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How can you repair dry hair and brittle nails?If you have dry, brittle nails or frizzy, frail hair, you might have tried every product possible to help rejuvenate them back to health. However, you may want to consider using collagen and keratin for healthier nails and hair. Collagen is a protein that serves as a key structural component of the connective tissue in your skin, bones, and ligaments. Keratin is a protein that's a major component in your hair, skin, and nails. Listen in as Dr. Mike discusses how you can repair your skin and nails with these essential compounds.

What can you do to stay on track during the holidays?During the months of October to January, you're at an increased risk of gaining weight and losing sight of your health and fitness goals. In fact, during the holiday season, the average person gains one to two pounds and people who are already overweight can gain close to five pounds. What are some tips to help avoid weight gain and to stay on track during the holidays? Listen in as fitness experts Grace Desimone and Neal Pire share the best fitness strategies for the holiday season.

During the holidays, it can be hard to find a balance between enjoying yourself and sticking to your health and fitness goals.Throughout the holidays, it can be extremely tempting to just embrace the food and alcohol that surround you. You may think you can give yourself a break and that you'll start "fresh" in the New Year. Even though this plan sounds appealing, it could actually backfire and set you back further in your health and fitness goals. You might also be thinking the extreme opposite, pushing yourself at an unhealthy rate. Working out constantly while not getting enough food can be dangerous and unhealthy. How can you find a balance and not sabotage your health and fitness during the holidays? Listen in as fitness experts Grace Desimone and Neal Pire share tips on how to stay healthy throughout the holiday season.

News of the week, toxic dangers, and helpful health tips. You don't want to miss this! Straight talk from You Doc, Michael Roizen, MD. Dr. Mike discusses more of the most prevalent health news you need to know from the past week. Plus, find out "What's Toxic & What's Not" from toxicologist and regular contributor, Gary Ginsberg. More from RealAge 3 Ways to Maintain Focus as You Age

More than 2 million people a year visit US emergency rooms with brain injuries.More than 2 million people a year visit US emergency rooms with brain injuries.  Whatever the cause -- a car crash, work accident, sports injury, domestic violence, combat -- a severe blow to the head results in immediate and often lasting symptoms.  But, some people aren't getting the help they need after this life-changing event. Tune in to hear from neuropsychiatrist Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi, co-author of the new book, The Traumatized Brain.  Learn how to spot the warning signs -- a critical first-step to getting help.  Dr. Vaishnavi and Dr. Roizen talk about how to make the brain whole again, from lifestyle changes to cutting-edge drug therapies. Bonus! Give Your Diet Willpower a Break

Join Dr. Roizen and his expert guests for the latest health news, wellness advice and most up-to-date research from around the world.World-renowned physician, Dr. Michael Roizen, MD, continues to update your understanding of the meaning of health by providing an in-depth review of the most impactful health headlines. He discusses the health news that matters most to you. Dr. Roizen is later joined by Sandeep Vaishnavi, MD, PhD.  Dr. Vaishnavi shares how to make the brain whole again, from lifestyle changes to cutting-edge drug therapies. Bonus! Real Age Tip 7 Ways to Stop Holiday Weight Gain

Why was it said before that women who are pregnant should stay away from coffee?Being pregnant can be a joyful and exciting time within your life. However, you may be surprised at how much change you need to make while pregnant in order to stay healthy for you and your baby. It may seem obvious that you shouldn't be drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and eating like a college kid. However, having to give up something like coffee can be tough, especially if you're used to drinking two cups every morning in order to function. Recently, a study suggested that drinking coffee isn't as harmful as previously thought. The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology and analyzed data collected from 2,197 expectant mothers that participated in the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP). Researchers were interested in the chemical paraxanthine (a central nervous stimulant). Researchers found that after comparing paraxanthine levels at 20 and 26 weeks gestation to the child's IQ and behavioral problems, there wasn't a consistent pattern between maternal caffeine ingestion and children's IQ. What else did researchers find? Listen in as Michael Fenster, MD, shares the recent study and why coffee isn't as harmful to drink in moderation as it was previously thought to be.

Is there a way you can ease the stress from your job without having to quit?Stress can be found everywhere and it can be extremely dangerous to your health. Escaping stress isn't easy, especially if it's from your job.  A recent study found that having a high-stress job can increase your chance of having a stroke, especially if you're a woman. The meta-analysis, which was published in Neurology, looked at six studies involving 138,782 participants over a span of three to 17 years. Out of the 138,782 participants 11-27 percent had high-stress jobs and had a 22 percent higher risk of stroke than those with low-stress jobs. What can you do to help lower your stress? Dr. Fite joins Dr. Leigh to discuss the correlation of high-stress jobs and stroke and how you can help ease your stress.

What steps can couples take to make sure their tones of voice are working to their advantage?If you've been in a relationship for a long period of time, it seems like you know your better half better than anyone. You know when they're angry, when they're upset, and when they switch over to a tone of voice that can drive you insane. New research that was published in Proceedings of Interspeech found that the tone of voice you use to talk to your partner can predict whether or not your relationship will last. In the study, researchers listened to recorded conversations during marriage therapy sessions of more than 100 couples over a span of two years and then tracked their marital status for five years. What did the researchers find? Is your tone of voice that important in your relationship? Listen in as Paul Coleman, PsyD, shares why the tone of your voice can make or break your relationship.

How do the costs of transgender health services compare to other services for people with cancer or other major diseases?Within the past year, there has been a ton of light shone on transgender issues, specifically within the healthcare system. A new analysis from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that most U.S. health insurance plans don't give benefits to transgender men and women for medical care in order to transition to the opposite sex, but that paying for sex reassignment surgery and the hormones that are needed is actually quite cost-effective when the factors of not making that transition are considered (depression, suicidal tendencies, drug use, etc.). According to the study, which was published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, it's estimated that between 3,000 and 9,000 Americans undergo sex reassignment surgery each year. For the study, researchers reviewed data from the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, which looked at information on access to medical care and health outcomes, as well as the cost of medical services. One researcher points out that health insurance companies pay for rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis (which affects 30,000 people in the U.S.), which is treated as a chronic condition and has medications that can cost up to $300,000 a year. Why can't the same be done for transgender patients? Listen in as one of the lead authors of the study, William Padula, PhD, MS, discusses why transgender health care costs aren't covered and why they should be.

What are your chances of increased suicide behavior after weight-reduction surgery?If you've been struggling with losing weight and you feel like you're running out of new diets and exercise trends to try, you may be considering weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery can help those who are morbidly obese. Unfortunately, people who are morbidly obese also oftentimes suffer from mental health problems. Recent research has found that suicide risk might increase for some people after weight loss surgery. The study was published in the journal JAMA Surgery and looked at 8,800 patients in Ontario for three years before and after their weight loss procedures. Out of that group, 111 patients had 158 self-harm emergencies during the follow-up period and about 93 percent of those suicide attempts occurred in patients diagnosed with a mental health disorder prior to surgery. What else did the researchers find? Amir A. Ghaferi, MD, MS, joins Dr. Leigh to discuss weight loss surgery and who is at risk for a higher suicide rate.

How can you have fun during the holidays while also remaining safe?The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Trees When buying an artificial tree, make sure it's fire resistant. Or, if it's a live tree, make sure it's still fresh. When putting the tree up in your house, make sure it's not covering (or near) heaters, and keep the tree stand full of water to prevent it from drying out. Lights Check all the tree lights and make sure there are no frayed wires or broken or loose connections. Make sure you never use electric lights on a metallic tree, and always read the light labels. Make sure you turn off all lights before going to bed, or before leaving your house. Decorations Use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials on both artificial and real trees. Make sure to take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation, and remove all wrapping papers after gifts are open. Fireplaces Before lighting any fire, remove all greens and paper from the fireplace area. Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace and be cautious if you're using fire salts. You may want to use a screen or grate to keep children away from the flame. Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares the top safety tips from the AAP and easy ways you can keep your family safe during the holidays.

How can you give your children gifts but also teach them the importance of giving to others?If you have young children in your family, you know firsthand that the holidays can be very busy. It may seem easier to just go off the list of what your child wants. Even though you may want to give your child as much as you can, it's also important to set boundaries and not give in to spoiling your child an iPad or a brand new Smartphone. This time of year might be a good time to talk to your children about reflecting on what they already have and what they are thankful for. This doesn't mean you can't give your child a present, but it's important to remember the holiday spirit and giving to those who might be less fortunate, as well as being kind to others. How else can you teach your children about the importance of giving during the holiday season? Listen in as Corinn Cross, MD, shares her tips on how to teach your children the importance of giving, as well as some great gift ideas.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know: I read from your website to take fish oil and put it in a bowl to help it get oxidized and take some of the smell away. You said that all fats are like that and have a stability question to them. I was refrigerating my Nordic Natural omega-3's for a long time and according to Nordic Natural, it's not necessary to do that. What do you recommend? You are using a great product and there's no reason to change. Personally, Dr. Mike believes there are two other important ingredients to have in addition to omega-3s. They are: sesame lignans and olive oil. I've been taking Vitamin K2 for my bone health, but Life Extension has said "If you're taking anticoagulants such as Coumadin, please consult with your physician before taking supplemental vitamin K." I also remember listening to one of your shows on RadioMD where you also said something like taking vitamin K2 is for those taking blood thinners. However, I'm taking Vitamin K2 to make my bones stronger. What exactly is Vitamin K2? Is it for bone health or blood health? What Dr. Mike means by those taking blood thinners and vitamin K2 is that vitamin K2 is a safe form of vitamin K for people on blood thinners to take. Life Extension had that statement on their website as a standard disclaimer. Dr. Mike wants you to talk to you doctor about taking vitamin K2. Do vitamins or any other supplements deteriorate over time? For instance, I took a glucose support product from 2013 for my sugar levels. It worked for a little while but then it stopped. I then switched to a cinnamon extract, and that worked for a while but no longer seems to be working. I am wondering if I should be switching my supplements from time to time? There are many other questions that Dr. Mike has, for instance, what made you start taking a glucose support pill, what is your lifestyle like, etc. If truly nothing changed and the product wasn't working as well, Dr. Mike suggests doubling the dose, even if just every other day. Following up with a blood test is a great way to see if a supplement or medication is truly working or not. If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.

Listen in as Dr. Mike provides the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions.Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know: What are your thoughts on intermittent fasting? Dr. Mike thinks that as long as it's truly intermittent (one day a week or one day every couple of weeks) it has amazing overall health benefits. What are your thoughts on putting butter in your coffee? This is called bulletproof coffee, where you put unsalted and grass-fed butter into your coffee mixed with a medium chain oil (like coconut oil). There is some evidence that a fat-based diet is better for you than a carb-based diet. Dr. Mike believes that butter in your coffee is fine to do, but you might want to consider doing it in moderation. I listened to your show about the thyroid gland and it's very interesting. However, I didn't understand the name of the plant extract that can help convert my T4 into T3. Your thyroid gland (located in your neck) makes T4, it then travels throughout the body and when it gets to a specific cell (like a muscle cell) it converts to the more active thyroid T3. When it comes to supporting your thyroid, it's important to support your thyroid with supplements like iodine and Tyrosine. You also want to incorporate a nutrient known as Commiphora, since it can help your body convert T4 into T3. If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.