Podcast Summary
Incorporating Cold Therapy into Daily Routine for Stress and Anxiety Management: Cold therapy provides stress and anxiety relief, boosts dopamine production, and is a simple addition to daily routine. Try taking a hot shower followed by a cold bath, even with young children at home.
The speaker, a psychiatrist, incorporates cold therapy into his daily routine for various health benefits, including stress management, anxiety management, and even as a source of dopamine. He shared his personal experience of taking cold baths, which he finds challenging due to the cold temperature and his lack of coffee intake, but also rewarding. And he emphasized that no one comes out of a cold bath unhappy. The speaker also mentioned his interest in quantum health and mitochondrial health, and how cold therapy fits into this broader health exploration. He shared his routine of taking a hot shower followed by a cold bath, and how he sets aside time for this practice despite having young children at home. The speaker also listened to podcasts while taking his cold baths and encouraged his patients to try cold therapy as well.
Incorporating Cold Therapy and Sauna for Stress Management: Regularly using cold therapy and sauna can help manage stress, improve overall well-being, and provide relief from anxiety and feelings of being down. Self-care and exploring different practices are essential for maintaining mental and physical health.
Incorporating both cold therapy and sauna routines can help manage stress and improve overall well-being. The speaker shares her personal experience of finding relief from morning chaos and afternoon stress by taking cold baths and using a portable sauna. She emphasizes that anxiety and feelings of being down can affect anyone, regardless of resilience, and encourages trying various methods for managing these emotions. The speaker also mentions her shift towards a carnivore diet and the role of plants as medicine, but the mainstay of her diet is around animal foods. The conversation highlights the importance of self-care and exploring different practices to maintain mental and physical health.
Plants in medicine vs evolutionary diet preferences: Despite plants' historical role in medicine, a meat-based diet may be our evolutionary preference. The NHS's privatization and focus on pharmaceuticals over lifestyle interventions can lead to frustration for healthcare professionals seeking individualized patient care.
While plants have played a significant role in medicine throughout history, a meat-based diet may be our evolutionary preference. However, practicing as a mainstream consultant psychiatrist in the NHS can be uncomfortable due to the over-reliance on pharmaceuticals and underemphasis on lifestyle interventions. The NHS, once seen as a national treasure, is now heavily privatized, leading to a lack of resources, low morale among staff, and a focus on guidelines over individualized patient care. The root cause of many medical conditions and diseases, including those in psychiatry, remains elusive, leaving many feeling frustrated and driven towards fields like trauma surgery where the root cause is clear.
Mental health linked to gut and bodily systems: Mental health issues are complex and involve gut health, metabolic health, and communication pathways between the gut and brain. Improving gut health and addressing metabolic issues can help address mental health concerns.
Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are not solely caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Instead, they are often linked to various bodily systems, including mitochondrial health and gut health. The gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve and other communication pathways, and the gut microbiome plays a significant role in overall health. Food, particularly gluten, can impact gut health and lead to inflammation, which can affect the brain and disrupt neurotransmitter balance. Metabolic health, including insulin resistance, is also a critical factor in mental health. Stress can also impact gut health and further complicate the relationship between the gut and brain. In essence, mental health issues are complex but can be addressed through a holistic approach that considers multiple factors and focuses on simple solutions, such as improving gut health and addressing metabolic issues.
The impact of diet, lifestyle, past traumas, and emotional health on overall wellbeing: A holistic approach to health involves addressing gut health, stress reduction, and emotional healing to promote a stronger immune system and improved production of happy hormones.
Both physical and emotional factors contribute significantly to our overall health and wellbeing. The health of our gut, which is home to a large portion of our nervous system and neurotransmitters, is heavily influenced by our diet and lifestyle choices. The gut-brain connection is strong, and a healthy, diverse gut biome can lead to a stronger immune system and improved production of happy hormones. However, past traumas and adverse childhood experiences can also impact our health, influencing our stress response systems and potentially leading to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The last few years of isolation due to lockdowns have also contributed to a rise in anxiety and depression rates. To address these issues, it's essential to consider a holistic approach, focusing on gut health, stress reduction, and addressing any underlying emotional traumas. This may involve lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, practicing stress management techniques, and seeking support for emotional healing.
The Impact of Modern Environments on Mental and Physical Health: Modern environments contribute to mental and physical health issues through poor light exposure, toxins, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and manipulative food industry tactics. Prioritize health by reducing exposure to toxins, eating whole foods, and connecting with communities.
The last few years have left many people feeling isolated, fearful, and affected by various societal and environmental factors. Fear and isolation have led to mental health issues, business losses, and even suicides. Modern environments contribute to this through poor light exposure, toxins, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Our food has become highly processed and full of additives, leading to addiction and poor health. The food industry manipulates us psychologically to consume unhealthy foods in large quantities. This, in turn, leads to a cycle of sickness and the need for more medication and processed food. As a father, the challenge is to educate children about the importance of healthy choices and the dangers of processed foods and additives. It's essential to be aware of the manipulative tactics used by industries to sell us products that are not in our best interest. Overall, it's crucial to prioritize our mental and physical health by reducing exposure to toxins, eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, and finding ways to connect with our communities.
The power of family example in shaping children's health and lifestyle choices: Family connection and positive examples set by parents play crucial roles in children's health and lifestyle choices. Prioritizing family time and setting positive examples can help children make healthier choices and build strong foundations for their future.
Children learn best by example, and the importance of family connection in shaping their health and lifestyle choices. The speaker shared her regret of not setting a better example for her son in his younger years, allowing him to consume junk food at parties. However, she noted that as he grew older, he began to adopt a keto diet after observing his parents. The speaker also emphasized the significance of human connection and the breakdown of the family unit in modern society. She believes that the lack of connection and communication within families contributes to the disconnection and poor health choices among children and adults alike. The speaker encourages prioritizing family time and setting positive examples to help children make healthier choices and build strong foundations for their future.
Importance of a firm handshake and personal experiences: Believing a firm handshake can reveal important info, speaker shares past negative experiences and preference for genuine handshakes. Discovered carnivore diet in 2019, experienced increased satisfaction and mental clarity.
The speaker has a strong preference for genuine and firm handshakes, having had negative experiences with weak or unusual handshakes in the past. This preference stems from a belief that a handshake can reveal important information about a person and their intentions. The speaker also shared their personal journey towards adopting a carnivore diet, which began in July 2019 after being influenced by a respected influencer and recognizing the potential health benefits from various sources. The speaker found that going carnivore brought them a new level of satisfaction with food, allowing for extended periods of fasting and a clear mind free from constant food preoccupation.
Experiencing the Benefits of Dietary Changes: Adopting a carnivore diet and practicing intermittent fasting can lead to reduced insulin levels, improved mood, and elimination of cravings, ultimately contributing to better health and wellbeing.
Making significant changes to one's diet, such as adopting a carnivore diet and practicing intermittent fasting, can lead to numerous health benefits and improved relationship with food. The speaker shared how they had struggled with food addiction, specifically a sweet tooth, which led to health issues like type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and hypertension. After implementing intermittent fasting and gradually transitioning to a carnivore diet, they experienced a reduction in insulin levels, improved mood, and elimination of cravings. The speaker also noted that they could work out immediately after eating a large meal on a carnivore diet without feeling bloated or sick, unlike with other types of meals. Overall, the speaker's experience highlights the potential for dietary changes to positively impact one's health and wellbeing.
Understanding Hunger and Fullness with the Carnivore Diet: The carnivore diet simplifies food choices and helps clarify hunger and fullness signals, promoting better nutritional quality and animal welfare while reducing emotional eating tendencies.
The carnivore diet, which consists mainly of meat and animal products, has helped the speaker clarify the signals of hunger and fullness, making their relationship with food extremely simple and straightforward. The speaker used to crave carbs and experience hunger pangs, but now they only crave meat and feel full for longer periods. They also prioritize purchasing meat from local farms focusing on regenerative agriculture for better nutritional quality and animal welfare. The speaker's weekly diet consists mainly of red meat, eggs, butter, ghee, some fish, and sausages. They avoid pork due to personal preferences and religious reasons. The carnivore diet has helped the speaker realize that their previous emotional eating was actually an addiction, and they now have a clear understanding of when they're hungry and when they've had enough to eat.
The Benefits of High-Quality Meats and Healthy Fats: Eating nutrient-dense meats, especially pasture-raised and grass-fed, and healthy fats, like those in red meat and bone marrow, can enhance taste, boost health, and disprove weight gain myths. Cooking from scratch and focusing on whole foods can make a healthy diet more affordable.
Consuming high-quality, nutrient-dense meats, particularly pasture-raised and grass-fed, can have significant health benefits and improve taste compared to mass-produced alternatives. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of healthy fats, such as those found in red meat and bone marrow, and debunks the myth that they contribute to weight gain. The speaker's personal experience shows that a diet rich in protein and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods and carbohydrates, can lead to weight loss and improved health. Additionally, the speaker suggests that cooking from scratch and focusing on simple meals can make a healthy diet more affordable than one based on processed foods.
Simple approach to eating benefits mitochondrial health: Slow-cooked, unseasoned meats can provide more energy and structured water compared to carbs. Avoiding deuterium in food and medications supports optimal mitochondrial function.
A simple and natural approach to eating, such as slow-cooked, unseasoned meats, can have significant benefits for mitochondrial health. Isabella Cooper, an advocate for mitochondrial health, shared her simple meal routine of cooking a leg of lamb for 24 hours in its own fat without any seasoning or water. This method not only results in delicious food but also provides more energy and structured water from fat and protein compared to carbs. Additionally, avoiding deuterium, a heavy hydrogen that blocks a complex in the electron transport chain, is crucial for optimal mitochondrial function. The drug industry intentionally adds deuterium to medications to improve their performance, making medications even more detrimental to our health as we learn more about mitochondria's importance in producing neurotransmitters and overall health. The conversation also touched on the ethical and moral dilemmas that come with practicing allopathic medicine, which often involves prescribing drugs that are detrimental to mitochondrial health and may contain deuterium. The speakers expressed feelings of isolation among colleagues who prioritize quick interventions over holistic care and questioned the sustainability of the current medical system.
Navigating vaccination conflicts in a professional setting: Expressing personal health choices in a professional environment can be difficult, with potential isolation and judgment. Fear narratives and interference from colleagues can complicate matters, but staying committed to personal beliefs and seeking understanding is key.
Navigating the complexities of a professional environment where conflicting views on health and safety practices exist can be challenging. The speaker in this discussion expresses her struggle with the vaccination drive in her local NHS board, feeling isolated and unsure about expressing her decision not to get vaccinated due to fear of judgment and potential consequences. She shares experiences of colleagues who have been off work due to COVID and the prevalent fear narrative within the organization. The speaker also mentions her use of alternative treatments and lifestyle interventions, which have led to some resistance and interference from colleagues. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to her beliefs and practices, hoping for understanding and respect from her peers.
Challenges in promoting diet and lifestyle interventions for mental health: Regulatory and financial barriers hinder research on diet and lifestyle interventions for mental health, potentially limiting effective treatments for individuals with severe conditions like schizophrenia.
While there is growing evidence that diet and lifestyle changes can significantly improve mental health conditions, there are challenges in promoting and funding research in this area due to regulatory and financial barriers. For instance, focusing on lifestyle measures over pharmaceuticals may put practitioners at risk of scrutiny from regulators. Moreover, certain diets, like veganism, may pose risks to mental health due to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in essential nutrients like B12, DHA, cholesterol, and specific antioxidants like carnitine, carnosine, ubiquinone, and creatine, which are crucial for brain health and do not exist in plant-based foods. Despite the challenges, there are promising case reports of individuals with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, experiencing significant improvements through diet and lifestyle interventions. However, without sufficient funding for research, these potential treatments may not receive the attention they deserve.
Diet's Impact on Inflammation, Hormonal Balance, and Sexual Health: Consider the role of diet in inflammation, hormonal balance, and sexual health. Avoid seed oils, processed foods, and excessive carbs. Some restrictive diets may improve health, while addressing potential dietary causes of sexual issues and depression is crucial.
Diet plays a significant role in inflammation and overall health, including sexual health and hormonal balance. Seed oils high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, processed foods with additives like carrageenan, and excessive carbohydrate intake can contribute to inflammation. The Kellogg Company's promotion of cereals and the idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day had an agenda to reduce libido. People following restrictive diets like keto or carnivore often report improved health, including hormonal balance and increased libido. Conversely, those experiencing issues with sexuality, gender identity, and depression might benefit from exploring potential dietary causes, such as medication side effects like Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD). The current trend of gender fluidity and non-binary identities might be linked to these health issues and societal narratives. It's essential to consider the potential impact of diet on various aspects of health and well-being.
Question everything and do your own research: Functional medicine doctor and psychiatrist Dr. Rachel Brown emphasizes the importance of questioning experts and doing one's own research for informed health decisions.
It's essential to question everything and do one's own research, even in matters of health. Dr. Rachel Brown, a functional medicine doctor and psychiatrist, emphasized this during a conversation with Ahmed. She shared her experiences of facing challenges in her career and how she managed to stay resilient. Dr. Brown also highlighted the importance of building meaningful connections and taking care of one's mental and physical health. She expressed her admiration for Ahmed's podcast and the work he's doing to spread truth and knowledge. Despite facing difficulties, Dr. Brown remains hopeful and trusts that everything happens for a reason. She encourages everyone to question the experts and do their research to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Staying true to yourself and listening to inner voice: Follow your intuition and reflect on where you're being drawn for personal growth. Support creators like Rachel for community and knowledge sharing.
Following your intuition and staying true to yourself are essential aspects of personal growth and spiritual journey. Rachel, a guest on the podcast, emphasized the importance of listening to that inner voice and reflecting on where you're being drawn towards. She also shared her own journey and encouraged listeners to support her by subscribing to her Substack for as little as £3.50 a month. Despite reaching 300 paid subscribers, she expressed the need for more support to sustain her family and continue spreading knowledge. Overall, the conversation highlighted the significance of staying true to oneself and the importance of community support in personal and professional growth.
