No Filter Doctor

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.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines influence everything from school lunches to national nutrition policy, but how are these recommendations actually created? In this episode, I break down the process behind the guidelines, the committees involved, and the political and industry forces that can shape what ultimately ends up on Americans’ plates. This is Part 3 of a series examining what the guidelines say, what the science shows, and how policy decisions are made.

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines are presented as evidence based, but important contradictions remain. In this episode, I examine where recommendations conflict with current scientific evidence and why these inconsistencies persist. Understanding this gap is essential for making informed decisions about your nutrition and long term health.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, I walk through the newly released 2025 Dietary Guidelines and explain exactly what they recommend. I compare them directly to the 2020 guidelines so you can see what changed, what stayed the same, and where the focus has shifted. This is Part 1, focused solely on understanding the guidelines themselves, without critique or interpretation.

Menopause often presents with symptoms that fall outside traditional teaching, leading to delayed recognition and misattribution. In this episode, I speak with board certified OB GYN and menopause expert Dr. Kim Einhorn about atypical and overlooked menopause symptoms, why clinical guidelines lag behind patient experience, and how clinicians and patients should think about care in the setting of limited evidence.

Hormone replacement therapy has been misunderstood for decades, shaped by outdated studies, fear-based messaging, and incomplete risk framing. In this episode, I break down what we now know about menopausal hormone therapy, why the FDA black box warning was removed, and how modern evidence should guide individualized, physiology-informed care.   For more information and references please see: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/the-full-circle-of-hormone-replacement-therapy/ and  https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/menopause-hormone-therapy-fda-box-removal/ 

Stress has become a catch-all term for overwhelm, anxiety, and irritation, but the science tells a different story. In this episode, I explain how our beliefs about stress influence physiological responses and long-term health outcomes, drawing on both classic research and newer mindset data. We also discuss how learning to choose different stress responses can change how stress affects the body.   For more information or references, please see: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/beyond-the-obstacle/

The so called fat burning zone is one of the most misunderstood concepts in exercise science. In this episode, I break down what the research actually shows about exercise intensity, fat oxidation, and total energy expenditure. We will cover how to train smarter for fat loss without getting stuck chasing a misleading metric. For more detailed information and references, please see the corresponding blog post: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/best-workout-for-fat-loss-fat-burning-zone/

There is much more to ASCVD than LDL and HDL. In this episode, I walk through the lipid biology behind cardiovascular disease, what standard panels fail to capture, and why knowing this gives you a more accurate understanding of your true risk.   For more details and references on the topic, please see https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/more-to-lipids-than-cholesterol/. 

Ultra-processed foods are often painted as universally harmful, but the reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, I break down how ultra-processed foods are defined, their links to chronic disease, and why context matters when deciding what actually belongs on your plate. For more information and references please see the associated blog posts: Ultra-Processed Foods and The Health Impact & Ultra-Processed Foods: The Limited Truth Headlines Get Wrong. 

Alcohol is deeply woven into our social culture, but what does the science actually say about its safety? This episode breaks down current drinking guidelines and examines how alcohol impacts sleep, disease risk, mental health, and metabolism—even when consumed in “recommended” amounts. For references or more details on the topic please see the associated blog post. 

In this episode, I share the simple lifestyle changes I made in 2025 that ultimately saved my life. These were not dramatic or extreme shifts, but intentional decisions that changed how I approach my health and daily habits. If you’ve been rethinking how you live and care for yourself, this conversation may resonate. For links to all the blogs that were mentioned in the podcast, please see https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/?p=9694. 

Cold plunges and saunas are everywhere right now, but what do they really do for your health? This episode explores the science behind temperature-based therapies and separates proven benefits from popular claims.   For references or additional information please see the blog posts on cold and heat therapies. 

The holiday season often disrupts routines, sleep, movement, and mental health. In this episode, I discuss common holiday stressors and evidence-based strategies that can help support both physical and mental wellbeing during this busy time of year.   For references or more information on the topic, please see the corresponding blog post. 

In this episode, we dive into heart-rate variability (HRV). We explore what HRV really means, how it reflects the balance of your autonomic nervous system, and what factors, from sleep to stress to exercise, can influence it. Whether you use a wearable or clinical ECG, understanding HRV can give you powerful insights into your resilience, recovery, and overall health over time.   For more on the topic or for a list of references please see the corresponding blog post: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/heart-rate-variability-what-it-reveals-about-your-health/

Confused about cooking oils? You’re not alone. The internet says seed oils are toxic, influencers claim butter is the answer, and food labels make everything sound healthy. In this episode, we look at the science behind popular oils like olive, avocado, canola, and vegetable blends. We break down how oils are made, what “cold-pressed” and “refined” actually mean, and whether seed oils are really harmful or just misunderstood. For more on the topic and a list of references please the corresponding blog posts: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/the-truth-about-cooking-oils-whats-in-your-bottle/ & https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/are-seed-oils-bad-for-you-myths-facts-and-health/ 

Aging is not magic. It is biology. In this episode, I explain what happens inside our cells as we grow older and why the body changes over time. We look at real science, not quick fixes or trendy bio hacks, and talk about what research says can support healthier aging. If you have ever wondered why we age or whether we can influence the process, this episode will help make sense of it.   For more on the topic and a list of references, please see the corresponding blog post.

Protein gets a lot of attention which means there are a lot of opinions and confusion. In this episode, we talk through protein basics and the real differences between plant and animal protein sources. We also ask the questions that help you make the best personalized decisions for your own goals and your own body. Listen, subscribe, and share if you find it helpful. For more on the topic and a list of references, please see the corresponding blog post.

We’ve all heard that certain foods “cause inflammation," but how much of that is actually true? In this episode, Dr. AK takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in nutrition: inflammatory foods. She breaks down popular myths around gluten, dairy, sugar, and nightshades, then explores what science really says about which foods do promote inflammation and which may help reduce it. Tune in to get evidence-based clarity on a topic that’s often more hype than health — and learn how to make smarter food choices without falling for the latest diet trend. For more on the topic and a list of references please see the corresponding blog post.

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have become the hottest tools for weight loss, but there’s a lot more to the story than what social media tells you. In this episode, I break down how these drugs actually work, what the evidence shows about their long-term effects, and the key lifestyle changes that still matter for lasting results. We’ll talk about side effects, what happens when you stop taking them, and why GLP-1s can be powerful tools but not magic fixes.   For more details on the topic and a list of references, please see the post on the topic: https://thewholehumanhealthandwellbeing.com/glp-1-weight-loss-medications/ 

Many people assume that if something is “natural,” it must be safe. In this episode, I break down why that’s not always true. From FDA oversight gaps to hidden contamination and supplement drug interactions, we’ll explore the real risks behind natural products and how to navigate them wisely. Learn how to approach supplements with a critical eye without falling for marketing myths.   Please see corresponding blog post for more information, links, and references.

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, Dr. AK dives into the buzz around gut health. While supplements and trendy products promise miracles, the real story comes from peer reviewed science. Learn what the evidence actually supports and how to separate meaningful research from clever marketing.   For more information on the topic or a list of references, please see From Dr. AK's Desk Gut Health: A Thing or Money Grab?

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, Dr. AK takes a closer look at alkaline water. From its origins in Japan and Russia to how it is made through electrolysis, she explores the scientific evidence, environmental impact, and whether the health claims hold up. Clear facts, no filter.   For more on the topic or a list of references, please see From Dr. AK's Desk Alkaline Water: Miracle Elixir or Marketing Hype?  

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, Dr. AK unpacks the difference between genetics and epigenetics. While your genes set the blueprint, lifestyle choices from nutrition and exercise to sleep and stress can change how those genes are expressed. Evidence based, practical, and no filter.   For more on the topic and to see the references, please visit From Dr. AK's Desk Genetics vs Epigenetics: What You Can & Can't Control

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, Dr. AK breaks down the science of creatine supplementation. From muscle strength to brain health, what’s proven, what’s hype, and what you should know before adding it to your routine. Evidence-based, no filter.   For more details and a reference list, please see the blog From Dr AK's Desk Creatine Supplementation: Yes or No?

Surprise! A Bonus Episode.  Given the recent headlines, I decided to drop an unexpected podcast.   I break down the research behind the claims, what the studies really show (and don’t show), and why it’s critical to understand study design before drawing conclusions. No hype, no fear—just the evidence and context you need to make sense of the conversation.   For more details and a list of references please see From Dr. AK's Desk The Facts on Acetaminophen, Autism, and Science

In this episode of No Filter Doctor, Dr. AK takes a closer look at the booming business of stem cells. With so many bold claims and so little regulation, it’s time for some healthy skepticism. Evidence, risks, and reality—no filter.   For more on the topic, please see the blog post From Dr. AK's Desk Buyer Beware

In this short introduction, Dr. Annahieta Kalantari shares what you can expect from No Filter Doctor. Each episode brings evidence-based insights on health, longevity, lifestyle medicine, and aesthetics—direct from her blog, From Dr. AK’s Desk. Get ready for clear, no-nonsense conversations that cut through the hype and help you live better, longer.