On this St. Patrick’s Day edition of The Healthy Steps Radio Show, Dr. Fred Harvey takes calls from listeners across the Bay Area and dives into common health misconceptions, particularly around sugar substitutes and cholesterol. Dr. Harvey clears up confusion about monk fruit sweeteners and warns about hidden erythritol in commercial blends. He outlines the real risks of sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol—including their impact on heart health and the gut microbiome.
Dr. Harvey also addresses cholesterol myths, focusing on why a high HDL isn’t always good news and what elevated levels might actually signal. He explains the importance of looking at metabolic inflammation and toxicity, urging listeners to seek root-cause evaluations, not just symptom treatment. Callers also ask about expired fish oil, nose sprays with xylitol, knee pain management, incontinence at 95, wild lettuce, and AFib—where Dr. Harvey points to sleep apnea as a commonly missed underlying cause.
In the second half, Dr. Harvey warns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s disinformation campaign on vaccines and questions the influence of money and misinformation in politics and healthcare. Finally, he gives strong opinions on Medicare Advantage plans, urging listeners to stay informed and choose carefully when selecting healthcare coverage.
Caller Info:
Expired Fish Oil, (00:11:31), Gary from Clearwater asks if it’s okay to start taking fish oil capsules he purchased last year. Dr. Harvey says to check how much omega-3 is in the capsule and eat more wild-caught salmon if possible.
Cholesterol Concerns, (00:14:14), David from Palm Harbor shares his recent labs with high HDL (118). Dr. Harvey explains that unusually high HDL could be a sign of toxicity or inflammation and recommends metabolic testing with a functional medicine doctor.
Xylitol in Nose Spray, (00:18:00), Susan from Sarasota learns her xylitol-based nasal spray and mouthwash may be doing more harm than good. Dr. Harvey advises removing sugar alcohols from her routine and recommends muscle activation therapy for her knee pain.
Incontinence at 95, (00:23:44), Ann from Tampa asks how to help her stepmother who’s reclusive due to incontinence. Dr. Harvey encourages respecting her autonomy and notes that sometimes, at 95, people have earned the right to do what they want.
Wild Lettuce Follow-Up, (00:27:01), Scott from Safety Harbor calls to see if Dr. Harvey had time to research wild lettuce after last week. Dr. Harvey says he hasn’t yet but will keep it on his list.
Coronary Calcium Score Shock, (00:35:35), Diane shares her distress over a calcium score of 180. Dr. Harvey reassures her that this isn’t immediately alarming and suggests a Clearly AI scan to better assess soft plaque and risk, along with several lab panels to get to the root cause.
Long COVID Lung Pain, (00:41:00), Dana in Valrico describes pain from a post-COVID lung nodule. Dr. Harvey suggests proteolytic enzymes, fish oil, and mentions that ivermectin, prednisone, or other treatments might help with inflammation. He also corrects misinformation about turmeric’s interaction with Plavix.
AFib and Sleep Apnea, (00:45:25), Maggie in Tampa is told her mother’s AFib may need a pacemaker. Dr. Harvey asks how her mom’s sleep apnea is being treated—revealing it’s never been diagnosed. He explains that sleep apnea is a major cause of AFib and urges evaluation.
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