Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode of Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD explores one of the most important questions patients can ask: Is this drug, supplement, or treatment actually helping me — and is it worth the potential risks? Rather than automatically accepting a prescription or supplement recommendation, Dr. Hassell encourages patients to become active participants in their healthcare. That means understanding the potential benefits, looking at the evidence for people like you, considering whether lifestyle changes could be more effective, and recognizing how much uncertainty still exists in modern medicine. The conversation covers everything from cholesterol medications and blood pressure drugs to nutritional supplements, weight-loss medications, long-term prescriptions, and even experimental peptides purchased overseas. The goal isn't to avoid medication altogether. It's to make sure medications are being used thoughtfully, for a clear reason, when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Key Takeaways: • Don't assume that a prescription is automatically the right solution just because a doctor recommends it. • Ask what meaningful benefit a medication is expected to provide, particularly when it comes to reducing death or disability. • Find out whether there is research showing that the treatment actually benefits people like you. • Consider whether lifestyle changes could address the underlying problem more effectively than medication. • Be especially thoughtful about medications that may be taken for decades when clinical trials only studied them for a few years. • Nutritional supplements aren't automatically "natural" or risk-free; many are synthesized chemicals that should be evaluated like pharmaceuticals. • Be cautious with products of uncertain origin, including supplements and experimental peptides purchased online or overseas. • Medicine involves significant uncertainty. A good doctor should be comfortable acknowledging what is known, what isn't known, and what still needs to be evaluated. • Use your doctor as an advisor and consultant, while taking responsibility for understanding and participating in your own healthcare decisions. CHAPTERS 00:00 The problem with questionable medications and supplements 00:23 Welcome to Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor 01:09 Take responsibility for your healthcare 02:42 When impatience leads to unnecessary treatment 03:19 Why you shouldn't assume a drug is safe 04:20 Does the number on your lab test really matter? 06:13 How long should you take a medication? 07:33 Three questions to ask before taking a drug 08:44 Can lifestyle changes work better than medication? 11:19 Are nutritional supplements really "natural"? 13:22 The danger of experimental peptides 14:10 Why doctors need humility 15:28 How to research your own medical decisions Do you have a health or nutrition question for Dr. Hassell? Reach out to us: Web: GreatMed.org Call/Text: 503-773-0770 Email: [email protected] Mail: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273, Portland, OR 97229 This podcast is fully funded by our generous listeners. Support our mission at GreatMed.org/donate (EIN: 88-326-7056) Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th ed.: https://a.co/d/1D6hIYM

Are you getting real nutrition, or just expensive synthetic substitutes? In this episode of Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD breaks down the critical differences between the complex nutrients found in whole, unprocessed foods and the isolated, laboratory-made chemicals found in popular vitamins. Discover why standard lab test markers can be highly misleading, when targeted supplementation is actually medically necessary, and how to protect your health and budget from aggressive wellness industry marketing. Dr. Hassell also explores why improving a number on a lab test isn't necessarily the same as improving your health, and why fundamentals such as eating whole foods, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting outside may matter far more than expensive supplements and testing. Key Takeaways: Most nutritional supplements are synthetic rather than truly "natural." Nutrients consumed as part of whole foods come with a complex combination of other compounds that can affect how the body uses them. Supplements aren't automatically safe simply because they're labeled as nutritional or natural. There are specific situations where supplements can be useful, such as vitamin B12 supplementation for people who cannot absorb B12 properly. The evidence supporting many common supplements, including calcium, vitamin D, and antioxidant supplements, is not as strong as supplement marketing may suggest. Recommended daily allowances are based on limited nutritional knowledge and don't account for important differences between individuals. Be cautious about lab tests that recommend supplements based on a single measurement or biomarker. Improving a lab value isn't necessarily the same thing as reducing your risk of dementia, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. Whole, unprocessed foods, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and spending time outside remain the foundation of good health. Consider who profits from the supplements or testing being recommended and whether there is evidence that the intervention actually improves health outcomes. Chapters: 00:00 Why nutritional knowledge is limited 00:13 Welcome to Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor 00:43 Do you need nutritional supplements? 01:00 Are supplements really natural? 01:32 Where vitamins and minerals come from 01:58 How "natural" vitamin C can be misleading 02:26 Are synthetic supplements effective? 03:09 Why nutrients from food are different 03:48 Why whole foods may be better than supplements 04:31 What does the research say about supplements? 05:20 When supplements may actually be useful 05:45 Vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D and antioxidants 06:10 Look closely at the evidence 06:26 The "depleted soil" argument 07:00 Do you need supplements based on nutrition labels? 07:47 The limitations of recommended daily allowances 08:23 Why nutrient absorption varies 09:25 Focus on whole foods and healthy habits 09:35 Follow the money in the supplement industry 10:09 Be skeptical of supplement-related lab testing 10:38 Microbiome testing and supplements 11:03 Whole foods and a healthier microbiome 11:43 Are we keeping the main thing the main thing? 12:02 What actually improves health outcomes? 12:26 Final thoughts Do you have a health or nutrition question for Dr. Hassell? Reach out to us: Web: GreatMed.org Call/Text: 503-773-0770 Email: [email protected] Mail: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273, Portland, OR 97229 This podcast is fully funded by our generous listeners. Support our mission at GreatMed.org/donate (EIN: 88-326-7056) Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th ed.: https://a.co/d/1D6hIYM #Nutrition #Supplements #WholeFoods #Health #PreventiveMedicine #WholeFoods #NutritionScience #SupplementTruths

Can depression and anxiety be improved without relying solely on medication? In this episode of Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Traci Rieckmann to explore the growing evidence behind lifestyle medicine for mental health. Together they discuss why nutrition, exercise, purpose, social connection, sunlight, and reducing screen time may be just as important—if not more effective—for many people than medication alone. Drawing from clinical experience and scientific research, they explain practical steps anyone can begin today to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and build long-term resilience. Whether you're personally struggling with depression or anxiety, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to improve your overall mental health, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies you can start using immediately. Key Takeaways • Diet and exercise have been shown in multiple clinical studies to significantly improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. • A Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole foods, fish, vegetables, healthy fats, and fermented foods supports brain health through the gut-brain connection. • Regular exercise—even just 20–30 minutes per day—can be as effective as antidepressant medications for many people. • Sunlight, outdoor activity, and social connection play powerful roles in improving mood. • Small, consistent lifestyle changes are often more sustainable than trying to change everything at once. • Cooking at home and sharing meals with others improves both physical and mental health. • Excessive screen time and social isolation can worsen depression and anxiety. • Finding purpose, helping others, and taking initiative can help break the cycle of low mood. • Certain medications and underlying medical conditions can contribute to depression and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:13 Depression vs. Anxiety: Why Lifestyle Matters 07:45 The Mediterranean Diet & the Gut-Brain Connection 14:11 Processed Foods, Cooking at Home & Enjoying Food 20:20 Exercise: A Powerful Treatment for Depression 25:10 Taking Initiative When You're Feeling Stuck 30:09 Purpose, Social Connection & Screen Time 32:55 Medications, Expectations & Hidden Causes of Depression 40:02 Helping Others, Family Habits & Digital Detox 44:34 Games, Purpose & Final Takeaways Do you have a health or nutrition question for Dr. Hassell? Reach out to us: Web: GreatMed.org Call/Text: 503-773-0770 Email: [email protected] Mail: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273, Portland, OR 97229 This podcast is fully funded by our generous listeners. Support our mission at GreatMed.org/donate (EIN: 88-326-7056) Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th ed.: https://a.co/d/1D6hIYM

Can the choices you make today help you live a longer, healthier life? In this episode of Walk Don't Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD sits down with filmmaker David Donnelly, director of the documentary Forever Young, to explore the science of healthy aging, longevity, and healthspan. Together they separate evidence-based research from hype, discussing why lifestyle habits still matter more than the latest supplement trends. They examine the growing evidence behind exercise, nutrition, sleep, purpose, social connection, and the surprising impact of excessive screen time on brain health. The conversation also explores exciting advances in longevity research while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking when evaluating new health claims. Whether you're interested in preventing chronic disease, reducing your dementia risk, or simply improving your quality of life as you age, this episode offers practical insights grounded in science. Key Takeaways Why healthspan matters just as much as lifespan How lifestyle choices influence aging more than most people realize The importance of social connection for brain and overall health Why critical thinking is essential when evaluating longevity supplements and trends How excessive screen time may affect cognitive health and purpose What current longevity research is revealing about the future of medicine Practical habits you can start today to improve your long-term health Chapters 00:00 Why Healthspan Matters More Than Lifespan 01:54 The Science Behind the Forever Young Documentary 06:14 Longevity Myths, Supplements & Critical Thinking 09:33 Lifestyle vs. Genetics: What Really Determines Healthy Aging? 12:20 Screen Time, Social Connection & Dementia Risk 22:28 Processed Foods, Exercise & Everyday Habits for Longevity 30:23 Blue Zones, Purpose & Living Well as You Age 37:17 Digital Detox, Meaning & Building a Healthier Future 41:25 Where to Watch Forever Young & Final Takeaways Do you have a health or nutrition question for Dr. Hassell? Reach out to us: Web: GreatMed.org Call/Text: 503-773-0770 Email: [email protected] Mail: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273, Portland, OR 97229 This podcast is fully funded by our generous listeners. Support our mission at GreatMed.org/donate (EIN: 88-326-7056) Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th ed.: https://a.co/d/1D6hIYM More on the Forever Young Film: Apple — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/forever-young/umc.cmc.4t1561uviumw4ofcri0ufql7v Website — https://www.foreveryoung.film/ Substack — https://foreveryoungfilm.substack.com/ Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/foreveryoungdoc X — https://x.com/theagingdoc FB — https://www.facebook.com/people/Forever-Young-Film/61572955294447/ YT — https://www.youtube.com/@ForeverYoung-Film Film Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT2V-USKm6g #Sunlight #Longevity #HealthPodcast #LifestyleMedicine #DrMilesHassell #HeartHealth #MentalHealth #Foreveryoung #SunExposure #Wellness #SleepHealth #BoneHealth #PreventiveHealth #HealthyLiving #WalkDontRunToTheDoctor

Is marijuana as safe as many people believe? In this episode of Walk Don't Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD takes a detailed look at the evidence surrounding marijuana use. The discussion explores the limited medical benefits, the growing body of research on potential health risks, and why lifestyle-based approaches may offer safer, more effective alternatives for many common conditions. The conversation covers marijuana's effects on mental health, addiction, brain function, driving safety, heart disease, pregnancy, human development, and long-term health outcomes. Whether you're considering marijuana for medical reasons or recreational use, this episode encourages you to look beyond marketing claims and make decisions based on evidence. Key Takeaways: The proven medical benefits of marijuana are limited and apply to relatively few conditions. Chronic marijuana use is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, addictive patterns, relationship disfunction, and impaired cognition. Marijuana use may increase the risk of car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and psychiatric disorders in susceptible individuals. Today's marijuana products are significantly more potent than those available decades ago. Lifestyle changes, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management, may provide safer alternatives for many of the reasons people use marijuana. Understanding both the potential benefits and risks is essential before deciding to use marijuana and its associated products. Chapters 00:00 Why Talk About Marijuana? 01:06 What Are the Real Medical Benefits? 04:43 Marijuana Risks: Driving, Accidents & Public Safety 05:56 Addiction, Anxiety & Mental Health 09:23 Brain Function, Motivation & Physical Health Risks 12:13 Real Patient Stories & Final Takeaways Do you have a health or nutrition question for Dr. Hassell? Reach out to us: Web: GreatMed.org Call/Text: 503-773-0770 Email: [email protected] Mail: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273, Portland, OR 97229 This podcast is fully funded by our generous listeners. Support our mission at GreatMed.org/donate (EIN: 88-326-7056) Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th ed.: https://a.co/d/1D6hIYM #CBD #HealthPodcast #LifestyleMedicine #DrMilesHassell #Marijuana #HeartHealth #MentalHealth #Wellness #SleepHealth #PreventiveHealth #HealthyLiving #WalkDontRunToTheDoctor