On Health with Houston Methodist

Nearly half of all people in the U.S. have some type of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association, including coronary heart disease (CAD), heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure. Heart disease has also been the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. for over 100 years. So it’s safe to say that at some point, many of us will require care from a cardiologist. In this episode, we break down when you may want to consider seeing a cardiologist and what you can expect so you can make the most out of your care.

Expert: Dr. Joe Aoun, Cardiologist

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered: 

• What is a cardiologist, and what do they do? 
• The common and not-so-common conditions that cardiologists treat 
•  Which cardiologist subspecialists support those specific conditions? 
• Do you need to work with a primary care provider in order to see a cardiologist, or can you make an appointment with a cardiologist directly? 
• The classic symptoms that signal someone should see a cardiologist 
• The symptoms that can be managed during an office visit with a cardiologist, and those that indicate an emergency 
• The risk factors that should make someone consider seeing a cardiologist even if they’re not showing symptoms 
• What you can expect at your first appointment with a cardiologist 
• The tests and questions you may be asked during your first appointment  
• What you can do to make the most out of the cardiologist-patient relationship 

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

Whether it’s stabbing, burning, aching or throbbing, back pain is one of mankind’s great curses. Afflicting 90% of people at some point in their lives, it’s one of the top medical problems for which people see doctors and the leading cause of job-related disability. So what should you know when the inevitable occurs? When can you self-treat back pain and when should you see a doctor? Is surgery the answer for chronic back pain? In this week’s episode, we examine how to respond when something goes amiss with the spine, a complex system that provides both the stability to keep us standing upright and the flexibility to facilitate movement.

Expert: Dr. Paul Holman, Neurosurgeon 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• The age at which the spinal system starts to degenerate 
• Why some people just live with back pain 
• The No. 1 myth about back pain 
• Ways to prevent back issues from developing 
• The latest innovations in the understanding and care of back pain 
• Lessons from NASA spaceflight about keeping core muscles strong 
• The risk factors and causes of chronic back pain 
• Are supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin helpful? 
• The benefits of meditation for back pain 
• The Tiger Woods Syndrome: back surgery can’t fix tomorrow’s problem today 

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

Plenty of supplements and wellness products claim to help boost immunity. But given that the immune system is one of the body’s most complex processes, is keeping it strong as simple as taking a mix of vitamins and minerals in a pill or powder? In this episode, we explore how immunity works and the things you can do to help give your immune system what it needs to function optimally.

Expert: Dr. Cesar Arias, Infectious Disease Physician

Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable topics covered: 

• What a healthy immune system looks like 
• Why getting sick isn’t inherently bad 
• Do some people get sick easier than others? 
• The scoop on greens powders, vitamin C and other supplements 
• The important role your microbiome plays in immunity 
• The immune system’s first line of defense: your skin 
• What you eat, how you behave — the keys to supporting your immune system naturally 

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

Aging is something we all do if we’re lucky. As we add years in the rearview mirror, we can collect ailments over time, whether due to injuries or chronic conditions. Conventional wisdom says we get wiser as we age, but can we become or stay active? In this episode, we explore how we can adapt our exercise routines as we get older, including the key exercise recommendations to help you age well (but not necessarily get an Instagram butt).

Expert: Dr. Gillian Wooldridge, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician 

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered: 

• How our bodies change as we age, starting as young as 30 
• How exercise affects some of the physiological effects of aging 
• How to approach a meaningful strength regimen — and yes, bodyweight exercise counts! 
• Why some exercise is better than none at all 
• The FIT method (frequency, intensity, and time): jumpstart or adapt a fitness routine with this technique
• How you can prevent perimenopause symptoms, arthritis, osteoporosis or mobility issues from sidelining activity
• The types of rest needed for fitness recovery
• What to do if you notice your energy levels aren’t what they used to be 
• Is there any age where it becomes “now or never” in terms of our fitness? 
• Why encouraging exercise and fitness in younger family members is important

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

It’s the new star of the wellness show, a once humble mineral now touted as a natural antidote for insomnia, migraines, constipation, anxiety, heart and blood sugar issues ... you name it, it seems. It’s true that magnesium is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions, essential for many bodily functions and lacking in roughly half of people’s diets, according to two major studies. But is it really the holy grail of supplements, worthy of viral TikTok videos and global sales projected to surpass $1 billion in 2025? In this episode, we examine who truly needs more magnesium and sift through the different claims of what the nutrient can actually achieve.

Expert: Dr. Brotee Rahman, Primary Care Physician 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• Is magnesium any more important than other minerals and vitamins? 
• The amount of magnesium that men, women and adolescents need daily 
• The best foods to boost your magnesium intake 
• The prevalence and effects of a true magnesium deficiency 
• Are there downsides to too much magnesium supplementation? 
• Studies that found heart and diabetes risks dropped with more magnesium consumption 
• Sulfate, oxide, citrate, glycinate – what’s the best type of magnesium? 
• Can magnesium really help put you to sleep? Improve your mood? 
• Why magnesium is good after exercising  

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

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Ever heard this old saying? It's true. But too often we take a reactive approach to our health instead of a proactive one. What can we do to better monitor our overall well-being and stay ahead of chronic health issues? In this episode, we discuss the health metrics everyone should know and get tips for course correcting if one or more of those numbers is trending in a concerning direction.

Expert: Dr. Joshua Septimus, Primary Care Physician

Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable topics covered:

• The number most predictive of future health might surprise you
• Several additional metrics that are important to monitor
• More than numbers — why trends over time matter
• Why your primary care doctor should be your go-to health resource
• The most common chronic conditions you should aim to prevent
• Don't forget about cancer screenings, even if your numbers look good
• The "how to" of keeping tabs on your health, including check-up frequency
• Lifestyle habits that you can also track to help improve your health
• Why the relationship with your primary care doctor is like a marriage

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

Americans are drinking far less alcohol than they have in the past, despite an uptick in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift in attitudes — almost 9 in 10 U.S. adults say alcohol use is “very” or “somewhat” harmful, according to a recent Gallup poll — follows research debunking the idea that drinking has any health benefit. The new trend: no- and low-alcohol drinks, known as the “NoLo” movement. NoLo, the fastest-growing part of the adult beverage market, is all about enjoying beverages and preserving their flavor without alcohol. NoLo drinks are becoming more popular among consumers, particularly millennials and Gen-Z, who want to reduce their alcohol intake, whether for health, social or personal reasons. For the sober curious or those simply looking to cut back, this episode explores the wide world of mocktails and NA drinks, and what mindful drinking actually looks like.

Expert: Mag Ayyad, Registered Dietitian

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• The health benefits of drinking less
• Are mocktails and other nonalcoholic drinks simply just our favorite drinks without the booze?
• The ingredients to have on hand to make mocktails
• What to know about nonalcoholic beers and wine – and do they actually contain no alcohol?
• Alcohol-free doesn’t mean calorie-free, and why that’s an issue
• Can you overdo it with nonalcoholic drinks? 
• The differences between celebratory mocktails and ones you could enjoy every day
• Drinking mindfully: What should be your drink limit (including NA drinks)? 
• “I only drink on the weekends”: Why you may want to reconsider that approach
• How to meet yourself where you are with your drinking but still adapt your habits

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 denying probiotics are big business — and it’s not just the dietary supplement industry, valued at $12 billion. Other sectors are getting into the game too, claiming their skincare, household cleaners and mattresses contain probiotics. Why?  Probiotics are alleged to provide gastrointestinal, mental, heart, vaginal and bone and joint health benefits as well as help manage weight and blood glucose levels. Is all that really possible? For what conditions do they work? And with probiotics seemingly everywhere now, how can you choose the right one? In this episode, we share how you can evaluate probiotic claims to find a product for your desired benefit. 

Expert: Dr. Eamonn Quigley, Gastroenterologist 

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered: 

• What are probiotics, and what do they do? 
• The different types of probiotics and their science-backed health benefits 
• Are probiotics used to treat any conditions?  
• Who benefits from taking a probiotic? When should you take them? 
• Where probiotics are “naturally” found outside of supplements 
• Is it better to get probiotics from a dietary source versus a supplement? 
• Probiotic sodas & processed foods: Are they worth the sticker shock? 
• Do you really need to take probiotics during or after a course of antibiotics? 
• What are prebiotics, and how do they differ from probiotics?  
• The risks of taking probiotics 
• How to choose an effective probiotic amid the dubious claims 

Links:

• Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products Available in USA

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

Prostate cancer has been referred to as both a silent killer and the silent man’s disease. Why? For one, many men don’t like talking or even thinking about it, since the disease affects sexual and urinary function. For another, there are no obvious early warning signs. So what should every man know about prostate cancer? When should you get screened for it? And what are the risk factors, symptoms and treatments? In this episode, we shine a light on prostate cancer, a common but often misunderstood and underemphasized type of the disease.

Expert: Dr. Michael Brooks, Urologic Oncologist 

Interviewer: Zach Moore   

Notable topics covered:  

• BRCA gene mutations: They don’t just raise the risk of breast cancer     
• Symptoms common to prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate 
• Does an enlarged prostate increase the risk of prostate cancer? 
• PSA screening: when to start, when to stop 
• When do you need a digital rectal exam? Are they as bad as they sound? 
• The ages when prostate cancer treatment is most beneficial 
• Surgery or radiation? The advantages and disadvantages 
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU): the effective new therapy for some cases 
• A slow-moving tumor: Why more men die with prostate cancer than because of it 
• Active surveillance: The decision not to treat 
• Prevention? Just the standard proper diet and exercise 

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

We’ve all come across home remedies at some point in our lives. Whether it was our parents offering ginger ale for an upset stomach or a friend suggesting local honey for allergies, there’s no shortage of at-home treatments people swear by. But do any of them actually work? In this episode, we explore some of the most popular home remedies to uncover what works and what doesn’t. 

Expert:  Dr. Megan Arthur, Primary Care Physician 

Interviewer: Zach Moore 

Notable topics covered: 

• Can a frozen water bottle hack plantar fasciitis? 
• What home remedies work for a sore throat 
• Does a steak or bag of frozen peas do anything for a black eye? 
• The effect of butter or coconut oil on burns, olive oil on chapped lips   
• Can coffee alleviate gout? 
• MacGyver skin care: toothpaste for acne, duct tape for warts? 
• Does vinegar actually get rid of lice?  
• Can ginger prevent or alleviate nausea caused by morning or motion sickness? 
• How prunes and prune juice, love them or hate them, affect constipation  
• Can cranberry juice treat a urinary tract infection (UTI)? 
• Is it OK to scare someone with hiccups? 
• Can the bees in your area cure your seasonal allergies with their honey? 
• The true powers of chicken soup 

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