953: The Importance of Muscle Health for Dentists – Dr. Uche Odiatu

Whether you're prepping a crown or driving to your practice, it all requires muscle. But how well are you taking care of them? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Uche Odiatu, one of ACT’s favorite health and wellness gurus, to demystify muscle health and help you get fit so you can be a better dentist. Your body is the best pharmacy — so give it what it needs! To learn the best way to develop and maintain muscle health, listen to Episode 953 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Dr. Odiatu:

• Email Dr. Odiatu for his workout: odiatudmd@gmail.com 
• Join Dr. Odiatu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UcheOdiatu
• Follow Dr. Odiatu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitspeakers
• Learn more on Dr. Odiatu’s website: http://www.druche.com
• Register for Dr. Odiatu’s seminar (November 7, 2025, December 5, 2025, December 12, 2025): https://www.adha.org/events/philips-education-tour

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 953: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Email Kirk for the 100 days of cards: kirk@actdental.com 
• Read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sapiens-tenth-anniversary-edition-a-brief-history-of-humankind-yuval-noah-harari/031a784adc6e9de4?ean=9780063422001&next=t
• Read Spark by John J. Ratey, MD: https://bookshop.org/p/books/spark-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain-john-j-ratey-md/d7739d4d7fae8b28?ean=9780316113519&next=t

Main Takeaways:

• Sitting is the new smoking! Movement is medicine.
• Muscles and strength training aren't just for bodybuilders.
• Without training, you will experience age-related muscle loss.
• Strength training boosts both physical health and emotional health.
• With proper exercise and nutrition, your body will be the best pharmacy.
• Birds of a feather flock together. If you want to be fit, spend time with fit people.
• Stop thinking you don't have time to exercise. You need less time than you think.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:24 The importance of building muscles that last.

4:07 Sarcopenia, explained.

5:54 Dentistry is a sport.

8:35 Muscle bound, explained.

11:21 How to avoid being a frail dentist.

13:30 Different types of muscle strength, explained.

19:14 How much time do you need for exercise?

25:20 Do you need to go to the gym to build muscles?

27:47 Benefits of using red light during exercise.

30:38 The importance of light exposure.

32:01 Lower your risk of depression.

34:06 Am I too old to start exercising?

35:15 You need more protein as you age.

39:36 The science on creatine.

41:41 Supplements that Dr. Odiatu takes daily.

44:06 Testosterone replacement therapy, explained.

47:08 Dr. Odiatu’s weekly workout routine.

54:34 More about Dr. Odiatu and how to get in touch.

Dr. Uche Odiatu Bio:

Dr. Uche Odiatu has a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). He is a professional member of the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), a Certified Personal Trainer (National Strength & Conditioning Association) NSCA, and the Canadian Association of Fitness Professionals (canfitpro). He is the co-author of The Miracle of Health (c) 2009 John Wiley (hardcover) & (c) 2015 Harper Collins, and has lectured in Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, the UK, and Europe. He is an invited guest on over 400 TV and radio shows, from ABC 20/20, Canada CTV AM, Breakfast TV, to Magic Sunday Drum FM in Texas. This high-energy healthcare professional has done over 450 lectures in seven countries over the last 15 years.