A Simple Diet Shift to Take Control of Your Metabolism with Dr. Cate Shanahan
Dec 9, 2024
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Dr. Cate Shanahan, a board-certified family physician and author, dives into the surprising dangers of seed oils and their impact on metabolism and cravings. She reveals how these oils can be more harmful than sugar and shares insights on how to eliminate them from your diet, even when dining out. The conversation highlights a two-week challenge to boost metabolism and critiques common dietary myths. Plus, Shanahan discusses the 'hateful eight' oils to avoid and emphasizes the need to understand our food choices for better health.
Seed oils are more harmful than sugar, significantly disrupting metabolism and contributing to cravings and insulin resistance.
Distinguishing between natural and processed carbohydrates is crucial for health, advocating a return to unprocessed food choices is emphasized.
Eliminating seed oils for just two weeks can reset your metabolism, leading to improved energy and reduced hunger levels.
Deep dives
The Dangers of Seed Oils
Seed oils are argued to be more harmful than sugars and carbs, with significant effects on metabolism. The discussion highlights that these oils can disrupt normal metabolic functions, leading to sugar cravings and contributing to insulin resistance. This state of insulin resistance makes the body crave carbohydrates and sugars for energy, rather than utilizing fat stores effectively. The issue lies in our dominance of seed oils in the modern diet, making it crucial to understand their impact on health.
Nature vs. Processed Foods
Natural carbohydrates, often labeled as 'nature's carbs,' are vital for health, while human-made processed carbohydrates are detrimental. The speaker emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between beneficial and harmful foods, advocating for a return to natural, unprocessed options. In this context, it is highlighted that human manipulation of food has led to health mistakes, while nature itself produces safe and nutritious options. The conversation calls for recognizing and respecting the body’s natural dietary needs as aligned with nature.
Health Implications of Modern Dietary Practices
The overconsumption of seed oils has been linked to a rise in obesity and diabetes, with the body’s chemistry altered negatively by these oils. Increased snacking and frequent meals have become common habits, correlating with a reliance on convenient, processed foods that often contain seed oils. The idea presented is that these dietary choices lead to a corrupted metabolism and hunger signals that drive unhealthy eating patterns. Therefore, a clear connection is made between high seed oil consumption and the obesity epidemic.
Practical Tips for Avoiding Seed Oils
Listeners are encouraged to take control of their dietary choices by learning to identify and avoid the 'hateful eight' seed oils: soy, sunflower, safflower, corn, canola, cottonseed, rice bran, and grapeseed. It is recommended to ask for meals prepared in real butter in restaurants to bypass seed oils typically used in cooking. The conversation stresses the need for vigilance when shopping and eating out, highlighting that even seemingly healthy products may contain these harmful oils. Practical strategies and resources are proposed to assist individuals in adopting a seed oil-free lifestyle.
The Impact of Diet on Energy Levels
A significant shift in dietary habits, particularly cutting out seed oils, can lead to improved energy levels and reduced hunger. The discussion emphasizes how removing these oils can reset metabolism, aligning energy levels with overall health. The idea is put forth that individuals can experience profound changes in their appetite and energy within just two weeks of eliminating seed oils from their diet. This is framed as an actionable challenge for listeners to undertake, with the potential for life-changing results.
Did you know the oils in your kitchen could be sabotaging your health? In this episode, Dr. Mindy sits down with Dr. Cate Shanahan to uncover the surprising dangers of seed oils and how they impact your metabolism, cravings, and overall wellness. Learn why these oils are more harmful than sugar, how to avoid them (even when dining out), and the benefits of a 2-week seed oil-free challenge. Plus, discover practical tips for nourishing your body with the right fats and carbs. It’s time to take control of your health and feel your best!
To view full show notes, more information on our guests, resources mentioned in the episode, discount codes, transcripts, and more, visit https://drmindypelz.com/ep265
Catherine Shanahan, MD, is a board-certified family physician specializing in the promotion of health and reversal of disease using traditional food as a first line of treatment. She has studied biochemistry and genetics at Cornell University and ethnobotany at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Kauai, Hawaii. In 2010, she was invited to relocate to the mainland to direct The Bedford Center of Nutritional Medicine, the first clinic of its kind in the country to bring farmers and chefs together with exercise therapists, massage therapists, and dietitians to form a multidisciplinary patient care team.