NOURISH MD: Doctor Dietitian Dialogues

"A brisk walk counts." In this clip, cardiologist Dr. Carly Waldman explains the standard many clinicians use for cardiovascular risk reduction: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.Moderate intensity doesn't necessarily mean an intense workout. If you're breathing harder but can still carry on a conversation, a brisk walk may qualify.🎙️ From Nourish MD Podcast Season 3, Episode 11. View or listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/74T07f3yWvmcqn9RirnpsB

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but many of the most important risk factors can be identified and addressed long before symptoms appear.In this episode of the Nourish MD Podcast, registered dietitian Meg Tancredi sits down with cardiologist Dr. Carly Waldman to discuss cardiovascular risk, cholesterol, Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein B (ApoB), statins, heart imaging, and the role lifestyle plays in long-term heart health.They also explore the connection between anxiety and cardiovascular health, common misconceptions about statins, why family history matters, and how small lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on reducing risk.Whether you're concerned about your heart health, have a family history of cardiovascular disease, or simply want to better understand the latest prevention strategies, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights for protecting your heart.

Your heart is your most important muscle — and prevention is everything. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Shamail S. Tariq joins the Nourish MD Podcast to break down the real risk factors behind heart disease, how prevention works, and what patients should know about symptoms, stress, sleep, and long-term cardiovascular health.Hosted by Meg Tancredi, MS, RD.Learn more at PrivateMds.com.SHOW NOTESDr. Tariq brings clarity and compassion to one of the most important topics in medicine: heart health. In this episode, we explore lifestyle, prevention, symptoms, and the science behind cardiovascular care — all in a way that’s easy to understand and immediately useful.

Understanding Addiction: The Early Signs We Often Miss with Bryan Vasquez, AMFT, CATC IIIAddiction rarely begins with dramatic symptoms — it starts quietly, through subtle shifts in pleasure, coping, and behavior. In this conversation, Meg and Bryan explore how addiction develops, why early signs are often overlooked, and how therapy, lifestyle changes, and supportive nutrition can help people regain control.Bryan shares insights from more than a decade of clinical experience across psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and private practice. His approach is practical, evidence‑based, and deeply compassionate, shaped by both professional training and lived experience.This episode offers a grounded, stigma‑free look at addiction, healing, and the role of whole‑person care.

In this episode, Meg Tancredi, MS, RD, sits down with breast surgical oncologist and oncoplastic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Kraft for an honest, compassionate, and deeply informative conversation about breast health.Dr. Kraft shares how she found her calling in breast cancer surgery, the emotional realities of caring for women through diagnosis and treatment, and why preserving both safety and aesthetics matters in modern breast cancer care. She also breaks down rising breast cancer rates, environmental factors, microplastics, lifestyle influences, and what women can control to support long‑term breast health.Meg and Dr. Kraft also explore:Why breast cancer is increasing in younger womenThe role of diet, inflammation, sleep, stress & alcoholHormone therapy (HRT) — what’s true, what’s outdated, and what breast cancer patients need to knowHow strength training and muscle mass support women through hormonal transitionsThe importance of compassionate care and long‑term patient relationshipsAbout Dr. Kraft: Dr. Elizabeth Kraft is a board‑certified general surgeon and fellowship‑trained breast surgical oncologist and oncoplastic surgeon. She trained at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell and completed the nation’s only oncoplastic fellowship at USC and Hoag Hospital under Dr. Melvin Silverstein, whose practice she now leads. She specializes in breast cancer removal and reconstruction with a focus on safety, precision, and cosmetic preservation.About the Host: Meg Tancredi, MS, RD, is PPMA’s registered dietitian, blending nutrition science with behavioral psychology to help patients build sustainable, empowered health habits.

In this high‑performance episode of Nourish MD: Doctor Dietitian Dialogues, host Meg Tancredi, MS, RD, sits down with neurosurgeon Robert G Louis, MD, FAANS to explore the elite habits and mindset required to perform at the highest level.Dr. Louis shares why he approaches neurosurgery like an Olympic athlete — relying on hydration, meditation, sleep optimization, and self‑monitoring to maintain clarity and precision. He also breaks down the leadership skills, focus strategies, and resilience techniques that allow him to operate under intense pressure.This conversation blends lifestyle optimization with medical excellence, offering practical habits anyone can use to elevate their performance.Guest: Robert G Louis, MD, FAANSDirector, Brain Tumor ProgramEmpower360 Endowed Chair for Skull Base & Minimally Invasive NeurosurgeryHoag Memorial HospitalEpisode Highlights: • Why a neurosurgeon trains like an elite athlete• Daily habits that support peak physical and mental performance• Hydration, meditation, sleep, and self‑monitoring• Leadership, focus, and resilience under pressure

In this episode of Nourish MD, Meg sits down with chiropractor and movement specialist Dr. Christian Barney, D.C., C.C.S.P., D.A.B.C.O., A.R.T., for an empowering conversation about aging, mobility, balance, and why decline is not an inevitable part of getting older. As Dr. Barney explains, “aging is normal, but loss of capacity is not.” Together, they explore:• Why many adults believe pain and stiffness are “just old age” — and why that’s not true• How simple balance tests can reveal early mobility issues• Why most people can improve balance in 4–6 weeks with the right approach• The role of proprioception, vision, and the inner ear in stability• How Active Release Techniques (ART) help restore movement• Practical exercises you can try safely at homeDr. Barney also shares insights from his movement clinic, where he uses advanced assessment tools to identify dysfunction, improve gait and posture, and help patients regain confidence and independence.Whether you’re navigating your own aging journey or supporting a loved one, this episode offers hope, clarity, and actionable steps to help you move well — at any age.Hosted by: Meg Tancredi, MS, RD — Registered Dietitian, PPMA Concierge MedicineGuest: Dr. Christian Barney — Chiropractor, Founder of Performance Health & Wellness, Lead Instructor for Active Release Techniques

Stress shapes how we think, react, and move through daily life — and chronic stress can quietly shift the body into survival mode. In this episode, Meg talks with Dr. Courtney Harkins, Psy.D., MFT about how unprocessed emotions show up physically, why therapy isn’t only for moments of crisis, and how simple, accessible tools can help regulate the nervous system and build resilience. They explore the mind‑body connection, the impact of long‑term stress, and practical ways to create more calm and awareness in everyday routines. Dr. Harkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma, child and adolescent mental health, and family systems. She leads a private practice in Newport Beach, is expanding into Neurofeedback and Brainmapping, supervises a high‑school counseling program, teaches parent‑education seminars, and provides therapy in a trade‑school setting. Her work has been featured in Parenting OC, OC Family, and Raising Winners. Meg brings her blend of nutrition science, behavioral psychology, and compassion‑driven communication to help listeners build sustainable habits with clarity, humor, and a progress‑over‑perfection mindset.

In this episode, Meg Tancredi, MS, RD talks with UCI Health OB‑GYN Dr. Rebecca Sauer about what women truly experience during peri‑, meno‑, and post‑menopause — and why no two journeys look the same. Dr. Sauer explains how symptoms can vary widely, why women’s concerns are often dismissed, and what individualized, evidence‑based menopause care should include. They also discuss practical ways to advocate for yourself, ask clearer questions, and get the support you deserve. Dr. Sauer is a board‑certified obstetrician‑gynecologist and Assistant Professor at UCI School of Medicine whose clinical work spans abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, hormone therapy, menopausal symptoms, adolescent gynecology, and minimally invasive surgery. Meg brings her blend of nutrition science and behavioral psychology to help listeners navigate health with clarity, compassion, and progress over perfection.

Registered dietitian Meg Tancredi, MS, RD breaks down what RDs actually study, why their training matters, and how to make sense of a world full of conflicting nutrition information. She explains why weight loss is more complex than “calories in, calories out,” what metabolism really does, how to think about supplements, and why sustainable change comes from habits and mindset rather than extremes. Meg’s background in Educational Psychology and Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity at USC shapes her evidence‑based approach to helping people build realistic, sustainable health habits grounded in clarity and compassion.