Health Simplified Podcast

Is it possible to get all your nutrients without supplementation? Michal and Shabnam use the examples of Omega 3 fatty acids from fish and meat (often undervalued source!) and getting adequate magnesium from food.

Sandra Meilleur is a Certified Personal Trainer. In this episode, she shares her journey. What was her wake-up call?

Sandra and Shabnam discuss the new exercise guidelines and Canada's 24 hours movement guide. What exercise is best for you? Is just walking for 30 minutes daily enough? The problems of continuous sitting.

Standard nutritional advice recommends that you should eat whole grains as a part of a healthy diet. How much of that is true? What is a whole grain? What happens when grains are processed? What about anti-nutrients in whole grains? The problem of glyphosate. In this episode, Michal and Shabnam discuss the details.

The differences between "normal" lab ranges and optimal lab ranges. What is an optimal fasting glucose level? HbA1C varies based on ethnicities. Low fasting insulin may not always reflect an accurate picture.

Sleep disturbances: are they cause or effects of mental health challenges?

Short and long sleep durations, both are detrimental. Changes in sleep architecture may be causative in mental health issues. Sleep as a predictive, preventive biomarker.

The problems of using benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium).lorazepam. Sedation is not the same as restorative sleep.

CBT-I Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is recommended as the first line of treatment for chronic insomnia, but it requires your participation. Not a "pill for an ill" approach.

Too much or too little salt. Both are harmful. Hw to find out what is right for you? Hypertension and salt intake. Any tests to know your personal salt threshold? Do genes have any impact?

There is a lot of stigma and misinformation around mental health challenges, particularly in India. A psychologist discusses a case to highlight what should be done and what should NOT be done. Mental health issues are like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. They cannot be treated by untrained people, however sincere they may be in their intentions. When should you suspect serious mental health problems in family members? What are the red flags?

Deepak, Michal and Shabnam bust a few more health myths in part 2 of this episode. Protein shakes, good or bad? Wine is good for your heart. Carb loading before exercise.