Healthy Talk

Flowers are beautiful to look at and can actually be beneficial to your health. Many flowers are packed with powerful nutrients. An article posted on the Life Extension website shares the many health benefits of five flowers.RosesRose water is a common ingredient that's used in Indian and Middle Eastern food. Roses are loaded with vitamin C.MarigoldsMarigolds contain high levels of carotenoids and can help prevent macular degeneration.CalendulaCalendula contains anti-inflammatory properties.OsmanthusResearch has shown that osmanthus can reduce congestion in your throat.ChamomileChamomile has tons of antioxidants, can induce sleep and relaxation, and also has anti-cancer effects.Listen in as Dr. Mike shares these and other powerful benefits associated with flowers.

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 eye doctor wants to add copper to my supplement regimen. He couldn't remember the name of it; can you help?Dr. Mike has found an age-related eye disease clinical study that uses copper. There were 4,000 subjects and 3,640 took a supplement with copper. Researchers found that the participants who were taking the copper supplement reduced risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 25 percent.Dr. Mike also suggests omega-3 fats and COQ10 to add to the health of your eyes.I like to refrigerate my fish oil soft gels. Sometimes I forget and leave them out. Will the condensation that forms ruin the soft gels?As long as the oils are not leaking out, then it shouldn't be a problem. However, you want to make sure that the fish oil supplement you're taking doesn't require refrigerat

A few years ago, going paleo was the latest trend in dieting. Even though the modern day paleo diet isn't as strict as the diet followed by your cave men and women ancestors (since you're allowed to eat healthy carbs like sweet potatoes), it might be the healthiest choice in eating.Eating paleo the right way has major health benefits. For example, removing processed foods from your diet can help resolve autoimmune disorders, blood sugar disorders like diabetes, and even help fight depression.What are the top three things you can expect when eating a paleo diet?Paleo cardiologist, Dr. Jack Wolfson, shares the three things to expect when following a paleo diet.

The paleo diet is also known as the "hunter-gatherer" diet and is similar to the way your ancestors ate centuries ago as cave dwellers.But, in today's unhealthy and toxic food world, is today's paleo diet as healthy as the paleo diet from years ago?Dr. Jack Wolfson joins Dr. Mike to discuss today's paleo diet and how it differs from the paleo diet of years ago.

It seems like everyone is trying to find the secret to aging. Through skin creams, serums, foods, and supplements, the hunt for the fountain of youth has been ongoing for many years.However, what if science could transfer hormones, stem cells, and growth factors from young people to older people in order to preserve youth?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the latest research on the fountain of youth, including the science of parabiosis.

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:Have you heard or used apitherapy for arthritis? It sounds interesting, but I'm not sure if it's based off of science.Apitherapy is the medical use of bee products like honey, pollen, beeswax, and bee venom. Fortunately, there is some evidence showing that bee venom has been used for centuries. There's also research showing that bee stings improve symptoms of osteoarthritis, as well as bee venom and acupuncture to relieve arthritis pain.There's some growing research on both apitherapy and stem cell therapy to help ease arthritis.My mom is in the hospital with a kidney infection. Her doctors are measuring her urine. They tell me her output is normal, but it's not a lot. What's a normal urine output?A healthy person makes about one mL of urine every minute. So, in about one hour you should ha

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'm confused. During your show on anxiety, your friend says to say "no" to anxiety but then later goes on to say to accept the anxiety. Which is it?Dr. Mike sees the confusion. What the guest meant was that when she felt anxiety coming on, if she tried to fight it, it would be worse. Saying "no" to anxiety isn't a denial of the anxiety; it's saying no to the panic and not letting it take over.I never know what to think about ascorbic acid (vitamin C). On one hand, you have people that devote their lives to it and other fitness gurus that are against it and only want people to take a whole food form of ascorbic acid. What are your thoughts?To Dr. Mike, it doesn't really matter; it's all vitamin C and you need at least 2,000 mg a day. However, Dr. Mike thinks it's best to get your vitamins fr

When life gets overwhelming, chaotic, and stressful, you might feel more than just a little on edge. Trying to find an oasis where you feel relaxed can be difficult, but it's crucial for your health.A happy place, no matter where that may be, is indeed a warm, stress-free, and blissful place. Having a place like this allows you to disconnect and take time for yourself.Co-Founder and Editorial Director of Live Happy LLC, Deborah Heisz, shares how you can find your happy place, as well as why it is so important to be able to escape once in a while.

When life seems to be getting a little draining, traveling sounds like a great way to "escape."Traveling with children may seem like a stressful task, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, it may surprise you to know there are some benefits to getting away as a family.Put a pause on your non-stop, chaotic life and enjoy simple moments with your family through maximizing your down time, disconnecting and taking time to reflect.What are the health benefits of traveling with kids?Co-Founder and Editorial Director of Live Happy LLC, Deborah Heisz, joins Dr. Mike to discuss the benefits of traveling with kids.

If you're trying to lose weight, a friend, colleague or doctor might have suggested counting your calories. However, all calories are NOT created equal, and this method can actually backfire on you.Your body is much more complicated than you might be aware of, and you need a healthy balance of foods to fight off weight gain, obesity, and other health issues.What is a better way to lose weight?Listen in as Dr. Mike explains why counting calories isn't efficient for weight loss, and what you can do instead.

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's the difference between Myofascial Syndrome and fibromyalgia?Myofascial Syndrome (MPS) is a chronic pain disorder where pressure on certain sensitive spots in your muscles (trigger points) causes pain to unrelated parts of your body.This is usually caused after a muscle has been contracted repetitively from a job, hobby or stress.Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal condition that causes muscle pain, fatigue, and tenderness all over your body. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 3-6 percent of the world's population suffers from fibromyalgia.Have you heard of the MLM company, Plexus? Are their products any good?Dr. Mike has heard a little bit about this company but wanted to look at the label to determine a better understanding of what they sell.Dr. Mike points ou

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 it possible to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030?AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is the final stage of the HIV disease that causes damage to your immune system. The AIDS epidemic flourished in the 1980s and has continually been on researchers' radars for a cure. According to the AIDS website, there are more than 1.2 million people in the United States that are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 8 (12.8%) are unaware of their infection.The main goal is to keep the virus from spreading. Doctors are focusing on prevention through education and (for those who do have the virus) better access to the drugs. The HIV/AIDS virus replicates and has changed constantly since it first appeared in the 80s. That has caused many doctors to struggle with finding the right vaccine for a

Taking care of your gut health is extremely important, especially considering more and more research has found that many of the root causes of health issues begin in your gut.Your body depends on microbiomes to stay alive. Microbiomes help you break down food for energy, produce vitamins, and protect your body against germs.When bacteria in your gut is imbalanced, it can lead to numerous health issues like weight gain, inflammation, poor mental health, loss of memory, and diseases like diabetes and cancer.What are some foods that are healthy for your gut?Dr. Lori Shemek shares why gut health is so important and the foods you should consider eating for a healthier gut.

If you're someone who's trying to lose weight, you may want to focus on losing body fat first.Fat plays a major issue with weight gain, and can make it extremely difficult to lose those extra pounds.Body fat is determined by the ratio of fat within your body and your total body weight.It's important to understand that your body does need a certain amount of fat to in order to survive. However, too much body fat can be deadly.What are the consequences of too much body fat and is there a way to prevent it?Dr. Lori Shemek joins Dr. Mike to discus fat-flammation and the damage too much body fat has on your body.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are essential for a healthy life, as they promote healthy brain function, lower heart disease risk and reduce your risk of type-2 diabetes.Vitamins are micro-nutrients that help grow, repair and protect your body from oxidative damages. Your body does not produce vitamins naturally, and therefore they must be obtained through food or supplements.Vitamin B (there are several kinds) is water soluble and essential for your metabolism. However, recent research suggests that B vitamins may only have benefit to those who have high levels of omega-3s.Why are B vitamins dependent on omega-3 fatty acids?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the latest findings on essential B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

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:It seems everyone is saying how good green smoothies are for your health. I was talking to a friend who said her son was getting kidney stones, even though he drank a green smoothie. Can you comment on oxalates in the diet?An oxalate is a very powerful oxidant that initiates free radicals found in plants and animals. Vitamins and minerals can also bind to these. In high amounts, your body wants to get rid of these oxalates and they're typically excreted out through urine. However, when oxalates continue to build up, your body can create kidney stones.Dr. Mike suggests changing up the green smoothies to decrease the oxalate load.If collagen can't penetrate your skin, why does retin-a minoxidil penetrate for hair loss treatment?Dr. Mike wants you to understand that different things absorb int

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 that fat and sugar can change my gut bacteria and ultimately change how I think. This seems farfetched to me. What do you think?It's true that eating lots of fat and sugar can change the species within your gut bacteria. It can cause imbalances that weren't there before, which can result in infections and other issues. However, Dr. Mike needs to know more about what you mean by think... "thinking" encompasses both cognition and memory.An article published in June 2015 suggested that high amounts of fat and sugar can cause a loss of cognitive flexibility, which allows you to handle changes in your environment (example: walking from your living room to your kitchen).If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in,

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that's triggered by a traumatic event which caused some kind of harm.While psychotherapy and drugs are often used to treat PTSD, there's a new school of thought behind addressing the condition: animal therapy. You might be a little intimated enlisting wild animals to help ease your PTSD symptoms, but a new program is proving this method works.The CATalyst program helps you achieve peace of mind by bringing you face to face with wild animals who mirror your stress and get you grounded.As you walk through The CATalyst refuge, animal teachers show you how to shift from chaos to calm.Listen in as Kevin Rose shares more information about the CATalyst program and how animals can help ease your PTSD symptoms.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that's triggered by a traumatic event which caused some kind of harm. PTSD can be a result of a kidnapping or mugging, car accident, natural disaster, rape, or abuse, and is quite often seen in military personnel returning from war.PTSD is a huge problem and is responsible for the suffering of millions. In fact, according to PSTD Treatment Help, roughly five million Americans suffer from PTSD annually.What are the treatment options available?The primary treatment for PTSD is psychotherapy, but it can also often include heavy medication. Combining these treatments can help improve symptoms.What else do you need to know about PTSD?Kevin Rose joins Dr. Mike to discuss the trauma of PTSD and the treatment options available.

If you've ever experienced a panic attack, you know how trapped, scared, and uneasy you can feel.Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder where you have repeated attacks of intense fear or nervousness that something bad will happen.According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a panic attack is a quick, intense fear and discomfort that includes the following symptoms: sweating, nausea, feelings of chocking, chest pain, trembling, chills, and shortness of breath.What are some ways you can manage your panic attacks without having to use medications?Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses panic attacks, the medications that are used to treat it, and the other ways you can manage your panic attacks without drugs.