For the first time in history, today's children are expected to have shorter lifespans than their parents — largely due to diet and lifestyle-related diseases. But there are things parents can do to help reverse this trend. In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with integrative pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song, author of Healthy Kids, Happy Kids, to explore how families can nurture true resilience — from the gut to the brain and beyond.

https://youtu.be/hilJIFyIfGw

00:00 – Kids' lifespans are shortening: why this matters 00:20 – Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring 00:51 – Introducing Dr. Elisa Song: integrative pediatrician and mom 03:11 – The alarming rise of chronic illness in children 05:35 – The microbiome at the root of modern childhood diseases 06:59 – How gut health shapes immune and mental health 12:17 – The role of birth and breastfeeding in microbiome development 13:26 – Why today's babies have fewer beneficial gut bacteria 18:03 – Antibiotics and long-term health: what parents need to know 23:34 – Restoring gut health through food and fermented recipes 26:23 – The vagus nerve: the bridge between the gut and brain 32:20 – Tools and devices that build calm and resilience 36:11 – Final advice for parents: small steps, big impact 37:23 – Closing thoughts from Dr. Ring

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Protecting our brain and body in a world that's not always built for it can be a challenge. In this episode, Dr. Austin Perlmutter, a board-certified internal medicine physician unpacks the forces that inflame and impair our brains and offers tools to protect, nourish, and even rewire them.

00:00 Introduction to Brain Health

00:59 Meet Dr. Austin Perlmutter

01:36 Modern Challenges to Brain Health

04:06 Environmental Impacts on Brain Health

05:18 Diet and Brain Health

17:22 Inflammation and Brain Health

19:42 Practical Steps for Brain Health

19:50 Polyphenols and Brain Health

30:04 Muscle Health and Brain Health

32:53 Supplements and Brain Health

40:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Food is finally being recognized as an essential part of medicine in institutions and kitchens across the United States. In this episode of Next Level Health, Dr. Melinda Ring welcomes Dr. David Eisenberg, a Harvard-trained physician, pioneer of culinary medicine, and founder of the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative—for an in-depth conversation on the Food is Medicine movement.

Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/zATxfxaBbE0

Topics include:

• Dr. Eisenberg's journey from baker's son to physician and integrative medicine leader

• The creation of Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives and the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative

• How teaching kitchens are being scaled across hospitals, schools, and workplaces

• The research proving their impact on patient outcomes and lifestyle change

• National policy advances and nutrition competencies for medical education

00:00 – Introduction: Eat, Move, Think Better

00:30 – Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring

02:00 – Dr. Eisenberg's personal story: From bakers' son to doctor

09:00 – Early experiences in China: Acupuncture, tai chi, and culinary lessons

13:30 – Founding Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives

15:40 – The birth of the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative

19:55 – Pilot studies: Teaching kitchens as laboratories for health

25:00 – The COVID pivot: From in-person kitchens to virtual learning

29:20 – Scaling impact: Teaching kitchens as broadcast studios

30:30 – Food is Medicine movement and national policy advances

36:40 – Nutrition competencies for medical education

41:50 – Challenges and future of implementation in medical schools

45:37 – Dr. Eisenberg's personal wisdom: Teach children to cook

47:41 – Closing reflections and gratitude

In this episode of Next Level Health @DrMelindaRing talks with @DrewRamseyMD about how to build better mental health through our daily choices. Dr. Ramsey is a board-certified psychiatrist and pioneer in nutritional psychiatry. They cover the significance of essentials like sleep, nutrition, movement, and social connections for optimal mental health. Dr. Ramsey explains the concept of mental fitness and its scientific foundations like neuroplasticity and the role of inflammation and the microbiome. Practical tips on dietary choices, particularly the benefits of seafood, greens, nuts, and beans are shared. The conversation also touches on the importance of self-awareness, movement, and connection in mental health, and addresses the stigma around mental health, especially among men. Dr. Ramsey emphasizes simple, actionable steps for improving mental health through everyday choices.

Can the food you eat be as powerful as cancer-fighting drugs? In this episode, Dr. William Li reveals to Dr. Melinda Ring which everyday foods can boost your health, energy, and even fight diseases such as cancer. He is a world-renowned physician-scientist, speaker, author and leader of the Angiogenesis Foundation. Dr. Li shares his groundbreaking research on how food can be a powerful tool for healing, energizing, and thriving. He discusses his grocery and supplement list for better health, the science behind food as medicine, and the critical role of gut health and inflammation in our overall health and well-being.

https://youtu.be/sGWd8wCtRzY

00:00 – Introduction to Dr. William Li

• Dr. Li's background as a physician and scientist.

• Overview of his books Eat to Beat Disease and Eat to Beat Your Diet.

• The importance of food as medicine.

02:15 – Dr. Li's Go-To Grocery List

• Recommended foods for better health.

• How food impacts energy, gut health, and metabolism.

07:16 – The Power of Dietary Fiber and Polyphenols

• Foods rich in dietary fiber in the produce aisle such as avocado, mushrooms and raspberries.

• The role of fiber in gut health and inflammation reduction.

08:36 – Overcoming Food Addiction

• How processed foods can create addiction.

• Tips for incorporating healthy foods into your diet without feeling deprived.

09:03 – The Negative Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods

• How ultra-processed foods increase inflammation and damage gut bacteria.

• The long-term health risks associated with processed food consumption.

13:44 – Discovering New Foods and Sharing Recipes

• Dr. Li's personal journey of discovering new foods.

• Example of fiddleheads, forged and sold at a farmers' market and found to be rich in omega 3 fatty acids. This highlights the importance of curiosity in food exploration.

17:25 – How Food Rewires Our Biology

• The science behind how food activates the body's defense systems.

• How these systems protect us from diseases like cancer.

22:37 – The Role of Supplements: Resveratrol, EGCG, and Probiotics

• When and why certain supplements may be beneficial and which ones Dr. Li takes.

• Dr. Li's advice on balancing food and supplements for optimal health.

25:51 – Probiotics: Lactobacillus and Akkermansia

• The health benefits of specific gut bacteria.

• How Akkermansia affects immune response and cancer treatment.

30:23 – Surprising Food Combos for Maximum Health Benefits

• How to enhance the health benefits of coffee by skipping dairy in coffee.

• The power of tomatoes and how to absorb more lycopene by cooking them in olive oil.

38:15 – The Importance of Sourcing Quality Food

• Organic vs. conventional food choices.

• How to choose the best quality food within your budget.

44:01 – Practical Tips for Healthy Eating at Home

• Cleaning produce properly.

• Choosing healthier oils and cooking methods.

• Dr. Li's advice on making better food choices in daily life.

49:16 – The Holy Trinity of Healthy Beverages

• Water, tea, and coffee are essential health-promoting drinks – the holy tinity.

• How to maximize the benefits of each and avoid common pitfalls.

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What if healthcare focused less on disease and more on creating health? In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. David Rakel, a trailblazer in integrative medicine and professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community, to explore Salutogenesis — a transformative approach that shifts the focus from illness to well-being.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/XN1jPxzWCoE

[00:00:00] – Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

• Dr. Melinda Ring introduces Dr. David Rakel, a pioneer in integrative medicine.

• Overview of today's discussion on Salutogenesis and its impact on healthcare.

[00:02:06] – Dr. Rakel's Journey to Integrative Medicine

• Dr. Rakel shares his path from rural Idaho to becoming a leader in integrative health.

• Key moments that sparked his interest in shifting the focus from disease to health.

[00:06:00] – The Need for a More Holistic Healthcare Approach

• Discussion about the frustration with the current healthcare system's focus on specialists.

• Dr. Rakel advocates for a more comprehensive, generalist approach to healthcare.

[00:09:09] – What is Salutogenesis?

• Dr. Rakel defines Salutogenesis, the science of health creation.

• The story behind the term and how it applies to healthcare today.

[00:13:19] – The Shift from Disease Care to Health Creation

• Dr. Rakel highlights the need for a new healthcare model that focuses on health and wellbeing.

• The importance of looking at what's right with a person instead of focusing on disease.

[00:17:18] – The Value-Based Care Model vs. Traditional Healthcare

• Dr. Rakel explains the value-based care model, focusing on patient outcomes, cost-efficiency, and improved experiences.

• How the traditional RVU model leads to unnecessary tests and treatments.

[00:20:10] – The Challenge of Reducing Polypharmacy

• Dr. Rakel discusses the dangers of polypharmacy, where patients are prescribed multiple drugs.

• How a Salutogenic approach can reduce the need for excessive medications.

[00:23:06] – Integrative Medicine and Functional Medicine: A Double-Edged Sword?

• Dr. Rakel and Dr. Ring discuss the use of functional medicine tests and supplements, comparing them to traditional medical practices.

• The importance of using a Salutogenic approach without falling back into old patterns.

[00:27:00] – The Role of Primary Care in Health

• Dr. Rakel emphasizes the value of primary care and how increasing investment can improve overall healthcare outcomes.

• How primary care can reduce emergency visits and improve health equity.

[00:29:47] – Addressing Healthcare Disparities and Primary Care Challenges

• Dr. Rakel discusses how the current healthcare system creates disparities, especially when access to primary care is limited.

• The need to make primary care more equitable to improve patient outcomes.

[00:32:55] – The Need for a Comprehensive, Team-Based Approach

• Dr. Rakel advocates for interprofessional teams that include mental health professionals, physical therapists, and health coaches in primary care.

[00:34:34] – Final Thoughts on Taking Your Health to the Next Level

• Dr. Rakel shares a personal message about the power of perception and how it affects our health.

• The importance of seeing things through a positive lens and fostering compassion for better health outcomes.

Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern

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Whether you're navigating menopause or simply striving for more vitality, this episode of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring offers valuable insights that could help you live a more vibrant and balanced life. Dr. Deanna Minich, a renowned nutrition scientist and author of The Rainbow Diet, joins Dr. Ring to discuss how phytonutrients from colorful plants can support everything from hormone balance to brain health and beyond.

[00:02:00] Dr. Minich explains the role of colorful foods in fertility, perimenopause and menopause and how different colors in food correspond to specific body functions, such as inflammation and hormone balance. She highlights the benefits of orange foods, like tangerines and mangoes, which help support ovarian health and reduce decline during perimenopause. [00:05:53] She says there are protective effects in carotenoids, found in colorful foods, on fat tissues, particularly for skin health, especially during menopause. She also emphasizes the role of purple foods like blueberries and purple sweet potatoes in protecting against oxidative stress. [00:10:27] Aging men should focus on red and green foods that support prostate and heart health, Minich says. She highlights the role of lycopene and green leafy vegetables in preventing inflammation and promoting cardiovascular health.

[00:13:21 Dr. Ring asks the importance of detoxification, particularly during weight loss or with medications like GLP-1. Minic advocates for incorporating omega-3s into the diet to support detoxification and cellular health.

[00:28:25] Melatonin is a favorite topic of Minich and she says it is not just important for sleep, but for immune health, brain function, and detoxification. She explains how melatonin helps with circadian rhythm synchronization and the removal of brain toxins, especially during sleep.

[00:36:35] Through her research, Minich has found that eating colorful foods nourishes the body and soul. She encourages listeners to make meals enjoyable and artistic, emphasizing the importance of colorful plant-based foods in daily life.

Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern

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This episode dives into a topic that could redefine healthcare as we know it. How can we shift from a disease-centered system to one that truly supports whole person well-being? Host Dr. Melinda Ring is joined by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, known for her pioneering work with the Veterans Health Administration, where she led the development of the Whole Health model, to discuss the need to shift from a disease-centered system to one that prioritizes the whole person. Dr. Gaudet highlights the importance of community-based healthcare, emphasizing that wellness begins outside the clinic and shares her vision for training future healthcare leaders through the Doctor of Whole Health Leadership Program at Southern California University Health Sciences.

[00:00:17] - Dr. Gaudet shares her path in medicine from becoming an OBGYN to being named the founding Executive Director of the University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine to becoming a leader in the Whole Health movement, highlighting her experience at the Veterans Health Administration.

[00:02:25] - She explains the Whole Health Model, which emphasizes a shift from disease-centered care to a patient-centered approach that begins with exploring what truly matters to individuals—health, purpose, and life satisfaction.

[00:12:02] - Dr. Gaudet discusses the urgent need for a transformation in American healthcare, emphasizing the breakdown of the current system and how the Whole Health model could provide the solution.

[00:21:03] - The conversation turns to the importance of leadership in healthcare reform, with Dr. Gaudet introduced the first-of-its-kind Doctor of Whole Health Leadership Program at Southern California University Health Sciences. She has designed the program to train the next generation of leaders who will drive systemic change.

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In this episode of Next Level Health, Dr. Melinda Ring and Dr. Robert Rountree dive into science-backed strategies to help you optimize your health and well-being. They discuss the role of inflammation in chronic diseases, how to repair and maintain gut health the critical role of mitochondria and how artificial intelligence may lead to true personalized medicine.

https://youtu.be/8cR909NXa6M

Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺

Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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In this episode of Next Level Health, Dr. Melinda Ring sits down with Dr. Michael Roizen, a trailblazer in lifestyle medicine, bestselling author, and the first-ever Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic. They talk about how lifestyle choices impact your "real age," six key health markers that determine your longevity and disease risk and how walking 10,000 steps per day, strength training, and jumping are essential to a healthy lifespan. They also discuss how Cleveland Clinic's employee wellness program has saved the organization tens of millions of dollars over the years and how it could be implemented at the national level.

https://youtu.be/LS2eCOklYXY

• [00:02:26] Understanding Real Age vs. Chronological Age Dr. Roizen recently celebrated his 79th birthday, but his real age is closer to age 57. He explains the concept of real age, which reflects the biological age of somebody based on their health choices, such as consistently choosing to eat salmon versus red meat. He shares how lifestyle factors impact longevity at an epigenetic level.

• [00:06:34] Revolutionizing Workplace Wellness at Cleveland Clinic As the first Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Roizen implemented the groundbreaking Healthy Choice Program, a voluntary initiative to improve employee health. The program reduced healthcare costs by millions of dollars annually for the institution and employees were incentivized to take part through payments made directly to them for meeting the goals of the program.

• [00:15:23] The Six Normals for Optimal Health A cornerstone of the Healthy Choices Program is for each participant to reach "six normals." These are key health metrics that predict long-term wellness, including optimal blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, blood sugar and no nicotine. He discusses how medications and lifestyle changes can be used to reach these targets.

• [00:23:07] Exercise & Movement: What Science Supports The discussion dives into the importance of taking 10,000 steps per day, participating in resistance training, and jumping for maintaining bone density and overall health. Dr. Roizen also touches on myths around Zone 2 training and why strength training is critical for aging well.

• [00:35:52] The Most Overlooked Risk: Preventing Falls Finally, he shares a key insight about falls being a leading cause of death in older adults. He emphasizes balance training, practicing standing on one leg, and learning how to fall safely to prevent life-threatening injuries.

Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺

Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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