Healthy Talk

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 out that a quality product will always make information easy to find and provide labeling with the active ingredients clearly labeled.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at [email protected] or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

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 cure. But, Dr. Mike does believe that ending the epidemic by 2030 is a realistic goal and is very possible.

When my daughter was a baby, she got constipated and my pediatrician recommended switching to a soy formula. My concern is that lately I've heard soy isn't good because of the process and the levels of estrogen. Is any of this information about soy true?

Dr. Mike thinks your daughter will be okay. Food sources like soy are relatively low for estrogen levels. However, just to be sure, Dr. Mike suggests talking to your pediatrician about these concerns.

If EPA and DHA are the key fats, why aren't there pure products that include only the two?

They are important, but you always need a balance of all the fats.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at [email protected] or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

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 into the skin better than others. For example, fattier things like lipids and hormones work on the skin well and absorb a lot better.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at [email protected] or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

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 [email protected] or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

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.