The Ty Beal Show

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.

Dr. Lawrence Haddad, a World Food Prize winner and executive director of GAIN, unpacks the complexities of global malnutrition. He reveals that 3-4 billion people suffer from nutrient deficiencies beyond hunger. Early nutrition is crucial, especially in the first 1,000 days of life. Haddad discusses the economic returns on nutrition investments and the dire consequences of recent aid cuts, predicting thousands of additional child deaths. He advocates for innovative solutions and collaboration between sectors to effectively combat malnutrition worldwide.

How do animals impact our environment, and what role should they play in sustainable food systems? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Anne Mottet, agro-economist and global lead for livestock at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), explores the complex relationships between livestock and climate change, land use, biodiversity, and water resources. Dr. Mottet, who oversees $1 billion in livestock investments and has over 20 years of experience in research and international development, explains why the environmental impact of livestock depends heavily on how and where animals are raised. She discusses why half the land used by livestock can't be converted to crops, how grazing animals can benefit ecosystems when properly managed, and why 1.4 billion people worldwide depend on livestock for their livelihoods. What you'll learn: Why removing livestock from marginal lands can harm biodiversity The difference between methane and CO2 in climate impact How livestock compare to transport in greenhouse gas emissions The role of animals in converting inedible plants to nutritious food How livestock can both improve and degrade soil and water systems Why food waste and production efficiency matter for sustainability The truth about water use in beef production The trade-offs between different types of animal products Dr. Mottet also discusses the social and cultural importance of livestock, from providing savings accounts for people without bank access to enabling crop production through animal traction on half the world's farmland. Whether you're concerned about climate change, curious about sustainable agriculture, or trying to make informed food choices, this episode offers a science-based perspective on both the benefits and risks of livestock in our food systems. Find Dr. Anne Mottet's work at IFAD. Connect with her on X and Instagram. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.

What if the secret to sustainable weight maintenance isn't counting calories or following strict diets, but understanding which foods naturally make you feel full? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, founder and CEO of Diet Doctor, shares his evolution from keto advocate to pioneer of "satiety per calorie" - a revolutionary approach to eating that works regardless of whether you're low-carb, plant-based, or somewhere in between. Dr. Eenfeldt, who built the world's largest keto and low-carb website, reveals why he's moved beyond strict dietary rules to focus on foods that naturally control hunger. Drawing from hundreds of thousands of eating logs and rigorous scientific research, he explains how protein, energy density, fiber, and food processing combine to determine how much we eat. What you'll learn: The benefits and risks of ketogenic and low-carb diets Why some people get dangerously high cholesterol on keto (and what to do about it) How ultra-processed foods are engineered to make us overeat The four key factors that determine how full food makes you feel Why you can succeed with either low-carb high-fat OR high-carb low-fat diets How to navigate social eating while maintaining healthy habits The science behind Andreas's new Hava app and its AI-powered approach to eating Dr. Eenfeldt also shares his personal dietary evolution - how after 20 years of strict low-carb eating, he now enjoys greater flexibility while achieving better results. Whether you're keto-curious, struggling with food cravings, or simply want a more sustainable approach to healthy eating, this episode offers practical, science-based strategies that work in the real world. Find Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt's work at Diet Doctor and try the Hava app for free. Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.