The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

Swapping animal protein for plant protein may help women lose weight after menopause.
Dr. Neal Barnard joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to discuss a new study he co-authored that finds replacing animal protein with plant protein may be a powerful strategy for weight loss in postmenopausal women.
The study found that total protein intake did not need to change. Instead, the source of protein appeared to matter most. As women reduced animal protein and increased plant protein from foods such as soybeans, beans, and grains, they experienced significant weight loss.
Dr. Barnard explains why not all protein is created equal, how plant protein may affect metabolism differently than animal protein, and why this could be especially important for women after menopause.
🧠 In this episode:
Why protein source matters for weight loss
The connection between menopause, metabolism, and body weight
Plant protein vs. animal protein
Soy, beans, grains, and healthy weight
Whether calories tell the whole story
Methionine and metabolism
Hot flashes, soy, and menopause symptoms
Practical food swaps anyone can make
Exam Roomies of the Week
Pauline White
Alix Weisz
Brenda Hoy
This episode is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund, which supports organizations like the Physicians Committee that carry on Greg's passion and love for animals through rescue efforts, veganism, and wildlife conservation.
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
📕 Menopause Study
👉 https://bit.ly/postmenopausal-weight-loss
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🌱 Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund
👉 https://gregoryreiterfund.org
- 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.

Could eating late at night be hurting your gut health? Are prebiotic and probiotic sodas actually good for your microbiome? And what do GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy mean for digestion, constipation, and gut bacteria?
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to answer the most Googled gut health questions from listeners.
🧠 On this episode:
- Why late-night eating and chronic stress may be a double hit to your gut
- How your microbiome follows a circadian rhythm
- Whether "healthy" sodas are really worth the hype
- The best fermented foods for gut health
- Why cabbage is having a nutrition moment
- What constipation may reveal about Parkinson's disease risk
- Whether microbiome stool tests can really tell you what to eat
- What we know so far about GLP-1 medications and the microbiome
- How to support gut health while losing weight
Dr. B also shares his thoughts on cravings, nighttime routines, tart cherry juice, fiber supplements, and why diet and lifestyle still come first.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Linda Verchimak
Luanne Siwiec
Marlene Erven
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
👨‍⚕️ Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
👉 https://theguthealthmd.com
📺 Dr. B's YouTube Channel
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@theguthealthmd
📗 Dr. B's Books
👉 https://amzn.to/4e1CiQd
🎉 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine
👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about cancer screening, treatment, and any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- 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 can build strong bones and muscles as you age without eating meat or dairy foods.
Registered dietitian Brenda Davis joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to explain how a well-planned plant-based diet can support strength, bone health, and independence after 50.
Can plant protein really support muscle? What nutrients matter most for preventing osteoporosis and sarcopenia? And how much protein do older adults actually need?
🧠 In this episode, you'll learn:
How much protein older adults may need
Whether plant protein can support muscle as well as animal protein
The best plant-based protein sources for aging muscles
Why some vegans may have higher fracture risk
How to get enough calcium without dairy
Why spinach is healthy but not the best calcium source
The role of vitamin D, B12, omega-3s, and other nutrients
How resistance training and weight-bearing exercise help protect bones
Why a high-quality plant-based diet matters more than just "going vegan"
Brenda's practical, nonjudgmental approach to healthy eating
Brenda also discusses her upcoming book, Plant-Powered Seniors, and shares simple food swaps that can help increase protein from 40 grams a day to 70 grams a day without overhauling your entire diet.
This is a must-watch conversation for anyone over 50, anyone caring for aging parents, anyone worried about osteoporosis, and anyone wondering whether a plant-based diet can truly support strength and longevity.
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about cancer screening, treatment, and any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
📗 Brenda's Plant-Powered Seniors Book
👉 https://amzn.to/49G33Hq
📕 Brenda's Plant-Powered Protein Book
👉 https://amzn.to/4ukIbgr
💪 Brenda's Website
👉 hhttps://brendadavisrd.com
- 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.

Dr. Hana Kahleova reveals the surprising science behind mint. From digestion and blood flow to coughing, inflammation, exercise performance, and antioxidants, mint may be doing far more for your health than you realize.
In this episode, you'll learn how compounds in mint may support the body in multiple ways. Dr. Kahleova joins Chuck Carroll to explain how mint has been used for centuries, what modern research shows, and why simple options like mint tea, fresh mint leaves, and topical menthol can offer unique and powerful benefits.
🧠 You'll learn:
Why Dr. Kahleova ranks mint as a "12 out of 10" healthy food
How menthol may increase local blood flow
Why mint may help calm coughing and support the airways
How peppermint oil may help digestion, bloating, spasms, and IBS symptoms
Whether mint may improve exercise performance and breathing
Why mint is surprisingly rich in antioxidants
The best ways to use mint: fresh, tea, inhaled, or topical
Exam Roomies of the Week
Arin Weitzman
Ana Jag
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
🩺  Dr. Brooke Bussard
👉 https://drbrookebussard.com
🎉 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine
👉 https://www.pcrm.org/icnm
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about cancer screening, treatment, and any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- About Us -
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving and improving human and animal 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 nearly one million members and supporters worldwide.

Chris Wark was just 26 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
What happened next changed his life forever.
In this deeply personal conversation, Chris joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to share the story behind Chris Beat Cancer, the decisions he made after surgery, and why he believes food, faith, mindset, purpose, and self-advocacy all became part of his healing journey.
You'll hear the emotional story of how Chris went from fear and uncertainty to feeling empowered again and why he says healing happens at home.
🧠 In this episode, you'll learn:
What Chris wishes every cancer patient would ask their oncologist
Why he believes nutrition became a turning point in his journey
The hospital meal that shocked him after colon surgery
How he built his "overdosing on nutrition" approach
Why purpose and family became central to his will to live
What "healing happens at home" means to him
How a whole food plant-based diet fits into the cancer conversation
Colorectal cancer is rising among younger adults, making conversations like this more important than ever. The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer rates have been increasing in adults under 50 in recent years, while rates have declined among many older adults.
Exam Roomies of the Week
Harriet Leveen 
Robert Callahan
🙏 Support The Exam Room Podcast & PCRM
👉 https://bit.ly/SupportExamRoom
📗 Chris Beat Cancer Book
👉 https://amzn.to/4nbVsFY
💪 Chris Beat Cancer Website
👉 https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com
🎉 Las Vegas Plant Powered Party
👉 https://bit.ly/ChefAJParty
This episode is not medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about cancer screening, treatment, and any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
- 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.