Ancestral Health Today

In this episode we bring you Anya Kaats. Anya spent a decade working in various roles within the natural products / wellness industry, before realizing that “wellness” culture was making her sick. In 2016, Anya radically restructured her life to focus on a more holistic approach to health, prioritizing authenticity, purpose, community, somatic, spirituality, and psychological well being. After a lifetime battling digestive and hormonal health issues, a truly holistic approach to “ancestral health” is what finally eliminated them. For several years, Anya hosted a podcast called A Millennial’s Guide to Saving the World. Anya currently lives in Crestone, CO with her partner Chris. In 2020, Anya and Chris founded “The Crestone Conglomerate” with the goal of re-creating reciprocal and egalitarian ways of living on the land and with community. Anya also writes for the local paper, The Crestone Eagle, teaches Contact Improvisation, helps to organize the Crestone Energy Fair, and spends her summers volunteering in some of Crestone’s most beautiful gardens. Find Anya on Instagram - @anya.kaats, or at anyakaats.com. Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ancestral Health Today we bring you Naturopathic doctor, coach and Author Nadia Pateguana, N.D - Dr, Pateguana works with clients from a holistic perspective, not seeing organs or illnesses, but seeing people. She is a graduate from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (www.ccnm.edu) in 2004 and has a Degree in Honours Biology from McMaster University (2000).  Dr. Pateguana's interest has always been how to heal the human body. In search for her own wellness, she discovered Naturopathic Medicine.She believes in the Healing Power of Nature; the body's ability to heal itself. The first and foremost Principle is "To Do No Harm", and she tries to follow this to the best of her capacity at all times. With a strong science-based approach, CCNM's 4 year program includes TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Nutrition, Counselling, and all the other Medical Sciences. Her focus has always been on Nutrition. Mostly, she uses FOOD as medicine!She was born in Mozambique, but raised in Canada, where she completed her studies, and then, life took her back to her home country for ten years. There, she ran a multidisciplinary clinic as the Medical Director and Naturopathic Doctor. Currently, and proudly, she swork as a Health Consultant with Dr. Jason Fung and Megan Ramos at the The Fasting Method by IDM since 2016. The TFM program recommends a Real Food and Intermittent Fasting approach to help people overcome Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome conditions such as Obesity, Diabetes, Fatty Liver, PCOS, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, Inflammation, Pain and the like. Her special focus is on helping women with PCOS overcome infertility through dietary modifications.In April of 2020, her first book written with the best-selling author Dr. Jason Fung, titled "The PCOS Plan: Prevent and Reverse Polycystic Ovary Syndrome through Diet and Fasting" was published and released. Check out her site for advice on Insulin Resistance, Women's Health, Fasting, Diet and practical recipes.Enjoy this conversation with Dr. Pateguana.  Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On today’s an episode we bring you a special presentation by Lucy Mailing Phd from the ancestral health symposium. All of our past AHS presentations can be found on our YouTube channel Rewilding the gut: what modern microbiome science can tell us about restoring ancestral diversity - Lucy Mailing (AHS21) The gut microbiota plays essential roles in human health and has been implicated in many chronic diseases. This dense community of microbes has co-evolved with its host over million years of evolution, but in recent decades has been substantially affected by modern industrialization. According to some estimates, we’ve lost about half of our ancestral microbial diversity. In this talk, I discuss the evidence for lost microbial diversity, the effects of diet on the industrialization of the gut microbiota, and the potential benefits for a “wilder” gut microbiome. I also review several studies that highlight potential strategies to “rewild” the gut, including the removal of processed foods, the inclusion of fiber or fermented foods, exercise, time spent in natural environments, social interaction, and fecal transplants. Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ancestral Health Today, we take a look back into Ancestral Health Symposium 2014 where Dr. Robert Lustig spoke about sugar not being an ordinary commodity. Dr. Lustig is Professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He specializes in the field of neuroendocrinology, with an emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. His research and clinical practice has focused on childhood obesity and diabetes. Dr. Lustig holds a Bachelor’s in Science from MIT, a Doctorate in Medicine from Cornell University. Medical College, and a Master’s of Studies in Law from U.C. Hastings College of the Law.Dr. Lustig has fostered a global discussion of metabolic health and nutrition, exposing some of the leading myths that underlie the current pandemic of diet-related disease. He believes the food business, by pushing processed food loaded with sugar, has hacked our bodies and minds to pursue pleasure instead of happiness; fostering today’s epidemics of addiction and depression. Yet by focusing on real food, we can beat the odds against sugar, processed food, obesity, and disease. All of our past AHS presentations can be found on our YouTube channel Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On today’s an episode we bring you a special presentation by L Amber O’ Hearn, M. Sc. from the Ancestral Health Symposium. All of our past AHS presentations can be found on our YouTube channel Ancestral Health Today “For decades, the Dietary Guidelines of America have recommended strictly limiting added dietary salt primarily on the basis of real but largely clinically irrelevant effects on blood pressure. Members of the Low Carb and Paleo Diet communities have pointed out the senselessness of these recommendations, while also noting observational correlations between moderately higher salt intake and lower mortality. While it's true that salt has been highly prized in post-agricultural times, evidence does not support high sodium intake in either the Paleolithic or modern non-agrarian societies. In this talk I will present anthropological and biological evidence for and against increasing salt intake, with special attention to the ketogenic and animal-food-predominant dietary contexts” Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of The Ancestral Health Today Podcast, our host, Isabel Burnett tries to bridge the gap between health optimization and the nuanced complexities of multi-systemic chronic illness, with an emphasis on infection-associated complex diseases such as long covid and MECFS. Isabel started out wanting to be a doctor, but she was derailed by MECFS, which she has had since childhood, and worsened in adolescence. Isabel became a systems engineer and worked in the pharmaceutical sector while continuing to struggle with managing ME. She later became a Board certified health coach, initially to better understand managing her own condition, and later to help others in similar situations. Isabel became familiar with the ancestral health framework around 2016 while researching modalities for herself and her clients. She became fascinated with the concept of evolutionary medicine, especially as a plausible explanation for how our bodies react to modern-times inputs and triggers in light of evolutionary biology's mechanisms. Driven by her own struggles, Isabel embraces citizen science, leveraging her profound understanding of systems and her love for science to unravel the complexities of chronic illness. Her journey has evolved into a mission, fueling her work  to redefine research paradigms and improve patient outcomes. Isabel's passion lies in exploring the microbiome's role in health, dissecting the neuro-cognitive implications of chronic illness, and unraveling the intricate web of immune, metabolic, and inflammatory pathways. She believes in empowering patients to be catalysts for change, to reclaim agency over their health narratives. She has an unwavering commitment to reshaping the future of healthcare. As she continues to lead the charge, she embodies the spirit of empowerment, turning adversity into opportunity, and offering hope to countless others on similar journeys. Isabel emphasizes that while all humans have the same basic biological needs encompassed in the ancestral health framework, not all have the same outcomes when moving towards this framework, especially in the context of the dysfunction and changes created by these conditions. The evolutionary concept of "cell danger" response is a great place to start to explore these challenges.When not immersed in her work, Isabel finds joy in nature, foraging for mushrooms and plants or nurturing her garden. She indulges her culinary creativity through traditional cooking experiments, from fermenting to sprouting. And amidst it all, she finds time to feed her mind with scientific literature, exploring the realms of plants and sustainable living.We hope you enjoy today's episode. Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dr. Michael Crawford discusses the essential role of the essential fatty acids DHA and ARA in the evolution and health of the human brain. Dr. Crawford is visiting professor at Imperial College in London, and has been Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition since 1990. For his pioneering discovery of the role of DHA in the brain in 1971, and its importance in prenatal nutrition, Michael was elected by his peers to the Hall of Fame at the Royal Society of Medicine in 2010. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 4 books, most recently "The Shrinking Brain", which documents the evolutionary evidence for the role of the marine food web in human evolution, and the societal threats posed to brain health and intelligence posed by recent changes to the food supply and the human diet.Dr. Crawford highlights the essential functions of DHA and ARA in cell regulation, immune response, and vision, and their importance in brain growth and construction. He emphasizes the significance of the marine food web in providing an abundance of DHA and the role of the combination of marine and land food webs in human brain growth. Dr. Crawford challenges the dominant theory of that humans brains size increased as a result of hunting in African savannahs, and presents evidence that access to marine foods at the shoreline drove human brain development.Dr. Crawford discusses discuss the subsequent decline in brain size since the advent of agriculture, and particularly with modern diets. He emphasizes the importance of maternal and prenatal nutrition, and the ongoing need for DHA and arachidonic acid in brain development. The discussion ends with the prospects for developing marine agriculture to ensure good mental health of future generations.ReferencesBook: Crawford and Marsh The Shrinking Brain and the Global Mental Health Crisis, 2023Publications:  http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/michael.crawfordHere is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic00:00     Introduction and Background 01:44     The Role of DHA and ARA in the Evolution of the Brain06:12     DHA in Early Single Cellular Organisms07:45     The Universality of DHA in Animal Eyes and Brains09:12     The Universality of DHA and ARA in Mammalian Brains11:24     The Decrease of Brain to Body Size Ratio Across Species18:16     How Access to Seafood Explains the Larger Brains of Humans21:45.    Rebuttal of the Savannah Hunting Theory of Human Evolution26:10     The Extinction of Megafauna and Human Brain Growth27:47     The Decrease in Human Brain Size Since Agriculture29:47     The Importance of Iodine and Marine Minerals and Vitamins33:36     Evolutionary Mismatch and Epigenetic Impact of Modern Diets38:35     The Importance of Maternal and Prenatal Nutrition41:25     Nutritional Requirements for Brain Development into Adulthood46:50     Benefits of Mussels, Oysters and Fish for Brain Health47:56     Farmed Fish vs. Wild Caught Fish49:18     The Potential of Marine Agriculture to Ensure Global Mental Health55:19     Michael Crawford's Current Research Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of ancestral health today we welcome Miguel Casali, MD for a discussion about his evolution from traditional medicine to ancestral health and what keeps the medical system confined as the world population sees an increase in chronic illness. Miguel Casali is a doctor with a humanistic approach. He is driven by curiosity, learning from different cultures he has been driven to reject hierarchical structures that place the physician as the ultimate authority. Miguel sees his patients as human beings at the center of their stories and sees his patients as human beings first. Miguel likes to take time with his patients, both to treat and prevent further health issues. He believes in removing barriers to care, so that patients can seek the care they need anywhere.This is why his vision expands globally, where he networks with other teams providing accessible models anywhere in the world. Miguel has successfully transitioned from a traditional health care model, where he practiced for many years in Spain, to now practicing independently in both Spain and Ireland, with plans to expand to other European countries as well as India. His vision centers around ancestral health principles and evolutionary medicine, merging the ancestral and the modern to provide his patients with the best possible outcomes and strategies that are sustainable and implementable in modern life. You can find Miguel on X, linked in and soon on the metabolic care website, but often you will find Miguel traveling the world, learning and sharing to continue to make this vision grow and help as many people around the world as possible.  Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

This episode with Dr. Pedro Bastos is a broad exploration of the role of inflammation in health and disease.  In popular media, inflammation is regularly referenced only as a process that impairs our health, but as you'll learn today, inflammation also plays an essential and beneficial role in context.  There is good inflammation and bad inflammation, and it is important to understand the difference.Dr. Bastos is a dietitian and researcher affiliated with the European University of Madrid in Spain, and Lund University in Sweden.  At Lund, he studied and collaborated with Staffan Lindeberg, the principal investigator of the famous Kitava Study.  He lectures extensively on health related topics worldwide and has co-authored influential papers such as "The Western Diet and Lifestyle and Diseases of Civilization, and "Chronic Inflammation in the etiology of disease across the lifespan", which was the most cited recent article in the influential journal, Nature Medicine. He has presented at the Ancestral Health Symposium, most recently in 2022 on a recap of the Kitava study.In this conversation, Dr. Bastos discusses the definition and function of inflammation, as well as the distinction between acute and chronic inflammation. He explains the various biomarkers used to detect inflammation and highlights their limitations. The conversation also explores the relationship between inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as the evidence supporting a connection between chronic inflammation and a range of diseases, including metabolic syndrome and autoimmune disorders. Inflammation plays a key role in various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Chronic inflammation can both cause and be a consequence of immune processes. The Kitava study, conducted on a traditional population in Papua New Guinea, revealed that their diet, while high in carbohydrates and saturated fat, is relatively unprocessed and has characteristics that low may contribute to their lower levels of inflammation and better health outcomes. Other lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, sun exposure, sleep patterns, stress and lower exposure to pollutants, may also play a role in reducing inflammation-induced disease.  From this, Dr. Bastos discusses how our diets can be tailored to minimize inflammation, including the roles of specific nutrients.  The conversation touches on some debates around inclusion or exclusion of fiber, whole grains, dairy and alcohol. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the complexity of inflammation and the need for personalized approaches to promote optimal health.Resources:  * "Chronic Inflammation in the etiology of disease across the lifespan", Nature Medicine, 24, 1822-1832 (2019) : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0675-0* "The western diet and lifestyle and diseases of civilization", Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology 201, 1:2, 15-35 (2011): https://www.dovepress.com/the-western-diet-and-lifestyle-and-diseases-of-civilization-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RRCC-MVP * "Revisiting the Kitava study", Ancestral Health Symposium (AH22): Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic00:00      Introduction and background01:33      Definition and functions of inflammation04:44      Acute vs. chronic systemic inflammation09:04      Triggers of acute vs. chronic inflammation12:25      Inflammation biomarkers - uses and limitations19:48      Inflammation and oxidative stress26:45      The role of Inflammation in chronic diseases27:17       Inflammation in metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease29:38       Inflammation in autoimmune disorders31:56       Inflammation in cancers34:04       Inflammation and cellular aging36:58       The Kitava study: Health findings47:54       The Kitava study: Dietary macronutrients, micronutrients and specific foods53:07       Inflammation in Kitavans vs. Swedish controls57:42       The role of lifestyle factors: sleep, physical activity, stress, sun exposure, sleep1:02:30    Mechanisms of stress-Induced Inflammation1:05:32    Pedro's dietary and lifestyle recommendations to control chronic Inflammation1:07:52    The importance of phytochemicals1:13:11    The question of fiber1:16:52    Grains, dairy and alcohol1:25:44    Summary and conclusions Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ancestral Health Today we have Mickey Trescott and Jaime Hartman. We discuss the recent changes in the AutoImmune Protocol and clarify what the intent and scope of AIP is, while busting some long standing myths. Mickey Trescott is a Chef and Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified through the Nutritional Therapy Association, and coaches a small number of one-on-one clients. She is the author of three best-selling books, The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook, The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook and The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen. I also co-host The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast and co-teach The AIP Certified Coach Practitioner Training Program with Jaime. Her journey to the Autoimmune Protocol started as a vegan, having been diagnosed with both celiac and Hashimoto’s disease. Instead of feeling better after her diagnosis, she continued to suffer many months of deteriorating health until she made the transition to the Autoimmune Protocol, slowly reversing vitamin and mineral deficiencies and greatly improving her health. You can read more about her journey with illness by reading her story here on the blog or listening to her deep-dive podcast episode! Today, she lives with her husband, Noah outside Portland, Oregon. When she's not getting crazy in the kitchen or researching how to live better with autoimmune disease, she can be found riding horses on her family’s farm, obsessively knitting a pair of socks, or figuring out how to build a non-toxic, sustainable home. You can also purchase Mickey's books on sale at Autoimmunewellness.comIf you would like to read all of the articles she's written here on the blog, click here. If you would like to follow her adventures, check out Instagram. If you would like to listen to her podcast and video interviews, click here. Jaime Hartman is Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Jaime is the host of AIP Summit and has a private practice called Gutsy by Nature. In partnership with Mickey, Jaime also co-teaches The AIP Coach Practitioner Training Program. Jaime started Gutsy by Nature as a hobby in 2013 to keep herself motivated and focused on the changes she was making. Those dietary changes were so successful that she decided to go back to school and change careers. Jaime also has a master's degree in educational psychology with over 25 years of experience in teaching, coaching and motivating both adults and young people. More importantly, Jaime understands what is like to live with a chronic illness and the overwhelm that comes with overhauling your diet. Gutsy by nature's Books offer guidance on meal planning and recipes that make this process much easier. Enjoy today's episode! Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ancestral Health Today, we talked to Jill Miller about the role of fascia in health and movement. Jill is a pioneer in forging relevant links between the worlds of fitness, yoga, athletics, massage, and pain-management, having studied movement and the human body for more than 30 years.She is the author of the best-selling books, BODY by BREATH, and THE ROLL MODEL, and creator of the fitness formats Yoga Tune Up® and The Roll Model® Method. Miller is also a contributing author to the medical text, FASCIA, FUNCTION and MEDICAL APPLICATIONS.Known as the Teacher’s Teacher, Jill has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Shape, Men’s Journal, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Yoga Journal, Self, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America and featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network. She has trained thousands of movement educators, clinicians, and manual therapists to incorporate her paradigm shifting self-care fitness programming into athletic and medical facility programs internationally.Jill is a wife, mother of two children and a rescue dog, a dark chocolate lover and has recommitted to her first love, singing. To sign up for one of Jill's events and classes, go to Tune Up Fitness and check out Jill and Kay Bowman's upcoming  Breast and Chest movement masterclassYou can also find her on Instagram @thejillmiller Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

This Second Look episode combines two AHS talks by Dr. Ron Rosedale:  His 2012 talk at Harvard on Diabetes and his 2019 talk in San Diego on Cancer.   Dr. Rosedale was an early pioneer of the low carb movement, and one of the first to focus on the metabolic value of increasing dietary fat rather than dietary protein.  Based on a deeper understanding the roles of insulin, leptin, and mTOR in human metabolism, he crafted his Rosedale Diet, not just for weight loss, but for preventing or treating heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other metabolic disorders that are on the increase in the industrialized world.These two talks may seem to be about entirely different diseases.  But if you watch and listen carefully, you'll appreciate how Dr. Rosedale applies a unified framework to understand metabolic diseases on a fundamental level -- as revealing an underlying problem in communication between different parts of an organism - problems stemming from aberrations in hormone signaling, growth factors, and nutrient sensors.Modern medicine often goes down the wrong road in misconceiving diseases in terms of a lack or excess or some particular chemical, gene activity, or mitochondrial dysfunction.  So diabetes is thought of as a disease of too much glucose, cardiovascular disease - too much cholesterol, osteoporosis -- too little calcium.  And similarly, cancer has been though of as a disease stemming from too much glucose, or activation or damage to certain genes, or to mitochondria.Dr. Rosedale's reframing of diabetes and cancer leads to practical approaches to treating these diseases. The first talk presents a challenge to the way we conventionally think about diabetes as a diesease of "too much glucose". It gets to that conclusion only in the second part of the talk, after a deep discussion of how organisms evolved to sense nutrient availability. In the case of diabetes, he focuses on the hormonal signaling, in particular the need to keep insulin and leptin signaling in check by avoiding not just too much processed carbohydrates, but too much protein in the diet.The second talk by Dr. Rosedale was delivered at the Ancestral Health Symposium in San Diego in 2019.  The title is "Was Otto Warburg Wrong?"  Otto Warburg was an Nobel Prize winning  German physiologist of the early twentieth century, who noticed that cancer cells are adept at burning glucose thought cancer could be starved by denying it glucose.  This view has been recently revived in light of failures of the genetic and free radical theories of cancer. But as you'll hear, Dr. Rosedale pokes holes in all those theories,In the second talk on cancer, he focuses on restraining the potential of cells to grow unchecked by controlling the insulin, leptin and mTOR signaling pathways.  These are the hormones and pathways that facilitate healthy growth when we are young, but can cause problems like cancer particularly as we age. Finally, Dr. Rosedale suggests how a diet low in protein reduces cancer risk and can promote longer lifespan.Besides the above talks, you can learn more by reading Dr. Rosedale's book, The Rosedale Diet.Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic00:00     Todd's introduction to the two talks by Dr. Rosedale03:36     Talk #1 (AHS 2012): "The Deeper Roots of Health and Diet"04:45     The common chemistry and metabolism of early life forms06:44     Glucose as the first fuel for early single-cell organisms08:47     The origins of mitochondria and fat-burning mitochondria13:58     Nutrient sensors 14:50     How Insulin, mTOR, leptin sense glucose, protein and fat16:10     Insulin and leptin resistance and miscommunication16:42     Diabetes is not a disease of glucose, but of miscommunication 18:10     How fasting and ketogenic diets promote longevity19:54     Q&A: FIber, brain nutrition, dietary protein25:17     Todd's intro to Talk #226:17     Talk #2 (AHS 2019): "Was Otto Warburg Wrong?"28:05     Critique of the genetic theory of cancer29:09     Critique of the metabolic (glycolytic) theory of cancer39:29     How cancer can use multiple sources of fuel45:22     Cancer is a cause, not an effect, of mitochondrial damage55:44     Cancer is not a disease of glucose and mitochondria57:03     Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled growth...59:12     promoted by growth factor like IGF, HGH, leptin and mTOR1:03:32  Elevated mTOR promotes mitochondrial damage1:04:54  A low protein diet suppresses cancer and extends lifespan1:05:30  Recommendations for dietary protein limitation Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Dr. Emily Deans discusses the field of evolutionary psychiatry and its connection to mental health. Dr. Deans is a board certified psychiatrist and writes the blog Evolutionary Psychiatry, based on the observation that our brains are healthiest when we embrace a diet and lifestyle reflecting the conditions under which we humans evolved.  Dr. Deans has presented at the Ancestral Health Symposium in 2012 and 2018 on topics related to this theme.In this discussion, we dive into what some of the recent clinical studies are telling us about the connection between food and mood disorders conditions such as depression. In particular, she reviews studies showing anti-depressive effects of a Meditarrean diet with meat, and also omega-3 supplementation.  Dr. Deans emphasizes the importance of considering individual dietary needs and preferences when implementing diet interventions in psychiatric practice. She shares success stories of patients who have experienced improvements in mood through dietary changes, including ketogenic and low-carb diets. She also highlights the connection between glucose tolerance and violent behavior, and the importance of smoothing out blood sugar response by incorporating whole foods into the diet. Dr. Deans discusses the emerging recognition within the medical profession of food's impact on mental health. She shares her approach to helping patients reduce or come off psychiatric medications, emphasizing the importance of a multifactorial approach that includes diet, exercise, and psychotherapy. Dr. Deans also discusses the potential risks and benefits of dietary changes for individuals with eating disorders. Resources:* Blog:  Evolutionary Psychology, at Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry* Studies:* Smiles Trial (Felice Jacka et al):  https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/smiles-trial/* ISNPR position statement on nutrition and psychiatry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592666/* ISNPR guidelines on the use of omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of major depressive disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31480057/* Mediterranean diet and older adults and depression over time: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4454450/* Ketogenic diet and mood and anxiety disorders:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10134254/* Microbiome and depression in mice (and cannabinoids!): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19931-2Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic01:30      Introduction to Evolutionary Psychiatry and Nutritional Psychology04:32      Dr. Deans' interest in the connection between diet and mental health08:00      The evidence from observational and randomized controlled studies12:00      Felice Jacka's Smiles trial:  Adding meat to diet reduced depression19:03      Effects of single nutrients on mental health20:10      Anti-depressive benefits of omega-3 fatty acids22:22      Mental health in pre-modern populations26:43      Impact of sugar and processed carbohydrates on mood28:22      Physiological mechanisms: inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction34:37      Using diet as a tool in clinical psychiatric practice43:20      Success stories: dietary reversal of psychosis and bipolar disorder49:12      Ketogenic and "Slow-Carb" diets for control of anxiety and panic attacks51:05      Violent behavior and poor glucose tolerance53:00      The bidirectional relationship between physical and mental health53:33      Medical profession's belated acceptance of the food-mood connection55:58      Helping patients reduce or come off of psychiatric medications58:07      Successes in reducing or stopping medications58:28      Dietary changes and eating disorders1:01:10   Current work and future plans Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of Ancestral Health Today, we have a candid conversation with Pilar Eguez, PhD. We discussed the role of food and community and the ancestral ways of experiencing them. Pilar Egüez Guevara, PhD is an Ecuadorian award-winning filmmaker, cultural anthropologist, speaker and writer. She obtained her PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, two MA degrees in Anthropology (University of Illinois) and Social Sciences (FLACSO-Ecuador) and a BA in Economics from Wellesley College. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Community Health, in 2012 she co-founded and directed Comidas que Curan, an independent food education and media company dedicated to research and promote traditional foods and knowledge through ethnographic research and film.In 2021 the US Library of Congress selected Comidas que Curan’s website for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the Food and Foodways Web Archive.  Her films have won awards and have been screened in three different languages across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.Her film Raspando Coco (2019), a documentary advocating for the preservation of the culinary traditions of Afro-Ecuadorians, is now part of the library collections of 20 colleges and universities across the United States. Raspando Coco was nominated for best documentary short by the Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles (2019) and best foreign documentary by the Firenze Film Festival in Florence (2019). She also received honorable mention for best female director by the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles in 2019.More recently she worked as Producer and Distribution Executive for the documentary series Tarpuna of the Seed Savers of Ecuador. She produced the documentary series episode Tarpuna: Guardians of the Coconut and the Mangrove directed by Gustavo Chiriboga, awarded for Best Sound Design (Gold Award by Independent Shorts Awards 2023), Best Documentary Short (Platinum Award by Independent Shorts Awards 2023), Best Cinematography and Best Documentary in Sustainability (Nominations by WIFI Film Festival 2023). She was the Producer for the recently released documentary film Salango: A Living Ancestral Legacy (2023) directed by Esteban Cedeño. She also directed the documentary series Jóvenes Guardianes de Saberes (Youth Heritage Guardians) which is made of three short films produced and shot collaboratively with youth and women in rural coastal towns of Ecuador (2021).Through her research, public speaking and films, she amplifies the voices of older men and women who are the bearers of traditional knowledge about food and medicine in Ecuador. She has brought this work to communities in Ecuador through filmmaking and research education projects, as well as to US college students in the United States through film screenings and Q&A sessions. She has worked directly with communities for 20 years on participatory-research and community-based projects in Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, and the United States.She is a published author and speaks internationally on topics ranging from cultural history, food heritage, nutrition, health and conflict transformation. She is currently lecturer at the Anthropology Department of University of Massachusetts Amherst. Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of the podcast kicks off a new feature called "Second Look", where we replay selected talks from past Ancestral Health Symposium conferences, that we think will interest you.This talk was presented by Todd Becker at the 2014 Ancestral Health Symposium meeting in Berkeley, California.  The title is:  "Myopia: A Modern Yet Reversible Disease" Myopia is also called near-sightedness. It's a refractive defect of the eye, where close up objects are in focus, but more distant objects appear blurred.  Glasses or contacts  are typically prescribed to correct this condition -- although in reality they don't actually correct the underlying problem. They are just a crutch that aids you in seeing more clearly.  And often they just make the underlying problem worse, so stronger lenses are needed.Todd wore glasses for my his myopia, starting in high school, and over time the eye doctor kept increasing strength of the prescription... until he discovered how to get rid of them in his forties.    The first part of talk is about about the increasing incidence and causes of myopia, including the underlying biology of how the eye becomes myopic by increasing in axial length, due to environmental factors such as poor vision hygiene -- spending too much time reading and looking at screens up close.The second half of the talk builds on this biological understanding to reverse the process, describing in detail how to use an active focusing technique to reverse myopia and restore normal vision.  The method was adapted from research and practices used by others. Todd first wrote about his success and the active focusing approach in 2010, on the blog, GettingStronger.org   It's one of many applications of a general biological principle known as hormesis - the judicious application of controlled low-dose stress to make the body and metabolism more resilient in different ways.The talk also indicates how the same principles can be used to reverse hyperopia, or far-sightedness, where one has trouble focusing on fine print or objects up close.  Something that many people encounter as they get older.This talk on Myopia Reversal remains the single most popular recorded talk on our Ancestral Health Society YouTube channel, with well over a million views and 4000 comments.  The comments fall into three main categories:* A small number are from skeptics who don't believe it is biologically possible to reverse myopia.* A larger number are from viewers who applied the technique with success, and either reduced their glasses prescription or got rid of their glasses or contact lenses for good.* And there is another group with questions from those interested in trying the technique but are unsure about certain details.  For thesse people, there is an FAQ post on my blog that answers many of those commonly asked questions.  Resources:* Blog posts connected with the talk:* An annotated summary of the videohttps://gettingstronger.org/2014/08/myopia-a-modern-yet-reversible-disease/* easier to read copy of slides* references and links to related blog posts* Frequently asked questions and a very detailed guide to the active focusing techniques* https://gettingstronger.org/2016/03/faq-for-vision-improvement-by-hormetism/* Scientific articles on the biology of myopia:* Birnbaum, M.H. (1988). Myopia and near-point stress model. In Myopia & Nearwork. Butterworth Heinemann.* Drexler, W. et al. (1998). Eye elongation during accommodation in humans. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science. 39 (11) 2140-2147* Hung, L.F., et al. (1995) Spectacle lenses alter eye growth and the refractive status of young monkeys. Nature Medicine, (1) 761-765* Hung, G.K., Ciuffreda, K.J. (2003). An incremental retinal-defocus theory of the development of myopia. Comm. Theor. Biol. 8: 511-513 * Irving, E.L., et al. (1991). Inducing myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in chicks. Opt. Vis. Sci., (68): 364- 368.* Read, Scott A. et al. (2010) Human optical axial length and defocus. IOVS, 51 (12) 6262-6269.* Schaeffel, Frank et al. (1988). Accommodation, refractive error and eye growth in chickens. Vision Research. 28 (5) 639-657.* Books on myopia reversal* Brown, Otis S. How to Avoid Nearsightedness--A Scientific Study of the Eye's Behavior. C&O Research, 1999* DeAngelis, David, The Secret of Perfect Vision: How You Can Prevent or Reverse Nearsighedness. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2008.* Orfield, Antonia. Seeing space: undergoing brain re-programming to reduce myopia. Journal of Behavioral Ophthalmology 5 (5) , 123-131.* Severson, Brian. Vision Freedom, 1998.* Websites with related (but not identical) methods:* gettingstronger.orgfrauenfeldclinic.com* myopiafree.com* powervisionsystem.com* myopiacure.blogspot.caHere is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic0;07       Intro to this "Second Look" at this AHS 2014 talk4:46       Todd's story of wearing glasses until his 40s.9:41       To reverse myopia, we need to understand the causes6:23        Definition of myopia & possible complications 7:26        Is myopia caused by genetics or environment?9:27        The incidence of myopia has doubled since 19709:58        Influences of education and diet12:17      Interaction of genetics and environmental causes13:15      The biological mechanism causing myopia16:25      The Incremental Retinal Defocus Theory of myopia 18:22       How can myopia be reversed?18:37       Applying the hormesis principle21:06       Active focusing - what it is and how to use it21:29       Quantify your myopia with a Snellen chart22:33       Technique #1: Print pushing25:36       Technique #2:  Progressively weaker lenses26:35        Technique #3:  Fusing ghosted images28:21        Frequently asked questions33:07        Rediscover your natural vision!35:08        Q&A and references Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

Elle Russ is a writer, podcaster, speaker, health & life coach, and a leading advocate for thyroid health.  She has. been a prominent voice within the Ancestral Health movement for many years, including a long partnership with Mark Sisson and his popular Primal Blueprint blog and Primal Kitchen podcast. Her 2016 book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution reach #1 in Amazon' thyroid health category.   She wrote the book, starting with her own experience consulting with over 2 dozen specialists who failed to uncover or address her underlying thyroid disease, and her success in researching and finding answers that restored her health, through hormone replacement and diet.  The book has inspired thousands to better understand and address a number of misdiagnosed health issues.  In this episode, Elle Russ discusses the role of the thyroid in our health and the under-diagnosis of thyroid disease. She explains the surprising range of conditions that can be connected to thyroid dysfunction and the importance of proper testing and assessment.  Thyroid disease is often underdiagnosed and can manifest in a wide range of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, depression, and cognitive issues.  Proper testing and assessment of thyroid function are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Elle reviews the importance of testing not just TSH and T4, but also  T3,  reverse T3  and key antibodies. Finding a knowledgeable doctor who understands thyroid health can be challenging, but individuals can empower themselves by learning about thyroid health and advocating for their own care.Finally, Elle discusses how a Paleo diet can be instrumental in normalizing thyroid health, and how  the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol can assist for those with autoimmune conditions..Resources:* Website:  http://freethyroidmasterclass.com/* Book: https://www.amazon.com/Paleo-Thyroid-Solution-Fatigued-Uninformed/dp/1939563240Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time        Topic00:00        Introduction to Elle Russ and the role of the thyroid01:25        The thyroid's role in health and surprising conditions05:53        Lack of awareness about thyroid disease09:26        Underdiagnosed thyroid conditions and symptoms10:37        Six key tests: TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, TPO, TG12:33        Interpreting the thyroid tests18:25        Why testing TSH and free T4 is Insufficient19:04        The importance of testing free T321:35        The importance of testing reverse T322:38        Reasons for Inadequate conversion of T4 to T323:54        Elle Russ's personal health journey28:44        How hypothyrodism can block the effectiveness of paleo diets29:26        Misdiagnosis by treating symptoms but not the root cause34:00        How Elle uncovered and solved her thyroid issue37:53        Finding a doctor and getting tested 44:22        Thyroid hormone replacement options48:30        Working with a doctor to get a prescription48:55        The benefits and varieties of paleo diets51:06        Why a Paleo diet helps with hypothyroidism52:45        Lifestyle factors for thyroid health53:10        Avoiding hard workouts, fasting and stress when hypothyroid55:15        Hyperthyroidism and Grave's Disease57:00        Resources for thyroid information:  freethyroidmasterclass.com Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

Jake Marquez and Maren Morgan are the creators of Death in The Garden, a multimedia project that explores the complexity of the converging crises facing humanity, from the chronic health epidemic to ecosystem collapse, as well as our current crisis of meaning. In addition to field exploration, the project analyzes civilizational epistemologies, history, human psychology, ecology, and philosophy. Jake and Maren are passionate about trying to make sense of how the human species has reached a point in history where we are sicker than ever and rapidly destroying the ecosystems that sustain us. Their project aims to ask: what is the human animal? Where do we come from? Why have we dug ourselves into such a deep hole? And where, after everything, are we going? Through film, podcasts, and writing, Death in The Garden is ultimately a journey of two young people trying to make sense of the age we live in. To learn more about it: deathinthegarden.substack.comdeathinthegarden.orginstagram.com/deathinthegarden arqetypemedia.comhttps://twitter.com/death_thegarden Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, we are talking with Dr. Deborah Gordon about bringing ancestral health principles into the doctor's office, She did her medical training at the University of California in San Francisco, and practices family medicine in Ashland, Oregon. She goes by "Dr. Deborah", runs the health website, DrDeborahMD.com, and is a member of Physicians for Ancestral Health. Dr. Deborah integrates conventional and functional medicine, diet, sleep, exercise, sunshine, stress reduction and other lifestyle enhancements into her medical practice.In recent years she has expanded the same health principles into her work with aging patients, particularly with the issues of dementia and osteoporosis. She was an author on the published study: Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer's Disease, with highly successful results. Her website provides a wealth of information and resources on topics such as autoimmune disease, cancer, women's health, and brain health. Her current practice is at Northwest Wellness Center in Ashland.Many of us who are inspired to eat and live by ancestral principles find it challenging to talk to family physicians or specialists about using dietary approaches or natural alternatives to conventional medications to control cholesterol, hypertension, osteoporosis, or even mood-related conditions. In our conversation with Dr. Deborah today, we'll get some insights into how she combines the best of conventional medicine with the power of evolutionary health principles grounded in peer-reviewed science and practical experience. She explains how her career as a doctor has evolved and how she combines conventional medicine with lifestyle enhancements. She also talks about her website, DrDebraMD, and the resources it provides on various health topics, and the "Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer's Disease: Successful Pilot Project" journal article which demonstrated the efficacy of individualized treatment plans used. Of particular interest, Dr. Deborah describes her use of hormone replacement therapy and vitamin supplementation to improve cognitive outcomes. Finally, she'll give us some tips on how we might better communicate and work with our own personal physicians to achieve health goals.Resources:* Website: DrDeborahMD.com* Podcast: "Docs Talk Shop"  https://www.docstalkshop.com/* Study: "Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer's Disease: Successful Pilot Project" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9484109/* Functional Medicine.   https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/* Cognitive support, even without a physician: Apollo Health at apollohealthco.com* Cranial osteopaths, hands-on approach:  https://cranialacademy.org/find-a-physician/Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time   Topic00:07     Introduction02:04     Ancestral health influences on Dr. Deborah04:46     Dr. Deborah's medical practice10:38     The DrDeborahMD website and resources14:52     Applying ancestral health principles to help real patients with anemia and cognitive issues22:22     Pilot study: "Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer's Disease"29:04     Designing individualized treatment protocols to improve cognitive outcomes34:38     Expanding primary care testing to pinpoint cognitive decline risks37:15     Surprising result from the study #1: mold toxicity40:22     Surprising results from the study #2: Hormone replacement therapy42:03     Evolutionary perspective on hormone replacement therapy44:40     Addressing concerns about cancer risk from hormone supplementation 48:11    Vitamin supplementation49:55     Other areas of Supplementation: Oils, glutathione, and ayurvedic herbs51:38     Testing to identify deficiencies and supplementation needs53:05     Cost and affordability of testing and supplementation55:21     Combining conventional and ancestral medicine56:20     The mission of Physicians for Ancestral Health1:01:30  Working with your conventional family doctor1:03:53  Working with doctors remotely as consultants1:05:34  How to talk to your doctor (edited) BuzzsproutDOCS TALK SHOPEavesdrop as Dawn Lemanne, MD, and Deborah Gordon, MD discuss their difficult cases and the hard decisions they make behind the closed door of the exam room, when the textbooks and research protocols fall short.  They also share with each oth...PubMed Central (PMC)Precision Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease: Successful Pilot ProjectEffective therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease are needed. However, previous clinical trials have pre-determined a single treatment modality, such as a drug candidate or therapeutic procedure, which may be unrelated to the primary drivers of the ... (174 kB)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9484109/The Institute for Functional MedicineFind A PractitionerLooking for a functional medicine doctor or clinician? IFM has the largest referral network in functional medicine. Find a practitioner today!  Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Ancestral Health Today, we hear from Miki Ben-Dor about how our Paleolithic ancestors ate and lived, and what it means for the optimal diet and social structure of modern humans .Miki received his PhD in paleoanthropology when he was 67 years old, and since has made a name for himself publishing and speaking for both academic and popular audiences. His paper, "The evolution of the human trophic level during the Pleistocene", became the most-cited paper in 2021 in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He has presented his work at numerous conferences, including several times at the Ancestral Health Symposium. And his recent book, "Live Paleo Style" takes a fresh look at how the mismatch between our evolutionary origins and the circumstances of modern society manifests itself not just in diet and health, but more broadly in social and emotional life.In this discussion. we will dive in to the paleoanthropological evidence that humans evolved as hunters and meat eaters and that meat remains the food we are best adapted to eat for health. As you'll hear, the evidence takes many different forms -- including archeological, anatomical, physiological, and ecological findings. We'll go beyond diet, to consider the cultural and behavioral implications of our background as hunter-gatherers, and what that suggests for increasing human happiness and flourishing.Takeaways* Humans evolved as hunters and meat eaters, supported by various forms of evidence.* The transition from plant eaters to meat eaters was driven by environmental changes and the availability of large animals.* Physiological evidence, such as stomach acidity and fat cell structure, supports our adaptation to a meat-based diet.* The decline of megafauna due to human hunting led to the need to hunt smaller animals.* Hunter-gatherer societies exhibit principles of equality and autonomy. Hunter-gatherer societies had a sense of autonomy and decision-making that allowed individuals to choose their actions without external influence.* Hunter-gatherers had a relatively small amount of work time and more leisure time compared to modern societies.* Modern work structures with hierarchy and lack of autonomy can lead to stress and dissatisfaction.* Finding a balance between material abundance and autonomy is a challenge in modern society.* Building and maintaining a sense of community is important for well-being and longevity.* Spontaneity and autonomy go hand in hand, allowing individuals to make choices freely.* Resolving disagreements and conflicts can involve mobility and forming new groups.* Ongoing research projects focus on understanding prey decline and the impact of human activities on the environment.References and links:* Blog and research links:  https://www.paleostyle.com/?p=2212* Book: "Live Paleo Style: Overcome the Modern Mismatch to Regain Your Natural Wellbeing".  https://www.amazon.com/Living-Paleo-Style-Ancestral-Modern-Wellbeing-ebook/dp/B0BTDKVX1V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BCVYOPG9HKUK&keywords=miki+ben-dor&qid=1702834665&sprefix=miki+ben-dor%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-1Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time      Topic00:07     Introduction06:35     Transition from plant eating to meat eating12:08     Physiological evidence21:50     Role of fire and cooking28:15     Variability in human diets35:10     Causes and effects of the megafauna extinction48:48     Human adaptation to agriculture51:12     Social structure of hunter-gatherers58:05     Sharing, Autonomy and Decision-Making in Hunter-Gatherer Societies1:01:20  Work and Leisure in Hunter-Gatherer Societies1:03:21  Mismatch and stress in modern work life1:05:21  Balancing material abundance and autonomy in modern life1:09:00  Building community and maintaining relationships1:14:00  Resolving disagreements and the role of mobility1:15:35  Miki's current research (edited)  Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode with Dr. Red we discuss her experience as a doctor experiencing illness and trauma. The illness came as a surprise given her previous level of health and commitment to health practices. Dr. Red walks us through how she has navigated this new landscape with compassion, and how it has increased her understanding of what her patients go through. Dr. Red Hoffman started her professional career as a naturopathic doctor and a yoga teacher and now practices as a trauma surgeon and an associate medical director of both hospice and palliative medicine in Asheville, North Carolina.  She is one of approximately 90 US surgeons currently board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at University of North Carolina School of Medicine.  She speaks and writes nationally and internationally about the intersection of surgery and palliative medicine and her work has been featured in JAMA, Doximity, KevinMD and General Surgery News.  Red is the founder and host of the Surgical Palliative Care Podcast and is the co-founder of the Surgical Palliative Care Society (www.spcsociety.org).  She is currently launching a new podcast called The Surgical Soul and is writing a memoir. Redhoffmanmd.comMelissa Red Hoffman TwitterMelissa Red Hoffman InstagramMelissa Red Hoffman LinkedinThis podcast is sponsored by The Beekeeper’s Granddaughter Handcrafted Tallow Balms. Made with grass-finished, pasture-raised beef tallow and organic essential oils, this all-natural skincare is the perfect gift for loved ones and an incredible addition to your skincare routine. For 15% off of your first order, use code AHT15 at checkout. Go to thebeekeepersgranddaughter.com to buy your tallow balms today! Get full access to Ancestral Health Today Substack at ancestralhealth.substack.com/subscribe