We look to the FDA and other sources to guide us on what we should eat to be healthy. But we also see that people can eat the same food, but their bodies may process that food quite differently. Certainly, we see some people can be allergic or intolerant to certain foods, but it’s also the case that what makes one individual overweight or diabetic or more prone to cardio-vascular disease may have no adverse effect on someone else.  Emerging research is revealing the variability in our metabolic processes, potentially opening the door to personalized nutrition planning.

Fasting is a hot topic these days, but what does the science say?  In Episode 11 we discussed a study that indicated people who didn't eat breakfast actually had higher rates of cardio vascular disease.  But, as we discussed, there were a number of confounding variables and the absolute risk difference was small.  In this episode we look at a study relating eating or not eating breakfast, exercise and net energy; and also discuss fasting generally. 

Hi fat, so-called Ketogenic, diets are all the rage these days.  Carbohydrates are cast as the nutritional villain and primary culprit in today's obesity epidemic.  But, has the pendulum swung too far?  Are there "good carbohydrates", and if so, why do we need to make them a part of our diet? 

Is breakfast "the most important meal of the day"?  What about skipping breakfast as part of a, supposedly beneficial, intermittent fasting routine.  Is  there evidence that skipping breakfast is bad for our health?   

The question of whether your weight is predetermined by your genetic profile (nature), or by your lifestyle (nurture) has been debated for a long while.  Scientific studies are beginning to inform answers to that question and even attribute risk profiles for being overweight based on your particular genes.  This episode explores two recently published studies linking genetics and Body Mass Index (BMI).  We also discuss the utility of insights from genetic testing such as available through services like 23 and Me.

This is the second of our two part series on the power of sleep.  In this episode we continue the discussion of the many ways sleep can impact our healthspan for better, and for worse.  And, we also talk about how you can improve your sleep quantity and quality.

We spend roughly 1/3 of our lives sleeping. Why? Why did we evolve such that being helpless for such a long period was more adaptive than being conscious? Scientists are beginning to discover the answers to these questions, and what we can do to improve our sleep patterns.  This is Part 1 of a 2 Part series on sleep. 

While we have a fairly clear idea of the fundamentals of maintaining and healthy body (regular exercise and proper nutrition), what we should do to maintain healthy brain functions is not as defined - particularly as we age.  Alzheimer's and Dementia rates are rising while effective treatments remain elusive, so these diseases are a significant risk to our healthspan.  In addition, we're increasingly inundated with ads for so called "nootropics" extolling their ability to enhance cognitive functions in healthy brains.  This episode addresses these issues and surveys what the current brain research indicates we should believe and act upon.

One of our most important relationships is with our physician.  But, does the US's current healthcare system make it difficult for doctors, in particular Primary Care Practitioners (PCP's), to spend the required to provide quality care to their patients?  Do new technologies like Electronic Health Records help or hinder the Doctor/Patient relationship?  And, what can individuals do to get more value from their doctor visits?

Vitamin, mineral and other nutritional supplements are a $30 billion a year industry in the US alone.  But, are people actually benefiting from the money they are spending?  Are claims of efficacy valid? Is there potential harm from ingesting some of these substances?  We address these questions and others on this episode.