The Science of Health Podcast

Do Sports Drinks and Foods Improve Athletic Performance for Kids?

If you’re the parent of a child who is serious about sports, you know these young athletes are looking for anything to give them an edge over the competition. Building skills, strength and endurance are all part of the picture. So is eating right. But is there a place in an athlete’s toolkit for special food and beverages specifically aimed at enhancing athletic performance and recovery? We talked with UH pediatric sports medicine specialist Laura Goldberg, MD, to find out.

Are Statins Really Worth Taking for High Cholesterol?

Research has shown that statins are highly effective in reducing the risk of fatal heart attack and stroke. But some people are reluctant to take these life-saving drugs. They worry about taking medicine every day for the rest of their life or have heard that statins have undesirable side effects. What does science have to say about these concerns and others surrounding statins? We talked to UH interventional cardiologist Ian Neeland, MD, Director of the Center of Cardiovascular Prevention at University Hospitals, to learn more.

How You Can Eliminate a Food Allergy

It’s not completely clear how, but scientists think a combination of factors, from genetics to the environment, play a role in children developing allergies to food such as peanuts, milk or shellfish. Many children will outgrow their food allergies. But for those who don’t, physicians have figured out a way to harness the body’s immune response to eliminate allergic reactions to food. Eli Silver, MD, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, explains.

The Science Behind Kindness and How It Benefits Your Health

The simple human act of kindness has numerous health benefits. It can help you experience fewer aches and pain and lower your blood pressure. It can protect your overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. It’s free, widely available and has no side effects. UH Rainbow psychiatrist Marcie Hall, MD, explains the research-backed benefits of kindness – and how you can develop this powerful habit.

How Radiology Helps Diagnose and Treat Disease

X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound …. for many people, using technology to see inside the body or treat disease might evoke fears of being exposed to harmful radiation. Donna Plecha, MD, chair of Radiology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, discusses improvements made in recent years to ease those fears, as well as how radiology plays a vital role in the overall treatment process.

Easing Early Arthritis With Stem Cells

Stem cell therapy is used to treat many different medical conditions, from heart repair to neurological disorders. One exciting new area under study in a clinical trial at University Hospitals is treating cartilage injuries or early arthritis with stem cells. UH orthopedic specialist James Voos, MD, describes the clinical trial -- and how some stem cell treatments outside a hospital setting may not offer a comparable level of quality.

Understanding Clinical Trials: What You Need To Know

Keeping up on the latest medical research can be a benefit, but the sheer amount of information – and the sometimes contradictory results – can be wearying. How do you know which data  to trust? Afshin Dowlati, MD, Director of UH's Phase I clinical trials program, describes how to separate good-quality, trustworthy information from data that is less reliable.

Back Pain Remedies: What Works, What Doesn’t

Chances are, you or someone you know suffers from back pain. Back pain can affect people who are active and those who are sedentary, though for different reasons. So what should you do when back pain strikes? Get a softer – or firmer – mattress? Stand at your computer rather than sit? Hang upside down? Research shows that some of these solutions work while others are a waste of time and money. UH physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist A. Paul Gazzillo, MD, sorts through popular back pain remedies and identifies the symptoms that signal it’s time to see a spine specialist.

The Evidence for Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a 5,000-year-old healing practice used to treat such diverse conditions as pain, digestive problems, respiratory disorders, anxiety, depression, headaches and migraines. Is there a place for this ancient approach in modern medicine? Acupuncturist Christine Kaiser, MS, LAc, LCH, FABORM, of the UH Connor Integrative Health Institute, describes two recent studies – one comparing acupuncture to intravenous morphine in the ER, the other on whether acupuncture is more than just a placebo effect – that provide some compelling evidence of the therapy’s effectiveness.

Feeling the Need to Detox? Here’s the Real Truth

Detox diets, regimens and supplements are supposed to rid your body of toxins acquired from food, your lifestyle or the environment. Proponents also say detoxing – or cleansing – can improve your health and promote weight loss. But what does the research say about detoxes and cleanses? And are these methods and supplements safe? UH physician and toxicologist Ryan Marino, MD, provides a science-based perspective.