The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

Does the Keto Diet really have such a smelly side effect?! A growing chorus of women are claiming that they have developed a very foul odor in an intimate area since going on the high-fat high-protein diet. There are so many stories out there that the Internet is now referring to the phenomenon as "keto crotch." But are these claims real or does this stink of a phony urban legend? Join "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll and plant-based board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Christie Cobb as they sniff out what's fact and what's fiction. Plus, dietitian Lee Crosby returns to the show to talk about other proven side effects of Keto, including constipation, the "keto flu" and a little unpleasant something called "disaster pants!" Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

She was so fired up to go plant-based that she tattooed the word "vegan" on her arm. And that was before all animal products had been eliminated from her diet. She just knew that she wanted to do it. And, boy did she ever! That is Starla Maurer. Her energy is infectious and her zest for life is unrivaled. The fitness instructor thought she was making a change to save her own life, but little did she know that it would be her husband whose life would ultimately need saving. It was their wedding anniversary and Starla was only a few weeks into her plant-based journey. But rather than celebrate their union and her new quest for health, fate would cruelly intervene as doctors gave the Maurers news that rocked them to the core. Rick had colon cancer and would need to begin treatment immediately. What happened next is one of the most remarkable stories ever shared on The Exam Room podcast. Join "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll as he sits down with Starla and Rick as well as Dr. Hana Kahleova as they relive an incredible journey filled with unimaginable lows and unparalleled heights. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

Who wants to grow old?! Anti-aging is a multi-billion dollar industry filled with millions of can't miss gadgets and creams, all promising to wash away blemishes and smooth out wrinkles. There are the countless procedures to keep us looking 20 years younger than the birthdate on our driver's license. We are terrified of showing our years and fork over hundreds of dollars for tiny jars of magical elixirs to keep Father Time at bay. But what if the fountain of youth isn't actually as seen on TV? What if it's hiding in plain sight in the grocery store among the apples and oranges, the spinach and kale, and the vast colors of the produce section? On this episode of The Exam Room™, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Hana Kahleova and Dr. Asha Subramanian to talk about how the foods we eat can help keep us looking and feeling younger. On the flip side, it can also speed up the aging process and in many cases shed years from our life instead of adding them. Topics covered: The life expectancy of vegans and vegetarians compared to omnivores. How overweight and obese teens face an increased risk of early death. How eating meat appears to cause early puberty among young girls. How dairy products affect the aging process. How eating a high-fiber diet improves the odds of living disease-free late in life. How eating a plant-based diet can be especially beneficial for middle-aged adults at risk of heart disease. How what we eat can impact the actual size of the brain. How eating trans fats negatively impacts memory ability, even in young adults. How food can help maintain good vision as we grow older. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @DrAshaSub / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

To say that we are a bacon obsessed culture would be a gross understatement. In fact, 43% of Canadians would rather eat bacon than have sex, according to a 2010 study! Another 25% of adults worried that their significant other loved bacon more than they loved them. Reality check: If you believe that your partner would honestly pick bacon over you then it's time to seriously reevaluate the relationship! But the study also goes to show just how deep our love of bacon runs. In this episode of The Exam Room™ podcast, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll interviews Dr. Neal Barnard who explains the very scientific reason for our infatuation. Our brains are hard-wired to fall in love the salt and grease that is found abundantly in the popular, yet dangerous breakfast meat. Factor in the pinch of sugar found in a lot of bacon and the love connection gets even stronger! While you may love bacon, bacon certainly doesn't love you back. Dr. Barnard also discusses the long-term health risks associated with eating it, including a substantially higher risk of developing cancer. Did you know that eating just two strips per day increases raises the risk of colorectal cancer by nearly 20%? And the more you eat, the greater the risk becomes of dying from other cancers as well as heart disease. The good news for bacon lovers is that there are plant-based alternatives that have all of the flavor but none of the risk. Dietician Maggie Neola joins Chuck to share four of the tastiest vegan bacon recipes you'll ever find! We're talking about "bacon and eggs," BLTs, "bacon burgers" and even "bacon bits" for topping salads! Plus, they do a head-to-head nutritional comparison of pork and the plant-based bacon that you have to hear to believe. If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, Maggie is available for consultation at the Barnard Medical Center. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

What if losing weight doesn't mean cutting back on portion sizes? Is there a way to really eat more but weigh less? That's what "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll explores on this episode of The Exam Room™. The concept may sound too good to be true, but Dr. Steve Neabore sits down with Chuck to explore the science behind a plant-based diet and why many stop counting calories altogether once they've adopted it. Dr. Neabore also shows how empty the stomach looks after consuming 500 calories of oil, meat, or dairy compared to the same amount of calories from fruits and vegetables. The difference is amazing. Then, dietician Maggie Neola returns to the show with a head-to-head comparison of some of America's most popular foods. How does the fat and calories found in the traditional recipes compare to the equally tasty vegan versions? In many instances you can save hundreds of calories by simply choosing the plant-based option! As you'll hear, the benefits also extend beyond the new-and-improved person you see in the mirror. Opting for plant-based meals can also reduce cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer while increasing your life expectancy. Who wouldn't want to stick around a few more years after losing all that weight?! If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, Dr. Neabore and Maggie Neola are available for consultation at the Barnard Medical Center. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

Food addiction can be as powerful as any drug on the street. In this episode of The Exam Room™, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll opens up about a nearly three-decade battle with food addiction that nearly claimed his life. He struggled to "diet" at 420 pounds and experienced withdrawal symptoms when he tried to go without fast food. His body would ache, and he became filled will anger. At one point, he became so infuriated without his "fix" that he violently punched his fist through a wall before sneaking out in the middle of the night to find a 24-hour drive-thru and quiet the unrelenting rage. But why does this happen? Dr. Neal Barnard joins the show to explain how the brain reacts similarly to certain foods and narcotics. There is a reason that we crave high-fat and high-calorie foods. Our brain loves them! And it's not just people like Chuck who reach 400 pounds or more. There are others who might appear healthy but can be a chocoholic or obsessed with bacon. Dr. Barnard reveals that the parallel between food and drug addiction is so great that a chocolate addict's cravings can be reduced by Narcan, which is a medicine used to treat opioid overdoses. And what is it about cheese that makes it so hard to live without? There's an opioid link there too! But the biggest question is how do you beat food addiction? How can you break up with bacon and give cheeseburgers the boot? Dr. Barnard and Chuck outline the steps you can take to kick the habit and reclaim your health. You'll also hear from Sarah Fraser, who is a popular media personality in the Washington, DC area and host of the Hey Frase podcast. Like Chuck, her battle with food addiction began at a young age and grew worse over time. She talks about overcoming the emotional hurt caused by body shaming and taking control of her weight by practicing mindful eating and turning to a plant-based diet. She's now loud and proud 24/7, as any of her listeners will tell you! Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM / @HeyFrase IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee / @HeyFrase Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

When things aren't working like they should in bed, men should be turning to vegetables and not Viagra, according to numerous studies. Indeed, science shows the lasting cure for erectile dysfunction is more likely to be found in the refrigerator than in the medicine cabinet. In this episode of The Exam Room™, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll and Dr. Steve Neabore dive into the cause of the embarrassing problem and explore how a plant-based diet can bring spice back into your love life. Dr. Neabore also explains how the same narrowing of arteries that can cause a heart attack can also lead to sexual performance issues. You'll also learn how popular tiny blue medication works and compare its effectiveness to a daily infusion of fruits and vegetables. Then, just in time for Valentine's Day, dietitian Lee Crosby reveals the best foods for lowering the risk of heart disease and lowering blood pressure. You will learn why the risk is nearly cut in half by adopting a plant-based diet and the jaw-dropping cost of preventable cardiovascular surgery. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating. Plus, a very special PSA from Dr. Neal Barnard.

You don't have to be an Olympic caliber athlete to reap the benefits of a plant-based diet! In this episode of The Exam Room™ podcast, find out why athletes from 8 to 80 years old are gaining an edge by taking meat and dairy off the table. "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll sits down with Dr. James Loomis, medical director of the Barnard Medical Center, and dietitian Susan Levin who are co-authors of a new review scrutinizing food and athletic performance. Their findings point to some of the strongest links yet between diet and post-workout recovery. Chuck also sits down with a man who is living proof that plant-based eating can help make even the grandest of athletic dreams come true. Eric O'Grey returns to the show after qualifying for the elusive Boston Marathon. After losing 180 pounds and reversing Type 2 diabetes, Eric was blowing past runners many years younger than himself en route to punching a ticket to Boston and posting a personal-best time. And what happens to his body after the race is just as remarkable. The other thing you should know about Eric: A doctor once told him to buy a grave plot because his poor health was driving him to an early grave. Talk about changing your life! Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM / @Eric_OGrey IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee / @EricOGrey Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

The latest trend in the NFL isn't a fancy offense or going for it on fourth down. It's going vegan! A growing number of the league's stars — many of them 300 pounds of pure muscle — are turning to a plant-based diet to take their game to the next level. And it's no surprise given the success they are having. In this episode of The Exam Room, "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll travels to Nashville to meet up with plant-based celebrity Chef Charity Morgan. The classically trained vegan chef is now feeding a ton of players in the Tennessee Titans locker room, including her own husband Derrick Morgan. Chef Charity shares how it was actually Derrick who introduced her to a plant-based diet and her secrets to keeping these gridiron giants fed. It's no small feat given their size! Plus, Chef Charity takes us into the kitchen to whip up a delicious plant-based spinach and artichoke dip that will leave your mouth watering just in time for the Super Bowl. Then, Chuck checks back in with the inspirational Josh LaJaunie whose incredible weight loss journey began after the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010. Their improbable victory took him from 420 pounds to the cover of Runner's World magazine! Josh is also the author of the book Sick To Fit, which is available for free as a Kindle download. You'll get amazing insight on what it takes to transform your health and lose hundreds of pounds when Chuck and Josh compare their remarkable stories. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.

Aidan Gallagher is a young plant-based game changer! Not only is he a tv star, he's also a heck of a musician who is already using his celebrity status to advocate for animal welfare and promote the health benefits of a vegan diet. The 15-year-old is best known for starring on the long-running Nickelodeon show "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn" as well as the Netflix series "The Umbrella Academy" but did you know that he's also the youngest goodwill ambassador ever appointed by the United Nations thanks to his environmental advocacy? Not too bad for someone still a few years shy of college age! He joined "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll from his home in California to talk about keeping it plant-based on the set and in the music studio, "doing alright" in the kitchen, his philanthropic efforts, and his upcoming EP, Blue Neon. Then, Chuck learns about the big impact that one small device — about the size of your finger — is going to have on the future of healthcare as he's joined in-studio by Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H. Kristie is the Vice President of Research Policy with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and an expert on the modern medical marvel known as organ-on-a-chip! The device can replicate human organs and give researchers insight on how cells will respond to prospective medication! Not only will it accelerate the speed at which new medicine becomes available, but it is also expected to bring the skyrocketing cost of healthcare back down to earth. The organ-on-a-chip will also eliminate the need for animal testing in drug trials. Research combining artificial intelligence and heart-on-a-chip technology was recently profiled in the media. Follow Twitter: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PCRM IG: @ChuckCarrollWLC / @PhysiciansCommittee Share the Show Please pass along what you've learned on the show by sharing it with a friend and by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or many other podcast providers. Also, please leave 5-star rating.