Healthy Talk

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I don’t want to get cancer, but I have a family history of cancer. What can I do to decrease my odds?The key to cancer prevention is keeping your cells healthy. Cancer is a cell gone bad. The basic blueprint that drives the engine of a cell turns bad when you have cancer. The genetic makeup gets mutated.Do things to promote DNA health. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable. Cruciferous vegetables preserve the integrity of DNA. Watercress, kale, cauliflower are also cruciferous. Eat at least a serving or two of cruciferous vegetables every day. The isothiocyanate inside is what protects your DNA. Diet is first, but it would be difficult to get enough isothiocyanate from just vegetables. Supplementation will help. Look for a product that lists the amount of isothiocyanate on the label.Curcumin is the workhorse of cell health. It seems to benefit every organ system in the body. Try 400 mg a day.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:Can you suggest a heart protocol for someone who has had a heart attack?Many patients go on an ACE inhibitor or something to control blood pressure. We devise regimens that are appropriate based on individuals. Don’t stop taking medicine without talking to your doctor, but there are things you can do with nutrients.You can take 200 mg a day of CoQ10. You want to know what your blood level is, so do a blood test to see if you’re between levels 4 and 6 because that’s a heart healthy range of CoQ10.Omega-3 supplements will help as well. You should do 2-4 grams a day. They are blood thinning, so make sure your doctor knows that. You may have to cut down the dose of Omega-3 and watch for easy bruising.Vitamin D3 should be about 5000 IU a day. That helps with cells.You are at risk of a second coronary event if you’ve had a heart attack. Stabilize all of your arterial plaques by building a cap of collagen and calcium. That keeps all the fat and cholesterol from rupturing into the blood stream and forming a clot. Vitamin K2 will help stabilize the plaque. Gutocola is an herb that puts collagen into the cap of the plaque. You can try EDTA for oral chelation. Garlic oil can help.Increase the activity of the PON1 gene to prevent the fat from oxidizing and getting sticky. You can be helped by 250 mg of pomegranate a day, as well as by supplementing with curcumin.The endothelial cell lines the artery. You can boost the endothelial cells with resperital, SOD, and garlic extract.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

How does exercise help people with lung disease?Everyone knows exercise is a component of healthy living. It's important to exercise, even when challenged with lung disease.Speaking with your doctor and starting out with a low gradient is the best way to get started. Here are some exercises for beginners who are battling lung disease: Yoga, which focuses on breathing. There are classes available for those with difficulty breathing. You can feel your breathing improve if you continue practicing yoga. Walking, which is an easy way to get started with an exercise regimen. If outdoor air quality and factors are too tough on you, you can join an indoor walking group or walk around your local mall. Gardening, which involves walking and light lifting. It's also a great chance to relax and enjoy nature while you exercise. Dr. Jack Coleman joins Dr. Mike to share how exercise can benefit those with lung disease.

What can stem cell therapy accomplish with lung disease?Stem cells are the body's natural way of healing. When you are sick or injured, stem cells travel through the body to the site that needs repair. But, the stem cells the body provides don't work fast enough to remedy a chronic progressive disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stem cell therapy introduces additional stem cells to battle the disease by rebuilding healthy cells in the affected area.New developments in stem cell therapy indicate that the lung cells may be rebuilt, treating the cause of the chronic progressive disease.Dr. Jack Coleman joins Dr. Mike to discuss how stem cell therapy can help combat lung disease.

Find out what dong quai, also known as the female ginseng, can do for you.Ginseng is well known for for its ability to support male sexual function, heart health, and endurance. Dong quai is known as the female ginseng, mainly because of its ability to ease menopausal symptoms. But, dong quai can help men and women alike with a myriad of concerns.Dong quai supports mood with potential seratonin-like qualities. It also supports bone strength and eases inflammation of the joints. It supports lung health with its anti-inflammatory ability, serves as a brain booster, supports heart health, and it may fight cancer.Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses what dong quai can do for you.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I am healthy and 74 years old. My family doc said I need to take fosamax because I have osteopenia that could become osteoporosis. I have asthma and it has always been well controlled. I took my first fosamax pill and had a headache for 24 hours. I rarely get headaches, and I can easily treat the ones I do get with Advil. The main problem is that I coughed all week, night and day. Can fosamax cause my asthma symptoms to escalate? Is it worth the benefit to my otherwise healthy body? Are there other ways to stave off osteoporosis?If you have asthma, any drug can be a stressor to your body, because the cortisol in your body increases. The reaction to this new thing might exacerbate some reactive airway symptoms.You need to discuss the risks versus the benefits with your doctor. As you get older, you really must take care of your bones. Look at your total calcium intake. It’s good to take 1500 mg per day, and at least 1000 units of vitamin D per day. Vitamin D helps the calcium get into your bloodstream. Take vitamin K2 to help the calcium get into your bones. You don't want your calcium to be mismanaged and deposited into the wrong places, so be sure to take all three.Boron, silicon, and plum extract all help increase the strength and mineralization of the bones. Strontium was very popular in the 1950s for low bone density. It’s perfectly safe in supplement form and awesome for your bones.I’m 69 years old. A month ago I got sick with a virus that is still with me. Once a week I go to an alternative medicine doctor. I was treated weekly with nutritional and peroxide IV, and yesterday he prescribed erythromycin. I've had chronic yeast inflammation for many years, and I take several supplements. What else can I do?The ache, coughing, and malaise that hang around are known as the viral syndrome. Antibiotics won’t hurt if you’ve had it for a while, because the bacteria may hang around in the respiratory system.Vitamin D (5000 IU daily), reishi mushroom extract, and andrographis paniculata are all great. You can also try vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Give your immune system a chance to tackle the virus.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I read an article on www.lifeextension.com about curcumin and how it might be an Alzheimer's treatment. It didn't get into how it would do it, other than curcumin is a good antioxidant. Can you explain how curcumin works?Curcumin is a potent antioxidant. It breaks the blood-brain barrier and can serve as an antioxidant in the brain. The theory is that oxidative stress contributes to Alzheimer’s disease development. It’s also a great anti-inflammatory.Curcumin can also stimulate the immune system. Abnormal proteins clump together to form the Alzheimer’s protein plaque, which is just a symptom of the disease. Curcumin addresses oxidative stress and inflammation. It’s also helping to clear the amyloid plaques by attaching itself to the abnormal proteins. That combination is enough to stimulate a type of immune cell that internalizes the plaque and is able to clear it.I’m a 60-year-old woman and I’ve been taking 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for over three years. I wear sunscreen daily. My blood level is between 80 and 99. There are so many opinions on what is a safe blood level for vitamin D3. I have read that 80 to 100 levels are cancer preventative. Am I in the safe zone regardless of the cancer prevention?Vitamin D blood levels between 80 and 99 is great. A vitamin D level of 34 is the conventional blood level, but that's the level where you're safe from diseases specifically related to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays a huge part in the immune system that fights cancer.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Changes in gut bacteria can influence your appetite.Your moment-to-moment weight can ultimately be determined by a simple equation: calories in minus calories out.How your body handles stress, calorie combinations, seratonin in the brain, hormones, sugar management, inflammation, and chronic disease can all influence how your body works with that equation.Combining sugar and fat together changes the types of bacteria that live in the small bowel. That can influence appetite and weight. Not only can the brain influence hunger and digestion, the gut can influence the brain on the same things. Changes in the gut flora can impact the brain, affecting your memory, mood, and appetite. Fat-sugar combinations influence the brain the most.Listen in as Dr. Mike talks about the relationship between gut bacteria and what we want to eat.

How do genetics and emotions lead you to eat certain foods?There is no miracle solution to weight loss. The latest cleanse or elimination diet won't shed the pounds and keep them off. Learning better eating habits can help you lose the weight. Some foods give you an energy boost, and some foods make you drag. When you are aware of the foods that work for YOU, you will be on the path to success.How do genetics and emotions lead you to eat certain foods?Dr. Cliff Thomas joins Dr. Mike to discuss how your eating habits are influenced by genetics and emotions.

An apple a day may provide you with significant health benefits.How do you like them apples? A new study indicates apple eaters may be less likely to require prescription medications.Scientists tracked the nutritional habits of 8,399 individuals to compare the data of those who ate an apple a day to those who didn't eat apples. Nine percent of participants consumed an apple a day, and they were slightly less likely to be on medications than non-apple eaters.Other benefits to eating raw apples: Better sexual health Lower cholesterol Lower blood pressure Less body fat Reduced risk of heart disease Decreased oxidative stress Reduced risk of colorectal cancer Additionally, you should eat the apple peel to get the most nutrients.Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses the wonders of apples.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:Is mold really linked to cancer?More oncologists and research doctors have been looking at the possibility that infectious agents in certain settings can initiate cancer over the past few years. Molds can create toxins. The toxin that gets into the cell damages the DNA. All cancer is defined as mutations in the DNA, regardless of the ultimate cause of that cancer. The process of cell replication is regulated by your DNA. If there’s damage to the DNA, it can lead to the cell mutation that ends in cancer.The theory is that microbes in mold can produce the toxins that enter the cells. There is good evidence that these toxins can enter the cells and potentially lead to cancer. Science leads us to these conclusions based on testing and results. Alzheimer patients have a lot of spirochetes in their brains, which was recently found in research. Mycotoxins (toxins from mold) could lead to cancer, but it needs to be researched further. The theory that mold can create toxins that cause problems holds weight but needs further study.Can sugar lead to cancer?When a cell becomes cancerous, it starts to grow uncontrollably. The cancerous cells then are thrown into your circulation. They tend to use sugar and sugar only to grow. Glycolysis is the process where an unhealthy cell uses sugar for short energy bursts. This is the beginning of normal cell energy production, but cancer cells want the energy quickly. If you starve the cancer cell of sugar, you may make them more susceptible to cancer treatments.Eliminating sugar may not prevent cancer. So many things can initiate cancer. Genetics can as well. One lifestyle change, like eliminating sugar, may not prevent cancer since cancer has many factors. However, doing so improves your overall health and wellness.How long will the virus in my chest last? It's been almost two weeks and I still feel really bad.Viruses can last a long time because of your body’s response to the virus. It's not uncommon for it to hang out in the respiratory system for two to four weeks; longer if you're older or have chronic issues.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Change your habits and preserve your knees.Knees receive a lot of stress and torque on a daily basis. The way you stand, walk, and move can greatly impact your knee health.What habits are harming your knees? How can you change those habits to preserve your knees?Listen in as Dr. Gregory Martin joins Dr. Mike to discuss how you can stop destroying and start preserving your knees.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:What are five things I can do right now to look better and feel better?It’s easy to believe anybody online. We have to be careful when we research. Not everyone knows what they’re talking about, and a lot of people are trying to sell you something.These five things are well-supported by research: Hydration. You need to be hydrated. Your skin is better, your kidneys work better, your liver detoxes better. Exercise. Walking at a nice pace for 30 minutes daily can help joints, immune system, and mood. Eat less. The excess of calories slows us down. Eat more nutrient-dense foods but eat less food overall. Get better sleep. There is an epidemic of insomnia in this country. It puts you at risk for stress, anxiety, and mood issues. Say no to sugar. We consume too much added sugar. We’re getting 10-20 tablespoons of sugar per day instead of a few teaspoons. I had knee surgery because my bones were shattering and my knee was leaning in. I was bow-legged my entire life. The leg that had knee surgery was straightened, and it's now longer than the other leg. I now have new pain in my hips and back. My doctor had me get an orthotic lift, but it's still not adjusted perfectly. The pain is making me crazy.The lengthening of the leg puts pressure on the other joints. Chiropractic care can help readjust the hip joint and knee joint so your gait matches with the other leg. Natural supplements can also help. Taking 400 mg of a high quality curcumin extract,  250 to 500 mg of glucosamine, and 1000 mg of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) should help.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

How can you keep your knees strong and healthy?Knee problems are very common, and they happen in people of all ages. Nearly everyone will have some knee trouble at some point, possibly requiring surgery.There are treatments and options that can not only reduce and eliminate knee pain, but also postpone or prevent surgery.Listen in as Dr. Gregory Martin joins Dr. Mike to discuss simple ways to keep your knees strong and healthy, including the following: Lose weight Exercise regularly Reduce intake of inflammatory foods Choose supplements wisely

What five foods live up to they hype for improved health?Not all dietary recommendations are based on research. Dr. Mike skips past the assumptions about food and makes recommendations based on solid evidence.What five foods live up to they hype for improved health? Avocados. They have good fats that may combat triglycerides. Their fiber content is high. Half of an avocado provides 4.5 to 5.5 grams of fiber. Americans should get 40 to 50 grams of fiber per day, but most only get 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day. Avocados also good for the eyes, cardiovascular support, and digestion. Peel off the skin instead of scooping the flesh out with a spoon to get the most nutrients. Coconuts. They have a high percentage of saturated fat that can be antimictrobial and good for cell membranes. Coconut oil can improve memory and cognition. Oil pulling (using coconut oil as a mouth rinse) can help with oral bacteria. Chocolate. Look for 75% cocoa content. Chocolate has great antioxidants. It contains compounds that can lower systolic blood pressure and help boost nitric oxide production. There's also a euphoria from eating chocolate. Seaweed. It's full of minerals and fiber. Seaweed is rich in nutrients. Ancient grains like spelt. They lower cholesterol and sugar. Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the five foods that are great for you and have a variety of health benefits, all supported by research.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I’ve been taking 100 mg of CoQ-10 enzyme for cell energy for many years. In the past six weeks, I’ve started taking AMPK activator as well. Lately I’ve had trouble sleeping more than four or five hours a night. I have lots of energy. I’m 72 and have a 70% raw food diet that I alternate with a paleo-ish diet two to four times per day. I've rarely had sugar for the past two years. I avoid most bread and eat grains and nuts. Is the high energy-low sleep because of the CoQ-10 and AMPK supplements?AMPK activator contains ynostemma pentaphyllum and rose hip extract. Those have been shown to activate an enzyme in your cells called AMPK. When AMPK is activated in your cells, they manage energy better. You tend to make more ATP (coenzyme used as an energy carrier in the cells), burn more fat,and  burn more sugars. The cell becomes cleaner and functions at a higher level. When people first start taking CoQ-10, they may feel energized and have some sleepless nights because their blood level of CoQ-10 was so low and it's being recharged. Your body will reach a steady state with a supplement and there will not be peaks and valleys. The energy you might get early from CoQ-10 is gone, but the supplement is still good for you. You should be at a steady state with it if you take it on a consistent basis. The addition of the AMPK activator could be the culprit. It creates cell energy, which the CoQ-10 was already doing. You may reach a steady state with the AMPK activator in another week. If nothing changes after a week, try dosing every other day or every third day. If that doesn’t help, stop the AMPK activator and just use the CoQ-10.My question is about plaque in the blood. As we try to eat healthy and supplement to clean our blood, is there a chance that a dissolved or dislodged piece of plaque might float around and cause blockage down the line?Eating better, getting more exercise, taking supplements targeted to the cardiovascular system and supplements targeted to the plaque itself (pycnogenol made from pine bark extract, pomegranate, vitamin K2, gotu kola, EDTA, resveratrol) can help with plaque burden. Nothing totally gets rid of plaque. It's more about stabilizing the plaque. You can decrease plaque burden by doing the right things. The body puts a fibrous cap on the plaque, shrinking the plaque and decreasing the plaque burden. You’ve stabilized the plaque and it is less prone to rupture. Your body knows how to take care of the plaque. The contents of the plaque (fat, cholesterol, immune cells) can be absorbed by the arterial wall itself or just leave as you stabilize the plaque. Vitamin K2 can help the cap become stronger and keeps calcium out of the way. Focus on stabilizing the plaque to prevent cardio events in the future.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I eat more whole foods than processed foods and I try to remain very healthy. I've been drinking a few ounces of kefir every day on an empty stomach. I've been reading great things about it-- including healing, preventative, and wellness benefits. I purchase it from a local store and he uses organic whole milk to make it. How much is recommended daily? Is it actually "liquid gold" as some say?Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food. The main reason people use it is for the probiotics made from cultured whole milk. Yogurt isn't bad, but it's overly processed in this country and doesn't have a lot of healthy, viable, living, good bacteria. Kefir is basically a fermented probiotic product for replenishing healthy gut bacteria. Kefir has a high number of good bacteria and a high number of strains. With any probiotic, you want to be sure it has at least six or seven common bacteria strains (phytobacteria, lactobacilli, and others). It's a strong drink so most healthcare practitioners will tell you to start with two to three ounces a day and work up to a cup a day. It's good for you, but it's not liquid gold. Skin, immune, brain, mood, heart -- they all benefit from healthy probiotics. But, it has to be done in the context of a healthier lifestyle. One probiotic product is not liquid gold.What are your thoughts on telemedicine?Doctors love telemedicine because they don't have to do a physical exam and can be connected to the patient from any computer. It's great for many common conditions like cold and flu that general doctors address. There is risk, however, because nothing is better than talking to a person face to face and doing a good physical exam.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Can vitamin D and omega-3s lift your spirits?An estimated 44 million American adults are suffering from mental illness.Omega-3s and vitamin D have been previously suggested to help treat mental illnesses. New research has determined the role each plays in increasing serotonin.Listen in as Kathy Gruver, PhD, joins Dr. Mike to discuss what each supplement can do to boost serotonin levels.

How can hypnosis help you?Hypnosis is a natural state for human beings. We've all had the experience of driving and suddenly realize we passed our exit and have no idea where we are. Or, you're reading a book and realize you've turned three or four pages but haven't actually read anything. Those are both examples of moments of hypnosis.How can this natural state be employed to help people? Who can be hypnotized? How does it work? What conditions can it help treat?Dr. Kathy Gruver, alternative medicine practitioner, joins Dr. Mike to discuss hypnosis, some common misconceptions and fears, and how to find a skilled hypnotist near you.

Not in the mood? An extract from the herb fenugreek may help.Fenugreek extract has been used to treat many ailments, including female reproductive issues and digestive issues. Recent studies show that it may assist in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.Fenugreek extract has also supported the male libido, and clinical trials have shown success in boosting female sexual desire as well.How can this supplement boost your desire?Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses all the benefits of fenugreek extract on female sex drive.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:For the past 10 years I've had tremors and it's getting worse. The tremors only happen when I'm signing my name. When I move around, they are okay, and when I'm at rest they are okay. My father also developed tremors at the young age of 60. He died at 97 without being diagnosed with Parkinson's.Unfortunately, nobody knows what causes an essential tremor. They usually begin around age 40, starting on one side of the body and progressing to both sides of the body.Dr. Mike suggests doing a high dose of vitamin B12 and vitamin C shots. He also suggests phosphatidylserine.Do you recommend fecal transplantation for a cure of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth? Is this procedure safe?Fecal transplantation has some science and validity to it, so it's not as crazy as it sounds. However, Dr, Mike is always cautious when using the word "cure." With that being said, it may help. You should find a doctor to look into it with you.There was just a new study that looked at the possibility of Alzheimer's disease being a fungal disease. What's your take on this?What causes Alzheimer's in multifactoral. The amyloid plaques that form in your brain if you have Alzheimer's is not the cause, it is the result and the symptom.This idea that Alzheimer's could be fungal or bacterial is not a crazy idea, and there needs to be more research on this.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:Several authors have talked about the amount of lipid peroxidation from cooking eggs. Dr. Mercola only eats raw eggs (I'm not a big fan of raw eggs). The theory is the more you cook egg yolk, the more fat oxidation occurs, which can lead to increased oxidized LDL (bad) cholesterol. What's your opinion?First of all, Dr. Mike doesn't suggest eating raw eggs, especially if you don't know the source of the eggs. Eggs are very good for you; they are a great source of protein and packed with B vitamins. However, how you cook particular foods can influence the nutrient levels. In the case of eggs, Dr. Mike hasn't seen anything that's shown that hard boiling an egg or frying an egg is causing any significant amount of fat oxidation.LDL oxidation is something you want to prevent while cooking. However, dietary sources of cholesterol aren't really the issue.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

How are prebiotics different from probiotics?Prebiotics are probiotic "accomplices" that are made up of non-digestible fiber compounds. Prebiotics help promote activity within your gut bacteria.And, new research suggests that prebiotics may help ease anxiety symptoms.Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses prebiotics and how they can relieve your anxiety.

What are the warning signs of dementia?Dementia is term used to describe a decline in your brain health.This can include the loss of your ability to think, remember, and/or learn. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 60-80 percent of all cases.How can you plan a dementia intervention plan if you think someone you love is suffering? What are some of the warning signs you should be watching for?Stephanie Erickson, a clinical social worker, joins Dr. Mike to discuss dementia, as well the time, planning, and care that must be put in when becoming a dementia patient's advocate.

How can ginseng improve your longevity?Ginseng has been used in traditional medicine to help aid and heal a number of aliments. There are two types of ginseng, and studies have found that the different types of ginseng offer numerous health benefits.Ginseng has the power to boost your immune system, lower blood sugar levels, and improve concentration.How else can ginseng improve longevity?Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses all the benefits of ginseng and why you should consider using it.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:What are three health hacks to use in your everyday life?1. Brushing your teeth when you're hungry decreases your appetite. If you're on a diet, or trying to detox after a long binge of unhealthy eating and drinking (aka: the holidays), brushing your teeth can actually help manage your appetite.2. If you have chronic gum disease or bad breath, oil pulling is one of the best things you can do. Oil pulling involves placing a tablespoon of oil into your mouth, swishing it around and pulling it through your teeth and gums for about 20 minutes. Oil pulling removes unwanted plaque, toxins, and bacteria from your mouth.3. One way to get extra nutrients is to boil vegetables with water over the stove. Once the vegetables are cooked, remove them from the pot and let the water sit and cool off. After it's cooled, drink the water to obtain more nutrients.I read that during our evolution period, calcium was scarce and magnesium was plentiful. So, our bodies got very adept at pulling calcium from our food. Do we really need to take calcium supplements?It is true, we pull calcium from food. When Dr. Mike makes his dosing suggestions, he is basing it off of food, but also with a supplement. For example, women over 36 should be getting close to 1,000 mg a day. For men, it's about 500 mg.The key thing about taking a calcium supplement is that you can overload on calcium when you don't have enough vitamin D and vitamin K2.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I started taking CoQ10 based on Dr. Mike's suggestion. However, after a day or so, I started feeling really energized and worried that I was too stimulated, so I stopped.If you've never taken CoQ10 before and you're in your 20s or 30s, you've probably lost a lot of CoQ10 already. If you start taking a high quality form of CoQ10, all of a sudden you have all of this cell energy because of how well your body absorbed it. Dr. Mike suggests starting off at a lower dose like 50 mg, and once that evens out, you can gradually increase the dosage.Should I be taking AMPK activator or CoQ10?Dr. Mike suggests taking both. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is found in every cell in your body and acts as a crucial source of cellular energy. AMPK also helps prevent against obesity and diabetes.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

How can you effectively lose the weight you gained over the holidays?Too many people fail to stick to their New Year's resolutions to lose weight, mostly because they don't plan and implement a weight loss strategy.Rather than radically adjust personal habits in one day, it might be a better idea to do some pre-shopping to stock up on healthier food options and plan a day-by-day diet.Even though exercise is an important factor for losing weight, most weight loss is done within the kitchen.Dr. Sandeep Grewal joins Dr. Mike to share successful tips on how to lose that holiday weight.

Why are you more likely to gain weight around the holidays?Just when you've worked so hard for your summer body, the holidays appear. The temptation of food is almost insurmountable and the likelihood of gaining weight is high.Holiday weight gain occurs from Thanksgiving through New Year's. The average amount of weight gained is one pound, which actually doesn't sound so bad.However, most people typically don't lose this one pound once they've gained it. The average weight gain per year is two pounds, which breaks down to approximately 20 pounds in a decade.What actually drives quick weight gain during the holidays, and how can you lose the excess weight?Dr. Sandeep Grewal joins Dr. Mike to discuss the science behind holiday weight gain, as well as how you can shed it and keep these pounds off.

How often should you drink Pu-Erh tea?As you age, not only does your physical appearance change, but your internal body changes as well. For example, your immune system begins to decline and it can't protect as well as it once did.How can Pu-Erh tea help protect your immune system?The blackest of black tea, Pu-Erh tea, has proven to be an immune support powerhouse. Pu-Erh tea is rich in polyphenols and other bioactive molecules, including theabrownins, a unique group of compounds developed during the post-fermentation process.Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses the science supporting this tea as the next generation immune nutrient.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:Can inflammation really be a cause of weight gain? I recently read in an article by a doctor that it can. What are your thoughts?The fat you have in your body works like a factory that pours out inflammatory molecules. These molecules have a metabolic affect that can slow down your metabolism.Your fat cells within your body can be used to store fat for energy. However, your body needs to know when to hold onto those fat cells to store them and when to burn them. It makes sense that there is a neuro-hormonal connection in different parts of your body.Dr. Mike believes that inflammation can disrupt the normal fat cell signals, causing the fat cell to hold on to more fat. However, if you were to do something to reduce some of the inflammation, can you lose weight? This is where it get a little tricky.Is calcium supplementation necessary? In other cultures where they don't supplement calcium, do they have a higher risk of bone breaks and fractures?In older adults, calcium supplementation is crucial. It's important to have the right dose and to remember that you shouldn't be taking just calcium, this can lead to build up in your arteries. Dr. Mike suggests taking calcium with vitamin K2 and vitamin D.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I've been a Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patient since 1998. My doctor has put me on PPI's since then; however, earlier this year my friend encouraged me to reach out to a specialist on natural medicine. During the conversation he recommended that I stop eating wheat and start taking enzymes and probiotics. I started the diet and started taking the enzymes and probiotics that have improved my GERD condition. I am now back to only 1 mg a day of the PPI (instead of 20 mg). Before bed, I was taking six to eight Tums, and now I'm just taking one or two esophageal guardian soft chews. Recently, looking for additional alternatives, I was listening to one of your shows on Healthy Talk that discussed GERD and you mentioned Di-Delamine. If I stop taking my PPI's and start taking Di-Delamine would that be okay?Dr. Mike first wants to point out that his advice is informational and wants you to first discuss any changes in your medication with your doctor.Di-Delamine is a protein found within citrus fruits. Doctors are surprisingly unsure why Di-Delamine works. Some believe it works as a coating mechanism.Can you suggest something for muscle soreness after working out? There's a lot of information on muscle support and building, but not on recovery.Dr. Mike suggests branch chain amino acids, tart cherry extract, glutathione, and lemon verbena. You might also want to try using a foam roller to help ease some of the muscle soreness.I was wondering if the sudden infusion with a large amount of calcium from a pill is good for our health?If you take a bunch of calcium in pill form, there could be some problems and it could deposit into your arteries. Dr. Mike suggests taking calcium with vitamin K2 and vitamin D.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

How can being obsessed with healthy eating and fitness lead to an eating disorder?There's nothing wrong with trying to make healthier swaps with foods and making better lifestyle choices, but when it becomes obsessive, it can turn deadly.Orthorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder where you're fixated on healthy eating. It often starts out as an innocent attempt to eat more healthfully, but orthorexics become fixated on food quality and purity.How can you tell if someone is trying to be healthy or if they are struggling from orthorexia?Dr. Ovidio Bermudez and Dr. Mike discuss orthorexia and how to spot the warning signs.

What sort of factors can trigger an eating disorder?You may be concerned with what you are eating and how you look in the mirror every once in a while, but an eating disorder takes your perceived body image to an serious level.An eating disorder is an illness that causes extreme changes in your everyday diet, such as eating small amounts, overeating or eliminating food altogether.What are the main warning signs to look out for to determine if you or someone you know might have an eating disorder?Dr. Ovidio Bermudez and Dr. Mike discuss warning signs of an eating disorder and how you can seek professional treatment if you or a loved one is struggling.

How can Ashwagandha help with your thyroid issues?Your thyroid is not only responsible for your body temperature, but it also acts as an important factor for your metabolism and how you burn and store fat for energy. If your thyroid isn't working properly, it can cause a handful of health issues.If you've been diagnosed with a thyroid disease, you know how frustrating it can be to get the proper dosing of medication. Would you ever consider using herbs to help?Ashwagandha is one of the most popular and powerful herbs in healing and has been used since ancient times to help strengthen and restore your body.How can Ashwagandha help boost your thyroid?Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses Ashwagandha and how it can boost your thyroid.

What's the connection between lack of sleep, too much sugar, and lack of sex drive?Not sleeping well is sure to interfere with your daily activities and can alter your mood. You may find that when you're overly-tired, you reach for foods and drinks packed with sugar to help boost your energy.By doing that, not only are you damaging your overall health, but you're affecting your sex drive.What is the connection between lack of sleep, too much sugar, and lack of sex-drive?Listen in as Brad Davidson, Co-Founder and Performance Strategist at Stark, joins Dr. Mike to share the connection between sugar, lack of sleep, and your sex drive.

Should you eat less often or five to six meals a day?It seems like every month or so there's a new diet or rule you should be following in order to drop the stubborn weight you can't seem to get rid of.For example, you might have heard that you shouldn't eat past 8 p.m. Or, that you should eat only protein and fat during the day, and carbohydrates at night.Do you know which weight loss myths can actually backfire and cause you to gain more weight?Listen in as Brad Davidson, Co-Founder and Performance Strategist at Stark, joins Dr. Mike to bust the top six weight loss myths that can actually cause you to gain weight.

Why do you need arterial support as you age?As you age, inflammatory cells, lipids, calcium, and cellular waste products build up within the walls of your blood vessels and form arterial plaque.This plaque can build up and rupture and potentially block your blood flow. This can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.How can you find total arterial support to help keep your cells healthy?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares why arterial support is important as you age and how you can find total arterial support.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:I've been trying to cycle my supplements more. I've been taking supplements during weekdays and taking the weekend off, except for a few supplements. Now, of course we all know we should get everything our body needs from food, but realistically that's difficult. We're also not talking about survival levels of nutrients, we're talking life extension/optimal levels. The question is, do you think there are any supplements that are so important to optimal health that they shouldn't be skipped a couple days a week?Unfortunately, this is not a simple answer and the concept is actually very complex. If you need to take a break on occasion and it ultimately helps with compliance for the rest of the days, Dr. Mike says to go for it.If you suffer from pill fatigue and you end up stopping them all every day, then that's not good. Consistency is best, but if taking a day or two off helps, then do that.However, Dr. Mike has a second answer that contradicts this first answer. He also believes that you shouldn't take breaks. You don't really get a break from the toxins that surround you within your environment, or take a break from stress. When you think of it that way and consider the things that are causing your body harm, you don't take a break. Therefore, you really shouldn't take a break from the supplements that optimize your body's well-being.Here's some suggestions to help with compliance: try to take water-soluble vitamins every day, like the B vitamins, vitamin C, and herbal vitamins. Dr. Mike also wants to point out that if you're taking a supplement for a specific condition, don't skip those either.Are gummies, liquids, and mints as good as more traditional forms of supplements like tablets and capsules?It seems like the alternatives like gummies, mints, and liquids are more popular among younger consumers. Again, this answer can be complex. When you first look at compliance, it could be better. People might be more prone to take the gummies, liquids, and mints on a daily basis and wouldn't need a break. However, as far as the purity and getting the effect that you ultimately need from the nutrients, Dr. Mike believes the alternative format still needs some improvement.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:My brother-in-law has colon cancer. What can he take to fight the cancer and reduce what the doctors are calling 'tumor burden'?There are some things that you can do in order to reduce tumor burden, which is how big the tumor is. You can also do some other protocols in order to improve quality of life.Dr. Mike suggests that the first thing you need to get control over is inflammation. Dr. Mike suggests taking aspirin, curcumin, and boswellia as a way to help reduce inflammation.The next thing Dr. Mike wants you to focus on is boosting your vitamin D levels. The third thing Dr. Mike wants you to do is improve your B vitamin and folic acid levels.You may also want to consider using drug therapy like metformin and garlic.If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

What are the top vegetables to eat in order to boost your mind and overall health?Eating healthy is important for so many reasons. Not only will it help you look great, but it can also help you feel great. Unfortunately, many Americans believe it's easier and more affordable to eat fast food and junk rather than healthy food.By eating unhealthy, processed, and high-calorie foods, you're putting yourself at more risk to have health issues later in your life.Why should you be incorporating more healthy foods like fruit and vegetables in your diet?According to new research published in the medical journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, eating fruits or vegetables on a regular basis could lower your risk of Alzheimer's disease.What else did the study find?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the study that suggests eating fruits and vegetables on a regular basis can lower your risk of Alzheimer's.

More research is showing a strong connection between your gut and your brain.Parkinson's disease is a neuro-degenerative brain illness where the symptoms slowly get worse over time.According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, and an estimated 7-10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease.What are the causes of Parkinson's disease?According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a combination of both genetic and environmental causes can be the reason why you may have Parkinson's disease.A study published in the medical journal, Annals of Neurology, found that your gut could be involved in the development of Parkinson's disease.Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the latest study on Parkinson's disease and if there is any insight on what causes this disease.