If you're over "diet" trends, we don't blame you. But the Mediterranean Diet isn't your usual diet. For starters, the U.S. News & World Report has named it the best overall diet for six years in a row. And most dietitians don’t even like referring to it as a diet anyway. In this episode, we cover how this eating pattern benefits everything from heart health to weight management and get tips for starting a Mediterranean Diet.

Expert: Lea Obeid, Registered Dietitian
Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable topics covered:

• A deep dive into the underlying principles of the Mediterranean Diet
• Yes, you can still have meat on the diet
• How many whole grains can you actually name?
• The two types of veggies — starchy and nonstarchy
• The health benefits of healthy fats, including olive oils
• How to get enough protein from plants
• Burgers, avocado toast, cereal, chips and dip — do they fit?
• How to make the Mediterranean Diet work for your lifestyle
• Tricks of the trade from a dietitian who grew up in the Mediterranean

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Neurological disorders are the world’s leading cause of ill health and disability, but people are often slow to recognize the relevant symptoms. More than 3.4 billion people have a disorder of the nervous system — the brain, spinal cord and nerves — and the numbers will only keep growing as the population ages. The disorders range from Alzheimer's disease to neuropathy and stroke to multiple sclerosis and cause a wide range of symptoms. So what are the early symptoms that suggest you might have a neurological disorder? And how can a neurologist help? In this week’s episode, we discuss the most common of the more than 600 neurological disorders and what patients should expect during a first-time appointment with a neurologist.

Expert: Dr. Tanu Garg, Neurologist

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman

Notable topics covered: 

• The neurology symptoms that warrant an immediate trip to the ER 
• Might an episode of vertigo really be a symptom of stroke? 
• Spouse staring into space? They might not be ignoring you, they might be having a seizure  
• The role neurologists play in the diagnosis and management of brain tumors 
• How do you know if the pain in your arm or lower back is caused by a pinched nerve 
• Why shingles patients need to make an appointment at the first sign of pain and rash 
• Not getting headache relief? You might get a different medication from a neurologist 
• The stroke acronym that has replaced FAST 
• The questions and tests you’ll likely get at an initial neurologist appointment 

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"The Change." "Ovarian Retirement." "Private Summer." "Reverse Puberty." "Second Spring." There are many ways society describes perimenopause and menopause, both positive and negative. But while we sit down with preteens to give them "The Talk" about how their bodies will change during puberty, there isn't an analog for 35-year-old women facing their next transition. In this episode, we talk with a gynecologist who specializes in menopausal medicine about what that second "Talk" might sound like so women (and the men in their lives) can be more informed about the transition and get proper care and support when they need it.

Expert: Dr. Erin Manning, Gynecologist

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• Is menopause really a second puberty?
• The difference between menopause and perimenopause
• The common and not-so-common symptoms of perimenopause
• How treating menopause symptoms has changed over time
• The controversy around hormone therapy — and why its use is resurging
• Non-hormonal medications & lifestyle changes to help manage perimenopausal symptoms
• Are there long-term health issues associated with not treating perimenopausal symptoms?
• Is there a link between menopause and dementia?
• "Doctor, I think I'm in perimenopause" — framing the conversation, advocating for yourself
• Why testing hormone levels isn't an accurate gauge for diagnosing or treating perimenopause
• Are the newer telehealth startups, at-home tests, devices and supplements helpful or hype?
• Why you should have a second "The Talk" with your doctor to not fear menopause

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

Fatigued? Libido fading? Muscle wasting away? You’re the perfect candidate for testosterone therapy, at least according to those seductive TV commercials. There’s certainly an ample market, with more than 1 in 3 men older than 45 suffering from a deficiency in the hormone responsible for masculine characteristics. But is low T therapy really a fountain of youth? Who really benefits from it? And is it safe? In this episode, we talk to a urologist about what’s often called the male menopause and when replacement therapy is the appropriate response. 

Expert: Dr. Nathan Starke, Urologist 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• Does too much testosterone really cause “roid rage?” 
• Is declining testosterone inevitable? What are normal levels? 
• Natural ways to boost your testosterone 
• The symptoms that warrant going in for a blood test  
• Why testosterone use tripled in the century’s first decade 
• Types of prescription testosterone: injections, gels, patches and, now, pills 
• Have concerns about heart side effects been debunked? 
• The connection between testosterone and prostate cancer 
• Testosterone’s little-known precipitous drop: impending fatherhood 
• The causes of low testosterone 
• The difference between testosterone therapy and performance-enhancing steroids 

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

There’s no shortage of advice on the internet about how you should approach skin care. Whether it’s celebrity GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos, influencers promoting their skin-care companies or Big Beauty targeting you with social media ads, we’re inundated with messaging about how to care for our skin — especially if antiaging is a concern. In this episode, we speak with a medical aesthetician who shares what works and what doesn’t when it comes to all things skin care: antiaging, devices, procedures and more. 

Expert: Annie Christenson, Licensed Medical Aesthetician 

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered: 

• The surprising steps of a bare-bones healthy skin-care routine 
• Why skin care is like exercise  
• Tretinoin vs. over-the-counter retinols: Is one better than the other? 
• You’ve seen the ads — are teledermatology startups a good option? 
• How to know when products work for your skin type 
• What it’s like working with a medical aesthetician 
• The at-home skin-care devices worth buying  
• How long you should wait to see results from your skin-care routine  
• Microneedling, dermaplaning and other skin-care treatments  
• Do collagen supplements work?  
• The red and green flags for finding a skin-care professional to work with 
• Aging gracefully with little intervention is a valid choice 

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

Think you don't need to worry about your blood sugar? It's time to reconsider. A shocking 1 in 3 adults over age 20 have prediabetes, an early warning sign that there's too much sugar in the blood. What's more, nearly 80% of people are unaware they have the silent precursor to type 2 diabetes. In this episode, we discuss the factors that put you at greatest risk and the steps to take when it comes to managing blood sugar and preventing diabetes.

Expert: Dr. Archana Sadhu, Endocrinologist

Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable topics covered:

• What is blood sugar, what is prediabetes and when do you need to worry about it?
• All about glucose regulation, insulin resistance and how type 2 diabetes develops
• Why you should eat fruit rather than drink fruit juice
• When and how often should we be getting our blood sugar checked?
• The factors that increase the risk of prediabetes and warrant earlier screening
• Dr. Sadhu's three keys to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
• We used to be hunters and gatherers, now we're processed food eaters
• Simple vs. complex carbs: How each affects blood sugar
• Continuous glucose monitors: Should someone without diabetes consider wearing one of these devices?
• Diabetes prevention in a bottle? What you should know about blood sugar supplements

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

If the phrase "heart-healthy diet" makes you think of poached chicken and steamed vegetables without salt or seasoning, you're not alone. But eating to improve heart health — whether to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels or slow coronary artery disease — doesn't mean signing up for a lifetime of bland food. In this episode, we explore the different ingredients, simple swaps and best cooking methods to help achieve our health goals without sacrificing one of life's great pleasures — enjoying delicious food.

Expert: Amanda Beaver, Registered Dietitian

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• Do you need to fear sugar in a heart-healthy diet?
• The salt shaker isn't your enemy — discover the true culprit for excess sodium intake
• Tips & tricks to shopping for (and cooking with) ingredients from the grocery store's middle aisles
• Sea salt, iodized, Kosher, Himalayan pink: Is one better than the other?
• Why you should revisit (or bulk up) your spice drawer or cabinet
• Can acid make smaller amounts of salt go farther in dishes?
• MSG, the controversial ingredient that can add savoriness with two-thirds less sodium
• Healthier choices when shopping for cooking oil
• Why not all fats are bad — and the swaps that can help improve our heart health
• Is there a healthier option to white table sugar?
• Why your mindset should be "what can I add" rather than "what I should take away"
• Why cooking method matters and why we should use our oven or air fryer more

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Apologies for the bathroom talk, but we need to discuss a growing (and concerning) digestive trend. A recent study reported that almost half of all Americans are struggling with chronic gastrointestinal issues. It’s also estimated that 1 in 3 of us wouldn’t discuss our symptoms unless our doctor asked us about them first. Yikes. In today’s episode, we cover those bathroom questions you’ve been too hesitant to ask about yourself. 

Expert: Dr. Eamonn Quigley, Gastroenterologist 

Interviewer: Katie McCallum 

Notable topics covered: 

• The undeniable increase in digestive issues 
• From top to bottom, a list of the GI problems that can affect the body 
• The digestive “red flags” that should never be ignored 
• Other GI symptoms you shouldn’t wait to seek care for 
• The interesting connection between your brain and your gut 
• Lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity: How common are they really? 
• Where to begin if you think the problem is your diet 
• Can food allergy and microbiome tests provide answers? 
• The effectiveness of digestive supplements, probiotics, prebiotics and more 
• Signs that antacids, laxatives and other over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough 

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

You may think of colorectal cancer as an older person’s disease, but over the last 30 years rates in people younger than age 50 have increased by 50%. Indeed, for people under 50, colorectal cancer is now the No. 1 cause of cancer death in men and the No. 2 cause in women, behind only breast cancer. Why are cases jumping?  What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer? And how can you reduce your risk? In this episode, we talk with a colon and rectal surgeon about the alarming trend that’s something of a mystery even to doctors.

Expert: Dr. Tareq Kamal, Colon and Rectal Surgeon

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• Is colorectal cancer more aggressive in younger people than those over 50? 
• Are the risk factors different for those diagnosed at younger ages?  
• Learn the symptoms of colorectal cancer – and whether they differ among age groups 
• The current screening recommendations for colorectal cancer & how they’ve evolved  
• Colorectal cancer screening tests – which may work for you? 
• Colonoscopy: What to do if you’re anxious; is prep that bad? 
• What colorectal cancer treatment plans can look like  
• What younger people are being misdiagnosed with when they’re experiencing colon cancer 
• How to advocate for yourself if you are having symptoms 
• What people of all ages can do to help lower their risk of colorectal cancer 

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It’s been called the most common and serious condition you’ve never heard of. Metabolic syndrome, which afflicts an estimated 1 in 3 U.S. adults, occurs when the body’s metabolism is disrupted, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Why is it on the rise? What triggers it? And how can you boost your natural metabolism to prevent the condition? In this week’s episode, we talk to an endocrinologist about why some people can eat so heartily without gaining weight, how much of metabolism is genetic and which groups are most at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. 

Expert: Dr. Laila Tabatabai, Endocrinologist 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• Is a fast metabolism always preferable to a slow one? 
• The surprising ages when metabolism slows — and doesn’t slow 
• The counter-intuitive effect of starvation diets on metabolism 
• Should doctors more routinely test patients for metabolic rate? 
• Whether pills that claim to boost metabolism work 
• The ties between fertility and metabolic health 
• The cluster of risk factors that indicate metabolic syndrome 
• Insights from metabolic health research that can help people shed weight 
• Best exercise for speeding up metabolism — aerobic or strength training? 
• The best diets to prevent metabolic syndrome 
• Why middle-aged women have a harder losing weight than men 

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.