The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to reveal The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives, Including Your Own. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Frieden breaks down what’s keeping America sick — from poor diets to toxic environments — and how we can turn the tide with simple, proven steps that save lives.   He shares his three-part framework — “See, Believe, Create” — a practical guide for improving personal and public health. Discover what science says about potassium deficiency, the dangers of ultra-processed foods, and how nutrition, environment, and policy can come together to create a healthier world for everyone.   Dr. Frieden also discusses:   - Why the potassium-to-sodium ratio is one of the strongest predictors of heart health - The impact of microplastics, PFAS, and air pollution (PM2.5) on chronic disease - How food industry tactics mirror Big Tobacco’s playbook - The truth about processed meats, sugar-sweetened drinks, and trans fats - What governments can learn from Chile’s bold food labeling laws - Why plant-based, high-fiber diets are key to longevity and disease prevention - The risks of animal agriculture and wet markets in future pandemics   📘 Get Dr. Frieden’s book: https://amzn.to/4nf1xzU   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

What happens when a systems engineer is told she has cancer—but refuses to accept that medication and surgery are her only options?   In this inspiring episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with Dr. Ruby Lathon, who healed her thyroid cancer naturally through the power of food. Discover how she turned her research skills into a mission to help others use plants to prevent and reverse disease.   Ruby shares the exact steps she took to restore her health—including how she eliminated dairy, sugar, and processed foods, and the mindset shift that helped her truly heal. Today, she’s thriving as a wellness coach, author, and founder of Ruby Reds Vegan, teaching people that food truly is medicine.   What You’ll Learn - How Dr. Ruby Lathon reversed thyroid cancer with plant-based nutrition - The foods that help regulate thyroid function and fight inflammation - Ways to make whole-food, plant-based meals delicious and satisfying   📕 Order Dr. Ruby's cookbook, Stop Playin' Go Vegan: https://bit.ly/DrRubyCookbook   🥦 Check out Ruby Reds Vegan meal delivery service: https://www.rubyredsvegan.com   This episode is powered by Menopause Makeover that unites the science of strength and the power of transformation—so you can reclaim your body, your life, and your confidence. Check the program out online at https://menopausemakeover.online   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

A Fortune 250 company in Des Moines, Iowa transformed employee health through a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle.    Discover how Gretchen Barress teamed up with PCRM and Dr. Jim Loomis to launch a 16-week wellness program at Principal Financial that helped 240 participants dramatically lower cholesterol, reverse prediabetes, lose weight, and boost energy — all for just $108 per person.   Chuck Carroll sits down with Jean McGinnis and participants like Malcolm & Suzanne Showalter who conquered migraines, reversed heart disease risk, and experienced newfound vitality. Learn how this evidence-based approach from the Barnard Medical Center and PCRM is revolutionizing corporate wellness — even in the heart of the Midwest!   What You'll Learn in This Episode - How a Fortune 250 company implemented a plant-based program on a small budget - The average 23% LDL reduction and 18% A1C improvement among participants - Why employees reported better sleep, focus, and mental health - The difference between “health care” and “sick care,” explained by Dr. Loomis - How to bring programs like this to your own workplace   📫 Email Gretchen: Barress.Gretchen@principal.com 📞 718-915-4093   🔗 Make an appointment with Dr. Loomis at the Barnard Medical Center: https://www.pcrm.org/barnard-medical-center   🎤 Exam Room taping at GreenFare in Herndon, VA on Oct. 21: https://bit.ly/ERLiveOct21   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Are low-carb diets good or bad for your gut health?  In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Chuck Carroll is joined by gastroenterologist and gut health expert Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to explore how cutting carbs affects your microbiome, digestion, and long-term wellness.   Discover what happens to your gut bacteria when fiber is reduced, whether low-carb eating disrupts short-chain fatty acid production, and how these changes could impact your risk for chronic diseases. Dr. Bulsiewicz also shares practical tips for protecting your microbiome while eating fewer carbs, and compares low-carb diets to Mediterranean and plant-based eating patterns.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   - How low-carb diets influence the diversity of gut bacteria - The impact of reduced carbs on digestion and fiber intake - Why short-chain fatty acids like butyrate matter for colon health - Links between low-carb diets, inflammation, and chronic disease - Ways to support your microbiome even while cutting carbs - How plant-based and Mediterranean diets compare for gut health     🔗 Dr. B’s Gut Health Collective and courses: https://theguthealthmd.com/collective 📘 Pre-order Dr. B’s new book: https://amzn.to/42vFhKz 👟 Exercise snacks article: https://nbcnews.to/3IZ9Lhv   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Can you really lower cholesterol with food? Dr. Michael Greger joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to reveal the simple, science-backed foods and spices that can drive LDL cholesterol down—without drugs or side effects. Discover how everyday choices can protect your heart and add years to your life.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   - Why the Standard American Diet is now the #1 cause of death in the U.S. - The truth about statins: small benefit, real risks. - How plant-based eating can reverse heart disease. - Foods that raise cholesterol: meat, dairy, eggs, coconut & palm oils. - The top foods and spices proven to lower LDL include black soybeans, apples, and garlic powder. - Why olive oil raises cholesterol on a vegan diet. - Green tea and mushrooms: health boosters, but not major LDL-reducers. - Practical tips: even one small daily change makes a big difference.   👉 Share your questions for Dr. Greger in the comments!   Dr. Greger's Book: Lower LDL Cholesterol Naturally with Food Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/4h14QcA   Dr. Greger's Cholesterol seminar is on Oct. 10 at 2pm ET. Register by Oct. 8: https://bit.ly/DrGregerCholesterolEvent   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Breast cancer prevention is possible, and the latest science is showing exactly how. On this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with leading breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk to reveal six steps every woman can take to prevent breast cancer and dramatically reduce breast cancer risk. From the role of a plant-based diet in breast cancer prevention to lifestyle habits that strengthen breast health, these strategies come directly from new research and could make a lifesaving difference.   The conversation also tackles one of the most debated questions in women’s health: Should women over 75 still get mammograms? A groundbreaking new study suggests the benefits are greater than many once believed. Dr. Funk shares her expert perspective on mammograms after 75 and what this means for women and their doctors.   In this episode you’ll discover:   - The six scientifically proven lifestyle habits that reduce breast cancer risk   - The role of diet, exercise, and alcohol in prevention   - How sleep and stress management affect breast cancer risk   - Why mammograms after age 75 may be more beneficial than expected   - What women of all ages can do today to improve long-term breast health   Have a question for Dr. Kristi Funk? Drop it in the comments below!   Become a member of Dr. Funk's breast cancer support community: https://pinklotus.com   PCRM's Let's Beat Breast Cancer store: https://pcrm.org/shop   Breast cancer lifestyle medicine study: https://bit.ly/LMBCStudy   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

What if food could help you fight cancer? New research suggests that diet can play a role in improving outcomes for cancer patients, even slowing the progression of the disease. And Dr. Urvi Shah is leading the charge.   Dr. Shah was training to be an oncologist when she was diagnosed with cancer herself. This diagnosis sent her down a rabbit hole of cancer diet research, and today she's contributed to six dietary trials examining whether and how nutrition can play a role in improving outcomes for cancer patients.   In this episode of The Exam Room Dr. Shah and Chuck Carroll discuss:   - How diet could improve outcomes for cancer patients - The best foods for cancer patients - The role your gut health plays in recovery - How to join a cancer diet trial   Dr. Shah's research can be found here: https://bit.ly/DrUrviShahResearch   Information on cancer clinical trials can be found here: https://bit.ly/ClinicalTrialsDrShah   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

There is no reason to fear potatoes ... even if you have diabetes or want to lose weight. Dr. Hana Kahleova breaks down the latest research on this humble tuber, busting myths and making the case for including more potatoes in your diet.   In this episode of The Exam Room podcast Dr. Kahleova joins Chuck Carroll to teach:   - Why potatoes get such a bad reputation - What the science says about potatoes and diabetes - How potatoes compare to basmati rice - Why potatoes rank #1 on the satiety index - Why potatoes may actually help with diabetes and weight loss   Check out the latest research here: https://bit.ly/PotatoStudy25   PCRM’s Best In The World cookbooks can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/PCRMCookbooks   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.   About Us The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

What if the secret to aging well isn’t just what you eat, but how you take care of your body and soul? Victoria Moran grew up as a "fat kid" and struggled with obesity and overeating. But when she started to take care of her spiritual well-being through yoga, self-care and Ayurvedic nutrition, she transformed her life. Today, she lives a balanced life at a healthy weight.   She shares her secrets to healthy living and aging in this episode of The Exam Room with Chuck Carroll. Together they explore how ancient yogic wisdom and Ayurveda can guide us toward healthier, more vibrant lives.   Victoria shares practical tips to elevate body, mind, and spirit. And — learn why self-care isn’t indulgence, it's an essential tool for transforming your health at any age.   Check out Victoria's book, Age Like A Yogi: https://amzn.to/4gAvSHe   Chuck also talks about being a guest on the Green Glow Lifestyle Podcast with Kyle Buckner. You can check that out here: https://bit.ly/GreenGlowPod   Check out the Wellness Weekend in Davis, WV: https://bit.ly/WellnessWV2025   PCRM's Best In The World cookbooks are now on-sale: https://bit.ly/PCRMCookbooks   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Physical and mental decline isn't inevitable. Even into your elder years, you have the power to improve your health, and age well.   In this empowering episode, Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to share science-backed strategies for eating well after 65. He explains why it’s never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle, what nutrients matter most for seniors, and how a plant-based diet can protect against common age-related conditions.   In this episode of the Exam Room, you'll learn: - The key supplements seniors need to stay healthy - Symptoms of nutrient deficiency to watch out for - Why changing your diet, even into your 80s, can extend your life - What foods protect memory and cognition - Why avoiding meat matters for seniors   This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg’s passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation. Visit their website: https://gregoryreiterfund.org   If you feel like you’ve raised your health IQ, please leave a 5-star rating and nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And consider supporting PCRM: https://www.pcrm.org/donate