Wise Traditions

As a young man, Brian Richards had a laundry list of health issues: mind-racing, insomnia, acne, adrenal fatigue, and more. Doctors wanted to give him Accutane and other pharmaceutical drugs to manage his symptoms, but he wanted to get to the source of the problem. He realized that the reason for cellular degradation is our environmental toxic exposure on a variety of levels—chemical, electro-magnetic, emotional, etc. He sought a natural detox solution and his research led him to the conclusion that passive sweating is one of the best ways to detox the body. He decided to build his own sauna to provide that full-body thermal light therapy for himself. In today's episode, Brian shares his own story and how it led to him establishing the SaunaSpace company. He also tells stories of those who have benefited from this therapy, along with the science behind why saunas work: how near-infrared incandescent light exposure stimulates the cells so that they can repair themselves, and allows the body to detox. For more on the science behind near-infrared light/heat therapy and for information on Brian's company, visit SaunaSpace.com. For the advertised special on the Weston A. Price Foundation 2018 Shopping Guide, go to our website: westonaprice.org and click on the box "order materials." Type in "shopping guide" and get yours today!

Cod liver oil is one of the main foods that the Weston A. Price Foundation recommends for a healthy diet. It abounds in nutrients that are sadly lacking in our diets today. Cod liver oil provides fat-soluble vitamins A and D, which Dr. Price found present in the diet of traditional people groups in amounts ten times higher than those in "modernized" diets! Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been some controversy around the subject of fermented cod liver oil, which has caused some concern about its safety and health benefits. In today's episode, Sally Fallon Morell, the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation, dispels the confusion and answers the questions that have been posed about it. She explains the value of cod liver oil in detail. She describes the results Dr. Price saw when he introduced it into American diets. She goes through the cod liver oil extraction process, how fermentation allows us to get oils without compromising the nutrient content of the livers, and more. Most importantly she addresses head-on questions of rancidity and the motivation of those who have leveled accusations against a specific cod liver oil company and the Weston A. Price Foundation itself. In the end, you will gain clarity on the cod liver oil controversy and you will learn more about why cod liver oil is so critical for our health today. For more on cod liver oil, visit our website: westonaprice.org. And check out our sponsors: Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund and Kraut Pounder.

Did you know that there are chemicals that we encounter on a daily basis--in our food, water, even in our personal care products--that are detrimental to our health? The chemicals, called estrogenics, mimic estrogen and disrupt our bodies' normal functions. You may have heard of BPA (Bisphenol-A), for example, which is a chemical found in some plastics that has been linked to health problems and has been therefore banned from baby products here in the U.S., but it is just one among many estrogen-mimicking chemicals that threaten our health. On today's episode, Dr. Anthony Jay, author of "Estrogeneration: how estrogenics are making you fat, sick, and infertile" explains how estrogenic chemicals are wreaking havoc on our bodies' hormone balance. He tells us where these chemicals are found--from our drinking water to shampoos to sports drinks to sunscreen to grocery store receipts--and he gives suggestions for how to minimize our exposure. For more on Dr. Anthony Jay, see his website: ajconsultingcompany.com. For the full show notes for today's episode, visit westonaprice.org. And check out our sponsor: farmtoconsumer.org.

Traditional people groups around the world have long valued fermentation as a process that preserves food and makes its nutrients more bio-available. Today, fermentation "revivalist" and well-known author Sandor Katz takes us on a tour of the wild world of fermentation. He discusses how it works, how delicious it tastes, and how it benefits our bodies. He also dives into his own story—what piqued his interest in fermentation in the first place, and what he's learned from recent travels around the world. He shares about the foods he's enjoyed, the connections he's made, and the fermentation traditions that are still being used today. He completes the interview with something of a mini-workshop on how to make sauerkraut. This conversation is a fermentation "starter," of sorts. It will spark curiosity and wonder at the mysterious process of fermentation. For more on Sandor, visit his website: wildfermentation.com And check out our sponsors: krautpounder.com and farmtoconsumer.org! For the full show notes, visit westonaprice.org.

There's a lot of buzz about gut health these days. It is key to our overall wellness. But some people think you can just pop a probiotic pill to protect it and you're good to go. Dr. Zach Bush has a better idea. Zach is an expert on the microbiome and nutrition and in today's conversation he sheds new light on what constitutes a healthy gut and how to keep it that way. The threats to our gut health include glyphosate, herbicides and pesticides that compromise our gut lining and result in allergies, sensitivities, and chronic health conditions. These chemicals are found not only on our food, of course, but also in the soil, the air, our water. Zach goes into detail about how to shore up our guts against these attacks. It takes guts to make the dietary and lifestyle changes he suggests. But if we do, we can be sure that we will improve our own health, and potentially impact the health of future generations. For more on Zach Bush, the science behind this discussion, and more, go to zachbushmd.com. For complete show notes for this episode and other resources, visit westonaprice.org.

Losing weight is a popular new year's resolution. Holistic physician Dr. Tom Cowan makes a strong case for why we should aim for getting healthier, rather than just hitting a particular number on the scale. That said, in today's episode, he offers practical ideas for how to meet both goals: weight loss and good health. He and his patients have benefited from his protocol that includes intermittent fasting, movement, and a balanced diet. He goes into particular detail about fasting. He discusses how it stimulates weight loss, how to approach it as a beginner, how long and how often you should fast, and more. Dr. Cowan also gets into the science behind the macronutrients our bodies need: fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. He explains how to approach a low-carb diet and the role of insulin in weight gain and fat storage in the body. He explains how a balanced diet can lead to more focus, better energy, and protection from diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. It's a fascinating discussion that will give you practical take-aways for a strong, healthier new year. For more on Dr. Tom Cowan and his books, visit fourfoldhealing.com. For show notes and resources related to this discussion, go to westonaprice.org.

Learn how to avoid blood sugar dips and spikes throughout the day. Discover how you can lift brain fog and protect yourself against Alzheimer's through diet. And benefit from tips on how to shore up your gut health to avoid chronic illness and improve your immune system. All of this in just one episode?! Yes! This is a "highlight reel" from the top three episodes of 2017! NTP Lindsea Willon's shares practical tips on how to avoid getting "hangry." Author Amy Berger has sound dietary suggestions for lifting brain fog. And microbiologist Kiran Krishnan gives us hope for better gut health and avoiding chronic disease. Three-in-one is our year-end gift to you! Eager to hear more? Click here for each of the original episodes from which this one was compiled: #88 Get off the sugar rollercoaster w/ Lindsea Willon #70 The antidote to Alzheimer's w/ Amy Berger #84 Ground zero of most health disorders w/ Kiran Krishnan For show notes for this episode, to make a donation, or to access more resources, visit westonaprice.org.

Dr. Andy Wakefield was the lead author of a research paper, published in 1998, that indicated that there was a possible link between the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine and autism. The paper appeared in "The Lancet," a peer-reviewed medical journal and it catapulted Dr. Wakefield into becoming one of the most controversial figures in the history of medicine. Andy has become a lightning rod since that time; he has been called a fraud, a liar, manipulative, greedy, and he has even had his medical license revoked. And yet he refuses to slink quietly away into the night. He remains convinced of the importance of exploring the possible link between gut health, vaccinations, and autism. He is outspoken about what the science indicates, in the midst of serious opposition and persecution. Yet, he is undaunted, and even optimistic about the future of the anti-vax movement. Today, you will hear Andy's side of the story. This episode will dispel rumors and myths related to the paper, Andy himself, and the continued debate about the vaccine/autism link. For more information on the science of vaccines, visit nvic.org. For the full show notes, go to westonaprice.org. And check out our sponsors: Green Pasture and Farm Girl Fresh.

Vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more and more popular with each passing day. You walk into a bookstore and the cooking section is overflowing with vegan cookbooks; restaurants all around have vegan options because of the high demand. Word of mouth is that we should all go vegan to be truly healthy, and that animal foods are bad for us. But is a vegetarian diet really a good idea? What are its strengths and drawbacks? Is vegetarianism better for the planet? What does science have to say about all of this? And, more importantly, what does nature have to say about it? In today's episode, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of "Gut and Psychology Syndrome," offers a fresh look at vegetarianism. She provides up-to-date scientific information about how plant and animal foods work in the human body and how we can eat to thrive. She dives into a variety of topics including agriculture, soil degradation, the power of plants to detox our bodies, and how to be a healthy vegetarian! For more on this topic from Dr. Campbell-McBride, visit her website: vegetarianismexplained.com. For the full show notes, visit westonaprice.org. Check out our sponsors: Green Pasture and Farm Girl Fresh.

"Preventing autism" is such an audacious goal! Is it possible? How can we prevent it if we don't know what causes it? Dara Berger is a mom whose son was diagnosed as autistic before he was three years old. She was told that there was no cure or hope beyond ABA (applied behavior analysis). This was the start of her quest to find answers and help for her child, and to avoid a similar diagnosis for children she hoped to bear, down the line. There are no simple solutions, Dara readily admits. She has done much research, interviewing a variety of doctors and autism specialists for her book "How to Prevent Autism." She has concluded that autism is in all likelihood a disorder tied to toxic overload. To regain their health and to prevent the condition in future children takes much work. In today's episode, she gives ideas about where to begin. She touches on: how dietary changes are critical for the child's health the importance of seeing an integrative health specialist how autism is related to gut health how functional medicine is making huge strides against this disorder by recognizing the volume of factors that lead to an autism diagnosis the genetic mutations that make it difficult for the brain and gut to function properly Today's episode will give you an idea of how to help a child on the autistic spectrum and even how to "clean out" your own body from its toxic load, so that you may avoid the diagnosis altogether with a subsequent baby. For more information on Dara and her book, visit howtopreventautism.org. For highlights from today's episode, go to westonaprice.org. And check out our sponsor: realmilk.com.