The Health Happens Podcast

To mask or not to mask, that is the question

Today we have a look at some Canadian and global stats including doubling time to identify hot spots and areas that are in retreat. How lonh do we expect isolation measures to last? Do those who recover gain immunity?

COVID-19 Updste - Originally Recorded March 25, 2020. News, updates and discussion surrounding social/physical distancing, self-isolation and self-quarantine

With the global situation changing so fast and more information becoming available, it is time for more on COVID coming your way. We will provide updates on the current situation and the freshest facts. And, find out: Are you a Covidiot? Have you contracted the Moronavirus? Or are you just being socially responsible? How to make sense of ourselves and our behaviours in these trying times. Plus, answering listener qusetions and taking a look at some herbal medicines as candidates for prevention and treatment.

**Recorded March 13, 2020**COVID Happens. Yes, it happened. We are now in a global pandemic and there is a lot of information and misinformation circulating. Chris and Mike will attempt to cut through the BS and give the straight facts and the most up-to-date information on the Coronavirus disease, social distancing, and more.

Back again this year by popular demand (according to Chris), it's the Love Happens Valentine's Show! We answer all your questions about how to live and love for one more year.

Hot enough for you? Let's find out if all that sweating is really worth it. (Hint: it is.)

We figure right around now you're starting to wane on the ole New Years Resolutions (remember those?) so in this episode, we talk about behaviour change and the reasons why some people are more successful than others at sticking to those goals.

It's a hormone that can be taken as a supplement and we need it to get into quality restful sleep. Join Chris and Mike to find out why everybody's talking about melatonin.

Whats al;l the fuss about blue light? Everyone seems to be talking about it lately. Well, as it turns out, the blue light part of the visible spectrum is pretty bad for your eyes and your hormones, especially at night. This week, Mike and Chris look at the effects of blue and red light on your eyes and strategies to minimize the harmful effects of blue light and optimize your health.

Food additives have been part of many of our foods our entire lives. Including colours, flavours, preservatives, etc. However, there are folks who believe that food additives are not as harmless as they may appear. This week, Chris and Mike get into the research and get down to the bottom of the issue. Are they bad for us? Is it possible to avoid food additives? Are there healthier alternatives? Hear them get reactive like they just downed a batch of red dye #40.

Another inflammatory topic from the HHPcast. Find out how a couple hilarious NDs approach one of our most common skin conditions.

We've waited a long time to stab into this one. But finally, Mike and Chris are ready to talk about a highly polarizing topic: Vaccines. We will dig into some of the more common questions people have about vaccines. What are they? Are they necessary? Do they cause more harm than good? What about mercury and autism?So roll up your sleeve and get ready for your shot of medicine. Warning: adjuvants contain humour and may cause you to wet yourself.

GMO's are a hot topic and very polarizing. Some people will tell you they are here to save the world and fix the world;s hunger problems. Others will tell you they are an abomination...humans playing God without any regard for human health or consideration for the environmental impact. Throw in a big, bad corporation into the mix an you have a story that is as compelling as it is contraversial!Where do Chris and Mike stand on GMO foods? Are they bad for you? Are they bad for the planet? Are non-GMO foods worth the extra money? Tune in and find out!!

This week, Mike and Chris look at some super-human abilities found in some real people, and discuss the cool, and interesting medical reasons behind their "powers".

Age aint nothing but a number. And throwing down aint nothing but a thang. But humans have still been trying to defy aging for as long as there have been grey hairs. This week, Mike and Chris talk about some of the science behind aging and what options are out there to prevent premature aging and maybe, just maybe even slow down the biological aging process.They say you're only as old as you feel. So you might as well do everything you can to feel as young as possible as long as possible. I'll race you to 150!!

Testosterone and Growth Hormone decline with age, so if we put back the hormones of youth can we stay young and healthy forever? What could possibly go wrong?

All of us get it at some point, but how much pain can we avoid by making small changes? And, once it's there, what can we do to treat common pain places like the low back, shoulders, and knees?

After age 60, the liklihood of dementia increases by 5% every five years. What does that mean for me? Can the loss of cognitive function be prevented or treated?

Stool and You. Mike and Chris teach us what your poops have to say about you and your health.

It seems like all the cool kids are doing it, but some of them are getting pretty sick and maybe even dying. It's for sure worth it to be cool, but how risky is vaping reallly?

Gettin' Wet & Healthy! Today we explore hydrotherapy. Conclusion: It's great, you should totally do it. Also, we get a little personal on how Mike and Chris feel about their future in Naturopathic medicine. Check it!

The Natural Health Product industry is big money. Like, really, really huge money. Today, Mike and Chris share how they really feel about supplements and supplement companies. Should you really be taking all those pills every day? Will they make you healthier? Do supplement companies have your best interests in mind? Are the more expensive supplements really worth the money?Find out the real truth from a couple of Naturopathic Doctors this week!

Are you planning on going somewhere? Well pack your bags and gather up your traevl documents. But then you had better listen to this exotic episode to help make sure you stay safe on your travels. Do I really need all those vaccines? And how do I keep myself from picking up something while I am these?

Party!Booze, Blow, Molly, MDMA, Meth, and a marijuana cigarette all in this episode. Or is this just another Friday night on the HH Podcast? They are all harmless, consequence-free fun, right?Mike and Chris talk about what these substances do to you and how long they hang around in your system. Are there some things you should never try? Maybe a few...

You mean I only eat meat at every meal? Yes, people are doing this, and some believe it's how we were born to eat. But what happens to your body on a carnivore diet? Is this the future of food or might we still make a little space on our plates for our vegetables? Can the carnivore diet be a realistic and sustainable diet?

SIBO What is this fancy new acronym everyone is talking about? Well, first of all its not new. Seconf of all, it stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. And basically it means that you have too many bacteria in your small intestine where there should only really be a (relatively) small amount of bacteria. When these bacteria end up where they shouldn't be the start to ferment food and can lead to all kinds of digestive problems.So, can I really blame my digestive complaints on the villians in my gut? Yes, maybe...Listen in to find out!

"The vagus nerve is the health-promotion nerve." So says everybody.This week Mike and Chris decide to explore the vagus nerve and find out what makes it so special. As it turns out, it is pretty amazing. So how does it work? And, most importantly, how can I hack it? We'll give away the guaranteed secrets and plenty more amazing 'vagustuff' on today's episode...

What the heck are Ghrelin and Leptin? Are those even real things or are they just funny words that Chris made up? These hormones that many people have never heard of play a big role in weight maintenance, hunger, appetite and satiety. If you're hungry for the answers we think you'll find this episode satiating. 

This week Mike and Chris bring another infectious episode (get it?) about some very private conditions.We talk about herpes, syphillis, gonorrhea and more exciting infections. What they look like, how to avoid getting them and what to do about them.So put on something protective and get in there!

Can you take so much of a supplement that it actually starts to do harm? Of course you can, that's a silly question!In today's episode we will review some of the supplements that have the potential to do harm when you take too much of them and discuss what could possibly happen if you do.

In today's arousing episode we get deep into the ins and outs of libido. Low libido is a common complaint we see in practice. And many people blame themselves leading to shame, stress, worry and anxiety, all of which compound the problem. Today we get to the root of what makes libido go up or down? Are there ways to boost it naturally? And is there such a thing as too much libido?

Helicobacter pylori is a sneaky and persistent gram negative bacteria that has been associated with peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux and stomach cancer. Oh, and also it is probably inside you right now. Where does it come from and what can we do about it? Is it a cause or an effect of poor digestion? And, would you swallow a glass of H. pylori juice for a Nobel prize? (Spoiler...somebody did!) Let's find out!!

We've got a new Food Guide here in Canada so what could be more fun than a couple of NDs reviewing a government dictum on Health? This new food guide is a big step forward for Canada. Gone are the food pyramids and rainbows, confusing serving sizes and even the 4 foodgroups we have been taught to know and love. Canada takes a stand against industry lobby groups in the latest iteration fow what may just be the best food guide so far.Here's what people are saying: "This could be a turning point in Health" - Mike Frosina. And, "Some people on this podcast aren't very smart." - Chris Pickrell. Enjoy!

Licorice: red, stringy, tasty candy. Or, a medical root that's been used for nearly 4000 years? Today we chew into the sweet details of this herb and discuss what we know it does and doesn't do for you. Will it really save us all?

Today Mike and Chris talk about relationships and answer (mostly) real questions about love, dating and relationships in general. What to look for and look out for in the people we pair with.  Is monogamy really possible and what's this new-old thing I hear about a courtship model of dating? Once a cheater, always a cheater? Let's talk honestly about our feelings...

As everyone knows, laughter can cure every disease every time. On today's show, Chris and Mike dish out a hearty dose of this special panacea while they discuss the medical application and prescription of humour and laughter. Why does laughter make us feel better? It isnt all in our heads, there are many physiological changes happening every time we smile and laugh. So sit down on the floor and listen up, otherwise you will probably fall out of your chair laughing. We guarantee you'll feel better.

Debate! What's the role of Evidence in Medicine? in clinical practice? How informed do we need to be in order to best serve the people we work with? Can we really trust the experts? And should Naturopathic medicine adhere to Best Practices guidelines? So much to settle on tonight's show...

Me-stachian or Eustachian? This week Mike and Chris bubble about ear infections. Giving you the low-down on one of the most common conditions, especially for children. Should you really jam a clove of garlic in your canal? It might not do anything, but we think it'd be fun to try. What role do antibiotics and antiinflammatories play? What are these "Naturopathic Drops" I've heard of? Y'ear in for a good one today.

How do I live a better life in January? Are there realisitc ways to make me a better person this year? Chris and Mike write your New Years Resolutions for you and present some health-and-life hacks that help you find the things you get up early for. 

Everybody's got opinions, epecially Chris and Mike! So we thought we'd share ours on the Top Health Trends we're calling for 2019.Will this be the year machines rule our behaviours? Have we reached peak plastic? Is staring into red light the new superfood? And, of course, we pretty much have to talk about cannabis...

It is that time of year again when we get up close and personal with our hosts. This week, we check in again with Dr. Frosina for some updates on what has been going on with him this past year, some of his thoughts and philosophies on life. Chris digs deep to pull back the curtain on Dr. F to give us the opportunity to get to know him better than ever before!

It is that time of year again when we get up close and personal with our hosts. This week, we check in again with Dr. Pickrell for some updates on what has been going on with him this past year, some of his thoughts on medicine, health and life. And what is coming up for him next year as well. 

How deep is the connection between oral and systemic health? Joined today by the engaging Dr. Ryan Nolan, DMD, we discuss biofilms, the oral microbiome, and a whole bunch of stuff about oral health we bet you don't know (or at least we didn't). Dr. Ryan also humours our very ND-like questions on the use of flouride, mercury amalgams, and root canals. This one is definitely worth checking out.

7-10 pounds! That's how much weight the average North American puts on during the holidays. Who wants that? In true prevention-loving form, today we talk about how to avoid the jelly rolls and other temptations, and how to generally stay healthy through the holiday season. Also, as a bonus, we run Santa through a little psychological assessment and conclude he may not be as jolly as he seems...

The Paleolithic diet claims that we should all eat like cavemen. Or, more accurately, that we are better suited to eat like our hunter-gatherer ancestors and if we do, we can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases..So should we all eat more goat haunch and earthy tubers? And even if we no longer gather and hunt our meals, how does the Paleo diet stack up against modern diets we know provide weight loss and health benefits? Mike and Chris get neanderthal and club out the facts in today's meaty episode.

You may have heard of oil pulling before but you werent sure exactly what it was.You I just put it in my mouth and swish? Yep, that's oil pulling. And advocates will tell you it helps with all sorts of things from oral health to pulling toxins from your body to treat conditions like arthritis and diabetes.Sounds super cool, but does it really do anything? Can it make my mouth healthier and my life brighter? We get at the truth between the teeth in today's show.

It's a special Halloween podcast!!We all know monsters are real. Thats just common sense.  But are they really real? What are the medical explanations for the grisly ghouls that haunt our darkest nightmares? Turns out, science and medicine has a lot to say about the history of some of our favourite monsters and ghouls. So get out your stakes and silver bullets, stuff your pockets full of garlic, prepare your zombie apocalypse escape plan and join us for this special spooky Halloween episode!

Anxiety, and its regular bedfellow insomnia, are among the most common conditions we see in clinical practice. But they can also be among the most difficult to treat. Are there other ways to understand and treat these conditions?Today we look at anxiety and insomnia through the lens of Traditional Chinese medicine to help find ways to distinguish patterns and address the root causes.

It's Book Review Day!Today we talk about Travis Christofferson'sTripping Over the Truth, where the author argues for the Metabolic theory of cancer, and Mike and Chris explore some of the ideas in this book and argue over whether or not he's right. Is the Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer that we have all been taught flawed? Coul cancer be fundamentally a metabolic condition? Join us for a lively discussion.Tripping Over The Truth - A Book Report - Episode #335

On today's debate episode Chris, the champion of truth and justice, takes on Mike, the regent of evil, in a discussion as to the benefits and costs of Universal Care. Do we really have a moral obligation to take care of our lazy and unhealthy neighbours? Does the government really spend my taxes on other people's bad decisions? Is Health Care a basic human right?According to Chris,100% of Scientific Experts agree that Universal Care is good and that only bad people oppose it. According to Mike, Chris made up that stat.Tune in for another heated debate filled with passionate opinions as Chris and Mike square off yet again.