The Better Prescription

There are dangerous levels of glyphosate and other harmful chemicals used in food that could be causing cancer. In this episode of The Better Prescription, Dr. Minni Malhotra discusses how the recommended limits of glyphosate are not being adhered to in food and what foods contain it in excess. She explains how harmful it is for us and lists the many ways it can be destructive to our health. Dr. Malhotra also warns us which foods containing this toxin we should avoid and how we can detoxify from it to prevent its harmful effects and even prevent cancer! Tune in today to learn some useful tips about how to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Insight into the research that indicates that glyphosate is a cancer-causing chemical. 
• What the current regulations are about ‘safe’ levels of glyphosate in food. 
• How much glyphosate is in our foods and examples of which foods contain the highest levels. 
• Concluding that glyphosate is harmful to humans. 
• Six ways in which glyphosate could be harming you: firstly, it may rob you of minerals.
• Two: it could damage your liver. 
• Three: it may lead to gut health issues.
• Four: it could damage your kidneys. 
• Five: it could increase your risk of serious health issues.
• Six: it could disrupt mitochondrial function.
• Dr. Malhotra’s advice on which of the foods that contain glyphosate you should avoid.
• How you can detoxify from glyphosate. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email Address

Anchor Wellness Center

The Institute for Functional Medicine

The International Agency for Research on Cancer

Monsanto

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

General Mills

Pepsi Co.

Environmental Working Group

The Quaker Oats Company

The Environmental Protection Agency

International Energy Research

The Food and Drug Administration

Kellogg’s

Mega Food

Ben & Jerry’s

Tony Felder Farm

Mom’s Organic Market

Nature’s Path

One Degree Organic Foods

Happy Family Organics

Patagonia

PCC Community Markets

Amy’s Kitchen

Are you looking for ways to lower your spending and get the best deals? Then you have come to the right place! We have all done it at least once, go out shopping for groceries and come back with much more than intended. This coupled with increasing food costs, means we all need to reconsider our shopping habits. In this episode, listeners will hear 30 top tips to help you save money on your next grocery shopping mission. Some tips include staying away from the coupon trap, the importance of shopping lists, common misconceptions about the freezer sections, why shopping alone is better, and much more! Tune in today to hear the best tips and tricks to help you budget better with, Dr. Minni Malhotra!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Stay away from the coupon trap
• Make a list of what you need and stick to it.
• What to do if you have forgotten your list to remember the items that you need.
• Remember to take advantage of clearance sales like you would at other stores.
• How some basic math can help you identify the best deal in the aisle.
• Reducing the amount of meat you buy and replacing it with vegetarian meals.
• Join loyalty programs to take advantage of unique deals.
• Prioritizing meals or food that you can freeze.
• The advantages of meal prepping when trying to save money.
• Meticulously track grocery spending and stick to your budget.
• Avoid convenience and pre-packaged meals.
• Why shopping alone is an easy way to reduce spending.
• How to ensure the best deals when buying in bulk.
• A software resource that can help you find the best deals.
• Why you should non-brand items instead of branded items.
• Benefits of shopping during quieter times to your budget.
• Why getting to know the staff can help you save and find the best deals.
• An example of an alternative to a grocery store.
• Start with a basket to avoid the psychological temptation of filling a cart.
• What type of music the grocery store plays to keep you there for longer.
• Use your freezer and use it properly.
• When is the best time to shop.
• Take advantage of delivery services in order to avoid in-store temptations.
• How taking a photo of your fridge or pantry can help you save.
• The common misconception about the freezer section.
• Check your receipt, sometimes the stores make mistakes.
• Alternative examples for listeners on where to buy healthy snacks.
• Skipping an ingredient if you only need a small amount.
• We end off with a final resource to help you budget further.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Kitchn

Megan Splawn on LinkedIn

Megan Splawn on Instagram

Ibotta Application

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

We’ve all heard the expression, but today Dr. Minni Malhotra answers the question “Is laughter really the best medicine?” Tuning in, you’ll hear how varying the benefits of laughter can be. Dr. Minni explains what actually happens physiologically when you laugh and elaborates on how this can affect your mental health, your immune system, stress relief, physical pain, physical tension, and even your weight loss efforts. She sheds light on new research into the positive effects of laughter on diabetes treatment and talks about how it may prevent heart disease, stroke, and types of cancers, and how laughing may even help you to live longer. To hear all these fascinating insights into the many health benefits of laughter as well as Dr. Minni’s tips on how to incorporate it into your life daily life, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today’s topic: is laughter really is the best medicine? 
• How varying the benefits of laughter are. 
• How laughter affects your mental health.  
• What actually happens physiologically when you laugh.  
• New research into the positive effects of laughter on diabetes treatment. 
• A study that proved that laughing after dinner resulted in a lower blood sugar spike.
• How there are no downsides to laughing.  
• How laughter helps your immune system.
• How laughter encourages an endorphin release which can reduce pain and relieve stress. 
• Why laughter may help you to live longer. 
• How laughter may prevent heart disease, stroke, and even types of cancers. 
• The weight-loss benefits of laughter.
• How laughter helps to release physical tension. 
• How to incorporate laughter into your life daily life. 
• The benefits of finding a humor therapy group.
• Some funny shows that Dr. Minni recommends.
• The benefits of having a pet. 
• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rick and Morty 

Friends 

How I Met Your Mother 

Black Monday

Peep Show

Trailer Park Boys 

Comedy Central

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Better Prescription with Dr. Minni Malhotra, a physician with a passion for helping people understand that there are better, scientifically grounded alternatives to prescriptions and medical procedures to take care of your health. Aging is a natural part of life and is closely linked to the health of a person but is also related to underlying genetics, more specifically epigenetics. During today’s conversation, we explore the field of epigenetics and why this is an important health consideration. We will learn about what epigenetics is, the relationship between age and epigenetics, how genes play a role in your health, the interplay between genes and the development of cancer, and much more. Tune in to find out more about this fascinating topic!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Minni outlines the process of aging.
• The field of epigenetics is explained and how it relates to gene expression.
• How genes, behavior, and environment play a role in your health! 
• What the difference is between genetic change and epigenetics.
• A brief explanation of what DNA methylation is.
• The difference between DNA methylation and demethylation.
• The roles that methylation and demethylation play in the aging process.
• Hear about histone modification and how it relates to gene expression.
• The role of RNA and noncoding RNA in the context of genetics is explained.
• How epigenetics can change during human development.
• Talking about epigenetic center versus ability.
• The effects epigenetic changes can have on your immune system.
• Learn about how epigenetic mutations lead to the development of cancer.
• Find out how a woman’s environment and behavior can alter a baby’s epigenetic structure during pregnancy.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Better Prescription with Dr. Minni Malhotra. During today’s conversation, we explore the importance of mitochondrial health. We start with the foundation of how the body converts organic compounds from our food into chemical energy using mitochondria. Learn about the stress associated with the level of energy our mitochondria generate from growth and how the resulting free radicals can accelerate aging. You’ll hear how health intelligence tests use mitochondrial regeneration to measure mitochondrial health and find out how mitochondria send signals when cells are not operational in a process called apoptosis. We discuss a few theories about the byproducts of cellular activity and explore why free radicals alone cannot explain the aging process before unpacking the role of mtDNA and discussing Toren Finkel’s theory about mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we talk about the implications of mitochondrial and cellular health on human wellness, with urolithin A at the center. Dr. Malhotra uses cellular health to help her patients go from sick and tired to wellness and vitality. Join us today to hear more. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Today’s topic: the importance of mitochondrial health. 
• How our body converts organic compounds from our food into chemical energy using mitochondria.
• The stress associated with the level of energy our mitochondria generates when they grow.
• Why free radicals produced by this stress can develop into destructive oxidative stress.
• How health intelligence tests use mitochondrial regeneration to measure mitochondrial health.
• Apoptosis: signals sent from mitochondria when cells are not operational.
• An overview of Denham Harman’s theory that as cells metabolize nutrients and consume oxygen they produce reactive oxygen species as a byproduct.
• Why free radicals alone are not a sufficient explanation for aging.
• Why mitochondria never entirely lost their primordial genome today known as mtDNA.
• How mtDNA changes with age.
• Toren Finkel’s theory that mitochondrial dysfunction doesn’t necessarily result from DNA.
• What Mitophagy and the healthy mitochondria is according to Johan Auwerx.
• Studies around how urolithin A can be used to boost human health.
• How gut diversity differs from person to person.
• Results from the trial published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Why supplements cannot replace exercise or make up for your lifestyle.
• Why prevention over therapy is important.
• How diseases can arise when you don’t care for your cellular health.
• Why your body has more in common with a luxury car than you may think.
• How she uses cellular health in her practice to help people go from sick and tired to wellness and vitality.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institute for Functional Medicine

Everyone wants to live a long life, but, if the goal is longevity, how you live matters! Aging is a natural, yet complex physiological process that is influenced by many factors, some of which are modifiable. As we age, it’s important to develop certain interventions to ease the process and decelerate vulnerability to disease. Exercise is one such intervention, and thankfully it’s easy to implement! In this episode, you’ll learn about the physiological and hormonal changes that occur with age and how resistance training, paired with a healthy diet, can reduce frailty, prevent insulin resistance, and generally extend your quality of life. Tune in to hear more about the undeniable link between exercise and longevity!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The benefits of regular exercise for longevity and disease prevention.
• What exercise training programs should include.
• The physiological rhythms that change with age.
• What age-related loss of complexity is and how exercise can decelerate it.
• The role of homeostenosis in increasing vulnerability to disease.
• How increasing muscle mass reduces frailty.
• Sarcopenia as a risk factor for mortality.
• The side effects of decreasing muscle mass.
• The important mitigating role of activity!
• Why recovery is slower as we age.
• The hormonal changes that contribute to age-associated alterations in muscle mass and function.
• How tightly muscle mass is linked to lifespan.
• The benefits of resistance training.
• The importance of combining a healthy diet with resistance training.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institute for Functional Medicine

American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine

Many people are curious as to what functional medicine is, essentially, and how it differs from conventional medicine. In this episode, you’ll hear all about the principal differences and the patient-centered philosophy of functional medicine. We discuss the ways in which functional medicine aims to address the root cause of disease, as opposed to its insurance-based counterpart. Instead of suppressing inflammation, functional medicine delves into all the factors that may be causing the inflammation in the first place and looks to restore health holistically rather than simply managing symptoms. Tune in to find out about functional medicine’s core processes and the core imbalances it tackles!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What functional medicine is and how it differs from conventional medicine.
• The tools functional medicine provides to address the root cause and restore health.
• Dr. Malhotra dispels the misconception that most diseases are genetically determined.
• The myriad of influences altering gene expression.
• How functional medicine directly addresses the modulators of gene expression.
• The importance of taking into account the impact of social determinants of health.
• The core processes by which the functional medicine knowledge base is informed.
• The systems-based, rather than organ-based, approach functional medicine employs.
• What the functional medicine multi-model treatment plan consists of.
• The patient-centered philosophy of functional medicine.
• What the Matrix is and how it’s used to identify functional imbalances.
• Six core functional imbalances.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

In the previous episode, we discussed toxins, and today, we delve even deeper into the topic. We recap the common sources of toxins, look at the factors affecting the level of toxins in our bodies, and break down the detoxification process! In this episode, you’ll find out what causes detoxification inefficiencies in the body, the benefits of actively detoxing, and what our detox food plan entails. You’ll learn more about allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances, which foods support the detoxification process, and why personalized food reintroduction is recommended post-detox. Tune in for some valuable tips for minimizing the intake of harmful substances and how to give your liver a break!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• What ‘detox’ means, specifically in terms of metabolic detoxification.
• Common environmental and other sources of toxins!
• Three factors affecting the toxin levels in our bodies.
• The symptoms and diseases related to a build-up of toxins.
• What causes detoxification inefficiencies.
• The benefits of detoxing!
• The role of food in the detoxification process.
• The two phases of detoxification in the liver and which foods support each step.
• The importance of hydration and consistent bowel movements for detoxing.
• The goal of the detox food plan and what it entails.
• The difference between allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances.
• What personalized food reintroduction is and why it’s recommended following a detox diet.
• How the detox food plan supports the liver.
• Which foods are included and excluded in the detox diet.
• Tips for minimizing the intake of harmful substances.
• Potential reactions you might experience while detoxing.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

In this modern age, toxic contaminants are consumed from multiple common sources all around us every single day, and yet we don't often think of the hard work our organs have to do to get rid of them. Today's session is all about how our bodies do this, and how to support this vital process. You'll hear the long list of environmental contaminants that we are exposed to, as well as the numerous other factors which are part of the body's burden of toxicity, and the scary results of what happens when we don't detox effectively. Dr. Minni shares the steps and pathways in the body that are responsible for this detoxification process and provides information on a detox food plan and elimination diet that helps in identifying what is bringing toxicity to your body. Finally, you'll hear a bit about the success of her unique methodology and the huge benefits reported from undertaking this life-changing process! We hope you join us today for another hugely important and relevant episode of The Better Prescription. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introductory comments about why your body is like a car and needs to be checked regularly!
• Defining the word 'detox' in functional medicine.
• A long list of common environmental contaminants and how we are exposed to these.
• How we develop a toxic burden in our bodies. 
• What happens when we don't detoxify effectively.
• Hear about the steps and pathways of detoxification. 
• How you can support the detoxification process safely. 
• A bit about the detox food plan and elimination process. 
• Dr. Minnie shares her unique methodology called COPE. 
• A story of someone whose life was changed by the detox method. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institue for Functional Medicine

One of the best predictors of mortality is heart rate variability. Join us today as Dr. Minni breaks down what heart rate variability means, how it is linked to pathology, and what you can do to increase yours! The episode begins with a clear discussion around the physiology governing heart rate and blood pressure, and how this links to heart rate variability. We hear about the pathologies linked to a low heart rate variability, and how tracking beat-to-beat is a much better indicator of cardiac health than using an average. Find out how autonomic balance impacts your health, and why a higher resting heart rate is usually linked to a lower heart rate variability, and thus increased mortality. Dr. Minni also gives some great tips and tricks on how you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system to increase your heart rate variability. Tune in for all this, and so much more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to heart rate variability and what to expect from this episode. 
• How the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems interact to adjust heart rate and blood pressure. 
• Why your heart rate is not a steady-state condition.
• The importance of studying the heart beat-to-beat rather than as an average. 
• The pathologies linked to a low heart rate variability. 
• What “autonomic balance” means for your health.
• Why higher resting heart rates are independent markers of mortality. 
• How the sympathetic system increases your heart rate. 
• Dr. Minni’s tips for how you can increase your parasympathetic nervous system stimulation and improve your heart rate variability. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Heart Rate Variability: New Perspectives on Physiological Mechanisms, Assessment of Self-regulatory Capacity, and Health risk

The Population-Based Longitudinal Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study (CHASRS): Study Description and Predictors of Attrition in Older Adults

Anchor Wellness Center

Dr. Minni Malhotra

Dr. Minni Malhotra Email

The Institute for Functional Medicine