Clothing and fashion holds different meaning and importance for everyone. For some, it's very important to put together a wardrobe while some others might not care one bit if a certain shirt goes with a certain pair of jeans. What we wear can convey a lot of information to others. In this episode of The Health Bridge, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Melissa Kathryn and she discusses the connection between fashion and body image. Melissa comes from a fashion design background and discusses how the fashion industry fuels body image and how it can negatively affect younger children. How can we gain the right mindset to feel sexy and comfortable in our clothes even if we don't look like the models on a fashion runway?

In this holiday release of The Health Bridge, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome James Swanwick. James used to be a drinker of alcohol, though he wasn't a down and out alcoholic. However, a few years back he made the decision to avoid alcohol completely. How did that affect his social life going out? In many societies and cultures, drinking is almost a rite of passage signifying the change from a child to becoming an adult. For some it's a way to cut loose on a Friday night after a long work week. For some it's liquid courage and the way to loosen up to have fun. But is it possible to give ourselves the permission to have fun without the aid of alcohol? Why must we poison our bodies in order to have some fun?

The holidays are meant to be a time to relax with the ones we love. The kids are on winter break and other family you may not have seen for a while are flying in. Why then, between shopping for gifts and attending various holiday parties, can the holiday season be such a stressful time? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai take a look at the original intentions of the holiday season, what it has become, and how we can take the time to relax during the winter season. From both Sara's and Pedram's team and everyone at The Health Bridge, we wish every listener a safe and happy holiday!

For some, pooping can be an issue. Of course we all do it, but how frequently do you go? In this episode, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai talk all about constipation. It's important to pay attention to what we deposit into the toilet. Also important is noting the amount of time it takes between eating food and passing it in the restroom. What's considered normal? What if we don't have daily bowel movements? What if we pass food too quickly? And if we don't have movements often what can we do to become more regular?

Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried officially complete their 100-day gongs! They recently spoke about this as they were nearing the finish line but now they speak from the other side. What changes have occurred in 100 days? What challenges did they face? And now that the 100 days are done, what actions are taken now? How are the habits built up during the gong carried out into normal every day life out of a gong? They recorded this episode a few weeks ago, but plan to start another gong on Sunday, December 21st so there's plenty of time to prepare and join them! Tell us what you plan to do for your gong at Facebook.com/TheHealthBridge!

Various health experts and nutrition experts have written frequently over the past few years that grains are terribly unhealthy. Are grains really that bad? Humans have been eating grains for thousands of years. Why then suddenly should we try to avoid them? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai try to make sense of all the grain data. They look at grains from a nutritional standpoint and compare its nutritional value to that of vegetables. They also discuss ways grains may affect a person even if they're not gluten sensitive. What is the role of grains in the standard diet and how can a person find out how they're affected by grains?

We live in a media and image driven world. We're often bombarded with images of men and women in top physical form and deride ourselves over the fact that we don't look like Ryan Gosling or have the body shape of Charlize Theron. Though we may not be in top physical shape, how can we still be satisfied with our own bodies? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai this week take on the troubling issue of body image. For some people it's agony comparing themselves to others. It might lead to issues both physical and psychological. How can we accept the genetics we're given and appreciate ourselves for just being?

We've all been overwhelmed by life at some point. Whether it's trying to handle the kids or the work or the chores that need to be done or a combination of all of it, sometimes things just get out of hand. Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried in this episode talk all about the effects of being overwhelmed. In what ways can we be overwhelmed? How could we change our view on time and time management that could help alleviate some of the overwhelm? In what ways might we be contributing to our own feeling of overwhelm? And if the feeling of overwhelm can't be entirely alleviated, in what ways can we adapt to live with it? This one's explict for a few choice four-lettered words.

For many, eating is just a thing one does when hungry. But this week, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome guest Marc David who discusses our mentality and how it affects the way we eat. Marc goes even further to discuss how mentality can shape the perception of ourselves, how it can alter the perception of time, and how it can change our relationship with food. How can we fully nourish the body to give it what it wants? How can digestion be altered by our moods? When we eat too fast, what information are we missing by not taking the time to actually taste our food?

For those of you in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! If you've been listening to The Health Bridge for a while, you'll know that Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried have been on a Gong for the last 100 days. Well the 100 days means the gong is complete. Sara and Pedram discuss how their gongs went and what improvements they can see after 100 days. Sara is open and admits some of the difficulties she faced when the gong first began. Now that the gong is over, what are the next steps? How soon should one wait before starting the next gong?

Previously, Sara Gottfried asked Pedram Shojai about the process of making his new movie, "Origins." Now some time has passed and the movie has actually been released. Sara asks Pedram on the response to the movie and they discuss a few points made in the movie. Sara and Pedram discuss a point made in the movie of how bad fats should be avoided but how sugar is also just as bad. For more info on how to see "Origins," visit Facebook.com/TheHealthBridge.

This week on The Health Bridge, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai answer a question that was posted on the Facebook page! We do actually read those! Lisa posted, "I'm wondering what role you see the nursing profession playing in the Functional Medicine movement." A very interesting question. As health care becomes more specialized and segmented, will the models that work in one area carry over into others? How important is it that everyone behind the pharmacy counter know as much as the doctor that prescribed the medication in the first place? Pedram and Sara explore the changing medical system and if every piece still has a part to play in the future.

In the last decade there has been a rise in the diagnosis of ADD and ADHD in both children and adults. Often, the remedy to this is to take prescription medicine. This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss if there are any other ways to try and treat ADD and ADHD. Of course, if a physician recommends medicine, it's definitely recommended to listen to them, but what other factors could be contributing to the diagnosis? Could it be the food we eat? Could it be factors in the environment that contribute to ADD and ADHD?

There's no denying that women and men are biologically different from one another. How does that impact the health care a person receives? When a person is being examined by a health care professional is the gender of the person being taken into account? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss the different ways men and womens' bodies respond to stress. What differences can be seen in the microbiome between the two genders? It's important to note the differences so not to treat the genders differently but rather to better understand each gender.

Foods have a strong power. We might be aware of it, but all the same we might not fully understand the power. For some of us, it goes beyond a simple craving for pizza and brownies. For some of us, as hard as we may try, we must have the pizza. Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai in this episode of The Health Bridge discuss the power of food addictions. Food addiction could potentially be the barrier keeping some from reaching their full healthy potential. Is it real? What causes it? Why does our body crave certain foods? And how can we break the addiction?

Many of us have lost touch with nature. Maybe at most we'll go on a short walk and look at the trees, but we're still quite surrounded by urban structures. Pedram Shojai recently removed the lawn from his backyard and turned it into a home garden with six raised beds. Sara Gottfried asks him about the troubles of starting a home garden. Pedram immediately realized that for trying to be as natural as he can, he doesn't know a thing about growing food in his backyard. And so with the home garden, it is his chance to reconnect to the earth and get his hands into the dirt and see the process and time it takes to grow food.

When Pedram Shojai got his check-up before starting the 100-day gong he got some surprising news from Dr. Alan Christianson, his liver wasn't looking so great. This was a bit of a surprise as Pedram keeps alcohol and junk food consumption at minimum and there's little reason for his liver to have any issues. But the tests were very clear, Pedram needed to clean his liver. This week on The Health Bridge, he and Sara Gottfried talk about the importance of the liver and what happens when it's loaded with toxins. What can be done to detoxify the liver? Why is it important to detox? What is the process of detoxification?

Mind over matter. We've heard it all before. But what does that really entail? This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Michael Lovitch to The Health Bridge. They get into the topic of negative thinking and its effects. Is negative thinking something we should avoid? Could negative thinking lead us to try harder to avoid negative outcomes? Lovitch also brings up the concept of trying to live a full life and have fun even if it means not being so strict with the health stuff. This one's explicit for some language.

Continuing with the talk of genetics, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss calcium channels. What are calcium channels and how do they affect different systems of the body? How does the genetics we're given affect the calcium channels in our body? What can we do about that? How does Omega-3 affect the systems in our body? Who should and who should not take Omega-3 supplements? Pedram and Sara dive right in!

This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai take a look at genetics. It's important to know the genetic factors that may affect our personal health and make adjustments to our behaviors to fit. Sara and Pedram recently had their genetics charted before starting their gongs and they were surprised at what they found. How much control do we have over our genetics? What factors can genetics affect? What tests can be taken to discover exactly how our genetics may affect different factiors? And even if genetics have a hold over major factors, what can be done to offset the genetic control?

Sara Gottfried's and Pedram Shojai's actual personal physician is the guest this week on the Health Bridge. Dr. Alan Christianson joins in this week to talk in depth about the charts and lab results he saw from Pedram and Sara. The hosts talk about starting their gong and what Dr. Alan saw when they first started. They get into some pretty deep details about the different things Dr. Alan saw when they first were checked before starting the gongs.

We've got a bonus episode of The Health Bridge! We had a quick response from the last episode with David Bronner and so Pedram Shojai was able to speak with spokesperson Sandeep Kaushik of the OregonRightToKnow.org. Because we scheduled it so quickly, Sara Gottfried wasn't able to join in. But due to the time-sensitive nature of the subject, we figured we'd just present this as a bonus rather than wait until Monday. Pedram asked Sandeep more about Measure 92 in Oregon. What exactly would it do? How would labeling foods affect manufacturing? Would it affect production at all?

Coming up in these midterm elections, Oregon is set to vote on a GMO Right to Know Bill that if passed would require manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to label raw and packaged foods produced entirely or partially by genetic engineering. Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai wanted to know more about what is going on in Oregon and how this could affect the rest of the country. David Bronner reached out to our team and was happy to inform us about the bill and what affect it could have. He also mentions the tough opposition the bill faces. Would food products that clearly list GM origins change your eating habits?

We all know how important the food we eat is to our overall health. When we become ill do we look at what we eat rather than trying to find a pill to cure us? This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Dr. Mark Hyman. He's big on functional medicine. What is functional medicine? And now in medical schools, are future practictioners being taught about nutrition and its importance? The three also dive into the importance of avoiding sugar.

Pedram Shojai actually completed a second movie! It took four years but it's finally a real movie! Pedram could not be more excited to see four years of filming turn into an actual tangible movie. So Sara Gottfried asked Pedram about the process of filming "Origins." What did it take to make a movie with a very small team of filmmakers? The film explores the link between planetary health and personal health. What is this link and how does one affect the other?

"Be mindful of the future, but never at the expense of the present." Star Wars fans will remember this quote. How can we truly connect to the present moment? This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Dr. Jen Landa to the Health Bridge. They discuss the problem of energy deficits and what can be done to regain some energy. They also dive into how energy deficits can affect sex drive (and for that I'm throwing up an explicit tag). How can we better balance work life and home life so that we're not always falling behind on energy? How can we take better care of ourselves against hidden physical stressors? And how can we make sure we don't miss the here and now in the process?

Definitely a topic of dispute, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried dive into the subject of vaccinations. There are claims that vaccinations are correlated to the rise in autism. But other data shows that diseases that have been dormant for the better part of a century are returning as people avoid vaccinations. What's the right answer? Pedram is a new father so these questions have been weighing heavy on him. He and Sara try their best to make sense of this complicated issue.

Last week Sara and Pedram were both unable to record but we didn't want to leave you empty-handed at the beginning of the week here! Here we have an interview Sara did with Pedram for her Entheos conference. They discuss the environmental drivers of health. How does our environment affect our health? How do all the factors add up? What burdens do they put on our bodies? Are all the factors negative? What factors are positive and how can we play into those to create better health for ourselves?

In this episode Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai catch up and discuss meditation practices they've incorporated into their gong. With our daily lives, how feasible is it to incorporate meditation into it? How long must we meditate to consider it effective? Sara brings up an app that can help clear your mind and Pedram mentions the effectiveness of changing your environment to help with that. They both discuss the importance of moving in new and different ways to work different parts of our body.

A lot of life can happen through the course of 100 days. Joe B on Facebook asked, "Have either Pedram or Sara had to restart their Gongs yet, or have they followed their intentions flawlessly?" Pedram and Sara respond and mention how they've carried through with the gong even when traveling for work. Sara also recently battled the flu and she discusses how that affected her gong. Sara and Pedram are just past the 30 day mark of their gong and they discuss if they have seen any improvements over the short 30 days.

How is planetary health affected by the food choices we make? This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Ocean Robbins to the podcast! Ocean discusses the ways eating meat not only affects our bodies and our health, but the health of the environment. How does eating grass-fed beef from corn-fed beef? Is grass-fed beef sustainable on a global level? How can we change our relationship to the things we eat and make health a priority?

Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai in this episode give updates on how the gong is going. Sara noticed that for Pedram's gong he wasn't going to ejaculate for the duration of the gong and asks him questions about that. What are the benefits of going on a self-imposed dry spell? Is there a difference between orgasms and ejaculations? Or is Pedram just crazy? The subject matter of this episode of course makes it explicit.

This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Bo Eason to the Health Bridge. Bo is a former NFL player, an actor, and a playwright. How was he able to transfer his NFL skills to the real world? Bo talks about humans as the ultimate predator and how we should be able to accept who we are. The three discuss connecting with our inner nature and the implications that could have. The three also get on a discussion of sexuality and being open about accepting sexuality as a human instinct. For that reason, even though the conversation never gets graphic by any means, this one's explicit.

Some of us may suffer from slight social anxiety when in a group of people. Some of us prefer conversing through text messages that allow us time to gather our thoughts before we respond. This week, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Jordan Harbinger of the podcast The Art of Charm. Jordan discusses reasons why we should sharpen our skills at in-person social interactions. He tells a couple of stories on how he was kidnapped (twice!) and how knowing how to talk to people got him out of those situations. How can spotting non-verbal cues help make us better in social situations?

Happy Labor Day for our US listeners! This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Ben Greenfield to The Health Bridge! They discuss the No Pain No Gain mentality in fitness. Is pain really required to become fitter? What level of challenge is required to see results? And what about between workouts? Are we treating our bodies properly during rest and recovery cycles? Ben Greenfield lists other ways to improve our bodies that don't require raising our heart rates. How can we get out of the comfort zone and challenge ourselves to grow?

Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried this week give updates on the gongs they recently started. They then dive into a further discussion on Robin Williams which started in the episode with Shawn Stevenson. We received some messages that took concern with Shawn's statement that suicide is a "selfish" act. Pedram and Sara continue the conversation on this sensitive subject. Pedram discusses his experiences knowing people to have taken their own lives. Sara discusses how the news of Robin Williams affected her family. Most importantly, if you are suffering from depression and thinking of taking your own life, please seek help!

How can we create an army for change? Both for ourselves and the community in which we live? This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome celebrity nutritionist Cynthia Pasquella to the Health Bridge. They discuss the idea that everyone should practice what they preach. Pedram and Sara talk about their 100-day gongs and Cynthia describes the 10-day challenge she has. They discuss the difficulties of diets and how to work them rather than having them work you.

This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Shawn Stevenson to The Health Bridge. Shawn as a youth had a very weak body. He broke a hip while running track and was told that he had the spine of an 80-year-old. He was told there wasn't anything to be done about it but the doctors went ahead and prescribed him pills to take. Shawn took it upon himself to make changes in his life. What changes did Shawn notice when he cut out fast food? What sort of improvements occurred? How did his overall quality of life change?

Some of us think we need that cup of coffee in the morning or the newest gadget, but is that really a need? This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Cliff Hodges of Adventure Out to The Health Bridge. Cliff runs a program of survival training that aims to re-acclimate the 21st century human back to our primal instincts. When we're worried about actual survival, how does the list of needs vs. wants shift? Is that coffee still a need to stay awake? Or does it become a need to sustain ourselves. Is the smartphone still important? Or should we worry more about staying warm after the sun sets? What can spending time disconnected from the 21st century out in the woods do for our perspective of the world?

This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome gut expert Steve Wright to The Health Bridge. Steve was an electrical engineer that had so many problems with his gut that his family nicknamed him, "The Gas Man." He was even told be co-workers that he was "stinking up the cube farm." Steve tried a few different diets to varying effects for his leaky gut. He was then introduced to the Carbohydrate Diet. What is the Carbohydrate Diet and how did it affect the way Steve felt? How can we rebuild the gut through diet?

Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried recently flew to Phoenix, AZ to visit Dr. Alan Christianson who analyzed their blood tests. Sara and Pedram are starting their 100-day gongs on August 15th and it's important to guage the stats at the beginning of a challenge to see what has changed when the challenge comes to an end. Sara and Pedram talk about the surprises they discovered when Alan went over the blood tests with them. Even two doctors such as Sara and Pedram can find issues within themselves that need to be improved. How can a gong help with these issues? What will Sara and Pedram do for their gong? And what do you need to know to start one?

We're all influenced from a variety of inputs. From our friends to our co-workers to TV and movies, we're always taking in information, even if subconsciously. It's no wonder then that sometimes trying to make an informed decision about our health can be a troublesome task. This week Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Pilar Gerasimo to talk about the ways we can fight negative influences and take control of the inputs we allow in our lives. Pilar and Sara also introduce Pedram to the absurd idea of wanting a thigh-gap. This one's explicit for just a few expletives.

Many of us have a morning routine that involves caring for our skin, both of the body and face. But what about caring for the skin of our young children? Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Kim Walls of Episencial.com to the Health Bridge to talk about the importance of skin care for both adults and children. Where can we find products that won't harm developing skin, especially on infants? Skin is the largest organ of the body, but in the womb it's one of the last systems to fully develop. In what ways is infant skin different from adult skin?

Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai are back! And in this episode they welcome fermentationist Summer Bock. Femented foods and the good bacteria in them can help relieve digestive issues some may have. What does fermented food do in the microbiome within us? What is the process of fermentation? And why is it important to buy unpasteurized food? Summer also shares with Pedram and Sara some of her favorite fermented foods.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Abel James, and Nick Polizzi all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the final part of that conversation. Pedram, Nick, Sara, and Abel talk about difficulties they've encountered while training. Sara talks about connecting to breathing while running and allowing the heart to talk to the brain rather than the reverse. They talk about the importance of the gut and the chemicals that are created in the gut before moving the discussion to the importance of understanding poop. And Pedram attempts a Yoda impression.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Abel James, and Nick Polizzi all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the third part of that conversation. Pedram, Nick, Sara, and Abel discuss vulnerability, violence, and coming-of-age rituals in regards to gender roles. Does flight-or-flight still have a use in the modern world? Abel discusses talking to a listener who applied World of Warcraft to everyday lifestyle. They discuss how small changes can have large effects. And Sara totally misquotes Yoda.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Abel James, and Nick Polizzi all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the second part of that conversation. Pedram, Nick, Sara, and Abel try to laugh while talking about death and discuss making time for the living. They discuss how to manage stress to be able to be present in the moment. Pedram tells a story about how conceited he was in his youth. What is it in our world that brings us happiness? How does belief and experience play into the health care we choose? Pedram also makes a Star Wars reference to the confusion of Sara.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Abel James, and Nick Polizzi all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the first part of that conversation. They discuss Nick's experience with filming his movie, Sacred Science, in the Amazon and having to unplug from modern technology. They also discuss how people often just hand over their power to the doctors. Do we know what we're taking when a doctor prescribes us something? When we take herbs do we understand each herb we're taking? They also dive into the topic of how we deal with death.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Ken Cook, and Abel James all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the final part of that conversation. Abel, Ken, Sara, and Pedram examine conventional meat and how to keep it from ruining our personal biology and how it can also affect the environment as a whole. They review other sources of protein besides meats. Abel compares conventional grocery store eggs to organic eggs from a farmer's market. Ken questions why it's so difficult to get fruits and vegetables into school lunch programs.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Ken Cook, and Abel James all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the third part of that conversation.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Ken Cook, and Abel James all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the second part of that conversation. Ken discusses how to combat lobbyists that protect their self-interests and not the interests of the public. Why do we have trouble getting fruits and vegetables into public schools? Are we aware of the toxins in the cosmetics that some people wear every day? The group discusses every day habits and ways to curb little actions to build large results.

Last fall, Pedram Shojai, Ken Cook, and Abel James all visited Sara Gottfried at her home and we recorded a long conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Here is the first part of that conversation. They discuss how Ken started the Environmental Working Group and what EWG aims to do. How can we live sustainably? Are we aware of all of the various toxin and chemical exposure events that take place through everyday life? Can technology help control certain issues?

We're in the high heat of summer! Pedram Shojai just got back from a vacation and Sara Gottfried is about to head into one. We all love them. The idea of going somewhere and getting away from work and our regular lives. But different people have different ideas of a perfect vacation. How can we try to create a vacation to please the varying opinions within our familes? And how can we get the most out of our vacations so that we return to work with gumption? We here at the Health Bridge will be taking a month to relax ourselves and we'll be back in August with fresh episodes, but will still have other content releasing for you through the month of July. We want to wish you all a fun, safe, and relaxing July!

This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Katie, the Wellness Mama, to The Health Bridge. Katie is a mother of five children and in this episode all three share their ideas of parenting and how to make sure their children know how to make proper choices regarding their health and food. How can we make sure kids (and perhaps even the adults) are eating well when the kids' menu is filled with items like mac and cheese or chicken fingers? Is it possible to adjust the taste palette of a kid that won't eat vegetables? And how do we make sure our kids are getting enough activity if all they want to do is play video games?

What does it mean to have too much estrogen? This is an issue that can affect men as well as women. What can cause a rise in estrogen? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss the causes and how they've changed their own behaviors and actions to ensure they maintain proper hormone levels. What are the proper levels of estrogen women and men should maintain? How can we tell if our estrogen levels are too high? Can foods affect the level of estrogen in our bodies? What about the amount of exercise? Pedram and Sara also explore how aging changes the way our bodies produce hormones.

There was a study from last year that showed that sugar can have effects on the brain similar to cocaine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144). We get our diet our order, we exercise, but we may still find ourselves craving that chocolate bar or package of cookies. What is it about sugar that is so addictive? How are we affected when we eat too much sugar? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss the addictive power of sugar and stage an intervention.

This episode was recorded while Pedram Shojai was visiting Sara Gottfried at her home in Northern California. Pedram has been known to be heavily involved in multiple projects all at once and Sara asked him where he finds the time and energy to perform multiple jobs and be in charge of multiple projects without burning himself out. How can we garner the willpower to go about our lives without draining ourselves of all energy? Sara asks Pedram about his practice of gongs. What is a gong? How can a gong help move people towards their goals, whatever it may be? In our world of instant gratification, do we set realistic long-term goals? What discipline is needed to make sure we stick to a 100-day gong?

Did you know microbial cells that inhabit the human body outnumber human cells 10 to 1? And yet, the entire microbiome of a person only weighs about 200 grams. There is a fully functioning ecosystem inside of us that needs as much attention as the world around us. This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Tom Malterre to The Health Bridge. Tom discusses how important it is to set up a properly functioning microbiome, especially if you are or are considering becoming pregnant as the microbiome of the mother sets up the microbiome of the child. What symptoms can manifest and what are some things that can be done to help an unbalanced microbiome?

Pedram Shojai recently visited Sara Gottfried in NorCal so they went ahead and recorded a special episode of The Health Bridge in a car ride up to Napa. Also there was Sara's husband David Gottfried. The three have a fun conversation about gender roles and whether or not certain aspects of gender identities are hard-wired in the brain or if it's something that can adjusted. Now that people aren't actively hunting for food for surivival, what does that do to the mind? Is the need to hunt still embedded somewhere in people's mind? What are activities that can replace those embedded instincts? This one's explicit for language as the trio get pretty rowdy during their car ride.

Sara Gottfried had a minor emergency shortly before recording time and so for this episode Pedram Shojai is driving solo! He welcomes guest Tristan Truscott to The Health Bridge. Tristan has a background in martial arts so this episode is very stacked to the eastern side of the bridge. Tristan and Pedram dive into the concept of qi. Tristan talks about his first experience of getting in touch with his qi and how people can use qi to feed the energy for life. How important is it to find purpose in life?

Though we may try our best to get enough sleep, some of us still fall victim to fatigue. Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss the varying reasons being fatigue. How does an unstimulating 8-hour day job followed by an episode of 24 which can turn on the adrenaline affect the quality of our sleep? Our evolutionary ancestors engaged in very different daily cerebral activities than the engagement many of us get at our desks. Our ancestors had to worry about hunting for food and not being hunted themselves. Now we have to worry about whether we have enough to pay the bills this month. How does this shift in engagement create fatigue?

Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai in this episode welcome Alex Jamieson to the Health Bridge! Alex helped filmmaker Morgan Spurlock detox to reverse the damage he did to his body after filming Super Size Me. Alex discusses the importance of taking control over cravings of everything from men to meatballs. Sara, Pedram, and Alex also talk about Alex's choice to eat meat after being a vegan for years and the repercussions of that choice that had nothing to do with her personal health, such as the death threats she received. This one's explicit for language.

On this episode of The Health Bridge, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss depression. For those suffering from a major depressive disorder, it's a complex issue that won't be solved in 30 minutes via a podcast, though if you'd like Pedram and Sara to make that attempt, just let us know. As for this episode, Sara and Pedram tackle the subject regarding depression as a mood state. What could be causing the depression? They discuss self-worth with regards to body image, the effect of alcohol on our moods, and the spirit we bring to our everyday lives. What factors of our lives are we able to control to pull us out of depression? This one's explicit for language.

This week Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Larry Ostrovsky to the podcast as they discuss a more controversial topic this week. The trio discuss the use of drugs, and not the kind you get with a prescription. With the legalization of cannabis in Colorado and Washington, the United States is entering a new era to which not all the consequences are known. Are there benefits to using entheogens? What are the downsides? Sara, Pedram, and Larry each provide their own views on a subject with many different opinions and factors at play. This one's explicit for language.

Last week both Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai were in New York for a health conference so for this episode we're reaching into the archives with one we've been holding on to. Pedram and Sara in this episode discuss the overuse of antibiotics. In April (after this episode was recorded), the World Health Organization released a report stating, "a post-antibiotic era – in which common infections and minor injuries can kill – is a very real possibility for the 21st century." As antibiotics and antimicrobial treatments are a major foundation of modern health care, how can we ensure that we aren't setting ourselves up for more trouble down the line?

In this episode Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome Jayson and Mira Calton of Calton Nutrition. Jayson and Mira talk about their travels around the world and the nutrition of other cultures. They saw that people weren't trying to eat healthier, they just ARE eating healthier! Jayson and Mira talk about the importance of a diet that's balanced with micro-nutrients and the adverse affects of being micro-nutrient deficient. How does the way we shop in a grocery store affect the things we buy to eat? What changes in our attitude can we make to affect our food choices and overall lifestyles? Also, listen in as Sara attempts to make a Star Wars reference.

Some are morning people and some definitely are not. But how does the process to which we arise in the morning affect the rest of the day? In this episode, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss their morning rituals and what they do to ensure that their days start off on the right foot. Whether it's meditation or just focusing on the kids and packing their lunch, it's important to clear your mind to be able to handle the day and not let it overwhelm!

It's an emotion we've all faced and one we at times have tried our best to hide: fear. But is fear something we should let control us? In this episode, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Ana Forrest to The Health Bridge. As humans were evolving, fear was a response that could have kept our ancestors alive from the predator that wanted to kill them. But now fear can grip us when we take the test in school or hear that layoffs are happening throughout the company. Ana tells Pedram and Sara how to stalk and hunt fear along with tips on how to control the mind against stresses of our modern lives.

Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried recently welcomed The Bulletproof Executive, Dave Asprey, to The Health Bridge. A few weeks ago Dave was visiting Pedram at his home in Southern California when Dave started having a strange reaction. "There's mold somewhere," Dave said. Turns out there was a little plant in a vase that was filled with mold and Dave was able to sense it. Why is it that some people are more receptive to sensing toxins than other people? How can you tell if you're one of them? What adverse effects are there if we live in a house that has mold? How can mold and other toxins affect our immune systems, our food cravings, and our hormones? Listen in on Sara, Pedram, and Dave as they discuss these topics.

Any of us who have been on any sort of diet have been tempted to cheat. Whether it's the bacon or the donut or the candy bar, we're surrounded by temptations. In this episode, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome guest Jackie Wicks as they talk about how to handle cheat meals and not have the cheat meals turn into cheat days and cheat weekends. They talk about how to set up proper expectations and how expectations are different from goals. When we set goals, such as fitting in a certain swim suit or dropping below a certain weight, are we setting up the expectation that we will reach these goals as well?

Sara visited Pedram at his home in SoCal for a day to film for his next movie! It was a busy day but while Pedram was driving Sara back to the airport, we threw mics on them and recorded an episode in the car! Aptly this episode is about road rage. Many of us drive and every now and then we feel the raise in blood pressure from road rage. We all have different ways of dealing with it. Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss the ways they control the road rage Hulk that tries to break out. How we can apply the positive ways we deal with road rage to the other stresses in our lives?

Couples nowadays are starting families much later in life than in past generations. Whereas couples might have had their first child in their mid-twenties years ago, now some aren't having their first child until they're in their mid-thirties or even until they're into their forties. For women who have children closer to menopause, what are steps that can be taken to avoid falling down the hormonal flight of stairs? Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss the idea of menopause as this rough time in a woman's life. What can women do to take control of their hormones as their bodies change? What are the effects of stress on a woman's hormones? Be warned, Pedram and Sara touch upon the topic of sex and sensuality in this episode that may not be appropriate for the younger crowd.

As we near summer, we're all thinking about getting that perfect beach body. Some of us are probably starting an exercise routine and trying to get our diets in order. This week on The Health Bridge Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome nutrition expert JJ Virgin as she goes through a few of the foods that will make us fat. Why do these foods make us fat? What happens inside of our bodies when we eat these foods? What else should we do to help our bodies burn fat while avoiding the fattening foods?

You are what you eat. We hear it all the time. And often we're told what we're not supposed to eat. But what about things we should eat? What are the foods that will fill us with vitality? There are so many labels at the grocery store that tell us foods are "heart healthy" or "high in protein" but what does that all actually mean? Can the sugary bowl of cereal really be heart healthy? Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome guest Steven Masley to The Health Bridge to discuss the foods we can and should add that could help improve our daily lives.

Back pain is a common issue. Many people will experience some level of back pain at some point in their life. In this episode, Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried discuss different causes for back pain. For some it might be the way you sit at work, but for others it may be something more serious. In this episode Pedram and Sara come together with their different perspectives of qi gong and yoga and different ways you can relieve back pain and ways to prevent it from happening in the first place.

We all get them for all sorts of different reasons. Maybe it's stress from work. Maybe it's the visiting mother-in-law. Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss various ways we can avoid the triggers for headaches and migraines. Can poor posture lead to headaches? What's the connection between the foods we eat and the triggers for headaches? Is it possible craft a life without headaches?

If you've been listening to the podcast, you know the hosts are Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried, but who are they exactly? In a previous episode we explored Pedram's past. Now it's Sara's turn. Born in Maryland, how did Sara's grandmother shape her current relationship with food? How did Sara's family end up in Alaska? She also details her time at Harvard and how she got into yoga. Listen to the stories on what makes her Sara Gottfried!

Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome Dr. Susanne Bennett to The Health Bridge! An expert on allergies, she lists five common household items that could cause allergy problems for some people. We all try to keep our homes clean and free of toxins but certain things are much more difficult to avoid. What should you do if you are allergic to these things?

If you've been listening to the podcast, you know the hosts Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried, but who are they exactly? What are their backgrounds? In this episode Sara interviews Pedram. He details his time at UCLA in the pre-med program, his time as a monk in the Himalayas, and how he got into tai chi and Eastern medicine. He's basically a spiritual Forest Gump with an IQ a bit higher than 75.

We've all experience some level of anxiety. For some it's a bigger problem than for others. We all face stress from the busy workplace or the hectic home life, but how does the food we eat and the coffee we drink affect anxiety levels? In this episode of The Health Bridge, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss five things we can do that may help relieve anxiety.

Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried welcome the Fat-Burning Man, Abel James, to the Health Bridge. How does the environment around us affect how we feel and how we perform? Can changing the environment around us from the chairs in which we sit to the people with which we hang to the food we stock in our pantries make it easier to make good decisions?

Sex! Now that I have your attention, Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai are going to talk about sex! How do hormones and birth control affect anatomy? How do our everyday lives affect our sexual desires? Be warned that Pedram and Sara this episode features mature subject matter.

The Health Bridge welcomes its first guest! Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai welcome health and fitness expert Yuri Elkaim as they talk about the proposed changes by the FDA to update the Nutrition Facts label we see on packaged foods. Will the proposed changes, such as updating serving sizes, affect the way consumers make food choices?

Sara and Pedram sit and have a chat all about hormones. How can we change the balance of our hormones? Can balancing hormones change our lives? Is it about taking supplements or can we improve with diet? How can we concern ourselves with balancing hormones while not overloading ourselves with the busy lives we live daily?

What are telomeres and why are they important to our lifespan? Shortened telomeres have been shown to play a role in heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, dementia, and premature death. A recent study found that participants who adopted several healthful lifestyle changes for five years experienced a 10 percent lengthening of their cell's telomeres, indicating that the cells would have a longer lifespan. Pedram and Sara discuss if a healthy lifestyle can reverse cell aging.

Sara Gottfried and Pedram Shojai discuss on the topic of insomnia and how important it is to unplug from the bright electronics before bedtime in order to better fall into a deep sleep at night.

Are probiotics good for you? These days we see "anti-bacterial" thrown on everything and we buy into this bacteria-free frenzy. But does bacteria really deserve a reputation for causing disease? A growing body of studies tells us that the answer to this question is NO. Learn more about probiotics and how they can serve our body. Dr. Sara Gottfried and Dr. Pedram Shojai discuss the science behind probiotics and the different foods that are concentrated with these good bacteria.

In this episode Sara and Pedram talk about the Paleo diet. Is it sensible to try to eat like people did over ten-thousand years ago? How is this diet different from all the other diet programs out there? Pedram and Sara address various concerns and misconceptions about the Paleo diet which has become very popular in recent years.

What are the Benefits of Broccoli? What's this whole broccoli business? Well, it turns out that broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables out there. Dr. Sara Gottfried and Dr. Pedram Shojai are back again to discuss the science behind this miracle vegetable.

Should Obesity Be A Diagnosis? Recently the American Medical Association classified OBESITY as a disease. This has send ripples into our culture as the AMA has thrown the gauntlet and is forcing us to look at this issue. We all know that obesity is a huge medical problem and leads to many life-threatening diseases which are costing us a fortune in healthcare expenses, but is it a disease? Let's explore this debate with Dr. Pedram Shojai and Dr. Sara Gottfried.

Grain Brain and how to avoid it. Pedram Shojai and Sara Gottfried get into what we can do to avoid brain fog by cleaning up what we eat and they also get into practices and supplements we could use to fix it.

Does air pollution and mercury link to autism? Recent studies link exposure to air pollution during pregnancy to the rise in autistic children. Pregnant women exposed to diesel particulates and mercury were twice as likely to have a child with autism. Can we clean up our act in hopes of a brighter future?

Dr. Sara Gottfried and Dr. Pedram Shojai talk all things breast cancer related. How to prevent breast cancer? They have some cool insight on rising awareness, prevention strategies, and Angelina Jolie's recent double mastectomy.

What are hormone disruptors? Weight gain may come from toxic overload of the system. Here, Pedram and Sara look at how certain chemicals signal the thyroid to slow down, and thus, trigger the body to put on weight. Several strategies are discussed as solutions to this problem including mercury chelation, dietary change, supplements, and more. Weight loss through hormone balance and thyroid health is key.