The Wellness Mama Podcast

Episode Highlights With Dr. Amy ShahA life lesson she learned from growing up in rural India and riding a horse carriage to schoolWhy the gut works with the principle of: take action first and motivation follows. And how to support gut bacteria to crave good thingsThe difference between hunger, cravings, and appetiteHow cravings are connected to the dopamine pathwayWays to help kids train positive dopamine pathways and avoid cravings later in lifeWhat are the three “hunger hijackers”?How is most modern food engineered? What is the bliss point?What are psychobiotics?What is your gut microbiome? How can it control our hunger?Why our bodies are solar powdered and why we need natural lightOne good easy rule: sky before screens every dayThere are gut bacteria deep in our guts that need natural sunlight to function optimallyLight is our biggest circadian input followed by food and temperatureThe biggest things women can do to protect against aging and hormone changes is maintain muscle massWhat's the first small change we can make today to stop being so "effing hungry"?Why exercise is the strongest probiotic you can take!What the nova classification of food is and how it impacts our health and moodHer personal 80/20 of non-negotiable things she doesResources We MentionDr. Amy Shah - WebsiteDr. Amy Shah - InstagramI'm So Effing Hungry: Why We Crave What We Crave – and What to Do About It by Amy Shah, MDI'm So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah, MDThe 7-Day Anti-Inflammatory Detox: Combining the Best Parts of Paleo, Vegan, and Gluten- and Sugar-Free Diets by Amy Shah, MDThe Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity - And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race by Daniel Z. Lieberman MD and Daniel Z. Lieberman MD422: Dr. Amy Shah on a Proven Plan to Beat Burnout & Boost Energy345: How to Use Circadian Fasting to Improve Health & Slow Aging With Dr. Amy Shah233: Dr. Amy Shah on Decoding Childhood Allergies & Letting Kids Get DirtyJust Calm (use code wellnessmama15 for discount)Thanks to O

Episode HighlightsWhat oil and fats are, why we need them, and how much we need of eachExamples of vegetable oils and why I personally avoid themThe difference between unsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fatsWhat I eat as my main sources of dietary fat: olive oil, avocados, and fish oilThe difference between Omega-3's and Omega-6's and what the dietary ratio should beTips to reduce your Omega-6 intake and where you'll most likely find this in your foodsThe truth behind how canola oil is made and processedResources MentionedRositaZero Acre Cultured OilKasandrinos Olive OilThanks to Our Sponsor:LMNT - My go-to electrolyte mix that I use during workouts, while fasting and in the sauna. It's a clean source of all of your electrolyte needs.

Episode Highlights With JohnHow his own health struggles led to his research on some very specific topicsHis health problems that happened before he was even bornWhy he recommends high-dose melatonin at timesMelatonin… a master antioxidant? And why he says melatonin is more important than glutathioneHow melatonin affects the mitochondria and is present in every cell in the bodyHis take: Disease is where the body has a stressor and doesn’t have the resources to adaptWhat he says the research actually shows on melatonin and why he recommends really big dosesIs there a concern about a negative feedback loop with melatonin where the body down-regulates natural production?Natural melatonin production: regulated by sunlight exposureThe reason oral melatonin isn’t as effective and what he recommends insteadSunlight is 54% near-infrared and how light sources can be beneficialWhat methylene blue is and how to use it to your advantage: it’s antimicrobial and energizes mitochondria by working as a pro-oxidant and antioxidantCan methylene blue be helpful for improving mood?Methylene blue is photodynamic and what this meansWhy sun exposure is important and how melatonin seems to be protective against burningAnother reason to avoid sunglasses and how they can lead to more skin damageResources We MentionMelatonin: Miracle Molecule by Dr John Andrew Lieurance ND, DCAdvanced Rejuvenation ClinicIt's All In Your Head: Endonasal Cranial Therapy by Dr John A LieuranceMitozen - Use code wellnessmama for a discount621: The One About Morning Sunlight – Short EpisodeBoncharge Red Light BulbsMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. FranklThanks to Our Sponsors:Joovv - Red light therapy can be an important part of any health routine and I use mine daily to support cellular function and for my skin and thyroid. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.Wellnesse - My line of clean and non-toxic personal care products such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and much more!

Episode Highlights With Dr. Sam BerneHow he did dolphin assisted therapy for trauma patients in the pastWhy reading the eye chart is not vision, it's eyesight which is just a skillsetA vision problem is more than in the eyeballWhy he doesn’t recommend dilating eyedrops for children in eye examsHow children can improve their vision without strong glasses or surgeryThe type of exams he recommends for children of all agesHow vision ties to movement and vestibular functionWhat the primitive survival reflex is and how it relates to vision in children and what primitive reflex training isAn eyesight problem is a symptom of a vision problem. If you improve the vision, the eyesight can get betterThe rise of myopia because we are all on screens and what to do about itNutrition and supplements that are generally beneficial for the eyes: Vitamin A, Zinc, Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, Astaxanthin, Omega-3sWhy refined sugar is bad for the eyes!How red light can benefit the eyes (and mitochondria in the whole body)Tip: How backward movement opens up peripheral vision and stimulates the brainThe eyes and the brain make up 2% of body weight and use up 25% of resources and have a very high nutritional needHow brain health is so important for vision as we ageWays to support eyesight with nutrition as we age (diet, glutathione, vitamin C, etc.)How dental health relates to eye healthHead trauma and inflammation can affect the eyes as we ageHow wearing lenses can reduce vision as we age and eye exercises to helpWhat to know about blue light and sunglassesThe connection between trauma and visionHow he uses castor oil on the eyes on the eyelid to keep eyes moist through the nightWhat is different if you’ve had eye surgeryThe essential oils he uses around the face to support the eyesResources We MentionDr. Sam Berne - websiteDr. Sam Berne - Shop Products and BooksI Sense: At Play in the Fields of Healing by Dr. Sam BernePlant Therapy essential oilsMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. FranklThanks to Our Sponsors:BON CHARGE - A holistic wellness brand with a huge range of evidence-based products to optimize your life, such as blue light glasses, EMF protection products and circadian friendly lighting. Use code wellnessmama to save.Zero Acre Farm - Their cultured oil is an innovative and healthy alternative to seed oils. Its neutral taste makes it perfect for roasting, sauteing, stir-frying, baking, dressing, drizzling, and baking.

Episode Highlights With Dr. CassieHer personal story with healing and how she got into the work she doesWhy curiosity is one of the most potent medicines there is and why to approach everything with childlike curiosityA different way to think about labsWhy not to let a diagnosis be part of your identityWhat the placebo affect really shows us about the power of the mindRight and true are not always the same thing… and truth is what sets you freeA truth is something that is undeniable, there is no exception to itHow to learn to ask more beautiful questions to get better answersThe one commonality with everyone she has seen experience a “medical miracle” fo healingResources We MentionGrit Natural MedicineDr. Huckaby - InstagramDavid Whyte: EssentialsThanks to Our Sponsors:LMNT - My go-to electrolyte mix that I use during workouts, while fasting and in the sauna. It's a clean source of all of your electrolyte needs.HigherDOSE - Check out their sauna blanket, PEMF mat, red light face mask and so much more! I use their PEMF mat several times during the week. Use code mama15 for a discount.

Jim Stephenson, a vitamin D research expert, discusses common myths about vitamin D and the importance of sunlight for health. He explains why isolated vitamin D pills may be less effective and debunks the need for vitamin K in absorption. Exploring genetic factors, he highlights how certain mutations aid vitamin D metabolism. Jim emphasizes the cancer-preventive benefits of sun exposure while offering practical tips for safe sun habits and critiques mainstream sunscreen concepts. Tune in for a fresh perspective on vitamin D and its complex relationship with sunlight!

Episode HighlightsTo start off, what is protein, and where it's found (and used) in the bodyWhy I eat higher protein and what health benefits I feelHow the nine essential amino acids play a roleWhat is the difference between a complete protein and an incomplete protein and examplesWhat creatine is and what the research saysHow skeletal muscle is strongly correlated to longevity and the ways to increase this (resistance training and consuming enough of the right kinds of amino acids)We might also need more protein in times of recovery from injury or illness, especially broken bonesHow we're more likely to under-consume protein, versus over-consume it, in the U.S.What the possible downsides are of eating too much protein, without enough fiber, carbs, and fatThe question to ask: How much protein and how to get enough in your diet?Resources MentionedHow Protein Supports Your Muscle Health, with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Chris Kresser371: How Eating More Protein Will Transform Your Metabolism With Dr. Gabrielle Lyon612: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on Muscle-Centric Medicine, Eat Your Protein, and How to Train Better564: Chris Kresser on Nutrient Deficiencies & Why the Way We Think About Health Needs to ChangeProtein Bulk Meal Planning EbookLMNT - ElectrolytesKion Aminos and CreatineIconic Protein Powder (use code wellnessmama15 for a discount)Paleovalley beef sticksPaleovalley protein powderBulk Supplements Creatine MonohydrateJoin me on PatreonThanks to our Sponsor:Joovv - Red light therapy can be an important part of any health routine and I use mine daily to support cellular function and for my skin and thyroid. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.

Episode Highlights With TalleneHer own personal experience with PCOS and how she overcame itHow PCOS is diagnosed: 2 out of 3 common symptomsPCOS is linked to blood sugar issues, insulin resistance, higher incidence of thyroid problems, and other issuesFactors that are contributing to the rise in PCOSWhy PCOS is actually a somewhat protective mechanism but why it has gotten out of controlHow endocrine disruptors contribute to the problemThe way insulin resistance comes into playWhat to know about insulin resistance and how to resolve itHow walking helps with stress hormones and insulin resistanceWays to use light and sleep to your advantage if you have PCOSThe reason gluten/dairy free can be helpful for women with PCOS in reducing inflammationWhat inositol is and why it can be helpful for PCOS (and many other things)Resources We MentionWellnesseLevels - Continuous Glucose MonitorThe Cysterhood WebsiteInstagram - PCOSPCOS Weight LossPCOS SOS: A Gynecologist's Lifeline To Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness by Felice Gersh M D101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna WiestThanks to Our Sponsors:Wellnesse - My line of clean and non-toxic personal care products such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and much more!Zero Acre Farm - Their cultured oil is an innovative and healthy alternative to seed oils. Its neutral taste makes it perfect for roasting, sauteing, stir-frying, baking, dressing, drizzling, and baking

Episode Highlights With AndrewWhy the pandemic led to an increase in homeschooling but why this is still happening even with schools open nowHomeschooling vs other alternative education optionsDo homeschooled kids actually not get enough opportunities for socialization?Why homeschooling can take much less time than regular school and still accomplish just as muchWhy boredom can be a good thing and the downside of how much we’ve eliminated itHow to teach as a homeschool parent even if there are topics you don’t know yourselfThe way high school kids can take college enrollment courses virtually and get creditHow to get started homeschooling if you’ve never tried it before, including how to know your state's requirementsWhat bedtime story culture is and why he feels it is so importantCan homeschool students still go to college? Yes, but is that the best option?Why he shares my opinion that entrepreneurship is a great way to teach life skillsReading out loud to children is the number one predictor of writing skills in adults and the number one predictor of adults who like to readShockingly, over 2/3 of high school age students have not read one book in the previous yearParting advice: the least important part about growing up is academicsKey Point: When you look at great people, many of them didn’t even do great in school but they made huge contributions to the world because of their characterResources We MentionIEW - Institute for Excellence in WritingChristian Halls Association - CHIHome School Legal Defense AssociationWhy We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew WalkerEat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself by William W Li MDThe Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso) by Dante AlighieriThanks to Our Sponsors:Joovv - Red light therapy can be an important part of any health routine and I use mine daily to support cellular function and for my skin and thyroid. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.LMNT - My go-to electrolyte mix that I use during workouts,while fasting and in the sauna. It's a clean source of all of your electrolyte needs

Episode Highlights With Thomas SeyfriedWhat cancer actually is and why it isn’t just geneticHow mitochondria function is a big factor in the cancer equationWhat the Warburg study is and what it shows us about how cancer happensWhy cyanide kills healthy cells but not tumor cellsCancer cells don’t use oxygen for energy, and what they use insteadWarburg: cancer cells replace oxygen energy with fermentation energyHow cancer cells use oxygen, not for energy but to create reactive oxygen speciesThe only two fuels cancer cells use: glucose and the amino acid glutamine (both fermentable)His opinion: target the glucose and the glutamine simultaneously while transitioning the body to ketonesThe biggest cancer breakthrough in the last few decades? Reduction in smokingWhat are the root causes of cancer as a metabolic diseaseProvocative agents that increase the risk of cancer: chronic inflammation, age, carcinogenic chemicals, viruses, age, genes (like BRCA1)How to keep your mitochondria healthy to reduce the risk of cancer “Our genes are supremely capable of preventing cancer”Why he recommends periodic water fasting for mitochondria healthHow exercise helps support mitochondriaWhat ketones are and why they are a super fuel for the bodyHow to address the glutamine side of cancer cellsWhat glutamine-targeting drugs areWhy his approach is getting rid of cancer without the toxicityThe reason that traditional cancer treatment like chemo and radiation can be more effective when used with metabolic therapiesWhat he would do if he had cancer“We can reduce the death rate by 50% if you view the tumor as a metabolic problem rather than a genetic problem” – Thomas SeyfriedResources We MentionCancer as a metabolic disease: On the origin, management and prevention of cancer by Thomas SeyfriedKeto for Cancer: Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy as a Targeted Nutritional Strategy by Miriam Kalamian EdM MS CNSThe Origin (and future) of the Ketogenic Diet - by Dr. Dominic D'Agostino and Travis Christofferson: Charity Publication: In support of Dr. Thomas Seyfrieds cancer research by Johnny Rockermeier, with Dr. Dominic D'AgostinoRavenous: Otto Warburg, the Nazis, and the Search for the Cancer-Diet Connection by Sam Apple