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Prioritizing Pure Protein with Autumn Smith Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

Protein is the fuel that humans need to function properly and maintain good health. This key nutrient is responsible for building, repairing, oxygenating, digesting, and regulating your body. It is an essential part of any diet, and The National Academy of Medicine recommends that adults consume at least 0.8 grams of protein daily. Without enough protein, humans could experience inflammation, mood swings, fatigue, and prolonged illness.

For years, Autumn Smith suffered from debilitating digestive issues and crippling anxiety. She found that her body healed when she implemented a paleo diet. Autumn and her husband Chase launched Paleovalley, which strives to provide people with essential nutrients, such as protein, without all of the processed foods or added sugars. Paleovalley prioritizes health above profit and creates products with integrity, devoid of any problematic ingredients.

In this episode, Autumn talks to Jen about why clean protein products are difficult to find, which dangerous ingredients exist in traditional protein sources, and what makes Paleovalley’s business unique.

Key Takeaways

[02:38] - What makes Paleovalley unique?
[08:23] - The difference between bone broth protein and other protein sources.
[12:49] - Benefits of bone broth protein.
[14:24] - Beef sticks vs. beef jerky.
[19:07] - What is organic dextrose?
[21:57] - What’s really in Paleovalley’s products?
[23:43] - Are supplements regulated?
[27:09] - What makes Paleovalley’s Vitamin C stand out?

Quotes

[02:41] - “In most products in general, you have to remember that a lot of them are made by marketers, not people who care about health. A lot of times, they’ll want to use as little as possible of the really high-quality ingredients and as much as possible of the other ingredients that might cost less.” ~ Autumn Smith

[04:58] - “There are just a lot of things hiding in protein powders today, and what makes ours really different is we are coming at this from a health perspective. We've been very mindful at every stage.” ~ Autumn Smith

[18:40] - “We leave out all unnecessary ingredients because it already tastes good and then we're processing in a way that is very safe and natural. But it takes much more time, which is why not very many companies are willing to do it.” ~ Autumn Smith

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The Power of Probiotics with Tina Anderson Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

When we hear “bacteria,” we usually associate it with inflammation and disease, but not all bacteria are created equal. There is such a thing as “good bacteria,” found in probiotics, that can balance the gut and alleviate digestive issues, stimulate antibody production, and reduce inflammation. Which strains of probiotics are best for our individual needs, and how long will the healing process take before we start to see results?

While working in the pharmaceutical industry, Tina and Bill Anderson realized that they were part of a larger healthcare problem. Medications were addressing symptoms, but not the root cause of health issues. After deep diving into natural and progressive solutions, Tina and Bill discovered the life-changing impact that probiotics could have on an individual’s health. The two never looked back at the pharmaceutical industry and founded Just Thrive together, a scientifically-backed probiotics company that empowers people to take their health into their own hands instead of relying on prescription medications.

In this episode, Tina talks to Jen about how probiotics can heal the gut. The two discuss why our gut health matters, what the healing process looks like, and how to find the right probiotic for you.

Key Takeaways

[02:02] - An intro to Tina and Just Thrive.
[03:57] - How the name “Just Thrive” came to be.
[05:23] - Why does our gut health matter?
[07:52] - How gut health and food ingredients are connected.
[09:37] - What is a probiotic?
[12:14] - What happens when your gut begins to heal?
[14:03] - How long do probiotics take to change your gut?
[17:22] - The relationship between the gut and brain.
[19:01] - What is “just calm”?
[21:35] - Which supplement is right for me?
[22:46] - Where to find Just Thrive.

Quotes

[05:37] - “Every non-communicable disease is stemming from the health or the unhealth of our gut.” ~ Tina Anderson

[10:17] - “If a probiotic needs to be refrigerated, it means it can't withstand the room temperature of the store shelf. How in the world would it ever survive your body temperature, which is 98.6 [degrees]?” ~ Tina Anderson

[16:36] - “You could be eating clean, but if you have a leaky gut, food particles could leak into your bloodstream. Food articles don't belong in your bloodstream.” ~ Tina Anderson

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Dining Fearlessly with Seed Oil Scout May 30, 2023

Show notes

Going out to eat is a luxury, but dining out means that you have no real knowledge or control over what is put in your food. While you may spend time in your personal life jumping through hoops to avoid processed foods or seed oils, any progress could be deterred by local restaurants who do not take the same precautions. Is there a solution for dining out consciously and carefully?

Seed Oil Scout is a free app that maps out conscious cooking and encourages you to “dine as if your life depends on it.” The app allows you to identify restaurants using healthy oils and local ingredients, contact restaurants about their cooking oils, and share knowledge with others seeking the same information.

In this episode, a representative from Seed Oil Scout talks to Jen about what seed oils are, how different cooking oils impact your body, and how to get more restaurants on the Seed Oil Scout app.

Key Takeaways

[04:04] - What are seed oils and how do they impact your body?
[07:34] - Seed Oil Scout’s story.
[09:12] - Why restaurants continue to use seed oils.
[11:32] - How restaurant prices are affected by healthy oils.
[14:44] - Why Seed Oil Scout focuses on restaurants.
[16:46] - How listeners can get more restaurants on the app.
[18:07] - Where to find Seed Oil Scout.

Quotes

[07:11] - “The feature in the app is called the automailer. When you open a restaurant in the app, it essentially scrapes their website for an email address and then you can, with one tap, send our template email over to them. It says you're allergic to common vegetable oils and you're okay with the safe fats and asks what your options are.” ~ Seed Oil Scout

[13:08] - “It’s taking the market some time to catch up with demand. ~ Seed Oil Scout

[15:15] - Restaurants are just a black box. You have no idea really what's going on in the kitchen. You have to be a little bit clever to get that information out of restaurants. Before this app existed, I'd be asking restaurants what oil they use, and then that information would just go away forever. But now if you ask, you can share that information with thousands of people.” ~ Seed Oil Scout

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Sourcing Real Ingredients with David Harrison May 23, 2023

Show notes

Other countries’ regulations against food additives are generally stricter than the United States. Much of the food on the shelves or in restaurants can be processed and filled with GMOs or seed oils. Anyone who has traveled abroad has probably noticed reduced inflammation after going out to eat. Is it possible to enjoy authentic Italian food, sourced from real ingredients, without having to travel all the way to Italy?

David Seggiano, Co-Founder of Seggiano with his wife Peri, wanted to build a brand based on holistic well-being, sustainable agriculture, and authentic Italian food. Thirty years later, they source their ingredients from all over Italy with handpicked, handmade, simple ingredients. Seggiano is committed to ingredients of provenance and quality.

In this episode, David talks to Jen about how David and his wife got Seggiano started, what inspired the duo to source real ingredients, and how Seggiano compares to other Italian foods.

Key Takeaways

[01:51] - How did Seggiano get started?
[05:40] - What inspired David to source real ingredients?
[06:59] - How Seggiano compares to other Italian foods.
[10:04] - What is quitting?
[11:12] - The kind of wheat Seggiano uses.
[17:30] - How GMOs disrupt your gut balance.
[18:25] - Types of products Seggiano offers.
[22:42] - The range of Seggiano’s pasta sauces.

Quotes

[06:07] - “There are some countries that really specialize in what they do. And the Italians, they specialize in food.” ~ David Harrison

[07:18] - “For us, it’s 100% about provenance, and it always has been.” ~ David Harrison

[09:04] - This is a classic example of what makes good food good. As few ingredients as possible. It’s extra virgin olive oil. It's pine nuts. It's cashew nuts. It's organically grown basil leaf and sea salt. It's five ingredients.” ~ David Harrison

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Using Ketosis to Reset Your Metabolic State with Ben Azadi May 16, 2023

Show notes

Our ancestors did not have food available to them at all times, so fasting became a natural part of their routine. As humans became more civilized, we replaced fasting regularly with grazing constantly. Our portion sizes increased, and so did our waistlines.

Ben Azadi, Founder of Keto Kamp, lost 80 pounds of pure fat in 2008. Ben accredits much of his weight loss journey to the ketogenic diet, where your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Ben is now a keto expert, a best-selling author, and an award-winning podcast host who is on a mission to help 1 million people lead a healthier lifestyle.

In this episode, Ben talks to Jen about intermittent fasting in the ketogenic diet. They discuss Ben's weight loss journey, how to get started with keto, and how the metabolic process affects the body.

Key Takeaways

[02:03] - An introduction to Ben Azadi.
[06:00] - What is keto?
[09:46] - Is there a link between genetics and obesity?
[11:54] - How to get started with keto.
[15:19] - How Ben feels about a vegan diet.
[17:23] - What Ben recommends you should avoid at all costs.
[24:01] - How nitric oxide affects our body.
[25:05] - The liver’s role in keto.
[27:07] - Common reasons people come to Ben.
[29:12] - Why dining out makes getting into keto more challenging.
[31:51] - Where to find Ben.

Quotes

[03:15] - “The cool thing about taking ownership is that you no longer are the victim of your history, you now become the victor of your destiny.” ~ Ben Azadi

[06:36] - “We know that there's nothing new about ketosis. It's not a fad diet. It has been around for as long as humans have existed because it's a metabolic process.” ~ Ben Azadi

[27:25] - “Keto is not to be used as a weight loss tool. Will it help you lose weight? Absolutely. But we don't do it for the weight loss benefits, we do it for the health benefits.” ~ Ben Azadi

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Healing Your Thyroid with Dr. Izabella Wentz May 09, 2023

Show notes

According to the National Library of Medicine, hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid affects up to 5% of the general population with an additional estimated 5% going undiagnosed. The lack of thyroid hormones can lead to irregularities in your metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature and trigger symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. 95% of people that are hypothyroid may actually have an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease, in which the immune system creates antibodies that attack thyroid cells as if they were bacteria, according to Dr. Izabella Wentz.

After Dr. Izabella Wentz received her Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis diagnosis in 2009, she was shocked to see how limited information existed about Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune conditions. This motivated Dr. Wentz to discover the root cause of the illness and focus on healing herself and others with Hashimoto’s. Dr. Wentz spent years researching Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. She has summarized her findings in her New York Times best-selling book, Hashimoto's Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back.

In this episode, Dr. Izabella Wentz talks to Jen about the connection between adrenal and thyroid health, the rise of Hashimoto’s disease, and the adrenal transformation protocol that will restore your body’s health.

Key Takeaways

[02:07] - What led Dr. Izabella Wentz to study thyroid health.
[07:52] - How to test for Hashimoto’s disease.
[09:56] - Why is Hashimoto’s disease on the rise?
[13:19] - The connection between adrenal and thyroid health.
[17:05] - How the research on adrenal fatigue has changed over time.
[19:50] - Why quick fixes don’t necessarily help adrenal dysfunction.
[22:20] - Dr. Izabella Wentz’s adrenal transformation protocol.
[24:11] - What are safety signals?
[27:45] - Client success stories from Dr. Izabella Wentz.
[31:51] - Where to find Dr. Izabella Wentz.

Quotes

[22:21] - “My adrenal transformation protocol focuses on figuring out why the body feels like it's stressed right now. What are the threats that you're getting from your external or internal environment?” ~ Dr. Izabella Wentz

[26:45] - “One of my favorite [recommendations] is actually adding pleasurable activities and doing more of the things that you enjoy. As adults, we are so focused on doing the things we have to do that we hardly ever find the time for the things that we want to do or feel like doing in the moment.” ~ Dr. Izabella Wentz

[29:28] - “This is a really big myth that people have where they think they need to restrict themselves or be very strict on themselves and be very harsh to themselves, where when you turn it around and focus on just like really loving on yourself and giving your body what it needs, you can quickly turn that around.” ~ Dr. Izabella Wentz

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Preventing Cancer by Taking Control of Your Health with Dr. Jenn Simmons May 02, 2023

Show notes

The CDC defines cancer as “a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control.” Next to skin cancer, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the United States. Breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are very hard on the body and can accelerate other unwanted health issues such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and bone loss.

Dr. Jenn Simmons studied traditional medicine and was a breast cancer surgeon for years in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until her own health came crashing down that led her to scrutinize the traditional health system. While searching for answers, Dr. Simmons learned about functional medicine and recognized that alternative medicine empowers patients to take control of their own health with lifestyle and dietary changes.

In this episode, Dr. Simmons talks to Jen about why the body makes cancer cells, how to gain control and awareness of your health, and the top risks for cancer recurrence.

Key Takeaways

[01:22] - What inspired Dr. Jenn Simmons to discover functional medicine.
[08:43] - Why the body makes cancer cells.
[11:47] - How to gain control and awareness of your health.
[18:09] - Top three risks for cancer recurrence.
[21:08] - How to stay in touch with Dr. Simmons.

Quotes

[06:11] - “For the vast majority of people, at least 80% of cancers are preventable through diet and lifestyle measures.” ~ Dr. Jenn Simmons

[10:42] - “Cancer is a normal response to an abnormal environment. So we all have a maximum ability to clear toxins. So once you hit that toxic level, your chemistry changes.” ~ Dr. Jenn Simmons

[12:18] - “We don’t have a healthcare system. We have a sick care system.” ~ Dr. Jenn Simmons

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Biohacking Your Environment to Optimize Your Health with Rachel Varga Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Waking up and reading the labels is not limited to the food we eat. It also applies to the skincare products we use. What we put on our bodies directly relates to our mood, energy, and appearance. Unfortunately, there are toxins hiding in every aspect of our environment. These omnipresent toxins can disrupt your hormones easily and impact your ability to age naturally and gracefully.

Rachel Varga, Aesthetic Nurse Specialist with double-board certification, teaches her clients about biohacking in order to slow aging, detoxify, and rejuvenate the skin. She has performed over 20,000 rejuvenation procedures and hosted hundreds of interviews with functional wellness leaders. Rachel serves as an executive board member for the Plastic and Aesthetic Nursing Journal and regularly contributes to the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing. Jen and Rachel discuss how oxidative stress status impacts the body, why regular detoxification is necessary, and how to age gracefully.

In this episode, Rachel talks to Jen about key toxins to avoid, the long-term consequences of toxicity exposure, and how to bio-hack your environment to improve your health.

Key Takeaways

[03:06] - Key toxins that everyone needs to avoid.
[04:07] - Active ingredients that you should search for in sunscreens.
[07:54] - How do people know if they’re being exposed to these toxins?
[08:51] - What is oxidative stress status (OSS) and how does it affect the body?
[10:29] - What’s really inside Sephora’s moisturizer?
[11:39] - What is a filler ingredient?
[12:50] - What symptoms can you experience from known hormone disruptors?
[13:28] - How long-term toxicity affects aging and the body.
[16:44] - How to bio-hack your environment.
[20:50] - Rachel’s favorite air purifiers.
[22:28] - How peptides could reduce signs of aging.
[25:52] - Rachel’s tips for biohacking.
[32:02] - How to stay in touch with Rachel.

Quotes

[03:20] - “Now, unfortunately, when you start to actually read the labels, you will see that sulfates can go by many names and you really have to pay attention.” ~ Rachel Varga

[09:40] – “A lot of times, companies will change the ingredients without even telling the distributors.” ~ Rachel Varga

[13:52] - “You need to know that your skincare is free of all these toxins so they don't interfere with your hormones.” ~ Rachel Varga

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Taking Charge of Your Health with Dr. Mignonne Mary Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Conventional medicine relies on clinical reference ranges to diagnose disease. The problem with waiting until a disease is diagnosed is it already feels too late. Are there ways to detect these issues before they arise and take a preventative, proactive approach to our own health?

Dr. Mignonne Mary took on a career in medicine after being inspired by her father’s work as a doctor. She learned a lot from her dad that wasn’t taught in medical school, which eventually led her to integrative medicine. In 2013, Dr. Mary founded The Remedy Room, an innovative wellness clinic focused on optimal nutrition, disease prevention, nutritional medicine, and infusion therapy. Dr. Mary’s mission is to help her patients, including Jen, lead healthier lives.

In this episode, Dr. Mary talks to Jen about common deficiencies and how they affect the body, why you should take charge of your health journey, and small actions you can take to improve your health.

Key Takeaways

[01:30] - Dr. Mignonne Mary’s journey to becoming a doctor.
[06:21] - What are common deficiencies and how do they affect the body?
[09:12] - The thyroid disease epidemic.
[11:37] - Why do people visit functional medicine doctors?
[16:16] - Why your root canal could be causing you pain.
[21:20] - Small changes that benefit your health.

Quotes

[03:19] - “The unfortunate truth is that people's health is now up to them to take the reins and really lead the charge. Because, unfortunately, the way conventional medicine is set up is going to take too long for them to learn all that they need to. And so it's up to the patient to start to educate themselves about, not only nutrition, about how their body responds to things.” ~ Dr. Mignonne Mary

[20:49] - “You are your best advocate. No one cares about you as much as you.” ~ Dr. Mignonne Mary

[23:26] - “When we fast and pause and allow the body to take a break and heal itself, it will do its job. but we're not used to doing that. It’s almost like having to teach people to ride a bike. It does get easier, but it takes a little reminding.” ~ Dr. Mignonne Mary

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How Blood Sugar Impacts Your Health with Danielle Hamilton Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

A recently published study by the Journal of American College of Cardiology found that only 6.8% of American adults had optimal metabolic health. Over 93% of adults have some level of insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction, and symptoms are skyrocketing such as dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, exhaustion, headaches, heart palpitations, and anxiety. Doctors are encouraged to prescribe medication for these issues but rarely do they examine the root cause of them.

Danielle Hamilton had a chronic history of health issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cystic acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and weight loss resistance. She became a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and blood sugar expert in search of a solution. By reversing insulin resistance, Danielle was able to balance her hormones, heal her PCOS, and find the root cause of these pervasive illnesses. Together, Jen and Danielle discuss the early signs of blood sugar dysregulation, the consequences of leaving it unattended, and the importance of personalization when monitoring glucose levels.

In this episode, Danielle talks to Jen about how blood sugar affects the body, why you should monitor it, and how blood sugar dysregulation and insulin impact your overall health.

Key Takeaways

[01:27] - How Danielle reversed her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
[02:56] - Why doctors might overlook the early signs of blood sugar dysregulation or insulin resistance.
[04:08] - The progression of Danielle’s health journey.
[08:52] - Why paying attention to ingredients is crucial to adopting a nutrient-dense whole foods diet.
[11:46] - The early signs of blood sugar dysregulation.
[15:09] - The consequences of prolonged blood sugar dysregulation.
[20:27] - How the standard American diet fuels issues like Type 2 Diabetes, insulin resistance, and poor metabolic health.
[23:07] - How and why should someone monitor their blood sugar?
[29:04] - What does a fasting insulin test do?
[30:39] - Where to find Danielle.

Quotes

[03:08] “We can be having these issues for decades before a doctor takes notice of them, and by then it’s already progressed. No matter where you are on the spectrum of Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or metabolic health, you can reverse your trend on this spectrum and go back to optimal blood sugar. The earlier you catch it, the better.” ~ Danielle Hamilton

[03:44] “Our blood sugar impacts every single cell, organ, and process in our body. The symptoms of blood sugar issues are very widespread and seemingly not connected at all, so it could be hard to pin down.” ~ Danielle Hamilton

[20:27] - “The standard American diet is a diet set up to give you [health] issues because the foods that they recommend are causing huge blood sugar spikes. There’s a new study out and over 93% of U.S. adults have some degree of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. So only 7% of us are metabolically healthy.” ~ Danielle Hamilton

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