Doctors+ is a podcast series that interviews western medicine practitioners who are also trained in complementary or alternative therapies such as Naturopathy, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Each episode includes a thought-provoking discussion about food as medicine, sometimes challenging the western medicine status quo but always drawing upon evidence-based knowledge to inform the health consumer.

Episode 19: What is Doctors+ Premium: A chat with new host, Dr. Sabrina Falquier, MD, CCMS

Listen to “Meet the New Host of Doctors+ Premium: A chat with Dr. Sabrina Falquier, MD, CCMS” on Spreaker. “Delicious and fantastic for your body can and should come together,” says culinary medicine physician and new host of Doctors+ Premium, Dr. Sabrina Falquier. In this episode, Esther Garfin, founder of Alternative Food Network, chats with Dr. Falquier about her new role as host and the benefits of the subscription Doctors+ Premium episodes on Apple Podcasts v. the free version of Doctors+.  A self-described lover of delicious food, Dr. Falquier explains the little understood connection between food and medicine, and how food can play a huge role that goes along with the mainstream medical system. The goal is simple: teach people which foods are better for their body and how to cook in a delicious way to improve health. We invite you to subscribe here to these premium episodes that are a perfect blend of information from top medical experts and practical recipe making.

Episode 18: The Health Benefits of Spices

Listen to “Health Benefits of Spices with Drs. S. Falquier and L. Shiue” on Spreaker. In this 13-minute episode of Doctors+ excerpted from a livestream cooking class, Dr. Sabrina Falquier and cookbook author Dr. Linda Shiue, both physicians and culinary medicine experts, discuss the health benefits of various spices, including turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, cumin and chili pepper. In this episode you’ll hear: 2:00 – Should you take spices as a supplement? 3:00 – What is the best way to store spices? 4:35 – Smoked paprika in plant-based cooking 6:10 – Garlic 7:15 – Coriander 7:45 – Salt 8:15 – Sumac 8:30 – Cumin 9:35 – Chili peppers

Episode 17: What is Culinary Medicine

Listen to “What is Culinary Medicine?” on Spreaker. In the conversation about food, nutrition and food as medicine, there is an emerging evidence-based field of medicine called culinary medicine. In this 7-minute episode, Drs. Linda Shiue and Sabrina Falquier, both medical doctors who are culinary medicine experts, explain what culinary medicine is and how they got into this area.

Episode 16: Heart Disease: Prevention and Reversal with Diet

Listen to “Heart Disease: Prevention and Reversal with Diet with Dr. J. Khan and C. Arnston” on Spreaker. Diet matters in heart disease says Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, FACC, also known as “America’s Healthy Heart Doc”, who is interviewed in this episode. A practicing cardiologist, professor, author and the first physician in the world to certify in metabolic cardiology, Dr. Kahn discusses the role of diet in the prevention and reversal of heart disease. Later in the episode, he is joined by Energybits Founder and CEO, Catharine Arnston, to talk about the health benefits of microalgae for heart health. In this episode you’ll hear: 2:40 – What is metabolic cardiology? 4:30 – The role of genetics v. lifestyle in cardiovascular disease 6:55 – The role of diet in heart disease 10:1 – Food as medicine for heart health: prevention and reversal 12:10 – Dr. Kahn on the American Heart Association and ethical conflicts 16:10 – Oil free diet: yes or no? 18:35 – What should people look for when buying extra virgin olive oil? 21:15 – Patient concerns when Dr. Kahn recommends a diet change 23:00 – Ketogenic diets and cardiac health 25:30  – Heart palpitations and coffee 27:25 – Microalgae (spirulina and chlorella) for heart health

If you want to give algae a try you can visit the ENERGYbits® website at energybits.com. Use discount code AFN for 20% off your order!

If you use the discount code to make a purchase, Alternative Food Network will earn a commission at no cost to you. We do this only for products we like. 

Episode 15: Professional Conduct of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Physicians

Listen to “Professional Conduct of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Physicians” on Spreaker.

Regulation of healthcare professions helps to provide health services to the public that are professional, safe and ethical. Should all physicians be governed by similar professional conduct rules? In this episode, integrative medicine consultant Dr. Esther Konigsberg and health law lawyer Elyse Sunshine discuss potential issues relating to professional conduct expectations of physicians practicing complementary and alternative medicine.

Podcast References
http://policyconsult.cpso.on.ca/?page_id=13083
[email protected]

Episode 14: Mediterranean Diet: A Culinary Physician’s Perspective

Listen to “Mediterranean Diet: A Culinary Physician’s Perspective” on Spreaker.

If you’re a foodie who’s into health, this episode is a must listen. Imagine going to your doctor’s office and participating in a cooking class with the doctor that’s covered by insurance! Our guest in this episode does just that. Dr. Sabrina Falquier Montgrain, MD, is a primary care physician who also specializes in Culinary Medicine. In this episode, she chats about culinary medicine, the Mediterranean Diet and why she likes it.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

 3:30 – What is culinary medicine?

4:30 – Dr. Falquier’s path to specializing in culinary medicine

6:30 – How Dr. Falquier teaches cooking in her medical practice that’s covered by insurance!

14:40 – The Mediterranean Diet pattern of eating

16:30 – 9 point Mediterranean Scale

21:10 – How Dr. Falquier helps her patients with their diet

22:00 – Mediterranean scale breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas

Episode 13: COVID Recovery: What To Eat And Drink

Listen to “COVID Recovery: What To Eat And Drink with Dr. E. Konigsberg” on Spreaker.

What should you be eating and drinking if you’re recovering from COVID-19? Unfortunately, many COVID patients or “long haulers” continue to have lingering symptoms. In this episode, returning guest and Integrative Medicine Consultant Dr. Esther Konigsberg, MD, provides credible tips on fighting infection and treating fatigue, muscle pain, respiratory and gastro issues resulting from COVID-19.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

2:40 – What the body needs when fighting infection

7:10 – Tips to deal with specific symptoms during Coronavirus recovery (fatigue, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal issues, muscle & joint pain)

14:20 – Latest on Vitamin D and COVID

17:40 – Should you get your Vitamin D level tested?

20:00 – How to find an integrative practitioner in your area

Episode 12: Upset Stomach and Diet

Listen to “Upset Stomach and Diet with Dr. M. Singh” on Spreaker.

If you suffer from stomach pain or other gastrointestinal disorders, you won’t want to miss this episode with one of the only integrative gastroenterologists in the United States, Dr. Marvin Singh, MD. He explains the idea of personalized medicine, and how our genes and what we eat interact, otherwise known as nutrigenomics. Thinking of starting a trending diet? Listen to this episode first because that diet may not be right for you.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

1:50 – What is an integrative gastroenterologist?

3:30 – Dr. Singh’s professional journey to becoming an integrative gastroenterologist and how it affected his personal diet choices/health choices

9:30 – What is personalized medicine?

12:40 – Dr. Singh’s integrative approach to gastrointestinal problems and his diagnostic methods

17:20 – Nutritional genomics: the science of applying nutritional recommendations based on one’s genes

25:15 – How affordable is this type of healthcare?

29:30 – How does a person find the right healthcare provider?

32:00 – Types of patients that Dr. Singh treats

33:00 – SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

37:00 – Why can’t I eat this? (food sensitivities, leaky gut, celiac, crohn’s)

39:30 – What’s wrong with diets for the masses?

40:00 – Are stomach problems hereditary?

Episode 11: The Hormone-Food Connection

Listen to “The Hormone-Food Connection with Dr. Kyrin Dunston” on Spreaker.

Are you suffering from hormonal imbalance and would you even know if you were? From diabetes and weight gain to infertility and moodiness, hormonal imbalance can cause many health problems for both men and women. In this episode, Dr. Kyrin Dunston MD, a board certified Obgyn and Functional Medicine practitioner, discusses the various hormones in our body and why diet can play an important role in hormonal balance. She shares her own personal and professional journey to achieving better health outcomes and offers diet tips to balance hormones.

In this episode you’ll hear:

2:00 – Dr. Dunston’s personal and professional journey to becoming a functional medicine practitioner; from being overweight, anxious, depressed and suffering from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia to discovering functional medicine and regaining her vitality.

10:30 – Difference between functional medicine and mainstream medicine

12:30 – Functional medicine and the cause of health problems: hormone imbalance, toxicity, nutritional deficiency, energetic imbalance

14:30 – Are most functional medicine practitioners MD’s?

15:00 – What to do when you’re not feeling right

16:45 – Symptoms of sex hormone imbalance in all ages

19:45 – Perimenopause, menopause and different types of hormone replacement therapy (synthetic hormone replacement, bioidentical hormones)

23:00 – Dr. Dunston’s position on bioidentical hormones

26:10 – At what age should a woman check her sex hormone levels?

30:40 – Types of hormones and can we address hormonal imbalance with diet?

34:20 – Blood sugar roller coaster – are you hangry?

38:00 – How should we eat? 

43:00 – The problem with standard diets today

50:45 – Dr. Dunston’s top food picks

56:00 – Greenwashing

Episode 10: The Role of Nutrition in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease

Listen to “The Role of Nutrition in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease with Dr. M. Litman” on Spreaker.

Think back to biology 101 when you learned that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. These mitochondria need nutrients to function properly or else chronic disease can result, according Dr. Mel Litman MD, a family physician whose practice follows the principles of orthomolecular medicine. Unfortunately, our diets today are low in critical nutrients plus we are being bombarded with toxins that disrupt our system even more. In this episode, Dr. Litman explains the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic disease, and the importance of choosing clean and nutrient dense foods that help us “get the good stuff in and the bad stuff out”.

In this episode you’ll hear:

 2:40 – What is orthomolecular/nutritional medicine?

4:40 –  Is orthomolecular medicine the same as functional medicine?

5:30 – Why is nutrition so important?

6:00 – “Hope is an indispensable ally of the physician and an absolute right of the patient.”

8:40 – Dr. Litman’s professional journey

14:00 – What are mitochondria?

17:15 – What happens if mitochondria don’t function properly? (e.g. neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, auto-immune diseases, psychiatric problems)

19:30 – Testing

20:30 – Nutrient deficiencies and toxins

21:45 – What is toxic to the mitochondria? (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, certain medication)

23:10 – How Dr. Litman gets the health picture of his patients

26:15 – Can we get the recommended nutrients from diet alone?

27:00 – Depletion of nutrients in food supply

28:00 – The role of supplements

31:20 – Science-based evidence

31:50 – How to find good quality supplements

34:40 – Dr. Litman’s success rate

36:10 – Is medical school teaching this area?

37:00 – Cancer and mitochondrial damage

Episode 9: Food and Mood (Part 2)

Listen to “Food & Mood (Part 2) with Dr. L. Plowright” on Spreaker.

Can your diet affect your mental health? In part 1 of a 2 part interview, Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Linda Plowright, MD discusses how nutrition plays a role in the treatment of mental illness. Dr. Plowright shares scientific research on the connection between inflammation and psychiatric illness and provides practical examples of pro and anti-inflammatory foods. Great science-based information for people both in and outside of the healthcare profession.

In Part 2 of this podcast you’ll hear:

1:30 – Is there something missing in our diet today that can promote mental illness? The role of neurotransmitters and dietary precursors in mental illness.

5:30 – Can diet increase efficacy of SSRI medication?

6:30 – The role of diet in creating healthy brain cells

7:30 – Antioxidants

9:20 – Importance of folate and food sources of folate

10:00 – Importance of iron and food sources of iron

11:15 – Importance of vitamin B12 and vitamin D

16:45 – Is there a role for probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of mental illness?

22:15 – Patient treatment and when the diet/exercise discussion is appropriate

24:45 – Practical tips for meal preparation

27:45 – frozen v. fresh

28:30 – The impact of intermittent fasting on mental health

30:30 – Takeaway for mental health professionals

34:00 – Top diet changes to benefit mood

Episode 8: Food and Mood (Part 1)

Listen to “Food & Mood (Part 1) with Dr. L. Plowright” on Spreaker.

Can your diet affect your mental health? In part 1 of a 2 part interview, Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Linda Plowright, MD discusses how nutrition plays a role in the treatment of mental illness. Dr. Plowright shares scientific research on the connection between inflammation and psychiatric illness and provides practical examples of pro and anti-inflammatory foods. Great science-based information for people both in and outside of the healthcare profession.

In Part I of this podcast you’ll hear:

2:15Why Dr. Plowright pursued further medical training after becoming a psychiatrist

7:05Can nutrition play a role in mental health treatment?

9:15Genetics and the effects of lifestyle changes (neuroplasticity, epigenetics)

11:30Scientific research on the bi-directional link between physical health & mental health

16:30Scientific research on inflammation and its role in psychiatric illness

22:10Pro-inflammatory foods and the effects of certain cooking methods

28:50Good foods to eat: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based protein, omega 3 fatty acids

32:50Link between low level of omega 3 fatty acids and mental disorders

34:00Sources of omega 3 fatty acids

39:40More anti-inflammatory foods: olives, dark chocolate, ginger, turmeric + black pepper, cruciferous vegetabl​e

Episode 7: Are Dentists Open During Coronavirus: Tips for Dental Emergencies & Other Dental Problems During COVID-19

Listen to “Are Dentists Open During Coronavirus: Tips for Dental Emergencies & Other Dental Problems During COVID-19” on Spreaker.

What should you do if you have a dental problem during the COVID pandemic? In this episode, Dr. Y. Lenga, DDS, MSC, FRCDC, DIP discusses what people can do if an emergency or non-emergency dental problem arises. He discusses infection prevention from his perspective as a dentist and provides food tips to reduce oral inflammation.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

1:20 Are any dental offices open during the COVID-19 pandemic?

2:00 What have dentists done with their personal protective equipment (PPE’s) during COVID-19?

4:30 What is considered a true dental emergency and what should you do if you have a dental question?

7:00 Teledentistry

10:00 Sterilization and infection prevention strategies from the perspective of a dentist.

16:45 Salt water rinse recipe

19:15 Gum inflammation and bleeding: a holistic approach

24:00 Inflammation-food connection

27:20 Anti-inflammatory food tips

Episode 6: How To Build Your Immune System

Listen to “How To Build Your Immune System with Dr. E. Konigsberg” on Spreaker.
What can you do to strengthen your immune system? At the time of the recording of this podcast, there is an outbreak of the coronavirus called COVID-19. In this episode of Doctors+, Dr. Esther Konigsberg, MD CCFP, discusses integrative strategies to boost the immune system. You’ll learn about foods and vitamins that can boost the immune system, and what to avoid if you have COVID-19.
In this podcast you’ll hear: 2:35 – Can a strong immune system prevent someone from getting COVID-19?  4:30 –  Prevention strategies 5:30 – Can the severity of symptoms be lessened with a strong immune system?  6:40 –  Viral load 7:20 – Boosting the immune system with sleep, stress management, exercise  12:00 – Boosting immunity and reducing inflammation with diet  16:30 – Vitamin C and other natural health products to boost immune system  19:00 –  Cautions on what natural health products to avoid during symptoms of infection or if test positive for COVID-19  23:00 – Supplements that can boost immune system, continued.  25:00 – Importance of consulting a qualified healthcare practitioner  26:30 – Frozen v. canned food 28:00 – Safe grocery shopping 31:15 – Healthy snack ideas for kids 32:00 – Dispelling COVID myths

Episode 5: The Gut-Brain Axis

Listen to “Gut-Brain Axis” on Spreaker. The connection between the gut and the brain is fascinating! In this episode of Doctors+, Dr. Simran Rattan, MD, integrative medicine physician, integrative health coach, meditation coach and certified tai chi instructor, explains the gut-brain axis and how inflammation, mental health and chronic disease fit in.  You’ll learn about leaky gut, our microbiome and what causes gut imbalance.  Plus, discover what foods can help restore gut balance, including a discussion about prebiotics, probiotics and fermented foods. In this podcast you’ll hear: 5:45 – Gut-brain axis: a 2 way street 8:15 – Microbiome and leaky gut 10:15 – Gluten sensitivity and leaky gut 11:15 – The connection between gut imbalance and eczema 12:47 – Signs of leaky gut (bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, mood changes, abdominal pain) 13:20 – Stomach aches & migraines in children 17:00 – Mind body therapy 17:35 – What causes gut imbalance? 19:00 – Relationship between gut health, nutrition and mental health 19:20 – Whole foods 19:40 – Anti-inflammatory foods & Mediterranean diet 22:50 – Fermented foods, prebiotics & probiotics 27:55 – Mental health and mind-body therapy

Episode 4: Food Poisoning, Parasites and Food Safety

Listen to “Food Poisoning, Parasites and Food Safety” on Spreaker.

What can you do to prevent foodborne illness? How long does food poisoning last? In this episode of Doctors+, Dr. Ashley Salomon, M.D., discusses what foodborne illness is and how to avoid it both at home and while travelling.

In this podcast you’ll hear:

2:40– Causes of foodborne illness

3:05 Length of symptoms 

3:30– Food offenders 

4:25 Sushi warning

8:20– Water

9:30– Common viral infections 

10:45– Symptoms

12:20– When to consult a doctor

14:20– How to stay hydrated (water, ginger tea, electrolytes)

15:25 Role of integrative medicine for foodborne illness (diagnostics & treatment)

21:35: Difference between foodborne illness and food poisoning

23:15– Who is high risk

25:10 Prevention tips at home 

26:45– Most common food offenders

29:00 Travel prevention tips

33:10– Foods and herbs that can protect our stomach

Episode 3: Heavy Metals in Food & Water: What You Need To Know with Dr. A. Salomon

Listen to “Toxic Heavy Metals in Food & Water with Dr. A. Salomon” on Spreaker.

Episode 3
Toxic Heavy Metals in Food & Water with Dr. A. Salomon
What are heavy metals and why are they in our food? In this episode, MIT, Princeton and Rush Medical College graduate (to name a few), Dr. Ashley Salomon, MD, provides examples of toxic heavy metals, the big food offenders, and the symptoms and illnesses associated with heavy metal exposure. You’ll learn what foods can protect you plus hear about some great alternatives to foods that are high in heavy metals. Brown or white rice? How should you rinse your rice? Red or white wine? If you’re a fan of sushi, rice and/or wine, you’ll want to listen to this one!

1:00 –  Dr. Salomon’s educational and professional background

3:25 –  What is functional medicine

10:20 – Examples of heavy metals

12:00 – Symptoms and illnesses associated with heavy metal exposure

16:37 –  Arsenic in rice; brown rice v. white rice

17:40 – Recommendation for soaking rice

18:45 – Mercury in fish; fish with higher metal levels v. lower metal levels

20:20 – Who should avoid foods with heavy metals

22:20 – Omega 3’s

22:50 – Alternatives to foods with high heavy metal levels

24:00 – Water and water filtration

26:00  – Protective foods

29:00 – Pesticides and heavy metals

30:45 – Wine

31:40 – Heavy metals in medicinal herbs & supplements

34:00 – More on wine and heavy metals

37:30 – Testing for heavy metals

Episode 2: Integrative Medicine with Dr. E. Konigsberg Part 2

Listen to “Integrative Medicine with Dr. Konigsberg Part 2” on Spreaker. Episode 2 The Role of Food in Integrative Medicine This is Part II of AFN’s interview with Dr. Esther Konigsberg, MD CCFP, where she discusses the role of food and nutrition in integrative medicine versus western medicine. While food and nutrition are often discussed in the context of maintaining general good health, what about food as medicine? Do students in medical school learn about nutrition? Diet changes to help with pain, inflammation and digestive problems are just a few of the topics discussed in this podcast. In this podcast you’ll hear: 1:50 – The large role of food and nutrition in integrative medicine 3:20 – Inflammation and diet 5:30 – Gluten-free diet 6:55 – Is diet and nutrition being taught in medical school? 11:50 – Dr. Konigsberg’s recommendations for educating current and future MD’s about nutrition 16:05 – Listen to your body 17:50 – The misinformation about soy 20:13 – Nutrition in the media

Episode I: Integrative Medicine with Dr. E. Konigsberg Part I

Listen to “Integrative Medicine with Dr. E. Konigsberg Part I” on Spreaker. Episode 1 What is Integrative Medicine? This is Part I of AFN’s interview with integrative medicine consultant Dr. Esther Konigsberg, MD CCFP. Dr. Konigsberg, whose teachers and mentors include Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Andrew Weil, explains what integrative medicine is, why patients seek it out and how it fits in with an overall treatment plan. The podcast also explores whether western and alternative healthcare practitioners are really on opposite sides or is the landscape changing? This episode leads into Part II of the interview with Dr. Konigsberg which delves into the role of food and nutrition in integrative medicine. In this podcast you’ll hear: 2:15 – Why Dr. Konigsberg wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor 3:05 – Dr. Konigsberg’s experience in medical school 4:30 – Dr. Konigsberg’s pursuit of further education and her mentors 8:00 – Dr. Konigsberg’s views on evidenced-based medicine 10:00 – Benefits of Integrative Medicine 14:10 – Are western and alternative/complementary medicine practitioners still on ‘opposite sides’? 16:25 – What to look for in an alternative healthcare practitioner 18:10 – Integrative medicine in the U.S. v. Canada