A joyful take on healthy living with family physician Dr. Zorba Paster. "When people ask me what I hope to achieve with my podcast, I sum it up in one sentence: “To help people live a full, optimistic, vibrant, happy life—reducing suffering and developing resilience so they can say, unequivocally, ‘I’m here.’ I’ve spent 35 years hosting my nationally-syndicated public radio show, Zorba Paster On Your Health, and it’s been an incredible journey sparking thoughtful, engaging conversations about health and wellness—without the clutter, chatter, or noise. With more than 45 years as a family physician, my experience as one of the lead physicians caring for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, my ongoing work mentoring medical students and residents at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and my humanitarian medical work with Tibetan refugees, I’ve gained a unique perspective on modern health care. I strive to blend the science of Western medicine with the balance of holistic, integrative approaches to healing. Give the podcast a listen—I think you’ll love it." New episodes every week -- with occasional bonus episodes to respond to breaking health news. Follow the show and share it with your friends!
Tainted lettuce & Cyclosporiasis: What went wrong?
Send Zorba a message! Zorba shares his thoughts on the recent Cyclosporiasis outbreak, and how staffing cuts implemented by The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have made the outbreak worse. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Early Social Media Use Can Lead to Substance Abuse | Cholesterol Drugs | Creatine | Prostate Help | Grammar Cops
Send Zorba a message! Zorba examines new research that suggests early social media use in tweens can lead to substance experimentation. He helps a caller with questions about her cholesterol, and helps folks with prostate health and creatine questions. And Zorba gets a smack down from the Grammar Cops about sex and cell phone use. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
"Ball Maxxing" and other Cosmetic Social Media Trends
Send Zorba a message! Zorba gives his take on "ball maxxing" and other niche cosmetic trends that are gaining popularity up on social media "self improvement" communities. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
EPA Relaxing Restrictions To Approve More Pesticides | What Organic Produce Zorba Buys | Prostate Health | Sleep | Scar Help | Mom Jokes
Send Zorba a message! Zorba discusses why the EPA would loosen restrictions to approve more PFAs and pesticides; and what produce he prefers to buy organic. He helps out a caller with prostate questions, a listener's husband with sleep issues, and offers up help with hiding surgical scars. And we hear an architecture-centric mom joke that history buffs will appreciate. Calm History podcast: https://podfollow.com/calm-history Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Can a new blood test really predict Alzheimer's? And would you want to know?
Send Zorba a message! Zorba gives an update on the new Alzheimer's blood test developments from the Mayo Clinic and other institutions. And he poses the question: Would you want to know? Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
GLP-1 Drugs Increase Testosterone | Vitamin D Recommendations | Facial Hair Woes | Grammar Cops | Loss of Taste & Smell
Send Zorba a message! Zorba discusses new studies about GLP-1 drugs: One says these drugs may increase testosterone in men; the other finds people are exercising less once taking these drugs. He helps a caller with questions about Vitamin D, a listener who is grappling with facial hair, and someone who lost their sense of taste and smell after mowing the lawn. Zorba also gets a saucy visit from the Grammar Cops. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Brisk Walkers Have a 50% Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline
Send Zorba a message! A new study shows that fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Has the Smartphone Impacted Birth Rates? | Zorba Sings with Karl's Band | Toenail Fungus | AFib | SNAP Benefits | Zig-Zag Eaters
Send Zorba a message! Zorba looks at research linking a drop in U.S. birthrates to the release of the iPhone. Zorba describes his experience singing a song with Karl's band, and talks about how trying new things out of your comfort zone is good for your health. He also helps a caller with toenail fungus, and another listener with atrial fibrillation (AFib) questions. We also hear a joke from Karl's mom, discuss new SNAP benefits policy changes, and talk about "zig-zag eating." Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Doing Nothing Is Good For You! | RECIPE: Zorba's Chicken Salad | Pepcid, Allegra & HRT | Dementia | Mom Jokes
Send Zorba a message! Zorba looks at new research that shows doing nothing for 10 minutes a day can be good for us. He walks us through his delicious summer time picnic recipe for Chicken Salad, and he helps a listener who has questions about HRT, sleep, and mixing Pepcid and Allegra. He helps out a listener who asks if there is a connection between dementia and mixing prescription drugs. And we hear a mom joke that Zorba isn't quite sure about. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
The CDC will stop testing for measles and mumps
Send Zorba a message! Zorba reacts to recent news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to end federal diagnostic testing for measles and mumps. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Vitamin D during pregnancy is good for child's brain health | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | Rosacea & Raynaud's | Sven & Ole Jokes
Send Zorba a message! Zorba digs into a new study that shows taking vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to better cognitive health for the child. He also helps a caller with questions about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. And he answers emails about rosacea, Raynaud's syndrome, and we get some listener-sourced Sven and Ole jokes. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Unproven stem cell treatments for children with Autism
Send Zorba a message! Zorba's thoughts on the rise in unproven, experimental, and expensive stem cell treatments for children with autism. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Kids Screen Time Warning from Surgeon General | Pain & Sleep | Green Lawn Police | Kid Jokes | Protein Powder | Quack Tales!
Send Zorba a message! Zorba deciphers the new warning from the Office of the Surgeon General regarding screen time limits for children. He helps out a listener whose chronic pain issues are affecting his sleep, and an emailer who has strong opinions about lawn chemicals. We hear a "kid joke" and a mosquito bite question from Karl's daughter, Zorba talks protein powder, and he digs into some 18th century quackery that paved the way for how doctors conduct clinical trials. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Full-body MRI Scan Trend | Peanut Allergies | Back Pain | Mom Jokes | Lemon Juice for Kidney Stones
Send Zorba a message! Elective full-body MRI scans are gaining popularity...Zorba discusses why this trend is not a good idea. He helps out a listener with questions about peanut allergies, and advises a listener who has questions about back pain. Zorba talks about drinking lemon juice to combat kidney stones, and we hear a mom joke from Karl's mom. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Breakthrough Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer Doubles Survival Rate
Send Zorba a message! Zorba explains a breakthrough treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer that nearly doubles the survival rate. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
More Reasons To Drink Coffee | ADHD Meds | Doc Exams & Over-billing | Mom Jokes | Facebook Comments
Send Zorba a message! More good news for coffee drinkers: Zorba digs into new research showing drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day may help fend off dementia risk. Zorba helps a listener who asks why it's so difficult to obtain her monthly ADHD medication. He weighs in on why some doctor exams can lead to extraneous billing. We hear a Disney-centric Mom Joke, and scroll through some listener comments from the Facebook page. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Are we heading towards another global pandemic?
Send Zorba a message! Zorba talks about Ebola, hantavirus, and other threats...and how people are responding in a post-COVID pandemic world. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Send Zorba a message! Zorba digs into the new health trend of mixing Pepcid and Allegra (or Zyrtec) to help ease menopause symptoms and other issues. Does this dual antihistamine trick really work? He helps out a listener with insomnia, and advises a listener who has questions about allergy nasal sprays. Zorba walks us through his delicious recipe for Crab Cakes, we hear a mom joke, and the Grammar Cops tell us to get off their lawn. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
Send Zorba a message! Zorba looks at new research from JAMA showing that the HPV vaccine can reduce cancer risk by half in men. He helps out a caller with questions about nagging sinus pressure; and helps listeners with throat clearing, and a question about E-bikes. We learn about "Brain Honey" and Karl's mom shares one her mom jokes. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
New Weight Loss Drugs (You down with GLP?)
Send Zorba a message! Zorba weighs in on new GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Support the show Production, edit, and music by Karl Christenson Send your question to Dr. Zorba (he loves to help!): Phone: 608-492-9292 (call anytime) Email: askdoctorzorba@gmail.com Web: www.doctorzorba.org Stay well!
