Welcome back to today’s Metabolic Moment. Our question today comes from Brenda. She is wondering why she rarely feels thirsty, but still takes a drink of water after her daily workout. Thirst is a late response activated by the body due to overheating and water loss. As our body responds to the loss of water and blood volume, processes take place that develops a rescuing sense of thirst.

If you’ve ever wondered how the process of digestion actually works, today’s episode is for you. Dr. Power briefly explains that it’s a chemical and a mechanical mixing process that takes about a day. Tune in to hear what happens in each step of the process from chewing and swallowing, to acid breakdown, nutrient extraction, and waste recovery, as well as the important role of the gut microbiome.

Today’s question comes from Dennis whose doctor heard a murmur in one of the arteries in his neck. Dr. Power explains that he has a cholesterol collection in his neck artery. He talks about how these cholesterol collections can cause strokes and be as big a problem in the brain as they are in the arteries of the heart. Tune in to hear what causes these cholesterol collections in the neck, how they can be treated, and how they can be prevented.

Can your baby’s head shape or small size be an indication that your baby is mentally handicapped? This is the question one listener asks of Dr. Power today. Dr. Power reassures her that this is very unlikely the case. He explains that newborn babies tend to have flattened skulls from their small but developing brains and their skulls will change shape as they grow. To hear about how your brain cortex continues to grow throughout your life and the importance of exercising your mind into retirement, tune in today!

Did you know that a disordered gut microbiome is associated with many common clinical problems, including autism, cancer, obesity, and dementia? When someone with an abiding interest in his daily bowel movements asks about recent discoveries on the subject matter, Dr. Power explains the current focus of research on the topic of gut microbiome. From genetically modified bacteria to fecal implants, prebiotics, and dietary manipulations, he provides fascinating insight into recent discoveries and treatments in this field.

Did you know, that after plain old water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage? Our question today comes from Doris, who thoroughly enjoys drinking tea throughout the day. She had read somewhere that tea has benefits for the brain, and was wondering if that really is the case. Drinking tea can lead to many benefits and has an impact on diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimers. Some teas also contain antioxidants which can be anticancer. Stay tuned, and enjoy!

If you know someone who is easily irritated or has a ‘short fuse’, you are not alone. Today, Dr. Power provides insight into the amygdala, the emotional area of the brain, and what happens to it when conflict arises. He explains the importance of a cooling-off time and other steps to take to resolve the issue for the betterment of both parties and their health. For more on this important topic, tune in today!

There’s nothing quite like bouncing along, on her daily walk, in a new pair of sneakers, that gives one of Dr. Power’s patients the best giggles! Today’s question comes from Franklin, a senior league hockey player, age 60 plus. Franklin wonders if skating is a good way to exercise his sense of balance. Over millennia, spinal reflexes have slowly been developed and continue to need daily care and attention, to not only keep them intact but functioning properly in order to help us maintain our balance. Exercising your balance is crucial because stumbles and falls can lead to many debilitating injuries. For more on this important topic, tune in today!

If you have ever wondered about the benefits of drinking the world’s second most popular beverage, tea, then this is the episode for you. Today, Dr. Power walks us through why tea does wonders for your brain and gives insights into just why it is so soothing. Tune in today!

If you spend a lot of time in the sun, you might have some pigmented patches on your skin. In this episode, Dr. Power talks about what causes these patches and shares ways that you can treat and minimize them. Be sure to tune in today!