The Primal Shift 108: Europe vs. America: The Health Secret Nobody Talks About
I recently spent a week in Austria, bouncing between my grandparents' farmhouse and the alpine trails I grew up on. And it hit me how stark the contrast is between the foundation they built and the environment kids are growing up in today.
My grandparents are 92 and 93, still living on their own. They had decades of clean food, pure alpine water, long days outside and zero WiFi. And then, over the last 10-20 years, an Americanized creep of seed oils, ultra-processed snacks and glyphosate started showing up in force.
Fortunately, for my grandparents, their health trajectory was already set.
But the sad reality is that today's Austria looks a lot more like the U.S. than the one I left in 2007. You see it in the soda cases and packaged snacks; in childhood obesity, which simply wasn't common when I was a kid; and in the push for convenience over quality.
On paper, the cardiovascular stats are surprising, with heart issues accounting for about a third of Austrian deaths vs roughly a fifth in the U.S.
But context matters. Life expectancy is higher in Austria, smoking remains far more prevalent, alcohol is a daily staple for many, and coding practices differ. And while European rules do more to keep out junk — i.e., no drug ads to consumers, tighter oversight of additives, a precautionary approach — you still find head-scratchers like the EU's renewed glyphosate approval, and the official dietary guidance in Austria is every bit as misguided as America's: more grains, less meat, avoid saturated fat.
Meanwhile, the water story flips the other way; Austria's alpine spring water really is great, while here I won't drink unfiltered tap water.
The throughline I keep coming back to is the environment. Austrians still walk and bike more, take real vacations and spend time outside. But the trend is heading in the wrong direction.
My takeaway for both sides of the Atlantic is the same: don't wait for guidelines or brands to save you. Vote with your fork and your feet. Buy directly from farmers when you can. Filter your water. Create a home rhythm that makes movement and sunlight normal. Ignore food-industry talking points. And recreate the conditions humans have traditionally thrived in, focusing on better food, cleaner water and more time outside.
If that resonates, start small this week. Audit what's in your pantry, pick one item you can swap for a simpler version, take your next meeting while on a walk, and move dinner earlier so your sleep isn't collateral damage. Then share this episode with a friend who still thinks "Europe is automatically healthier" or that "America is too far gone." The future isn't predetermined; it's built choice by choice.
Learn more: The 8 Core Pillars of a Healthy Lifestyle: https://michaelkummer.com/health/healthy-lifestyle/ Keto vs. Carnivore vs. Paleo (And Why I Combine Them): https://michaelkummer.com/health/keto-vs-carnivore-vs-paleo/
Episode 106: Why Eating Like Your Grandparents Won't Save You: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/106-why-eating-like-your-grandparents-wont-save-you/
Episode 42: Let Nature Dictate What You Should Be Eating: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/42-let-nature-dictate-what-you-should-be-eating/
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In this episode:
00:00 Intro 01:33 Comparing generations: Then and now 02:24 Health statistics: Austria vs. USA 05:10 Diet and lifestyle differences 07:42 The influence of big pharma and agriculture 09:38 Food additives and regulations 13:48 Water quality: Austria vs. USA 16:21 Work-life balance and stress 19:12 Observations from a recent trip to Austria 22:55 Final thoughts
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[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
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