Essence of Health Tea Time

Welcome to Season 4! Did you know that over 1 in 2 American adults use a screen in bed everyday and more than 56% of perimenopausal women are sleeping less than the recommended 7 hours per night? 26% of adults reported that they regularly sacrifice their recommended hours of sleep in order to have more screen time. Yet, over one-third of American adults say using their phone to check news before b...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! It is estimated that up to 70% of the US food supply is ultraprocessed, and nearly 55% of the average American's diet consists of these foods, the highest rate in the entire world. A landmark new study found that for every 10% increase in ultraprocessed food calories, your risk of dying prematurely rises by nearly 3%. But beyond chroni...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing, deductibles are climbing, and millions of Americans are being forced to make impossible choices about their healthcare. But here's what rarely gets discussed: the financial stress of navigating expensive, confusing health insurance policies. This isn't just frustrating, it's literally affecti...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! There has been major news in the nutrition world that affects every single one of us. In January 2026, the U.S. government announced brand new dietary guidelines, representing a major shift from what we’ve been told for decades. The centerpiece of these new guidelines is a brand new food pyramid that is literally turned upside down com...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! New Year's resolutions typically focus on eating better, exercising more, and losing weight. While these goals matter, many other health habits that shape your well-being just as much, if not more, than a new gym routine. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers kicks off Season 4 with a b...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! It’s Heart Health Awareness Month! While you may be aware that Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, did you know that Cardiovascular Disease takes the life of one woman every 80 seconds? It's important to be proactive about your health, particularly for women who are disproportionately affected by...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Studies have shown that gardening provides significant physical and mental health benefits and have found that regular gardening can lower risk of developing age related cognitive issues and lower one’s risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to non-gardeners. Additionally, research has demonstrated the superior nutritional value...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Neurodivergent conditions affect both children and adults alike. According to a 2022 report, approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder and around 6.1 million children aged 2-17 years (9.8%) have an ADHD diagnosis. Amongst adults, it is estimated that 4.4% of U.S. adults aged 1...

Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Today we are “reheating” The Tea About Cycling For Healthful Aging with a fresh listen to reignite your motivation to get started on achieving your health goals this year! Are you a former athlete who has found it challenging to “get back in the game” and enjoy your previous level of activity? Have you never considered yourself to be an athlete bu...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! According to a 2019 study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, approximately 39 million people in the United States suffer from migraines, with women being about three times more likely than men to experience them. Studies also show that about 85% of chronic migraine sufferers experience 15 or more headache days pe...

Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! Today we are “reheating” The Tea On Starting A Plan For Healthy Nourishment with a fresh listen to reignite your motivation to get started on achieving your health goals! Have you avoided changing your diet due to concerns about the challenge this change may present for you? In this episode Dr. Toombs-Withers will be chatting with Yaqutullah Ibrah...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Studies show that over 70% of Americans have a metabolic condition including overweight and obesity conditions. We now have medication therapy available to treat these conditions. However, studies show that less than 8% of Americans are using an anti-obesity medication for treatment, despite their proven effectiveness when used as part...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop outside, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can cause challenging concerns for some individuals. Studies show that 5% of adults in the United States, or around 10 million people, are affected by seasonal affective disorder with a predominance in Women. These symptoms tend to last abou...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Research shows that children who follow a plant-based diet tend to have a lower fat mass, lower blood cholesterol levels and lower fasting glucose levels. This can be helpful in lowering their risk of developing certain chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol when compared to their peer...

Welcome to the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! Today we are "reheating" The Tea About Breast Cancer with a fresh listen for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! In this episode Dr. Toombs-Withers will be spilling the tea on important information to know about Breast Cancer. Synopsis: Learn some important facts about Breast Cancer Discover the disparities for women of color as it relates to Breast Ca...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, with about 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Early detection through regular screening is crucial, as prostate cancer is often without symptoms in its early stages. One key to early detection...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Studies have shown that there is a portion of the general population that may have some degree of thyroid hormone dysfunction leading to a variety of symptoms, with normal test results. This month on The Essence of Health Tea Time...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Thyroid disorders are among the most common endocrine conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Studies have shown that up to 60% of the population may have some form of thyroid dysfunction that they are totally unaware of. This month on The Essence of Health Tea Time podcast, we'll have a two-part episode with guest, Dr. Dan...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! The three most common cancers in women are Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer. Studies show that 13 percent of women will be diagnosed with female breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. While we know there are a variety of factors that can play a part in the development of cancer, there are ways to reduce your r...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! The three most common cancers in women are Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer. Studies show that 13 percent of women will be diagnosed with female breast cancer at some point during their lifetime. While we know there are a variety of factors that can play a part in the development of cancer, there are ways to reduce your r...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Within the arena of diet culture and weight loss, the focus tends to be on the number on the scale, cutting calories, cutting carbs, doing the latest workout trends and taking the latest supplement that promises to give you the easy road to achieving the magical number on the scale that you desire. However, with the development of the...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! You’ve probably heard through the years that you should strive to get around 8 hours of sleep per night. But do you know why? Do you know that lack of sleep can not only affect your overall health and wellness but can also impact your waistline? Studies have shown that the average American adult gets less than 7 hours of sleep per nigh...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Happy National Nutrition Month!  From Eatright.org , “National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year's (2...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Did you know that what you eat not only affects your major organs like your heart, but also affects your vision? Studies show that a diet rich in plant based nutrients is vital to helping your eyesight and for the prevention of certain eye disorders. On today’s episode of The Essence of Health Tea Time podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Wither...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Over the years, research has shown us that there are many benefits of the nutrient Vitamin D. Studies have also shown that most people in the United States consume less than the recommended amounts of Vitamin D. In turn we see a significant rate of Vitamin D deficiency, with almost 42% of American Adults being deficient of this vital n...