Shows / Straight Talk on Health
Straight Talk on Health
How do you live your healthiest life when health information seems to change every day? Each week on Straight Talk on Health, Dr. Chet Zelasko examines the health headlines, digs into the latest research studies, explores the claims of miracle nutrients and diets, and gives you his insight about what’s real and what’s not so you can make informed decisions about your health. Straight Talk on Health airs Monday afternoons during WGVU’s Midday West Michigan.The health information Dr. Chet talks…
Episodes
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 178 – Omega-3s and Brain Health
Maintaining the melon is a big deal in health today. Of course, I mean sustaining our brains to learn and remember as we get older. Another study, more…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 177 – Pain and Discomfort in Seeking Health
In order to grow, we need to be challenged. A recent documentary on the John Wick movies may provide us with some insight in the extent to which we can…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 176 – This and That
Today Dr. Chet Zelasko covers a variety of topics including a recent study on reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease through lifestyle changes, a college…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 175 – Sugar Alcohols: Should We Be Concerned?
Yet another study was released that showed some relationship between another sugar alcohol and major adverse cardiac events. Dr. Chet thinks it raises more…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 174 – Essential Fatty Acids
There is a lot of talk about seed oils, and the gurus and influencers have all chimed in. It turns out that seed oils are the only plant sources for two…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 173 – Bananas and Blueberries
A recent press release talked about bananas and blueberries and how they should not be mixed. Why not? Also, does your DNA get changed if you eat genetically…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 172 – This and That
On this episode Dr. Chet Zelasko covers a variety of topics that includes answers to some of your questions, and what he’s still learning after all these…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 171 – High Intensity Interval Training for all ages
High Intensity Interval Training is popular for a reason: no other type of training gets you fitter faster. The only question would be: “is it safe?” Dr. Chet…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 170 - Body Fat: An Update
Do humans have more body fat than hippos? Are active sumo wrestlers less at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes than the typical obese person? Find…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 169 – Why Nutrition Can Seem Confusing
Social media and websites are a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you can find information on just about any topic in nutrition and health. A curse…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 168 – Interview with a Nonagenarian
How can you live into your 90s? Maybe you should ask someone who’s lived to be 98 years old. Dr. Chet Zelasko recently had the opportunity to do just that…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 167 – Taking Inventory
Many people want to get fitter, leaner, and improve their health span. But how you begin is dependent on where your health, body, and time commitments are now…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 166 – Update on Tattoos
Tattoos have been in the news again lately. Today, Dr. Chet Zelasko gives an update on tattoos and the potential health issues associated with them on this…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 165 – Parasites, bacteria, the latest outbreak
Food born illnesses seem to be on the rise with the latest one hitting Michigan hard. Dr. Chet Zelasko checks out the latest on the cyclospora outbreak and…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 164 – Research Shorts
Today Dr. Chet Zelasko gives some short reports from the research he’s read recently. The topics range from flatulence to vitamin K, to the minimum amount of…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 163 – The Obesity Solution: Stress Adaptation
Losing weight and maintaining weight loss is a challenge that seems impossible. With the focus on medications these days, can it be done by lifestyle alone?…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 162 – The Problem with Expert Opinions
Everyone seems to think they’re a health expert these days, and even those who have the credentials and training seem to be giving inaccurate information. Dr…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 161 - Heat, Humidity, and Physical Activity
We’re in the heat of summer, marked by high heat and humidity. Today Dr. Chet reviews the basics of all types of physical activity to survive and thrive in the…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 160 - Diet and Cancer: Dos and Don’ts
On this episode of Straight Talk on Health, Dr. Chet Zelasko reviews the highlights of an interview he heard from one of the leading cancer researchers on how…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 159 – Interval Training
When High Intensity Interval Training was introduced several years ago, It was pitched as a way to get more done in a shorter period of time. Interval training…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 158 – Is obesity a disease only treatable with medication?
Losing weight and maintaining the weight loss seems impossible. An obesity researcher said that it is impossible without the current types of medications. Is…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 157 –Healthspan: The Real Frontier
Dr. Chet Zelasko talks about his own journey through cataract surgery and with glaucoma. Then introduces the focus of this season of the show: increasing…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 156 – Research Update: Vitamin D and Long-term COVID
Researchers used medical databases from two different countries to demonstrate the potential benefits of Vitamin D on long-term COVID symptoms. Dr. Chet…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 155 – New Guidelines for Diet and Heart Disease Risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans with much fanfare. The question is, are they really that…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 154 – What’s Your Question?
What’s your question? That’s what Dr. Chet Zelasko would ask every expert that analyzes research studies to consider before they comment on them. Dr. Chet…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 153 – Carbonated drinks and your bones
It seems like there are more carbonated drinks on store shelves than ever before in every imaginable flavor, some with alcohol. Does all this carbonation…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 152 – The Starvation Mode Myth Revisited
Why is it difficult to maintain weight loss? The concept of “starvation mode” has been used to explain why the body demands to return to its previous weight. A…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 151 – Spring Ahead, Fall Back
We’ve just sprung ahead to Daylight time. While it seems to have its proponents, there is a growing push to just pick Standard or Daylight time and stay there…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 150 – Research Updates: Snake Oil and Coffee
Today, Dr. Chet Zelasko explores why the term “snake oil” is used to talk about dietary supplements. He also looks at a study on coffee consumption and atrial…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 149 – Everything you need to know about Vitamin D
The first paper Dr. Chet ever wrote for recording was about Vitamin D. It was a primer on everything you need to know on the topic. On this edition of Straight…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 148 – National Heart Month: Stroke
What do you do if you suspect someone is having a stroke? How about if that someone is you? Dr. Chet talks about stroke and BE FAST on this edition of Straight…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 147 – Research Update: Vaccinations
The controversy over vaccination of children and adults is growing. Instead of addressing the controversy, Dr. Chet is going to do a research update on the…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 146 – Thoughts and Observations
Dr. Chet Zelasko shares his thoughts on the many ads that crowd purported health websites, why leg strength is important at any age, and more, all on this…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 145 – All About Avocados
It’s almost time for the big game and that’s when we start seeing ads for avocados, the real party dip. But are avocados actually good for you? Dr. Chet covers…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 144 – When is Enough?
After viewing a recent video by a physician finding fault with the typical recommended treatment for hypertension, Dr. Chet looked at what the physician…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 143 – A myth busted and shoulder replacement
It occurred to Dr. Chet over the holidays that a huge health myth had been busted. He talks about that and offers some observations on shoulder replacement…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 142 – Healthier and Fitter: A Simple Approach
The new year is imminent - or the new month, week, or day that you decide to take an interest in getting healthier and fitter. On this episode of Straight Talk…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 141 – Why nutrition doesn’t fix everything
It all began with a question from a listener; she had a health issue and wanted to use nutrition to fix it. As we get closer to the new year, your health…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 140 – Research Update: Peanut Allergies
Before 2015, the standard recommendation was to protect infants and babies from allergies. As a result, parents were told to avoid feeding nuts and other…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 139 – Research Update: Melatonin
The new year approaches and it’s time to start planning for how you’re going to address your health and fitness. Do you have Weight to lose? Strength to gain?…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 138 – Erythritol: A Killer of a Sweetener?
A particular sugar alcohol has been in the news. Research has questioned its use in many products as a sweetener due to a potential impact on the…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 137 – Research Updates
There have been a couple of interesting basic research studies on nutrients that have an impact on several health conditions. Without this basic science, the…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 136 – Research Update: The Poly Pill is back, sort of
Years ago, scientists attempted to provide a partial solution to the rise in degenerative diseases like cardiovascular disease, and factors such as high blood…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 135 – The World of Health on Podcasts
Dr. Chet Zelsako tries to stay current on health news by checking in on the research that’s been reported. He decided to listen to a variety of other…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 134 – PFAS: The Forever Chemical. Or is it?
Michigan and the rest of the country have a problem with PFAS and other forever chemicals. Do they really last forever in our body? Dr. Chet Zelasko talks…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 133 – Body Mass Index: Has it’s time passed?
A recent study has suggested that Body Mass Index is an antiquated way to assess mortality risk. They propose a simple instrument you may already have in your…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 132 –Research Update: Cognitive Decline
A recent study has created interest in lithium as a potential contributor to brain health. Dr. Chet looks at why this metal has scientists and clinicians…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 131 – Season six open: Autism update
The leadership of the FDA has decided to put cautionary statements on a commonly used over-the-counter pain reliever and expand the use of another form of…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 130 – Timely Topics
Today Dr. Chet Zelasko covers a few short topics that are on people’s minds these days. Topics include AI and health information, walking, strength, and…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 129 – How Your Heart Keeps on Beating
Did you ever wonder how many times your heart has to beat in your lifetime? Have you ever had to stop and think to keep your heart beating? Of course not…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 128 – N-Acetyl Cysteine
NAC is an approved pharmaceutical for use in accidental poisonings from specific medications. It’s also a dietary supplement that may help your body detoxify…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 127 – Real or Imagined: Health Products
There are some recent additions to health products and some theories concerning them that Dr. Chet Zelasko has been looking into. Are these theories based on…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 126 – Pain vs Discomfort: How do you know the difference?
Do you know the difference between pain and discomfort? Is there a difference? Dr. Chet Zelasko says there is and he’ll try to explain it - and how to deal…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 125 – This and That
Have you ever had one of your heroes destroy your trust in them? Have you ever met someone who never wants to die? Have you seen things you just can’t believe?…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 124 – Recent Research on Aging
Can you beat aging? If you know how to stop time, then sure. Can you be the best version of yourself at any age? Yes, and some recent research has shown some…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 123 – Short Research Reviews
Statins lower cholesterol, but how do they do that and why do people dislike taking them? How can you naturally relieve stress? Dr. Chet addresses these…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 122 – Glucagon-like Peptide 1
Dr. Chet Zelasko has been asked a lot of questions about the new diabetes and weight loss medications. Chet gives you the complete story on Glucagon-like…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 121 – Creatine: Is it Really a Muscle Builder?
A recent research paper grabbed the headlines suggesting that the supplement creatine didn’t contribute to gains in muscle mass as much as prior research had…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 120 – Dying Before Their Time
We all know too many people died from COVID, but what about excess deaths from other causes? How does the U.S. compare with other high-income countries? We’ll…
- Straight Talk on Health
Ep. 119 – Magnesium: A Key to Brain Health?
Protecting your brain should be a priority for all of us. What role does magnesium have? Dr. Chet shares the latest research on this edition of Straight Talk…