Wise Traditions

Discover the benefits of traditional animal fats for skincare with Andrew Gardner. Learn how tallow-based products offer healing and nourishment for the skin. Explore the anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties of animal oils. Be inspired to switch to natural skincare products and maybe even start making your own!

Lately, the documentary "What the Health" has been receiving a lot of attention. It is persuasive and provocative. The movie is causing widespread concern about the dangers of consuming animal products. But what is the truth behind the hype? How much science backs the numerous health claims of the movie? Is going vegan the answer to avoiding cancer and chronic conditions? Or is there another side to this story? Nina Teicholz is our guest on today's episode. She is an investigative journalist and the author of "The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet." She has spent over a decade digging deep into scientific claims and shedding light on the misconceptions we have as a society about what constitutes a healthy diet. She asks hard questions and brings her investigative skills to bear, as we examine scientific evidence of the claims presented on What the Health. The bottom line? Upon close inspection, the studies and documentation for the health claims made by the movie don't hold water. There is more proof for the benefits of a diet that includes animal products than for one that does not. Nina offers resources for you to see for yourself, found in the links below. Soon, you will also be shaking your head and saying "What the health...what the heck!?" For a complete review of the movie by Nina, and a thorough pdf that looks at the support for each claim, go to dietdoctor.com. For the highlights of this week's episode, go to westonaprice.org.

Every Wise Traditions journal is full of articles that are relevant, scientific, and significant for our health. In today's episode, the President of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Sally Fallon Morell, reviews some of the top articles featured in the latest Wise Tradition Journal, Summer 2017. The topics are varied but they are all equally fascinating. Highlights include: The importance of sulfur for the heart and arteries and where to find it (& even how to help our bodies produce it) How extruded grains are a danger to our health and how they have contributed to all the issues we see in digestion of grains today The hot topic of CRISPR, the new genome editing tool, and how it is far from accurate The problem with vitamin D supplementation and why supplements are generally not recommended The role of nutritional deficiencies in today's increasing number of c-sections How the Feingold diet helps children improve their behavior And more on vitamin A, saturated fats, and childhood diseases After listening you may want to dive deeper into the topics. In that case, consider becoming a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Membership is only $40 and includes a subscription to this quarterly journal. It's a great way to stay up to date with the latest news and research on health and nutrition. Join today at westonaprice.org.

Why is losing weight so difficult? This is the question Zoe Harcombe set out to answer while studying at Cambridge University. We are trained from an early age to seek solace in food. Sweet treats are a central part of nearly every holiday we celebrate. According to Zoe, food in the form of starchy carbohydrates has become the world's most accessible and acceptable drug. At the same time, the US Dietary guidelines reinforce these behaviors by recommending a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat. After years of following these dietary recommendations, most people find themselves with one or more of the following conditions, that in all likelihood is sabotaging their weight loss efforts: hypoglycemia, candida, and food intolerances. Today Zoe helps us understand the symptoms and treatments of these conditions. Her suggestions for finding lasting change include addressing these issues with simple, practical advice including: eating real food, lowering your carbohydrate intake, and being careful from whom you get your nutritional advice! Learn more at zoeharcombe.com. For the full show notes for this episode, go to westonaprice.org.

As a society, we have become disconnected from our ancestral food traditions. In a similar way, many of us have also lost touch with our primal instincts when it comes to sexual intimacy. Dr. Marianne Brandon is an author, clinical psychologist, and diplomat in sex therapy and, in today's episode, she helps us rediscover these instincts and improve our most intimate relationships. She touches on a variety of approaches to enhance our relationships including: the importance of being present, vulnerability, and communication. She also describes common problems experienced by couples in this area and how to overcome them. Throughout the conversation, she points to how men and women differ sexually, emphasizing that these differences are complementary and should be embraced rather than erased. Finally, Marianne reveals that one of the major roadblocks to physical intimacy is that many of us are stuck in our heads. Marianne emphasizes the importance of being mindful and open and honest with our partners. Her advice, when heeded, can result in increased sexual satisfaction that will benefit our overall health and sense of well-being. For resources from Dr. Brandon, visit drbrandon.net. For the full show notes for today's episode, visit westonaprice.org.

Have you or has someone you know been diagnosed with Lyme Disease? Transmitted by ticks and often contracted due to weakened immunity, this condition seems to be on the rise. Unfortunately, many conventional doctors are unfamiliar with natural protocols that strengthen the body and promote long-term healing. In today's episode, certified integrative nutrition health coach Robin Shirley discusses her road to recovery after struggling with Lyme Disease for over a decade. She has learned that nutrition is a key piece of the puzzle, as it lays the foundation for improved immune function. In addition to consuming nutrient-dense foods, she suggests a three-pronged approach to combat Lyme's: avoiding antibiotics, cleansing from parasites, and addressing heavy metal toxicity. Listen to her story and recommendations to discover fresh ways to address this very serious condition. Learn more about Robin and the resources she offers at clubtbyh.com. For extensive show notes (including links to resources Robin mentions on today's show), visit westonaprice.org.

How can you tell if a dietary recommendation is right for you? Is there a diet that works for everyone? What is the best way to measure what works or doesn't work for you? How can you find your own health "sweet spot?" Dr. Richard Maurer helps us understand what he considers the best, most objective way to measure your health and find your sweet spot: blood work. Richard is a licensed naturopathic doctor and the author of "The Blood Code: Unlock the secrets of your metabolism." In today's episode, he explains in simple terms which tests are key to evaluate our metabolism and overall health. He also tells the story of how he found his own metabolic "sweet spot" after becoming pre-diabetic at forty years old. He has specific tips that will help you avoid common dietary pitfalls and lead you to your own health sweet spot! Learn more at thebloodcode.com. Or visit the westonaprice.org website for full highlights and links from today's episode.

Chances are that you and many people you know take an omega-3 or fish oil supplement. These supplements are among the most popular on the market, yet they are highly misunderstood. For optimal health, we really need to strike a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. The right balance can protect our heart health, reduce inflammation in the body and improve neurological function. But how do we get there? Is fish oil the same as cod liver oil? Are supplements the best way to get essential fatty acids? How can we get more omega-3 fatty acids in our diet? Is it possible to get too much omega-3? Is omega-6 all bad? Sally Fallon Morell, the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation, dispels myths and misconceptions about essential fatty acids in this episode, as she explains principle #8 of the Wise Traditions diet: how traditional peoples ate just the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. (These fatty acids are called essential because we must get them from our diet. Our bodies can't make these on their own.) You'll learn about the importance of arachidonic acid, the role of DHA and EPA, and the ideal ratios of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Most importantly, you'll learn which foods to include in your diet to strike the delicate balance that is critical for improved health and well-being. Learn more at westonaprice.org.

Jodi Ledley was fighting a life-long battle with migraines and chronic pain to no avail. These were not simple headaches but rather debilitating incidents of excruciating pain that sent her to the ER on many occasions and were simply putting her on the sidelines of life. She spent thousands of dollars with medical professionals but received no resolution until she discovered what was triggering her health concerns: monosodium glutamate (MSG). MSG, an excitotoxin, was causing serious neurological disruption for Jodi. She found relief as she began to remove MSG from her diet, and her family's health improved, as well. Now, through her book and speaking engagements, Jodi has encouraged thousands to follow in her footsteps. Migraine-sufferers, those with ADD, ADHD, and anxiety can all benefit by eliminating foods from their diet that contain this additive. In today's episode, you will learn how to detect MSG in your food--it goes by over 70 different names on food labels--and how to make changes to your diet that will improve your own health and the health of your loved ones. Learn more about Jodi's journey at adventureswithjodi.com. For the full show notes for this episode, visit westonaprice.org.

Many of us are stuck on a blood sugar rollercoaster and we don't even know it. We find ourselves reaching for a muffin at 10 a.m. and can't make it through the day without a mid-afternoon cup of coffee or energy drink. It's so common, we've come to regard it as normal. Today, an expert in nutritional science and kinesiology, Lindsea Willon, joins us to explain how we can make different choices to avoid blood sugar spikes and dips. She offers practical tips like reminding us not to take sugar into our bodies "unopposed"--meaning vegetables and fruits should be eaten with some kind of fat to slow down their absorption into our blood stream. By eating differently, we can avoid short-term issues, like headaches, sleeplessness, PMS, and getting "hangry." Proper nutrition can also help us avoid more serious health concerns like diabetes, PCOS, joint pain, and injuries. Lindsea understands, both intellectually and from life experience, the importance of a healthy diet. An athlete in college, her poor diet led to injury and fatigue. Now, she fuels herself with nutrient-dense foods and encourages others to do the same. Her goal is for everyone to experience the energy and vitality that is their birthright. This episode will certainly give you the tools needed to get on the right track and to get off the blood sugar rollercoaster for good! To find out more about Lindsea's practice, visit biodynamicwellness.com. For the show notes for this episode, go to westonaprice.org.