The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

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...

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 contribut...

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 pot...

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...

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 pr...

How long have you been plant-based? Chances are, not as long as Mark Huberman. The director of the National Health Association has spent his entire 74 years as a vegan. And his health has never been better.   He joins Chuck Carroll on the Exam Room to talk about growing up vegan in the 1950s, his parents' role in the plant-based movement, and how he continues their work today by leading by example...

Tired. Bloated. Stuck in the cycle of "I'll start next week." Quitting junk food sounds simple, but in practice it's one of the hardest habits to break.   Dr. Neal Barnard from the Physicians Committee joins Chuck Carroll, the Weight Loss Champion, to share practical strategies for eating clean and breaking free from the foods that drain your energy.   They unpack why too many calories can still l...

What does it take to break free from food addiction and binge eating? Tania Lyon knows firsthand. For decades, she struggled with morbid obesity, disordered eating, and the cycle of restriction and relapse. At her heaviest (likely more than 300 pounds), she feared for her health, and even simple tasks like tying her shoes were difficult.   But today, Tania has lost 150 pounds and found balance. No...

Nutrition scientist Dr. Christopher Gardner is at the forefront of the debate on ultra processed foods (UPFs). Some experts say you should avoid them entirely, while others (including the American Heart Association) argue that certain processed foods can fit into a healthy diet.   Dr. Gardner joins Chuck Carroll at the International Conference on Nutrition and Medicine (ICNM) to help cut through t...

You're eating a vegan diet. You're exercising. If you're doing everything "right" but your cholesterol is still high, don't miss this episode of The Exam Room. Dr. Kim Williams breaks down why your diet might be increasing your risk for heart disease, even if you're not eating any cholesterol.  Dr. Williams shares how other countries have lowered rates of heart disease with public policy changes t...

Do you eat like a centenarian? Dan Buettner, Blue Zones researcher and longevity expert, shares the powerful foods that keep the longest-living people healthy well into their golden years.   Blue Zones, which include communities like Okinawa, Sardinia, and Loma Linda in California, are home to more centenarians than anywhere else. Dan has been studying their lifestyles and diets for decades, and t...

Sleep, nutrition, and fasting are more connected than most people realize. Dr. Csilla Veress from TrueNorth Health shares how plant-based foods rich in magnesium and melatonin can improve sleep quality, why fiber and the microbiome play a central role in rest, and how intermittent fasting resets the circadian rhythm.   She explains the surprising ways inflammation disrupts deep sleep, the impact o...

This is the stuff they never taught you in science class. Diabetes expert Cyrus Khambatta dives into the science of cellular energy, and how it impacts everything from inflammation and energy levels, to insulin resistance and chronic disease. He unpacks what mitochondria really are, why they matter, and how you can build more of them using food alone.   Plus -- Cyrus shares the even most powerful...

Chronic inflammation is on the rise, and behind an alarming number of health issues -- everything from depression to allergies to Crohn's disease. And the path to healing starts in your gut. Those are the findings of Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist and author, after helping countless patients reverse disease and other health problem by healing their microbiome.   On this live episode of...

Three leading voices in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Meagan Grega, and Dr. Stephan Esser, take the stage with Chuck Carroll at the National Health Association Conference in Cleveland. Together, they dive deep into the science of nutrition, longevity, food addiction, athletic performance, and community health.   In this episode of The Exam Room, you'll learn: - The key differences betw...

Fiber might just be the best defense against heart disease -- and you're probably not getting enough (even if you're plant-based). Cardiologist Dr. Danielle Belardo says she eats 90 grams of fiber per day. That's more than three times the recommended minimum amount for women. And she says eating more fiber can not only protect your heart, it can reverse heart disease -- even in people who have had...

Saturated fat -- not eggs -- is the key culprit behind high LDL cholesterol, which can lead to cardiovascular disease And in fact, a diet low in saturated fat and high in dietary cholesterol, such as that found in eggs, can lower blood cholesterol levels. This -- according to a new study from researchers at the University of South Australia.   But what are we to make of this study, which received...

We're talking F-words on the show today! That's right: Fiber! From gut health to glucose control, fiber is the unsung hero of your diet.   Registered Nurse and mom Kylie Buckner joins us to explain why she's a fiber fanatic — and how she's teaching her 3-year-old (a self-declared vegan) to love fiber, too. This plant-based advocate joins us to drop some F-bombs (family-friendly ones) and share eve...

Katherine Lawrence shares her experience of how certain foods helped her son feel calm, focused, and in control. Katherine joins Chuck Carroll to share her insights and tips about the benefits of good nutrition that every parent aiming to nourish their child should know about food to support their neurotype: what to avoid, what to prioritize, and how to ensure sensory sensitive eaters meet their n...

Are processed foods unhealthy? A new study suggests we're divided on how to answer that question.   Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is one of the authors of that study.   He joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room to dive into the results -- and why it matters that Americans are so conflicted about which class of foods are healthy, and which will make you sick.  ...

At 19, Marisa was told her colon might need to be removed to heal her ulcerative colitis. At 29, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But today, she's thriving—and sharing how she used food, intuition, and determination to heal.   In this powerful episode of The Exam Room, Chuck Carroll sits down with Marisa to unpack her two-decade-long health journey. From life-threatening flare-ups and hospit...

We know that kombucha is better for you than soda, right? But just how differently do these two beverages affect the gut? When you choose a ginger kombucha over, say, a cherry cola, the impact of that decision may be greater than you think. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, gastroenterologist and best-selling author of Fiber Fueled, takes us inside the digestive tract to help us understand the big impact of th...

How do you stick to healthy eating when there's a fast food restaurant on every corner and healthy options are hard to come by. Brenda Workman knows the struggle — and she's found a way through it. After decades of yo-yo dieting, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, she made a mindset shift that changed everything. Now she's 60 pounds lighter, off her medications, and thriving on a plant-bas...

New research reveals that what you eat during the day directly impacts how well you sleep at night — and it's not what you think.   Dr. Neal Barnard breaks down a new study showing that fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates can significantly improve sleep quality, while high-protein diets, red meat, and even that "harmless" evening glass of wine may leave you feeling exhausted.   In this e...

Can changing your diet change your life? This psychologist says yes, and in ways you don't expect.   Angela Crawford studied 350 vegans around the world and found that adopting a plant-based lifestyle had profound psychological, emotional and even spiritual impacts on her subjects.   In this episode of The Exam Room podcast, Angela joins Chuck Carroll to unpack the findings of her research and her...