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Why did my weight loss stop? Why am I not losing weight even though I'm eating less and exercising? What causes a weight loss plateau, and how can you start making progress again?
In this episode of Health Recoded, we break down why weight loss plateaus happen, how your body adapts during weight loss, and what you can do when the scale stops moving.
As a registered nurse, I regularly counsel people about their health and weight loss goals, and I've personally experienced the frustration of weight loss plateaus myself. When you're consistently putting in the effort but not seeing results, it can be difficult to understand what's happening or what you should change.
We explore the science behind metabolism, energy expenditure, and metabolic adaptation, including how non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), hormones, and changes in your daily energy needs can influence weight loss. We also discuss diet fatigue, when taking a diet break might be helpful, and why eating even less isn't always the best next step.
If you've been struggling to lose weight despite your efforts, this episode will help you understand what may be contributing to your plateau and how to approach your next steps in a sustainable, informed way.
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Why Are Weight Loss Plateaus So Common?
06:41 What Causes a Weight Loss Plateau?
12:06 How Do Hormones Affect Weight Loss?
17:44 How NEAT and Metabolism Affect Weight Loss
21:16 Should You Take a Diet Break?
28:53 Why Eating Less Isn't Always the Answer
31:44 How Weight Loss Affects Mental Health and Self-Worth
36:44 How to Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau
56:39 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
Resources:
1. Hall, K. D. (2024). Physiology of the weight-loss plateau in response to diet restriction, GLP-1 receptor agonism, and bariatric surgery. Obesity, 32(6), 1163–1168. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24027
2. Pontzer, H. (2015). Constrained total energy expenditure and the evolutionary biology of energy balance. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 43(3), 110–116. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000048
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Eating and physical activity to lose or maintain weight. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/eating-physical-activity
4. Institute of Medicine. (2005). Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10490
5. Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, Article 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Steps for losing weight. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/losing-weight/index.html
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What is homeopathy, and how does it differ from conventional medicine? Why would a medical doctor choose to practice homeopathy? Can homeopathic remedies help with healing, and what are their limitations?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Ronald Whitmont, MD, about homeopathy, alternative medicine, and how different approaches to healthcare view illness, treatment, and healing.
Dr. Whitmont is a New York-based physician and homeopathic practitioner who has practiced classical homeopathy for approximately 30 years. Drawing on his medical training and personal experiences with conventional healthcare, he shares what led him to pursue homeopathy and how his approach to patient care has evolved.
We discuss what homeopathic medicines are, how remedies are selected, what patients may experience during treatment, and how practitioners evaluate whether an approach is helping. We also explore the differences between homeopathy and conventional medicine, the limitations of each approach, and Dr. Whitmont's perspectives on areas where the healthcare system could improve.
Whether you're curious about homeopathy, exploring complementary and alternative medicine, or trying to understand why some physicians practice outside conventional medical frameworks, this conversation offers an opportunity to learn about the approach and the questions surrounding its use.
Find Ronald Whitmont, MD at: https://www.homeopathicmd.com/about-us/
Find a Homeopathic practitioner at the following sites:
https://homeopathycenter.org/find-a-homeopath/
https://homeopathyusa.org/directory-physicians/
https://naturopathic.org/search/custom.asp?id=5613
Subscribe to Health Recoded for conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:20 Is Homeopathy the Same as Holistic Medicine?
04:58 What Is Homeopathy?
08:44 Homeopathy vs. Conventional Medicine: What's the Difference?
22:27 What Are Homeopathic Medicines?
28:13 How Are Homeopathic Remedies Selected?
32:28 What Happens After Taking a Homeopathic Remedy?
35:18 Can Homeopathic Remedies Make Symptoms Worse?
39:44 How Do Practitioners Know If Homeopathy Is Working?
46:21 When Is Homeopathy Not Appropriate?
51:10 What Needs to Change in Conventional Healthcare?
59:26 When Is Conventional Medicine Necessary?
1:01:23 How to Find a Homeopathic Practitioner
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the perspectives discussed by the host and guest. This conversation is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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What is palliative care? Is it only for people who are dying? What's the difference between palliative care and hospice, and when should families consider it?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Christina McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN, about palliative care, end-of-life conversations, and how this approach to care can affect quality of life and patient outcomes.
Christina McDaniel is a nurse practitioner and system executive director of the palliative care team at the Medical University of South Carolina. We discuss what palliative care actually involves, why it's often misunderstood, and how it can support patients and families navigating serious illness.
We also explore how to talk about end-of-life care with loved ones, the emotional toll on caregivers and healthcare workers, and why our discomfort with death can make these conversations harder than they need to be. Christina shares perspectives on caregiver support, moral distress, and what it means to have a “good” death.
Whether you're trying to understand palliative care for yourself or a family member, preparing for difficult conversations, or simply learning how palliative care differs from hospice, this episode offers a starting point.
Find Cristina McDaniel, DNP, MSN, RN at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-mcdaniel-dnp-rn-8a6a8094/
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
10:24 What Is Often Misunderstood About Palliative Care and Death?
14:16 What Is a “Death-Denying” Society?
18:51 How to Take Care of the Caregiver
25:07 How to Talk About End-of-Life Care as a Caregiver
28:18 How to Talk About End-of-Life Care With Family
36:03 Moral Distress in Healthcare Workers and Caregivers
44:49 How Palliative Care Affects Health Outcomes
49:29 Palliative Care vs. Hospice: What's the Difference?
55:54 What to Expect From Palliative Care
58:48 What Is a “Good” Death?
1:01:42 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
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Why is it so hard to focus? How do you know if you have ADHD or autism? What does it mean to be neurodivergent, and how can you work with your brain instead of against it?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Eric Tivers, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP, about ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence, including how they can affect everyday life, how people make sense of their own experiences, and why understanding your brain can change how you approach challenges.
We discuss self-diagnosis, the process of receiving a formal diagnosis, and why neurodivergence may be misunderstood or overlooked. Eric also shares perspectives on the strengths of neurodivergent thinking and why adapting your environment to your needs can be more helpful than constantly trying to fit into expectations that don't work for you.
We also explore burnout, self-awareness, acceptance, and how to navigate life when your brain works differently. Whether you're questioning your own experiences, supporting someone who may be neurodivergent, or simply trying to understand ADHD and autism better, this conversation offers a starting point for thinking about neurodivergence in a more informed way.
Find Eric Tivers at: https://www.adhdrewired.com/
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Why Can ADHD or Autism Go Unrecognized?
03:35 Eric’s Journey With Neurodivergence
24:55 When Can Self-Diagnosis Be Helpful?
28:10 How a Diagnosis Can Help
38:41 How Politics Shapes Conversations About ADHD and Autism
40:43 Can Neurodivergence Be an Advantage?
45:45 Is Everyone on the Spectrum?
49:29 Is Neurodivergence Really That Atypical?
51:34 How to Navigate Life With Neurodivergence
58:04 How Self-Awareness and Acceptance Can Help
1:01:02 How to Navigate Burnout
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
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How can you fall asleep faster? What causes insomnia? Why does jet lag disrupt your sleep? And how do you know when difficulty sleeping is something to be concerned about?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Jessica Fink, LCSW, about sleep health, insomnia, circadian rhythms, and sleep disruptions.
Jessica Fink is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in helping adults understand insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and other sleep issues using evidence-based Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
If you’ve been struggling to fall asleep, waking up during the night, dealing with an inconsistent sleep schedule, or adjusting to jet lag, this episode explains how sleep drive and circadian rhythm work together and what you can do to support better sleep.
We also discuss melatonin, how many hours of sleep you actually need, why being a night owl isn't necessarily unhealthy, the difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepy, and when insomnia or other sleep disruptions may need professional support.
Find Jessica Fink at: https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaFinkSleep
Find a behavioral sleep practitioner: SBSM Directory - https://www.behavioralsleep.org/
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:10 What Does Healthy Sleep Look Like?
08:19 What Helps With Insomnia and Difficulty Sleeping?
12:55 How Sleep Drive Affects Your Circadian Rhythm
17:30 Is Jet Lag More Than Just Being Tired?
29:46 How Does Melatonin Affect Sleep?
33:07 How Much Melatonin Is Actually Helpful?
34:30 What Does Melatonin Help With?
37:43 Is Insomnia Just Difficulty Falling Asleep?
39:49 Is It Unhealthy to Be a Night Owl?
41:38 Does Neurodivergence Affect Sleep Timing?
44:03 When to Get Help for Sleep Disruptions
45:57 How Do Hormones Affect the Sleep Cycle?
47:24 Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?
50:25 How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Actually Need?
51:39 What Is the Difference Between Tired and Sleepy?
54:11 Is Insomnia a Diagnosis or a Response to Stress?
55:40 Is Insomnia Treatable?
57:55 How Long Does It Take to Treat Insomnia?
1:01:01 Who Is Most Affected by Insomnia?
1:02:05 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
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What is “normal” aging? Which changes are a normal part of getting older, and when should you be more concerned?
In this episode of Health Recoded, we break down healthy aging and what happens to the body as we get older.
Aging affects nearly every system in the body, but not every change should simply be dismissed as “getting old.” We discuss how aging affects the brain, muscles, bones, skin, energy, and recovery, as well as when fatigue, aches, and other changes may be worth paying attention to.
We also discuss how strength training and physical activity can support healthy aging, whether vitamins and supplements can prevent aging, and the difference between lifespan and healthspan.
If you're noticing changes in your energy, recovery, strength, memory, or physical health as you get older, this episode gives you a place to start understanding what may be part of normal aging and what may deserve further attention.
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
05:21 What Happens to the Body When You Age?
14:14 How Does Aging Affect the Brain?
16:01 Can Strength Training Improve Healthy Aging?
19:03 How Do Bones Change With Age?
20:45 Skin Changes to Watch for as You Age
27:34 When Is Fatigue Concerning?
34:07 When Are Aches and Pains Not Normal Aging?
40:34 Nursing Tips for Healthy Aging
48:37 Can Vitamins and Supplements Prevent Aging?
58:20 How Physical Activity and Recovery Support Healthy Aging
1:02:22 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
Resources:
López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2023). Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe. Cell, 186(2), 243–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.001
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Older adult activity: An overview. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/older-adults.html
National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Healthy aging. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging
National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Fatigue in older adults. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/fatigue-older-adults
Kreider, R. B., et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2022). Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer: Preventive medication. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/vitamin-supplementation-to-prevent-cvd-and-cancer-preventive-medication
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Why is health insurance so expensive? What does your health insurance plan actually cover? And what do terms like premiums, deductibles, copays, and MEC really mean?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with William Hammett, Senior Consultant at Hammett Consulting LLC, about health insurance, healthcare costs, and what your insurance coverage actually means.
William's background includes helping brokers, HR leaders, and business owners navigate healthcare costs while maintaining compliance and employee access. He has also written books on the subject, including a plain-language guide to MEC and ACA penalties.
Health insurance can be complicated and overwhelming to understand. In this conversation, William breaks down how health insurance works, how insurance plans are structured, what employers and employees need to consider, and what to look for when evaluating your health insurance coverage.
We also discuss how different types of coverage work, including catastrophic insurance and Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), and how the Affordable Care Act has affected health insurance.
In this episode, we cover:
- How health insurance works
- What premiums, deductibles, copays, and other insurance terms mean
- How health insurance affects employees and employers
- How health insurance plans are structured
- What catastrophic health insurance is
- What Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) means
- How the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affects health insurance
- What to consider when evaluating your health insurance coverage
- How healthcare costs affect employers and employees
If you've ever wondered:
- Why is health insurance so expensive?
- What is a health insurance premium?
- What is a deductible?
- What is a copay?
- What does my health insurance actually cover?
- Is my health insurance plan good?
- How does employer-sponsored health insurance work?
- What is catastrophic health insurance?
- What is an MEC plan?
- Do I need health insurance?
...this episode is for you.
Find William Hammett at: www.hammett.consulting
Find his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDKR2Q4?lv=shuf&channelId=520&plpRedirect=mhFallback
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the systems that affect your healthcare. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
05:57 What Is Direct-to-Consumer Health Insurance?
07:02 How Does the Health Insurance Industry Work?
11:20 Health Insurance Terms Explained: Premiums, Deductibles & Copays
18:48 What Makes a Health Insurance Plan More Beneficial?
27:40 How Are Health Insurance Plans Structured?
34:58 How Do Healthy People Affect Health Insurance Costs?
39:40 Who Chooses Your Health Insurance Plan?
48:11 What Are MEC Plans?
55:08 Why Is Health Insurance So Complicated?
1:03:30 How Did the Affordable Care Act Change Health Insurance?
1:07:08 Why Is Health Insurance So Expensive?
1:14:12 Is the Lowest Premium Really the Best Health Insurance Plan?
1:16:48 How Does Private Health Insurance Affect Coverage?
1:22:37 How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan
1:28:44 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
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What is sexual health? What is a “normal” libido? And how do stress, mental health, desire, and relationships affect sexual function?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Teresa Callard-Moore, Ph.D., LISW, CST-S, about sexual health, libido, sexual function, communication, and the differences between men’s and women’s experiences of sexual health.
Dr. Callard-Moore is a Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and Sexual Addiction Therapist. Together, we break down common misconceptions about sexual health and discuss what healthy sexual function can actually look like.
Sexual health is still a topic that many people are uncomfortable talking about. We discuss how libido and desire can vary from person to person, how stress and mental health can affect sexual function, how men and women may experience sexual health differently, and how communication and connection can influence sexual wellbeing.
We also discuss responsive desire, the pleasure gap, female anatomy and orgasm, libido, and when it may be helpful to seek support from a qualified sex therapist.
In this episode, we cover:
- What sexual health actually means
- What healthy sexual function looks like
- What libido and sexual desire actually mean
- Why libido varies from person to person
- What responsive desire is
- How stress and mental health can affect sexual function
- When changes in sexual function may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional
- How to communicate sexual preferences with a partner
- Differences in men’s and women’s sexual health
- What the pleasure gap is
- How anatomy can affect sexual response and orgasm
- When to consider working with a sex therapist
If you've ever wondered:
- What is sexual health?
- What is a normal libido?
- Why does my libido change?
- How does stress affect sexual function?
- Why does sex hurt?
- Do men and women experience libido differently?
- How do I communicate my sexual preferences?
- When should I see a sex therapist?
- Who can I talk to about sexual health?
...this episode is for you.
Find a sexual health therapist at: https://www.aasect.org
Find a sex addiction therapist at: https://www.iitap.com
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:28 How Has the Conversation Around Sexual Health Changed?
04:18 What Is Sexual Health?
06:38 How Stress Affects Sexual Health
08:34 Is Libido a Myth?
13:38 What Is Responsive Desire?
23:25 Does Libido Decline With Age?
24:25 How Much Does Libido Vary From Person to Person?
26:02 When Should You Be Concerned About Sexual Health?
29:50 Why Are People So Uncomfortable Talking About Sex?
34:09 How to Communicate Sexual Preferences
37:27 What Is the Pleasure Gap?
40:05 Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Sexual Health
44:06 What Is Foreplay?
51:55 How Female Anatomy Affects Orgasm
56:26 How to Safely Explore Sexual Health and Anatomy
58:55 How Sexual Trauma Can Affect the Body
1:03:14 When to Ask for Help With Sexual Health
1:05:23 How to Find a Sex Therapist
1:06:42 What to Prepare for a Sex Therapy Session
1:08:12 When to Seek Help From a Sex Therapist
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
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What's the difference between an MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, EKG, and EEG? And why did your doctor order one instead of another?
In this episode of Health Recoded, we explain the science behind medical imaging and diagnostic testing so you can better understand why different tests are used and what they're looking for.
Many people are surprised to learn that each imaging test has a specific purpose. An MRI can't always replace a CT scan, an X-ray won't show everything, and an ultrasound is often the best option depending on what's happening inside the body.
Whether you're preparing for an upcoming test, trying to understand your diagnosis, or simply curious about how these technologies work, this episode breaks down the differences in a simple, evidence-based way.
You'll learn:
If you've ever searched:
...this episode is for you.
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based health education that helps you better understand your body, prevent disease, and make informed health decisions.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:43 How Does an X-Ray Work?
03:58 When Do You Need a CT Scan?
06:40 What to Know Before an MRI
10:53 What Is an Ultrasound Used For?
12:40 How Does an EKG Work?
15:40 What Does an EEG Measure?
17:48 Why Does Medical Imaging Take So Long?
19:03 How to Prepare for a Medical Scan
22:10 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
Resources:
American College of Radiology. (2024). RadiologyInfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org
American Heart Association. (2024). Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). https://www.heart.org
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri
Mayo Clinic. (2024). CT scan. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ct-scan/about/pac-20393675
Mayo Clinic. (2024). MRI. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/pac-20384768
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Ultrasound. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ultrasound/about/pac-20395177
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. (2023). Medical imaging.https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/medical-imaging
Radiological Society of North America & American College of Radiology. (2024). RadiologyInfo.org: X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. https://www.radiologyinfo.org
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What is the difference between strength, mobility, flexibility, and stability?
Does soreness actually mean your workout was effective?
And is there really such a thing as perfect form?
In this episode of Health Recoded, I speak with Dr. Sam Spinelli, PT, DPT, CSCS, about movement, strength training, mobility, stability, recovery, and the science behind how we train.
Dr. Spinelli is the co-founder of Citizen Athletics and an evidence-based educator specializing in rehabilitation, strength training, and exercise science. Together, we break down some of the most common misconceptions about movement and explore how to train in a way that works with your individual body and goals.
Strength training and movement are often made more complicated than they need to be. We discuss the difference between strength, stability, mobility, and flexibility, how to think about training capacity, whether there is such a thing as “bad” movement or “perfect” form, and what muscle soreness can actually tell you about your training.
In this episode, we cover:
If you've ever wondered:
...this episode is for you.
Find Dr. Sam Spinelli at:
Instagram: @thestrengthdpt
Website: https://citizenathletics.com
Youtube: @CitizenAthletics
Subscribe to Health Recoded for evidence-based conversations that help you better understand your body, your health, and the science behind how it works. New episodes weekly.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:13 Is Strength Training Really That Complicated?
05:47 How Training Changes After an Injury
07:00 How to Find Your Training Capacity
14:09 Strength Training vs. Physical Therapy
18:04 Strength Training vs. Dynamic Movement
19:25 Is There Such Thing as Bad Movement?
21:24 Is There Really Such Thing as Perfect Form?
22:46 How to Adjust Your Exercise Technique
28:00 Does Foam Rolling Actually Help?
30:35 What Is Stability in Training?
45:46 How Flexibility Affects Training
54:03 When Is Stretching Helpful?
57:53 Does Muscle Soreness Mean Muscle Growth?
1:00:34 Movement and Strength Before Hospitalization
1:10:10 Key Takeaways
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for guidance provided by your own medical professional.
Support the show
From the publisher's feed
Your body - your health - the bigger picture.
Health can feel overwhelming. Health Recoded breaks down complex health topics into clear, human explanations that actually make…