Optimize Paleo By Paleovalley

INSIDE THE EPISODE You’ve likely heard that polyunsaturated fats (omega-3’s and omega-6’s) are essential for health, but what you might now know is that the balance between them is equally as important.  In fact, over the last few decades our intake of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid (yes, the one found in seed oils) has increased dramatically while our intake of omega-3’s has dwindled.  Which means most Americans today - have a very imbalanced omega ratio. According to this week’s podcast expert, author and zoologist, Dr. Anthony Hulbert, who has been studying the omega balance for decades, this is likely one reason rates of inflammation, heart disease, obesity and mental health issues are on the rise.  His book was one of my all-time favorites and I highly, highly recommend you tune in now to learn more about the surprising and well-documented effects of this widespread imbalance and what you can do to improve yours! Here are some of my favorite takeaways: One major oversight in America’s dietary guid

IN THIS EPISODE Once I turned 40, it seemed like my skin started to tell the story of time.  And while I've always been a champion of clean eating and staying active, I've discovered that the journey to radiant skin doesn't stop there. It's an adventure, filled with simple strategies and daily rituals that can elevate our skin to new heights of radiance. That's why I'm beyond thrilled to share this week's podcast episode with the phenomenal Rachel Varga.  Imagine having a treasure map to the fountain of youthful skin - well, Rachel is here to draw that map for us.  As a Double Board Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist and the go-to skin guru for celebrities (even Dave Asprey sings her praises!) Rachel unlocks the secrets to glowing skin in this week’s episode. Here’s what you’ll learn… The five archenemies of youthful skin  The magical benefits of light therapy, including the colors that with the most benefits How to protect your kingdom (aka your skin) from blue light  Her arsenal of favorite skin l

IN THIS EPISODE In a world where nutrient deficiencies are rampant and elimination diets can increase your risk, a focus on nutrient-dense foods is critically important.  Unfortunately, there are MAJOR problems with many of the nutrient ratings systems used today.  Case in point: The Food Compass which gave Lucky Charms a higher score than ground beef and eggs fried in butter.  Which is why in today’s podcast with best-selling author Dr. Sarah Ballantyne we break down the myths around most nutrient rating systems, the truth about the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, and most importantly, how to add them to your diet so you can feel your best. Here are some of the fascinating facts you’ll learn… Why restrictive diets can be problematic The rates and causes of nutrient deficiency The most dangerous type of nutrient deficiency How to measure the nutrient density of your diet at home Can supplements replace food? The most surprising, yet nutrient-dense, foods The most nutrient-dense vegetables The nutrien

In This Episode Unlock the secrets to a healthy heart and microbiome with Dr. William Davis, renowned cardiologist, and bestselling author in this week’s podcast!  We delve into cutting-edge insights and simple at-home strategies from his latest book, Super Gut, that will help you feel inspired and empowered around gut health.  Here are some of my favorite takeaways… The best test to assess heart disease risk 2 foods that cause small (dangerous) LDL particles 3 often-missed markers of cardiovascular risk A missing microbe and the food to eat to get it An at-home measure for tracking heart health The microbes we need to feel happier, lose weight and reduce pain (and what to eat!) The microbe for better infant sleep and a higher IQ A natural remedy for SIBO The probiotic that reduces blood sugar What you need to know about postbiotics Why fermented meat is good for your microbiome 3 simple ways to improve your microbiome today Gut health = overall health so listen in, share this podcast and let me know your

IN THIS EPISODE Hopefully, by now you’ve heard the news that muscle is the organ of longevity.  In other words, if you want to age gracefully, building muscle must be a priority.   Fortunately, there are many simple ways to increase your muscle mass which is what we talk all about in this week’s podcast episode with the brilliant founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon.  So if you’ve ever wondered… Which exercise provides the most benefits... How much protein you need per day (and per meal)… The difference between plant and animal protein… Whether bone broth helps you age more gracefully… Then this is the show for you! Tune in today and don’t forget to share this important information with those who may benefit. Here are some other juicy tidbits we cover in our conversation… The link between excess weight and memory How to exercise to increase muscle mass and mitochondrial health The major misconceptions about protein Are we eating too much protein? The differences between

Today almost 60% of American adult calories and 67% of our children’s calories come from ultra-processed foods.  Let that sink in.  MOST of the foods we eat today hijack our taste buds, increase our risk of obesity and disease and were not in our diet even 100 years ago.  Which is why this week’s podcast with bestselling author and Host of America’s #1 Health Podcast, Shawn Stevenson, provides the education and inspiration we need to bring us back in touch with the healing power of whole foods.  And most importantly, how to make it simple and delicious. Here are some of the fascinating tidbits you’ll learn… The origins (and shortcomings) of the calorie dogma Epicaloric controllers and why you need to know about them Your brain’s role in weight gain Foods that heal brain inflammation and improve memory and sleep Shawn’s top three health habits How he healed a degenerative bone disease naturally His surprising first step toward weight loss (food and supplements) Why and how our thoughts influence digestion How

Did you know that the widespread use of certain cooking oils in our modern diets may be a silent contributor to the epidemic of chronic diseases?  Dr. Cate Shanahan, a renowned board-certified Family Physician and seed oil expert, has uncovered startling connections between seed oils (think corn, cottonseed, canola, soy, safflower and sunflower) and the rising rates of obesity, heart disease, and other modern health woes.  Which is why in this week’s podcast you’re in for a deep dive into her groundbreaking research that challenges everything you thought you knew about the oils in your kitchen. Here are some of the fascinating facts you’ll learn…. What seeds oils are and how they’re made A simple shopping strategy that can save your life How seeds oils can damage your health Signs you may be overconsuming seeds oils Why epidemiological research suggests seeds oils are healthy The type of food Dr. Shahanan sees her patients consume before heart attacks The fascinating historical origins of seed oils What perc

In the ever-evolving world of nutrition and food transparency, few have been more successful at peeling back the curtain on the food industry as Vani Hari, aka the "Food Babe." Vani believes we deserve the right to know what’s in our food and she’s taken steps to convince food companies to make major, important changes to their products.  For example, she convinced Kraft to remove artificial food dyes from Mac & Cheese, Subway to remove all artificial flavors in their bread, and Starbucks to remove caramel color #4 from pumpkin spice lattes.  So if you want to learn about other insidious ingredients in our food supply and how to get kids to embrace healthy eating, tune into this week’s podcast. Here’s what you’ll learn… The most evil processed food company according to Vani The problem with BHT (and why it’s use) The issues with titanium dioxide The company that refuses to remove a carcinogen from their cereal The top 10 ingredients to look out for our kids The carcinogenic ingredient banned in Europe th

Did you know inadequate sleep can cause you to consume over 350 extra calories the next day, insulin resistance in healthy individuals, and a 55% increased risk of obesity?  We talk a lot about the healing power of food, but not nearly enough about the fact that the quality of your sleep can make or break your health.  So if you’re someone who struggles to get enough sleep or wants to improve your sleep skills, check out this week’s podcast with sleep expert and host of The Sleep Is A Skill Podcast, Mollie Eastman. Here are some of my favorite takeaways…. When to eat for better sleep A great sleep breakfast Her favorite travel sleep biohack How food affects your appetite How changes sleep during menstrual cycle How much sleep is enough? Her favorite way to track sleep 3 food tips for better sleep The common dietary mistake that wrecks sleep Lifestyle tips for better sleep Supplements for better sleep Her daily sleep routine The 3 best supplements for sleep My favorite sleep-friendly night time beverage I si

It’s been estimated that 80% of women experience period pain at some point in their life and for 5-10% of women, the pain is debilitating. I know because I used to be one of them. I used ibuprofen heavily in my teens but now that I understand the risks of overuse, I’m thrilled to share an effective all-natural pain remedy created by a good friend of mine, Ashley Greene Khoury. (You might know her as the beautiful and talented Alice from Twilight!)  Ashley and I met while I was a trainer at the Tracy Anderson Method and became fast friends.  Today, she’s not only an actress and new mom, but also an entrepreneur and creator of a transdermal period patch, The Cycle Soother. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn all about her journey into holistic health and her approach to exercise, food, skin and reproductive health.  This is one of my favorite episodes yet! Here is what you’ll learn… The foods she eliminated to stop breakouts What Ashely eats in a day Her favorite natural ingredients for reducing pain How (

In a startling revelation over 90% of Americans struggle to accurately read and interpret food labels.  Understanding what goes into our bodies is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle.  And food labels are more than just a list; they're a roadmap to better health, revealing the nutrients, ingredients, and potential allergens in our food that can heal or harm us.  By not comprehending these labels, we risk exposing our bodies to harmful additives, excessive sugars, and unhealthy fats that can derail our health goals. Which is why in this week’s podcast with Jen Smiley, the founder and food expert of Wake Up and Read the Labels, we take a deep dive into why and (more importantly) how to read food labels. Here are some of the fun facts you’ll learn… The top 3 ingredients to avoid in processed foods The most surprising *healthy* ingredients you may want to avoid  The oils that you’ll want to avoid The problem with natural flavors (and why some may be ok!) Why you often see vitamins on processed food l

We’ve all heard cows emit more greenhouse gasses than cars and cow farts are destroying the planet, but these often-cited *facts* are simply inaccurate. Beef can be an environmentally-destructive or environmentally-friendly food depending on how it's raised. So in this week’s podcast author, attorney and rancher, Nicolette Hahn Niman, busts myths about beef and animal agriculture so you can understand the true environmental and human health consequences of the meat you eat. Here are a few of my favorite topics: The environmental consequences of factory farms Do cows emit more greenhouse gasses than cars? The human health consequences of factory farms  The banned additives used in factory farms The 2 meats almost always raised in factory farms  The bacterial infection linked to factory farms The truth about beef & methane The 3 issues with the methane argument The benefits of cows for the environment Why she gave up vegetarianism Why meat helps us age more gracefully I LOVED this conversation and hope yo

Board certified holistic nutritionist, Judy Cho, struggled with binging and purging cycles and overexercising on a plant-based diet.  At one point, her symptoms became so severe she was sent to an eating disorder facility where she was prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotics.  Nothing seemed to help until she tried an all-meat, Carnivore diet.  Since that time, Judy has experienced a full recovery and written the best-selling book, The Carnivore Cure.  She is now on a mission to teach people about the healing powers of meat, so tune into this week's podcast for her fascinating story and all the juicy details on why meat is important for physical and mental health. Here are some of the highlights… The shortcomings of current eating disorder treatments The link between vegan diets and mental health The origins of our fear around meat The dangerous compounds found in plant foods (for certain people) Why meat is healing for the brain The link between iron issues and brain health The link between dietary ch

We all know the well-demonstrated benefits of high quality food, but what you might not know is that thousands of studies have also revealed the potent, healing benefits of red light for things like… Skin conditions like eczema Collagen production Sleep Recovery Performance Hormonal health Mood And much more! Using my red light has improved my skin and sleep dramatically and you can learn all about the science behind its benefits, how to use it for best results and how to get your own red light in this week’s podcast with the co-founder of Joov, Wes Pfiffner! Here are some of my favorite takeaways: His nonnegotiable morning routine Why the San Francisco 49ers are using red light How red light is different than blue light and infrared How exactly red light reduces inflammation The link between light and disease How red light affects the microbiome The 2 ways red lights benefits the skin Why red light can improve sleep How red light helps you relax What time of day to use red light How red light benefits hor

We’ve all heard vegan diets are better for our health and the planet. But what you might not know is there are many vested interests in the “plant-based” message and vegan diets can cause serious (and sometimes irreversible) health issues, especially for kids. Which is why in this week’s podcast brilliant author and journalist, Jayne Buxton, breaks down the serious flaws with plant-based diets outlined in her groundbreaking book, The Plant-Based Con. If you are considering going vegan for your health or the planet or have friends and family who are, this podcast is a must-listen!  Here are some of my favorite takeaways: Common nutrient deficiencies in vegan diets Why anti-nutrients can be an issue for vegans The dangers of vegan diets in kids Who benefits from plant-based messaging Why the media is reluctant to talk about the danger of vegan diets The problem with the research against meat Why dietary guidelines recommend reducing red meat The real dietary culprits The truth about beef’s environmental footpr

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide affecting more than one billion people resulting in symptoms like:  Weakness Impaired cognitive function Decreased immune function Developmental issue And while many of us turn to iron supplements to raise iron levels - Morley Robbins, mineral expert, author of the Copper Cure, and today’s podcast guest, believes there is much more to the story. In fact, Morley believes iron deficiency anemia is a copper, rather than iron, issue. Tune in to this week’s podcast for a fascinating exploration of iron-related issues, the best foods and supplements for improving iron status, and these fun facts… The valuable roles of copper for health Symptoms of copper-deficiency Why copper is misunderstood The true causes of anemia The food that cures anemia How to improve copper status Why ferritin is a poor marker for iron status in pregnancy Why too much iron is harmful  The 3 best sources of whole-food copper How to properly test copper and iron statu

According to research the nutrient levels in our food are on the decline. In fact, between 1940 - 1990 - vegetables have lost… 24% magnesium 46% calcium 37% iron 76% copper  And meat has lost…. 55% copper 50% iron 29% calcium Why is this happening and what can we do about it?   You’ll have to tune into this week’s podcast with author and soil expert Dr. David Montgomery and Anne Biklé as they discuss the surprising causes and solutions for our nutrient-depleted food! Here are some of the highlights from our fascinating discussion: The major causes of land degradation Are organic foods more nutritious? The link between our soil and gut health Why soil microbes are important for human health The major problems with conventional agriculture How fertilizers create nutrient poor food The importance of phytochemicals for human health The main factor that determines a healthy farm Why what an animal eats affects its nutrient profile And so much more! Please share this important information with anyone you thin

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention stress is a leading cause of illness, accounting for about two thirds of all doctors visits and 75% of illnesses today.  What that means is even if you eat a healthy diet and exercise daily, unaddressed stress could be the reason you’re still sick and tired.  Annnnd if you’ve been alive on planet Earth in the last 3 years, it’s likely that your stress levels are higher than ever which is why I am thrilled to share this week's podcast with bestselling author and friend, Dr. Izabella Wentz, about her new book The Adrenal Transformation Protocol: A 4-Week Plan to Release Stress Symptoms and Go from Surviving to Thriving.  We talk all about symptoms of stress, how to eat to reduce stress, the best supplements for stress and how to cultivate a less-stress lifestyle. Here are some other fascinating takeaways you’ll learn about… How stress affects our health Signs your body is overstressed Tests you can use to determine how stress is affecting you Sign

Intellectually understanding which foods are health supportive is not always enough to yield sustainable dietary change.  Why? Because most of us fall victim to self sabotage.  In fact, almost 95% of those who lose weight gain it all back within one year which is why in today’s podcast Eating Psychology Expert and best-selling author, Marc David, we break down how and why we self sabotage and how to transform that tendency. Here’s what you’ll learn… The cause of self sabotage How to overcome self sabotage The simple strategy to prevent binge eating The 8 eating archetypes and how to work with them for sustainable weight loss Common toxic nutritional beliefs (and how to overcome them) The little-known cause of weight loss resistance The best way to approach weight loss Why weighing yourself daily can be an issue How can we become “embodied” and why it’s beneficial How to redefine your relationship with food How to reduce your dependency on food as a sole source of pleasure And so much more!  I completed Marc

We’ve all heard dietary saturated fat and cholesterol cause heart disease - but what you might not know - is that the evidence for this belief is not as foolproof as we’ve been led to believe.  And given that heart disease is still America’s #1 kill responsible for almost 700,000 deaths per year - understanding what you can do to prevent it is paramount.  In this week’s podcast with the author of Understanding The Heart: Surprising Insights Into The Evolutionary Origins Of Heart Disease - And Why It Matters, Dr. Hussey, we explore 3 little-known (and preventable) causes of heart-based issues and the common misunderstandings keep us stuck.  Dr. Hussey provides invaluable insights given his clinical experience and admitted obsession with the heart, but also because he experienced a heart attack and the shortcomings of current systems and strategies personally in 2020. This conversation was truly fascinating and I hope you walk away feeling as surprised and informed as I did. :) Here are some of my favorite take