Health Discovered

Protein is everywhere these days – from protein pasta to protein cereal – but do these foods actually deliver the benefits they promise? And how much protein do we really need? We spoke with Marily Oppezzo, PhD, MS, RDN, an instructor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and head of the nutrition pillar at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, about how much protein the average adult needs for overall health an...

For millions of people, walking into a doctor's office can be incredibly difficult. If you've experienced physical abuse, sexual assault, or medical trauma, the exam room may feel like one of the most vulnerable and triggering places to be. The fear of being harmed, dismissed, misunderstood, or not believed can be powerful enough to keep you from seeking care. But avoiding appointments can lead to missed screenings, undiagnosed con...

While we often hear about triggers in everyday conversation, what does it really mean to be "triggered"? Why do certain people or situations spark such intense emotional reactions? And what's actually happening in your brain and body in those moments? We sat down again with Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, modern love therapist and community organizer, to unpack what triggers are, why they happen, and how to reframe them with curiosity ins...

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a rare form of systemic mastocytosis (SM) caused by an abnormal buildup of mast cells throughout the body. What causes ISM, and how is it diagnosed? In this episode, we speak with Aaron Gerds, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, about the signs and symptoms of ISM, the diagnostic process, and how ISM differs from oth...

Egg freezing is often talked about, but what does the process actually involve? What can fertility tests really tell you? And should you be thinking about it in your 20s or 30s? We spoke with Temeka Zore, MD, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN, about what egg freezing is, who may benefit, what the two-week process looks like, the costs involved, and common myths that keep people from exploring their op...

For many people, their 40s bring subtle but significant health shifts. The habits that once worked may no longer deliver the same results, and between careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities, personal wellness often takes a back seat. In this episode, we cut through the noise of social media health hacks and wellness trends to focus on what truly matters: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. We spoke with Sus...

Epidemiology is the study of how and why diseases affect different groups of people, and what the science increasingly shows is that preventing disease and preserving health are deeply connected. In this episode, we focus on endometrial cancer, a disease where many risk factors are within our control. We speak with Immaculata De Vivo, PhD, professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Publ...

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and the fourth most common cancer affecting women. One of its most important warning signs – abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting – is something many women experience and may dismiss. While survival rates exceed 95%, both overall incidence and mortality rates are rising. In this episode, we speak with Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, chief of the Div...

Vaping, the act of inhaling an aerosol created by an electronic cigarette or vape, has been on the rise among youth. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, between 2020 and 2024, the share of current users who vaped every day increased from 15.4% to 28.8%. The vaping and nicotine products available to young people today are not the cigarettes we were warned about growing up. They can create a real compulsio...

When someone you love is in the hospital, the experience can feel overwhelming – filled with unfamiliar faces, complex medical terms, and fast-moving decisions. In this episode, we speak with Ashley Williams, BSN, RN, registered nurse at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, about how patient advocates and clinical coordinators help guide patients through their care journey. From understanding treatment plans and coordina...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men – about half of those in their 50s, with prevalence increasing by decade. Yet sexual health is often left out of routine care, not for lack of importance, but because it can feel difficult to discuss. Speaking up matters: ED is frequently an early sign of underlying health conditions. In this episode, board-certified urologist Ashley Winter, MD, explains what’s happening...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and high cholesterol is a major contributor – yet it often has no symptoms. You can feel healthy and still be at risk for heart attack or stroke. So what should you really know? Is it just about diet, and when should you get tested? In this episode, preventive cardiologist Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD, breaks down what’s changed in how we understand cholesterol, why k...

GLP-1 medications are changing how we approach weight management – but they’re just one part of a bigger, more compassionate picture. In this episode, we explore why shame and blame have never worked in treating obesity and how shared decision-making can lead to better outcomes. Obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure, and effective care must be rooted in respect, science, and realistic expectations. We spo...

Apr. 30, 2026 -- Nearly everyone will either become a caregiver or need one at some point, yet few are truly prepared for what that role involves. Caring for an aging loved one can be profoundly meaningful but also emotionally and logistically challenging, and our healthcare system doesn't always make it easier. In collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation, this six-part Aging in America series offers guidan...

Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC – but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA, a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the BE FAST acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to call 911, and the changes that can h...

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and often develops without pain or early warning signs. So what is it, and how is it detected before vision is lost? We spoke with Sandra F. Sieminski, MD, Interim Chair and Director of Glaucoma Services at the University at Buffalo, about how glaucoma works, the latest advances in treatment, and why early detection is critical. We also explore the emotional impact of...

For decades, people with type 2 diabetes have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that remission is possible? We spoke with Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc, a triple board-certified ph...

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, author of All About Allergies, about how allergy evaluations work, how to i...

Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on treatment and overlook what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate Janet Freeman-Daily, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from her first symptoms and imaging tests to th...