Over-the-counter medications are easy to buy, familiar, and often assumed to be the obvious first choice. But not every product on the pharmacy shelf is equally useful, and some are supported by much stronger evidence than others.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I review common OTC medications that are worth rethinking. Some have limited evidence that they actually work. Some are effective but should only be used for a short period of time. Others may be reasonable medications, but not the best option available. And some are simply overpriced versions of cheaper alternatives.

This episode covers common products used for congestion, cough, constipation, allergies, red eyes, earwax, minor wounds, itching, and pediatric fever or pain. The goal is not to scare people away from FDA approved medications. The goal is to help listeners make better informed decisions before spending money in the pharmacy aisle.

Read the full blog: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/over-the-counter-medications-to-avoid/

In Part 1, we examined how the research system can influence what gets published and promoted. In Part 2, the focus shifts to how individual studies are interpreted and how that interpretation is often distorted, particularly in wellness marketing.

I’m joined again by Dr. Josh Davis, a medical research educator, to break down how study design, statistical framing, and data presentation can shape conclusions that sound convincing but may not reflect the full picture.

We discuss how relative risk can exaggerate findings, why small or poorly designed studies are still frequently cited, and how selective reporting can create a narrative that supports a product rather than the underlying evidence. These are common tactics behind claims that are described as “backed by research.”

This episode is designed to help you evaluate whether a study actually supports the claim being made, rather than simply accepting that a study exists.

Read the full blog: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/how-to-spot-pseudoscience-part-2-the-truth-about-study-design-and-data-bias/

Wellness influencers and companies often cite “studies” to support their claims. But not all research is created equal, and not everything labeled as a study should be trusted.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Josh Davis, a medical research educator who teaches medical students how to critically evaluate scientific literature. This is Part 1 of our discussion, where we focus on the systems behind research and why they matter when you are trying to decide what to trust.

We break down how predatory journals, lack of true peer review, publication bias, and funding pressures can all influence what gets published and promoted. More importantly, we discuss how these issues are often leveraged in marketing to give products and treatments a sense of legitimacy they may not deserve.

This is not about dismissing research. It is about understanding how to interpret it so you can separate meaningful evidence from material that is being used to sell you something.

If you have ever seen a product backed by “studies” and wondered whether that actually means anything, this episode will give you a clearer framework for evaluating those claims.

Read the full blog that inspired this episode: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/how-to-spot-pseudoscience-5-hidden-reasons-research-cant-always-be-trusted/

Is your birth certificate lying, or is it the "age test" you bought online? This week, we distinguish chronological age from physiologic reality. I debunk popular commercial epigenetic clocks and explain why these mail-in kits often miss the mark. Learn the clinical biomarkers that actually matter for your healthspan and how to measure true functional aging without the marketing hype.

While peptides are marketed as a revolutionary medical frontier, many popular compounds remain in a regulatory gray area and are technically sold for "research use only." This episode explores the critical gap between laboratory studies and human clinical evidence, helping you navigate the hype to find what is actually proven to work.

Not all fats are created equal. In this episode, we break down the four main types of dietary fats—Saturated, Trans, Monounsaturated, and Polyunsaturated—to reveal how they actually affect your heart and metabolic health. Learn why fat is essential for vitamin absorption and how to choose the right fats for your daily diet.

What does an annual physical miss? A yearly physical exam diagnoses disease and checks preventive health boxes, but misses early warning signs of chronic disease. Dr. Kalantari explains which tests are missing and why they matter.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, yet many people struggle with symptoms for years before it is recognized. In this episode, I explain how Hashimoto’s is diagnosed, why it is often missed, and what the evidence actually shows about treatment.