Podcast Summary
Health and Nutrition Controversies: MD Paul Saladino challenges Western medicine's approach to nutrition, advocating for individualized diets and the potential benefits of a carnivore diet for certain health issues
Learning from this discussion with Paul Saladino is that he challenges the mainstream narrative on health and nutrition, bringing up controversial topics such as the benefits of a carnivore diet for certain individuals, plant toxicity, and failures of Western medicine. Saladino, a double certified MD and author, believes that nutrition is not adequately addressed in Western medicine and that food significantly impacts our health. He questions the idea of a one-size-fits-all diet for humans and encourages individuals to consider their unique needs. For those struggling with SIBO, gut, or autoimmune issues, Saladino suggests that a carnivore diet could be a helpful temporary tool. While not everyone may agree with his opinions, the conversation offers a new perspective on health and nutrition.
Red meat vs plant-based diets: The debate around red meat and plant-based diets is complex, with differing opinions on the importance of red meat for human health, the role of saturated fats from animals versus seed oils, and the impact on muscle mass and overall health. Personal experiences and historical context can influence perspectives.
There's an ongoing debate about the role of red meat and plant-based diets in human nutrition. While Western medicine suggests limiting red meat intake and promoting plant-based diets, some believe that red meat and organs are essential central foods for humans. The discussion also touched on the importance of saturated fats from animals versus seed oils, women's health, and the impact of vegan diets on muscle mass and overall health. The speaker shared his personal experience of feeling significantly lighter and experiencing health issues while on a vegan diet, and how his perspective shifted after learning about human evolution and the inclusion of meat in our diets throughout history. He also recommended the Lumen device as a tool for understanding metabolic health and optimizing nutrition. Ultimately, the conversation highlighted the complexity of nutrition and the importance of considering various perspectives and evidence when making dietary choices.
Food Sources and Toxins: Be aware of potential toxins in various food sources, including plants and animals, and observe how our bodies respond to different foods to make informed choices for optimal health
Our food sources, whether plant or animal, contain various nutrients and potentially harmful compounds. While animals, especially those hunted, can provide valuable nutrients, they may also carry toxins. Plants, on the other hand, can contain beneficial compounds but also toxic ones that can negatively impact human health. For instance, some plants like poinsettia, rhubarb, and sorrel have toxic leaves, while oats and quinoa contain saponins that damage the gut. Glyphosate, a common pesticide, can also harm the human gut. It's essential to be aware of these potential risks and consider the benefits and drawbacks of various food sources. Some individuals may react differently to specific foods, and it's crucial to observe how our bodies respond. Ultimately, the goal is to make informed choices about what we consume to optimize our health and minimize potential harm.
Diet and immune response: Diet and lifestyle choices can impact immune response and overall health, with certain foods potentially triggering autoimmune responses. The concept of terrain theory emphasizes the importance of the health of the human organism in dealing with pathogens.
Our diet and lifestyle choices can significantly impact our immune response and overall health. The idea that certain foods may trigger autoimmune responses is a simple and accessible way for individuals to experiment with potential triggers and improve their health. This concept is rooted in the idea of terrain theory, which emphasizes the importance of the health of the human organism in dealing with pathogens, rather than solely focusing on the pathogens themselves. For example, acne is not just caused by bacteria, but also by the terrain of the body. Additionally, the effects of caffeine, a defense chemical in coffee, on sleep stages and the half-life of caffeine in the body are important considerations when evaluating the impact of dietary choices on health.
Sleep architecture: Consuming caffeine, alcohol, cannabis, and moldy grains can negatively impact sleep architecture. Creating a comfortable bedroom environment and consuming decaf coffee or warm beverages can help optimize sleep.
The quality and quantity of our sleep, as well as what we consume before bedtime, significantly impact our sleep architecture. Consuming caffeine, especially in large amounts throughout the day, can negatively affect sleep quality, leading to poor non-REM and REM sleep. Other factors like alcohol, cannabis, and moldy grains can also negatively impact sleep architecture. To optimize sleep, creating a comfortable and luxurious bedroom environment is crucial. Companies like Cozy Earth offer high-quality bedding to help make your bedroom a sanctuary. Additionally, consuming decaf coffee or alternative warm beverages like bone broth or warm milk can be beneficial for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake or avoid moldy coffee. Being aware of how our bodies react to different foods and inputs is essential for distinguishing the signal from the noise and optimizing our overall health.
Gut health and foods: Some foods may cause gut issues for certain individuals, requiring addressing underlying imbalances before eliminating them. Probiotics from raw milk can help correct gut dysbiosis, but choosing the best probiotic is complex. Raw dairy, including raw milk, may not trigger acne for some and may benefit the immune system.
Certain foods, like fruit and honey, may not be suitable for everyone due to potential gut issues. SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, can cause sensitivity to these foods and may require addressing the underlying gut imbalance before eliminating them from your diet. Probiotics, particularly those from raw milk, can be a simple and evolutionary solution to help correct gut dysbiosis. However, the complexities of the probiotic space and the vast number of bacteria in the gut make it challenging to determine the best probiotic for individual needs. Raw dairy, specifically raw milk, may not trigger acne for some people, despite common beliefs, and may even have benefits for the immune system. Despite historical concerns about raw milk's potential contamination, modern raw farms implement strict safety measures to ensure the safety and quality of their products.
Raw milk and nut milks quality and risks: Raw milk and nut milks can have health benefits but require careful consideration due to potential risks like foodborne illnesses and problematic substances. Pregnant women should avoid raw milk and raw cheese. Making your own coconut milk or trying raw goat's milk can help mitigate some issues.
While raw milk and other unprocessed foods like nut milks can have potential health benefits, it's crucial to ensure their quality and sourcing. Pregnant women, in particular, should be cautious about consuming raw milk and raw cheese due to the risk of foodborne illnesses like listeria. When it comes to nut milks, they may contain problematic substances like glyphosate, saponins, and thickeners that can irritate the gut. Coconut milk, as a seed milk, also contains defense chemicals that can affect digestion. Making your own coconut milk by fermenting it overnight may help mitigate these issues. Additionally, consider trying raw goat's milk as an alternative to cow's milk, especially if you're lactose intolerant. Always remember that consuming anything raw comes with risks, and it's essential to be aware of the potential consequences.
Fruit ripeness and seasonality: Consuming ripe and in-season fruits provides the most nutritional value and minimizes potential negative effects. Some fruits may not be suitable for everyone due to their specific characteristics, such as lectins or oxalate content.
When it comes to fruits, it's important to consume those that are ripe and in season, as they provide the most nutritional value and are less likely to contain defense chemicals. Fruits are part of a plant's strategy to be spread and are generally the least toxic part compared to other plant parts like leaves, stems, seeds, and roots. However, even within the fruit category, some fruits may not be suitable for everyone due to their specific characteristics. For instance, nightshade fruits like tomatoes, eggplant, and goji berries may cause autoimmune issues for some people due to their lectins content. Additionally, some fruits have higher oxalate levels, such as plantains and kiwis, which may not be ideal for individuals with oxalate sensitivities. Overall, being mindful of the specific fruits you consume and their ripeness and seasonality can help maximize their nutritional benefits while minimizing potential negative effects.
Linoleic acid and seed oils: Seed oils, high in linoleic acid and industrially processed, can negatively impact human health. Opt for animal fats or lower linoleic acid oils like olive and avocado.
Seed oils, such as canola, soybean, grape seed, and sunflower oils, are problematic for human health due to their high linoleic acid content and the way they are produced. These oils undergo refining, bleaching, and deodorization, leading to oxidation and the presence of industrial byproducts. Animal fats, like butter, ghee, tallow, and lard, contain significantly less linoleic acid and are better options. However, even fruit oils like olive and avocado, while lower in linoleic acid than seed oils, still contain a significant amount and can be adulterated or oxidized. The human body can store linoleic acid, leading to its accumulation in our cells, membranes, and skin, and it takes about two years for the body to fully metabolize it. It's important to be aware of the amount of linoleic acid in the foods we consume and to avoid excessive intake.
Seed oils and health risks: Seed oils, high in linoleic acid, can damage cell membranes and cause inflammation due to oxidation. Opt for tallow instead and focus on HDL, triglycerides, and fasting insulin levels for heart health indicators.
Seed oils, despite being promoted by some health organizations and used widely in the food industry, can cause long-term health problems due to their high linoleic acid content. This fatty acid accumulates in cell membranes and, as a polyunsaturated fat, is less stable and more prone to oxidation, leading to membrane damage and inflammation. The speaker recommends avoiding seed oils when dining out or traveling by asking restaurants not to use them and opting for tallow instead. Additionally, the speaker criticizes the focus on lowering LDL cholesterol as a primary goal for heart health, arguing that it may increase the amount of oxidized LDL and other markers for cardiovascular disease. Instead, they suggest considering factors like HDL, triglycerides, and fasting insulin levels as better indicators of metabolic health.
Metabolic health vs LDL reduction: Focusing solely on reducing LDL levels for metabolic health may not be effective. Prioritize overall metabolic health and consider the benefits of red meat when paired with good metabolic health. Animal-sourced proteins offer essential nutrients and should not be feared.
Focusing solely on reducing LDL levels for metabolic health may not be the most effective approach. Instead, prioritizing overall metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity, is crucial. Red meat consumption, when paired with good metabolic health, can bring benefits such as improved libido, fertility, skin health, and muscle growth. Women, in particular, should not fear meat consumption due to societal stigmas. Animal-sourced proteins provide essential nutrients like creatine, choline, taurine, vitamin K2, and vitamin B12, which are difficult to obtain from plant-based sources. Ethical and sustainable sourcing of meat is encouraged. By embracing the unique nutritional benefits of animal foods, we can support our own health and that of future generations.
Alternative food sources: Consider incorporating raw milk from regenerative farms, organ meats, and desiccated organ capsules into your diet for optimal health. Online resources can help locate raw milk sources, and capsules are available for those who find whole organs challenging. Introduce organs to children at a young age, and be mindful of potential sensitivities to certain plant foods and processed ingredients.
There are various ways to incorporate alternative food sources, such as raw milk from regenerative farms and organ meats, into one's diet for optimal health. Online resources like realmilk.com can help locate raw milk sources, and companies like Heart and Soil offer desiccated organ capsules for those who may find consuming the whole organ challenging. Organs, particularly liver, can be introduced to children at a young age and may even be their favorite food if sourced properly. For those who have difficulty incorporating these foods due to mental or taste barriers, desiccated organ capsules can be a good first step. Additionally, be mindful of potential sensitivities to certain plant foods and the addition of problematic ingredients in processed foods.
Processed Foods Elimination: Eliminating processed foods from your diet is the first step towards improved health. Listen to your body and make adjustments accordingly, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods to potentially reverse chronic health issues.
The first step towards improved health is eliminating processed foods from your diet. While focusing on fruits, vegetables, and meat is a great starting point, it's essential to understand that everyone's body reacts differently to various foods. Some people may find grains, nuts, and seeds problematic, while others may have issues with animal foods. The key is to listen to your body and make adjustments accordingly. Start by removing processed foods, and gradually introduce healthier options, such as animal-based foods and a few select plant-based items. This approach can lead to significant improvements in overall health and well-being. Dr. Paul Saladino, a proponent of this lifestyle, emphasizes the importance of getting rid of processed foods to address various health issues, including mental health problems, autoimmune conditions, and neuroinflammation. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, you can potentially reverse many chronic health issues and feel better overall. While it's essential to understand the potential issues with certain foods, you don't have to eliminate everything at once. Instead, start with small changes, such as removing processed foods and gradually incorporating more whole, nutrient-dense options into your diet.
Seed oils in skincare: Avoid seed oils in skincare due to their high linoleic acid content, which can make skin more susceptible to aging when exposed to the sun. Opt for a low linoleic acid diet for skin resilience and health.
It's important to be mindful of the seed oils we use both in our diet and on our skin. The speaker explained that healthy sunscreens can contain seed oils, and just like we avoid consuming seed oils due to their high linoleic acid content, we should also avoid putting them on our skin. Linoleic acid can make our skin more susceptible to aging when exposed to the sun. The speaker also emphasized the importance of moderate sun exposure for producing vitamin D, nitric oxide, and endorphins, but encouraged a low linoleic acid diet to promote skin resilience and health. So, be sure to check the ingredients of your skincare products and limit your intake of seed oils for optimal skin health.