Well Beyond 40

Energy can feel harder and harder to come by as we age. But what is the underlying cause of low energy? For a long time, this topic has been poorly understood, but my guest on this episode has devoted the past decade to finding the answers and is sharing them with us today. Ari Whitten is an energy and longevity coach, host of the Energy Blueprints Podcasts, and bestselling author of The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy and Eat for Energy. He’s also a natural health expert with a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. In the episode, Ari talks about the various mechanisms that act on our energy and the important role our mitochondria play as cell defenders within our bodies. He discusses the benefits of circadian-rhythm optimization, as well as the importance of light exposure, the best foods for energy, and physical activity in order to get the most out of your day. You’ll learn how to reduce stress levels, optimize your sleep cycle, and increase mental clarity. Plus, listen for actionable tips on how to optimize your energy levels and boost your productivity, including strategies to balance hormones and keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Ready to feel energized? Tune in now! Watch Ari’s FREE Breathing For Energy Webinar https://theenergyblueprint.com/breathing-for-energy-replay/ Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/arienergy Learn more about Ari Whitten: https://theenergyblueprint.com/ Listen to my previous podcast with Ari: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/eat-for-energy-with-ari-whitten-ep-535/ Follow Ari on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theenergyblueprint Read Eat for Energy: https://amzn.to/3MkAXoA Read the study on the cell danger response: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23981537/#:~:text=The%20cell%20danger%20response%20 Use a body composition scale to help determine body fat percentage: https://amzn.to/3mTpTWW Check your health stats with Your Lab Work (no doctor’s prescription needed): https://yourlabwork.com/jj-virgin/ Read the study on mitochondrial capacity and aging: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2801852/ Read the study on cardio training and mitochondrial health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6607712/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn the importance of changing exercise routines as you age to build muscle and burn fat more efficiently. Discover how to measure body composition and the three key steps for putting on muscle. Emphasizes the importance of compound exercises for burning calories and building muscle. Explore the significance of protein in muscle building and the benefits of supplementation. Discuss important factors for building muscle and burning fat after 40 including sleep and recovery.

Frailty doesn’t have to be your reality as you age. With the right approach, it's possible to maintain a vibrant and active lifestyle, even in your 60s, 70s and beyond. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Anurag Singh, the Chief Medical Officer at Timeline Nutrition, who also runs a Switzerland-based research company working to discover and develop novel nutritional compounds that target improvements in mitochondrial health.  We delve into the three essential elements that contribute to your overall well-being as you age: diet, exercise, and supplementation. According to Dr. Singh, one of the most important factors is maintaining the health of your mitochondria. With age, these powerhouses of your cells can decline, leaving you feeling tired and unable to do the things you enjoy. You’ll discover how to know if your mitochondrial health is declining and steps you can take to keep them functioning at their best. Muscle health is critical, and maintaining it requires a sufficient intake of protein. After focusing on diet and an active lifestyle, specific supplements can further promote your health and support your energy levels, which we explore in this enlightening discussion. We also discuss the exciting area of mitophagy, the process by which faulty mitochondria are eliminated and replaced with healthy ones. Dr. Singh shares information about a test he developed and the latest research on urolithin A, a food-based compound that plays a role in mitophagy and cellular health in ground-breaking ways. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/timeline Get 10% off all Timeline products by using code JJ10 Get a free Mitopure Sample Pack from Dr. Anurag Singh (limited to the first 1000 listeners) Learn more about Dr. Anurag Singh: https://medicine.buffalo.edu/faculty/profile.html?ubit=as277 Read the research about mitophagy, declining mental health, and dementia:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7820371/ Get 10% off all Timeline products by using code JJ10:  https://www.timelinenutrition.com/partners/jj-virgin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In just 3 weeks, Kim Kardashian lost 16 pounds to fit into a dress for the Met Gala. I’ve helped actors get ready for roles, including Brandon Ralph when he debuted as Superman, and I see this situation as similar to getting ready for a film. In this episode, I critique Kim’s weight loss plan, revealing the good and the bad—and what you actually want to do for fast and lasting fat loss. You’ll learn all about the diet and exercise plan Kim went on. To be honest, some of the things she did, I’d do myself and recommend to others! But other parts of her plan have some serious health risks, and will cause you to actually hold on to weight, not lose it! Ultimately, Kim Kardashian’s diet may work for a one-night role, but it’s not a healthy or sustainable solution for long-term weight loss. If you want to lose weight fast, I reveal what you need to do to make it healthy and sustainable. If you’re going to go for fast weight loss, you’ve got to do it right, or it’ll backfire and you’ll have another yo-yo diet on your hands. Be sure you listen to the whole conversation to get my nutrition and exercise tips, plus two strategies I recommend for boosting your metabolism and losing body fat. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/kardashian Follow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jjvirginvideos Read my book The Sugar Impact Diet: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/books/products/sugar-impact-diet-paperback-book Listen to the podcast episode with Rick Johnson on Ask the Expert: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/the-hidden-biological-switch-that-can-be-the-source-of-weight-fat-gain-with-dr-richard-johnson-ep-525/ Sauna therapy boosts body temperature and helps increase metabolism. I use the Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/j748h5w7er2a. Cold therapy can increase “brown fat” (the good kind). Go to https://www.koorucoldplunges.com/ and use code JJVIP1000 for $1,000 off a Kooru Cold Plunge. Watch my video for 6 simple strategies for Fast, Lasting Fat Loss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjGT2r23MSw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you struggle with gas and bloating and other common functional stomach problems? In this episode, I discuss five steps to resolving your gut issues for good. The good news is, you can turn this around quickly. You’ll ditch the stretch pants and get into your skinny jeans before you know it! The most important thing you need to do is remove Hi-FI food from your diet, which can contribute to leaky gut. This can launch an immune attack and wreak havoc on your body, which can exacerbate gas and bloating, constipation, pain, fatigue, and more. In addition to swapping out the foods that are harming you, you want to add gut-healing foods. I talk about eight foods and why science says they benefit your GI system. Lowering your sugar impact is also crucially important. What can you have instead? I provide some of my favorite low-sugar-impact options, so you can still enjoy some sweetness in your life. Stress has a massive impact on your gut, so another thing you want to do is improve your stress tolerance. I include some of my favorite ways to help regulate your nervous system. Because just like we take our muscles to the gym, we need to tone up our nervous system, too. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/banishingbloat Read my book The Virgin Diet to learn more about food intolerance: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/books/products/the-virgin-diet-paperback Do my 21-Day Breakthrough Food Intolerance Cleanse:  https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/online-programs/products/21-day-breakthrough-food-intolerance-cleanse Study: Flaxseed improves gut health: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190205090541.htm I love the wild-caught salmon from Vital Choice:  https://www.pntra.com/t/SENLRkxKRkdDR0dGT09MQ0dKTkhLTQ Study: omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for the gut: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5751248/ Study: apples improve the balance of gut bacteria: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26938554/ Study: extra virgin olive oil improves gut permeability: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9145083/ Study: Avocados help balance gut bacteria: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/151/4/753/5893497 Study: bone broth is anti-inflammatory and can help the gut: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618064/ I get bone broth daily from my Paleo-Inspired Protein Powders: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/shakes I also use my Collagen Peptides Powder for gut health: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/all-systems-glow-collagen I recommend taking my Reignite Wellness™ Flora Harmony for probiotics:  https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/flora-harmony My book Sugar Impact Diet can help you lower your sugar impact:  https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/books/products/sugar-impact-diet-paperback-book Study: Sugar can increase harmful bacteria: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7284805/ One sugar alternative I love is called Lakanto Monk Fruit: https://lakanto.sjv.io/c/2208035/1270804/15633 Get more gut-healthy fiber with my Reignite Wellness™ Extra Fiber: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/extra-fiber For reducing stress, I recommend Dr. Joe Dispenza’s meditations: https://drjoedispenza.com/collections/healing-collection-for-healthcare-professionals?rfsn=6914154.37386a&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6914154.37386a For more stress support, try my Take Ten Stress Support with GABA and other nutrients: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/take-ten-stress-support Watch my video about why a leaky gut may be why you struggle to lose weight:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhJFDwd3uDM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Menopause changes your life... and your health. It can be a tough transition, but we need to shift our perspective on this important time. Menopause is not a disease; it’s a normal stage of life—and it’s a privilege to still be alive. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, a conventional board-certified OB-GYN who also practices integrative, holistic, and Ayurvedic medicine. We discuss the ways that the stages of menopause change your life for the better, and what you can do to protect your health throughout the transition. As you start to enter perimenopause and menopause, you can make adjustments and build healthy habits to mitigate long-term health issues, including heart disease, which is not discussed enough. The place to start is with hormones, according to Dr. Gilberg-Lenz, and also incorporating botanicals, herbs, and supplements as well. Another big factor that needs to be addressed is lifestyle. You’ll learn about adjustments you should make and why you must make yourself a priority during this time. Because with the right approach, your fifties can be a truly magical decade. Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/menopausebootcamp Learn more about Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz: https://thedrsuzanne.com/ I recommend reading Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz’s book Menopause Bootcamp: https://amzn.to/3XJ8nl6 Listen to my podcast episode about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy during menopause: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy-during-menopause-yes-or-no-397/ I recommend Joe Dispenza’s retreats: https://drjoedispenza.com/?rfsn=6914154.37386a&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6914154.37386a Read more about Dr. Prudence Hall: https://www.thehallcenter.com/ Read Uzzi Reiss’s book The Natural Superwoman: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Superwoman-Scientifically-Program-Feeling/dp/158333324X?ref_=ast_author_dp Get the FREE introduction to Suzanne’s book Menopause Bootcamp to optimize your health, empower yourself, and flourish as you age: https://jjvirgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Suzanne-Gilberg-Lenz-Menopause-Bootcamp-Introduction.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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One of the biggest things that can take down your health is toxins, particularly mold. In this episode, I talk to air-quality expert Michael Rubino, the author of The Mold Medic, An Expert’s Guide on Mold Removal about why mold is such a problem in homes today, and how often you should test for mold in your house. Signs of mold exposure aren’t always obvious. We discuss common symptoms of mold toxicity, like brain fog and fatigue, and explore how mold exposure can show up in your body in a variety of ways. Mold poisoning could very well be a root cause for weight loss resistance, and you’ll learn why your body holds on to toxins in this way. How do you test for mold in your house? Michael gives suggestions for affordable testing, and how often you should test for mold. I’m convinced that detoxification is one of the most important things we have to do to support our health, so you don’t want to miss this conversation. Get Michael’s Free PDF guide 10 Mold Hacks to Prevent Mold in your Home https://www.jjvirgin.com/MoldHacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sugar poses a huge threat to our health today. There are the obvious sources, like candy and soda, but it’s the sneakier sugars in your food that may be causing an addiction. I share five warning signs that you’re addicted to sugar, and reveal exactly what you need to do to break your sugar problem fast. I literally wrote the book on it! I have a wealth of tips and tools to share with you, including ways you can balance your blood sugar and retrain your taste buds, so you can finally conquer your sugar addiction... for good! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do so many people struggle with weight gain and obesity? Here’s one reason: A biological switch in our bodies designed to protect us from starvation can become stuck in the “on” position. This is a hidden source of weight gain, heart disease, insulin resistance, and other health challenges. But it’s not a life sentence; this switch can be turned off. In this episode, JJ talks with one of her heroes, Dr. Richard Johnson. He’s a practicing physician and an internationally recognized medical scientist researching obesity and diabetes, with a special interest in the role of sugar, especially fructose. Dr. Johnson explains why fructose is so different from other sugars and why it can be so problematic. You’ll learn why fructose can encourage fat storage, how this switch is being activated when we’re not in survival situations, the types of foods that can activate the switch and the behaviors that can turn things around. They also discuss leaky gut and its relation to food allergies, the role of fructose in damaging gut health, and how this sugar may be associated with dementia. This conversation gives you specific things you can do to help prevent this survival switch from causing weight gain and other health challenges in the long run.  Full show notes: jjvirgin.com/impactoffructose Listen to JJ’s previous podcast episode with Dr. Richard Johnson: What Causes Obesity?: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcast/what-causes-obesity-with-dr-richard-johnson-ep-490/ Read JJ’s book The Sugar Impact Diet: https://store.jjvirgin.com/products/sugar-impact-diet-paperback-book Read Dr. Johnson’s book, Nature Wants Us to Be Fat: The Surprising Science Behind Why We Gain Weight And How We Can Prevent—And Reverse—It: https://amzn.to/3QExPps Read Dr. Johnson's book, The Sugar Fix: The High Fructose Fallout Is Making You Fat: https://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Fix-High-Fructose-Fallout-Making/dp/143910168X Read Dr. Johnson’s book, The Fat Switch: https://amzn.to/3H0XEgb Learn more about Dr. Richard Johnson: https://drrichardjohnson.com/ I use Extra Fiber to keep my gut, and thyroid, happy: https://store.jjvirgin.com/collections/supplements/products/extra-fiber Find out how much protein you need daily by using my protein calculator: http://jjvirgin.com/proteinfirst Learn how to build the perfect plate:  https://jjvirgin.com/eat-by-the-plate/ Read the Study: Cerebral Fructose Metabolism as a Potential Mechanism Driving Alzheimer's Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33024433/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices