The healthcare system is cracking under pressure, and it's not just about staffing shortages or budget cuts. Drawing from 19 years of medical practice, I peel back the layers of our current healthcare crisis to reveal what's really breaking the system: an epidemic of preventable lifestyle diseases.

Remember when eating an apple instead of a processed granola bar wasn't considered "going on a diet"? Our modern world has engineered unhealthy choices to be the easiest ones, creating a perfect storm that's overwhelming medical resources. The pandemic didn't create this problem—it merely accelerated a breakdown that was already underway, pushing healthcare workers to early retirement and stretching remaining resources beyond their limits.

Most patients I see daily suffer from conditions directly linked to lifestyle factors: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and more. These chronic diseases consume the majority of healthcare spending, yet we continue treating symptoms while ignoring root causes. It's not about blaming patients—we've all been nudged toward processed foods, sedentary behaviors, increased screen time, and diminished face-to-face social connections.

The solution isn't simply hiring more doctors or building more hospitals. It's about reimagining prevention through lifestyle medicine: focusing on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and meaningful connections. Every time you choose whole foods over processed ones, take a walk instead of scrolling social media, or prioritize genuine human interaction, you're not just improving your personal health—you're helping preserve our healthcare system for those who truly need it.

Ready to make a difference? Start with one small change today. Your health and our healthcare system both depend on it. Visit plantbaseddrjules.com for free resources to support your journey toward better health and a more sustainable healthcare future.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

The wellness world has convinced many of us that when it comes to vitamins and supplements, more equals better. This dangerous misconception has real consequences, as I've witnessed firsthand with patients like Samantha, whose well-intentioned supplement routine led to permanent nerve damage.

Through Samantha's story, we explore how her daily stack of supplements—a multivitamin, B-complex, energy powder, and relaxation gummies—unknowingly delivered 140mg of vitamin B6 daily, far exceeding the upper tolerable limit. After eight months, she developed pyridoxine-induced sensory neuropathy, with symptoms of tingling, burning sensations, numbness, and coordination loss that she initially attributed to perimenopause.

This toxicology principle—"the dose makes the poison"—applies universally. Vitamin A, essential for vision and immunity, can cause liver damage and birth defects in excess. Iron supplementation without testing can be particularly dangerous for those with hemochromatosis, affecting 1 in 200 people of European descent. Even vitamin D, selenium, and other B vitamins follow this pattern—beneficial at appropriate doses but potentially harmful when overconsumed.

Why do whole foods differ from supplements? When nutrients come from food, they arrive with fiber, water, and compounds that help your body regulate absorption. Your body controls how much beta-carotene from carrots converts to vitamin A, but high-dose supplements bypass these natural safeguards. The supplement industry capitalizes on our vulnerability with marketing terms like "megadose" and "pharmaceutical grade," while long wait times for medical care drive many to self-diagnose based on symptoms rather than testing.

The solution isn't avoiding supplements entirely but approaching them wisely: consult healthcare providers before supplementing, get appropriate testing, understand daily allowances and upper limits, check for supplement duplication, choose reputable brands with third-party testing, and prioritize nutrient-rich whole foods first. Your health isn't about adding more—it's about finding that optimal balance where nutrients support rather than harm your body.

Have you checked your supplement stack lately? Share this episode with someone whose medicine cabinet might be putting them at risk.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

What really happens after your doctor closes the exam room door? How do physicians feel when they can't give you the time you deserve? The healthcare system has trained us to focus on symptoms, tests, and diagnoses, but we rarely discuss the human experiences on both sides of medicine.

Drawing from nearly two decades in healthcare, I'm pulling back the curtain to reveal what doctors wish every patient understood about their reality. The truth might surprise you: physicians carry your stories home, cry over difficult cases, and often work while sicker than the patients they're treating. Behind the professional demeanor lies deep caring that extends far beyond the brief medical encounter.

The modern healthcare system places impossible demands on both doctors and patients. With specialists facing hundreds of new consultation requests monthly while already working at capacity, the math simply doesn't add up. Most physicians work 50-60 hour weeks with months-long waitlists, yet still face criticism for seeming rushed during appointments. This episode explains why canceling a clinic creates cascading problems that follow a doctor for months, and why your physician might choose to work through illness rather than reschedule patients who've waited months for care.

Beyond time constraints, we explore the power of lifestyle medicine, the uncertainty inherent in medical practice, and the need for collaborative healthcare models. I've witnessed patients reverse chronic conditions through consistent lifestyle changes, but guiding these transformations requires time that our current system rarely allows. The future likely involves integrated teams of specialists working together to support patients holistically.

Whether you're frustrated with your healthcare experience or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers perspective that could transform your next medical visit. Want to help create a better system? Start by understanding the realities your healthcare providers face every day.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

We're living in a world where depth has become a disadvantage. The infamous "TLDR" (Too Long, Didn't Read) mentality has infiltrated health communication, replacing nuanced discussion with catchy, often misleading soundbites. While scrolling through claims like "carbs are bad" and "seed oils will kill you," we've lost sight of what meaningful health information actually looks like.

This episode unpacks how social media algorithms don't just shorten content—they actively filter it, creating dangerous echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs while hiding opposing viewpoints. The result? A risk perception gap where we obsess over minor health concerns like red light therapy while ignoring the established major killers: hypertension, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, ultra-processed foods, loneliness, and poor sleep. We're literally "stepping over dollars to pick up pennies."

The solution lies in returning to fundamentals—the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. These evidence-based approaches can reduce mortality and chronic disease risk by 20-50%, while viral health hacks barely move the needle. Real health transformation doesn't come from seven-word answers or 15-second reels—it emerges from building consistent habits around whole food plant-based nutrition, regular movement, quality sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoiding harmful substances. The next time you're tempted by a trending health hack, ask yourself: am I chasing quick fixes, or am I building habits that will actually serve my long-term health? Your wellbeing deserves more than likes and algorithms; it deserves depth, context, and critical thinking.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

Death comes for us all, yet most of us live as though immortal. As a physician who's witnessed countless final moments, I've observed a heartbreaking pattern: people realizing too late that their health was never guaranteed, but rather the culmination of thousands of daily choices.

This episode dives deep into what the deceased might tell us if they could speak again. The bedside confessions are startlingly consistent: "I thought I had more time." "I was too proud to change." "I wish I'd started healing sooner." These aren't just emotional pleas—they reflect a medical reality that the scientific literature confirms. According to the Danish Twin Study, roughly 80% of our health span and lifespan is determined not by our genetics, but by our lifestyle choices. While genetics may load the gun, it's our daily habits around nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management that pull the trigger.

Most chronic diseases aren't random acts of nature or bad luck—they're slow-building consequences of lives led on autopilot. The damage accumulates silently for years: high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, insulin resistance, inflammation. By the time symptoms appear, significant harm has often already occurred. Yet this sobering reality comes with empowering news: you still have time. You're not powerless. The body has remarkable capacity for healing when given the right conditions. Sustainable health isn't built through 28-day challenges or miracle supplements, but through consistent choices made over months and decades. What small change could you make today that your future self would thank you for? Because someday isn't on the calendar, and later is never guaranteed. Your body is listening even when you're not—what message are you sending it?

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

Death doesn't wait for symptoms, and neither should you. This eye-opening episode tackles the critical yet often avoided topic of men's health during Men's Health Month.

Did you know men are 24% less likely than women to have seen a doctor in the past year? The statistics are alarming, but there's hope. Whether you identify as male or simply care about the men in your life, this conversation could literally save lives. Dr. Jules dives deep into why men avoid healthcare (hint: it's not laziness) and how cultural messaging about "toughness" and "manning up" contributes to shorter male lifespans.

The episode delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the top three killers of men - heart disease, cancer, and strokes - with practical strategies for prevention. Rather than vague advice, Dr. Jules provides age-specific screening recommendations from your 20s through your 60s and beyond. Through compelling real patient stories, including a 52-year-old man who was a "walking time bomb" despite feeling fine and a 59-year-old whose delayed colonoscopy led to advanced cancer, the message becomes clear: waiting for symptoms can be deadly.

What makes this conversation especially powerful is its framing of men's health as a family issue. Women, who make up over 80% of the podcast's audience and often serve as family health coordinators, receive practical guidance on supporting the men they love. The episode concludes with a profound reminder that prevention isn't just about extending life, but enriching it. Share this episode with someone you care about—it might be the nudge they need to make that appointment they've been avoiding.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

Fasting has become a health buzzword, but beneath the hype lies a complex metabolic tool with specific benefits and important caveats. In this comprehensive exploration, I break down the science behind different fasting approaches and reveal why not all fasting styles deliver the same results.

The episode distinguishes between four major fasting types that are often confused: prolonged fasting (multi-day), intermittent fasting (alternate day or 5:2), time-restricted eating (daily eating windows), and fasting-mimicking diets (low-calorie regimens). Each approach affects your body differently, and understanding these distinctions is crucial before embarking on any fasting regimen.

While fasting shows impressive benefits for weight management, metabolic health, inflammation reduction, and potentially even cancer treatment support, these advantages come with important qualifications. The podcast reveals a critical insight often overlooked: fasting paired with poor nutrition during eating windows can negate most benefits and potentially cause harm. For those primarily interested in weight loss, the evidence suggests early time-restricted eating (finishing dinner by 5-6pm) provides the most sustainable approach with the strongest scientific backing.

The episode also addresses special considerations for athletes, medication users, and those with specific health conditions. We explore why some people might experience rising cholesterol with certain fasting approaches, how fasting affects muscle maintenance, and the emerging research on fasting's role in cancer therapy.

Whether you're curious about skipping breakfast, considering a five-day fast, or simply want to understand how your eating pattern affects your health, this evidence-based breakdown cuts through the confusion to help you make informed decisions about incorporating fasting into your lifestyle. Subscribe now for more science-backed insights on optimizing your health through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

Oméga-3 : faut-il se supplémenter?

Certains disent oui. D’autres non. Et plusieurs préfèrent jouer de prudence.

Voici mon avis sur un sujet hautement nuancé. Il n’y a pas de réponse simple. Ce n’est ni oui, ni non. Ça dépend de plusieurs facteurs — que je décortique dans cet épisode entièrement dédié aux oméga-3.

Va faire un tour sur mon site web pour plein de ressources gratuites sur comment amorcer une transition vers une alimentation et un mode de vie plus sains.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

Menopause represents a profound biological transition that affects millions of women, yet most enter this phase with more questions than answers. In this comprehensive two-part exploration, we break down what's actually happening in your body during perimenopause and menopause—and why symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and weight gain aren't just things you need to "tough out."

The hormonal rollercoaster of menopause affects nearly every system in your body, from temperature regulation to mood, bone density, and cardiovascular health. As estrogen and progesterone production declines, the hypothalamus (your brain's thermostat) struggles to regulate body temperature, leading to those notorious hot flashes and night sweats. Sleep becomes disrupted as melatonin and serotonin levels fluctuate, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep increases stress hormones that further worsen symptoms.

Beyond the immediate discomfort, menopause brings significant long-term health considerations. Post-menopausal women face increased risks of cardiovascular disease, accelerated bone loss, metabolic dysfunction, and even cognitive decline. But these changes aren't inevitable sentences—they're biological processes we can influence through both medical approaches and lifestyle modifications.

Modern hormone replacement therapy is much safer than many believe, especially when started before age 60. The six pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, stress management, avoiding risky substances, and social connection—provide powerful tools for managing symptoms and protecting long-term health. A plant-predominant diet rich in phytoestrogens, combined with regular resistance training and stress reduction techniques, creates a foundation for thriving through this transition.

Menopause isn't the end of vitality—it's the beginning of a potentially powerful new chapter that deserves science, support, and solidarity. With knowledge as your compass and practical strategies as your toolkit, you can navigate this transition with confidence rather than confusion. Your best years aren't behind you—they're unfolding right now.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules

The scale's creeping up, but nothing about your diet or exercise has changed. Sound familiar? That frustrating weight gain after 40 isn't your imagination—it's biology. And while it may feel inevitable, science shows it's absolutely reversible.

Your body undergoes significant shifts after 40 that directly impact weight management. Estrogen and progesterone begin their gradual decline, changing how and where fat is stored—shifting from subcutaneous (under the skin) to visceral (around organs) storage. This redistribution not only changes your silhouette but increases inflammation and insulin resistance. Meanwhile, muscle mass naturally decreases by 2-7% per decade unless actively maintained, lowering your metabolic rate and making weight gain easier even without eating more. Add in the sleep disruption and increased stress common in midlife, and you've got a perfect storm for weight gain that has nothing to do with willpower or laziness.

The solution isn't found in restrictive diets or punishing exercise regimens. Instead, focus on evidence-based strategies that address these biological changes: prioritize resistance training to maintain muscle mass; emphasize high-volume, nutrient-dense foods like fiber-rich plants that keep you fuller longer with fewer calories; ensure adequate protein intake (1.2-1.6g/kg daily) to support muscle preservation; and implement stress management techniques to improve sleep quality and regulate hunger hormones. Remember, self-compassion isn't just nice—it's effective. Research shows women who approach weight management with kindness achieve better long-term results than those using harsh self-criticism as motivation.

This journey isn't about shrinking your body. It's about reclaiming your strength, energy, and metabolic health for decades to come. With the right strategies, you can feel strong and vibrant again at any age. Ready to transform your relationship with your changing body? Listen now to discover exactly how to work with—not against—your biology.

Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.

You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shop

Don't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog

You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQ

Check out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/

Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accounts
https://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjules
https://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/

Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!
Thanks so much!

Peace, love, plants!
Dr. Jules