Off The Charts

Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND

How many podcasts could there poddibly be about correcting medical misinformation now? Why would I add my voice to the chorus that can be so deafening? I've had 18+ years of experience seeing tons and treating everything from A to Z and lemme tell you there's plenty I can add to the conversation. Dive with me into the science of medicine with a heaping side of sass and spice.

Episodes

  1. 5D AGO

    The Truth About Antidepressants: Depression, Hormones, Pain, and Stigma

    Many people wonder whether antidepressants are the right choice — but the conversation is often oversimplified, stigmatized, or incomplete.   In this episode of Off the Charts, Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND takes a grounded, compassionate look at antidepressants: how they actually work in the body, why they’re prescribed for more than depression, and how hormones, pain, life stress, and brain chemistry all play a role in mental health decisions.   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How antidepressants affect serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine Why antidepressants are used beyond depression, including pain, PMDD, and postpartum mood changes Common concerns around weight gain and side effects How clinicians think about matching medications to symptoms The difference between dependence and discontinuation What to consider if you’re thinking about starting — or eventually coming off — antidepressants This conversation is for anyone who wants a clearer, more honest understanding of antidepressants without fear, judgment, or oversimplification.   TIMESTAMPS  0:00 – Why this question matters   0:48 – Why a holistic doctor prescribes antidepressants   5:20 – When lifestyle changes aren’t enough   9:09 – How antidepressants work in the brain   12:05 – Weight gain, metabolism, and SSRIs   15:48 – Side effects and early tolerance   18:22 – Matching antidepressants to symptoms   22:12 – Hormones, depression, and sex differences   24:12 – PMDD and why SSRIs are used   28:43 – Postpartum depression and hormonal shifts   31:30 – Hormones vs depression — does the distinction matter?   33:59 – Antidepressants and chronic pain   39:28 – Dependence vs discontinuation   45:55 – When and how tapering is considered   48:06 – Treatment resistance and alternatives   52:38 – Reducing stigma and fear around antidepressants    ⚠️ This video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or stopping medication.   TOP REFERENCES:  Antidepressant Medications (Overview)  National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications  Choosing the Right Antidepressant  Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273  Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome  American Family Physician: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/0801/p449.html Going Off Antidepressants: What to Know  Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/going-off-antidepressants  Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)  Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd  Antidepressants for Chronic Pain  Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/in-depth/pain-medications/art-20045647  Pharmacogenomics & Medication Metabolism  Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC): https://cpicpgx.org  CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH   Website → https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/  Book a Consult → https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/   FOLLOW US   Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/ Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/ Dr. Paul Maximus, ND → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/ Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service, and should not be taken as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship.  Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment.   For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit:  https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    55 min
  2. JAN 14

    Inside the Confident Clinician with Dr. Jordan Robertson, ND

    In this episode of Off the Charts, Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND and Dr. Paul Maximus, ND sit down with Dr. Jordan Robertson, ND, founder of The Confident Clinician, for a grounded conversation on what leadership actually looks like in modern clinical practice. Using the Confident Clinician framework, the discussion examines why confidence in medicine is built through judgment, systems, and decision-making—not busyness, credentials, or hustle. Together, they explore why linear growth models break under ambitious goals, how clinicians can expand their impact without burning out, and what it means to lead responsibly as practices and platforms scale. Dr. Robertson shares candid insights on betting on yourself before certainty, building systems instead of relying on individual capacity, and why the most effective clinicians think differently about growth, responsibility, and long-term impact. The conversation also addresses the realities faced by under-resourced clinicians, the importance of dialogue and accountability within professional communities, and how emerging tools like AI should be used to support—rather than replace—clinical judgment. Rather than focusing on trends or quick fixes, this episode positions leadership as a daily practice and scalability as a design challenge. It reflects the core philosophy of The Confident Clinician: that confidence is earned through clear thinking, strong systems, and intentional leadership. This discussion is especially relevant for clinicians navigating growth, leadership responsibilities, or systemic constraints, and for anyone interested in how modern medicine can evolve thoughtfully without compromising trust, expertise, or integrity. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why getting “busier” often leads to diminishing returns in clinical practice What leadership looks like when decisions are made without perfect conditions How clinicians can scale their impact without relying on hustle or burnout The difference between linear growth and system-level thinking in healthcare Why under-resourced clinicians experience stress, criticism, and negativity differently How to approach growth as an ecosystem design problem rather than an individual effort The role of judgment, communication, and leadership in a future shaped by AI Why betting on yourself — and building the right support systems — matters in long-term clinical impact TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Leadership Is a Daily Choice 4:07 – Breaking Rules to Lead Better 10:05 – Building Outside Broken Systems 15:48 – Under-Resourced Clinicians 19:47 – Leadership Means Disappointment 23:43 – Saying Yes Before Certainty 29:04 – Why 10x Requires Different Thinking 34:03 – Designing Systems for Scale 37:59 – AI Won’t Replace Clinicians 41:51 – Sandboxed AI in Medicine 45:07 – What Patients Actually Need 58:41 – Raising the Standard in ND Medicine 1:06:02 – Final Takeaways TOP REFERENCES The Confident Clinician - https://confidentclinicianclub.com/ Dr. Jordan Robertson, ND - https://drjordannd.com/ This resource page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH Website → https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/ Book a Consult → https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/ FOLLOW US Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/ Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/ Dr. Paul Maximus, ND → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/ Dr. Jordan Robertson, ND → https://www.instagram.com/drjordannd/ Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service, and should not be taken as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment. For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    1h 8m
  3. 12/24/2025

    You Can’t Out-Coffee a Mineral Deficiency: The Iron Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight with Dr. Paul Maximus, ND

    Iron deficiency is one of the most common and most misunderstood medical issues affecting women today. In this episode of Off the Charts, Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND and Dr. Paul Maximus, ND break down why so many patients are told their labs are “normal” while they continue to experience exhaustion, brain fog, hair loss, chronic pain, mood changes, and low libido. The conversation explores how laboratory reference ranges differ from clinical reality, why iron deficiency is routinely missed until it becomes anemia, and how outdated screening practices disproportionately affect women. This is especially true for those with heavy periods, perimenopause, inflammatory conditions, plant-based diets, or absorption issues. Dr. Parmar and Dr. Maximus explain why oral iron often fails, why symptoms can persist well above traditional ferritin cutoffs, and why IV iron is positioned as a system-level solution rather than unnecessary intervention. The discussion covers bone marrow iron stores, ferritin targets, pregnancy and postpartum depletion, libido, mental health, and energy regulation. This episode challenges the idea that feeling tired, foggy, or unwell is simply part of being a woman. If you have ever been told your labs are fine but your body says otherwise, this conversation puts iron deficiency back where it belongs: front and center. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why iron deficiency is often missed until anemia The difference between lab reference ranges and clinical thresholds Why symptoms can exist above “normal” ferritin levels Why oral iron frequently fails How menstruation, pregnancy, and inflammation affect iron The role of iron in energy, mood, libido, and cognition Why IV iron is framed as system relief What patients should ask for and what doctors should reconsider TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and hot open 02:00 Why iron deficiency is missed in women 05:00 Lab reference ranges versus clinical thresholds 08:00 Ferritin, bone marrow iron, and symptoms 12:00 Oral iron failure and absorption issues 15:00 Menstrual blood loss, pregnancy, and iron depletion 18:00 Iron, neurotransmitters, and libido 20:00 Addressing criticism around iron infusions 23:00 Anemia as the final stage of deficiency 25:00 Cost, benefits coverage, and private pay realities 27:00 Why the system does not emphasize iron deficiency 28:00 Closing thoughts: know your number and fix it TOP REFERENCES Iron Rx Universe – IV iron and ferritin education https://ironrxuniverse.com Iron deficiency without anemia – clinical review (NIH / PMC) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986027/ Heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency (ACOG) https://www.acog.org Iron deficiency in pregnancy (WHO / PMC) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ This resource page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH Website → https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/ Book a Consult → https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/ Mint Reproductive Health → https://mintreproductivehealth.com/ FOLLOW US Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/ Dr. Bobby Parmar → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/ Dr. Paul Maximus → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/ Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service, and should not be taken as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment. For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    28 min
  4. 12/10/2025

    Why Medicine Still Fails Women with Kaz Twomey

    Medicine wasn’t built for women — and today, the consequences show up in every corner of healthcare. From misdiagnosed pain to delayed diagnoses, from biased research to outdated medical training, women around the world are still fighting to be heard, believed, and properly treated. In this episode, Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND sits down with activist and storyteller Karen “Kaz” Twomey for a powerful conversation about the gender data gap and how it continues to shape women’s health outcomes. Together, they explore why conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, perimenopause, and iron deficiency are so often dismissed or overlooked; how historical bias has shaped modern gynecology; and why women still struggle to find accurate information, compassionate care, and timely diagnosis. This episode dives into the cultural, scientific, and systemic roots of medical sexism, the lingering influence of the WHI hormone therapy study, and the growing movement of women reclaiming their own health literacy through social media, advocacy, and community education. If you’ve ever wondered why women’s symptoms are minimized, why diagnostic delays are so common, or why women’s health research lags behind — this conversation pulls back the curtain. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why women’s symptoms are dismissed The gender data gap • Endometriosis & PCOS Pain bias in gynecology Iron deficiency & pregnancy Estrogen fear & the WHI study Ireland’s Repeal movement How culture shapes women’s care What needs to change in medicine TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – The gender data gap 05:00 – Endometriosis, PCOS, & delayed diagnosis 10:00 – Iron deficiency & overlooked symptoms 15:00 – The WHI study & hormone therapy confusion 20:00 – Social media & women reclaiming health literacy 25:00 – Pain bias & gynecology 30:00 – Ireland’s Repeal movement & reproductive rights 40:00 – The roots of medical misogyny 45:00 – What better care looks like TOP REFERENCES Invisible Women (Caroline Criado Perez) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610351/invisible-women-by-caroline-criado-perez/ The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) https://www.menopause.org/ WHI Hormone Therapy Study (JAMA) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/195120 Endometriosis Diagnostic Delay — Review (NIH / PMC) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6752380/ PCOS Rotterdam Criteria Summary (NIH / PMC) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387639/ IUD Insertion Pain Research (ACOG) https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2016/07/clinical-guidance-for-IUDs This resource page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH Website → https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/ Book a Consult → https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/ Mint Reproductive Health → https://mintreproductivehealth.com/ FOLLOW US Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/ Dr. Bobby Parmar → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/ Dr. Paul Maximus → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/ Kaz Twomey → https://www.instagram.com/kaztwomey/?hl=en Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service, and should not be taken as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment. For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    52 min
  5. 11/26/2025

    The Estrogen Puzzle: How Your Body Shapes Your Breast Cancer Risk

    Understanding how estrogen affects breast cancer risk is one of the most confusing and highly searched topics in women’s health. In this episode of Off the Charts, Dr. Bobby Parmar, ND breaks down the science behind estrogen, breast density, hormone therapy (HRT), IUDs, birth control, IVF, pregnancy timing, breastfeeding, and other factors that shape breast cancer risk throughout a woman’s life. We explain what “lifetime estrogen exposure” means, why early periods and late menopause matter, and how breast density, alcohol, height, metabolic health, and reproductive history all contribute to risk in different ways. We also clarify one of the biggest misconceptions circulating online: estrogen-only menopausal hormone therapy after hysterectomy is associated with lower breast cancer risk according to large randomized trials. This episode gives women a clear, evidence-based understanding of breast cancer risk factors—without fear-based messaging or misinformation. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How estrogen influences breast cancer risk across the lifespan Estrogen’s benefits for bone, brain, metabolic and cardiovascular health The truth about perimenopause, menopause and hormone therapy (HRT) Breast density, BI-RADS categories and how density affects screening accuracy Family history, atypia and combined breast cancer risk Alcohol, height, growth hormones and metabolic contributors Pregnancy timing, breastfeeding cycles and breast tissue biology What studies actually show about IUDs, birth control and IVF What women can and cannot control when it comes to breast cancer prevention TOPICS COVERED (TIMELINE STYLE) Why estrogen is misunderstood What “lifetime estrogen exposure” really means Menopause, HRT and clearing the confusion Breast density, BI-RADS and cancer detection Family history, atypia and stacked risks How breast density changes with age Alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen and what studies show Does alcohol type matter? Height, growth hormones and cancer risk Metabolic health, inflammation and early-life factors Pregnancy timing and why age matters Never having kids (nulliparity) How breastfeeding changes breast tissue What it means if you cannot breastfeed IVF hormones and breast cancer risk Birth control, hormonal IUDs and real-world numbers Misinformation, fear-based messaging and how to understand your personal risk EPISODE RESOURCES AND REFERENCES Off the Charts provides a companion reference page for every episode to support transparency and evidence-based discussion. Key sources for Episode 2 include Frontiers in Oncology, The Lancet, Nature, the National Cancer Institute, the Canadian Cancer Society, FORCE XRAY, Susan G. Komen, Radiopaedia and the American College of Radiology (BI-RADS). Primary studies and clinical resources: Frontiers in Oncology – Estrogen Effects on the Mammary Gland https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2017.00110/full  PubMed – Estrogen-Alone Therapy and Breast Cancer Incidence (2024) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38653905/  FORCE XRAY – Estrogen-Only HRT and Breast Cancer https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/estrogen-without-progesterone-as-HRT-may-lower-breast-cancer  Canadian Cancer Society – Breast Density https://www.cancer.ca/en/treatments/tests-and-procedures/mammography/breast-density  National Cancer Institute – Reproductive History and Cancer https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/reproductive-history-fact-sheet  Nature – Pregnancy Duration and Breast Cancer Risk https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06748-3  Susan G. Komen – Age at First Childbirth https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/age-at-first-childbirth  Radiopaedia – Breast Density Classification https://radiopaedia.org/articles/breast-density-classification  American College of Radiology – BI-RADS https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Clinical-Tools-and-Reference/Reporting-and-Data-Systems/BI-RADS  CONNECT WITH GRAVITY HEALTH Website: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/  Book a Consult: https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/  Mint Reproductive Health: https://mintreproductivehealth.com/  FOLLOW US Instagram (Clinic): https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/  Dr. Bobby Parmar: https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/  Dr. Paul Maximus: https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/  DISCLAIMER Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your personal health concerns. Terms of Use: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use  Medical Disclaimer: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    34 min
  6. 11/12/2025

    Why Everyone’s on GLP-1s (But No One Admits It) with Dr. Paul Maximus, ND

    Off the Charts – Episode 001 Why Everyone’s on GLP-1s (But No One Admits It) With Dr. Bobby Parmar and Dr. Paul Maximus Brought to you by Gravity Health “Behind the hype and hashtags, millions of people are quietly reshaping their health with GLP-1s, but the stigma hasn’t caught up to the science.” Ozempic®, Mounjaro™, and other GLP-1 medications are changing how the world thinks about metabolism, weight, and longevity — but not without controversy. In this conversation, Dr. Bobby Parmar and Dr. Paul Maximus explore how these drugs went from diabetes treatments to cultural lightning rods. They dig into what science really says about GLP-1s, why moral bias still shapes how we talk about obesity, and what this shift means for the future of health and medicine. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the biology behind appetite, the psychology of shame, and how longevity isn’t just about living longer — it’s about living better. What You’ll Learn The physiological role of GLP-1 hormones in regulating hunger, satiety, and blood sugar Why these treatments are helping patients with metabolic and cardiovascular disease — not just weight The history of fat-shaming and why stigma still affects treatment access How obesity is now understood as a chronic, relapsing condition — not a personal failure What the research shows about long-term safety, muscle preservation, and sustained metabolic improvement Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to Off the Charts: The truth about GLP-1s and Ozempic 0:52 Why people hide their use of Ozempic and Mounjaro 2:52 Shame, willpower, and moral judgment in weight loss 4:55 Obesity as a disease — from circus cages to modern medicine 8:16 Fatphobia in healthcare and everyday life 9:13 Food noise, dopamine, and how our brains drive eating behavior 10:33 It’s not willpower — how biology shapes weight 13:55 The “cheating” narrative and natural vs pharmaceutical myths 15:31 The Gila monster story — how nature led to GLP-1 discovery 21:47 The rise of GLP-1 drugs and the billion-dollar shift 27:28 Why some doctors won’t prescribe Ozempic 32:30 Debunking “dangerous side effect” myths 37:27 Chronic disease, longevity, and why GLP-1s are for life 44:15 Muscle loss myths — what actually happens on Ozempic 48:38 Closing thoughts — send us your questions and hot takes Episode Resources & References To maintain transparency and support evidence-based discussion, every Off the Charts episode includes a companion page listing all primary research, clinical trials, and cultural references mentioned in the conversation. These references include publications from the New England Journal of Medicine, Physiological Reviews, the FDA, Obesity Canada, and more. Top References 1️⃣ Holst JJ (2007). The physiology of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Physiological Reviews. 🔗 https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00034.2006  2️⃣ Drucker DJ (2018). Mechanisms of action and therapeutic application of GLP-1 and GIP. Cell Metabolism. 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29617641/  3️⃣ Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. (2016). New England Journal of Medicine. 🔗 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1603827  4️⃣ U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2024). FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems in adults with obesity or overweight. 🔗 https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-reduce-risk-serious-heart-problems-specifically-adults-obesity-or  5️⃣ Obesity Canada (2025). Recognizing and reducing weight bias in obesity management. 🔗 https://obesitycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1-Canadian-Adult-Obesity-CPG-Reducing-Weight-Bias-Stigma.pdf  This resource page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Connect with Gravity Health Website → https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/ YouTube  → Watch on YouTubeBook a Consult → https://gravityhealth.janeapp.com/  Follow Us Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gravityhealthclinics/  Dr. Bobby Parmar → https://www.instagram.com/docparmar_nd/  Dr. Paul Maximus → https://www.instagram.com/drmaximus/  Off the Charts is a podcast by Gravity Health, created for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or any other healthcare service and should not be taken as medical advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Listeners should always seek the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical condition or treatment. For more information about content use and disclaimers, please visit: https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/terms-of-use  https://www.gravityhealthclinics.com/medical-disclaimer

    50 min

About

How many podcasts could there poddibly be about correcting medical misinformation now? Why would I add my voice to the chorus that can be so deafening? I've had 18+ years of experience seeing tons and treating everything from A to Z and lemme tell you there's plenty I can add to the conversation. Dive with me into the science of medicine with a heaping side of sass and spice.