The Model Health Show

Every day when you choose what to put on your plate, you are given the opportunity to nourish your body. Not only that, but our food choices also have implications on our families, our communities, and the planet. It matters where your food comes from, it matters how it’s made, and it matters how sustainable it is. 

That’s why Darin Olien is on a mission to redefine superfoods. Darin is a New York Times bestselling author, an exotic superfoods hunter, and the co-host of Netflix’s hit series, Down to Earth. He’s here to talk about advancing our health with nutrient dense foods and creating a more sustainable food system.

You’re going to hear Darin’s insights on transparency in our food system, the importance and function of clean water, and what makes a superfood super. I hope this interview will inspire you to make more intentional and conscious food choices, and to vote with your dollar every time you have the opportunity. Enjoy! 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • How Darin became interested in nutrition and superfoods.
  • The inspiration for the show, Down to Earth. 
  • Why transparency is important in our food system. 
  • What is actually in conventional bottled water.
  • How water reacts with other compounds. 
  • What TDS is, and why it matters. 
  • Alternative methods for creating clean drinking water.
  • How oxygenated water works. 
  • What you need to know about estrogen-mimicking compounds. 
  • The link between bottled water and hormone disruption. 
  • What ethnobotany is.
  • The benefits of Barukas nuts. 
  • Important sustainability differences between Barukas nuts and almonds.
  • The power of voting with your dollar. 

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Cancer - the very word in and of itself can put a pit in your stomach. We often think of cancer as an indiscriminate misfortune that randomly occurs. But did you know as little as 5-10% of cancers are determined by our genetics? 

That means that upwards of 90% of cancers are controlled by epigenetic factors, and therefore are in our control. There’s no one better to speak on this topic than Naturopathic Oncologist, Dr. Christian Gonzales. On this episode, Dr. Gonzales is sharing the science behind cancer susceptibility, and how cancer actually occurs in the human body. 

You’re going to learn about the power you have to control your health outcomes, how to hedge your bets against cancer, and why having a sense of community can improve our health. Dr. Gonzales is a true expert in this field, and I hope this episode gives you the knowledge and empowerment you need to become your best and healthiest self for years to come. 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • How Dr. Gonzales became interested in integrative oncology.
  • What cancer actually is, and how it occurs in the body. 
  • The percentage of cancer cases that are truly genetic. 
  • Why cancer is multifactorial. 
  • How UV light can change your DNA.
  • What genetic instability is, and how it happens over time. 
  • How getting closer to nature can help us prevent cancer. 
  • The importance of following your circadian rhythm. 
  • Why a variety of food is nature’s gift to us. 
  • How antioxidants can protect you from the sun. 
  • Better alternatives to chemical-ridden plastic food storage containers.
  • Why some people are more sensitive to mold. 
  • How to build resiliency against mold. 
  • Which epidemic is more detrimental to our health than smoking.
  • How to attract like-minded individuals into your life.
  • Why trauma can be an obstacle to healing, and how to release it.

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In recent years, rates of thyroid disease have skyrocketed. And when you think about it, it’s really no surprise. When it comes to managing our health, the thyroid is a relatively overlooked piece of the puzzle. 

This small but mighty butterfly-shaped organ controls a multitude of functions in the body, including metabolism, tissue repair, hormone production, and more. Because the thyroid controls so many mechanisms in the body, a malfunctioning thyroid can cause symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, inflammation, and memory loss. 

While there’s a lack of accessible information about thyroid health, there’s also a lot of misinformation out there. In his new book, The Thyroid Reset Diet, Dr. Alan Christianson shares his latest research on thyroid health and strategies for restoring thyroid function. On today’s show, he’s sharing incredible insights from his research including statistics on thyroid disease, what you need to know about iodine consumption, and real solutions for regaining thyroid health. Enjoy!  

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • What the thyroid gland is, and what it’s responsible for in the body. 
  • The role that iodine plays in the function of the thyroid. 
  • What the two chemical forms of iodine are. 
  • How much iodine you need for optimal thyroid function. 
  • Why you won’t find iodine listed on food labels. 
  • What can happen if you consume too much iodine.
  • Why thyroid disease rates have roughly tripled in the last few decades.
  • What a thyroid storm is, and the only way to cure it. 
  • The three different types of thyroid diseases.
  • Why iodine is like bleach.
  • How the autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, occurs.
  • The three big drivers of thyroid disease. 
  • What you need to know about iodine hiding in your personal care products. 
  • Real food sources of iodine. 
  • Why exercise is a key component of thyroid health. 

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The science behind the microbiome is always evolving. From regulating your immune system to controlling your nervous system, there are many different ways that the microbiome can impact your overall health. We now know that the microbiome is also a key player in deciding how your body processes calories and stores body fat.  

On today’s show we’re diving deep into the connection between the microbiome and body fat. You’ll gain an understanding of how powerful and important your microbiome is, and how improving your microbiome health can positively impact your metabolism. 

As always, I’m bringing you all the latest studies, plus actionable steps you can take to influence the health of your microbiome. Your microbiome is truly an integral piece of regulating your metabolism, and I hope you will find these insights and solutions helpful on your quest for better health. Enjoy! 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • What influence bacteria can have on calorie absorption. 
  • The importance of thinking of our bodies holistically. 
  • What percentage of the human genome is comprised of viruses.
  • Why the human microbiome is like a rainforest. 
  • The role the vagus nerve plays in the gut-brain connection.
  • Where the word inflammation is derived from. 
  • How pesticides can damage the microbiome.
  • Why the gut is referred to as the second brain. 
  • The reason why so many toxic substances are allowed in our food system.
  • What the leading cause of hypertension is.
  • How overuse of antibiotics can damage the microbiome. 
  • Specific negative impacts that sugar has on the gut.
  • The number one way to increase your microbiome diversity. 
  • Real food sources of prebiotics you can incorporate to support your microbiome.
  • The role that resistant starch plays in gut health.  
  • Why eating seasonally can have a positive impact on your health. 
  • Probiotic foods you can add into your diet. 

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Direct download: 453-The_Microbiome-Body_Fat_Connection.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:39pm PST

The quality of your microbiome has the capacity to impact every part of your health. Gut health is scientifically proven to affect our mental health, susceptibility to chronic illnesses, and even our capability to fight off infections. At a time when the function of our immune system is especially vital, this is a conversation that we need to be having. 

One of the foremost experts in the field of gut health is Dr. Steven Gundry. Dr. Gundry is a researcher, bestselling author, and practicing physician who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people take control of their health. His work is focused on simple nutrition and how it affects the microbiome.

On this episode of The Model Health Show, Dr. Gundry is sharing how you can reduce inflammation and improve your gut health so that you’re better suited to fight viral infections. This episode contains conversations on leaky gut, food quality, and small, uncomplicated changes you can make to improve your immunity. I hope this episode empowers you and reminds you of your agency over your well-being and your life. 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • The importance of the human virome.
  • What bacterial phages are.
  • How your microbiome is like a cloud computer. 
  • The root of the word pasteurization. 
  • How the human genome compares to other species. 
  • What the holobiome is.
  • The role vitamin D plays in the functionality of the immune system.
  • Why vitamin D supplementation is especially important for black and brown folks.
  • The link between chronic illnesses and leaky gut. 
  • How rationing during World War II impacted the health of Americans. 
  • What green force life energy is. 
  • How food quality can help us coexist with viruses and bacteria
  • What you need to know about disinfectant products. 
  • Why peanut allergies are more prevalent now. 
  • How fasting can make your immune system stronger. 
  • One small change you can make to improve your ability to fight infections.

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We’ve all heard the mantra “calories in, calories out.” While it sounds like a failproof formula for weight loss, it’s actually a radical oversimplification of nutrition. Not to mention, the saying undermines the innate intelligence and adaptivity of the incredible human body. 

Behind the scenes, there are many more variables than just calories consumed and calories expended. Today you’re going to learn about seven factors that impact how the body processes and absorbs calories. I’m going to walk you through a useful acronym you can use to remember the things that control how calories behave in our bodies.

More importantly, you’re going to walk away with real world, tangible steps you can take to optimize your diet and metabolism. I hope this information empowers you to make more informed food choices, so that together we can shift the paradigm around calories and weight loss. Enjoy! 

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • What percentage of American adults are metabolically healthy. 
  • The definition of the term epicaloric control. 
  • How inflammation is linked to chronic diseases.
  • The link between the vagus nerve and how calories are absorbed.
  • What SCFAs are and where they originate from. 
  • The types of foods that can reduce inflammation in the gut. 
  • How the liver impacts thyroid function. 
  • What neuroinflammation is and how it impacts the way calories are processed. 
  • How your metabolic rate is like a thermostat.
  • What food can restore function of the blood brain barrier. 
  • Why your body is less efficient at burning processed foods.
  • How cooking foods changes their bioavailability. 
  • What the thermic effect of food is. 
  • How digestive efficiency varies from person to person. 
  • The role that the microbiome plays in digestion and calorie absorption. 

Items mentioned in this episode include:

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Direct download: 451-7_Major_Factors_That_Control_What_Calories_Do_In_Your_Body.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:12pm PST

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