On Health with Houston Methodist

Move over, protein: Fiber is the newest macronutrient darling of the food world. Content creators promoting optimal digestion suggest we maximize fiber intake — “fibermaxxing” — by eating fiber-rich foods with every meal and snack as well as using fiber supplements as needed. The fibermaxxing crowd claims the approach can help with everything from gut health to improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels and may even aid in cancer ...

What if there were tests that could determine which foods to add or subtract from your diet for optimal health? That’s just one of many overarching claims of the various gut microbiome tests now available and gaining popularity online. But can an over-the-counter test really tell you how healthy (or unhealthy) your gut microbiome is? A gastroenterologist breaks down what you should know about these expensive consumer health tests. ...

Burnout has become one of the hallmarks of modern life. Nearly half of workers worldwide report the feeling, a percentage that’s been rising steadily since the pandemic blurred the line between work and free time. But what exactly is burnout? How can you tell when stress becomes something more serious? And why does it seem to be spreading across so many professions and age groups? In this week’s episode, we explore the roots of bur...

Seed oils are a hotly debated topic on social media. Some content creators claim that the cooking oils are toxic and cause a host of chronic conditions, from obesity to diabetes. Nutritional research tells a more nuanced story about these often-villainized, refined plant-based vegetable oils, including canola, corn, sunflower and grapeseed. Do we need to rid our pantries of these oils, or just use caution while cooking? In this epi...

Few health topics get more oversimplified than weight gain and weight loss. Poor diet and lack of exercise take the brunt of the blame — and while these can of course contribute to weight gain or sabotage weight loss, the reality is far more complex. In this episode, we unpack the assortment of factors that influence weight — from metabolism and genetics to mood and sleep. We also challenge conventional wisdom around weight loss go...

Wireless headphones and earbuds have become a part of everyday life: commuting, gym workouts, video calls, even sleep aids. But while they’ve made listening more personal and portable, that convenience comes with a risk. Audiologists are reporting a rise in noise-induced hearing loss linked to unsafe listening practices, particularly among younger people. So how much sound can your ears really handle? Is noise-induced hearing damag...

“Eat in moderation.” It’s a phrase that’s often tossed around but rarely defined — leaving each of us to interpret this vague guideline on our own. In this episode, we dig into the meaning behind the mantra. From portion sizing and balancing macronutrients to figuring out how many “cheat meals” per week is too many, we explore how moderation should play out in real life. 

Expert: Kristen Wright, Registered Dietitian 

Notable topics c...

Head throbbing? Back aching? Arthritis flaring up? People in such plights ― and countless others ― almost universally respond the same way: pop a painkiller. Indeed, recent surveys show 1 in 3 Americans take over-the-counter pain medication daily and as many as 8 in 10 report reaching for it routinely. But how much do people really know about these seeming wonder drugs found in practically every home or office first-aid kid? In thi...

If you've ever Googled "How to start working out" and quickly abandoned the page, this episode is for you. Starting — or restarting — exercise can be as challenging mentally as it is physically. Our body and fitness levels may be different from what they were the last time we worked out regularly, and our goals may have changed, too. Instead of chasing the current trends in toned physiques, we may want to focus on wo...

We’ve all had that moment of regret — maybe it was the medium rare burger at a backyard barbecue or that salad bar that was just too convenient to pass up. But the unfortunate result — food poisoning — is no walk in the park for the estimated 48 million Americans a year who suffer the ensuing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. What are the first signs you ate something contaminated? How long do most bouts last? And what can y...

The blue light emitting from your screen as you read this has become a bit of a bogeyman, allegedly responsible for eye strain, headaches, poor sleep and much more. Enter blue light-blocking glasses, also called blue light glasses or blue light-filtering glasses. Advocates of blue light glasses claim these lenses can absorb or filter the short wavelengths of blue light produced by our devices, which in turn improves sleep, vision a...

Feeling as if your body needs a reset after a stretch of questionable food and drink decisions? A body cleanse might sound like a practical answer, but do detox diets and supplements really help? In this episode, we explore whether your body needs help detoxifying itself and how to support optimal health. 

Expert: Dr. Kyle Mueller, Primary Care Physician 

Interviewer: Katie McCallum 

Notable topics covered: 

• Are greasy foods, sugar...

The use of ice and heat as medical therapy dates to ancient times, easy-to-apply treatments for the management of everything from inflammation to stiffness. They’re today’s go-to remedies for minor injuries and workout recovery, and a recent survey found they’re also American’s most-used relief option for chronic pain. But how do they work? Are you using them appropriately? And are some of the old ways of thinking about them out of...

A plant-forward diet is your best bet for healthy aging, according to a recent high-profile study, but it doesn’t mean becoming a vegetarian or vegan. Plant-forward diets encompass a wide range of diets that include some meat — including pescatarian, flexitarian, and the popular Mediterranean diet — all of which are rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans. This eating pattern doesn’t mean going full...

Coffee is the wake-me-up beverage used to start the day around the world. Americans alone drink 400 million cups of coffee each day, more than any other beverage except water. Whether you drink coffee for its unique flavor or you just want that jolt of java, you may wonder: Is coffee good or bad for my health? In this episode, we explore the benefits and potential downsides of coffee consumption. 

Expert: Dr. Priya Davar,...

Whether you love working out or just tolerate it, no one enjoys the soreness that sometimes follows. This explains why there’s no shortage of advice and products promising to help speed recovery — or prevent muscle soreness altogether.  In this episode, we break down why sore muscles happen and what actually helps your body as you recover.

Expert: Dr. David Braunreiter, Sports Medicine Physician

Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable top...

Artificial sweeteners are everywhere these days — soft drinks, iced coffees, yogurt, energy drinks, pre-workout powders, protein bars and the list runs on. The prevailing logic is that they’re smart swaps for regular sugar. But could artificial sweeteners be too good to be true? In this episode, we explore how even a “zero calorie” food or drink might still affect your blood sugar. 

Expert: Mag Ayyad, Exercise Dietitian 

Interviewer:...

Ultra-processed foods are ever-present in the American diet: they make up about 60% of what adults eat and nearly 70% of what children eat. These foods (and beverages!) are delicious and affordable by design, and they’re everywhere — gas stations, grocery stores, big-box retailers. And while they’re easy on the palate and pocketbook, they’re linked to more than 30 health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In t...

Losing weight is hard work, and hitting a plateau can feel frustrating, gut-wrenching and demotivating. You’re doing everything right — eating well, exercising, staying committed — but, suddenly, the scale won’t budge. Is it time to switch things up? Or should you just be patient? In this episode, we break down what’s really happening when weight loss stalls and provide tips for pushing past it. 

Expert: Dr. Garth Davis, Weight Loss...