The fifth dimension of health, environment, is probably more important than you realize. Environmental health problems are plentiful, but not always obvious. New issues are surfacing each day as we learn about elements of our every day lives that are toxic to our health. Businesses and governments are struggling with how to balance commerce and safety, as a certain amount of harmful chemical substances falls well within safety regulations for many common household cleaning products, foods, and skincare products. Amy and Dr. B. sit down to discuss the effects of environmental factors on overall health.

The fourth dimension of health, spirituality, is one that is often dismissed due to beliefs (or lack thereof) and personal experiences. But spirituality is not limited to those that believe in a higher power. Spirituality can be staying true to one’s self. It can be confidence in a sense of purpose or self-worth. Amy and Dr. B. sit down to discuss spirituality and possible topics for the future.

Today our guest is Sandra Woodruff, registered dietitian and co-author of "Dr. Vlassara’s AGE-less Diet: How a Chemical in the Foods We Eat Promotes Disease, Obesity, and Aging and the Steps We Can Take to Stop It." Dr. Benzinger sits down with Sandra to discuss the AGE-less diet and why it is useful for fending off disease, obesity, and aging. Some topics covered include:

· What does AGE stand for?

· Why are cooking methods like stewing, braising, and steaming generally healthier?

· Which kinds of fats are more likely to form AGEs?

· Are there any popular diets that follow the AGE-less cooking guidelines?

· What kinds of kitchen tools are needed for AGE-less cooking?

You can purchase Dr. Vlassara’s AGE-less Diet: How a Chemical in the Foods We Eat Promotes Disease, Obesity, and Aging and the Steps We Can Take to Stop It on amazon.com and at squareonepublishers.com.

We’re excited to welcome back best-selling author, pharmacist, and health motivator, Dr. Earl Mindell, for some listener Q&A! Check out this quick follow-up to hear Dr. Mindell’s answers to these questions:

1. Our family avoids dairy, so we usually buy almond milk, but I hear there are certain things to avoid in milk substitutes. What should we look for when purchasing and what brands do you recommend that are the cleanest?

2. Our family struggles with seasonal allergies. You mentioned an air purifier, what else can we do to help naturally remedy these without medications? I don't think my kids are going to love those horseradish tablets!

3. You mentioned sea salt has great trace minerals. What are some other foods that contain trace minerals?

4. You talked about the importance of reading food labels and looking for particular ingredients. It seems like most of the time when I read an ingredients list, there are certain ingredients that I can’t even pronounce. How do you know what you’re supposed to be looking for? How can people educate themselves on what’s good and what isn’t?

5. Let’s revisit the Twinkie-Ding Dong-Donut-Pizza-Prozac-Pepsi diet for a moment. How did we get here?

On today’s cast, we chat about the third dimension of health, mental health. How often do doctors typically turn to drugs instead of counseling when treating common mental health issues? What’s the right language to use when dealing with people struggling with their mental health? Amy and Dr. B. sit down to discuss these questions and outline our mental health podcast plans for the future.

Amy and Dr. B. continue their discussion with the second dimension of health, exercise. Dr. B. explains why he likes to exercise by himself, while Amy describes why she likes to exercise in a group of people. They discuss why age shouldn’t be a limiter on exercise, why the importance of exercise is one thing all experts agree on, and what kinds of low-impact exercises are available for those that aren’t already in great shape.

Amy and Dr. B. kick off the six dimensions of health series with some talk about nutrition. What are the six most important nutritional elements for essential function? Where are you supposed to start learning about nutrition when there is so much information out there? What’s the difference between Atkins, Paleo, Mediterranean, and all of the other diets that claim they are they one true diet. How do you know which diet is right for you? If you aren’t interested in a specific diet, what are some good general guidelines for eating well? The gang talks about these questions and more on today’s episode!

Stevia has been receiving a lot of attention lately. Some say it’s a dangerous alternative to sugar. Others claim that it’s the safest and healthiest sweetening agent on the market. So which is it? Is it natural or artificial? Safe or toxic? Dr. Benzinger and Dr. Bentley sat down to discuss some of the science behind Stevia and separate fact from fiction.

Today, we are joined by Dr. Earl Mindell, co-author of What You Must Know About Allergy Relief: How to Overcome the Allergies You Have & Find the Hidden Allergies that Make You Sick. Amy and Dr. Benzinger sit down with Dr. Mindell to discuss allergens, allergy relief, and more! Here are just a few of the topics covered:

· Common allergy misconceptions.

· How do you know if you’re sick or having an allergic reaction.

· Why reading food labels and looking at ingredients is so important for people with asthma.

· Why are so many medical professionals misinformed about nutrition?

· What is an elimination diet, and what benefits can it bring?

· What is the Standard American Diet (aka the SAD) and where does it come from? Are food industry lobbyists having a negative impact on the kinds of foods most readily available to Americans?

· Are most allergies indoor or outdoor? Why?

· What are some things you can do in the home to reduce potential allergens?

We’ve gone into the nitty-gritty of health and wellness care, but what about the basics? On today’s episode, we learn about Humarian’s six dimensions of health: Nutrition, Exercise, Mental, Social, Spiritual, and Environmental. What are the basic tenants of each, and how can you start improving on them in your own life? What are some easy ways to start incorporating better nutrition into your life? How much exercise is enough? Why are support groups, counseling, and therapy considered taboo while anti-depressants are handed out like candy? Join Amy and Dr. Benzinger as they discuss these topics and more.