To Your Good Health Radio

Are you ready to get started on the path to a happier and healthier and more energetic you?Are you ready to get started on the path to a happier and healthier and more energetic you? The new book by the Nutrition Twins (Tammy Lakotos Shames and Lyssie Lakotos), The Veggie Cure, reveals which vegetables help specific health and beauty problems, and provide more than 100 delicious and nutritious recipes to put this "cure" into action on your plate. Each chapter starts with a goal: more energy, stronger bones, younger-looking skin, improved mood, flatter stomach, etc. In clear, conversational language the authors lay out what veggies will help you to succeed in reaching your goal, why they work, and how to reap their benefits via the delicious recipes available just pages away. With the advent of the USDA’s new plate graphic (half the plate being fruits and vegetables) supplanting the tired old pyramid, everyone is being urged to eat substantially more vegetables. With this accessible book, readers will be motivated to tailor their menus to their own needs, while at the same time discovering a variety of delicious, easy veggie recipes that their whole family will enjoy... and benefit from. The book also includes an easy-to-follow menu plan for a 10-day Jumpstart to Health and Weight Loss. Listen in as Tammy and Lyssie join Dr. Friedman to share tips from their new book.

Jules Aron shares her unique skills as a New York mixologist; ones that earned her the title of “The Healthy Bartender.” A delicious cocktail is the perfect way to unwind... until you see the calorie count. Your favorite drinks can contain syrups, sugary mixers, and a variety of diet no-nos. Healthy cocktails might seem like an oxymoron, but even those of us passionate about health and wellness choose to enjoy happy hour from time to time. And, for those choosing to indulge, finding healthier, organic cocktails is equally important as choosing healthy, organic foods. Listen in as Jules Aron joins Dr. Friedman to discuss creating delicious cocktails using ingredients you can find in your own backyard, windowsill, or local farmer’s market.

Pills, programs, detoxes and diets... with so many options available for weight loss, why are so many of us still overweight?Pills, programs, detoxes and diets... with so many options available for weight loss, why are so many of us still overweight? Simply put, diets don't work. Sustainable outcomes only come with concerted changes in behavior.  As fitness expert Jay Cardiello puts it, "food is just a habit, not the root cause." You have to identify your "why" factor. What brought you to the point of packing on the pounds? If you look for a quick fix, you're only putting a band-aid on the problem. Of course, eating well needs to be part of that behavior change, as does getting quality sleep (and enough of it), proper exercise, and consistent hydration. Listen in as Cardiello joins Dr. Friedman to explain why diets don't work, as well as effective ways you can lose the weight and finally get healthy.

Your gut might be the reason you're feeling depressed.Antidepressant prescriptions are increasingly on the rise.  Is there a better option to improve mood and release sufferers from a depressive state? The answer lies in your gut.    Antidepressant medications are designed to increase serotonin. But, 90 percent of the serotonin in your body is made in the gut, not the brain.    Depression truly is an inflammatory disorder.    The foods that you eat have a direct impact on mood.    Avoid sugar and carbohydrates. Incorporate more healthy fats and vegetables like jicama, artichoke, asparagus, leeks... all of which contain high levels of prebiotic fibers. Also, make sure you're taking a high quality probiotic supplement.    Listen in as Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and his newest release, Brain Maker, joins Dr. Friedman to explain why your depression might be stemming from your gut, not your brain.   Gut and mood.    Antidepressant meds designed to increase serotonin. 90 percent of the S in your body is made in the gut, not the brain. The bacteria    Depression is an inflammatory disorder.    Food that you eat has a direct impact on mood.    Avoid sugar and carbs. Welcome fat. Jicama, artichoke, asparagus, leeks, prebiotic fiber. High quality probiotics.    Eat veggies from above the ground, not below. Least amount of starch. Potatoes and other underground veggies tend to store carbohydrates.   

Did you know you can actually re-train your brain and reshape your body from the inside out?Have you ever felt truly confident standing naked in front of a mirror? Do you feel sexy and attractive? How many clothes are sitting in your closet right now that are just a little bit (or a lot) too small? Those things aren't aren't just accomplished by starving yourself or slogging away on the treadmill. According to John Assaraf, CEO of NeuroGym, you can actually re-train your brain and reshape your body/self image from the inside out. Assaraf joins Dr. Friedman to explain how you can gain control and boost your self-esteem, all while shedding the weight.

Learn more about The Doctor on Demand diet.Are you frustrated with trying diets that just don't seem to work for you? The Doctor on Demand Diet, written by Dr. Melina Jampolis, has a "one size doesn't fit all" concept that can help you obtain those much wanted results.  For instance, insulin levels respond differently to carbohydrates from one person to the next. You can succeed at weight loss when you follow a diet plan that is personalized specifically for you. One way to get a custom-designed eating and exercise plan is to meet weekly with a nutrition professional; but, that’s not practical for everyone. Instead, with The Doctor on Demand Diet, you can create your own personal diet plan. Listen in as Dr. Jampolis joins Dr. Friedman to explain more about the diet, as well as why some people can lose weight easily while others struggle.

Bestselling author, Laura Corn, shares ways to spice up your love life.In our fast-paced, on-the-go, "can't stop, won't stop" lives, sex may be the last thing on your list at the end of the day. Even if you want to do the deed with your partner, you may just be too tired to go through the motions. Get ready for that to turn around. Author Laura Corn joins Dr. Friedman to discuss her bestseller, 101 Nights of Great Sex, and shares ways to add passion and seduction to your love life.

Being a mom has never been an easy job, but the increasing popularity of social media has put a new spin on motherhood.Being a mom has never been an easy job, but the increasing popularity of social media has put a new spin on motherhood (and parenting in general). Suddenly you may find yourself comparing your abilities with others. Sure, it may appear that you mommy circle of friends are "doing it all" or have the perfect children, but chances are that is just a facade.  At the end of the day, everyone has a unique situation. Founded on the premise of bringing moms together in engaging environments to learn and grow together, Social Common has become a trusted brand that is authentically lead by two very candid moms. Catherine Belknap & Natalie Telfer have evolved their brand into YouTube hosts for The Cat & Nat Show, brand ambassadors, branded content experts, TV personalities, social media leaders, and more. With their show, Cat and Nat use humor to help moms to get through the day, and they explore the emotional and physical challenges of being a mom. The overall message? Give yourself a break. No matter how the day turns out, there is always the next morning. Listen in as Cat and Nat join Dr. David Friedman to share more about their show, Social Common, and how they're providing a fun escape for busy moms and dads.

Samara Geller, EWG Database and Research Analyst on BPA, shares the dangers of BPA and how you can take measures to avoid it.Bisphenol-A (BPA) acts like estrogen in the body. Scientific studies link BPA to cancer, infertility, diabetes, and obesity, as well as brain, nerve and heart disorders. It's just been listed by California as a chemical known to cause reproductive problems. BPA is especially dangerous for pregnant women and children in critical stages of development. For consumers who want to avoid BPA, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has unveiled an easily searchable database of more than 16,000 food and beverage items that may come in cans, bottles or jars containing the hormone-disrupting chemical. Food packaging is the largest source of exposure to BPA. Most concern about BPA has focused on its use in poly-carbonate plastic bottles and canned food linings. But, Americans are exposed to BPA in food packaging far more widely than previously known. The array of products from 926 brands includes:  Lids of glass jars for baby food, pickles, jelly, salsa and other condiments Aerosol cans for whipped toppings and non-stick sprays Bottles and tins of cooking oil Aluminum beverage cans, metal coffee cans and even beer kegs Samara Geller, EWG Database and Research Analyst on BPA, joins Dr. Friedman to share the dangers of BPA and how you can take measures to avoid the chemical.

Anti-aging has become a multi-billion dollar industry. But, up to 80 percent of treatments being sold don't provide any real results.Anti-aging has become a multi-billion dollar industry. But, up to 80 percent of treatments being sold don't provide any real results. Which products and procedures will actually work? If anyone can answer that question, it's Terry Dubrow, MD, author of the new book, Dr. and Mrs. Guinea Pig Present The Only Guide You'll Ever Need to the Best Anti-Aging Treatments. The "Dr. and Mrs. Guinea Pig" part comes from the fact that Dr. Dubrow and his wife have tried everything from cupping therapy to leech facials. Yes, blood-sucking leeches. Dr. Dubrow explains that while the typical anti-aging products you'll find in a department store run from $50-$500, most of them contain no viable anti-aging ingredients/properties.  One treatment that Dr. Dubrow has found benefits in is LED light therapy. The blue light reduces bacteria that causes acne and the red light is used for anti-aging. You can even purchase the light over the counter (and it's not every expensive). Dr. Dubrow offers these other general anti-aging tips: Avoid sun as much as possible and use sunscreen when in the sun. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Eat healthfully. Keep your weight steady (which will reduce risk of wrinkles). Also, take note of your age range for even more advice: 20-30s: make sure to have a solid skincare regimen (cleanser, moisturizer). 30-40s: early administration of Botox will prevent development of lines and wrinkles. 40-50s: radio frequency therapy can help the skin from aging. Beyond 50s: surgical therapy is an option. If you do turn to plastic surgery, the goal should be to look like the best version of YOU, not a celebrity. Having surgery outside of the U.S. raises risk of complication, as Dr. Dubrow knows well from his experience on his hit show, Botched. He advises three steps when seeking out a plastic surgeon. First, ask your surgeon, "Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?" The regulations surrounding plastic surgery are quite loose. Second, search plastic surgeons according to their specialty. Review the medical board website (and other sources like Yelp) for any negative feedback. Third, meet your surgeon and go with your gut if it doesn't feel right. If he or she isn't very busy or is trying to "sell" you on procedures, it's probably not a great fit. Listen in as Dr. Dubrow joins Dr. Friedman to share even more anti-aging secrets, including which ingredients to use and which to stay away from.

Your gut microbiome has a great deal to do with your weight, specifically belly fat.Your gut microbiome has a great deal to do with your weight, specifically belly fat. Dr. Travis Stork joins Dr. David Friedman to share tips on how to maintain healthy bacteria in the gut while increasing your fiber intake, which is responsible for a large component of one’s gut bacteria. Instead of meat, use beans and lentils for increased fiber. Eat high fiber fruits and vegetables like raspberries, blackberries, green peas, artichokes. Pick a high-fiber cereal for the breakfast. Try and incorporate flaxseeds into meals. He stresses that this approach is not so much about eating less, but about eating right. Listen in to gain a better understanding of what exactly is going on inside your gut and how it affects your weight and health.

Proper assessments, including physical and mental tests, can help identify the specific cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) and how to treat it.Erectile dysfunction (ED) impacts over 30 million men. Many turn to prescription drugs, herbal supplements, and even implants. Certain ED conditions can be passed down genetically, as was the case in Daniel Canfield's family.  Your general practitioner may not completely understand the condition, but proper assessments by a trained sexual health professional, including physical and mental tests, can help identify the specific cause of ED.  Canfield joins Dr. Friedman to discuss the varying options for addressing ED, including the pros and cons for each.

Learn how the EWG is making it easy for you to identify and purchase safe cosmetics and personal care products with the EWG Verified initiative.Many individuals are becoming increasingly aware of the toxins they ingest via foods or supplements, but the chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products can be just as harmful. Your skin is your largest organ, and because it's so porous, chemicals can easily transfer from your epidermis to your blood stream. Traces of dangerous chemicals have been located in blood, urine and even breast milk. While the European Union bans over 1,000 chemicals, the U.S. has only red-flagged 11 total. The U.S. FDA has not been give the governmental authority to properly test for safety (nor recall) dangerous products. This can make it incredibly overwhelming when you're out shopping. Fortunately, the EWG has done all of the research for you... you no longer have to be a chemist to successfully shop for safe products. EWG Verified products undergo stringent analysis. The following standards must be met: Must score "green" within the Skin Deep rating system. Cannot contain any ingredients on the Skin Deep unacceptable list. Fully disclose ALL ingredients, including the umbrella terms of "fragrance," which can encompass approximately 3,000 ingredients. No proprietary ingredients. Must be fully transparent. Listen in as Nneka Leiba, MPH, MPhil, Deputy Director of Research for the EWG, joins Dr. Friedman to explain why cosmetics and personal care products can be so harmful, as well as what the EWG Verified label entails.

In the past few years, advances in technology have had major impacts on the physical and mental health of children and teens.In the past few years, advances in technology have had major impacts on the physical and mental health of children and teens.  Whereas family members used to all sit down together at mealtime, the current disconnection has caused parents to lose touch. They have no real, intimate personal communications with their kids.  Dr. Lisa Strohman suggests looking at technology use the same as you would a treat such as chocolate cake. Sure, you'd love to have it every day (multiple times a day), but that wouldn't be healthy for you and it will have consequences. Parents need to introduce balance when it comes to devices and media use. For example, implement text-free Tuesdays where you all do something to communicate face-to-face, such as playing a board game.  Another huge issue that technology has brought about is that of online harassment, or what we now call cyberbullying. It's very difficult to escape from this type of bullying. Even if you use typical tactics to block or "unfriend" a user, there are ways for the harassers to get through. Recently, an 18-year-old took her own life after having to endure months of attacks via anonymous predators. If your teen or pre-teen seems withdrawn, newly introverted, or is having obvious mood shifts, don't be afraid to approach him or her and ask the hard questions, such as "Have you ever thought about hurting yourself?" Oftentimes their feelings are such a big burden, they may feel relieved to let it out. Emerging acronyms make it easier for kids to bully other kids without parents necessarily knowing what's going on. Lisa shares just a few of the more popular ones: KYS: Kill Your Self KMS: Kill My Self 182: I Hate You DIRL: Die in Real Life FUB: Fat Ugly Bastard Some of these are in jest, but such messages could be interpreted by certain kids as truth. Those kids are part of a vulnerable population, and anonymity can allow for more aggressive attacks. As a parent, if you come across a seemingly "secret code," a simple Google search will likely give you information on what it means.  One piece of advice Lisa gives both kids and parents is to resist the impulse to respond on social media. Commenting on a Twitter or Facebook post can be like adding gasoline to a fire. Don't assume that others have the same mindset as you. Be cautious about who you're interacting with online. Someone who posts vicious claims probably doesn't have the same moral compass as you. It's a new world we live in, but not all hope is lost.  Listen in as Dr. Strohman joins Dr. Friedman to explain the impact technology has on your teen (and family dynamic), as well as how you can combat the negative and foster the positive.

Learn how you can achieve ultimate life/work balance with a very simple approach.Many women have no healthy framework to think about integrating "work" and "life," particularly once they have children and feel like they must choose parenting over career. Unfortunately, once a woman leaves the workforce, her choices are severely limited. Approximately only 40 percent women who take time off to raise kids will find full-time work again. Additionally, studies show that when one partner quits the workforce to stay at home, it affects the relationship dramatically; mostly in a negative way. To combat this, Samantha Ettus, work/life balance expert, advises to do a daily check in, just the two of you, for at least 20 minutes per day. Sam's new book, The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe For Success and Satisfaction, discusses how you can (and should) stay involved in six or seven areas of life, instead of just one or two. These include health, friends, relationship, career, hobbies, and community. Make a goal for each slice of your life, and have a few bites of each of those slices on a daily or weekly basis. Sam also offers these nuggets of guidance: Enlist the help of a supportive partner. Involve your kids as much as possible. Practice efficient time management. Recognize that friends are vital to your health. Understand that individuals with hobbies are far more productive at work.  Listen in as Sam joins Dr. Friedman to share more about her book, as well as how you can achieve work/life balance with her very simple approach.