The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

Heart disease is the leading cause of death — but it's also one of the most preventable conditions.  In this episode of The Exam Room, Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll to reveal the best foods for reversing heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and protecting your arteries naturally. Dr. Barnard breaks down the science behind oats, beans, walnuts, leafy greens, flaxseed, berries, and more — and explain how these foods help remove LDL cholesterol, improve endothelial function, and reduce inflammation. Can plaque really shrink? How fast can cholesterol levels drop? What should you eat if you've already had a heart attack? If you're serious about improving your cardiovascular health, this evidence-based conversation offers practical steps you can start today. 🧠 Topics Covered: - How plaque forms in arteries - Foods that lower LDL cholesterol quickly - Nitric oxide and circulation - Inflammation and heart disease - How soluble fiber clears cholesterol - Why beans may be better than meat for your heart - The truth about cooking oil - Do nuts help or hurt? - Why berries are heart-protective According to the CDC, nearly 80% of heart disease cases may be preventable with diet and lifestyle changes. That means what you eat matters — a lot. If you're trying to lower cholesterol naturally, reduce plaque buildup, or protect your arteries, this episode is packed with evidence-based guidance. 🛳️ Dr. Barnard's Bon Voyage Bash: Houston! 👉 https://www.pcrm.org/events/bon-voyage-bash-houston 🍎 International Conference on Nutrition In Medicine 👉 https://www.pcrm.org/ICNM 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Garlic may be one of the most powerful foods in your kitchen due to its vast health benefits. In this episode, Dr. Hana Kahleova joins Chuck Carroll to explain the science behind garlic's impact on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune function, antioxidant production, and even gene signaling. Backed by randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses, she reveals how just one clove per day may help improve cardiovascular health and reduce infection risk. 🧠 In this episode: - Is fresh garlic better than supplements? - Can garlic really reduce LDL cholesterol? - Does it help prevent colds? - What about blood pressure? Plus, practical tips for using garlic daily without smelling like an Italian restaurant on a first date. 🧄 Garlic Press 👉 https://amzn.to/3Of2mgi 💙 Watch Dr. Kahleova's Presentation 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-xGZKkZA1s 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Millions of Americans are turning to GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. But here's the question few are asking: What happens when you stop? Research shows that many people regain a significant portion of the weight within a year of discontinuing GLP-1 medications. In some studies, participants regained as much as two-thirds of the weight they lost. On this episode of The Exam Room, Chuck Carroll sits down with world-renowned obesity researcher James Hill, PhD to unpack the real story behind long-term weight management after GLP-1 medications. Dr. Hill is a pioneering scientist and former president of The Obesity Society and The American Society for Nutrition. Along with Dr. Holly Wyatt, he co-authored the new book Losing the Weight Loss Meds: A 10-Week Playbook for Stopping GLP-1 Medications Without Regaining the Weight. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Are GLP-1 medications meant to be long-term? • What happens inside the body when you stop taking them • Why so many people regain weight after discontinuing • The 10-week transition strategy for maintaining weight loss • The three types of weight regain—and how to avoid each • How to quiet food noise and cravings naturally • Daily habits that can replace the work of GLP-1 medications Chuck also shares his personal perspective on long-term weight loss success, including: • What he's learned after weight loss surgery • The lifestyle shifts that made his results sustainable • And what he wishes he knew before surgery that he knows now If you're considering GLP-1 medications, currently using them, or thinking about stopping, this episode could change how you approach weight maintenance forever. 📕 Order the book "Losing the Weight Loss Meds" 👉 https://amzn.to/3Mrm485 💙 Chuck's Newsletter 👉 https://www.chuckcarroll.com 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

For the first time publicly, the cause of death of renowned plant-based cardiologist Dr. Baxter Montgomery is revealed. In this powerful and respectful conversation, Jackie Williams shares that Dr. Montgomery battled two rare blood disorders: multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. What are these diseases? Could diet have caused them? Can lifestyle medicine reverse everything? 🧠 In this episode: • What multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis are • Who is most affected • Why his diet did not cause his illness • The limits — and power — of nutrition • The legacy he leaves behind The discussion begins with Jackie who shares her personal journey from grief and declining health to vibrant whole-food, plant-based living. After years helping build Montgomery Heart & Wellness and supporting thousands of patients, Jackie is now seeking her next opportunity within the plant-based and lifestyle medicine community. If you're looking for experience in patient support, community building, events, or plant-based education, she is open to continuing this work. We discuss Dr. Montgomery's cause of death beginning at 26:38 📕 Montgomery Heart & Wellness YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@MontgomeryHeartWellness 📲 Contact Jackie Williams 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jackiewillmhw 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Your gut has a clock — and most people are completely out of sync. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Chuck Carroll sits down with gastroenterologist and three-time bestselling author Will Bulsiewicz to explain how circadian rhythm controls gut health, inflammation, energy, and even your bowel movements. You'll learn why mornings matter more than sleep alone, how cortisol actually helps your gut when it's timed correctly, and how light, movement, and meal timing send powerful signals to your microbiome.  Dr. B breaks down groundbreaking research showing that circadian disruption can flatten microbial diversity, weaken the gut barrier, and drive inflammation even without changes in diet. If you wake up tired, bloated, anxious, constipated, or wired-but-exhausted, this episode explains why — and what to do about it. 🧠 In this episode: - How circadian rhythm affects digestion, immunity, and inflammation - Why morning light is the strongest signal for gut health - How jet lag, shift work, and irregular mornings disrupt the microbiome - The ideal morning routine to support gut motility and energy - Why consistency matters more than perfection 📕 Order Plant Powered Plus 👉 https://amzn.to/49jRDcz 🎧 The Gut Insiders Podcast 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@theguthealthmd/podcasts 🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM 👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Can what you eat really change your skin?   Dr. Jessica Krant, board-certified dermatologist and lifestyle medicine physician in New York City, joins Chuck Carroll at the International Conference on Nutrition and Medicine to explain the powerful connection between diet, inflammation, and skin health.   From acne and rosacea to wrinkles and premature aging, Dr. Krant breaks down how dairy, sugar, ultra-processed foods, and stress impact the skin — and how whole plant foods can help reverse damage and support collagen naturally.   You'll learn about the gut-brain-skin axis, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), collagen supplements, beauty sleep, and why stress might be triggering your breakouts.   Learn more about Dr. Krant and schedule an appointment at her practice at: https://artofdermatology.com.   🎓 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM) https://www.pcrm.org/ICNM   - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

One cup of blueberries a day could help your brain, heart, mood, and waistline.  On this episode of The Exam Room, host Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Leslie Wada to explore the science behind blueberries — from weight management and heart health to memory, mood, and inflammation. Backed by human clinical studies, this conversation explains why blueberries stand out among fruits, how much you really need to eat, and why anthocyanins may be one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory compounds in the modern diet. IN THIS EPISODE: - Why about 1 cup of blueberries a day shows real benefits - How blueberries support brain and heart health - What anthocyanins do in the body - Why frozen blueberries count too 🫐 Blueberry Recipes (including blueberry BBQ sauce) https://blueberry.org/recipes Note: Not all recipes are plant-based or align with Physicians Committee healthy food standards 🧀 The Cheese Trap + Treeline Cheese https://bit.ly/CheeseTrapSale 🎓 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM) https://www.pcrm.org/ICNM - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Grocery shopping shouldn't feel like a nutrition exam, but for many people it does. In this episode of The Exam Room, Chuck Carroll is joined by Sam Citro Alexander, founder and CEO of FoodHealth Score, a powerful new tool that cuts through misleading food labels and tells you — instantly — how healthy a food really is. Using a simple 1–100 scoring system, FoodHealth Score analyzes ingredient lists and nutrition panels so shoppers can make smarter, healthier choices without needing a nutrition degree. In This Episode: - Why "heart healthy" and "high protein" labels can be deceptive - How the FoodHealth Score is calculated - Which foods score shockingly low — and why - How plant-based eaters can shop with confidence - Why added sugars hide under many names - How better shopping tools could pressure companies to improve food quality 🥦 Try the FoodHealth Score Chrome Extension https://bit.ly/FoodHealthScore 🙋‍♀️ Menopause Makeover https://menopausemakeover.online 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Are all ultra-processed foods bad for your health? New science says no — and the details may surprise you. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Hana Kahleova, director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to break down a comprehensive review of more than 300 studies examining ultra-processed foods, diabetes, heart disease, and mortality. The findings challenge common assumptions and reveal that not all processed foods impact health the same way. In this episode, you'll learn: - Which ultra-processed foods are most strongly linked to diabetes and heart disease - Why meat and processed meat are the primary drivers of harm - How some breads, cereals, and plant-based processed foods may actually be protective - The role fiber plays in processed foods and metabolic health - Why current dietary guidelines may be oversimplifying processed foods 📄 Download the full review paper: https://bit.ly/ProcessedFoodsReview 💙 When you support the Physicians Committee, you help power this podcast and the research behind it. Visit https://www.pcrm.org/examroommatch  ❤️ Follow Chuck's journey back to health at the Mayo Clinic: https://www.chuckcarroll.com 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

You don't need another diet. You need a system that lasts. In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with body recomposition expert and Forever Fit author Maxime Sigouin to reveal how you can build muscle, burn fat, and stay strong for life — at any age. Whether you're 40, 60, or even 80+, your body is still capable of transformation. In this episode you'll learn: • Why most diets fail long-term • The difference between fat loss and body recomposition • How to reverse diet and avoid rebound weight gain • Why strength training is essential as we age • The mindset that drives lifelong success • How daily movement burns more calories than gym workouts 📘 Order Maxime's book Forever Fit: 👉 https://amzn.to/4sUgOKA 📩 Follow Chuck's recovery journey from Mayo Clinic and subscribe to his newsletter: 👉 https://www.chuckcarroll.com 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.  

Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression are devastating Native American communities—but a powerful movement rooted in tradition, plant-based nutrition, and food sovereignty is changing lives. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, former First Lady Phefelia Nez, and Food for Life instructor Chelsea Kleinmeyer, RN to explore how Indigenous wisdom and modern lifestyle medicine are coming together to restore health. 🌱 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: • Why traditional Indigenous diets were largely plant-based • How Food for Life classes are reversing diabetes and reducing medications • The role food sovereignty plays in healing Native communities • How mental health, culture, and physical health are deeply connected • Why food deserts exist—and how communities are fighting back 🥬 APPLY TO BECOME A FOOD FOR LIFE INSTRUCTOR 👉 https://bit.ly/FFLApply2026 🩺 CSKT Tribal Health 👉 https://www.cskthealth.org 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Chronic diseases are rising fast in Africa — and the same lifestyle factors driving illness in the U.S. are now impacting communities around the world. In this powerful episode of The Exam Room, host Chuck Carroll speaks with Dr. Samba Nyirenda, a lifestyle medicine physician in Botswana and the country's only certified Food for Life Instructor. Together, they explore how urbanization, processed foods, and the loss of traditional diets are fueling diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension — and how plant-based nutrition is offering real hope. 🌱 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: • Why chronic disease rates are exploding in Botswana • What traditional African diets looked like — and why they worked • How plant-based eating can reduce medications • Why fiber, whole grains, and leafy greens matter • How Food for Life classes are changing lives globally 🥬 Apply To Become a Food For Life Instructor 👉 https://bit.ly/FFLApply2026 🩺 Dr. Samba Nyirenda 👉 https://saraiholisticcare.co.bw 👍 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW If you feel like your health IQ just went up a notch, help us grow by giving this video a thumbs up and subscribing to this channel. - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Inflammation is at the center of many of today's most common chronic diseases — but what if the real starting point isn't where most people think?   In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll is joined by gastroenterologist and best-selling author Dr. Will Bulsiewicz for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about gut health, chronic inflammation, and the hidden role that stress, loneliness, and modern lifestyle play in making us sick.   Drawing from his new book Plant-Powered Plus, Dr. Bulsiewicz explains why the gut is a central command center for the immune system and the brain, and how dysfunction in the microbiome can drive everything from digestive distress to depression, anxiety, and long-term disease. He also opens up about his own personal health journey — including burnout, weight gain, and metabolic illness — and how healing his gut transformed both his life and his medical practice.   This episode goes beyond food to explore the science of the brain-gut-immune connection, the impact of chronic stress and isolation on inflammation, and why true healing requires more than just changing what's on your plate. If you've ever felt successful on the outside but unwell on the inside, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.   📕 Order Plant Powered Plus 👉 https://amzn.to/49jRDcz   🎧 The Gut Insiders Podcast 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4b5YDex 👉 Spotify: https://bit.ly/GutInsidersSpotify   🎧 Follow The Exam Room Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating and a kind review if this episode raised your health IQ

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans will shape how the U.S. eats for the next five years — but are they based on science or industry influence? In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Hana Kahleova, and registered dietitian Anna Herby to break down the good, the bad, and the troubling truths behind the newly released guidelines. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why eight of nine panelists had major industry conflicts - How meat and dairy ended up at the top of the new food pyramid - Why protein recommendations were nearly doubled - The hidden risks of saturated fat, red meat, and dairy - Why whole grains and legumes were minimized - What this means for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer risk - Why a legal petition has been filed to challenge the guidelines 📕 Read the legal petition challenging the guidelines 👉 https://bit.ly/DGAPetition 🥦 Apply to become a Food For Life instructor 👉 https://bit.ly/FFLApply2026   - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Are you struggling to lose weight and wondering if your metabolism is holding you back? In this episode of The Exam Room, host Chuck Carroll sits down with Dr. Neal Barnard to separate metabolism myths from science — and reveal how food choices can dramatically change how many calories your body burns every day. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why "slow metabolism" is often misunderstood — and how it really works - How high-fat diets can slow calorie burn at the cellular level - Why restrictive dieting backfires and leads to weight regain - How a low-fat, plant-based diet boosts the thermic effect of food - The role fiber plays in fullness, gut health, and weight loss - Why age does not prevent metabolic recovery - How to increase calorie burn without counting calories or starving If you're ready to stop fighting your body and start working with it, this episode offers a science-backed, sustainable approach to weight loss. 💚 Support our lifesaving research & this podcast 👉 https://PCRM.org/ExamRoomMatch - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Why do so many people quit their New Year's health goals—sometimes in just weeks? In this milestone 700th episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Neal Barnard to explain why lasting health has nothing to do with willpower—and everything to do with motivation. This conversation goes far beyond weight loss. You'll learn how a low-fat, plant-based diet can: • Improve digestion and hormone balance • Reduce joint pain, migraines, and inflammation • Save hundreds of dollars each year • Protect animals and the environment • Improve long-term health and athletic performance Dr. Barnard also shares unforgettable real-world stories from his research and personal life that reveal why understanding why you eat is the key to staying healthy for life. 💚 Support our lifesaving research & this podcast All donations are matched through Dec. 31 👉 https://PCRM.org/ExamRoomMatch - About Us - The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

What if the most-watched health topics of 2025 could help you live healthier, longer, and with more control over your body? This Best of The Exam Room Podcast 2025 compilation brings together the three pisodes that viewers couldn't stop watching — because they tackled problems that affect nearly everyone: ✔️ High cholesterol ✔️ Low fiber intake ✔️ Exposure to microplastics This episode features highlights from separate interviews with Chuck Carroll and Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Danielle Belardo, and Dr. Hana Kahleova — the conversations that delivered the most practical, science-backed value to viewers in 2025. 🥉 LOWER CHOLESTEROL NATURALLY Learn how food can help lower LDL cholesterol without medication, which foods actively remove cholesterol from the body, and how small daily changes may reduce heart disease risk. 🥈 FIBER FOR HEART, GUT & WEIGHT HEALTH Discover why fiber helps you feel fuller, supports heart health, improves digestion, and may make weight management easier — plus how to increase fiber safely without discomfort. And why Dr. Belardo eats an astonishing 90 grams of fiber every day! 🥇 MICROPLASTICS — AND HOW TO REDUCE THEM Understand how microplastics enter your body, why they matter for long-term health, and what research suggests about using diet and movement to help your body clear them out. Dr. Kahleova shares how your food choices can help cleanse the body of microplastics naturally. 💚 Support our lifesaving research & this podcast All donations are matched through Dec. 31 👉 https://PCRM.org/ExamRoomMatch 📕 Order Dr. Greger's book "Lower LDL Cholesterol Naturally with Food" 👉 https://amzn.to/4axoxri About Us The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

Are ultra-processed foods the hidden reason weight loss feels impossible? Chuck Carroll is joined by Dr. Jim Loomis, medical director at Barnard Medical Center, to break down the science behind ultra-processed foods and their powerful impact on weight gain, metabolism, hunger, and fat storage. From packaged snacks and fast food to so-called "healthy" convenience items, ultra-processed foods now make up a majority of the modern diet. Dr. Loomis explains how these foods affect appetite hormones, blood sugar, calorie intake, and the body's ability to lose weight — and why simply "eating less" often doesn't work when ultra-processed foods dominate the plate. You'll learn: - What qualifies as an ultra-processed food - Why these foods drive overeating and cravings - How ultra-processed foods interfere with fat loss - The role of fiber, nutrients, and food quality in weight control - What to eat instead to support sustainable weight loss Whether you're trying to lose weight, improve metabolic health, or understand why progress has stalled, this episode delivers practical, evidence-based answers. ❤️ Work with The Doc & Chef Use code CHUCK for free month! https://plantbasedcenter.com/membership 🙏 Support PCRM https://pcrm.org/examroommatch About Us The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are changing medicine — but at what cost? In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, host Chuck Carroll sits down with Ben Urich, PharmD, PhD, to break down the real-world data behind the GLP-1 explosion. You'll learn: - How many people are actually using GLP-1 drugs - Why most users stop — and why that's starting to change - The true cost of GLP-1 medications to employers and health plans - Common and serious side effects to be aware of - Why GLP-1s are now being studied for Alzheimer's disease and addiction - What the future holds as more than 30 new drugs enter the pipeline This is a must-watch conversation for anyone considering GLP-1 medications, currently using Ozempic or Wegovy, or wondering where modern weight-loss medicine is headed next. 🙏 Support PCRM https://pcrm.org/examroommatch  

Is cheese really addictive? According to Dr. Neal Barnard, the answer is a resounding YES. The brain reacts nearly identically to cheese as it does narcotics and alcohol. While it sounds shocking, these claims are backed by science. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Chuck Carroll sits down with the author of The Cheese Trap to uncover how opioid-like compounds concentrated in cheese—activate powerful pleasure pathways, why U.S. cheese consumption has exploded to nearly 40 pounds per person per year, and how the dairy industry keeps us hooked. You'll discover: • The opiate chemistry of cheese • How cheese contributes to obesity and diabetes • The link between dairy hormones and breast cancer • Why kids are showing early artery damage • Which cheeses contain the highest casomorphin levels • The surprising role of sodium and saturated fat • How quitting cheese can dramatically improve health If you've ever said, "I could go vegan except for cheese," this is an episode you cannot miss. This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund. Visit their website: https://gregoryreiterfund.org 📕 The Cheese Trap Book https://amzn.to/44TdtRt 🙏 Support PCRM https://www.pcrm.org/donate 🎟️ ICNM 2026 Tickets https://bit.ly/ICNM2026 About Us The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 17,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.