Does listening to music, something many of us do when we exercise, really do anything for your training performance? Because it’s such a popular motivator in sports and fitness, it would only make sense that it does something to help. Or, is it magical thinking that your favorite tunes make you stronger or faster? Get ready for some good news — and some bad — about how music may affect your workout. In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right?, we’ll dig into the research on whether or not music...
Are you one of those people that think lectins — proteins that are found in many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and legumes — are actually bad for you? Sadly, there’s probably one reason you might believe this misinformation, a book titled, The Plant Paradox, by Dr. Steven R. Gundry MD. In it, Gundry makes a wide variety of unsupported claims that many of the plants we consider to be healthy are actually bad for you. In fact, Gundry goes as far as to claim, “I believe lectins ...
Is the detox of all detoxes really a detox that you want? This mouthful is exactly what you need to ponder when using activated charcoal. The compound — which is used in hospitals when people overdose on certain drugs — has risen to popularity. It became a hot nutritional fad in the LA restaurant scene a few years ago, and it’s picked up momentum ever since. Some claim it’s the ultimate detox. Others say it will improve general health. And, even the beauty industry has joined in, as it’...
According to a recent informal poll of our followers, we discovered that 64% of respondents believe celery juice has a higher nutritional value than many other healthy options out there. But, where does this belief come from? After all, we’re talking about celery. Not some exotic superfood that was just discovered. And yet, the celery juice explosion is very real and worth discussing because any food that gives you a nutritional advantage is worth adding to your diet — if it really back...
If sugar is bad, does that mean fruit needs to be avoided? It’s a question that has been asked thousands of times in hundreds of different ways. Because of the general fear of sugar, it’s assumed that fruit — which is, admittedly, filled with sugar — must be bad and more likely to contribute to making you gain weight (and become fat). The concerns spill over to all your favorites: do you need to avoid bananas? What about apples and pears? Will peaches and watermelon ruin my summer body ...
The digital world has created one inevitability: we all spend a lot more time in front of screens, whether it’s your computer, phone, or tablet-like device. While you could argue the dangers and downsides of what it does to your attention span, there’s a more direct issue worthy of your attention — is all of the blue light from those screens bad for your health? In particular, does blue light damage your eyes, disrupt your sleep, or, possibly, something worse? There’s quite a bit of misunders...
There is something very wrong about the idea of “canceling” a whole meal of the day, and it might not be why you think. Earlier this year, Dr. Oz shared his belief that we should “ban” breakfast. He claims that it’s “an advertising ploy.” The debate about whether or not you should eat breakfast has long raged among diet and nutrition experts (and more than a few quacks), but it’s time to set the record straight about why the question isn’t so easy to answer. We’ve discussed earlier the fallac...
Right now, no one should be embarrassed to ask the question that’s on all of our minds about losing your fitness gains during a pandemic … “Andy: Is it true that if you don’t use it you lose it?” – The 40-Year-Old Virgin But, seriously, how long does it take before you start to when your gym time is replaced with extra Netflix time? How quickly do you lose muscle when you stop working out? What about strength? Is it different if you’ve been exercising for years? In this episode of That’s Heal...
Whether you’ve chosen to wear a mask or not during the pandemic, there are some immutable truths about how your immune system works that you need to know. The human body is a highly evolved system that can be trained to fight most of the germs, viruses, and bugs that you encounter on a daily basis (yes, even in your own home). But, does your immune system shut down when you stay indoors? It’s become a big area of concern with stay-at-home laws in place as a result of the coronavirus. In this ...
CBD, the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, has exploded in popularity and availability recently. But, despite being the foundation of a billion-dollar industry, there’s still a lot of uncertainty as to whether it’s actually beneficial to your health. The question a lot of us are asking right now, “Does CBD work, and is it really worth the time and money?” And when it comes to fitness, there are many questions about whether it can help reduce pain, helps with soreness, or be a ...
There’s a long-held belief that eating right before you sleep is a bad habit that turns those late-night calories directly into fat. The theory is simple: the later in the day, the fewer calories we burn, which means your metabolism slows down. Add that to a slower metabolism when you sleep, and it’s easy to see why “don’t eat much after 7 pm” became a common piece of diet advice. There’s just one problem: these theories were based on animal models and shift workers. When you look at th...
When thinking about optimizing your protein consumption, how much is too much? We’ve established that protein is a vital dietary fuel for all kinds of reasons. But, at some point, does eating protein have no additional benefit and is eating more simply “overfilling” your tank? The idea that your body has limits on how much protein you can digest is based on the concept of muscle protein synthesis or MPS. Muscle protein synthesis is your body’s natural way of breaking down protein and using i...
Protein is one of the most important macronutrients you can put into your body. But, is a common method of food preparation ruining the quality — and the benefits — of protein? In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein sets the record straight about what really happens when you heat up protein and it becomes “denatured.” We discuss the nutrient consideration, if it affects muscle building and fat loss, how the amino acids are changed, and if you need to worry about the pr...
Ketogenic diets have grown in popularity because of the overwhelming belief that they are a superior way to burn fat — but is that actually true? In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein breaks down what you can really expect from the ketogenic diet. Does it help you burn more fat? How does it work with exercise? Does it fight disease or improve longevity? And what are the common mistakes that people make? Bornstein reviews what the science says, and provides simple ta...
The myth of protein as a viable weight gaining macronutrient started in the ‘80s, somewhere between The Terminator and Hair Metal. So why does the misinformation about protein and bulk persist when most protein shakes are only around 100 calories? In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein looks at the scientific differences between proteins, fats, and carbs, what you can realistically expect from taking a protein shake, and your best dietary options for staying lean and ...
As a kid, you were probably indoctrinated with the same age-old nutritional wisdom that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For a moment, forget the criticisms of your typical (unhealthy) breakfast and assume that everything you’re eating for your first meal of the day is healthy. Is breakfast essential? Is it the most important meal of the day? Or — are those even the right questions to ask? With all of the recent focus on intermittent fasting, you might be left wondering wh...
Have you ever wondered whether or not the glowing health claims about lemon water are true? We sure did (as we sip on the enjoyable drink). In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein examines the science behind the 3 biggest claims to understand: Does lemon water improve digestion?Can lemon water improve mineral absorption?All “detox” negativity aside: how much lemon water does it take to have any benefit?Teaser: it definitely is not a weight loss aid. But, the other bene...
It might blow your mind, but everything you think you know about icing an injury is likely incorrect. In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein digs into a reversal by the godfather of the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), the latest research on the best way to manage inflammation, and the four best things you can do to promote muscle recovery. To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit bornfitness.com/thats-healthy-right. Don’t f...
During times of fear and panic, you’ll always find marketers waiting to take advantage. Unfortunately, that’s been the case during the pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). While the health of your immune system is always important, understanding how your immune system works — and what it can and can’t do to protect you from illness — is an important reminder, especially when people are trying to convince you to spend your hard-earned money. In this episode of That’s Healthy, Rig...
“Sometimes the hype is real,” and if you’ve been hearing a lot more about the importance of collagen protein recently, it's because it’s still the hot supplement on the block. But, if you want to take collagen there are some big red flags that you need to be aware of before you purchase the pricey supplement. In this episode of That’s Healthy, Right? host Adam Bornstein wants to warn you what to look for on the nutrition label of collagen and the types of collagen that work. He also discus...