When Food Meets Medicine | The Functional Medicine & Health Podcast

Welcome to Season 2! We're diving deep into the conversations that matter most: pediatric medication safety and what happens when growing bodies meet prescriptions designed for adults. Most pediatric medications were never formally tested on children—most drug data is extrapolated from adult studies. So what does that mean for your child's safety?

In this premiere episode, Dr. Remi Olukoya sits down with Dr. Mariam Yusuf-Oghome, Consultant Pediatrician and Nutrition Specialist, to reveal the gaps in pediatric drug research, the hidden food-drug interactions that change how medications work, and what every parent needs to know before their child takes a prescription. From amoxicillin and orange juice to seizure meds and protein intake, you'll learn how what your child eats directly impacts whether their medication actually works.

Key Takeaways:

1. Children are not small adults—their metabolism, anatomy, and biochemistry are profoundly different, yet most pediatric dosing is based on adult data.

2. Food-drug interactions in children are real and often invisible to parents, affecting drug absorption, metabolism, and blood levels in ways most families never hear about.

3. Pediatric nutrition isn't optional—it's foundational to medication effectiveness, disease prevention, and long-term health in growing bodies.

Dr. Mariam brings two decades of clinical experience, specialized training from Boston University and UC, and a fierce commitment to child advocacy. She believes the conversation between food and medicine has to begin long before a child ever needs a prescription.

Subscribe to When Food Meets Medicine wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more at https://pharmaplansystems.com

Season 2 of When Food Meets Medicine launches August 4th. In this solo preview episode, Dr. Remí Olukoya, PharmD — licensed pharmacist and founder of PharmaPlan Systems — walks you through what is coming: 12 episodes, 11 specialist guests, and the most culturally specific food-drug interaction conversations the show has ever had.

This season covers: food and diabetes medication, antidepressants and food, menopause treatment options, cultural diets and kidney disease, PCOS and hormones, prenatal medications and food safety, pediatric medications, and a solo deep-dive on neurological medications and food.

If you are managing a chronic illness, caring for someone who is, or working in healthcare — this season was made for you.

Subscribe on Spotify so Episode 1 lands in your feed on August 4th.

Free food-drug interaction guide:

pharmaplansystems.com/free-guide

Ask a Pharmacy Counter question:

instagram.com/medimealsafe — comment QUESTION

Email Dr. Remí: [email protected]

Keywords: food drug interactions, pharmacist podcast, medication safety, food as medicine, chronic illness, diabetes diet, kidney disease nutrition, menopause medication, PCOS diet, prenatal nutrition, pediatric medication, neurological medications, cultural nutrition, patient education, pharmacy podcast

When Food Becomes Medicine: A Metabolic Approach to Cancer | Season 1 Finale | When Food Meets Medicine — a health podcast, functional medicine podcast, and medical podcast series hosted by Dr. Remí Olukoya, PharmD.

In this season one finale, host Dr. Remi Olukoya welcomes Dr. Nasha Winters, a naturopathic oncologist who was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 ovarian cancer at 19 years old and given three months to live. Twenty-eight years later, she has not only survived but has dedicated her career to understanding the metabolic approach to cancer, working with over 10,000 patients and co-authoring the foundational text The Metabolic Approach to Cancer.

This conversation explores the Warburg effect and why cancer cells metabolize glucose differently, how mitochondria serve as sensors that respond to our dietary and environmental choices, and the critical food-drug interactions that can determine treatment success or failure. Dr. Winters shares research showing that fasting less than 13 hours per night was associated with 36% higher breast cancer recurrence, and discusses how her clinical retreats demonstrated measurable metabolic changes within just four days of intervention.

For patients navigating cancer, caregivers seeking to help, and clinicians wanting to expand their understanding of integrative approaches, this episode offers science-backed insights on creating a metabolic terrain that supports healing alongside conventional treatment.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The Warburg effect and why cancer cells use glucose differently from healthy cells
• How mitochondria function as sensors, translators, and responders — and what that means for cancer
• Why 93% of Americans are metabolically compromised and what to do about it
• Fasting research: how 13 hours of overnight fasting reduced breast cancer recurrence by 36%
• Critical food-drug interactions including grapefruit, tamoxifen, St. John's Wort, and curcumin at high doses
• The chronotherapy evidence: why the time of day you take chemotherapy changes how well it works
• Why the terrain — not just the tumour — determines treatment outcomes
• How to find a therapeutically trained oncology nutritionist
• The preconception research: what your father ate affects your disease risk in your lifetime

Resources mentioned:
The Metabolic Approach to Cancer — Dr. Nasha Winters
Ravenous — Sam Apple
Circadian Code — Dr. Sachin Panda
Fasting Cancer — Dr. Walter Longo
drnasha.com | Tend the Terrain podcast | Tend the Terrain Substack
MediMeal Safe app — pharmaplansystems.com
MediMeal Plan — pharmaplansystems.com
Foods That Clash With Your Prescriptions — Dr. Remí Olukoya

Find When Food Meets Medicine on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode: pharmaplansystems.com/podcast

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare team before making changes to your diet, medications, or treatment plan.

Ever wondered if your blood type really determines which foods are safe with your medications? In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover the truth behind the popular blood type diet phenomenon and learn about the food-drug interactions that actually matter for your health. Dr. Ugomma Okorougo, a family medicine physician, public health specialist, and nutrition coach, joins Dr. Remi Olukoya to separate science from social media hype. You'll learn why grapefruit affects over 85 medications, discover how cultural dietary practices impact medication safety, and understand when to seek emergency care for food-drug interactions. Dr. Okorougo shares compelling patient stories that illustrate the critical importance of honest communication with healthcare providers about your actual eating habits, supplements, and traditional remedies. This episode empowers you with practical knowledge to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings while maintaining your cultural food traditions safely. Whether you're managing chronic conditions or taking over-the-counter medications, you'll gain actionable insights that could significantly impact your treatment outcomes. Subscribe to When Food Meets Medicine wherever you listen to podcasts.

One in five children in the United States is obese, and doctors are now prescribing blood pressure and cholesterol medications to kids—medications that used to be reserved for adults over 50.

In this episode, you will learn the practical, real-world strategies for preventing childhood obesity before it starts, not the textbook version that sounds perfect but the version that actually works with screen-loving, broccoli-hating kids. Host Dr. Remi Olukoya sits down with Dr. Mojibola Ogunfowora, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist with over 30 years of experience, to discuss what parents can do today to build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

You will discover the 5-2-1-0 formula and how to implement it in your daily routine, why prevention is far more powerful than treatment when it comes to childhood obesity, and practical strategies for creating healthy eating and activity patterns that work for real families with busy schedules. Dr. Ogunfowora shares evidence-based approaches that have helped countless families across different cultures and communities, from Lagos to London to Houston.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, or anyone who cares about a child's future health, this episode provides actionable insights you can start using immediately. The best medicine is often the one a child never has to take because you prevented the need for it in the first place.

Subscribe to When Food Meets Medicine wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cannabis and chemotherapy — what does the science actually say? In this powerful episode, Dr. Remi Olukoya sits down with Dr. Donald Abrams, integrative oncologist at UCSF, to break down the real evidence behind cannabis use in cancer care. They explore CBD vs. THC, drug–drug interactions, CYP450 risks, timing around chemo, and why so many patients use cannabis without telling their clinicians.A warm, honest, and deeply practical conversation every cancer patient — and every oncology clinician — should hear.

Presented by PharmaPlan Systems — ethical health tech that makes food–drug safety simple.

Ever wondered if there's more to your medication's effectiveness than just taking it on time? 🤔 This week on 'When Food Meets Medicine,' Dr. Remi Olukoya is joined by the insightful Dr. Tosin Dotun-Olujinmi to explore a fascinating topic: how government food policy might be impacting your meds and the food you eat!

Dr. Tosin, a global health scholar, shares her expertise on how public health policies influence everything from preventing chronic diseases to ensuring food safety and making sure you can even get your medications. It's a conversation that will open your eyes to the bigger picture of health and empower you to understand how governance affects your daily well-being. Don't miss out on these vital insights that can help you advocate for your health more effectively.

What does it truly mean to receive a second chance at life? In Episode 7 of "When Food Meets Medicine," I had the profound honor of speaking with Dr. Dolamu Olaitan, a distinguished Transplant Surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. We delved into the incredible world of kidney and pancreas transplant surgery – procedures that transform lives, freeing individuals from the constraints of dialysis or insulin dependence.

Dr. Olaitan illuminated not just the surgical marvels, but the often-overlooked reality: the surgery is merely the beginning. The true journey of transplantation unfolds daily, post-op, requiring meticulous care and understanding. This episode offers invaluable insights into the patient journey, medication management, and the holistic approach to thriving after transplant. It's a testament to medical innovation and human resilience. Tune in to understand the science, the stories, and the ongoing commitment required to embrace this gift of life.

#OrganTransplant #HealthcareInnovation #PatientEmpowerment #MedicalEducation #Pharmacy

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro… these names are everywhere, but what do they *really* do for your body, and what happens when you decide to stop? 🤔 This week on "When Food Meets Medicine," I had an incredibly honest and empowering conversation with Dr. Olayemi Olubowale, a Harvard obesity medicine fellow who works with weight loss patients every single week. We cover everything from what to eat while on GLP-1 meds, common side effects, and the big question of weight regain. Plus, Dr. Olubowale reveals why lifting weights is a non-negotiable for anyone on these medications. If you or someone you care about is thinking about or using GLP-1s, this episode is essential listening to help you feel informed and in control.

Are we truly addressing the root causes of chronic diseases, or just managing symptoms? In Episode 5 of 'When Food Meets Medicine,' I sit down with Dr. Raymond Ladele, a Holistic Diabetes Care Specialist, to unravel the complexities of reversing diabetes. We dive deep into why simply treating blood sugar isn't enough and explore the critical roles of inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction. This isn't about one-size-fits-all solutions; it's about personalized care and empowering patients to become active participants in their healing journey. Dr. Ladele shares invaluable insights on how a holistic approach can transform patient outcomes. This discussion is a must-listen for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in understanding how food truly meets medicine. Tune in and let's rethink diabetes care together.

#DiabetesReversal #HolisticHealth #FoodAsMedicine #PharmacistInsights #PatientEmpowerment