Ep. 162 Learn More About Blood Sugar And Intermittent Fasting: A Look at the Science of Dieting With Melanie Avalon

I am delighted to have Sam Apple joining me today! Sam is on the faculty at Johns Hopkins. Before he arrived at Johns Hopkins, he taught creative writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Non-fiction from Columbia University.  Sam has written many books. His most recent is called Ravenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection. It is about the German biochemist Otto Warburg and his new developments in cancer science. Warburg was a unique individual. He was a Jewish man who managed to keep doing his biochemical research despite living in the extremely challenging time of Nazi Germany. In this episode, Sam talks about Otto Warburg’s incredible discovery regarding cancer cells and the research done by Nazi scientists. He also discusses the shift in the focus on cancer research in the post-war period, how insulin drives cancer and metabolic diseases, and how to make better dietary choices. Stay tuned to hear what Sam has to share about his book, Ravenous, and the connections between diet and cancer.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What motivated Sam to write about Otto Warburg? Otto Warburg’s fascinating discovery about what makes cancer cells unique. Nazi researchers were way ahead of their time in discovering the link between environmental toxins and people developing metabolic diseases and cancer. What happened to much of the advanced research done by German scientists during the war years? What happened in the 1950s that entirely changed the direction of medical research on cancer? The accidental and surprising discovery that was made about the benefits of mustard gas. Insulin drives metabolic disease and causes cancer cells to grow. Why most Americans could develop cancer. Why do you need to get your fasting insulin checked? What does fructose do in the body that differs from what is done by other sugars? Some of the changes that Sam made in his life after researching his book, Ravenous. The cancers that you will be more likely to develop if you eat too often. Bio: Sam Apple is on the faculty of the MA in Science Writing and MA in Writing programs at Johns Hopkins. Before he arrived at Johns Hopkins, Apple taught creative writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania for ten years. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. Apple is the author of Schlepping Through the Alps and American Parent. His most recent book, Ravenous (Norton/Liveright, 2021), is about the German biochemist Otto Warburg and new developments in cancer science. Apple has published short stories, personal essays, satires, and journalistic features on a wide range of topics. In recent years, he has primarily written about science and health. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, The MIT Technology Review, and McSweeney’s, among many other publications. Schlepping Through the Alps was a finalist for the PEN America Award for a first work of non-fiction. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Connect with Sam Apple On his website Follow on Twitter and Instagram Books mentioned: The Nazi War on Cancer by Robert Proctor

24 Nov 202146min

Today, I am delighted and honored to be talking to Dr. Philip Ovadia. He is a board-certified Cardiac Thoracic Surgeon and Founder of Ovadia Heart Health. His mission is to help people stay off his operating table by optimizing their metabolic health to lower the risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.   In this episode, we take a deep dive into clinical medicine. We explain how it is possible to reverse conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes and become healthy without taking any medications. Dr. Ovadia defines metabolic health, talks about his journey from being morbidly obese to losing more than 100 pounds, discusses Gary Taubes’s influence on his health journey, and his seven principles for health and wellness. We also get into metabolic health markers, the hyper-palatability of processed food, metabolic syndrome, and the metabolic inflexibility of most Americans.  Dr. Ovadia’s approach to nutrition is all about bio-individuality and having enough protein in your diet to ensure satiety. I really enjoy connecting with other western medicine-trained health care professionals who have pivoted towards optimizing metabolic health and flexibility! Stay tuned for more!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Problems that exist within the medical system. Dr. Ovadia shares his health journey and talks about his mission. Why much of Dr. Ovadia’s current education is coming from non-physicians. Dr. Ovadia talks about metabolic health. The physical effects of eating hyper-palatable processed foods versus eating nutrient-dense whole foods. Take control of what you eat rather than letting food control you. What metabolic syndrome is all about. The benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor. Why no one diet will serve everyone. Using metabolic health as a system to guide you to good health. The benefits of pushing for nutrient density to feel satiated. Bio: Dr. Philip Ovadia is a board-certified Cardiac Surgeon and founder of Ovadia Heart Health. His mission is to optimize the public’s metabolic health and help people stay off his operating table. As a heart surgeon who used to be morbidly obese, Dr. Ovadia has seen firsthand the failures of mainstream diets and medicine. He realized that what helped him lose over 100 pounds was the same solution that could have prevented most of the thousands of open-heart surgeries he has performed—metabolic health. In Stay off My Operating Table: A Heart Surgeon’s Metabolic Health Guide to Lose Weight, Prevent Disease, and Feel Your Best Every Day, Dr. Ovadia shares the complete metabolic health system to prevent disease. Dr. Ovadia grew up in New York and graduated from the accelerated Pre-Med/Med program at the Pennsylvania State University and Jefferson Medical College. This was followed by a residency in General Surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and a Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Tufts-New England Medical School. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Philip Ovadia On his website  At The Stronger Heart Society  On Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,   and Twitter A simple calculator for metabolic syndrome  Dr. Ovadio’s book, Stay Off My Operating Table Books mentioned: The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’Brien     The Case for Keto by Gary Taubes Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss

20 Nov 20211h 2min

Links and Resources: Hex Ferments Gut Health podcast with Dr. Uma Naidoo The Drive Podcast with Paul Offit Book Preorder Link

19 Nov 20215min

I am delighted to have Dr. Tracy Gapin joining me today! Dr. Gapin is a board-certified urologist, world-renowned men’s health expert, best-selling author, and professional speaker.  Almost every day during his twenty years as a urologist, Dr. Gapin saw men grappling with issues of brain fog, difficulty in focusing, problems with physical performance, and remaining engaged and present as fathers. That inspired him to help men become the best husbands, fathers, and leaders they can be. Now, Dr. Gapin considers himself a recovering urologist because earlier this year, he formally exited traditional Western medicine to focus on men’s health.   In this episode, Dr. Gapin discusses his background and talks about what sparked his interest in integrative approaches to urologic problems and men’s health issues, the contributing factors to low testosterone, and why there is a growing low testosterone pandemic with men. We also discuss hormone replacement therapy that goes beyond just testosterone, the role of peptides, SARMs (Selected Androgen Receptor Modulators), biohacking, libido, erectile dysfunction, and more. You won’t want to miss this conversation, so be sure to tune in!   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How Dr. Gapin developed a passionate interest in male hormones. The story of Dr. Gapin's vasectomy. Contributing factors to the escalating issues with low levels of testosterone. The factors that could hamper a detoxification process. How insulin resistance can drive testosterone levels down. Why it is vital to approach your health systematically. The optimal range for testosterone. Non-prescription treatments to improve testosterone levels versus prescription treatments. Lifestyle and nutritional factors that could negatively impact testosterone levels. Optimizing growth hormone levels. Some possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Are there benefits to using red light therapy for low testosterone? Common reasons for using peptide therapy. Dr. Gapin shares his thoughts about SARMs. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Dr. Tracy Gapin On his website Get your free copy of Dr. Gapin’s book, Male 2.0, here

13 Nov 202159min

Links and Resources: Solidcore Study Current supplements Everyday Wellness podcast downloads are nearing 1 million!!

12 Nov 20215min

I am thrilled to have Trina Felber back on the show today! Trina was with me in episode 153, where she spoke about the mouth microbiome and reversing tooth decay naturally. She is joining me today to tell us the truth about skincare.  Trina is the Founder and Creator of Primal Life Organics. She is a wife, mother of three, dental health and natural skincare expert, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Yogi, Paleo advocate, and educator. Trina loves creating products that heal, soothe, mend and repair the body and soul. The personal care product industry is worth seventy-one billion dollars, and it is severely under-regulated. The media has been telling us so many things about skincare for so long that most of us don’t know who and what to believe anymore. There are also many aspects of skincare that many women tend to take for granted. The first episode with Trina was extremely popular, and this one is just as illuminating, helpful, and mindblowing! You will learn about the physiology of the skin, how the unhealthy ingredients in skincare products affect your body, and what you can do to protect your skin. Stay tuned for more! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How under-regulated the personal care industry is. The hidden toxins and synthetic hormones in tap water. The negative ways in which unhealthy chemicals and other ingredients in skin care products can affect women. Why the skin is such a vital organ, and how our skin speaks to us. The permanent imprint that some chemicals in skincare products and Botox injections leave in your body. How to protect your skin. How the skin changes when women go through the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause. Trina discusses the plant-based ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin production to keep your skin firm. How to put together a routine to keep your skin healthy and looking great. How to avoid getting skin problems from wearing a mask. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Trina Felber On her website On Instagram and Facebook

6 Nov 20211h 10min

Links/Resources: Study Wildlytes (Use code Cynthia10 for 10% off!)

5 Nov 20217min

I am happy to have Dr. Kyrin Dunston back on the show today! Dr. Kyrin was with me before in Episode 119: Master Midlife and Stop the Menopause Madness. I invited her to join me once again today to take a deeper dive into the topic of testosterone in women. Dr. Kyrin Dunston is a leading OBGYN & Functional Medicine Expert. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and summits on NBC, Fox, Great Day Washington, Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, Best Self, and more. She is the host of Her Brilliant Health Revolution Podcast and Her Brilliant Health Secrets YouTube channel, which gives women the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take control of their health and not only heal but to thrive in life. In this episode, we discuss the role of testosterone in women. Dr. Kyrin explains why there is so much ambiguity around testosterone and why it is a controlled substance. She talks about where testosterone is produced in the body, how we test for it, the signs of low testosterone, and how to treat it. She also talks about hormonal illiteracy in traditional allopathically-trained providers, explains how to advocate for your hormonal health, and shares some information about women who have had their ovaries removed in conjunction with a hysterectomy.  Testosterone is a misunderstood sex hormone that is intricately related to almost every system in the body. Tune in today to learn all you need to know about testosterone in women and find out why it is vital for you to advocate for your health when navigating midlife.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: What does testosterone do in the body? How medical gaslighting happens with women. Why you can no longer allow your health care provider to have all the control of your hormonal health. Why is there so much ambiguity and misinformation around testosterone for women? Some of the more common signs of low testosterone levels. Why a good sex life is vital for a woman’s health. The function of the ovaries. What happens to women who have had their ovaries removed in conjunction with their uterus? Why there is no shame in women taking hormone replacement therapy. Is there any benefit to women ten years into menopause taking hormone replacement therapy? The pros and cons of various forms of testosterone supplement administration. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kyrin Dunston On her website On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Book mentioned: The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi

30 Okt 20211h 2min