Take Control of Your Diabetes – Dr. John Whyte

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

One in three people in the US population have prediabetes- could you be one of them? Physician, Chief Medical Officer of WebMD and author, Dr. John Whyte MPH joins to empower listeners to take control of their prediabetes and diabetes in this important and inspiring episode. Dr. Whyte shares that blood sugars in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can be reversed to normal under certain circumstances. The Doctors cut through the misinformation and share scientifically supported strategies and practically healthy prescriptions to promote diabetes management- they discuss exercise, food as medicine (including spices), sugar consumption, supplements, stress and more! A must listen for anyone with prediabetes or diabetes looking to prevent and possibly reverse the impact of blood sugar.

Transform Your Health Through Precision Medicine – Dr. Florence Comite

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

The future of medicine is here and Dr. Melina is thrilled to welcome Dr. Florence Comite as guest on the Practically Healthy podcast to discuss the cutting-edge field of precision health- taking differences in people’s genes, environments and lifestyles into account for a highly personalized medical approach. Dr. Comite is a highly sought-after clinician and scientist, author and innovator in the field of precision medicine. The doctors discuss Dr. Comite’s use of genomic, metabolic, phenotypic and digital health care with the goal of detecting, predicting and reversing disorders of aging for optimal health and vitality. Dr. Comite dispels misinformation behind the use of testosterone, chats continuous glucose monitors, addresses women’s aging challenges and more! A fascinating conversation about modern medicine and the future of health care from a true expert.

Happy Healthy Resilient Kids – Dr. Tanya Altmann

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Pediatrician and nationally recognized child health expert, Dr. Tanya Altmann joins to share her expertise in helping parents raise optimally healthy, happy and resilient kids. As a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, best-selling author of several parenting books and 20+ years caring for children, Dr. Tanya is a highly sought-after pediatric healthcare authority and consultant. Dr. Melina and Dr. Tanya set the record straight on the most pressing children’s health issues parents face today- sleep, nutrition, screen time, mental health and more- what to look for and what steps to take. The doctors discuss sugar, dairy choices, ADHD, supplementation and share the practically healthy hacks they use in their own homes. A must-listen for parents looking to set their kids up to be their healthiest, happiest selves!

Happy Healthy Resilient Kids – Pt 2 – Dr. Tanya Altmann

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

n part two of a special two-part episode, Dr. Melina and pediatrician and nationally recognized child healthcare expert, Dr. Tanya Altmann continue their discussion about raising optimally healthy, happy and resilient kids. The conversation shifts to navigating COVID-19 as a parent- the doctors discuss the role of the vaccine, effects vs risk, and share their thoughts on booster shots before returning to school. Dr. Melina and Dr. Tanya meld their expertise with regard to kids and supplements, sharing their perspective on use and dosage of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc and pre and probiotics. Above all, an integrative approach is stressed with an emphasis on a balanced diet and healthy weight. Dr. Tanya shares that food allergies are at an all time high and the doctors discuss the difference between a food allergy and sensitivity- touching on gluten, dairy and peanuts- what to look for, why you shouldn’t necessarily eliminate foods and modern approaches to help prevent or build tolerance toward allergies. A fact-based discussion about today’s top parenting topics from two true experts!

Making Peace with Food – Meredith O’Brien

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Meredith O’Brien, LCSW joins to share hope, tips and inspiration for those suffering from disordered eating or beat down from today’s impossible beauty ideals. She shares her journey from being diagnosed at 13 years old as an anorexic, to inpatient hospitalization at 35, to full recovery today. Dr. Melina and Meredith discuss the baggage that we all feel with regard to eating and the need to take morality out food. They touch on the 10 principals of intuitive eating including rejecting diet mentality, honoring your hunger and that no foods are off limits. The role of parents and modeling is highlighted and many other important factors for beginning the road to recovery. Practically healthy tips are offered to help listeners feel less hungry and increase satiety which gives you the power to focus on recovery. An important and helpful discussion for anyone looking to improve their relationship with food, raise body-positive children or those with loved ones in need of support.

The Great Age Reboot – Michael Roizen

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

What if 90 were the new 40? Pioneering longevity physician and four time #1 NYT best-selling author, Dr. Michael Roizen joins to share a groundbreaking narrative of the future of longevity, revealing how new scientific and medical advances will change the world—and how they will unlock your ability to live younger, longer, and better. The doctors discuss the 14 aging mechanisms- the biological processes that control your rate of aging- and share exciting advances in the fight against leading causes of death including cardiovascular disease, obesity, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Dr. Roizen touches on the 180 key factors that affect biological age and offers practically healthy advice for reversing the clock including only eating foods that love you back, the importance of supplements and being your own health advocate. Dr. Roizen also adresses the effects of longer lifespans from a cultural and economic perspective- and how to prepare yourself emotionally and financially. An optimistic insight into the future of longevity with tips to optimize your healthspan and lifespan today!

The Sleep Doctor – Dr. Michael Breus

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Sleep better tonight! Dr. Melina is joined by Dr. Michael Breus, America’s sleep doctor and best-selling author. Dr. Breus opens by calling sleep “the domino of wellness”, asserting that once you optimize your sleep, many other aspects of health fall into line- weight loss, mood, productivity, food cravings and more. Dr. Melina admits to struggling with sleep herself and Dr. Breus introduces the concept of Chronotypes- the genetically determined biological clock unique to each person. He shares the four Chronotypes and helps Dr. Melina and the listener and discover which applies to them. Once you reveal your Chronotype, we learn steps to take to help get the sleep quality and quantity we need to be at our best each day. The doctors share practically healthy tips for getting better sleep, common sleep mistakes, chat supplements, CBD and more! Dr. Breus shares his number one tip for better sleep and issues a “sex challenge” with regard to honoring your Chronotype. A must-listen for anyone looking to optimize your sleep or struggling to get some shut eye.

Rock Star – Sasha DiGiulian

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Professional rock climber, writer and philanthropist, Sasha DiGiulian joins for episode 33 of the Practically Healthy podcast! Sasha first began climbing at 6 years old and has earned numerous titles including World Championship for Female Overall, the undefeated panAmerica Champion 2004 to the present and three-time US National Champion.  Sasha shares an insider’s perspective of the male-dominated rock climbing world, from combating sexism, breaking down gatekeepers and her aspirations to “build a new table” by lifting more women up and providing opportunities for other female rock climbers. She shares life on the side of a cliff, discusses strength to weight body ratio and talks about completing the 5.14d climb- the hardest climb achieved by a woman in the world.
Dr. Melina and Sasha delve into the training needed for the intense demands of rock climbing- from sport specific training, gym workouts, cardio and even finger strength. They touch on Sasha’s nutrition journey, from a period of disordered eating, to learning she was celiac, to focusing more on nutrition after college. Sasha shares the story of her nutrition bar company, Send Bars, made with adaptogens, greens and the highest quality gluten free, vegan and organic ingredients- created by athletes for everyone. 

Harness Omega-3 Fatty Acid – Dr. William Harris

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Dr. William Harris, Nutrition Ph.D. and internationally recognized omega-3 fatty acid expert joins to share the incredible benefits of a high omega-3 index including mitigating risk of heat disease, cancer, auto immune disease, Alzheimer’s and more- and shares how to measure and raise your omega-3 index to realize your best health! Dr. Harris introduces the Omega-3 Index, a test which he co-invented, that measures the level of EPA and DHA in individuals, expressed as a percentage of total fatty acid. Unlike a cholesterol test, you don’t need a doctor to obtain an Omega-3 Index test, enabling individuals to uncover and proactively address their omega-3 deficiency which is correlated to a higher risk of disease. The doctors discuss the ideal Omega-3 Index range of 8-12% and share that the average percentage is roughly 5%- well below the ideal level. Dr. Melina shares her Omega-3 Index results (tune in to hear her score!) and practically healthy tips are shared for selecting omega-3 supplements- touching on the importance of quality, a discussion of dosage and which forms are best absorbed. An important and actionable episode to empower listeners to make potentially life-saving changes!

Menopause Bootcamp –  Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Board certified Gynecologist and Integrative Medicine & Menopause Specialist, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz joins to talk all things menopause! Dr. Suzanne defines menopause and shares its many signs and symptoms including hot flashes, weight gain, sleep disruption and more. She reframes menopause as the “puberty of midlife” and urges listeners to focus on empowering themselves versus viewing menopause as a detriment to their worth. The conversation shifts to hormone replacement therapy, touching on testosterone pellets and the absence of science-based data to support use. Dr. Suzanne clarifies that she is a fan of hormone supplementation, which when used properly, is shown to have many positive benefits- including reducing risk of death, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis and more!

Eating for Optimal Health – Dr. Christopher Gardner

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Nutrition Science PhD and Professor of Medicine at Stanford, Dr. Christopher Gardner joins to share his expertise as a 20+ year academic leading headline making studies investigating the potential health benefits of various dietary components and food patterns.
Dr. Gardner acknowledges the complexities of nutrition studies and urges the listener to seek “instead of” and “with what” vs “nutrition answers”. The doctors discuss topical dietary choices including red meat vs alternative meat products- how do they compare with regard to cardiovascular risk factors, TMAO levels, blood pressure and more. Low fat vs low carb diets- which is more effective for weight loss? And keto vs Mediterranean- which is better for blood sugar control and which is better for lowering LDL cholesterol?

The Fountain of Youth in a Bottle – Dr. Emily Werner

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Can a supplement help boost strength, energy and endurance? Tune into episode 37 of the Practically Healthy podcast to hear the remarkable science-backed potential benefits of Mitopure(TM)- a groundbreaking new supplement making headlines for its ability to kickstart a crucial recycling process in cells called mitophagy, preventing age-related cellular decline. Dr. Emily Werner, RD, Exercise Physiology PhD and Team Dietician for the Philadelphia 76ers joins to explain the role of mitochondria (aka the “powerhouse of the cell”) and shares why mitochondrial health is important to everyone. The doctors share that as we get older, mitochondrial renewal declines and dysfunctional mitochondria accumulate in the cells, resulting in a host of issues from decline in energy levels, resiliency and muscle function to more significant health issues such as diabetes and cognitive decline. Dr. Werner introduces Urolithin A, a molecule that stimulates the crucial recycling and cleansing process of mitochondria- ultimately protecting cells from age-associated decline.

Is it Possible to Slow Aging – Hannah Went

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Ever feel like you look or feel much younger (or older) than you actually are? You might be right! Founder and Director of Operations at TruDiagnostic joins episode 38 of the Practically Healthy podcast to chat all things epigenetics- how your behaviors and environment affect the way your genes work- and how relatively new scientific breakthroughs allow us to measure and influence factors that impact our biologic age (how old we are on a cellular level compared to how old we actually are.) Hannah opens the podcast by providing the listener with an understanding of epigenetics and assures us that “your DNA is not your destiny”. Dr. Melina and Hannah discuss DNA methylation and how it can “turn on” or “turn off” certain genes from working. Unlike chronological age, biological age more accurately reflects classic signs of aging, from wrinkles and energy levels to diabetes and disease.

Gut Microbiome – Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

70% of your immune system is located in your gut- how are you supporting your microbiome for your best health? Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and Founder of Pendulum joins on episode 39 of the Practically Healthy podcast to provide a science-based discussion on probiotics and how this rapidly emerging field is playing an important role in health and disease. Colleen shares the research and insights that lead to Pendulum’s revolutionary probiotic, Akkermansia for mitigating metabolic syndrome. She explains that the Akkermansia muciniphila strain plays an important role in metabolism and the gut lining. The listener learns why low counts or depletion of Akkermansia is a problem, and can result in Inflammation, skin disorders, immune response and metabolism disorders. Dr. Melina reveals that she orders Akkermansia and mentions that it can reduce sugar cravings, anecdotally, for some.

Laughter is the Best Medicine – Dr. David Friedman

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Dr. David Friedman, syndicated TV and radio host, best selling author and part time comedian doesn’t perform surgery as a chiropractic neurologist, but he still manages to leave his patients in stitches- HA! He joins Dr. Melina on episode 40 of the Practically Healthy podcast to invoke a good belly laugh or two and share how laughter is indeed, the best medicine. Dr. Friedman reminds the listener that humans laugh before they speak and asserts that laughter is in all of us. The doctors discuss the incredible, science-backed benefits of laughter including: decreasing inflammation, increasing infection-fighting antibodies, helping prevent heart disease and cancer and improving cognitive function. Dr. Friedman explains that laughter decreases cortisol levels which can lead to weight loss through a decrease in stressful eating and belly fat. Dr. Friedman shares that laughter can burn calories and that 20 seconds of a good belly laugh is equivalent to 100 sit ups- incredible!

The Noom Mindset – Dr Andreas Michealides

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Can a health app impact behavior and inspire lasting lifestyle changes? Andreas Michealides, PhD, Chief of Psychology at Noom joins on episode 41 of the Practically Healthy podcast to share how Noom is revolutionizing the weight loss industry by merging psychology with technology. Dr. Michaelides sets the stage by framing Noom as a behavior change company that transcends weight loss and shares the evolutionary reason why changing our behavior is so difficult. The doctors emphasize the importance of the brain in weight loss and introduce neuroplasticity- the brain’s ability to create new connections and adapt. The idea of habits and building on small steps is highlighted, and Noom’s four holistic health pillars are shared: nutrition, physical activity, stress management and sleep.

Reboot Your Relationship: Dr. Ish Major

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Sex, relationships, intimacy, connection and more! Dr. Melina welcomes Dr. Ish Major, board certified psychiatrist and host of WE tv’s Marriage Bootcamp for a New Year’s relationship reboot on episode 42 of the Practically Healthy podcast! The doctors dive in and outline the healthy aspects of relationships and touch on our need for love and connection as human beings. Dr. Ish explains how to assess if/ where the problems may be in your relationship by debunking your ABMs- Assumptions, Biases and Mindset- and what you should do when you don’t like what you hear.

Eggs State of Science: Dr. Mickey Rubin

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Life long brain health, muscle repair, eye health, weight management and more! Dr. Mickey Rubin, Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC) joins on episode 43 of the Practically Healthy podcast to share the many science backed benefits of incredible, edible EGGS! The Drs. jump in and cut through the cholesterol confusion- exploring how the science of eating eggs for heart health has evolved and advanced to the current authoritative guidance that there is no association between egg intake and heart disease. Dr. Rubin details the many important nutrients in eggs including choline, lutein, B12, zeaxanthin, selenium and others- and makes a case for the importance of consuming egg yolks, not just the whites. Dr. Melina is “eggcited” to talk about the many benefits of choline throughout the lifecycle, highlighting the significant impact of maternal and early life consumption on the cognitive health of babies.

Younger You: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Live longer and live better through science- Dr. Kara Fitzgerald joins on episode 44 of the Practically Healthy podcast to share that “our genes are not our destiny” and the implications of her groundbreaking scientific trial showing biological age reversal in humans. The doctors explain the difference between chronological age (your age in years) and biologic age- the age of your cells that determines why people may have a more youthful appearance, feel younger and most importantly, a lower risk of every major disease, since aging is the biggest contributing factor for each.

Choline: The Essential Nutrient You’ve Probably Never Heard Of : Dr. Steve Zeisel

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

All About Magnesium: Dr. Taylor Wallace, America’s Favorite Food Scientist

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Your Healthiest Healthy: Samantha Harris

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Dancing with the Stars TV Host, Author and Certified Health Coach, Samantha Harris joins on episode 47 of the Practically Healthy podcast to share the story of her breast cancer diagnosis at age forty and how to proactively take control of your health for a longer, cleaner, happier life.

Samantha gets personal and shares her incredible story of self advocacy in continuing to seek answers about the lump in her breast despite a series of clear medical check ups. Dr. Melina applauds her persistence and reminds listeners that we must advocate for our own health. Unlike 5-10% of breast cancer cases, Samantha reveals that her cancer was not hereditary and therefore was likely caused by her lifestyle.

Dr. Melina introduces the listener to epigenetics- how our behaviors and lifestyle “turn on” and “turn off” certain genes- which can be influenced heavily by what we eat, stress levels, exercise, sleep quality and more. e!

Dr. David Katz: How to Eat for Healthy Vital People on a Healthy Vital Planet

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Dr. David Katz, specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine joins on episode 48 of the Practically Healthy podcast to share his vast knowledge about HOW TO EAT for healthy vital people on a healthy, vital planet. The doctors discuss their perspectives on health- how “living healthfully” can be perceived as a full time job, their shared objective of adding not only years to life, but life to years, and shift the perspective of “health” as being much more than “the absence of disease”.

Dr. Katz reminds listeners of the diminished state of the planet including soil deterioration, poor air quality, aquifer degradation and more. He highlights the three lenses through which he determines how we should eat: impact on human health, potential cruelty/abuse to animals and planetary impact/ environmental footprint. Tune in to learn the number one food he recommends we cut back on.

How to Maintain your Weight During the Holidays: Bonus Episode by Dr. Melina

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Calm Your Mind With Food: Dr. Uma Naidoo

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Thyroid Health: Empowering you for Optimal Autoimmune Disease Management

Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina

Described as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food and medicine space, Nutritional Psychiatrist, trained chef and international best seller, Dr. Uma Naidoo joins Dr. Melina for a very special 50th episode of the Practically Healthy podcast.

Dr. Naidoo shares her expert perspective on mental health through the lense of nutritional psychiatry- more simply, “your mind on food”. Dr. Naidoo reframes food as a “tool” and empowers listeners to use nutrition to help mitigate conditions from depression, anxiety and libido to bipolar disorder. She discussed foods “you should embrace” and foods “you should step back from” as prescriptive tools to match each specific condition.