Healthy Talk

How can taurine help boost your brain health?Taurine is an amino acid that can help support neurological development and also helps regulate the level of minerals and water in the blood. Taurine also plays a very important role in creating new brain cells. Unfortunately, taurine levels drop as you age, which can leave your heart, brain, kidneys, and your other tissues deprived. What are some other benefits of taurine? Listen in as Dr. Mike shares how taurine can support your brain health.

How can taurine help boost your brain health?Taurine is an amino acid that can help support neurological development and also helps regulate the level of minerals and water in the blood.Taurine also plays a very important role in creating new brain cells.Unfortunately, taurine levels drop as you age, which can leave your heart, brain, kidneys, and your other tissues deprived.What are some other benefits of taurine?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares how taurine can support your brain health.

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'm a 58-year-old female and exercise (sometimes too much). My problem is that since I started taking bioidentical hormones, I've gained 10 pounds. I cannot get rid of it, no matter what I do. I do also have a muffin top and excessive skin. Please tell me what I can do to lose the weight. Dr. Mike thinks the question should be why are you gaining the weight, because it seems like you're doing everything you should be doing (eating healthy and exercising). It might be a hormone imbalance, which might be why you're taking the hormones in the first place. Dr. Mike suggests doing a follow-up with your doctor on where your hormones are at. You need to make sure you're at the right level constantly and adjusting your hormone levels. Dr. Mike thinks there's still a hormone imbalance going on, which is making you gain weight. What year was lead removed from homes? I'm finding some conflicting information. Some are saying 1968, others 1978. According to Medicine Net, most lead was removed from homes in 1978. If you're buying a house, you want to make sure to find out exactly what year it was built. There are so many reports and studies on the vitamins we should have daily. It's so hard to keep up! Is there a list available that shows what I need on a daily basis? You need basic macro- and micro-nutrients every day; vitamins, minerals, and a balanced diet of healthy fats, carbs, and protein. 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:I'm a 58-year-old female and exercise (sometimes too much). My problem is that since I started taking bioidentical hormones, I've gained 10 pounds. I cannot get rid of it, no matter what I do. I do also have a muffin top and excessive skin. Please tell me what I can do to lose the weight.Dr. Mike thinks the question should be why are you gaining the weight, because it seems like you're doing everything you should be doing (eating healthy and exercising). It might be a hormone imbalance, which might be why you're taking the hormones in the first place.Dr. Mike suggests doing a follow-up with your doctor on where your hormones are at. You need to make sure you're at the right level constantly and adjusting your hormone levels. Dr. Mike thinks there's still a hormone imbalance going on, which is making you gain weight.What year was lead removed from homes? I'm finding some conflicting information. Some are saying 1968, others 1978.According to Medicine Net, most lead was removed from homes in 1978. If you're buying a house, you want to make sure to find out exactly what year it was built.There are so many reports and studies on the vitamins we should have daily. It's so hard to keep up! Is there a list available that shows what I need on a daily basis?You need basic macro- and micro-nutrients every day; vitamins, minerals, and a balanced diet of healthy fats, carbs, and protein.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's your opinion on carpet on your home? Should we remove it all? Dr. Mike has mentioned how carpets can possibly affect your health in a negative way. Many people believe that toxins are only found outside in the environment, and even though this is true, toxins can be found in your home as well. As the carpet ages, the chemicals that were used to manufacture the carpet begin to break up and are released into the air. Older carpet can also have mold, which can damage your health. In Dr. Mike's opinion, if you're having allergy symptoms, you might need to remove your carpets. However, Dr. Mike doesn't believe removing carpet is for everyone. Can you please tell me what might be a safe dose of folic acid for a healthy boy around 60 pounds? Are all the B vitamins necessary for folic acid to absorb? What are other amino acids that might help with ADHD and mild autism? In this case, with your doctor's guidance for a healthy and safe dose, 1,000 micrograms is a good amount. Yes, vitamin B is necessary for folic acid to absorb. Dr. Mike suggests magnesium threonate, omega oils, and inositol. 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's your opinion on carpet on your home? Should we remove it all?Dr. Mike has mentioned how carpets can possibly affect your health in a negative way.Many people believe that toxins are only found outside in the environment, and even though this is true, toxins can be found in your home as well. As the carpet ages, the chemicals that were used to manufacture the carpet begin to break up and are released into the air. Older carpet can also have mold, which can damage your health.In Dr. Mike's opinion, if you're having allergy symptoms, you might need to remove your carpets. However, Dr. Mike doesn't believe removing carpet is for everyone.Can you please tell me what might be a safe dose of folic acid for a healthy boy around 60 pounds? Are all the B vitamins necessary for folic acid to absorb? What are other amino acids that might help with ADHD and mild autism?In this case, with your doctor's guidance for a healthy and safe dose, 1,000 micrograms is a good amount. Yes, vitamin B is necessary for folic acid to absorb. Dr. Mike suggests magnesium threonate, omega oils, and inositol.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.

What are simple and effective changes you can make to your diet?Learning how to eat healthy isn't as easy as it may seem. Even though you may need to make a dietary change, if you've been used to eating a certain way your whole life, getting rid of those unhealthy habits can take some time. The first thing to remember is you shouldn't try to do too much at one time. You may need to make small changes, instead of cutting everything out immediately. How can you make changes to your current diet that are sustainable? Gary L. Clayman, DMD, MD, FACS, shares how you can break unhealthy habits and make changes to your diet in order to live a healthier life.

What are simple and effective changes you can make to your diet?Learning how to eat healthy isn't as easy as it may seem. Even though you may need to make a dietary change, if you've been used to eating a certain way your whole life, getting rid of those unhealthy habits can take some time.The first thing to remember is you shouldn't try to do too much at one time. You may need to make small changes, instead of cutting everything out immediately.How can you make changes to your current diet that are sustainable?Gary L. Clayman, DMD, MD, FACS, shares how you can break unhealthy habits and make changes to your diet in order to live a healthier life.

Meat has been linked to cancer and other health issues. Should you stop eating it?Most humans are omnivores, incorporating both meats and plants into an everyday diet. Some diets, like the paleo diet, are focused on eating significant amounts of meat and eliminating processed foods. Unfortunately, all calories (and meat choices) are not created equal. For example, indulging in a cheeseburger is not the same as eating grilled chicken. Yes, they are both meats, but the cheeseburger is unhealthier than the chicken. In fact, many doctors suggest limiting your red meat consumption due to risk of heart disease. This may have you wondering: should humans be carnivores? Gary L. Clayman, DMD, MD, FACS, shares his personal opinion on whether or not humans should be carnivores.

Meat has been linked to cancer and other health issues. Should you stop eating it?Most humans are omnivores, incorporating both meats and plants into an everyday diet. Some diets, like the paleo diet, are focused on eating significant amounts of meat and eliminating processed foods.Unfortunately, all calories (and meat choices) are not created equal. For example, indulging in a cheeseburger is not the same as eating grilled chicken. Yes, they are both meats, but the cheeseburger is unhealthier than the chicken. In fact, many doctors suggest limiting your red meat consumption due to risk of heart disease.This may have you wondering: should humans be carnivores?Gary L. Clayman, DMD, MD, FACS, shares his personal opinion on whether or not humans should be carnivores.

Probiotics may be able to do more than heal your gut.According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are two types of depression: major depression and persistent depressive disorder. Major depression consists of severe symptoms such as persistent sadness, an inability to eat, sleep, or enjoy life, and thoughts of suicide. Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. There are several types of treatments that involve medications, psychotherapy and self-care. However, recent research published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has suggested that probiotics may help alleviate depression. True probiotics are a form of good bacteria found in supplements and foods. Most known for aiding in digestive health (constipation, upset stomach, diarrhea, cramping), probiotics also support immune function and help your body better absorb nutrients. How can probiotics alleviate depression? Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the recent research that shows how probiotics can relieve your depression symptoms.

Probiotics may be able to do more than heal your gut.According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are two types of depression: major depression and persistent depressive disorder. Major depression consists of severe symptoms such as persistent sadness, an inability to eat, sleep, or enjoy life, and thoughts of suicide.Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years.There are several types of treatments that involve medications, psychotherapy and self-care. However, recent research published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has suggested that probiotics may help alleviate depression.True probiotics are a form of good bacteria found in supplements and foods. Most known for aiding in digestive health (constipation, upset stomach, diarrhea, cramping), probiotics also support immune function and help your body better absorb nutrients.How can probiotics alleviate depression?Listen in as Dr. Mike shares the recent research that shows how probiotics can relieve your depression symptoms.

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:It appears that the average stomach pH while empty is one to three (very acidic). Stomach pH with food is between a four and five. I often take probiotics on an empty stomach. This seems like the opposite of what you should do. If you want to put the probiotic in the least acidic stomach environment, you would think you would want to take them with food. Also, what do you think about taking probiotics with water as a higher pH?One of the problems is as the live bacteria travels from your stomach to your small intestine, and ultimately in your colon, most of the probiotics won't survive. When you're taking a probiotic pill, you want to get as many as those bacteria in your colon alive. There's a huge debate on how to do that, and on whether you should take the probiotic with food or not.It may seem like a good idea to take a probiotic with food, but you are decreasing transit time, which means that your probiotic pill will sit in your stomach longer than it should. So, Dr. Mike says it's best to take a probiotic on an empty stomach, since it will move faster through your digestive tract.I've been a loyal Life Extension member for many years. I live in New York and have a question on whether I should be taking or not taking vitamin D to correspond to the seasons. I take vitamin D, K from October to May, but not in the summer because I get plenty of sun. In the late fall through early spring I would not be getting much vitamin D since New York is so far north. Is it going against nature to be artificially raising my vitamin D level during a period when it normally would not be so high? Should the vitamin D levels be lower or higher?Dr. Mike says that you want to have consistent vitamin D levels throughout the year, no matter what the season is. Dr. Mike believes a normal range is between 50-70 and wants you at that level constantly. You might want to consider getting your vitamin D level tested at least once a year to see where your level is at, and base your vitamin D dosing on that level.Dr. Mike also wants to point out that just because during the summer months there is natural sun, you shouldn't stop taking vitamin D. Many people make that mistake and think they only need it during months where it might not be as sunny.Dr. Mike wants you taking that vitamin D dose every day.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: It appears that the average stomach pH while empty is one to three (very acidic). Stomach pH with food is between a four and five. I often take probiotics on an empty stomach. This seems like the opposite of what you should do. If you want to put the probiotic in the least acidic stomach environment, you would think you would want to take them with food. Also, what do you think about taking probiotics with water as a higher pH? One of the problems is as the live bacteria travels from your stomach to your small intestine, and ultimately in your colon, most of the probiotics won't survive. When you're taking a probiotic pill, you want to get as many as those bacteria in your colon alive. There's a huge debate on how to do that, and on whether you should take the probiotic with food or not. It may seem like a good idea to take a probiotic with food, but you are decreasing transit time, which means that your probiotic pill will sit in your stomach longer than it should. So, Dr. Mike says it's best to take a probiotic on an empty stomach, since it will move faster through your digestive tract. I've been a loyal Life Extension member for many years. I live in New York and have a question on whether I should be taking or not taking vitamin D to correspond to the seasons. I take vitamin D, K from October to May, but not in the summer because I get plenty of sun. In the late fall through early spring I would not be getting much vitamin D since New York is so far north. Is it going against nature to be artificially raising my vitamin D level during a period when it normally would not be so high? Should the vitamin D levels be lower or higher? Dr. Mike says that you want to have consistent vitamin D levels throughout the year, no matter what the season is. Dr. Mike believes a normal range is between 50-70 and wants you at that level constantly. You might want to consider getting your vitamin D level tested at least once a year to see where your level is at, and base your vitamin D dosing on that level. Dr. Mike also wants to point out that just because during the summer months there is natural sun, you shouldn't stop taking vitamin D. Many people make that mistake and think they only need it during months where it might not be as sunny. Dr. Mike wants you taking that vitamin D dose every day. 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:Dr. Sinatra has been suggesting nattokinase for some time to help reduce the amount of fibrin in the bloodstream to prevent clotting, thereby reducing the chance of a heart attack. Ralph Holsworth talks about other things to use, like serrapeptase for heart attack prevention. Do you have an opinion on nattokinase or serrapeptase?Dr. Mike things that there should be more research on both of these types of therapies. Inflammation is part of most diseases, and Dr. Mike believes it's crucial to get inflammation under control to help prevent disease. Inflammation occurs when there are too many proteins within your blood. Blood clotting also happens because of the excessive amount of proteins that are in your blood. Fibrinogen is what doctors target to help reduce blood clotting with enzymes like nattokinase or serrapeptase.In Dr. Mike's opinion, nattokinase is the better therapy, because it targets fibrinogen more specifically and more potently.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.