The Ty Beal Show

What exactly is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—and how can evidence-based therapies help people reclaim their lives? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Sara Brungardt, licensed professional counselor and founder of CalmOCD, shares her expertise on diagnosing and treating OCD with proven methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Sara explains how OCD differs from perfectionism or personality traits, why intrusive thoughts don’t define a person’s character, and how therapy can rewire the brain’s fear response. We also discuss common myths about OCD, overlaps with eating disorders and anxiety, and how families can best support loved ones navigating recovery. Highlights from the episode include: What distinguishes OCD from ordinary worries or habits How ERP and ACT work to reduce compulsions and anxiety The connection between OCD, eating disorders, and control Practical advice for supporting someone with OCD or seeking treatment Dr. Brungardt offers a compassionate, science-based perspective that brings clarity to a misunderstood condition—and hope to those living with it. Find Dr. Brungardt at CalmOCD.com and on Instagram. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

Why do so many U.S. nutrition and health policies seem to favor ultra-processed foods over real, nutrient-dense foods—and what can be done about it? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Calley Means—New York Times #1 best-selling author, co-founder of Truemed, and Senior Advisor to the White House on MAHA—unpacks the structural incentives driving chronic disease in America. Calley draws on his experience as a former political consultant for food and pharmaceutical companies to reveal how lobbying and reimbursement systems shape the foods we eat and the treatments we receive. We discuss how misaligned incentives fuel the epidemic of obesity and metabolic disorders, why prevention remains undervalued, and what reforms could redirect billions toward truly health-promoting foods. Highlights from the episode include: How Big Food and Big Pharma shape nutrition guidelines and healthcare spending The impact of ultra-processed foods on children’s health and chronic disease risk Policy and market innovations—like food-as-medicine—that could shift incentives toward prevention Practical steps for individuals and policymakers to support healthier food environments Calley shares an urgent, insider’s perspective on how policy and industry can change to address the root causes of metabolic disease rather than merely treating symptoms. Find Calley Means on X and Instagram, learn more about Truemed at truemed.com, and order Good Energy on Amazon. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

Heart disease is still the top killer globally—but prevention and innovation are reshaping how we think about risk. In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, cardiologist Dr. Ethan Weiss—Chief Scientific Officer at Marea Therapeutics and long-time UCSF faculty expert—walks us through the intersection of genetics, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Dr. Weiss explains the concept of cardio-endocrine medicine, where heart disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes are deeply interlinked, and explores how imaging, biomarkers, and genomics are improving risk prediction. We dive into LDL vs ApoB, the role of new lipid therapies, and how personalized prevention looks in practice. Along the way, Dr. Weiss shares his experience with a Mediterranean-style low-carb diet and his take on time-restricted eating. Takeaways from the episode include: Why metabolic disease is inseparable from cardiovascular risk How new tools (imaging, biomarkers, genetics) sharpen our prediction Evidence-based lifestyle and clinical strategies to reduce risk Evaluating low-carb diets, saturated fat, and fasting approaches What the future holds in therapies for lipoprotein(a) and beyond Find Dr. Ethan Weiss at Marea Therapeutics and UCSF. Connect with him on X. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

Stephan van Vliet, PhD, a Professor of Nutrition at Utah State University, dives into the fascinating world of 'nutritional dark matter'—the hidden compounds in our food that impact our health. He discusses how regenerative agriculture enhances nutrient density, revealing the differences between pasture-raised and grain-fed beef. Stephan shares insights on the unique role of grazing animals in nutrient upcycling and offers practical tips for selecting nutrient-rich foods. His ongoing research promises exciting implications for sustainable food systems and human health.

What does it take to foster a healthy relationship with food for children and adolescents? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, registered dietitian and certified eating disorder specialist Taylor Aasand explores the complexities of eating disorders like ARFID, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. Drawing from her practice in Phoenix-Scottsdale, she shares evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery, emphasizing compassionate, family-centered approaches and the power of intuitive eating. What you'll learn: The prevalence and impact of eating disorders in youth, affecting up to 1 in 8 individuals How ARFID differs from picky eating and its severe consequences, like growth stunting Why body image drives anorexia but not ARFID, and how to spot subtle warning signs Practical ways to support recovery, including social media audits and family-style meals How intuitive eating promotes self-compassion and balanced nutrition without restrictive diets Taylor also discusses navigating today’s challenging food environment, offering parents actionable advice on fostering positive food conversations to prevent disordered eating. Find Taylor Aasand’s work at her private practice. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

What does it take to eat for the health of humans and the planet? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Walter Willett, the world’s most cited nutritionist, gives a sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission and provides his take on ultra-processed foods and seed oils. From his family farm in Michigan to leading Harvard's Department of Nutrition for 25 years, Dr. Willett shares the journey that led him to pioneer nutritional epidemiology. At the center of this conversation is the planetary health diet—a flexible framework to address human and planetary health. What you'll discover: The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission's updated recommendations (releasing October 3rd) How to adapt the planetary health diet from vegan to omnivore preferences The limitations of the NOVA ultra-processed food framework The health effects of seed oils like soybean and canola oil How Dr. Willett's trans-fat research transformed American food policy Dr. Willett addresses the seed oil controversy with decades of research, explaining why these oils have helped reduce heart disease rates since the 1950s. He also reveals why the real drivers of obesity aren't seed oils but sugar-sweetened beverages and refined starches, and how the planetary health diet balances individual health with global sustainability and equity. Find Dr. Walter Willett's research at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and learn more about the EAT-Lancet Commission. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

What does the science say about plant-based diets, longevity, and cardiovascular health? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Gil Carvalho, research scientist and host of Nutrition Made Simple with over a million monthly viewers, cuts through the noise to reveal what the evidence shows. Dr. Carvalho challenges common assumptions about plant-based eating, explaining why the term itself is misleading and how Mediterranean, pescatarian, and even well-planned omnivorous diets can be equally health-promoting. Drawing from Harvard's landmark healthy aging studies and genetic research, he reveals how optimized nutrition patterns can add 10-12 years to your lifespan—but warns against the dangerous mythology surrounding certain dietary extremes. This deep-dive conversation explores the mechanics of cardiovascular disease, with Dr. Carvalho breaking down why ApoB—not LDL cholesterol—is the gold standard for assessing heart disease risk. He shares his personal experience with genetic risk factors including elevated Lp(a), explaining when imaging tests like coronary calcium scores become valuable and how to optimize lipid levels through diet, lifestyle, and targeted medications. What you'll learn: Why "plant-based" encompasses everything from Mediterranean to vegan diets—and why the distinction may matter less than you think The critical difference between ApoB and LDL cholesterol for predicting heart attacks Why B12 deficiency on vegan diets can cause irreversible nervous system damage How isometric exercises like wall squats can lower blood pressure as effectively as medication Why weight loss consistently improves glucose metabolism regardless of diet type Dr. Carvalho also shares his personal experiments with statin medications, revealing how different drugs affected his insulin resistance and ApoB levels differently, and explains why promising new Lp(a)-lowering medications might revolutionize cardiovascular prevention within the next few years. Whether you're navigating conflicting dietary advice, concerned about cardiovascular risk, or simply want to understand what nutritional science says about plant-based diets, this episode provides evidence-based clarity from one of the field's most trusted science communicators. Find Dr. Gil Carvalho's work at Nutrition Made Simple on YouTube and follow him on X and Facebook. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

Dr. Ally Jaffee, a psychiatry resident and mental health advocate, dives into how nutrition influences mental health. She shares her personal journey, highlighting the loss that fueled her advocacy. Dr. Jaffee discusses the vital gut-brain axis, supported by groundbreaking research like the SMILES trial, showing that diet can combat depression. She promotes her 'triple F' approach—fermented foods, fiber, and fish—and addresses the lack of nutrition in medical training, emphasizing NutriTank's efforts to change this narrative for future healthcare.

Why do so many conventional treatments fail to solve chronic health problems? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Chris Kresser, MS, LAc, former functional medicine practitioner and New York Times bestselling author, reveals how a systems-based approach uncovers and addresses the true drivers of disease—leading to lasting results instead of temporary symptom relief. Drawing on over 15 years of clinical practice, Chris explains the critical differences between functional, integrative, and conventional medicine, sharing remarkable stories of patients who reversed serious autoimmune conditions, avoided major surgery, and reclaimed their health. He breaks down how environmental triggers, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and lifestyle factors interact to cause chronic illness—and how personalized nutrition and lab testing can uncover the hidden causes conventional ranges often miss. What you'll learn: Why functional medicine asks "why" instead of just suppressing symptoms with drugs or supplements How a patient with severe Crohn's disease avoided intestinal surgery and healed in weeks Why conventional lab ranges often overlook early nutrient deficiencies The most common nutrient shortfalls: potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, EPA/DHA, iron, zinc, and B12 Why there's no one-size-fits-all diet—and how to create a personalized nutrition template The 80/20 principle: why striving for perfection can harm your health How social connection and stress management can be as important as diet for healing Chris also shares his surprising take on vegan, carnivore, and omnivorous diets, explains how lab work can reveal dietary patterns, and tells the story of the "beer and pizza" recovery that transformed a patient's life. Whether you're facing unexplained symptoms, frustrated by conventional treatments, or simply curious about holistic approaches, this episode offers a masterclass in root cause medicine from one of the field's most experienced voices. Find Chris Kresser's work at chriskresser.com and kresserinstitute.com. Connect with Chris on Instagram, X, and Facebook. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

Marit Kolby, a nutritional biologist and author of "What and When Should We Eat?", dives into the hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods. She reveals how our bodies react to foods like apples versus processed snacks, explaining the disruption to gut health and nutrient absorption. Marit discusses the inflammation caused by additives and the impact of plastic containers on food safety. She emphasizes the importance of whole foods for better health and advocates for a dietary shift to minimize processed items for improved well-being.