The Tea On How Ultraprocessed Foods Are Silently Destroying Your Kidneys

The Tea On The Scroll-to-Burnout Pipeline Nobody’s Talking About

Welcome to Season 4! Did you know that over 1 in 2 American adults use a screen in bed everyday and more than 56% of perimenopausal women are sleeping less than the recommended 7 hours per night? 26% of adults reported that they regularly sacrifice their recommended hours of sleep in order to have more screen time. Yet, over one-third of American adults say using their phone to check news before bed makes their sleep worse. Add doomscrolling to that equation, and your hormones, metabolism, and waistline are paying a price most don't even realize. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers will be spilling 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥-𝐭𝐨-𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. Today’s episode features a newly released article about a survey published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) titled "Americans Are 'Doomscrolling' at Bedtime, Prioritizing Screen Time Over Sleep". Synopsis * Discover what the AASM's 2025 Sleep Prioritization Survey revealed about Americans' bedtime screen habits. * Understand what blue light actually does to your melatonin and cortisol levels, and why this hits harder for women in perimenopause and menopause. * Learn the progesterone-sleep connection that your doctor probably didn’t mention to you and why waking up at 3am may be a hormone story, not a stress story. * Explore how chronic sleep deprivation drives hormonal imbalance leading to insulin resistance, hunger cue dysregulation, weight gain. * Understand why Daylight Saving Time causes physical and safety risks with just that 1 hour of time difference. * Get Dr. Shayla’s “sleepy scrolling tea” on the 5 tips to integrate into your sleep routine starting tonight to improve your quality of sleep. Today’s Highlighted Article: “Americans are ‘doomscrolling’ at bedtime, prioritizing screen time over sleep” https://aasm.org/americans-are-doomscrolling-at-bedtime-prioritizing-screen-time-over-sleep/ [https://aasm.org/americans-are-doomscrolling-at-bedtime-prioritizing-screen-time-over-sleep/] Connect with Essence of Health: – ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location will receive free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH [http://www.DrShayla.com/EOH] – Take the Hormone Sleep Score Quiz at https://drshayla.com/hss-quiz [https://drshayla.com/hss-quiz] – Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies [http://www.DrShayla.com/Freebies] – Get your 21% off discount at Cozy Earth at www.cozyearth.com [http://www.cozyearth.com]. Use Promo Code: EOHWC –Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert [https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert] –Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! –Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok. The Essence of Health is in You!

The Tea On How Ultraprocessed Foods Are Silently Destroying Your Kidneys

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! It is estimated that up to 70% of the US food supply is ultraprocessed, and nearly 55% of the average American's diet consists of these foods, the highest rate in the entire world. A landmark new study found that for every 10% increase in ultraprocessed food calories, your risk of dying prematurely rises by nearly 3%. But beyond chronic metabolic disease, there is a silent organ taking the hit; your kidneys. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 37 million Americans, many don't even know they have it. The connection between what we eat and how well our kidneys function is often under-discussed. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers is joined by guest physician Dr. Robin Rose, together they will be spilling "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐎𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬," stemming from an article from CNN titled “Eating more ultraprocessed food ups the risk of premature death, study finds.” Dr. Robin Rose is a family physician with decades of experience in prevention and regenerative holistic practice. Her work has blossomed into working with kidney decline. She coined the term “Renology”, the art and clinical science of kidney success and is the author of “Renology Peptides: Kidney Success with Bioregulator Peptides.” Synopsis * Discover groundbreaking findings from the meta-analysis of over 240,000 people linking ultraprocessed foods to premature death and what it means for your kidneys * Understand what makes a food "ultraprocessed" using the NOVA classification system and why the body may treat these products as harmful * Learn how sodium, phosphate additives, and synthetic chemicals in ultraprocessed foods silently burden and damage the kidneys * Explore the connection between chronic inflammation driven by ultraprocessed foods and the progressive kidney function decline * Discover what early warning signs your kidneys may be sending that conventional medicine often misses, and the functional medicine markers to ask your doctor about * Get the "renal tea" on whether kidney function can recover when transitioning away from ultraprocessed foods Today’s Article: “Eating more ultraprocessed food ups the risk of premature death, study finds” https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/28/health/ultraprocessed-food-death-wellness [https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/28/health/ultraprocessed-food-death-wellness] Connect with Essence of Health: – ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location receive free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH [http://www.DrShayla.com/EOH] – Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies [http://www.DrShayla.com/Freebies] – Get your 30% off discount for Handful Athletic Wear: www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC [http://www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC] Promo Code: EOHWC –Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok. Connect with Dr. Robin: renologyiskidneysuccess.com [http://renologyiskidneysuccess.com] The Essence of Health is in You!

The Tea About Health Insurance, Hidden Costs, and a Simpler Way to Get Quality Care

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing, deductibles are climbing, and millions of Americans are being forced to make impossible choices about their healthcare. But here's what rarely gets discussed: the financial stress of navigating expensive, confusing health insurance policies. This isn't just frustrating, it's literally affecting your health, and the quality of healthcare you may be receiving, especially if you're a woman experiencing metabolic or hormonal concerns. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers continues Season 4’s new format by reviewing this headline-making topics. She will be discussing an article from CNN titled "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐀'𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰" and will be spilling "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞." Synopsis * Discover why the expiration of ACA enhanced subsidies is causing insurance premiums to spike by 114% for millions of Americans, hitting middle-class families hardest * Understand the hidden costs of "affordable" insurance plans, including high deductibles, narrow provider networks, and limited access to care * Explore how chronic financial stress about healthcare costs may be directly affecting your metabolic and hormonal health, amongst other chronic health conditions * Compare traditional insurance health practices to direct care practices including the research on the difference in health outcomes * Get Dr. Shayla’s “Direct Care Tea” on how paying cash for your healthcare can actually give you more comprehensive care for less money than your current health insurance plan’s limited care Today’s Highlighted Article: “The ACA’s enhanced subsidies have expired. Here’s what you need to know” https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/aca-subsidies-cheap-plans-enrollment [https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/aca-subsidies-cheap-plans-enrollment] Connect with Essence of Health: – ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location will receive free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH [http://www.DrShayla.com/EOH] – Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies [http://www.DrShayla.com/Freebies] – Get your 30% off discount for Handful Athletic Wear at www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC [http://www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC] or use Promo Code: EOHWC –Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert [https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert] –Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! –Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or @DrShayla on TikTok. The Essence of Health is in You!

The Tea on YOUR Metabolism and The Food Pyramid Flip

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! There has been major news in the nutrition world that affects every single one of us. In January 2026, the U.S. government announced brand new dietary guidelines, representing a major shift from what we’ve been told for decades. The centerpiece of these new guidelines is a brand new food pyramid that is literally turned upside down compared to the original 1990s version. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers continues Season 4’s new format by reviewing this headline-making topic. She will be discussing an article from NPR titled "RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines go all in on meat and dairy" and spilling “The Tea on YOUR Metabolism and The Food Pyramid Flip.” Listen as she analyzes the new recommendations through the lens of an integrative and functional medicine specialist, and breaks down what these changes mean for women dealing with hormonal changes, metabolic dysfunction, and insulin resistance. Synopsis * Discover how the new food pyramid has inverted previous advice. * Learn about the controversial call to "end the war on saturated fats" and Dr. Shayla's nuanced expert opinion on why quality sources matter and why plant-based fats remain superior for cardiovascular health. * Understand why the new emphasis on protein is actually a win for women in perimenopause and menopause. * Hear why the strong stance against highly processed foods is a major public health win. * Get Dr. Shayla’s “full fat tea” as she shares why she disagrees with the blanket recommendation for full-fat dairy and cheese. Today’s Highlighted Article: “RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines go all in on meat and dairy” https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5667021/dietary-guidelines-rfk-jr-nutrition [https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5667021/dietary-guidelines-rfk-jr-nutrition] Connect with Essence of Health: – ATLANTA Residents: We are currently enrolling in our Atlanta Founder's Circle! The first 10 members who enroll at our new Atlanta location will receive a free comprehensive metabolic lab analysis. Learn more at www.DrShayla.com/EOH [http://www.DrShayla.com/EOH] – Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies [http://www.DrShayla.com/Freebies] – Get your 30% off discount for Handful Athletic Wear at www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC [http://www.handful.com/discount/EOHWC] or use Promo Code: EOHWC –Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness. Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert [https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert] –Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! –Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok. The Essence of Health is in You!

The Tea on Doctor-Approved New Year’s Resolutions

Welcome to Season 4 of the Essence of Health Tea Time podcast! New Year's resolutions typically focus on eating better, exercising more, and losing weight. While these goals matter, many other health habits that shape your well-being just as much, if not more, than a new gym routine. On today's episode of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast, Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers kicks off Season 4 with a brand new format, reviewing popular health and wellness news articles together and sharing her expert take as a physician specializing in integrative medicine, functional medicine, metabolic health, and hormone optimization. In this premiere episode, Dr. Shayla reviews an article from the American Medical Association (AMA) titled "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬" and will be spilling “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫-𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬”. Synopsis * Discover the 10 health areas that doctors recommend focusing on for New Year's resolutions, beyond just diet and exercise. * Understand the deeper connections between common symptoms like decision fatigue, joint pain, afternoon exhaustion, and winter blues, and how they may all be related to hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance. * Learn how hormone shifts during perimenopause and menopause affect immune function, mood disorders, cognitive function, sleep quality, and chronic inflammation. * Learn why healthy aging starts in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, and how choices you make now determine how you'll feel in your 60s, 70s, and beyond. * Get Dr. Shayla's “New Year New You” tea on each recommendation, along with her FREE "𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭", your practical step-by-step guide covering the five areas she assesses with patients before recommending weight loss, hormone optimization, and aggressive lifestyle changes. Today’s Highlighted Article: “What doctors wish patients knew about healthy New Year’s resolutions” https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-healthy-new-year-s [https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-healthy-new-year-s] Connect with Essence of Health: – Grab all of our FREE Resources at www.DrShayla.com/Freebies [http://www.DrShayla.com/Freebies] –Learn more about Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching at www.DrShayla.com/EOH [http://www.DrShayla.com/EOH] –Submit a question to our "Ask The Expert" segment of this podcast so that you can get my opinion on your questions related to plant based nutrition, health and wellness. Submit your questions for this segment here: https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert [https://essenceofhealth.link/ask-the-expert] –Click the SUBSCRIBE button on your favorite podcast platform so that you never miss a moment of the Essence of Health Tea Time Podcast! –Follow Dr. Shayla on social media at Essence of Health Wellness Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and at DrShayla on TikTok. The Essence of Health is in You!