In this episode of The Savvy Patient, cohosts Dr. Gillian Goddard and Erin Stein debunk fad diets and explore what the science actually says about healthy eating. We discuss the problems with extreme diets, the limitations of diet studies, and why short-term weight loss doesn't necessarily lead to long-term health. For so many reasons, typical diets and fads are not sustainable. Most dieting strategies lack evidence. We highlight the DASH and Mediterranean diets as the two eating approaches with the strongest evidence, particularly for improving blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, and overall metabolic health. A healthy diet doesn't need to be extreme: eating mostly whole foods, getting enough fiber, limiting highly processed foods and excess sugar, staying hydrated, and making gradual, sustainable changes are more important than following a perfect diet. Bottom line: Forget the quick fixes. The best diet is one that supports your health and that you can realistically maintain long-term.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Caring for both aging parents and growing children can feel like being stuck in a sandwich — squeezed from both sides. In this episode of The Savvy Patient, cohosts Dr. Gillian Goddard and Erin Stein discuss the reality of navigating midlife while stuck in the “sandwich” phase—simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising growing children or adolescents. We explore how this dual responsibility creates intense pressure from both sides, disproportionately placing an invisible load of caregiving, stress, and labor on women. The conversation dives into the emotional and physical toll of this phase, offering validation along with practical strategies to manage responsibilities, alleviate stress, and navigate the emotional strain.

References:

Gillian mentions the podcast This is So Awkward with Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennet, https://lessawkward.com/podcast-this-is-so-awkward-2/

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Losing hair? Don't panic—we’ve got you covered! In this episode of The Savvy Patient, cohosts Erin Stein and endocrinologist Dr. Gillian Goddard break down everything you need to know about the hair on your head—focusing on why hair falls out, how to distinguish normal shedding from true scalp hair loss, and what medical treatments actually work. Dr. Goddard explains the biology of the hair growth cycle (Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen) and clarifies that shedding every day is completely normal. Temporary hair shedding caused by telogen effluvium is also normal—and you may be surprised by common stressors that trigger it such as pregnancy or anesthesia. We review more serious, non-reversible forms of alopecia before tackling the common androgenic (female and male pattern) hair loss, genetics, and evidence-based treatments, detailing the pros and cons of minoxidil, injections, and red-light therapy. Get the real facts, cut through the marketing noise, and keep your scalp healthy.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

In this episode of The Savvy Patient, cohosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard lift the curtain on the side hustles, consulting gigs, and industry ties that many physicians take on behind the scenes. Dr. Goddard breaks down why so many doctors step outside the clinic—from writing books and hosting podcasts to working with pharmaceutical companies as "Key Opinion Leaders" or brand ambassadors. While clinical work isn't always as lucrative as people think, these side endeavors allow doctors to share their expertise on a larger scale. But as we point out, where there’s money involved, there’s always potential for bias. We dive into the subtle line between genuine medical advice and clever marketing and take a close look at the supplement aisle. We discuss why "proprietary blends" are a major red flag, and Gillian shares her own experience serving as a medical advisor. By the end of the episode, you’ll know how to spot financial conflicts of interest, and how to evaluate health recommendations with a healthy dose of smart skepticism.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Is "natural" always better when it comes to your health? In this episode of The Savvy Patient, Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard unpack what terms like "natural" and "unnatural" mean when it comes to the debate surrounding herbal remedies, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements. Tune in to learn about the history of plant medicine, the risks of unregulated supplements, how FDA approvals work, and how to safely evaluate what belongs in your medicine cabinet. Whether you take vitamins, supplements, or stick to prescription medications, tune in to learn how to evaluate efficacy and spot safety risks like a savvy patient!

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Are you like Erin, who needs at least eight solid hours of sleep to function? Or are you like Gillian, who secretly wishes humans didn’t have to sleep at all? In this episode of The Savvy Patient, hosts Dr. Gillian Goddard and Erin Stein take a deep dive into one of our body's most crucial daily functions: sleep. We talk all things rest, snooze, and sleep routines—and how two best friends can have totally opposite sleep habits. We discuss the science of what happens in our brains when we turn off the lights, from circadian rhythms and natural sleep preferences to the sneaky ways hormones disrupt women’s rest. Plus, we dive into the dark side of sleep deprivation, its impact on long-term health, and what’s really going on with insomnia and sleep apnea, and the simple sleep hygiene habits that can help you wake up feeling rested.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

In this episode of The Savvy Patient, hosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard tackle what it really takes to navigate healthcare as a patient. We dispel the myth of the single "best doctor," emphasizing instead the importance of finding a provider whose style fits your personal health philosophy. We break down how to prepare for your appointments to get the best outcomes and cover how to frame your health goals, collect concrete data on your symptoms, and use reputable medical sources for research rather than falling down the rabbit hole of search engine horrors or extreme Reddit threads. We also address the inescapable reality of navigating health insurance, explaining why understanding your own coverage beforehand is essential. We teach you how to get savvy!

Resources:

Dr. Gillian Goddard mentioned mayoclinic.org/symptoms and mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements for research. She also mentioned beyondtype1.org/ as a resource for those living with Type 1 diabetes.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Why is our relationship to our own physical appearance so complicated? In this episode of The Savvy Patient, co-hosts Erin Stein and Gillian Goddard dive into the multi-layered and deeply emotional topic of body image. We break down how societal expectations and objectification distort our relationship with our physical selves from a young age and challenge deep-seated misconceptions appearance. We unpack the true complexities of what it means to be a “healthy” body size versus chasing a manufactured illusion of physical perfection. The conversation addresses the modern pressures of social media and the frustrating realities of navigating weight bias and body image when dealing with medical professionals. Blending clinical insight with candid reflection, this episode provides listeners with a roadmap to understand, question, and ultimately heal their relationship with their bodies and mental health.

Resources:

If you are struggling with mental health, call or text 988 for free, confidential mental health and suicide prevention support.

For bullying help, text 741741 or visit www.crisistextline.org/topics/bullying/

For an eating disorders helpline call 1-888-375-7767 or visit anad.org

Notes:

Erin mentions the book I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, and the documentary film Super Size Me, directed by Morgan Spurlock.

She also recommends the journal review “Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors” by Merino et al. (2024), published in Healthcare (Basel). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11276240/#sec11-healthcare-12-01396

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.