Ancestral Health Today

In this episode of Ancestral Health Today, we hear from Miki Ben-Dor about how our Paleolithic ancestors ate and lived, and what it means for the optimal diet and social structure of modern humans .Miki received his PhD in paleoanthropology when he was 67 years old, and since has made a name for himself publishing and speaking for both academic and popular audiences. His paper, "The evolution of the human trophic level during the Pleistocene", became the most-cited paper in 2021 in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology. He has presented his work at numerous conferences, including several times at the Ancestral Health Symposium. And his recent book, "Live Paleo Style" takes a fresh look at how the mismatch between our evolutionary origins and the circumstances of modern society manifests itself not just in diet and health, but more broadly in social and emotional life.In this discussion. we will dive in to the paleoanthropological evidence that humans evolved as hunters and meat eaters and that meat remains the food we are best adapted to eat for health. As you'll hear, the evidence takes many different forms -- including archeological, anatomical, physiological, and ecological findings. We'll go beyond diet, to consider the cultural and behavioral implications of our background as hunter-gatherers, and what that suggests for increasing human happiness and flourishing.Takeaways* Humans evolved as hunters and meat eaters, supported by various forms of evidence.* The transition from plant eaters to meat eaters was driven by environmental changes and the availability of large animals.* Physiological evidence, such as stomach acidity and fat cell structure, supports our adaptation to a meat-based diet.* The decline of megafauna due to human hunting led to the need to hunt smaller animals.* Hunter-gatherer societies exhibit principles of equality and autonomy. Hunter-gatherer societies had a sense of autonomy and decision-making that allowed individuals to choose their actions without external influence.* Hunter-gatherers had a relatively small amount of work time and more leisure time compared to modern societies.* Modern work structures with hierarchy and lack of autonomy can lead to stress and dissatisfaction.* Finding a balance between material abundance and autonomy is a challenge in modern society.* Building and maintaining a sense of community is important for well-being and longevity.* Spontaneity and autonomy go hand in hand, allowing individuals to make choices freely.* Resolving disagreements and conflicts can involve mobility and forming new groups.* Ongoing research projects focus on understanding prey decline and the impact of human activities on the environment.References and links:* Blog and research links:  https://www.paleostyle.com/?p=2212* Book: "Live Paleo Style: Overcome the Modern Mismatch to Regain Your Natural Wellbeing".  https://www.amazon.com/Living-Paleo-Style-Ancestral-Modern-Wellbeing-ebook/dp/B0BTDKVX1V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BCVYOPG9HKUK&keywords=miki+ben-dor&qid=1702834665&sprefix=miki+ben-dor%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-1Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time      Topic00:07     Introduction06:35     Transition from plant eating to meat eating12:08     Physiological evidence21:50     Role of fire and cooking28:15     Variability in human diets35:10     Causes and effects of the megafauna extinction48:48     Human adaptation to agriculture51:12     Social structure of hunter-gatherers58:05     Sharing, Autonomy and Decision-Making in Hunter-Gatherer Societies1:01:20  Work and Leisure in Hunter-Gatherer Societies1:03:21  Mismatch and stress in modern work life1:05:21  Balancing material abundance and autonomy in modern life1:09:00  Building community and maintaining relationships1:14:00  Resolving disagreements and the role of mobility1:15:35  Miki's current research (edited)  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

In this episode with Dr. Red we discuss her experience as a doctor experiencing illness and trauma. The illness came as a surprise given her previous level of health and commitment to health practices. Dr. Red walks us through how she has navigated this new landscape with compassion, and how it has increased her understanding of what her patients go through. Dr. Red Hoffman started her professional career as a naturopathic doctor and a yoga teacher and now practices as a trauma surgeon and an associate medical director of both hospice and palliative medicine in Asheville, North Carolina.  She is one of approximately 90 US surgeons currently board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at University of North Carolina School of Medicine.  She speaks and writes nationally and internationally about the intersection of surgery and palliative medicine and her work has been featured in JAMA, Doximity, KevinMD and General Surgery News.  Red is the founder and host of the Surgical Palliative Care Podcast and is the co-founder of the Surgical Palliative Care Society (www.spcsociety.org).  She is currently launching a new podcast called The Surgical Soul and is writing a memoir. Redhoffmanmd.comMelissa Red Hoffman TwitterMelissa Red Hoffman InstagramMelissa Red Hoffman LinkedinThis podcast is sponsored by The Beekeeper’s Granddaughter Handcrafted Tallow Balms. Made with grass-finished, pasture-raised beef tallow and organic essential oils, this all-natural skincare is the perfect gift for loved ones and an incredible addition to your skincare routine. For 15% off of your first order, use code AHT15 at checkout. Go to thebeekeepersgranddaughter.com to buy your tallow balms today! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

This episode with Peter Ballerstedt makes the case that animal-based foods are nutritionally optimal for humans, and provide a sustainable way to feed the world.Peter is a leading advocate for ruminant animal agriculture. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in 1986, specializing in forage management and utilization, minoring in ruminant nutrition. He was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. Peter worked for Barenberg USA, a major forage seed company from 2011 until his retirement this past July. And he is the current president of the American Forage and Grassland Council.Peter describes himself as building bridges between two tribes he belongs to -- those who produce grass-eating animals like cattle and sheep, and those who particularly appreciate the nutritional and health benefits of an ancestral diet that includes animal products like meat, eggs and dairy. He is in demand internationally as a conference speaker for both tribes.In this episode, Peter highlights the importance of animal-sourced foods in providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. He emphasizes the unique ecological niche of ruminants and their role in up-cycling nutrients. Peter also addresses the debate between grass-fed and conventional beef, taking into account the affordability and availability in dietary choices. He discusses global trends in plant vs. animal-based diets and the potential negative impact of plant-based diets on public health. Finally, Peter addresses the environmental impact of plant-based vs. meat-based diets and challenges the notion that they are detrimental to the environment. He explains the carbon cycle and the role of grasslands in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Peter emphasizes the complexity of sustainability and the need to consider economic and societal factors. He also compares emissions from livestock and plant agriculture, highlighting the importance of taking into account the full context. The conversation explores the feasibility of feeding a growing population with animal agriculture and the potential for expanding herds on marginal lands. Peter concludes by discussing signs of progress and the importance of bottom-up change to influence public opinion and policy.References and links:* Podcast/Blog:  http://grassbasedhealth.blogspot.com* White, R. R. and M. B. Hall (2017). "Nutritional and greenhouse gas impacts of removing animals from US agriculture." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114(48): E10301-E10308.* “Ruminating on Protein” * “Metabolic Health and Sustainability” https://keto-mojo.com/lowcarbusa_video/metabolic-health-and-sustainability/Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic01:21     Introduction 03:02     Peter's personal journey and Interest in ancestral diets08:53     Connecting the ruminant animal agriculture and ancestral diet "tribes"12:38     Ecological role of ruminants14:39     Unique benefits of meat and animal products in the human diet19:16     The quality of protein in plant- vs. animal-based foods25:02     The role of ruminants in nutrient upcycling28:37     Metabolism of humans vs. other primates31:10     Origins of ruminant agriculture34:57     The debate about grass-fed vs. conventionally raised beef41:23     Global trends in consumption of plant- vs. animal-based foods43:40     Global health Impact of plant- vs. animal-based diets 47:55     Greenhouse gas impact of ruminant agriculture51:00     The carbon cycle connecting ruminants and grasslands53:50     Comprehensive sustainability accounting56:06     Comparing emissions from livestock and crop agriculture59:33     The scale of emissions and potential solutions1:00:07  Is there enough grassland to feed the world a ruminant-based diet?1:04:10  Improving the efficiency of livestock agriculture1:07:26  The feasibility of meat production to feed the world1:09:27  The moral imperative to promote animal agriculture1:13:20  Influencing opinion and signs of progress This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

Angie Alt is a writer, community care activist, independent researcher, and former health coach and nutritional therapist. After a decade of helping clients manage chronic illness through nutrition and lifestyle and training practitioners to utilize the autoimmune protocol in their practices, she shifted her focus from teaching individuals about self-care concepts toward community care-centered work more well-suited to the cooperative and social nature of human well-being. Angie now writes at Notes from a Neighbor, a weekly newsletter on new ways to frame the pressing health and wellness challenges we face collectively and the small, slow, simple actions we can take to respond meaningfully.This podcast is sponsored by The Beekeeper’s Granddaughter Handcrafted Tallow Balms. Made with grass-finished, pasture-raised beef tallow and organic essential oils, this all-natural skincare is the perfect gift for loved ones and an incredible addition to your skincare routine. For 15% off of your first order, use code AHT15 at checkout. Go to thebeekeepersgranddaughter.com to buy your tallow balms today! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

Anne Dann has been a stellar volunteer at the Ancestral Health Symposium for many years. She has implemented an ancestral lifestyle and has helped facilitate the symposium through her volunteer work. Today’s episode is focused on Anne’s amazing experience with Red Light Therapy, which enabled her to reverse a very scary decline in her vision. There is a body of research on the benefits of Red Light Therapy for eye health: The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) cited two studies discussing the potential eye-related benefits of red light therapy. “A 2017 study found that red light partially reversed the effects of aging in the retinas of old mice, enhancing retinal performance by 25%,” the AAO says. “And a 2019 study found that while blue light damaged lab-grown retinal cells, red light reversed that damage.”The (AAO) also reported in late 2020, that "a study in The Journals of Gerontology found that brief exposure to deep red light — three minutes a day for two weeks — improved older adults’ ability to discern letters against a similarly colored background.”Listen to Anne’s personal experience to understand this profound effect and we encourage you to do your own research and speak to your health care provider to see if this can be beneficial to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

The Parkour Mindset This episode of Ancestral Health Today is a wide-ranging discussion with Julie Angel about Parkour and other natural movement practices.  Julie is a filmmaker, an author and a movement coach.  Her movement practice developed out of her early encounter with the Parkour movement in Paris in the early 2000s.  For those of you who may not be familiar with Parkour, it involves jumping, leaping, climbing and traversing buildings, walls and railings .  It's thrilling to watch, but it takes considerable practice, skill and a lot of nerve.Julie  documented the Parkour story in her Ph.D. thesis, and then in several documentary films, and more recently her book, Breaking the Jump.  I've put links to several of these in the show notes. And more than document it, Julie was brave and learned Parkour and got certified as a teacher of Parkour, MoveNat, Animal Flow and other natural movement practices.  Then Julie developed her own movement practice that emphasizes how ordinary people like you and me can incorporate movement into our lives, and she hosts the Curious Midlife Podcast, helping middle aged women reclaim and increase their strength, agility and confidence.Today we'll get into the history of Parkour and natural movement, but then spend some time learning more about how some of Julies methods, including what she calls Movement Snacks, can help you break out of a sedentary lifestyle,  stay limber and boost your confidence.  It's a sustainable approach that can be built into your daily routine without having to go to the gym or buy special equipment.LInks:Website: https://julieangel.com/Free Crawling Guide https://movementsnacks.activehosted.com/f/62Free Happy Feet Guide: https://movementsnacks.activehosted.com/f/66Free Move More Course: https://www.courses.see-do.comFree Movement Snacks Guide: https://movementsnacks.activehosted.com/f/32Better Balance Guide: https://movementsnacks.activehosted.com/f/48Facing Fears Guide: https://movementsnacks.activehosted.com/f/50Podcast: https://julieangel.com/podcast/A Follow Along Movement Snacks Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmqcSjrdUGAekwb5-2Fnsm90OWXLm_-BqBook:  Breaking the Jump: The secret story of Parkour's high flying rebellion (2016)Three Videos to introduce you to Parkour: The Monkey’s Back: Visions: Movement of Three:  Memories in Motion - a movement programme for older peopleHere is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time     Topic0.18       Introduction2:38       The origins and pioneers of Parkour16:40     Parkour training18:06     How Julie got involved documenting Parkour25:35     How Julie started learning Parkour herself29:40     Movnat, Animal Flow and other natural movement forms36:39     The emotional benefits of Parkour41:36     How Julie developed her own movement practice46:38     Movement Snacks, breathwork and brain reset55:20     Examples of Movement Snacks on the floor and standing up59:15     Movement as an ancestral antidote to sedentary living59:49     Move shamelessly in the office without feeling self-conscious1:06:20  Movement for healthy aging and recovering from injury or illness1:11:30  Finding out more about Julie and her work This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

In this episode of AHTP we have Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD. She is the founder of Nutrivore.com. She creates educational resources to help people improve their day-to-day diet and lifestyle choices, empowered and informed by the most current evidenced-based scientific research. Dr. Sarah began her career as a science communicator and health educator when she launched her original website in 2011. Since then, Dr. Sarah has continued to follow the science—diving deep into immune health, metabolic health, gut microbiome health, nutritional sciences. With Nutrivore, Dr. Sarah seeks to create a positive and inclusive approach to dietary guidance, based in science and devoid of dogma, using nutrient density and sufficiency as its basic principles: Nourishment, not judgment. We discussed the concept of Nutrivore, her previous work as a scientiest in nutritional approaches and much more. You can find Dr. Ballantyne at Nutrivore.com Use code ancestral25 for 25% off of her weekly serving matrix This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

This week’s episode with Dr. Anna Lembke explores what drives addictions and how to overcome them. Dr. Lembke is the medical director of Stanford's Addiction Medicine center, in addition to being a practicing psychiatrist and helping patients with their addictions.  Her recent book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence takes a deep look at the epidemic of addition -- not only to opioids and other hard drugs, but to a surprisingly broad range of rewarding activities including food, gambling, sex, shopping, the internet and smartphones. In Dopamine Nation, Anna lays out the behaviors and brain processes that underly addictions, including the central role played by dopamine. Her book also describes a number of practical and successful strategies that people use to overcome their addictive behaviors, restore balance to their lives, and keep dopamine in check. Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode. Time          Topic0:00                 Intro1:20                 How Anna got involved in treating addiction disorders.3:30                 The definition and diagnosis of addiction, beyond hard drugs9:44                 How food has become addictive.10:15               Addiction to smart phones and digital media11:25               Addiction to exercise12:10               Addition to cannabis13:10               The role of evolutionary mismatch in addiction15:00               Four reasons that modern humans are more vulnerable to addiction.17:30               How “gamification” makes experiences more addictive20:20               The role of dopamine in normal behavior and addiction27:35               How cravings arise from a maladaptive dopamine deficit state30:15               The Opponent Process theory and hedonic setpoint change33:40               Anna’s metaphor of a “see-saw” balance of pleasure and pain41:10               Neurotransmitters other than dopamineStrategies to overcome addiction and restore balance:43:25               Strategy 1: Abstinence48:15               Strategy 2: Cue exposure therapy53:05               Strategy 3: Hormesis58:12               Strategy 4:  Helping others through small acts1:00:00            Strategy 5:  Radical honesty This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

Terry Wahls on Treating Multiple Sclerosis Using Paleo PrinciplesIn this episode of the podcast, Dr. Terry Wahls will discuss a promising approach to treating MS and other autoimmune conditions using a "paleo plus" diet. Terry is a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Iowa and has developed a dietary framework for recovery from MS based on her own experience and recovery from the disease. This approach is summarized in her book, The Wahls Protocol.I first saw Terry give an inspirational talk at the Ancestral Health Symposium at Harvard in 2012. Since then, she has given TED talks and lectured around the world. She has refined her protocol, which has now been tested in several clinical trials. The diet is based on Paleo Principles and functional medicine concepts supported by research. It can be customized based on individual needs and has helped individuals with a variety of autoimmune conditions, not just MS.Here is a guide to topics discussed in this podcast episode:Time        Topic1:22        Terry's personal MS story3:18        Self-experiments with supplements to support mitochondria10:00       Designing a nutrient-dense paleo diet with functional medicine principles14:00       Electrical stimulation of muscles16:15       Terry's dramatic recovery from MS23:00       Causes of multiple sclerosis:  genetics, infections, leaky gut, toxins & stressors25:15       Other autoimmune diseases29:40       Dietary influences on aging and cognitive decline33:13       Diet essentials: Vegetables: green leafy, sulfur-rich,  deeply-colored35:45       Diet essentials: Meat,  fish, organ meats39:00       Options for people with food aversions or affordability challenges44:00       Terry's on-line course for the Wahls protocol44:45       Diet studies and clinical trials47:18       Neurology journal meta-analysis of 8 diets for MS patients.  (See references below).51:50       Adverse initial reception by medical societies and challenges getting funded57:21       Reappraisal and funding by the MS Society 59:39       Adapting the Wahls protocol to dietary variations1:02:20    Recruiting participants for a new 2-year clinical trial comparing different dietsYou can follow Terry Wahls at:* terrywahls.com* https://www.instagram.com/drterrywahls/Links to studies and other references mentioned in the podcast:* Online wellness program:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37399671/* Online Wahls protocol course:https://terrywahls.com/aim/ * Network meta-analysis and editorial:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36257717/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36257715/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com

Honored to have Jen Brea on the show. We had a wonderful conversation about her personal journey with MECFS, growing up with healthy parents and her experience in the ancestral health community. Jen was warning about the potential of chronic illness post Covid-19 infection, on her X account back in March of 2020.Jennifer Brea is an independent filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She has an AB from Princeton University and while studying for her PhD at Harvard she fell ill leaving her bedridden. In the aftermath, she rediscovered her first love, film. Her Sundance award-winning, Emmy-nominated feature documentary Unrest was shortlisted for an Oscar. Unrest has screened in over 30 countries, had its US national broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens, and was distributed worldwide on Netflix. She is also co-creator of Unrest VR, winner of the Sheffield Doc/Fest Alternate Realities Award. Brea is a TED fellow, co-directed Call Me Cleo for HBO Max, is currently filming a new documentary about physicians, and is writing her first narrative script. Her Ted Talk has 2.5 million views. Jen is working on her second film and remains a fierce advocate for the ME/CFS community and now Long Covid. You can follow Jen’s work on her website https://www.jenniferbrea.com/ and on X @jenbrea This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ancestralhealth.substack.com