Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Larry McCleary

Broadcast and podcast on webtalkradio.net. The podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Nutritional advice is a tower of Babble. There are many theories that have little research to support them. The US government’s Food Pyramid and recommendations reflect more of a political process than a scientific process. The marketplace is full of hype for products and services. The answers on what really fosters wellness and longevity will ultimately come from scientific research. The strength of Dr. McCleary’s advice is that it is based in research and clinical experience.

To the extent that there is any consensus among anti-aging researchers and holistic medicine practitioners, it would be a Mediterranean diet, with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish and lean meats (or vegetarian protein substitutes). Dr. McCleary generally agrees with the Mediterranean diet but would minimize grains and starches, go easy on fruit juices and fruits that have high glycemic indexes, and prefer coconut oil to olive oil. Dr. McCleary developed his recommendations from a perspective of what optimizes brain functioning, what helps energy levels, and what helps with weight loss.

The closest researcher that I am aware of is Barry Sears, Ph.D., a chemist who has spent more than thirty years researching hormones, diabetes, and weight loss. Sears and McCleary agree on the importance of fish oil and that insulin is the key to weight loss. Sears advocates 30% fats, 30% protein, and 40% healthy carbohydrates. Thus, he advocates far less fat than McCleary. He believes his Zone diet can keep insulin levels stable and hormone levels in a healthy balance.

Sears believes a ketogenic diet does reduce blood insulin resistance but increases insulin resistance in the liver and increases cortisol production. Cortisol causes inflammation which Sears sees as the common denominator of most chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You will recall that McCleary’s interest in ketogenic diets came from using a ketogenic diet with children who had seizures.

Sears characterizes the Atkins diet as rich in (long chain) saturated fats and Omega 6 fatty acids. McCleary tends to favor healthier fats than the typical Atkins diet. Sears sees two destructive mechanisms of an Atkins diet. First, that its (long chain) saturated fats and Omega 6 fatty acids foster inflammation. Second, that when the brain doesn’t get its glucose, the cortisol it produces breaks down muscle tissue to help produce glucose.

Sears says that people lose weight on an Atkins diet for about six months and then gain the weight back and more because of damage from cortisol production, inflammation, and hormonal changes. You can hear my podcast with Dr. Sears in the Ageless Lifestyles archives.

McCleary suggests that while the brain’s main food is glucose, it also thrives on ketones. The question is whether the glucose and ketones in McCleary’s diet would produce enough brain fuel to not prompt cortisol production and the damage cortisol can produce.

Keep in mind that high fat diets and their increased ketone production can be hard on kidneys and need more water to excrete excess ketones. Also, be alert for any signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Among anti-aging researchers there seems to be some shift away from high carbohydrate diets. While the jury is still out, carefully observe how your body responds to what you eat, get periodic blood tests, and be careful.

Dr. McCleary’s website is www.DrMcCleary.com. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Susan Yager

Broadcast and podcast on webtalkradio.net. The podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

The story of Peter Pan concluded, “All of this has happened before and will all happen again.” Barrie could have applied the same intro to the more than 100 years of diet insanity in America. Previous diet ideas keep resurfacing like moles in an arcade Whack-a-Mole.

Knowing the history and context of this insanity gives perspective and helps us be wiser in making sense of diet and weight loss advice. Susan Yager chronicled the madness with balance, humor and perspective in her delightful book, The Hundred Year Diet.

As the Simon and Garfunkel sang, “Still crazy after all these years.” The 100 Year Diet helps us see the forest instead of just the tress. The key points from more than 100 years of diet insanity are:

1. We have a long history of diet gurus, some of whom are legitimate, but many of whom have dubious credentials, seize a pressing social fear, find a small poorly designed, unreplicated study and tout it as proof of the efficacy of their diet, and propagate unhealthy eating and possibly a best seller.

2. In the 1980s, the American food supply radically changed with an increased emphasis on corn, soy beans, wheat, and corn syrup, not to mention trans fats and junk food.

3. The key to healthy eating and to weight loss is choosing quality foods, being mindful or respectful of what we eat, and leisurely dining rather than grabbing a bite.

4. For those who don’t choose a diet like Dean Ornish’s or Robert Pritkin’s, a Mediterranean style diet is one of the better choices.

The book, The 100 Year Diet, is fascinating, very readable, gets you thinking, and give you perspective. The book’s website is www.TheHundredYearDiet.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Natural Health Nutritionist Dr. Gary Null

Broadcast and podcast starting: June 8, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 6-15-09 the podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

There is a rich literature on natural cures for headaches, digestive problems, allergies, and other health problems. But how do you tell help from hype? Is it safe and does it work? Natural Health Nutritionist Dr. Gary Null is the author of 70 books on health including his most recent book, Be a Healthy Woman, has been studying and advising millions on alternative health and natural healing for three decades. Today he shares his knowledge with us.

Dr. Null has never shared his real secret to health and longevity. With more than 70 books, more than 20 films, competing in marathons, counseling thousands, and bridging  nutrition, self-development, politics, and even pet care. I’m convinced that he has figured out how to clone himself. Dr. Null’s is a renaissance man who has an extraordinarily holistic view of health and wellness including physical, mental, and spiritual. He is into mindfulness and is a wonderful story teller.

His books excoriate  caffeine, alcohol, and meat. At a more controversial level, he advocates removing mercury fillings from teeth, chelation, magnet therapy, and questions the safety of vaccines. The sources he typically cites are experts he has interviewed. If you are looking for traditional research that footnotes lots of references, you will be frustrated. If you are looking for new ideas to consider or try, you are at a feast.

A note on his references to some people living well into Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Eastern countries living extremely long lives are controversial: The oldest well documented centenarian was Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to 122. There are many claims of people living much longer but researchers as skeptical as documentation is poor and their cultures revere living long which gives an incentive to exaggerate.

The concept that that the biggest factor in health and longevity is being happy is profound. Also profound is his epiphany that getting healthier starts with beliefs and values. I was also impressed with how Gary generally supported a Mediterranean diet but emphasized how you eat is as important as what you eat. Thus, slow leisurely meals with family do wonders for your health.

Dr. Null’s website is www.GaryNull.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Preventive Health Researcher Dr. Duke Johnson

Broadcast and podcast starting: May 11, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 5-18-09 the podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

When health study results are announced, the news feeds us sketchy, piecemeal results with little attention to the quality or limitations of the study. Radio and TV thrives on the diet of the week and sensationalism.  No wonder Americans are confused about what to do to be healthier. Research is becoming increasingly clear, however, that there is a common denominator to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and other chronic diseases. Dr. Duke Johnson, author of The Optimal Health Revolution, shares with us what that commonality is and how it can guide us in preventing chronic diseases.

Most health and wellness gurus and authors emphasize their niche or try to be comprehensive and cover diet and exercise. Dr. Johnson or Dr. Duke as he is often called, presents a very holistic approach with avoiding inflammation as a key integrating concept. In interviews, I try to focus on what is most unique about the expert and their area of greatest expertise. Consequently, time did not permit going into all of the issues and recommendations Optimal Health covers.

To recap Dr. Johnson’s big picture, a century ago, most Americans died from acute illnesses. Today modern medicine can prevent or cure most acute illnesses. We also are better educated, more informed, and have money to take care of ourselves. Consequently it is the chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes that kills most Americans. In the last decade, researchers are increasingly converging on inflammation as the common denominator of most chronic diseases. We also are seeing a convergence on the Mediterranean diet. Thus, Dr. Johnson’s comments on how few people in Mediterranean countries are following that diet anymore is an important heads up. We need to be following the principles and not the current practices.

Of course we are also seeing a convergence on the importance of exercise-both cardiovascular and strength (and I might add flexibility and balance). Most researchers also give a passing nod to the importance of stress. I really like way Dr. Johnson not only underscores stress, but also ties it to a sense of purpose and whether how you use your time fits with your values and purpose.

Some take aways are to, at least once, include a C-reactive protein test in your next physical, avoid high fructose corn syrup, and choose whole grain rather than multi-grain. I also note that in his book Dr. Johnson recommended investing in a whole house water filter. I heartily agree. Including the plumbing bill you should be able to do this for about $600 and about $15 a month in filters and charcoal material.

Dr. Johnson’s website is www.DrDukeJohnson.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guests: Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Michael Ozner

Broadcast and podcast starting: April 27, 2009 on webtalkradio.net. After 5-4-09 the podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

Three major research studies show that bypass surgery doesn’t prevent heart attacks or death any more than conservative medical treatment. Further, research shows that angioplasties (with or without stents) don’t prevent heart attacks or deaths any more than conservative medical treatment. There is little research to contradict these well designed, peer reviewed studies published in prominent medical journals. Nevertheless, 1.5 million Americans a year have angioplasties or bypass surgery.

Dr. Ozner is very polite and doesn’t go for the jugular. He has his data speak. Cardiac surgery costs at least $60 billion a year and is the star and major profit center of most hospitals. While the medical profession is increasingly emphasizing evidence-based procedures, if it applies evidence-based criteria to cardiac surgery, it will kill the golden goose. It’s amazing that while the data has been around for decades, cardiologists continue to urge angioplasties and by-pass surgeries extensively despite it not having any better results than conservative medical treatment, in most cases. I surprised that Dr. Ozner’s colleagues haven’t tried to tar and feather him for threatening their lucrative careers.

I have been trying to sort out how different experts and organizations are emphasizing different causes of cardiovascular. In rejecting the plumbing analogy for cardiovascular disease, Dr. Ozner’s book describes a process that leads to cardiovascular disease. The process starts with excess LDL cholesterol burrowing into the artery walls, joining triglycerides, oxidizing, and prompting inflammation and its aftermath. An intervention at any stage of this process can help. Thus lowering cholesterol helps, lowering triglycerides helps, anti-oxidants help, balancing Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids helps, as does good nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Unchecked, the ultimate problem becomes inflammation, which is not only key to cardiovascular disease but also most chronic diseases.

For those who resist following detailed regimes, the basic principles of the Mediterranean or his Miami Mediterranean diet are simple: lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean protein (especially from small cold water fish), and eschewing processed food. I also note that Dr. Ozner’s emphasis on stress nicely reinforced the show we had with Cardiologist Dr. Joel Okner and cardiac psychologist Dr. Jeremy Clorfene.

Overall I think The Great American Heart Hoax is the most important cardiology book in the last hundred years. Hopefully it will be a wake-up call for having cardiology become more evidence-based and more holistic. Dr. Ozner’s website is www.DrOzner.com. Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Guest: Dr. Barry Sears

Broadcast and podcast starting: 11-3-08 on webtalkradio.net. After 11-10-08 the podcast is also on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

I usually cringe when I hear someone say it’s not your fault. But Dr. Barry Sears’ research convinced me that if you are overweight it’s not your fault. The bad news is that most Americans are carrying around a lot of toxic fat-which like cancer can spread and cause havoc to many organs. The good news is that research has found solutions in a very reasonable diet and taking fish oil supplements. Dr. Sears, creator of the Zone Diet, has been researching cancer and diets for decades and just come out with his newest New York Times Best Seller, Toxic Fat. Today you will learn how former Department of Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz helped make millions of people fat and what you can do to undo the damage, lose weight and be healthier. Get ready to have your eyes opened by the researcher that makes more sense and has more data than any diet research or program you have ever heard of.

Dr. Sears’ website is www.DrSears.com Dr. Brickey’s other websites are www.DrBrickey.com and www.Anti-Aging-Speaker.com.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Expert Guest: Dr. Michelle May

Broadcast and podcast starting: 7-21-08 on webtalkradio.net after 7-28-08 podcast availabe on the links below (to download, right click download and select “save target as.”)

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Expert Guest: Chef Alexander Bernard

Broadcast: 4-28-08 on webtalkradio.net

after 5-8-08 availabe at the links below (to download, rightclick and select save target as…)

At home you know how fresh your food is and how it’s cooked. While one of life’s great pleasures is eating at a restaurant, how do you know whether you are getting fresh, healthy, nutritious food? What happens behind the scenes? How do you know if the Chef’s Special is the chef’s best, or yesterday’s leftovers. Is the chef loading the food with lard to make it tastier? Today’s guest, Chef Alexander Bernard knows the ins and outs of the restaurant business and will be our guide. Chef Alexander is head chef and owner of the renowned Alexander’s Restaurant in Naples Florida and is the author of the about to be released cookbook, Alexander’s Restaurant. In the first part of the show we’ll take a look at what goes on behind the scenes of a restaurant. In the second half of the show we’ll focus on practical advice on how to get nutritious, delicious foods that won’t clog your arteries or add the pounds.

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Expert Guest: Dr. Christiane Northrup

Broadcast: 3-1-08 on webtalkradio.net After 3-8-08 available on the links below (to download, rightclick and select save target as…)

A transcript of the interview is at Christiane Northrup

Dr. Christiane Northrup is one of America’s most trusted medical advisors. She sees menopause as a life affirming –if a woman listens to her body and the wisdom it offers. She is an OBGYN physician who takes a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach to menopause, PMS, and women’s health. Dr. Northrup founded the trailblazing Women to Women health care center. She is author of The Wisdom of Menopause and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. She has appeared on Oprah, The View, Good Morning America, Rachel Ray, and hosted six PBS specials. Her website is http://www.drnorthrup.com/

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Host: Anti-Aging Psychologist Dr. Michael Brickey

Expert Guest: Dr. Nicole Flora, Anti-Aging Physician

Broadcast: 2-24-08 on webtalkradio.net After 3-1-08 available on the links below (to download, rightclick and select save target as…)

A transcript of the interview is at Nicole Flora

Medicine has focused on treating diseases. What we call healthcare has mostly been disease care. Anti-aging medicine emerged in the last ten years or so to ask what can doctors do to be proactive in preventing aging and diseases. As a new discipline, it has attracted both very dedicated physicians and frankly a few hucksters. Today’s expert is clearly one of the best anti-aging physicians, Dr. Nicole Flora. Dr. Flora was Board Certified in family medicine, obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health, and later specialized in age management and anti-aging medicine. She has been active in research and is on several policy boards. In the first part of the program, we will focus on what anti-aging medicine is and what it has to offer. In the second part of the program, we look at the pros and cons of different anti-aging treatments. Her websites are www.CincinnatiAgeManagement.com and www.Cenegenics-DrFlora.com

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