Forever chemicals and microplastics are making headlines, but are they the same thing? What do we actually know about their effects on human health, and can we do anything to reduce our exposure?

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I break down the differences between PFAS (forever chemicals) and microplastics, where they're found, and what the scientific research tells us about their potential health consequences.

We also discuss PFAS blood testing, who may benefit from testing, and practical ways to reduce exposure through everyday choices.

There's growing reason for concern, but there are also significant gaps in the evidence. And despite what some wellness companies are selling, we don't have all the answers yet.

Link to websites and apps discussed:

https://www.mass.gov/doc/pfas-free-buying-guide/download

https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/

Related blog: Forever Plastics, Forever Chemicals: What You Need to Know and Do

Most of us think about oral health in terms of cavities, gum disease, and keeping our teeth clean. But what happens in our mouths may have implications far beyond our teeth and gums.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I'm joined by Dr. Ekta Sem, a dentist specializing in comprehensive integrative dentistry, to explore the connection between oral health and systemic disease.

We discuss the relationships between periodontal disease, diabetes, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and sleep-disordered breathing. We also get into practical oral hygiene, including flossing, tongue scraping, mouthwash, and oil pulling.

I learned quite a bit during this conversation, and some of it genuinely surprised me.

Related blog: What Science Says About the Oral-Systemic Connection

What if we could take a snapshot of what is happening inside our bodies at the molecular level? Could that information help us detect diseases earlier, understand why people respond differently to treatments, or even personalize nutrition?

That is what researchers are exploring through metabolomics, an emerging field of medicine studying the small molecules involved in our body's biochemical processes.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I explain what metabolomics is, how it differs from genomics, and where the research is taking us. From newborn screening to cancer detection and precision nutrition, the possibilities are exciting, but there is still plenty we don't know.

And as with any emerging science, there is a difference between legitimate medical research and the promises the wellness industry may try to sell us.

Related blog: Metabolomics: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

We plan for our financial future. Why don’t we plan for our future health the same way?

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I introduce what I call health spanning: starting with what we want to be able to do decades from now, measuring where we are today, and building a deliberate plan to improve the odds of getting there. That might mean maintaining the fitness to hike with our grandchildren, the strength to live independently, or the physical and cognitive capacity to travel in retirement. Pasted text

I also explain why health spanning is different from preventive care, sick care, and biohacking, and why I think this is a missing piece in healthcare.

Related reading: Health Spanning: The Missing Piece in Healthcare

When we talk about health, we tend to focus on the things we can measure: blood pressure, cholesterol, body composition, fitness, and lab results. But some important parts of our health do not show up on a blood test.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I take a look at three of them: social connection, belonging, and play. We get into the evidence linking social relationships with physical health, mental health, cognition, and even mortality. But we also go beyond the data to talk about the difference between being around people and actually belonging, why adults still need to play, and what these less measurable parts of health can look like in real life. Pasted text

This one gets a little more personal than most.

Related reading: The Gift of Connection: How Social Bonds Uplift Health and Wellbeing Fitting In Versus Belonging: A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery The Power of Play

The United States is extraordinarily good at treating illness. But how did we end up with a healthcare system that is much better structured to pay for sickness than to plan for long term health?

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I trace the history of American healthcare from the first hospital insurance plans through employer sponsored insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, managed care, the Affordable Care Act, PBMs, prior authorization, and the corporate consolidation of healthcare.

There is no single villain in this story. Instead, it is a series of attempts to solve legitimate problems that repeatedly created new ones. And that history helps explain the system we have today.

Read the full blog:

How Did American Healthcare Become Sick Care?

The skin care industry is filled with creams, serums, and active ingredients promising younger-looking skin. But which topical ingredients actually have evidence behind them?

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I break down the science behind topical skin care for aging skin. We look at retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, antioxidants, estrogen, and more.

We also discuss something that marketing often leaves out: whether these molecules can actually penetrate the skin deeply enough to produce the effects being advertised.

The evidence is much stronger for some ingredients than others. This episode will help you understand what the research supports and what may not be worth your money.

Read the full blog: The Science of Skin Aging and Evidence-Based Treatments

Testosterone therapy in men is everywhere right now, but the conversation is far more nuanced than simply checking a testosterone level and writing a prescription.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I’m joined by board-certified urologist Dr. Amy Brode for an in-depth discussion about low testosterone and testosterone therapy in men.

We discuss what “low testosterone” actually means, symptoms and testing, reversible causes, who may benefit from treatment, fertility, different treatment options, and when testosterone should be avoided. We also dig into the TRAVERSE trial and what newer evidence tells us about cardiovascular and prostate cancer risk.

And, of course, we bust some testosterone myths along the way.

Related reading: Testosterone? Quite Possibly. Pellets? NO!