Truth or Dare: We Dare You to Get Healthy

Can too much stress be deadly? Who has a higher pain threshold: men or women? Learn the truth about common health perceptions. And, from creepy crawlers to sharp needles, The Doctors face unexpected dares!

The dares shown in this program should not be attempted at home.

Dare: E.R. physician Dr. Travis Stork faces his biggest fear and braves a ball python!


Dare: Pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears grits his teeth as his face is poked by needles!


Truth: Stress Is Good For You
In small doses, stress can be beneficial. When the brain perceives certain physical and psychological stressors, it starts pumping cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine into the body, which increase heart rate and promote the lungs to take in more oxygen. Moderate amounts of stress can help people perform tasks more efficiently and improve memory. Short-term boosts of stress have been known to strengthen the immune system and protect against certain diseases of aging like, Alzheimer's disease, by keeping the brain cells working at peak capacity.


Everyday Health A to Z:
V = Vision

The Doctors and Everyday Health discuss the importance of having healthy eyesight, and certain foods that can help maintain and improve your vision.

Truth: Too Much Stress Can Kill You
When a flood of stress hormones bombard your body for longer than 24 hours, it can lead to emotional, psychological and physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and chest pains. The body responds to stress with an adrenaline-induced fight-or-flight response, which releases cholesterol and an array of chemicals into the bloodstream. If this occurs too often, it can speed the development of fatty deposits in both the cardiovascular and brain arteries, which can become moving clots if dislodged. To cope with long-term stress, you must change the way the brain responds using techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and exercise.

Tips for Relieving Stress
• Practice deep breathing techniques
• Meditate
• Write down your problems to ease your mind
• Increase your vitamin C intake
• Add spinach to your diet
• Smell pleasant aromatherapy, such as a lemon scent
• Become active and exercise

Truth: Protein Dulls Hunger
Protein builds muscle in the body, and since it's harder to digest than carbohydrates, it stays in the stomach for a prolonged period of time, keeping us fuller longer. Maintaining a comfortably-full stomach prevents overeating, which lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

The next time your stomach starts growling, consider consuming lean proteins:
• Fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fats, or good fats. Good fats also decrease triglyceride levels, slow the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque and lower blood pressure.
• Almonds may help prevent diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing LDL, or bad cholesterol levels, in pre-diabetics.
• Sunflower seeds promote heart health since they are high in nutrients like fiber, protein and vitamin E.

On average, a person needs about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, or about .4 grams per pound each day. But while protein is important, make sure to incorporate other healthy food groups for a well-balanced diet.

Dare: Eat Insects!
Danielle Martin, host of Girl Meets Bug, dares plastic surgeon Dr. Drew Ordon to eat a buffet of crickets, worms and scorpions!

"The majority of the world's cultures do eat bugs. Americans are in the minority," Danielle says. "Crickets are extremely high in protein."

Truth: Men May Have a Higher Pain Threshold
New research has shown that women report more pain throughout their lifetime, and compared to men, women feel more pain throughout their bodies for longer spans of time. It is also said that women are more sensitive to pain, less tolerant and have a higher ability to discriminate pain levels. Because females have different hormones, body compositions and central nervous systems, they are more susceptible to a range of painful conditions such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis.

OB/GYN Dr. Lisa Masterson challenges these findings by asking Dr. Ordon to try something very painful that many women endure to stay attractive for their men: Bikini waxing!

5-Minute Health Fixes

Got five minutes? Get healthy with The Doctors' book,The Doctors 5-Minute Health Fixes: The Prescription for a Lifetime of Great Health!

Dare: Get "Manscaped!"
Folding under the pressure, Dr. Ordon bows out and audience member Chris takes one for the team and goes back to the procedure room to get waxed.

Truth: Spicy Foods Boost Your Metabolism
Spicy foods contain capsaicin, a compound that kicks the metabolism into high gear. Eating a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can temporarily boost your metabolic rate by 23 percent, though research suggests that the effects only last about 30 minutes. One study showed subjects who ate hot sauce with appetizers before a meal went on to consume about 200 less calories throughout the day than those who did not consume capsaicin. Research also suggests that capsaicin works as an appetite suppressant, but take heed, as spicy foods can worsen symptoms of ulcers and heartburn.

Dare: Eat The World's Spiciest Pepper!
Dr. Lisa is dared to try a variety of spicy peppers, including the world's spiciest ghost pepper!

Truth: Antioxidants Create a Better Complexion
Elastin is a protein that helps skin return to its original position when it is poked, pinched or stretched, and collagen, a group of proteins, actively repairs and regenerates itself, replacing old cells with newer, healthier ones. However, the natural aging process slows down the production of collagen and elastin, which leads to wrinkles and sagging. But, incorporating the right antioxidants into your diet and skin care routine can help delay these signs of aging. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins A, C and E are found in many foods including fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, poultry and fish.

Truth: Cold Water Boosts the Immune System
Cold water enhances immunity by stimulating the release of cytokines and other hormone-like substances that are vital to immune function. According to a German study, breast cancer patients who underwent cold-water therapy for four weeks experienced significant gains in their levels of disease-fighting white blood cells. Cold also reduces pain by causing the body to release endorphins, which have proven pain-fighting properties.


Dare: Dr. Sears plunges into freezing cold water!



Dare: Dr. Travis gets a slimy snail facial!

Truth: Shock Yourself Into Shape

Muscle confusion means changing your workout routines to keep your body guessing. The human body is very efficient at adapting to its environment and will seek to maintain homeostasis, or stability, so if you hit a plateau in your fitness plan, make significant changes in your diet and exercise routine.

Dare: Boot Camp!
Brittany has hit a wall on her road to getting her bikini body back for summer. Dr. Travis challenges her to shock her body into shape by taking a high-intensity class at Barry's Boot Camp.

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OAD 5/2/11