Stay Well with Dr. Zorba Paster
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!
Episodes
75 episodes
Has the Smartphone Impacted Birth Rates? | Zorba Sings with Karl's Band | Toenail Fungus | AFib | SNAP Benefits | Zig-Zag Eaters
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 a...
Doing Nothing Is Good For You! | RECIPE: Zorba's Chicken Salad | Pepcid, Allegra & HRT | Dementia | Mom Jokes
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 ...
The CDC will stop testing for measles and mumps
Zorba reacts to recent news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to end federal diagnostic testing...
Vitamin D during pregnancy is good for child's brain health | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome | Rosacea & Raynaud's | Sven & Ole Jokes
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 syndr...
Unproven stem cell treatments for children with Autism
Zorba's thoughts on the rise in unproven, experimental, and expensive stem cell treatments for children with autism.
Kids Screen Time Warning from Surgeon General | Pain & Sleep | Green Lawn Police | Kid Jokes | Protein Powder | Quack Tales!
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 chemi...
Full-body MRI Scan Trend | Peanut Allergies | Back Pain | Mom Jokes | Lemon Juice for Kidney Stones
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 ...
Breakthrough Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer Doubles Survival Rate
Zorba explains a breakthrough treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer that nearly doubles the survival rate.
More Reasons To Drink Coffee | ADHD Meds | Doc Exams & Over-billing | Mom Jokes | Facebook Comments
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...
Are we heading towards another global pandemic?
Zorba talks about Ebola, hantavirus, and other threats...and how people are responding in a post-COVID pandemic world.
Pepcid/Allegra Trend for Menopause | Insomnia | RECIPE: Crab Cakes | Allergy Nasal Sprays | Grammar Cops
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 ha...
HPV Vaccine Can Reduce Cancers | Sinus Up! | Throat Clearing | Brain Honey | E-Bikes
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....
New Weight Loss Drugs (You down with GLP?)
Zorba weighs in on new GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Passive Screen Time | Red Light Therapy | Medicare Cognitive Test | Radon | Mom Jokes
Zorba talks about "passive screen time" and how it may increase your risk for dementia. He helps out a caller with questions about red light therapy, and he helps a listener who isn't happy she has to take the Medicare cognitive test. Zor...
Thoughts on the Anti-Antidepressant Initiative
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting new Federal initiatives to taper people off of antidepressant medications. Zorba talks about the history and importance of antidepressants, and the good and the bad surrounding this initiative...
How Harmful are Lawn Pesticides? | Advice on Switching Docs | Statins | Cherry Extract | Mom Jokes | Radio Shock Jocks
Zorba digs into how harmful are the chemicals that make our lawns weed-free and impossibly green. He helps out a caller who wants to politely switch doctors, and he helps a listener who has statin questions. Zorba weighs in on tart cherry extra...
New CDC Director is a step (back) in the right direction
Zorba shares his thoughts on Dr. Erica Schwartz, the newly-nominated director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Statin Hysteria! | COVID Nasal Spray | RECIPE: Gazpacho | Vitamin D | Weed Gummies | Mom Jokes
Zorba talks about "Statin Hysteria" and people's reluctancy with taking them. He helps out a caller with questions about Astepro nasal spray, and he helps a listener who has questions about Vitamin D and HRT. Zorba shares his daughter's favorit...
More Thoughts on RFK's Congressional Testimony (PART 2)
Zorba continues his thoughts on the ongoing congressional testimony from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Long COVID Brain Fog | Sleeping Pill Depedency | Showering Too Much | Is It Bad To "Hold It?" | Flouride
Zorba helps out a caller who has brain for from "long COVID." And he helps a listener who has questions about certain sleep aids and if they are addictive. Zorba briefly talks fluoride, he gives advice to Karl's son about dry skin, and we learn...
Thoughts on RFK's Congressional Testimony
Zorba dissects recent congressional testimony from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Are Blue Zones Legit? | Melatonin vs. Traditional Sleep Aids | Sinus Rinses | Measles Booster
Zorba explains and weighs in on so called "Blue Zones." He helps out a caller who is comparing melatonin to traditional, over-the-counter sleep aids, and he helps a listener who has questions about what water to use for sinus rinse. Zorba gives...
"Everywhere Chemicals" Are Hurting Us | What Health Sources Can You Trust? | Red Meat | Mom Jokes
Zorba looks at a new study about "Forever Chemicals" (phthalates). What products are they found in, and what are they doing to our health? He helps a caller who is questioning the merits of certain medical studies and online health information....
RFK vs. American Heart Association: More Red Meat?
Zorba's thoughts on the American Heart Association's reaction to the red meat recommendations laid out on the new food pyramid.
Is the Alzheimer's Blood Test Legit? | Joint Pain | Benadryl | E-bikes | IBS | Mom Jokes
Zorba gives digs in to the new blood test that purports to predict when symptoms of Alzheimer's may begin. He helps out a caller with joint pain issues. An emailer asks about Benadryl use, and Zorba helps out a listener with IBS issues. Zorba f...