The People's Pharmacy

Are you concerned about your bone health? Do you worry about osteoporosis? According to the CDC, more than 10 million Americans have low bone density that makes them more vulnerable to fractures. For many older people, a fracture can be devastating, reducing mobility and possibly even leading to death. What does the latest medical science […]

The statistics are shocking. At any given time, nearly one fourth of American adults are experiencing low back pain. Even worse, roughly one-third of the population will have to deal with chronic pain at some point in their lives. How does the brain react to pain? What can people with chronic pain do to alleviate […]

For the last several decades, nutrition scientists have been debating the pros and cons of various dietary approaches. The Mediterranean diet has a lot of proponents, and we have interviewed some of them on The People’s Pharmacy. Dr. Barry Popkin and Dr. Walter Willett endorse olive oil, whole grains, fruits and vegetables with only small […]

Americans take a lot of medications. Luckily, the Food and Drug Administration only approves those that are safe and effective. However, the agency’s definition of “safe” includes medicines that can harm or kill some people, and the definition of “effective” covers some drugs that only work a little better than placebo. Has the FDA changed […]

In this episode, our guest is a dermatologist who wants us to consider sunlight’s health benefits. That is a minority opinion among dermatologists. Dr. Richard Weller tells us why vitamin D is overrated and not the most important aspect of sun exposure. At The People’s Pharmacy, we bring you the latest research-backed insights on health, […]

A randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed what some cancer specialists have long hoped: physical activity can prolong cancer patients’ lives. Last week, we heard from the senior author of that study, medical oncologist Christopher Booth. In this episode, we hear from an exercise physiologist who has been helping […]

Physical activity, aka “exercise,” is a cornerstone of good health, just like adequate sleep and a balanced diet. No one questions the benefits for people who are already healthy. But doctors may assume that cancer patients are too debilitated and demoralized to exercise. They may think physical activity wouldn’t be much help to patients who […]

We may not often stop to think about it, but our water, food, furniture and other ordinary items are frequently contaminated with toxic chemicals. In this episode, Dr. Aly Cohen describes these threats to our health. You may have heard of compounds that can disrupt hormonal balance (endocrine disruptors). Everyday toxins like these can also […]

In this episode, our guest, Dr. Andrew Armstrong of Duke University, discusses recent advances that men should know to overcome prostate cancer. We ask about former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis. What does it mean to have Stage IV prostate cancer and a Gleason score of 9? News outlets have reported that Mr. Biden’s previous prostate […]

In this episode, two experts draw on the latest research about avoiding Lyme disease and other infections that may be transmitted through tick bites. Why are these conditions so difficult to diagnose? Most importantly, how can people with lingering symptoms from Lyme get help and start to feel better? We consider both conventional and alternative […]