about options and risk. The most commonly prescribed class of medications are statins, but there are others. But can you lower your cholesterol without medications? I'm living proof  exercise helps raise your good cholesterol and lower your bad cholesterol, but you gotta do it regularly. Ideally, 30 minutes, five days a week, or if you wanna step it up a notch, 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week. And remember, vigorous means you cannot have a conversation if you're talking, you are not exercising vigorously. You gotta be huffing and puffing to reach this level. So if you decide to stick with moderate, you can talk, but you can't sing. But here's the beauty of exercising - every little step in the right direction has immediate benefits, so you can start small and see results. Resistance training is great to build muscle strength and burn energy. You know, bands, weights, pushups, things like that. Or maybe you could start walking briskly. Or go to the gym and join a class for built-in accountability and social connections.   Let me give you a startling fact.  People who have a heart attack are four times more likely to die within three years if they don't have social connections. The older you get, the stronger the association. And if you're wondering how in the world that could be, it turns out the key is caring about others. When you value people in your life and you know they value you, you are more likely to make healthier choices like not smoking and positive relationships help manage stress and lower inflammation, and that damages blood vessels and also contributes to heart disease.  Sleep matters too. As part of an overall healthy lifestyle, you should aim for seven to nine hours per night and less than six hours a night is associated with higher cholesterol levels.  In the past, medical literature reported a positive association between drinking a glass of red wine and heart health. Turns out that's probably not true and moderate to heavy drinking  unquestionably raises your risk for heart disease. You know, if your liver's working overtime to get rid of alcohol, it's much less effective in dealing with cholesterol. Now, your Dr. may not have mentioned any of this except diet and exercise. So let's park there for a minute. A healthy weight is often associated with better numbers, but that isn't always true. Genetics also plays a big role, but whether you're at an ideal weight or overweight, changing your diet can have a huge impact on your cholesterol. In fact, depending on how much change you're willing to make, I would say that you can lower your cholesterol to a healthy level. And if you're interested in making healthy habit changes, you might want to go to my website Healthy Looks Great on you.com and sign up for Kickstart to Better Health. And for sure, you're going to want to stay tuned for an upcoming interview I have on Habit Change. Subscribe to this podcast. There's a link in the show notes or go to the website Healthy looks great on you.com. Either way, you should listen to your doctor. And make sure they listen to you as well. You may need medication to lower your cholesterol, and you may need to make lifestyle changes, especially if your numbers are going up in the wrong direction, even a little. But if you're motivated to do it without medications, let me harp on your diet. Hear me when I say this. When it comes to cholesterol or weight loss, diet matters more than exercise. Of course you should do both, but if you don't change your diet, exercise may not have the impact you're looking for. If you want to reduce the intake of cholesterol, stay away from trans fats, sometimes referred to as partially hydrogenated oils. They've basically been outlawed and banned anyway, but sometimes these transitions take some time to implement. Just make sure packaged pastries and things like margarine, which you shouldn't be eating anyway, don't have them. Avoid foods that are high in any kind of saturated fat.   Here's my top five list of foods that are high in cholesterol. Maybe we can find some hints about why my cholesterol was high eating in that fast food restaurant every day. Number one is red meat, beef, pork,  and especially processed meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs. Ah, remember what those hamburgers did to my cholesterol numbers. Number two is fried foods, and yes, I ordered french fries with my burgers. And fried foods are particularly bad when certain oils are used. Number three is sugar sweetened beverages and good grief. I drank a Coke with my burger and fries. No wonder my numbers were bad. Number four is sweets, pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, and ice cream. Yep. I probably ate that too. Number five is dairy, especially whole milk, cream, butter, and unfortunately cheese, which I also put on my burger. Good grief. I was daring my cholesterol to be high with all the foods from the naughty list. So what am I doing now? Well, I'm glad you asked. Here's a fun fact.  You really don't find cholesterol in plants. So eat plants, eat a lot of plants, eat different plants, eat plants that have different colors. Usually the darker, brighter the color, the more nutrients it has. Cholesterol's only found in processed foods, meat and dairy. But you wanna know what's only found in plants. Fiber and a high fiber diet is so important in lowering your cholesterol. It creates a healthy gut microbiome. Think of it like a sponge too, that soaks up cholesterol out of your bloodstream and helps remove it. Things like unprocessed oatmeal, whole wheat bread, whole grain brown rice, and popcorn. Also, beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, oranges, grapes, all kinds of berries and nuts are on the good list. You didn't just ask me about eggs, did you? Goodness, that's a whole other conversation. And so is the other player in this conversation, triglycerides. But I will tell you that if you have high LDL cholesterol, you should at least limit your consumption of eggs. And the bottom line is that HDL cholesterol is your friend. It can help protect you from cardiovascular disease. And LDL Cholesterol levels should be low for heart health. That's easy to remember. H stands for high. L stands for low, and in some cases your doctor will want it really, really low. Below 70. So is cholesterol good or bad? The answer is yes. Cholesterol helps with cell membrane transport, absorption of vitamins, brain function, hormone production. But don't get the wrong idea. LDL cholesterol causes fatty buildup in the arteries, and that can be a huge threat to your health. So lower your bad cholesterol with medications if you need it, but definitely lower it with lifestyle changes because lower LDL is better for your health and healthy. Looks great on you.    The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change 

 Are you struggling with insomnia? Do you just wish you could fall asleep as soon as you lay your head down on the pillow? Or maybe you go to sleep, but then you wake up and you can't go back to sleep?  Do recurring spinning thoughts in your head keep you awake at night, and have you struggled with insomnia for so long that you dread going to bed because you just know you're not going to sleep?  Listen, good sleep is possible. There are evidence-based and researched, proven methods to help you get the rest you need. Of course, the proof is in the Zzz's. I'm Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper, and I'm board certified in lifestyle medicine and I have a particular passion about helping people sleep. Here's why. For many years I lived a very healthy lifestyle. I paid attention to my diet and my physical activity, my social connections, and I managed my stress through my faith. But the one area of my health that I totally neglected was sleep. And eventually it caught up with me. I developed a rare autoimmune disease that causes profound weakness.  I've been in remission now for a few years and I'm thankful for that, but I'm also thankful that I can lay down every night and get a good, solid eight hours of sleep,  and I can help you do it too.  The other reason I'm so passionate about helping people sleep is there just aren't a lot of good resources. I mean, if you wanna go on a diet, you can find a nutrition or a dietician to help you with a meal plan. And if you wanna get more physically fit, you can join a gym or take a class or even hire a personal trainer. And if you're struggling with stress, you can see and should see a trained, licensed mental health care provider.  But if you're struggling to sleep, you could see a sleep specialist. But those are a little far and few between. And if you go to your regular doctor.  They've likely only gotten a limited amount of training in sleep. And if you look at the textbooks for medicine, the recommendation is not sleeping pills, it's lifestyle modifications, and I can help you sleep better through lifestyle modifications. Now, I'm not offering to treat you medically,  I'm just providing you with education and information, and I can help you get the results you're looking for. Here's how I created an online digital course called Unlock the Secret to Sleep Your Personal Sleep Solution. This six week course will be delivered on March 17th, but it's only available for registration today and tomorrow it ends March 12th, 2025. Enrollment is closed, so don't go another sleepless night without checking out  

 Are you laying in bed exhausted but wide awake? Maybe it's pain racing thoughts or waking up gasping for air. Your insomnia may be due to an underlying medical condition more than stress  or bad sleep habits. Today we will look at four medical conditions that can disrupt your sleep.   I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  This is episode 1 62. Is your health keeping you awake? Four medical conditions that cause insomnia.  Not sleeping is frustrating not only during the long nights, but also dragging through the day without the mental clarity you need. And maybe you know why you can't sleep, or maybe you're trying to treat the symptoms without addressing the root cause. Today we're going to look at four medical conditions that keep you from getting the rest you need. Because if you can identify the cause, you can get started on a path to better sleep. So let's pull back the covers and see what wakes you up. Number one is ouch. Chronic pain can keep you tossing and turning low back pain, shoulder pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia. All of these things can cause discomfort, which makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Pain and sleep have what we call a bidirectional relationship. Think of it like a two-way street. Pain makes it harder to sleep and poor sleep makes pain worse. Climbing under the covers can be uncomfortable and that can aggravate pain. Plus, even if you can get to sleep, pain can tap you on the shoulder or anywhere else for that matter and wake you up. This leads to fragmented sleep when what you need is deep restorative sleep, which is crucial for healing and less deep sleep. Makes your pain threshold go way down. So that you're more sensitive to pain. On top of that, pain is frustrating and insomnia is maddening, and when they get in bed together, it can heighten anxiety, which triggers alertness and all of that makes it harder to drift off to dreamland.  Arthritis is not a good bed partner. Inflammation and stiffness tend to get worse when you're inactive. That's why you feel like the tin man who needs a shot of oil to get moving in the morning. Non-restorative sleep latches onto fibromyalgia too, and it doesn't let go. Sleeping position can worsen back pain, shoulder pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. So optimize your sleep position for better sleep. If you have arthritis, use supportive pillows to reduce any pressure on joints. If you have nerve pain like carpal tunnel syndrome, try sleeping in a brace to immobilize your wrist. And if you have back pain, put a pillow under your knees or sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs and before you go to bed, try taking a warm bath or using a heating pad because that can relax your muscles and help with stiffness. Cold packs can be even better at reducing inflammation and also try gentle stretching exercises or massage before bed to relieve the tension in those muscles. But don't do a strenuous workout that will just increase your cortisol levels and keep you from sleeping.  The most important thing is to always address the root cause. If you are having unexplained pain, you need to work with your doctor to manage your condition.   Number two is gastroesophageal reflux disease. Do you wake up with heartburn or maybe even a sore throat? It might be your stomach acid, keeping you awake. Acid reflux symptoms can worsen during the night disrupting sleep.  Here's what happens. Many people experience heartburn, regurgitation, and just discomfort when laying down, and that makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. The reason is that gravity keeps stomach acid down during the day, but then when you lay down flat, that acid easily flows back up into the esophagus. This can lead to a burning sensation or an irritation in the throat, or even coughing and choking. Many people with gastroesophageal reflux experience brief wakenings throughout the night, even though they may not realize it, it often occurs during REM sleep, which is that mind restoring deep sleep.  And acid irritation can stimulate the throat and the lungs, which can cause coughing, wheezing, or a sensation of mucus buildup that makes it harder to breathe comfortably and stay asleep. Years ago, I was misdiagnosed with asthma when what I really had was severe reflux because I was on prednisone, all that acid would go down into my lungs and I would wake up sputtering and coughing. But it wasn't asthma. It was a spasm of my larynx, which is where your airway closes off for a brief period of time, and that's not pleasant.  It can also irritate the vocal cords causing hoarseness or even a sour taste in the mouth. Some people just have chronic GERD. Some people have a hiatal hernia. Pregnancy certainly makes it worse and so does obesity,  so here are some suggestions. First of all, sleep on your left side. This keeps the stomach in a position that's lower than the esophagus, and so that kind of helps manage the reflux just by using gravity.  More effective than that is to elevate your head. You can either use a wedge pillow or just put some bricks under the headboard of your bed to raise it by a few inches,   and especially avoid late night eating. Don't eat within two to three hours before your bedtime and avoid large meals, spicy foods, citrus, alcohol, caffeine, and fatty foods before bed. And if this is something that only bothers you occasionally, it's certainly fine to take an over the counter antacid, but this is also a condition that needs to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to make sure nothing else is going on.    Reflux disease can be confused with sleep apnea as well. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. It's usually characterized by loud snoring or waking up choking. As you can see, that could be confused with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but  it can also be periods of time where you don't breathe at all, and what happens is your oxygen levels go down and that affects all of your organs, especially your brain and your heart. It can put you at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and dementia.  It's more common in men than women, but women certainly can get it and they especially get it after menopause . The soft palate gets a little more lax. It's more common in people who are overweight, but that does not always hold true. If you are having any symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, it's important to see your healthcare provider and have a sleep study if you are in fact doing what we call desaturating, meaning that those oxygen levels are going down. You need an official sleep study to see if you would benefit from an implantable device or a CPAP machine. And if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea and you're overweight, losing weight can certainly help, as well as avoiding anything sedating like alcohol, sleeping pills, or antihistamines.  There are lots of medical conditions that can cause you to not sleep.  Things like thyroid disease, diabetes, heart failure, COPD. But today I want to talk a little bit about mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, because your mind isn't the only thing affected. Your sleep is too.  You see, mental health and sleep are deeply connected. Poor sleep can worsen mental health. While mental health disorders make it harder to sleep, it's a vicious cycle, and understanding the connection is the first step toward breaking it. So let's go to mini medical school for just a moment and see how mental disorders can affect sleep. You see, chronic stress increases the levels of cortisol and what we call adrenaline, and that makes it harder for your body to wind down  and cortisol levels that are high in the evening can actually interfere with melatonin production, which is the sleep hormone, so that can delay sleep onset. On top of that, mental health conditions can reduce deep sleep, which is that slow wave sleep, and it also can reduce REM sleep, which is when you're dreaming, that can lead to fragmented and non-restorative sleep.  The problem with depression is a lot of times people go into REM sleep too quickly and they have vivid dreams or nightmares.  One of the characteristic findings of depression is people who wake up super early in the morning and can't go back to sleep. Then you can start associating the bed with stress, and that just makes insomnia worse over time. The same with anxiety.  Worrying and overthinking at night can lead to difficulty falling asleep.  It can also make your muscles tense, make your heart race, and make you feel like you're having a panic attack.  People with a DHD often struggle with delayed sleep on set too. They just stay up half the night even though they're exhausted, because a lot of times their brains can't make that transition from awake to asleep, and they're more prone to restless sleep, frequent waking, and grogginess in the morning. So what do you do about it?  While overall lifestyle is super important for treating ADHD, depression and anxiety, it's also very important to be under the care of a healthcare provider and a mental health care provider. Counseling can be very effective for dealing with anxiety and depression.  But if your symptoms are less serious and you just have spinning thoughts that won't stop, the main thing I suggest is learn to relax your body and your mind. We have to put our minds in neutral. And I think a lot of us go through the whole day, just go, go, go, go, go, and then we lay down at night, and our brains won't turn off because they don't ever turn off. I'm going to give you my very best tip on how to shut down your mind - journaling. I always say it's a cheap psychiatrist.  And that's just one simple step you can take to try to shut off your mind. But I heard a sleep specialist say one time that relying on sleep tips is kind of like asking a nutritionist, "How can I eat heart healthy?" And they say, "Eat more broccoli." It's a lot more complicated than that, and that's why I created a comprehensive online digital course called Unlock the Secret to Sleep Your Personalized Sleep Solution. I hope you won't miss the opportunity to enroll in this course. It's only available until March 12th, 2025. The course will be released on March 17th. And I also have a FREE LIVE SLEEP MASTERCLASS happening tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. It's free, but registration is required. There's a link in the show notes or you can just go to healthy looks great on you.com and look for "Six Surprising Reasons You're Tossing and Turning." We'll talk about those six reasons and what you can do about it. A lot of people have had insomnia for such a long period of time that they've lost hope that anything can help them sleep better, and it's just not true. You can sleep better. Are there magic wands? No. It takes some work, but I can help you every step of the way.  I want to leave you with one tip. Don't watch the clock. If you wake up during the night, resist the urge to pick up your phone and see what time it is. If you have an alarm set, you can rest easy. You're not going to oversleep, and you don't need to know what time it is. All that does is expose your brain to blue light, which suppresses melatonin and creates anxiety about what time it is and about not sleeping and that only leads to further insomnia. So don't watch the clock. That's my number one piece of advice today. I have lots more I can tell you in UNLOCK THE SECRET TO SLEEP - Your Personal Sleep Solution. I sure hope you'll enroll today before this opportunity is gone  because when you sleep better, your health is better and healthy, looks great on you.  The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change. UNLOCK THE SECRET TO SLEEP FREE LIVE SLEEP MASTERCLASS Resources (may contain affiliate links) MY FAVORITE SLEEP MASK

 You've restricted your calories to the point of hunger, and you're a familiar face at the gym. But you're still struggling with unwanted weight. Could sleep be the answer? Stay tuned to learn more about maintaining a healthy weight by improving your sleep.     I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years until I landed on the other side of the sheets as a very sick patient. My health was out of control. My doctor challenged me to make radical changes through lifestyle medicine. Now I feel great and I want to help you make changes that make a difference. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.   This is Episode 161 Importance of Sleep and Weight.   It doesn't seem fair. You eat less than others and exercise more, but you've still got an unwanted spare tire around your belly. If you've checked all the boxes and can't figure out what's wrong, maybe it's time to go to bed and get some good quality sleep.  Did you know that there are studies that indicate as much as a 40 to 55 percent increased risk of obesity associated with short duration of sleep and this is true for night shift workers as well. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to excess weight gain, but poor sleep is an often overlooked contributor that keeps you from reaching your healthy weight goals. Despite your best efforts, the risk of metabolic syndrome is increased by three fold by poor sleep. In today's episode, you'll understand the sleep weight connection, assess your current sleep quality, and implement science backed strategies to improve sleep and start making habit changes to your sleep that affect your diet and activity level. Wow! It looks like sleep may be the secret ingredient that ties it all together. Now, am I saying you'll lose weight if you have good quality sleep?  Sorry, but no. But what I am saying is that if you don't sleep well, your chances of struggling with obesity are increased.  And that goes for children as well as adults.  If you missed the previous episodes on sleep in this series, I'll put links in the show notes. And if you want practical steps to help improve your sleep, register for my free live Sleep Masterclass. I'll put a link in the show notes. Because if you improve your sleep, you'll have more energy, improved mood, and maybe an easier time controlling your weight.  If you're worried about the health consequences of belly fat such as type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, heart disease and depression, then don't get stuck in this cycle of frustration. Struggling, without seeing any progress, takes a toll on your mental health and emotions.  Let's start by going to mini medical school to meet the hormones that control appetite. Gherlin is the hunger hormone. Think of it like a lead foot on the gas pedal going full speed ahead. Leptin is the counter hormone that controls satiety, which is a signal to your brain that you've had enough and you're satisfied. So this one pumps the brakes. Gherlin's job is to tell you, I'm hungry so that you eat. Most of it's produced in cells that line the stomach, which makes perfect sense, that the sensor would be in the gut. It then travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it turns on receptors in the hypothalamus. Now this is the central control center for hunger. And that stimulates the release of neuropeptide Y which increases appetite and also decreases energy expenditure to conserve calories. Now, levels of ghrelin should rise before a meal and drop off after you fill your belly.  Makes sense, right? But get this, when you don't get enough sleep, even for one night, ghrelin levels increase by around 20%. So, sleepyheads  have a foot on the eating accelerator and experience increased appetite. And here's the deal. It's not an appetite for broccoli. It actually makes you crave calorie dense foods, like cookies.  And when the rhythm of ghrelin levels gets out of whack, you experience hunger at inappropriate times. Kinda like running a red light, except instead of getting a ticket, the needle on the scale is your fine. Not only does this create a situation like so many functions in the body, it creates a cycle. You don't sleep, so your body makes more ghrelin. More ghrelin means more hunger and more cravings. More calories means more weight gain, and guess what that can lead to? Poor sleep quality. Boom. The cycle feeds itself. Pardon the pun.  If I could give you one piece of advice to help arrest this cycle, I'd say you need a regular sleep schedule. And yes, I know it's not easy.  That's why I'm offering a free live sleep masterclass to help you get adequate sleep and maintain normal ghrelin levels to stabilize your hunger.  Just go to my website, www. healthylooksgreatonyou.com and in the search bar, type in free live.  If you're trying to achieve a healthy weight, you absolutely need to eat whole food that's nutrient dense and you need to increase your physical activity. But don't neglect a good night's sleep to balance hunger.  Now, let's pump those brakes and talk about leptin. You probably aren't going to like this, but the word leptin comes from the Greek word leptos meaning thin. And here's the deal, you can be thin and be very unhealthy. So anytime I talk about weight and health, the focus is on health. But the reality is that leptin is secreted by adipose tissue. So the more fat cells you have, the more leptin your body produces. To try and control food intake and like gherlin, it travels through the bloodstream, crosses the blood brain barrier and binds to receptors in the Hunger Center, the hypothalamus, it depresses appetite and increases energy expenditure, which has a big impact on metabolism.  Great. So what I'm saying is that if you have more fat cells, your body will produce more leptin and tell your brain, "Enough is enough." Yeah, but that's only if things are working as designed.  Lack of sleep can reduce leptin levels by 20%. So now you've got a compound effect of 20 percent more hunger hormone and 20 percent less fullness hormone, and you know what's bound to happen. Also, chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to leptin resistance. So that even when levels are normal or even high, the brain's sensitivity is decreased. So now the brain thinks you need more calories. And the drive to eat more calories usually sends you to the pantry for snack foods rather than a craving for fruits and vegetables. This hormone imbalance is a perfect storm for weight gain. All of this is an intricate part of the circadian rhythm. A system in equilibrium relies on consistent, good quality sleep and not getting the Z's you need. may sabotage your weight loss plan.  One tip is to be sure and get morning light exposure. This helps make sure that your internal clock starts working properly. Producing and secreting melatonin at the appropriate times  You see, the whole sleep cycle is regulated by melatonin, and melatonin secretion is controlled by light. So, exposure to light at night suppresses melatonin, and the normal rhythm is thrown out of balance by an irregular sleep schedule. But here's the deal. Melatonin also has an effect on metabolism. Melatonin is released from the pineal gland and it sends signals to the adrenal glands to regulate cortisol. The levels of cortisol are supposed to be highest first thing in the morning when you wake up, and that's why you're hungry. And you should eat a healthy, carbohydrate breakfast like oatmeal.  Levels are supposed to be lowest at night, but a poor sleep pattern can result in elevated cortisol levels in the evening, and that can cause an increased appetite, especially for foods high in fat and sugar. You know, the ones that taste yummy but aren't good for you. And of course, this is associated with increased belly fat, which is terrible for your health. It also interferes with glucose metabolism. And what can happen is a stress eat sleep cycle that is broken is really hard to fix.  But wait, there are even more issues linked to weight and sleep. Sleep deprivation causes your body to be significantly less sensitive to insulin. If you want more information on type 2 diabetes and how insulin works to move sugar out of the bloodstream and into cells where it can be used, I'll put a link in the show notes to that episode. But when the body doesn't respond to insulin, the pancreas responds by cranking out more. This promotes weight gain in general, but belly fat in particular. And it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.  Another hormone affected by sleep, and important in healthy weight, is growth hormone. Most of it's released during deep sleep, so if your sleep quality is not good, Then you never get to that deep sleep cycle, and therefore your body makes less growth hormone, which promotes fat burning, maintenance of lean muscle mass, and raises metabolism. So, without enough growth hormone, you can maintain the same weight, but your body composition may shift towards a higher percentage of fat and less muscle.  You might want to keep track of your sleep to evaluate how well you're sleeping. And quantity and quality are important. For example, you may sleep 8 hours a night, but if you never get to that deep sleep, then you're not making the growth hormone you need. What can make you do that is alcohol. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it prevents you from getting into that deep sleep. And many sleeping medications do the same thing. So, it's important to focus on not only the quantity, but the quality. But here's the deal, without the quantity, you never get to those five to six cycles of sleep that you need to go through before your body gets into the deep sleep. So, it's all very important. And it may help you to track your sleep to see how you're doing. If you'd like a free sleep tracker blueprint. Then just show up  to my free live sleep masterclass. You can sign up the link in the show notes.    Thyroid hormone levels can be affected by sleep too because of the reduction in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, which is released from the brain to tell the thyroid gland how much T3 and T4 to make. When thyroid function is low, the metabolic rate slows, fatigue increases, and weight gain can occur.  In one episode, I referred to sleep as the mood mechanic. I'll put a link to that in the show notes as well, but that's because sleep deprivation affects the reward centers in the brain where dopamine lives. And look, we gotta have dopamine in our brains. We'll do anything to increase the levels, and that can result in using food as a way to satisfy the need. In addition, serotonin levels are lowered with poor sleep and that can cause unhealthy carbohydrate cravings. And what about sex hormones? Well, testosterone can decrease by 10 to 15 percent in men due to poor sleep for a week. And this can reduce muscle mass and increase fat storage. And in women, estrogen and progesterone imbalances can occur and that also affects fat storage, especially after menopause. And it also lowers metabolism. If you've tried really hard to lose weight, remember, diet is far more important than anything, including exercise. Of course you need a healthy diet and activity for optimum health, but healthy sleep should also be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.  Good sleep habits means keeping a regular schedule, timing light exposure because that's what controls melatonin secretion and that gets the whole ball of wax rolling, but also having a good environment to sleep. You need a comfortable, uncluttered place to sleep, and think cave, cool, dark, and quiet. And, of course, those screens emit blue light, and that suppresses melatonin secretion and can interfere with your sleep.   Also be mindful of the things that you eat and drink, like caffeine and sugar and salt. All of these things can affect your sleep. But, new habits aren't always easy to form, and old habits aren't always easy to break. If you'd like to learn more, join me for my free sleep masterclass. It'll be live on March 3rd, 5th, and 8th. We'll look at six surprising reasons you're tossing and turning and what to do about them. I'll help you make small, sustainable changes to improve sleep and maintain a healthy weight. Because healthy looks great on you.    RESOURCES: Free Live Masterclass - 6 Surprising Reasons You're Tossing and Turning The Risky Business of Poor Sleep Sleeping Pills and Potions The Mood Mechanic - sleep Sobriety and Sleep with Casey Davidson Type 2 Diabetes Why is Sleeping So Hard The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change

Have you ever thought having a drink helps you relax and sleep better? Stay tuned to learn more about how alcohol affects your sleep, other aspects of your life, and what you can do about it. My guest today has been featured on NBC News, Good Morning America, The New York Times, NPR, CNN, and Huffington Post. Stay tuned. You're in for a treat.    I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. Whether you're focused on prevention or you're trying to manage a condition. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  Today I have a special guest on the Healthy Looks Great On You podcast. I have Casey Davidson from Hello Someday Coaching, and she is a sobriety coach for women. And on her website, she particularly says That she can help you sleep through the night and wake up rested. So welcome Casey.   Casey: Oh, thank you. I'm so excited to be here.  Dr. Vickie: Well, you know I'm doing a series right now on sleep and I definitely talk about how alcohol affects sleep and I know a lot of people think taking a drink helps them relax and go to sleep, but I'd love to hear your insight on that.   Casey: Absolutely. Well, alcohol is really terrible for your sleep. It's, it's this weird combination of both a depressant and a stimulant. So once you drink even as little as one drink for women, it really impacts your sleep quality, there have been studies done that even a small amount of alcohol impacts your sleep. So for women, which is one drink, it decreases your sleep quality by 24 percent and anything more than one drink for women decreases your sleep quality by 40%. So  it's really incredible.   Dr. Vickie: And do you think women notice that or they're just feeling the effects of poor mood and maybe fatigue and they don't even realize that's what's contributing? Casey: I think it depends. I used to drink quite a bit. I was kind of the woman who was working in corporate and had two little kids and came home and opened up a bottle of wine when I got home to cook dinner. And I actually was drinking about a bottle of wine a night most nights of the week. So anyone who drinks like I did typically wakes up at three in the morning, feeling just crushing anxiety, your heart racing, and have trouble going back to sleep. I think anyone who doesn't drink the way that I drank will notice when they stop drinking how good they feel and how good they sleep without alcohol, even if it's just one or two glasses at a time. Dr. Vickie: And since the pandemic particularly, we've really seen an increase in the amount of alcohol  with men and women and so you have particularly targeted the mommy wine culture. So, can you tell us a little bit about that?  Casey: Absolutely. I mean what's interesting is the biggest increase in binge drinkers right now are midlife women with the highest  socioeconomic status. So we have been sold throughout our lives the idea that wine is sophisticated and it helps us relax and it helps us connect. And there have been some really interesting articles in the Atlantic, for example, they wrote about how stress drinking has a divide. And so women drink to relieve stress significantly more than men. A lot of the marketing that has gone in the alcohol industry is targeted to women because they need to increase their market share and their bottom line. And starting 20 years ago, mothers in in particular were targeted. So you will even see, bottles of wine with the names, "Mommy Time Out." And, you know, there's, "Skinny Girl Vodka," and "Mommy's Little Helper." Wine is is really the modern woman's steroid. And so we get used to drinking on a regular basis. more and more and more. And when I was a new mom, I felt like drinking was a way that I could reclaim some portion of of my pre kid personality.  I was no longer having a lot of time to see my friends or go to the gym or go kayaking or hiking. So I could drink and I could multitask, right? So I could drink and play Legos. I could drink and play Candy Land. And a lot of motherhood is pretty monotonous and difficult, and it sort of becomes your main reward.   Dr. Vickie: That's so interesting and marketing really works. I am excited that recently the Surgeon General has come out with potentially putting a cancer warning on alcohol because there are a lot of new studies showing that even a small amount can increase the risk of cancer. There was a season where we thought drinking a glass of red wine every day was actually good for your heart. And that has been really questioned. Casey: It's been completely disproven. And a lot of those studies were actually sponsored by the alcohol industry.  I remember the French paradox, out on 60 minutes and this is decades ago, but the idea that people who drank alcohol in moderation were actually healthier than those who didn't drink at all. Turns out the study was completely flawed. The people in the control group, meaning didn't drink at all, didn't drink largely because either they used to drink a lot or they had medical issues to start with.  But that idea was promoted and took hold. The American Cancer Society finally came out a few years ago saying no amount of alcohol is healthy, that alcohol is linked to seven different kinds of cancer. Drinking. three glasses of wine or three drinks a week for women increases your risk of breast cancer by 15 percent and anything over that increases another 10%, every additional glass of of wine, which completely counteracts the idea that one drink a day for women is perfectly healthy. The truth is it's not. but I don't know if when I was drinking that would have convinced me to stop.   Dr. Vickie: Well, that's interesting because we have seen a cultural shift. There used to be  events where there wasn't alcohol served and that's becoming less common. I think that the drinking culture has really exponentially increased. So if it wasn't the health risk that would have made you stop, what was your motivation?   Casey: Well, I have to say that I was always a drinker, ever since I got to college. I joined the women's rugby team where binge drinking was celebrated. And then I used alcohol to shut off my brain. I was very much a gold star straight A girl who had a lot of fear of not doing well. When I drank, I could let all of that go. So  drinking for me was fun. It was actually part of my personality. I felt like it was sort of integral to  the type of person I was and stopping drinking completely was my worst nightmare, literally my worst case scenario in life. So  I thought for a very long time that I needed to get ahold of my drinking, that I needed to be able to moderate more successfully so that I would never have to stop completely.  And,  the more I tried to moderate, meaning I made all the rules, like I'll only have two drinks tonight. I will only drink beer because I like red wine better. I will only drink when I'm home. So I won't be out of the bar. I'll only drink when I'm out. Cause I go out less often. The more I tried to do that, the more I realized that it was not working at all. All of my rules, I could not successfully drink less on a consistent basis. Or if I did, I was super irritated and white knuckling it. And at the same time,  my anxiety was off the chart. I would wake up with this sort of low grade hangover every day. I would have to overcompensate to fit in everything I needed to do to still get, you know, the straight A version of an adult in a lot fewer hours. I started listening to podcasts and started reading books and joining groups. And then finally decided to take a longer break from alcohol.I got to 100 days and I felt so much better. I decided to extend it to six months and then a year. And once it got to a year, I was like, you know what? I think I'm done drinking, because  I realized that I didn't need it and that I felt so much better and happier without it. Dr. Vickie: That is so interesting. And I think that's true of so many substances, even something like sugar. You don't realize how bad it's making you feel until you can get through that period where you get over your cravings and realize how much better you feel without it. But it sounds like to me that you had a real identity shift. With drinking, denial is a huge part of the process. And so it's interesting that you just were listening to podcasts and now you are a coach for other women.  Casey: I think the shift is really changing throughout society. It's, it's starting with the younger generation. So Gen Z is the leading factor in the sober curious movement. They drink 30 percent less than their parents or grandparents did at the same age. Millennials are also on board with being sober curious, which means  considering what your life would be like without drinking, taking periods of time, alcohol free, trying non alcoholic beer and wine, or just trying to drink more mindfully. The older generations, I'm Gen X, who sort of came into adulthood with the idea that red wine was good for your heart. And Baby Boomers are the absolute biggest drinkers. So now it's more normalized to do dry January, to do dry July, to stop drinking for a period of time. And people don't question it as much as they used to. Whereas for a long time, I would say 10 years ago, if you took a break from drinking  and you were a drinker, people would pretty much be like, what's going on?  Do you have a problem? Are you pregnant? Just have one. You need to relax. We'll have more fun. Like  there there was a lot of pressure to keep drinking.  Dr. Vickie: I agree with that. So, what would you say to a young woman, a young mom, or even anyone else in another range of age to get started if they are sober curious?    Casey: I always encourage anyone who's thinking about this to try to take a longer break from drinking. When you are drinking, it becomes a habit and it becomes an emotional practice in terms of how you connect with your friends or your spouse or how you hang out with your colleagues or bond with other mothers. And you don't realize how much it impacts every aspect of your life. Whenever you drink alcohol, it spikes your dopamine really high. And so your body actually regulates your normal level of dopamine, your happy hormone lower. So even if you just drink twice a week, you are less happy than you would be if you were not drinking at all. It messes with your mood regulation. So you are less emotionally stable than you would be, if you weren't drinking at all. It impacts your energy and your ability to work out. It messes with your sleep. So taking 30 days off drinking  is a really great way to evaluate how alcohol is impacting all the the aspects of your life, You will notice just in one month that you have less brain fog, that you have more energy, your skin will be brighter, your eyes will be brighter. You will sleep better. So there are all these benefits to it, but you will also realize that you can go through a Friday night without drinking and that you can hang out with your partner and have a date without drinking and that it's still good. So that's a practice to bring awareness to all these beliefs we have about alcohol. And in my coaching practice, a lot of the approach is to look at it like habit formation and break that. So the idea of keep the ritual, change the ingredients. There are fantastic non alcoholic beverages out there. there's non alcoholic beer that is, you know, taking the world by storm. There is is non alcoholic Prosecco. There's all these non alcoholic drinks, mocktails that you  will see all around you. And then you can institute new habits. How do you want to wind down at the end of the night? , If you're stressed, if you're lonely, what are other ways to meet those needs? And you will learn something about yourself if you do that.   Dr. Vickie: That's so powerful. And I think self discovery is a huge part of it, but I have to say, I'm glad you brought up dopamine because I always take my listeners to mini medical school. So what I want you to know about dopamine is that it affects the pleasure center of the brain, and it is in the exact same location as the pain center of the brain. When you're using any substance, and that dopamine level starts to drop, you experience extreme discomfort without the substance. And so, it's a weird upside down balance of, you're drinking to increase your dopamine levels, but then you have to drink because your dopamine levels go down so low and dopamine is a huge part of addiction. And I just want to ask you that, are we talking about addiction? Because you talk a lot about a dry period, an alcohol free period. What if someone can't stop? Casey: There are are different levels. of using and withdrawing from a substance. In medical terms, it's called substance use disorder and there are variations of mild, moderate or severe. What I love about the sober curious movement is anyone can decide to take a break or drink less or evaluate the way that alcohol is impacting their life and their social life. And  it is good  and you will learn something and there's was no judgment around it. Now, if you are drinking more often or more heavily, it is hard to take a break without some sort of support. So I actually stopped using sober coach. I worked with her, emailing her every day.  A lot of it was the block and tackling of, I'm having an awful day at work. I really want a drink. And her kind of being like, all right, you don't have to drink though. You can go home and you can cuddle up with your kid or watch a show or go for a run or whatever it is. Just that encouragement to to get through those cravings and the ideas of of like what do I say to people? What will they think if I don't drink? How will I have a night out with my husband? A lot of this is sort of just day by day getting through those, those moments when you would drink.  Withdrawal, if you are physically addicted to alcohol, is incredibly dangerous. So, if you're at the point where you are physically addicted or you are worried about it beyond, I had a lot of hangovers, you really should work with a medical professional for a detox because it can be fatal. Dr. Vickie: I'm glad you brought that up. But I do think dealing with those triggers and cravings is so important and I love that you mentioned using alternative ways to deal with the things that are going to set that trigger off. Do you have any top five suggestions on winding down or mitigating that? Casey: What's interesting is in the beginning, the biggest trigger is hunger, which is kind of of funny and counterintuitive. So when I'm working with women and they are taking a a break from drinking, they're going from day one to day five to day seven to two weeks, I really encourage them to set an alarm for 3:30 or four, to, eat something with protein. So you are not going into the witching hour or getting dinner or driving home from the office when you are you are hungry. Cause that is a huge trigger to drink. The other thing I really encourage women to do is to get all the alcohol out of the house. So you can talk to your partner about this. I mean, our partners support us in many things. When I stopped drinking, red wine was my sort  of kryptonite. So I told him I needed no wine at the house because I really love drinking. And I knew it would be hard for me, like the elephant in the room, just constantly wearing me down. So he drank beer. We just just got all the wine out of the house. So that is sort of a visual cue seeing alcohol around you that triggers a craving to drink. So if you get rid of the visual cue and and you get rid of the ability to have that quick reward, meaning grab a  bottle, grab a drink, open it and have it hit your bloodstream. That gives you the chance to move through it. I mean, most cravings really only last 20 minutes. You can time them. Like I really want to drink, you eat something, you distract yourself. You can time when that craving goes away. So I would say hunger, getting the the visual cues and the easy access to alcohol out of your house, your; your visual field. And then  also identifying why you want to drink. So  if you  are just taking a break and you're not used to it, I always tell women, if they tell me they don't have a craving to drink in the first two weeks, like I won't believe them. It just doesn't happen. So in the beginning, you really need that physical break from being able to hit that reward.  But after that, it's emotional most of the time. So it's  really important to lower the bar and to stay away from stress and overwhelm and drama. But when you  want to drink first thing, eat something. But the second question is why? Why do you want to drink? Are you bored? Are you resentful? Are you irritated? Are you lonely?  All of those things you can solve for in different ways. And once you identify the emotion of why you want to drink, maybe you want to celebrate and want to take it even higher, then you you can problem solve for other ways to meet that need.   D.r Vickie: I love that. That's really impactful. Those are some very practical steps that people can take. And I will just tell you the same could be said about chocolate chips. If I've got chocolate chips in the pantry, they're calling my name and I'll go in there and have a little handful. But if I don't have any chocolate chips, the pantry, I'm not going to eat chocolate. Availability is huge, whether it's snack food or alcohol or anything else. We call those self binding techniques. And they work. They really do work, but they don't work in isolation. You have to implement these other things. And so tell me about the benefit of having a coach. Is this a one on one coaching that you do? Do you do group coaching?  Casey: Yeah, I actually I did one on one for many years. I worked with over 150 women one on one. And then I have an online program. It's called the Sobriety Starter Kit that basically takes my one on one format and and practices and puts it in an online program that you can access and have in your back pocket at any time. It's designed to take women from day one to 106 months, a year and beyond, and give them the tools to do that. As part of that, I have an online community where I'm in there every single day and I  do group coaching as part of that as well. So, it's really important to realize that you are not alone in this and have really practical and positive and  empowering ways to reframe your habits and your thinking about alcohol to make those changes.  Dr. Vickie: The power of community cannot be overstated. No matter what you're dealing with, the power of community is so important.  Well, I am so excited to know about your business and your coaching. And I'll put the links to all of that in the show notes so that any of our listeners can check that out. And I appreciate you sharing all your words of wisdom with us.  Casey: Thank you so much, Vickie,  I'm happy to be here.   Dr. Vickie: Wow. Wasn't that fantastic? If you are sober curious and you are interested in checking out Casey Davidson's website, you can find her at Hello Someday Coaching. She offers her sobriety starter kit. She has a podcast and lots of resources on her blog. So if you're interested in cutting back on your drinking, then this is a fantastic resource for you. Check out the link in the show notes.  If insomnia is more your problem, then you're going to want to check out six surprising reasons you're tossing and turning. That's my upcoming free live sleep masterclass on March 3rd, 5th and 8th. Registration is required and there's a link in the show notes or you can go to my website.     RESOURCES: Hello Someday Coaching with Casey Davidson Hello Someday Podcast Six Surprising Reasons You're Tossing and Turning The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change  

 You're at the end of your rope, so you head to the pharmacy for the help you so desperately need to sleep. But wait, you aren't sure if it's safe, if it works, and if there's a better way.  Stay tuned to learn about the benefits, side effects, and risk of sleep aids.   I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.  This is episode 159, Sleeping Pills and Potions. What works and what doesn't. You know that poor sleep is associated with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, immune dysfunction, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, and good grief, I could go on and on. So, taking something to help you sleep sounds like a good idea, right?  Today, we'll discuss what you need to know before you go and get a prescription, supplement, or over the counter sleeping aid. Look, we have to sleep. Our very lives and health depend on it. But the struggle is real. Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms people go to the doctor or health care provider for treatment.   And what if I told you that good sleep is possible without medications? Well, it is. In fact, the first line treatment recommended to treat insomnia is not medication. The standard recommendation for managing insomnia is to eliminate things that go bump in the night and keep you awake.  Or, to treat underlying diseases that disrupt sleep. It's not recommended to start with behavioral therapy or medications until these other things are maximized. Ha! But good luck with that. If you go to your primary care provider and you don't get a prescription, I'll buy you a cup of coffee and we can both stay awake.  And, if you think you need to see a specialist, then you'll probably get to spend the night in a sleep lab hotel hooked up to a bunch of wires and you may get answers, like, a CPAP, and that's important if you have sleep apnea, but if not, you might not even hear from them. No wonder you're looking for a good solution to sleep.  And though medications are not the first line recommendation, that is the topic of today's episode. So let's get to it. We're going to start with prescription medications, then we'll talk about over the counter medications and wrap up with supplements.  There are three classes of drugs approved to treat insomnia. Benzodiazepine receptor agonist, histamine receptor antagonist, and melatonin receptor agonist. Listening to all that medical jargon may be sufficient to put you to sleep. But wait, let me explain. You'll understand more after we go to mini medical school today and learn about receptors.  These are made up of proteins and they receive chemical signals that produce a response.  Let me give you this analogy. You've got a lamp sitting on an end table, but it's not plugged in, so there's no light. And when you stick those two prongs into the socket, behold, now you can sit and read. And that's kind of how a receptor works. The plug fits into the plug in. So an agonist is like the plug. It fits. It turns it on. It lets the electricity flow.  But, if you had a toddler in the house, you might want to plug in one of those little plastic things so he doesn't stick a butter knife in there and get shocked. So that would be an antagonist.  Okay, now wake up and pay attention. We've got three classes of drugs to look at. Benzo receptor agonist and melatonin agonist. That plug in and histamine receptor antagonist that block the plugin. And then there's another category called other. We'll just call that the clapper, you know, clap, clap. And the light comes on, clap, clap, and the light goes off.  There are eight drugs in the benzodiazepine receptor agonist family. And the first five are about my age, you know, born in the 60s. They are Estazolam, which is Prosom, Florazepam, which is Dalmane, Quamazepam, which is Doral, Temazepam, which is Restoril and Triazolam, which is Halcion. Now the millennials aren't benzos, but they're still benzo receptor agonist. And you know, this generation got way more complicated spelling their kids' names, so I'm probably gonna have to sound them out like a first grade teacher on the first day of school.  Eszopiclone is Lunesta, Zaleplon is Sonata. Zolpidem is Ambien.  Those older drugs are crankier and cause more dependence although Restoril is the nicest in the category. There are other benzos which are technically prescribed for anxiety and  some people do use them to help them sleep. Do they work? Here's what the data says for the old guys. They help you fall asleep faster. A whole whopping 10 minutes faster. And they increase total sleep time by half an hour to an hour. That's it.  What about risk? Well, they make you sleepy, which is kind of the point, but also they can make you dizzy, which can make you fall if you get up and go to the bathroom during the night. And if you mix them with opioids, the reaction can be fatal.   Now, the younger guys function about as well as the older ones, but they have shorter half lives, so their effects don't wear out their welcome so much with daytime grogginess. And they aren't so deadly when socializing with opioids. But rarely, they do some bizarre things like compel you to shop or gamble in the middle of the night. All for 10 minutes faster to go to sleep and half hour to an hour longer sleeping.  Okay, clap on, clap off, let's talk about the other drugs.  These are dual orexin receptor antagonists.  Affectionately known as D O R A or Dora.  The first one is Suvarexant, which is called Belsomra. The next one is Derodorexant, which sounds a lot like deodorant to me, and that's exactly what I'm gonna call it because the brand name is Quviviq. And finally, there is Limboxerant, which has a really cool brand name, Dayvigo.  What? You've never heard of any of these? Well, that's probably because they're slightly less effective than the other drugs. They help you go to sleep seven minutes faster. But the main side effect is sleepiness, and people generally say they slept better. The next topic in pharmacology class in mini medical school is the histamine antagonist. You know, the little plastic thing that goes in the wall socket so your toddler doesn't.  Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant that functions this way, and even in low doses it causes the desirable effect of drowsiness. So, it's approved for the treatment of drowsiness deficit.  Unfortunately, there are some drugs it doesn't play nice with. But, it does increase sleep time by Drum roll please! 25 to 30 minutes. Womp, womp, womp. And, it helps people stay asleep toward the end of the sleep cycle.    And I think this underscores why one size does not fit all and prescriptions should be customized for individual needs.  The last class of drugs approved for the treatment of insomnia makes a lot of sense.  Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist and the brand name Rosarem, get it? REM, R E M, as in rapid eye movement sleep. It's got a good mechanism of action, a good name. Problem is, it doesn't work any better than placebo. So, you can skip the potential for fatigue, nausea, and worsening of liver disease and just take a sugar pill.  So, am I saying it doesn't work at all? Of course not. Why would it be approved if it didn't work? Well, it's not in Europe, but it does work to lengthen sleep time by a grand total of seven minutes. And I don't know about you, but it's going to take more than seven minutes to get rid of the bags under these eyes.  So that's the gamut of drugs approved for the treatment of insomnia in the United States. But wait, there's more. Just because the FDA doesn't approve something for a particular indication, that doesn't mean that doctors can't prescribe it. And sometimes, off label prescribing is a really good thing, though it's a set up for a knock down, drag out fight with your insurance company for coverage. In addition to using the antidepressant Doxepin, many doctors prescribe other antidepressants for sleep. Things like Amitriptyline and Trazodone, even though the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises against it because of side effects and no data showing that it works. Now, I always recommend that you consult with your health care provider regarding your medications. Always, always, always.  But, I also recommend that they consult with up to date society recommendations and guidelines. That's just fair. And while they're at it, they should look at the potential adverse reactions. So, now maybe you've decided to skip the copay and just help yourself to the sleep aid aisle of the pharmacy. You could even ask the pharmacist to guide you, and I recommend that. There are two over the counter medications approved to treat insomnia. They are diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, and doxalamine, commonly known as Unisom. Side note, over the counter medications are regulated  FDA, And both of these drugs are histamine blockers. Therefore, all of the fun side effects that come with that, like dry mouth, GI distress, dizziness, trouble emptying your bladder, and of course, sedation, which is the desired side effect. These medications are often combined with things like Advil or Tylenol with an added P. M. at the end, so you know what's in store for you. And here's what's in store for diphenhydramine. 8 less minutes to fall asleep and 12 more minutes of sleep. And for doxylamine, there's no data available. That's it. That's what we've got. So, maybe now you've decided just to take matters into your own hands and look for a supplement. And because you've listened to my previous podcast episode about dementia, you're gonna skip right over the Prevagen, right? Promise me. Now, in the supplement section, you're going to walk in understanding that claims, concentrations, and ingredients are not guaranteed. They're not regulated. They are, generally speaking, considered safe and ineffective. You heard that right. Safe. And ineffective. But what about melatonin? You swear it works, but does it?  Maybe. It is sedating in about 10 percent of people and in everyone else, it shifts the sleep phase. So, there is a place for that such as jet lag, and I have an episode on jet lag in the show notes.  But even though it may help you drift off to sleep, it probably isn't going to help you stay asleep. The half life is less than an hour, and in some people it causes stomach cramps, irritability, and even depression. It's best used in combination with other things that regulate your circadian rhythm. More to come on that. But a big one is light. And so this probably would be a great time to tell you about some exciting news I have for you. I have an upcoming series of live webinars to talk about six hidden things that keep you tossing and turning at night.   And soon you'll have access to an online course called Unlock the Secret to Sleep, your personal sleep solution. I have been working so hard on this for so long that I cannot wait to share it with you.  I want to help you reset your sleep and get your Z's. Now there are other supplements labeled as sleep aids and most of them again are safe and probably not effective. The exceptions on safety are kava and valerian root. Both of those have been associated with liver damage. Now it's rare, but it's very serious. Other things you might find on this aisle are chamomile, Glycine, Gryphonia, Hops,  , Kava, L theanine, Lavender, , Passionflower, Nightshade, Skullcap, Strymonium, Tryptophan, , and Wild Jujube Seeds.  They're all equally effective and work every bit as well as a sugar pill, but hey, sugar pills can have powerful placebo effects. And one last thing I want to mention, and that is cannabis. Bottom line is there's not enough research to say one way or another, whether it works. It does have the potential for addiction and it's not legal everywhere. So there's that.  But also it's a problem that if you quit, you'll likely experience sleep disturbances that can last for several months.     The bottom line is, I want you to know that you shouldn't have to choose between serious health consequences of poor sleep and the side effects and risk of sleeping pills and potions.  If you suffer from insomnia, I do encourage you not to stop any medications without medical supervision and to have an honest conversation with your doctor. And if they want access to my resources, just give them my email address. I'm happy to share and they're 100 percent legit, but if good sleep eludes you, I want you to know while there's no magic pill for perfect sleep, there is a proven path to natural, restorative rest that can transform your life. Imagine waking up energized, focused, and ready to tackle your day without relying on sleeping pills or potions.  Are you tired of tossing and turning at night? Desperately wishing for deep, restful sleep?  I'm hosting two exclusive live webinars where I'll share my evidence based approach to achieving consistent quality sleep. Join me on March 3rd or March 5th to discover how to fall asleep naturally. and wake up refreshed, practical strategies to boost your energy and mental clarity, and solutions to common sleep challenges that keep you awake at night.  Plus you'll get a chance to ask your most pressing sleep questions during a live Q& A session. So don't miss this opportunity. To revolutionize your sleep. Click the link in the show notes to save your spot now. Registration is required. And make sure you're on my email list to receive exclusive pre webinar insights and special bonuses. Your journey to better sleep starts here. Sign up right now and let's transform your nights and supercharge your days.  Because good sleep is crucial for good health and healthy looks great on you.   RESOURCES: FREE, live sleep masterclass registration Jet Lag Does Prevagen work? Why doctors prescribe a pill Meet Aunt Edna - Your holiday survival stress guide

  You know that poor sleep leaves you dragging through the day, feeling drained and foggy brained, and more than a little bit grouchy. But did you know that poor sleep can be deadly? Stay tuned to learn about seven serious diseases linked to poor sleep  I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. Healthy Looks Great On You podcast takes you to mini medical school so you can learn the power of lifestyle medicine. If you're ready to take control of your health, you're in the right  place. This is episode 158, The Risky Business of Poor Sleep, Seven Serious Diseases.  You know you need to get a good night's sleep.  You want to rest and wake up feeling refreshed and restored, but it's not that simple for everyone. Even though sleep is essential for life, chronic insomnia affects 30 percent of adults, and half of all people experience some degree of insomnia during their lives. So if you struggle to sleep, you certainly aren't alone. But, before you start planning a zombie party for all of your friends who are raring to go long after bedtime, let's take a look at the impact on your health. And, spoiler alert, it ain't good for ya.  Not only does poor sleep affect the quality of life and emotional well being, it's associated with an increased risk of seven serious diseases. I mean, it's bad enough to slog through the day sleepy, irritable, and feeling blah, but people with significant insomnia tend to have a shorter lifespan.  I mean, if they know Jesus, they can sleep in heavenly peace, but in the meantime, it's best to maximize restorative sleep because of the impact on health.  And before you reach for the medicine bottle or go shopping down the supplement and sleep aid aisle, you're going to want to stay tuned to this podcast because next week we're going to break down all the pills and potions. But this week we're going to talk about what the following conditions all have in common: heart disease, , type 2 diabetes, depression, obesity, Alzheimer's dementia, immune dysfunction, and certain cancers. And you don't even need to go to mini medical school to guess that poor sleep increases the risk of developing all seven of these serious diseases. Good sleep is crucial for good health.   I know, I know, you get it. You know sleep is super important. You want to sleep. You've tried to sleep, but you can't. I hope you know, I feel your pain. I've been there and I understand the frustration of going to bed and knowing you're not going to sleep. That's why I've created some resources for you. Head on over to my website, www.healthylooksgreatonyou. com and grab "Turn Off Your Mind and Sleep."  It's a free downloadable tip sheet. It's not a cure, but it's a start. And then in March of 2025, I'll be doing a series of live webinars called " Six Hidden Reasons You're Tossing and Turning." Then in the middle of the month, I'll release my online course: "Unlock the Secret to Sleep" to help you get the Z's you need. And if you take advantage of any of the free resources on my website, you'll automatically be subscribed to get every episode of this podcast, plus all those bonuses right in your inbox. And you'll be the first to know about additional opportunities to improve your sleep and health.  Now last month, I did a series of podcast episodes on dementia and now I'm transitioning to sleep. But before we exit this road Let's take a look at the intersection between brain health and sleep. I've already given you the list of seven diseases associated with poor sleep, and so this is not in order, but logically I thought we would discuss Alzheimer's dementia first. And if you missed the series, there are links in the show notes to each episode, but if you just want the bottom line. Lifestyle modifications are your best weapon to prevent this disease which is exploding in our aging population.  Now, today in mini medical school, we're going to learn about beta amyloid, which is sometimes referred to as amyloid beta.  That's kind of weird. I guess this peptide is a little confused about which name comes first. You can call me beta amyloid or you can call me amyloid beta, but you don't have to call me Ray.  Okay, that was a poor attempt at humor,  but I stand by the fact that laughter is still the best medicine.  What's in a name? Well, Dr. Alzheimer himself identified senile plaques, which are those buildups of beta amyloid in the brain, as well as neurofibrillary tangles which come from Tau proteins. And he discovered all of this in the early 1900s.  In people with Alzheimer's, amyloid proteins stick together and get folded over and they form plaques and that is toxic to brain cells. In fact, beta amyloid plaques are the hallmark finding in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. But here's the deal.  I've got amyloids and you've got amyloids in your brain, too.  But if you're normal, then your glymphatic system washes it away and breaks it down.  Want to guess when this happens?  Yep, while you were sleeping.  Or in the case of insomnia, not. And clearly, there's an increased risk of Alzheimer's dementia in people with mid life insomnia.  As it turns out, a lot of things in midlife have long term effects on our health. So maybe if you think you got away with not paying attention to your health when you were young, now is the time to reset and change directions.  Need a little more motivation? Well, let's move on to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. And that's a catch all term that refers to heart disease, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Cardio means heart, and vascular refers to blood vessels. And guess what? You've got blood vessels in your heart and throughout your body. So what's sleep got to do with it? Well, I'm glad you asked. Insomnia is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with a higher chance of dying from heart disease or anything else for that matter. We call that mortality. And listen, I know we are all going to die of something, but the goal of this podcast is to give you information, motivation, and inspiration to take care of this one body God gave us to last a lifetime on this earth. So yeah, I'm going to die of something and so are you. But I'd really like to stick around for a while with the people I love, wouldn't you? And I want to be healthy enough to play and enjoy life. And cardiovascular disease can rob you of the ability to do anything that requires stamina. So don't give me that, we're all gonna die of something line. Eventually your car is going to have enough miles that the engine fails. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get your oil changed on a regular basis. Maintenance for your health is so much more important than maintenance for your vehicle. I mean, you can't replace your body. So pay attention to your heart health and sleep. They're all related. Now let's explore why poor sleep  affects heart health. You know, when you sleep, not only is your glymphatic system clearing out toxins from your brain, but your sympathetic nervous system is just kind of chill, and your blood pressure drops. But when instead your blood vessels don't relax, that causes an elevation in blood pressure. And not only does that increase the risk of hypertension and heart disease, But also stroke.  Now, this is interesting. If you can't sleep because you wake up during the night, or you wake up super early in the morning, then your blood pressure probably doesn't do the normal dip.  But, if you have trouble falling asleep at the beginning of the night, it doesn't seem to have as much effect on your blood pressure. You see, sleep is very specific and complex, and the type of sleep trouble you have affects your risk. If you're interested in learning more about blood pressure, then when you go to my website, healthylooksgreatonyou.com, and search for four reasons to control your blood pressure, There'll be an episode that pops up and of course I'll put a link in the show notes.  Okay, we've covered the brain and the heart and blood vessels. Now sweetie, it's time to talk about those sugar plums dancing in your head because insomnia is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes as well as progression from pre diabetes to type 2 diabetes.  Want some good news? Improving your sleep can improve your glycemic control. That means it's easier to normalize your blood sugars with a good full eight hours of shut eye. And specifically, short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.  Both inflammation and insulin resistance are increased with poor sleep.  And if you're interested in more of the science made simple, listen to the episode, "Why is sleeping so hard?" But here's the deal, sugar causes inflammation. And insulin is the key that opens the door to move the sugar out of the blood vessels and into your cells. So, it can be used as fuel. But with type 2 diabetes, this mechanism is impaired.  This all goes back to a coordinated effort by the body to balance various hormones like growth hormone, insulin, and cortisol. And yes, it's all affected by sleep..  Next in the list of seven deadly diseases associated with poor sleep is cancer. In fact, researchers have proposed a 24 percent increased risk of cancer in people with insomnia. And it's certain cancers in particular, like lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Turns out that disrupting your internal clock does more than keep you wide eyed and bushy tailed. It's theorized that cancer cells may take advantage of lower levels of the sleep hormone, melatonin. You see, melatonin is released in the brain and  sends out signals to synchronize many organs and bodily functions. And it plays a huge role in hormone balance. Things like estrogen, but also cortisol. And this affects cellular growth and repair at the DNA level. That's where genes are switched on and off by the immune system.  At the most basic level, cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. So, it's plausible that skimping on the cleanup and reboot system for your body's defenses gives the enemy an advantage. Both inflammation and insulin resistance contribute to DNA damage and that can increase the risk for cancer. I feel like I could just repeat the word inflammation with each of these seven diseases. Inflammation in the blood vessels affects every organ supplied by.. blood.  And well, that pretty much covers it all,  but also inflammation's life partner is the immune system.  You know, they're still married, but they fight a lot trying to find the perfect balance between keeping out foreign invaders that have come to kill and destroy like infection and cancer and not going nuclear and exploding your body's own cells.  So that leads to number five on the list of deadly diseases associated with poor sleep, and that is immune dysfunction,  and if you think you have a dysfunctional family Let me tell you about the immune system Try putting the bone marrow, the thymus gland, the spleen, mucous membrane, skin, tonsils, and lymph nodes in a room together and watch them go into attack mode. They'll crank out some white blood cells, antibodies, cytokine, and compliment to mount a defense against infection. And that's a good thing. When bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus breaches our first line of protection, We need a strong immune system to fight them off. Turns out that fighting off infection is a process that's also related to tumor suppression like we discussed with cancer. But here's the deal. The immune family is a rowdy bunch and sometimes they miss the target and attack their own. I mean, you've seen a room full of toddlers, right? They want everything. That's mine. It's mine. That's their favorite phrase. So when they get overzealous, it causes autoimmune disease. Okay, now this is getting personal. I have an autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis. In this condition, the body makes antibodies against itself. And we all know that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And that's what happened to me. Literally, my muscles were so weak, I couldn't stand for very long, walk very far, or use my arms for any length of time. Because every time my nerves tried to send a signal to my muscles, my misguided immune system interrupted the neurotransmitter as if it were there to hurt me. Now, what causes myasthenia gravis? Well, it's not really known, but guess what? Poor sleep is associated with immune dysfunction. Now, I was a self described health nut for many years. I ate a lot of whole, unprocessed foods, exercised regularly, managed my stress pretty well, and had a healthy group of connections.  Oh, and my mama always said, don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew, and don't go with those who do. So I've never been one to be exposed to unhealthy levels of harmful substances. Now, I just listed five of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Hmm, let me see, what did I leave out? Oh, yeah, sleep. Until MG knocked me flat on my back, I ignored the importance of rest and sleep on my health  and it caught up with me. And that's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about restorative sleep.  Let those who've lived like the walking dead serve as a warning.  And if dementia, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and immune health aren't enough to convince you that you need to prioritize sleep. Then how about obesity?  And listen, do you see a theme developing? Aberrations in the circadian rhythm disrupt normal melatonin production, which in turn has a powerful influence in hormone regulation and balance. And all of that affects your levels of hunger and satisfaction, and ultimately, the number on the scales.  If you've ever wanted to reset your metabolism, then focus on resetting your sleep because they are closely related. And obesity increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and of course, type 2 diabetes. This is starting to feel like a snowball, gaining more and more waist circumference as it rolls down the hill. Not only does lack of sleep slow down your metabolism, it increases the level of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, and it decreases the satiety hormone, leptin, that tells your brain you're full.   I've already mentioned the connection between insulin and sleep. And insulin resistance is also a factor in excess weight gain. Both insomnia and obesity are epidemic. And look, you're not going to lose weight by sleeping better at night. But you might gain weight by not sleeping at night. And it might be easier for you to stay active and eat healthy if you get a good night's rest.  Gosh, this whole thing is kind of depressing.  You knew I was going there, didn't you? The seventh serious disease associated with poor sleep is depression. And get this, people with insomnia have a tenfold increased risk of depression. In one of my previous episodes, I called sleep the mood mechanic. There's a link in the show notes. But on the other side of the pillow. If you have depression, you have 75 percent more trouble falling asleep. Now, how do they measure that? Well, in the past, they relied on surveys where research subjects just recalled their sleep. But now, we're getting more and more data from wearables, like watches and rings and smart beds, like the sleep number bed. But the fact remains that sometimes it's hard to tell. If depression causes sleep disruption, Or the other way around. Listen, don't stay awake at night worrying about it. If you have depression, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about the right treatment for you and your insomnia. Because I'm guessing, if you have one, you have both.  However, that leads me to reason number two that I'm passionate about sleep.  The average doctor only gets two and a half hours of training on sleep in medical school. So there's that. And the number one recommendation to treat insomnia is not medication. So, you're going to want to stay tuned and learn more so you can lower your risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, immune dysfunction, and depression.  Sleeping may not come easy for you, but it's worth the effort to give your body a chance to do the work on the night shift and restore your mind and your health. Because healthy looks great on you.        the information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not considered to be a substitute for medical advice. You should continue to follow up with your physician or health care provider and take medication as prescribed. Though the information in this podcast is evidence based, new research may develop and recommendations may change.   RESOURCES: FREE LIVE Webinars Turn off your mind and get some sleep free tip sheet 4 Reasons to control your blood pressure The work of sleep Why is sleeping so hard? 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