Podcasts about Environmental Working Group

Kristin Fracassi, founder & CEO of Root & Splendor, and Alecia Nelson, the COO, share the origin story of a premium non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover - developed by a mom of four who went down a rabbit hole on natural product ingredients and didn't like what she found. Kristin talks about working with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists, the moment when lab results confirmed her product matched the efficacy of big-name brands, and why full ingredient transparency is a non-negotiable for the brand. Alecia shares what it's like to join a brand she watched grow from the dream stage, and what's on the horizon with a new kitchen product line built to the same uncompromising standards. They wrap up by reflecting on how Naturally Network has opened door after door after door.Takeaways:Root & Splendor makes premium, fully non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover formulated with 100% plant-based ingredients, scented with natural essential oils, and priced at about 33 cents per load.Kristin started the brand as a mom and homesteader, not an entrepreneur, after discovering that many "natural" products still contain harmful ingredientsRoot & Splendor is one of only a few laundry brands to achieve EWG Verified status, a third-party certification from the Environmental Working Group.Five years of R&D with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists resulted in a product that matches the efficacy of major conventional brands without any harmful ingredients.Their packaging delivers an 800% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional alternatives.Full ingredient transparency is a core brand commitment with every ingredient is listed on the package along with an explanation of what it does.Kristin describes conscious business as a daily choice because every day brings opportunities to cut corners.Root & Splendor is now expanding into a kitchen product line, holding to the same standards of plant-based formulation, premium efficacy, and sustainable packaging.The brand continues to grow organically through word of mouth from customers who try the product and tell their friends.Winning the Naturally San Diego Pitch Slam was a turning point for the brand, opening doors to other pitch slams, awards, and a deeply supportive network of industry peers.Sound Bites:"I was willing to sacrifice efficacy for safety, and then I did a deep dive into the ingredients and learned that a lot of natural ingredients are still not safe.""We formulate for safety and efficacy. Every ingredient is safe for people, pets, the environment, and fabrics.""I had no intention of starting a business, but once I realized we had something truly different, I wanted to bring it to everyone.""There are a million ways to cut corners as a business owner. Every day I choose to stay true to our values and our standards.""The consumer is really smart. They're educated. They know what they're looking for. The greenwashing in this space, it's pretty wild.""There's no reason to sacrifice safety or efficacy. You can have both.""This wasn't developed in a boardroom. This was developed by women, for women.""Don't ever give up on a stain."Links:Alecia Nelson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecialnelson/Kristin Fracassi LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinfracassirootandsplendor/Root & Splendor Website - https://rootandsplendor.com/Root & Splendor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-and-splendor/people/Root & Splendor on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootandsplendorRoot & Splendor on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootandsplendor…Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio…The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I didn't know too much about the impressive Johanna Hellrigl before this conversation — a friend suggested I interview her and I intuitively said yes on the spot. And I'm so glad I did! Johanna is the chef and founder behind Ama, an award-winning Northern Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C., and a board member of the Environmental Working Group who is revolutionizing what it means to nourish people — from the way she sources whole ingredients to how she cares for her team to the deeper intention behind every decision she makes. She is building a model of hospitality where indulgence, vitality, sustainability, and community coexist — proving restaurants can drive cultural and systemic change. This woman is doing the work, and you can feel it. Johanna's personal story also really moved me. As a chef, entrepreneur and mother, Johanna shares parts of her life that shaped the way she sees health, intuition, and what it means to truly take care of yourself in a world that can feel overwhelming and confusing. It's a powerful reminder of how much we're capable of when we start to question, listen, and trust ourselves more deeply. Many of us are aware of how to avoid toxins in and around our food at home, but I'll admit eating out was more of a blind spot for me. We get into the hidden plastic crisis lurking in restaurant kitchens, the truth about what's really in your pasta and why it hits so differently in Europe, the seed oil conversation with actual nuance, food waste, and so. much. more. Johanna shares practical swaps you can make today in your own kitchen to reduce your toxic load — no overwhelm, just empowered steps forward. We really covered it all! I left this conversation feeling inspired, grounded, and confident that our bodies are incredibly intelligent — and when we start to listen, everything begins to shift. Key Moments You'll Love ✨ :

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, the hosts sit down with Dr. Marina Suri, an OB-GYN with more than 30 years of experience in restorative reproductive medicine and women's health. Together, they explore a refreshing and hopeful perspective on fertility, longevity, and what women can do naturally to support their hormone health and reproductive lifespan. Dr. Marina introduces the idea of “biological age” versus chronological age. While we cannot stop time, she explains that the health of our bodies is deeply influenced by lifestyle choices. The same habits that support longevity. The conversation dives into practical, foundational approaches that often get overlooked in conventional medicine. Rather than focusing first on expensive biohacking trends, Dr. Marina encourages women to start simple: eat whole foods, reduce ultra-processed foods and sugar, move the body regularly, and prioritize nutrient sufficiency. She shares how deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and omega-3s are incredibly common in her patients and can significantly impact hormone health and fertility. The hosts also discuss the overwhelming amount of health information women encounter online today. Dr. Marina reminds listeners that the basics matter most. A Mediterranean-style diet, reducing inflammatory foods, regular exercise, and stress management are still some of the most evidence-based ways to improve fertility and overall wellness. Another major topic of the episode is low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a therapy gaining attention in restorative reproductive medicine.More recently, she has seen promising use in fertility support, particularly for women with inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS. She discusses both the potential benefits and considerations of using LDN, including common side effects like vivid dreams and sleep changes. The discussion also highlights the growing concern surrounding endocrine-disrupting chemicals in modern life. From plastics and water contaminants to personal care products and cleaning supplies, Dr. Marina explains how environmental toxins may be impacting fertility, hormone balance, and even sperm counts. She shares practical ways women can reduce exposure without becoming fearful, including using water filters, cleaner products, and tools like the Environmental Working Group's Healthy Living App. The episode closes with a beautiful reflection on body literacy and the importance of women understanding their cycles and hormones. Dr. Marina encourages women not to take fertility for granted and to become more in tune with the natural rhythms of their bodies. Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand that they are not powerless when it comes to their health and fertility. This episode is packed with practical wisdom, encouragement, and empowering reminders that small lifestyle changes can truly transform hormone health, fertility, and long-term wellness. Interested in being a Podcast Sponsor with THE HORMONE GENIUS? Check out these links next to get more detailson our SPONSORSHIP VISION! PODCAST PARTNER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdffY6WpATSUZfVtaQDlgCH1TDvvR5o3u-1G_sxUzQ0iRgHqg/viewform MONTHLY SPONSOR: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBmq62f7FcAs6aGqD_2wrHyWlXRm66bhzvqF2M1Pal5nkGyA/viewform BRAND PARTNER: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBu46XqvMbmi8dqt8LBzUE0r22Gj39Ou9tbXSeN6d8-G5qaA/viewform We love partnering with brands that align with our mission of empowering women through hormone education and whole-body health. Visit WeHeartNutrition.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off your first order. The information shared on the Hormone Genius Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or sponsors.

What's actually in your food, and who's protecting the companies that put it there?I sit down with Johanna Hellrigl, chef, restaurateur, board member of the Environmental Working Group, and founder of Ama, the mission-driven Northern Italian restaurant four blocks from the US Capitol, to talk about what's really happening in our food system, why your cookware matters as much as your ingredients, and how a woman who grew up in a Michelin-quality kitchen ended up fighting pesticide immunity bills and plastic migration in the same breath.This conversation goes deeper than clean eating. Johanna walks through the specific decisions she makes every day, from the containers in her kitchen to the farms that grow her tomatoes, and explains why the real model for healthy eating has been sitting in Italian kitchens for centuries. She is building a case study that nourishing food, done with integrity, can also be a viable business. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the food system or paralyzed by conflicting information, this episode gives you a clear-headed, practical place to start.What we explore:- How heat, fat, acid, and time create the conditions for plastic and chemicals to migrate directly into your food.- Why 99% of food chemicals enter the US supply through a regulatory loophole that bypasses proper safety review.- What rebuilding your gut microbiome actually requires, and why what happens in your gut controls far more than most people realize.- How Johanna runs a restaurant rooted in love without sacrificing standards, consistency, or accountability.- Why voting with your dollars and contacting your representatives are two of the most direct actions you can take right now.About Johanna Hellrigl:Johanna Hellrigl is a chef, restaurateur, and culinary advocate redefining what restaurants can stand for. She is the chef-owner of Ama, an award-winning Northern Italian restaurant in Washington, DC, named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in 2026 and recognized by Gambero Rosso for authenticity. Before opening Ama, she spent years in international democracy-building work across 61 countries, an experience that deepened her belief that food is one of the most powerful tools for connection and change. She sits on the board of the Environmental Working Group and works with the Plastic Pollution Coalition, bringing the same rigor she applies in her kitchen to the fight for a safer, more transparent food system.Connect with Johanna Hellrigl:Instagram (Chef Johanna): https://www.instagram.com/chefjohannahellrigl/Instagram (Ama Restaurant): https://www.instagram.com/amarestaurant.bar/Website: https://amarestaurant.barTimestamps00:00 Intro01:00 Growing Up in a Michelin Kitchen05:08 How 61 Countries Brought Her Back to Food08:00 Reclaiming the Family Meal13:17 Pesticide Loopholes and Who Pays the Price20:12 Finding Common Ground on Food Policy29:00 Plastic, Cookware, and Cutting Board Basics37:40 Meal Prep That Actually Works43:40 Why She Opened Ama56:23 Love, Standards, and Consistency in the Kitchen01:01:06 What's Really Inside a Plate of Pasta01:08:33 Healing the Gut After Antibiotic Overload01:15:39 EWG, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and How to Get Loud–This episode is sponsored by:RITUAL: So sit back and raise a glass to your new evening Ritual with Magnesium+. Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/GABBY. That's Ritual.com/GABBY for 25% off your first month.ANNMARIE: Visit https://www.annmariegianni.com/ and use code Gabby for 20% off.–The Gabby Reece ShowThis is where I have real conversations with the people I find most worth listening to: scientists, athletes, coaches, parents, and thinkers who are doing the hard work of building a life that holds up over time. No hacks. No quick fixes. Just honest, practical conversations about performance, longevity, relationships, and what it actually takes to show up well at every age.If you are here, you probably already know that health is not a destination. It is how you live. I am glad you are along for it.Connect with Gabby Reece:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbyreeceofficialWebsite: https://gabriellereece.comPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You won't believe this new medical use for Classic Coca-Cola; The solution for menopausal sleep problems goes beyond mere hormone replacement; Paxlovid strikes out vs. Covid in new trials; Pesticide exposure may explain rising colorectal cancer rates in young people; Big Food touts faulty study that claims healthier food regulations will cost consumers; Higher aerobic fitness boosts size of the brain's memory centers—as does memorizing London taxi routes. 

A new private behavioral health facility opens this June in Council Buffs. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says testing has shown elevated nitrate levels in Des Moines and other Midwest cities. And a look inside a national competition in Oklahoma that draws hundreds of teenagers from across the country to show their skills judging soil.

Our guest tonight is Bernadette Del Chiaro, Senior Vice President at the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit working to empower people with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.Bernadette leads EWG's California operations, building the organization at the state level to continue its groundbreaking work on advancing critical environmental and public health priorities, through innovative policies, enhanced transparency and improved accountability of government agencies.Del Chiaro has 30 years of experience building non-profit organizations focused on the goals of  clean energy and a healthier environment. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the California Solar and Storage Association. Under her leadership, it became the nation's largest clean energy business association focused on consumer-facing solar energy solutions.Prior to that, she worked for nearly two decades for environmental non-profit organizations, including Environment California, where she championed the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, and the Toxics Action Center, where she helped neighborhood groups fight for their right to a clean environment.Del Chiaro has authored several reports on a variety of energy topics and has been widely quoted in many national, international and local media outlets.In tonight's episode we discuss the following:Despite the known negative health effects of "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, they are still legally used as pesticides on food grown throughout the United States, with a few exceptions, such as in Maine.In a March 2026 EWG study involving 930 samples of non-organic California-grown produce, 37% were found to be contaminated with PFAS-based pesticides.EWG is supporting legislation such as AB 1603, which would ban the use of PFAS-based pesticides in California by 2035.In the meantime, EWG recommends continuing to consume produce, favoring organic produce when feasible, and using proper washing techniques.Risks associated with PFAS exposure can be further reduced by favoring produce on EWG's "Clean Fifteen" list, and avoiding the "Dirty Dozen".Support the showVisit us at climatemoneywatchdog.org!

Send us Fan MailSunscreen advice usually comes as a binary: fear the sun or ignore the risks. We take a different path and give you a practical framework for sun protection that doesn't sacrifice the real health benefits of sunlight. From the start, we separate the roles of UVA and UVB so you can understand what actually causes sunburn, what drives vitamin D production, and why UVA is linked with skin aging while still playing a role in nitric oxide release and circulation. Then we get concrete about “sensible sunlight exposure,” a balanced approach popularised by vitamin D researcher Dr Michael Holick. We talk about how timing, latitude, altitude, season, and skin pigmentation change your safe window for unprotected sun, and why regular gradual exposure can build a “solar callus” that improves tolerance. We also cover a detail many people miss: most household glass blocks UVB but allows UVA through, which matters for anyone spending long hours near windows or on the road. Finally, we tackle sunscreen safety and label reading. We discuss concerns around common sunscreen chemicals like parabens and benzophenone-3 (often called oxybenzone), the reality of transdermal absorption with frequent reapplication, and why combining products can amplify exposure, especially when sunscreen overlaps with insect repellent. We share how we use the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tools like the Skin Deep app, clarify what SPF and “broad spectrum” really mean, and name the mineral sunscreens we trust, with an emphasis on zinc oxide and non-nano options. If this helps you rethink your summer routine, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find smarter, safer guidance on sunlight, sunscreen, and skin health.Environmental Working Group: ewg.orgwww.thehealthedgepodcast.com

In this encore episode of Health Gig, Doro and Tricia have a conversation with Ken Cook, President & Co-Founder of the Environmental Working Group. He talks about his decades of experience as a writer and lobbyist who is dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Ken shares a few resources, including the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists, and the Tap Water Database, and provides listeners with advice and tips for healthy living.

Are your fruits and vegetables helping your health, or silently sabotaging it?     On today's show, we break down the Environmental Working Group's 2026 report, which analyzed over 54,000 produce samples to reveal which fruits and vegetables are safest, and which ones are covered in multiple man-made chemicals.     We explore the surprising prevalence of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and "forever chemicals" in everyday produce, and share how to shop smart (and safely) using the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists without feeling restricted.     You'll also learn practical and cost saving tips for peeling, choosing frozen options, or swapping certain produce to reduce exposure.     Join me on today's Cabral Concept 3721 to learn more about chemicals in your food and how to make your produce choices smarter, safer, and better for your wellbeing.   - - - For Everything Mentioned In Today's Show: StephenCabral.com/3721 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!  

We began the program with four interesting guests on topics we think you should know more about! 8:05PM: Using tax returns for home improvements is a common way to reinvest in your property, but the Better Business Bureau warns homeowners to use caution to avoid scams and poor-quality work.Guest: Paula Fleming, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer for the Better Business Bureau, Boston 8:15PM: Every year Matt and the Matt Brown Foundation team run the Boston Marathon – this year is no different! Please consider supporting the Matt Brown Foundation run for 2026! **Matt Brown is a former Norwood High School (MA) hockey player who became a motivational speaker and founder of the Matt Brown Foundation after sustaining a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a 2010 game.Guest: Matt Brown, former Norwood High School hockey player and Founder of the Matt Brown Foundation 8:30PM: The Environmental Working Group has released its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ and finds widespread PFAS (forever chemicals) pesticide residue on non-organic fruits and vegetables. Find out what produce made the list of the 2026 “Dirty Dozen” – But don’t fret, there’s also a 2026 “Clean Fifteen” for safer eating! Guest: Varun Subramaniam, Science Analyst for the Environmental Working Group 8:45PM: There’s a new scam in town, and you probably wouldn’t think much of it since most websites have been asking you to “prove you’re a human” through CAPTCHA (the box that pops up and asks you to click on pictures of traffic lights or crosswalks) for a while now. But hold on – don’t open a “Run” box or paste code if asked to!! It’s a scam! Guest: Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource CenterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often measure productivity by output, deadlines, and achievements. But could one of the most powerful indicators of human performance be something we rarely discuss in leadership conversations, our fertility and overall biological health? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Marina, an experienced OBGYN and educator with more than 30 years of experience in women's health and reproductive medicine. Drawing from insights in her upcoming book, Optimize Your Fertility Naturally, they explore the surprising connection between fertility, overall health, and long-term productivity. Dr. Marina explains why fertility should be viewed as a vital sign of overall health, much like blood pressure or heart rate. When the body is functioning optimally, reproductive health reflects that balance. But when lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, chronic stress, unhealthy diets, and environmental toxins accumulate, they can disrupt the body's natural systems and reduce both fertility and overall well-being. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Marina highlights how modern lifestyles often prioritize quick pharmaceutical solutions instead of addressing the underlying biological foundations of health. She emphasizes that sustainable productivity begins with the basics: quality sleep, nutrient-dense food, physical activity, stress management, and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday products. The discussion also explores the hidden role environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals play in modern health challenges, including declining fertility, obesity, and chronic fatigue. Dr. Marina shares practical tools, including the Environmental Working Group's Healthy Living App, which helps consumers identify safer household and personal care products. If you want to improve your energy, protect your long-term health, and build the foundation for sustainable productivity in both your career and personal life, this episode offers practical insights you won't want to miss.   What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Guest introduction: Dr. Marina [02:31] Personal motivation and upcoming book mention [05:10] Producing healthy humans as productivity [05:42] Holistic health vs. crisis response [06:24] Fertility as a vital sign of overall health [07:44] Holistic medicine vs pharmaceutical-first healthcare [10:02] Biological energy as productivity foundation [11:05] Managing stress for productivity [12:22] Invisible performance disruptors [13:21] Environmental Working Group and Healthy Living app [14:34] Water and air quality concerns [17:36] Environmental toxins and longevity [18:06] Long-term health and productivity mindset [18:41] Burnout and biological costs [20:28] Processed foods and weight loss challenges [22:56] Core pillars of high-performance health [23:38] Importance of sleep and circadian rhythms [25:38] Shift work and health challenges [26:12] Productivity as lifetime legacy [27:16] Health, wealth, and purpose [28:00] Resource recap: Healthy Living app [28:22] Where to find Dr. Marina and the book prelaunch   Notable Quotes [05:22] "In order to produce healthy humans, you have to be healthy yourself." – Dr. Marina [06:36] "Fertility should be considered a vital sign as well because it's a very good reflection of your overall state of health." – Dr. Marina [07:20] "What's going to solve the problem is you getting enough sleep, you eating a good diet, you moving your body, you are reacting to stress in a positive way." – Dr. Marina [10:23] "If you're not thinking clearly because you're exhausted, if you're stressed and you haven't dealt with it, it's very hard to be productive in a positive way." – Dr. Marina [12:40] "It's been estimated that 90% of doctors visits are due to stress related factors." – Dr. Marina [19:16] "If you rely on burning the candle at both ends, it's like the turtle and the hare." – Dr. Marina [22:01] "We tend to look at overweight people and think it's their fault, but that's no longer the case. They are being affected by the environment, chemicals, and the food itself." – Dr. Marina [22:58] "You want a diet that's nutrient dense that doesn't contain a lot of junk food and sugar." – Dr. Marina [27:34] "If you're wealthy but your health is bad, you'll spend all your wealth trying to get healthy." – Gerald J. Leonard   Resource and Links Healthy Living App Dr. Marina Website: https://drmarinaobgyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinaobgyn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marina.obgyn/ Coming Soon: Optimize Your Fertility Naturally   Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com   Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

What if two of the most ordinary things in your life, your cell phone and your tap water, were interacting inside your body in ways no one has ever fully explained before? In this eye-opening solo episode, Darin breaks down emerging research showing that wireless radiation and industrial toxins like chromium-6 may work together inside the body, creating a level of cellular stress and DNA damage far greater than either exposure alone. This isn't about fear, it's about awareness. Because for the first time, we're starting to understand that modern life isn't about isolated exposures… it's about combined effects happening simultaneously. From the shocking reality of contaminated water supplies to the invisible EMF environment we live in daily, Darin connects the dots between science, lifestyle, and practical action. Most importantly, he gives you a clear roadmap for reducing your exposure and strengthening your body's natural defenses, so you can live powerfully within the modern world, without being silently impacted by it.     What You'll Learn Why modern health risks are not isolated—but compounded through multiple exposures The surprising connection between cell phone radiation and chromium-6 What new research reveals about synergistic DNA damage inside cells Why current safety standards may not reflect real-world conditions How widespread chromium-6 contamination is in modern water systems The concept of "toxic load" and how it builds over time Why your body can repair damage—but only up to a certain threshold The importance of reducing exposure instead of chasing perfection How EMFs impact cellular stress responses and long-term health Practical strategies to reduce your exposure starting today     Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of building a healthier world 00:00:33 – Sponsor: the truth about NAD+ supplements and quality verification 00:02:17 – Setting intention: breathwork and grounding into the episode 00:03:08 – Introducing today's topic: cell phones, tap water, and hidden health risks 00:03:54 – New research reveals unexpected interactions inside the body 00:04:35 – How wireless radiation and chromium-6 combine inside cells 00:05:17 – Inside the Bioelectromagnetics Lab and what researchers tested 00:06:01 – Key finding: isolated exposure vs combined exposure 00:06:50 – Why "1 + 1" doesn't equal 2 in biological systems 00:07:43 – DNA fragmentation and what it means for long-term health 00:08:21 – Why current safety standards may be incomplete 00:09:01 – What chromium-6 actually is and why it matters 00:09:56 – The Erin Brockovich connection and why this is bigger than one case 00:10:09 – 200 million Americans exposed through drinking water 00:10:57 – How chromium-6 enters water systems 00:11:30 – The lack of federal regulation and what that means 00:12:00 – Why this isn't about panic: it's about awareness 00:12:37 – Chronic low-level exposure vs acute exposure 00:13:00 – Your body's repair systems—and when they get overwhelmed 00:13:11 – Sponsor: non-toxic cookware and reducing toxic exposure 00:15:01 – Introducing your "Digital Hygiene Protocol" 00:15:40 – Step 1: Creating an EMF-free sleep environment 00:16:30 – Why sleep is critical for DNA repair 00:16:58 – Step 2: Distance as your greatest protection 00:17:30 – Why proximity to your phone matters more than you think 00:18:03 – Eliminating Bluetooth exposure and switching to wired options 00:18:36 – Hardwiring your home and reducing Wi-Fi exposure 00:19:05 – Why earbuds and constant proximity increase risk 00:19:30 – Step 3: Filtering your water to remove chromium-6 00:20:00 – Reverse osmosis and why it matters 00:20:22 – Supporting your body's defense systems through nutrition 00:20:45 – Antioxidants, minerals, and detox support 00:21:10 – Adaptogens and strengthening resilience 00:21:30 – Final perspective: technology isn't the enemy—misuse is 00:22:00 – The concept of the "multi-stressor environment" 00:22:20 – Empowerment over fear: what you can control today 00:22:36 – Closing thoughts and invitation to share the message     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place – Non-toxic cookware that keeps harmful chemicals out of your food. Get 10% off at fromourplace.com with code DARIN. Tru Niagen – Boost NAD+ levels for cellular health and longevity. Get 20% off with code DARIN20 at truniagen.com.     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "We don't live in a world of single exposures anymore—we live in a world of combinations. It's not just what you're exposed to, it's how those exposures interact inside your body over time. The good news is, you don't need to eliminate everything—you just need to reduce the load. And every small, intentional choice you make moves your biology back toward balance."     Bibliography/Sources Primary Scientific Study Zhu, Y., Zhu, L., Lan, Y., Sun, C., & Chen, G. (2026). Exposure to hexavalent chromium and 1800 MHz electromagnetic radiation can synergistically induce intracellular DNA damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 804, Article 153360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153360 Environmental & Regulatory Resources California State Water Resources Control Board. (2024). Chromium-6 drinking water maximum contaminant level. California Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Chromium6.html  Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Chromium-6 report. https://www.ewg.org/areas-focus/toxic-chemicals/chromium-6  Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). EWG's tap water database. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater International Agency for Research on Cancer. (n.d.). IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans: Non-ionizing radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (Group 2B). World Health Organization. https://publications.iarc.who.int/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Non-ionizing-Radiation-Part-2-Radiofrequency-Electromagnetic-Fields-2013

Grocery prices are up, budgets are tight, and consumers are more health-conscious than ever. So where does that leave us when it comes to organic produce, pesticide residues, and the popular “Dirty Dozen” list from the Environmental Working Group?In this episode of Nutrition for Noobs, Michelle and Kevin dig into the pros, cons, and context behind the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists. Are strawberries really a toxic nightmare? Should you only buy organic? And what's the real risk when it comes to pesticide residues in Canada and the U.S.?Michelle breaks down:What the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 actually measureWhy affordability is shaping 2026 food trendsWhat critics (and universities like McGill University) say about how the data is interpretedHow much produce you'd actually have to eat to be at risk (spoiler: it's a LOT)Practical, evidence-based ways to wash produce properlyWhether frozen fruit might be just as good, or better, than freshWhy avoiding fruits and vegetables out of fear may be the bigger health riskThe big takeaway? Don't let perfectionism (or scary headlines) stop you from eating your greens. Buy the best quality you can afford, wash your produce, consider growing your own if you can, and above all, practice food joy.Because at the end of the day, eating real food consistently matters more than obsessing over trace residues.EWG links:https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.phphttps://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean-fifteen.phpTower garden:https://ca.towergarden.com/#michelleplantsPlease subscribe and drop us a review—your feedback helps fellow noobs find their way to better nutrition.Have a question for Michelle? Have a recipe (or recipe disaster) you want to share? Get in touch at n4noobs@gmail.com or connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nutritionfornoobs) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nutrition4noobs)

→ My one stop shop for quality supplements: https://theswellscore.com/pages/drg Episode Description That Brita in your fridge? It's not doing what you think it is. You bought it to protect your family. You fill it up, watch the water drip through, and feel like you've done something good. But here's the reality: Brita is NSF-certified to remove five contaminants. The Environmental Working Group just found 324 in U.S. drinking water. That gap is the problem. PFAS (the forever chemicals) have been detected in the drinking water of over 200 million Americans. Hexavalent chromium, the chemical from Erin Brockovich, has no federal limit and is present in water systems across all 50 states. Nitrates. Microplastics. Pharmaceuticals. Fluoride. Brita addresses essentially none of them. In this episode, Dr. Christian Gonzalez breaks down exactly what's in your tap water, what Brita actually filters, and what it's leaving behind. Then he gives you six evidence-based alternatives across three price tiers—so you can make the best decision for your budget and your household. In this episode, Dr. G breaks down: • Why EPA regulations are decades out of date—and why that matters for your family • The six PFAS chemicals the EPA finally regulated in 2024—and why there are 5,000 more they don't touch • The best pitcher upgrade under $60 that removes over 365 contaminants Brita ignores • Under-the-sink options with 50x the filter life and clinical-grade PFAS removal • The reverse osmosis systems Dr. G actually uses—and why they're the gold standard This isn't about fear. It's about knowing what's real so you can take control of one of the biggest daily exposures most people never think about. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - What's Really in Your Tap Water (324 Contaminants) 3:26 - PFAS Forever Chemicals: 200 Million Americans Affected 5:38 - What Brita Actually Removes (The Real NSF Data) 9:47 - What Brita Leaves Behind: PFAS, Fluoride, Arsenic & More 11:43 - 6 Cleaner Alternatives Across 3 Budget Tiers 12:05 - Tier 1: Best Budget Pitcher Upgrades (~$40–60) 1:40 - Tier 2: Under-the-Sink Carbon Filters (~$150–350) 15:02 - Tier 3: Reverse Osmosis Systems (Clinical Grade) 17:01 - Which Filter Tier Is Right for You? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Tee welcomes Kyle Hulbert, CEO of The Longevity Center and co-host of Longevity Unlocked, for a grounded discussion on how heavy metals can disrupt brain chemistry and contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability, brain fog, and long-term cognitive decline. Kyle shares his personal journey through unexplained fatigue and deteriorating mental health, which was ultimately traced back to mercury toxicity and low testosterone, followed by significant improvement through physician-guided detoxification and hormone optimization. The episode breaks down common sources of heavy-metal exposure, how different metals affect the body and brain, and the role of clinic-based chelation therapies such as EDTA and DMPS. Tee and Kyle explain The Longevity Center's methodical approach, emphasizing comprehensive bloodwork before any intervention, and they highlight practical, everyday ways to reduce toxic inputs using trusted resources like The Environmental Working Group and MadeSafe. Kyle also offers a clear warning about the risks of DIY heavy-metal detox protocols and why professional oversight matters. Tee and Kyle also explore water testing and filtration as a foundational step in toxin reduction. The conversation concludes with an important reminder: stay informed but level-headed. Reducing exposure is a gradual process, and panic or chronic stress about toxins can be just as harmful as the toxins themselves. Connect with Kyle and The Longevity Center:  Website Podcast LinkedIn Instagram Facebook   Follow Therese "Tee" Forton-Barnes and The Green Living Gurus: Austin Air Purifiers: For podcast listeners, take 15% off any Austin Air product; please email Tee@thegreenlivinggurus.com and mention that you want to buy a product and would like the discount. See all products here: Austin Air The Green Living Gurus' Website  Instagram YouTube Facebook Healthy Living Group on Facebook   Tip the podcaster! Support Tee and the endless information that she provides: Patreon Venmo: @Therese-Forton-Barnes last four digits of her cell are 8868 For further info, contact Tee: Email: Tee@thegreenlivinggurus.com Cell: 716-868-8868 DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS GENERAL GUIDANCE AND NOT MEANT TO BE USED FOR INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER OR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. Produced By: Social Chameleon

Fear sells, but at what cost to our health? In this unscripted, heart-to-heart conversation, I address a troubling pattern I've noticed in wellness culture: the rise of fear-based health information that lacks crucial context and nuance.When patients ask me whether chia seeds are "toxic" unless soaked, or show me how their healthy peanut butter scores poorly on wellness apps while processed diet foods receive high marks, I worry about the impact of black-and-white thinking on our relationship with food. The internet's tendency to demonize ultra-rare risks while ignoring substantial benefits creates unnecessary anxiety and potentially harmful avoidance behaviors.Through practical examples—from the misunderstood dangers of chia seeds to the methodological limitations of the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list—I explain how "the dose makes the poison" and why counting ingredients without considering their amounts or effects leads to flawed conclusions. Food processing exists on a spectrum; protein powder is technically ultra-processed yet consistently associated with positive health outcomes. Context matters enormously.What's most concerning is how social media algorithms reward sensationalism over substance. A 22-minute video exploring nutritional nuance won't go viral like a shirtless influencer making alarming claims about "toxic" foods in a 30-second clip. This creates an environment where our attention spans shorten (we now have an acronym—TLDR—for content deemed too long) and our anxiety about food choices grows.The solution isn't abandoning tools like food tracking apps entirely—they can help people become more educated about what they consume. Rather, we need to approach health information with critical thinking skills and awareness of these tools' limitations. Your balance point may differ from mine, but I hope these conversations help you develop the discernment to navigate wellness information wisely, without letting fear dictate your choices.Go check out my website for tons of free resources on how to transition towards a healthier diet and lifestyle.You can download my free plant-based recipes eBook and a ton of other free resources by visiting the Digital Downloads tab of my website at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/shopDon't forget to check out my blog at https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/blog You can also watch my educational videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpkQRXb7G-StAotV0dmahQCheck out my upcoming live events and free eCourse, where you'll learn more about how to create delicious plant-based recipes: https://www.plantbaseddrjules.com/Go follow me on social media by visiting my Facebook page and Instagram accountshttps://www.facebook.com/plantbaseddrjuleshttps://www.instagram.com/plantbased_dr_jules/Last but not least, the best way to show your support and to help me spread my message is to subscribe to my podcast and to leave a 5 star review on Apple and Spotify!Thanks so much!Peace, love, plants!Dr. Jules

In this quick but eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a closer look at the Environmental Working Group's annual Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists—two rankings that help consumers understand which fruits and vegetables carry the highest (and lowest) pesticide residues. Whether you shop for your family, your backyard wildlife, or even your parrots (as both Debbie and Laurie do!), this is essential information for keeping everyone safe and healthy. Debbie and Laurie walk through both lists, covering the worst offenders like potatoes, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and leafy greens, as well as the produce that consistently ranks safest, including pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, onions, mushrooms, and kiwi. They explain how the USDA tests produce, why washing and peeling matter, and how thin skins versus thick rinds influence pesticide absorption. The hosts also explore how choosing local, organic, and responsibly grown food can benefit not just our bodies, but also our soil, water, wildlife, and overall ecosystem health. Plus, they highlight ways the Matthews Community Farmers Market helps shoppers make informed, sustainable choices. This helpful, practical episode empowers listeners to shop smarter, understand the environmental impact of pesticide use, and make everyday decisions that support healthier people—and a healthier planet.

Hello Heal Squad! Today, Maria sits down with two major forces behind the Environmental Working Group …aka EWG: Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder, and Jocelyn Lyle, Executive VP of Mission & Partnerships. If you've ever wondered what's really in your products, this is the episode you've been waiting for. Maria first learned about EWG from Jenny McCarthy, and it's been her gold standard in clean and safe ever since. But today isn't just about clean mascara or safer lotion… it's about something far bigger: the hidden toxins in our everyday routines…like drinking water! Ken and Jocelyn are here to break down how we can fix it and uncover how dangerous chemicals sneak into personal care and household products. They also share how EWG is helping all of us, from busy parents to conscious consumers make smarter, safer choices without feeling overwhelmed. If you're stepping into 2026 with a mission to protect your health, clean up your routine, or finally understand what's actually going on your body (and in your water), this conversation will change how you shop, how you think, and how you care for yourself from head to toe. HEALERS & HEAL-LINERS:  Legal” does not mean safe : U.S. regulations for cosmetics and water are decades behind scientific research, which means harmful chemicals can be completely legal yet still linked to health problems. Your water likely contains multiple contaminants: Between PFAS, agricultural runoff, industrial chemicals, and aging infrastructure, water across the country includes contaminants that treatment systems can't fully remove. Hidden toxins are everywhere, and companies don't always disclose them. HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership My Curated Macy's Page: Shop My Macy's Storefront Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/maria  Thrive Causemetics: https://thrivecausemetics.com/healsquad Get 20% OFF with this link!  Briotech: https://shopbriotech.com/ Use Code: HEALSQUAD for 20% off  Jenny McCarthy on Heal Squad:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Q3ZQpscoY Crunchi Foundation: https://go.shopmy.us/p-35676214 GUEST RESOURCES: Website: http://ewg.org EWG Healthy Living App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ewgs-healthy-living/id703155791 EWG Holiday Boxes  ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

What does the ordinary person do to protect themselves when regulators fail?How can you know what is safe to eat – or safe to eat just a little – or safe to eat if you wash it? There are groups trying to fill in the gaps left by poor regulation. The Environmental Working Group in Washington publishes a list of the Dirty Dozen – fruits and vegetables most contaminated with pesticides. But they also publish a list of the Clean 15. And both lists are updated if things change and a dirty one becomes clean.And then there is the book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck. When it was published in 2009 it wasn't just the quirky title that made it a best seller around the world. The book revealed how daily life is bathing us in toxins that accumulate in our tissues, are passed on to our children and damage our health. That was a wakeup call to people all over the world.In this episode Bruce Lourie and Rick Smith explain why they decided the best way to demonstrate how chemicals get into our bodies was to experiment on themselves and document it in a book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Extreme steps taken to make food look more appealing, last longer and be addictively delicious is detrimental to our health. State Legislatures from West Virginia to California are not waiting for federal solutions. CA Asssembly-member Jesse Gabriel says “our public schools should not be serving students ultra-processed food products filled with chemical additives that can harm their physical and mental health and interfere with their ability to learn,” Scott Faber leads the Environmental Working Group’s government affairs efforts to reform food, farm, water and chemical safety policies. Faber is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. EWG.org/foodscores

Popular for their water- and oil-resistant properties, PFAS are found in countless consumer products, including rain gear. Photo by Gabriel Almanzar. Popular for their water and grease resistance, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in countless everyday products, from cookware and cosmetics, to rain gear and cleaning supplies. They are sprayed on crops, added to food packaging, utilized in electronics, and much more. As a result, these substances — which have been linked to serious health impacts and have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment — are now widespread in our water, soil, and air. Several states have begun to take action on the issue. But the road to PFAS regulation has proven challenging, including in the Golden State. Terra Verde host and Earth Island Journal managing editor Zoe Loftus-Farren speaks with Andria Ventura, legislative and policy director with Clean Water Action, and Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice president for California with the Environmental Working Group, about ongoing efforts to reign in our use of these toxic substances California.   The post Tackling PFAS in California appeared first on KPFA.

This episode explores whether MAHA momentum in the states translates into actual policy change nationwide. Helena and Theodore host the first episode of Forked recorded in front of a live audience in Washington DC with two special guests: Summer Barrett, a self-described MAHA Mom – and influential lobbyist – in West Virginia who led the state's charge to ban food dyes; and Scott Faber, from the Environmental Working Group, who argues that MAHA is succeeding on food because the FDA isn't doing its job. An in-depth look at food politics from two very different insiders.

Paul Schiefer, President of Amy's Kitchen, and Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder of Environmental Working Group, talk to Kate and Mark about scaled organic as a sustainability solution; what, specifically, makes Amy's cooking stand out; how conventional agriculture weakens prices; and making organic easier and more accessible to all.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow by leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts.Follow Mark on Twitter at @bittman, and on Facebook and Instagram at @markbittman. Want more food content? Subscribe to The Bittman Project at www.bittmanproject.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost 15 million acres in the Midwest grow corn on the same land year after year. That's about 20 percent of all Midwest cropland.Growing corn in this way produces more greenhouse gas emissions than crop rotation because it releases more nitrous oxide — a greenhouse gas 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.That's according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.But cost-effective, climate-smart practices can reduce these emissions in a big way.Anne Schechinger is lead author of the analysis, and she shared more about the findings as well as solutions to offset the climate impacts of continuous corn with Climate Cast host Paul Huttner.Click play on the audio player above to listen to this episode, or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast.

FMF YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@funmedResources:Austin Air Filters: https://austinair.com/Broccoli Sprouts: https://wellnessmama.com/health/sulforaphane/Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/Smart Sleeve: http://www.safesleevecases.com/discount/RenewInstWellness Services at FMI:Flowpresso®: https://funmedidaho.com/lymphatic-flow-massage/IV Therapy: https://funmedidaho.com/iv-therapy/Blood Purification Protocol: https://funmedidaho.com/ozone-blood-purification-protocol/Ionic Foot Baths: https://funmedidaho.com/ionic-foot-bath/Supplements: https://funmedshop.com/Biotoxin Binder: https://funmedshop.com/products/cellcore-biotoxin-binder-120ctHM ET Binder: https://funmedshop.com/products/cellcore-hm-et-binder-120ctKL Support: https://funmedshop.com/products/cellcore-kl-support-120ctKono Nutrition Protein: https://funmedshop.com/products/regenerative-grass-fed-whey-protein-isolate-konoFoundations Prebiotic Plus DF: https://funmedshop.com/products/foundations-prebiotic-plus-dfTesting:Test My Home: https://www.testmyhome.com/Whole Home and Body Health: https://wholehomeandbodyhealth.com/FMI Center for Optimal HealthWebsite: fmioptimal.comInstagram: @fmioptimalFunctional Medicine of Idaho:Website: funmedidaho.comInstagram: @funmedidaho

What if the same determination it takes to climb some of the world's highest peaks was also the key to tackling some of the world's biggest chemical threats?That's the story of today's guest, Arlene Blum. A pioneering mountaineer who co-led the first women's ascent of Denali and led the first American ascent of Annapurna I, Arlene later turned her focus toward another steep climb: protecting public health from harmful chemicals. As the founder of the Green Science Policy Institute, she has helped phase out toxic flame retardants and raised global awareness of PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals.” You may remember her from our Forever Chemicals podcast series last year.Now, Arlene is sounding the alarm on what could be the next PFAS: antimicrobials. As we celebrate 200 episodes of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore the parallels between adventure and advocacy and how we can carry the lessons learned from the wilderness to creating change in our own communities. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠Listener Survey: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----------------More Resources Green Science Policy Institute: ⁠https://greensciencepolicy.org/⁠Arlene Blum: https://www.arleneblum.com/Six Classes: https://www.sixclasses.org/Breaking Trail Book: https://www.arleneblum.com/product/breaking-trail-a-climbing-life/Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/

In this episode of the Naturally Nourished Podcast, we focus on three key hormones that can significantly impact metabolism: insulin, leptin, and cortisol. Each of these hormones plays an essential role in regulating energy, hunger, and stress, and when imbalances occur, they may be the underlying cause of a metabolic stall or plateau. The conversation explores how insulin resistance can block fat burn, how leptin resistance can interfere with satiety signals, and how cortisol dysregulation can drive cravings and fat storage. We discuss practical strategies for identifying when these hormones are out of balance, along with food-as-medicine approaches, lifestyle modifications, and targeted supplementation to help restore harmony and support optimal metabolic function. Also in this episode:  Join our Keto Reset Program Naturally Nourished Kids Book Tour Events Insulin Naturally Nourished Episode 459 Why Insulin Matters Improved Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity Study Rapid Reduction in Insulin Resistance Markers Study Leptin Naturally Nourished Episode 146 Keto as a Hormetic Stressor and Leptin  Naturally Nourished Episode 356 Low Fat Keto for Leptin Resistance What is Leptin and why it matters High vs. Low Leptin Leptin, Obesity, and Leptin Resistance: Where Are We 25 Years Later? Ideal range for leptin 5-10 Cortisol Metabolic and blood sugar impact The Anti-Anxiety Diet Adrenal Rehab Program Calm and Clear Relax and Regulate Adaptogen Boost How a Keto Reset Supports Insulin, Leptin & Cortisol Regulation   This episode is sponsored by:  According to extensive research by the Environmental Working Group, virtually every home in America has harmful contaminants in its tap water. That's why you've got to check out AquaTru. AquaTru purifiers use a 4-stage reverse osmosis purification process, and their countertop purifiers work with NO installation or plumbing. It removes 15x more contaminants than ordinary pitcher filters and are specifically designed to combat chemicals like PFAS in your water supply. Naturally Nourished Podcast listeners can use code ALIMILLERRD at AquaTru.com to save 20% off. 

Bobby Kennedy, Jr. seemed on the right track when he launched his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.Well, not the wacky-quacky part of that agenda, where he teeters off into the prickly thicket of medical voodoo and vaccine bugaboos. But he was onto something fundamentally important when he began to rally public opposition to the arrogance, greed, and willful destructiveness of pesticide peddlers and other Big Food profiteers.As Secretary of Health, Kennedy pushed Trump's “presidential commission on children's health” to take long-overdue action to rein-in those agribusiness contaminators of our food supply and natural resources. He called for limits and outright bans on industrial ag and food processing abuses that grow corporate profits at the expense of healthy kids.Great!But wait – the commission's draft report is now out, and none of Kennedy's most meaningful stuff is in it. None! There's no suggestion, for example, that even the most toxic cancer-causing pesticides should be outlawed, permanently removed from food products and our environment.What happened? Money. While Kennedy was publicly talking a good game, Big Food profiteers were paying a million dollars each to have intimate talks at private dinners with Trump. And when money talks, political integrity walks.Sadly, rather than resigning in protest of Trump's whitewash and rallying America's families to carry this betrayal into next year's elections, Kennedy is hyping the report's empty calories as a people's victory! But he can't make chicken salad out of chicken manure. Grassroots groups themselves call the gutted report “beyond laughable,” “profoundly disappointing” and “dangerous.”For genuine, structural change in food policy, go to Environmental Working Group: ewg.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textOrganic food often sounds like a smarter, healthier choice—but is it really worth the extra cost? In this episode, we dig into the scientific evidence behind organic foods, pesticide risks, and whether you're buying better health or just paying for a better-sounding label.We begin by breaking down the steep price differences between organic and conventional food. According to the USDA, Americans spend roughly $1 trillion annually on food at home, averaging over $3,100 per person. Organic options can increase grocery bills by 50% or more, as LendingTree reports in this price comparison analysis. My own market trip found Fuji apples nearly double in price, and wild-caught salmon more than twice as expensive.But do organics deliver better health outcomes? Most organic foods contain lower pesticide residues, which 85% of Americans cite as a concern. Yet research shows these lower levels don't clearly translate to better health. Rodent studies show harm at extremely high pesticide doses, far above what's found in conventional produce. Human risk data mostly comes from farm workers, not everyday consumers.A 2023 meta-analysis of 50 studies found that organic diets reduced blood pesticide levels and increased plant-derived phenolics, but showed inconsistent results for antioxidants. Cancer data is also mixed. One observational study found no clear differences across 15 cancer types. Another study of 68,000 participants linked organic food with perhaps a  0.6% lower risk of cancer incidence (JAMA Internal Medicine). However, organic eaters also are more likely health oriented (perhaps exercise more, sleep better), so lifestyle may explain the difference—not the food alone.I ran the numbers: avoiding one case of cancer might require 150 people to eat organic, costing about $300,000 in additional food expenses to avoid 1 cancer. And since organic prices may lead families to buy less produce overall, there's a tradeoff. We know from a meta-analysis that increasing fruit and vegetable intake (organic or not) is linked to a 13% reduction in mortality and a 35% drop in cancer risk. That's a far more impactful move.If you're looking for a middle ground, consider using the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists. While not a neutral source, their rankings can help prioritize which foods might be worth buying organic. Washing produce also helps reduce, but not eliminate, pesticide residues.Takeaways:Organic foods have lower pesticide levels but no clear, consistent health advantage.The biggest health gain comes from eating more fruits and vegetables—regardless of whether they're organic.If organic costs limit your produce intake, stick with conventional and focus on volume, variety, and other wellness investments like better sleep or exercise.As always, I'd love to hear what you think. Does this shift how you shop? Let me know—and share this episode with someone navigating the same choice.

The Food and Drug Administration or FDA regulates roughly 78% of the US food supply. This includes packaged products, food additives, infant formula, ultra-processed foods, and lots more. However, an analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that 99% of new food ingredients enter our food supply through a legal loophole that skirts FDA oversight and seems, to me at least, to be incredibly risky. Today we're speaking with two authors of a recent legal and policy analysis published in the Journal Health Affairs. They explain what this loophole is and its risks and suggest a new user fee program to both strengthen the FDA's ability to regulate food ingredients and address growing concerns about food safety. Our guests are Jennifer Pomeranz Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at New York University School of Global Public Health and Emily Broad, director of Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. Interview Summary So Jennifer, let's start with you, help our listeners understand the current situation with food ingredient oversight. And what is this legal loophole that allows food companies to add new ingredients without safety reviews. Sure. So, Congress passed the Food Additives Amendment in 1958, and the idea was to divide food additives and generally recognized as safe ingredients into two different categories. That's where the GRAS term comes from generally recognized as safe? ‘Generally Recognized As Safe' is GRAS. But it circularly defines food additives as something that's not GRAS. So, there's not actually a definition of these two different types of substances. But the idea was that the food industry would be required to submit a pre-market, that means before it puts the ingredient into the marketplace, a pre-market petition to the FDA to review the safety. And then the FDA promulgates a regulation for safe use of a food additive. GRAS ingredients on the other hand, initially thought of as salt, pepper, vinegar, are things like that would just be allowed to enter the food supply without that pre-market petition. The problem is the food industry is the entity that decides which category to place each ingredient. There's no FDA guidance on which category they're supposed to ascribe to these ingredients. What has happened is that the food industry has now entered into the food supply an enormous amount of ingredients under what we call the GRAS loophole, which is allowing it to just bring it to the market without any FDA oversight or even knowledge of the ingredient. So, in essence, what we're having now is that the food industry polices itself on whether to submit this pre-market petition for a food additive or just include it in its products without any FDA knowledge. When you said ‘enormous number of such things,' are we talking dozens, hundreds, thousands? Nobody knows, but the environmental working group did find that 99% of new ingredients are added through this loophole. And that's the concerning part. Well, you can look at some ultra-processed foods and they can have 30 or 40 ingredients on them. That's just one food. You can imagine that at across the food supply, how many things there are. And there are these chemicals that nobody can pronounce. You don't know what's going on, what they are, what they're all about. So, what you're saying is that the food industry decides to put these things in foods. There's some processing reason for putting them in. It's important that the public be protected against harmful ingredients. But the food industry decides what's okay to put in and what's not. Are they required to do any testing? Are there criteria for that kind of testing? Is there any sense that letting the industry police itself amounts to anything that protects the public good? Well, the criteria are supposed to be the same for GRAS or food additives. They're supposed to be meeting certain scientific criteria. But the problem with this is that for GRAS ingredients, they don't have to use published data and they can hold that scientific data to themselves. And you mentioned food labels, the ingredient list, right? That doesn't necessarily capture these ingredients. They use generic terms, corn oil, color additive, food additive whatever. And so, the actual ingredient itself is not necessarily listed on the ingredient list. There is no way to identify them and it's unknown whether they're actually doing the studies. They can engage in these, what are called GRAS panels, which are supposed to be experts that evaluate the science. But the problem is other studies have found that 100% of the people on these GRAS panels have financial conflicts of interest. Okay, so let me see if I have this right. I'm a food company. I develop a new additive to provide color or flavor or fragrance, or it's an emulsifier or something like that. I develop a chemical concoction that hasn't really been tested for human safety. I declare it safe. And the criteria I use for declaring it set safe is putting together a panel of people that I pay, who then in a hundred percent of cases say things are. That's how it works? I can't say that in a hundred percent of cases they say it's safe, but a hundred percent of the people have financial conflicts of interest. That's one of the major concerns there. Well, one can't imagine they would continue to be paid... Exactly. This sounds like a pretty shaky system to be sure. Emily: I wanted to add a couple other really quick things on the last discussion. You were saying, Kelly, like they're using a panel of experts, which indeed are paid by them. That would be best case in some cases. They're just having their own staff say, we think this is generally recognized as safe. And I think there's some examples we can give where there isn't even evidence that they went to even any outside people, even within industry. I think that the takeaway from all of that is that there's really the ability for companies to call all the shots. Make all the rules. Not tell FDA what they're doing. And then as we talked about, not even have anything on the label because it's not a required ingredient if it's, used as part of a processing agent that's not a substance on there. So I was feeling pretty bad when Jennifer is talking about these panels and the heavy conflict... Even worse. Of interest, now I feel worse because that's the best case. Totally. And one other thing too is just you kind of warmed this up by talking about this loophole. When we put an earlier article out that we wrote that was about just this generally recognized as safe, the feedback we got from FDA was this isn't a loophole. Why are you calling this a loophole? And it's pretty clear that it's a loophole, you know? It's big enough to drive thousands of ingredients through. Yes, totally. Emily, you've written about things like partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats, and red dye number three in particular. Both of which FDA has now prohibited in food. Can you walk us through those cases? You asked about partially hydrogenated oils or trans-fat, and then red dye three, which are two examples that we talk about a little bit in our piece. Actually, one of those, the partially hydrogenated oils was allowed in food through the generally recognized as safe definition. And the other was not. But they are both really good examples of another real issue that FDA has, which is that not only are they not doing a good job of policing substances going into food on the front end, but they do an even worse job of getting things out of food on the backend, post-market once they know that those substances are really raising red flags. And you raised two of the prime examples we've been talking about. With partially hydrogenated oils these are now banned in foods, but it took an extremely long time. Like the first evidence of harm was in the mid-nineties. By 2005, the Institute of Medicine, which is now the National Academies, said that intake of trans fat, of partially hydrogenated oils, should be as low as possible. And there was data from right around that time that found that 72,000 to 228,000 heart attacks in the US each year were caused by these partially hydrogenated oils. And on FDA's end, they started in early 2000s to require labeling. But it wasn't until 2015 that they passed a final rule saying that these substances were not generally recognized as safe. And then they kept delaying implementation until 2023. It was basically more than 20 years from when there was really clear evidence of harm including from respected national agencies to when FDA actually fully removed them from food. And red dye number three is another good example where there were studies from the 1980s that raised concerns about this red dye. And it was banned from cosmetics in 1990. But they still allowed it to be added to food. And didn't ban it from food until early this year. So early 2025. In large part because one of the other things happening is states are now taking action on some of these substances where they feel like we really need to protect consumers in our states. And FDA has been doing a really poor job. California banned red dye about 18 months before that and really spurred FDA to action. So that 20-year delay with between 72,000 and 228,000 heart attack deaths attributable to the trans fats is the cost of delay and inaction and I don't know, conflicts of interest, and all kinds of other stuff that happened in FDA. So we're not talking about something trivial by any means. These are life and death things are occurring. Yes. Give us another example, if you would, about something that entered the food supply and caused harm but made it through that GRAS loophole. The example that I've talked about both in some of the work we've done together and also in a perspective piece in the New England Journal of Medicine that really focused on why this is an issue. There was this substance added to food called tara flour. It came on the scene in 2022. It was in food prepared by Daily Harvest as like a protein alternative. And they were using it from a manufacturer in South America who said we have deemed this generally recognized as safe. Everything about that is completely legal. They deemed it generally recognized as safe. A company put it into food, and they sold that. Up until that point, that's all legal. What happened was very quickly people started getting really sick from this. And so there were, I think, about 400 people across 39 states got sick. Nearly 200 people ended up in the hospital, some of them with liver failure because of this toxicity of tara flour. And so FDA followed the thread they did help work with the company to do a voluntary recall, but it then took them two years, until May, 2024, to declare tara flour not generally recognized as safe. So I think, in some ways, this is a great example because it shows how it's so immediate, the impact of this substance that, again, was legally added to food with no oversight. In some ways it's a misleading example because I think so many of the substances in food, it's not going to be so clear and so immediate. It's going to be year over year, decade over decade as part of a full diet that these are causing cardiovascular risk, thyroid disease, cancer risk, those kinds of things. I'd love to hear from either of you about this. Why is FDA falling down on the job so badly? Is it that they don't have the money to do the necessary testing? Do they not have the authority? Is there not the political will to do this? Is there complete caving into the food industry? Just let them do what they want and we're going let it go? Jennifer: All of the above? Everything you just said? It's all of the above. Emily: Jen, do you wanna talk about the money side? Because that sort of gets to the genesis of the article we worked on, which was like maybe there's a creative solution to that piece. Yes, I'd love to hear about that because I thought that was a very creative thing that you guys wrote about in your paper. That there would be an industry user fee to help produce this oversight. Tell us what you had in mind with that. And then then convince me that FDA would appropriately use this oversight and do its job. So, the idea in the paper was proposing a comprehensive user fee program for the food branch of the FDA. The FDA currently collects user fees for all of human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, etc. With Tobacco, it's a hundred percent funded by user fees. But food, it only gets 1% of its funding through user fees. And it's important to note user fees fund processes. They don't fund outcomes. It's not like a bribe. And the idea behind user fees and why industry sometimes supports them is actually to bring predictability to the regulatory state. It brings efficiency to reviews. And then this all allows the industry to anticipate timelines so they can bring products to market and know when they're going be able to do it. In the food context, for example, the FDA is required to respond to those food additives petitions that we talked about within 180 days. But they can't respond in time. And they have a lot of timelines that are required of them in the food context that they can't meet. They can't meet their timelines because they're so underfunded. So, we proposed a comprehensive user fee. But one of the main reasons that we think a user fee is important is to address the pre-market issues that I talked about and the post-market issues that Emily talked about. In order to close that GRAS loophole, first of all, FDA needs to either reevaluate its authorities or Congress needs to change its authorities. But it would need resources to be able to do something pre-market. Some of the ideas we had was that the user fee would fund some type of either pre-market review, pre-market notification, or even just a pre-market system where the FDA determines whether a proposed ingredient should go through the GRAS avenue, or through food additive petition. So at least that there will be some type of pre-market oversight over all the ingredients in the food supply. And then also the FDA is so severely lacking in any type of comprehensive post-market into play, they would have the resources to engage in a more comprehensive post-market review for all the ingredients. Could you see a time, and I bring this up because of lawsuits against the food industry for some of these additives that are going on now. The state attorney's generals are starting to get involved, and as you said, Emily, the some states are taking legislative action to ban certain things in the food supply. Do you think there could come a time when the industry will come to government pleading to have a user fee like this? To provide some standardization across jurisdictions, let's say? So, there's two things. The first is Congress has to pass the user fee, and historically, actually, industry has done exactly what you said. They have gone to Congress and said, you know what? We want user fees because we want a streamlined system, and we want to be able to know when we're bringing products to market. The problem in the context of food for the issues we're talking about is that right now they can use the GRAS loophole. So, they have very little incentive to ask for user fees if they can bring all their ingredients into the market through the GRAS loophole. There are other areas where a user fee is very relevant, such as the infant formula 90 day pre-market notification, or for different claims like health claims. They might want user fees to speed those things up, but in terms of the ingredients, unless we close the GRAS loophole, they'd have little incentive to actually come to the table. But wouldn't legal liability change that? Let's say that some of these lawsuits are successful and they start having to pay large settlements or have the State Attorneys General, for example, come down on them for these kinds of things. If they're legally liable for harm, they're causing, they need cover. And wouldn't this be worth the user fee to provide them cover for what they put in the food supply? Yes, it's great to have the flexibility to have all these things get through the loophole, but it'd be great as well to have some cover so you wouldn't have so much legal exposure. But you guys are the lawyers, so I'm not sure it makes sense. I think you're right that there are forces combining out in the world that are pushing for change here. And I think it's hard to disentangle how much is it that industry's pushing for user fees versus right now I think more willing to consider federal regulatory changes by either FDA or by Congress. At the state level this is huge. There's now becoming a patchwork across states, and I think that is really difficult for industry. We were tracking this year 93 bills in 35 states that either banned an additive in the general public, banned it in schools. Banned ultra-processed foods, which most of the states, interestingly, have all defined differently. But where they have had a definition, it's been tied to various different combinations of additives. So that's going on. And then I think you're right, that the legal cases moving along will push industry to really want clear and better standards. I think there's a good question right now around like how successful will some of these efforts be? But  what we are seeing is real movement, both in FDA and in Congress, in taking action on this. So interestingly, the Health Affairs piece that we worked on was out this spring. But we had this other piece that came out last fall and felt like we were screaming into the void about this is a problem generally recognized as safe as a really big issue. And suddenly that has really changed. And so, you know, in March FDA said they were directed by RFK (Robert F. Kennedy), by HHS (Health and Human Services) to really look into changing their rule on generally recognized as safe. So, I know that's underway. And then in Congress, multiple bills have been introduced. And I know there are several in the works that would address additives and specifically, generally recognized as safe. There's this one piece going on, which is there's forces coalescing around some better method of regulation. I think the question's really going to also be like, will Congress give adequate resources? Because there is also another scenario that I'm worried about that even if FDA said we're going now require at least notification for every substance that's generally recognized as safe. It's a flood of substances. And they just, without more resources, without more staff devoted to this, there's no way that they're going to be able to wade through that. So, I think that either the resources need to come from user fees, or at least partially from user fees, from more appropriations and I think, In my opinion, they are able to do that on their own. Even given where current administrative law stands. Because I think it's very clear that the gist of the statute is that FDA should be overseeing additives. And I think a court would say this is allowing everything to instead go through this alternative pathway. But I really think FDA's going to need resources to manage this. And perhaps more of a push from Congress to make sure that they really do it to the best of their ability. I was going to say there's also an alternative world where we don't end up spending any of these resources, and they require the industry just to disclose all the ingredients they've added to food and put it on a database. This is like low hanging fruit, not very expensive, doesn't require funding. And then the NGOs, I hope, would go to work and say, look at this. There is no safety data for these ingredients. You know, because right now we just can't rely on FDA to do anything unless they get more funding to do something. So, if FDA doesn't get funding, then maybe this database where houses every ingredient that's in the food supply as a requirement could be a low resource solution. Jennifer, I'll come back to you in a minute because I'd like to ask how worried should we be about all this stuff that's going into food. But Emily, let me ask you first, does FDA have the authority to do what it needs to do? Let's say all of a sudden that your wish was granted and there were user fees would it then be able to do what needs to be done? I think certainly to be able to charge these user fees in almost all areas, it right now doesn't have that authority, and Congress would need to act. There's one small area which is within the Food Safety Modernization Act for certain types of like repeat inspections or recalls or there's a couple other. FDA isn't charging fees right now because they haven't taken this one step that they need to take. But they do have the authority if they just take those steps. But for everything else, Congress has to act. I think the real question to me is because we now know so many of these substances are going through this GRAS pathway, the question is really can they do everything they need to do on their own to close that loophole? And again, my opinion is Congress could make it clear and if Congress were to act, it would be better. Like they could redefine it in a way that was much more clear that we are drawing a real line. And most things actually should be on the additive side of the line rather than the generally recognized as safe side of the line. But even with their current authority, with the current definition, I think FDA could at least require notification because they're still drawing a line between what's required for additives, which is a very lengthy pre-market process with, you know, a notice and comment procedure and all of these things. My take is FDA do what you can do now. Let's get the show on the road. Let's take steps here to close up the loophole. And then Congress takes time. But they definitely can even strengthen this and give a little more, I think, directives to FDA as to how to make sure that this loophole doesn't recur down the line. In talks that I've given recently, I've shown an ingredient list from a food that people will recognize. And I ask people to try to guess what that food is from its ingredient list. This particular food has 35 ingredients. You know, a bunch of them that are very hard to pronounce. Very few people would even have any idea at all what those ingredients do. There's no sense at all about how ingredient number 17 would interact with ingredient 31, etc. And it just seems like it's complete chaos. And I don't want to take you guys outside your comfort zone because your backgrounds are law. But Jennifer, let me ask you this. You have a background in public health as well. There are all kinds of reasons to be worried about this, aren't there? There are the concerns about the safety of these things, but then there's a concern about what these ultra-processed ingredients do to your metabolism, your ability to control your weight, to regulate your hunger and things like that. It sounds this is a really important thing. And it's affecting almost everybody in the country. The percentage of calories that are now coming from ultra-processed foods is over 50% in both children and adults. So it sounds like there's really reason to worry. Would you agree? Yes. And also, the FDA is supposed to be overseeing the cumulative effects of the ingredients and it doesn't actually enforce that regulation. Its own regulation that it's supposed to evaluate the cumulative effects. It doesn't actually enforce this. So by cumulative effects do you mean the chronic effects of long term use? And, having these ingredients across multiple products within one person's consumption. Also, the FDA doesn't look at things like the effect on the gut microbiome, neurotoxicity, even cancer risk, even though they're supposed to, they say that if something is GRAS, they don't need to look at it because cancer risk is relegated only to food additives. So here we're at a real issue, right? Because if everything's entering through the GRAS loophole, then they're not looking at carcinogen effects. So, I think there is a big risk and as Emily had said earlier, that these are sometimes long-term risks versus that acute example of tara flour that we don't know. And we do know from the science, both older and emerging science, that ultra-processed food has definite impact on not only consumption, increased consumption, but also on diet related diseases and other health effects. And by definition what we're talking about here are ultra-processed foods. These ingredients are only found in ultra-processed foods. So, we do know that there is cause for concern. It's interesting that you mentioned the microbiome because we've recorded a cluster of podcasts on the microbiome and another cluster of podcasts on artificial sweeteners. Those two universes overlap a good bit because the impact of the artificial sweeteners on some of them, at least on the microbiome, is really pretty negative. And that's just one thing that goes into these foods. It really is pretty important. By the way, that food with 35 ingredients that I mentioned is a strawberry poptart. Jennifer: I know that answer! Emily: How do you know that? Jennifer: Because I've seen Kelly give a million talks. Yes, she has. Emily: I was wondering, I was like, are we never going to find out? So the suspense is lifted. Let me end with this. This has been highly instructive, and I really appreciate you both weighing in on this. So let me ask each of you, is there reason to be optimistic that things could improve. Emily, I'll start with you. So, I've been giving this talk the past few months that's called basically like Chronic Disease, Food Additives and MAHA, like What Could Go Right and What Could Go Wrong. And so, I'm going give you a very lawyerly answer, which is, I feel optimistic because there's attention on the issue. I think states are taking action and there's more attention to this across the political spectrum, which both means things are happening and means that the narrative changing, like people are getting more aware and calling for change in a way that we weren't seeing. On the flip side, I think there's a lot that could go wrong. You know, I think some of the state bills are great and some of them are maybe not so great. And then I think this administration, you have an HHS and FDA saying, they're going to take action on this in the midst of an administration that's otherwise very deregulatory. In particular, they're not supposed to put out new regulations if they can get rid of 10 existing ones. There are some things you can do through guidance and signaling, but I don't think you can really fix these issues without like real durable legislative change. So, I'm sorry to be one of the lawyers here. I think the signals are going in the right direction, but jury is out a little bit on how well we'll actually do. And I hope we can do well given the momentum. What do you think, Jennifer? I agree that the national attention is very promising to these issues. The states are passing laws that are shocking to me. That Texas passing a warning label law, I would never have thought in the history of the world, that Texas would be the one to pass a warning label law. They're doing great things and I actually have hope that something can come of this. But I am concerned at the federal level of the focus on deregulation may make it impossible. User fees is an example of where they won't have to regulate, but they could provide funding to the FDA to actually act in areas that it has the authority to act. That is one solution that could actually work under this administration if they were amenable to it. But I also think in some ways the states could save us. I worry, you know, Emily brought up the patchwork, which is the key term the industry uses to try to get preemption. I do worry about federal preemption of state actions. But the states right now are the ones saving us. California is the first to save the whole nation. The food industry isn't going to create new food supply for California and then the rest of the country. And then it's the same with other states. So, the states might be the ones that actually can make some real meaningful changes and get some of the most unsafe ingredients out of the food supply, which some of the states have now successfully done. Bios Emily Broad Leib is a Clinical Professor of Law, Director of Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, and Founding Director of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, the nation's first law school clinic devoted to providing legal and policy solutions to the health, economic, and environmental challenges facing our food system. Working directly with clients and communities, Broad Leib champions community-led food system change, reduction in food waste, food access and food is medicine interventions, and equity and sustainability in food production. Her scholarly work has been published in the California Law Review, Wisconsin Law Review, Harvard Law & Policy Review, Food & Drug Law Journal, and Journal of Food Law & Policy, among others. Professor Jennifer Pomeranz is a public health lawyer who researches policy and legal options to address the food environment, obesity, products that cause public harm, and social injustice that lead to health disparities. Prior to joining the NYU faculty, Professor Pomeranz was an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health at Temple University and in the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple. She was previously the Director of Legal Initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. She has also authored numerous peer-reviewed and law review journal articles and a book, Food Law for Public Health, published by Oxford University Press in 2016. Professor Pomeranz leads the Public Health Policy Research Lab and regularly teaches Public Health Law and Food Policy for Public Health.

This week we discuss dangers in the beauty industry.  From a client's perspective, the issues might not be as severe, but the clinicians who must deal with chemicals day in and day out are at a greater risk.  The average woman uses 12 different beauty products every day — cleansers, conditioners, hair dyes, fragrances, skin care products, scented lotions, nail polish, and makeup, to name a few. Take a quick glance at the labels, and you'll see a cocktail of chemical components. You might assume that all these ingredients have been tested to ensure that they're safe for long-term use. That's not the case. At least on the federal level, no one is checking to make sure that the chemicals you're putting on your body are harmless. "Products are tested to make sure they don't cause short-term problems, such as skin irritation. But they're not tested for long-term safety," says Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode, associate professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. The FDA steps in only if people actually complain about a product because they suspect it harmed them. Prior to that, the onus is on the company alone. ​​"Just because it's on your shelf doesn't mean that it's safe," says Tamarra James-Todd, the Mark and Catherine Winkler Assistant Professor of Environmental Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With this in mind, women should take some time to consider what they're putting on their bodies each day and how it could potentially affect their health, she says. ​Hair dye and breast cancer There's reason for concern about many of the chemicals in popular personal care products on the market today. Case in point: a study published online Dec. 3, 2019, by the International Journal of Cancer found a link between hair dye and breast cancer. Women in the study who used permanent hair dye at least once in the 12-month period leading up to the study had a 9% higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who didn't use hair dye. And when the study authors broke the findings down by race, they found an even higher risk for African American women. Women in that group who used any permanent dye in the previous 12 months had a 45% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who did not use hair dye. It didn't seem to matter how often or for how many years the women had used the dye. The findings were not surprising, says James-Todd. "We conducted a study a year ago in which we saw similar findings for hair dyes," she says. Some hair care products contain more than 5,000 chemicals, including some known to disrupt the body's natural hormone balance or to have cancer-causing effects in animals, according to study authors. Even so, studies looking at hair dyes in the past have been a mixed bag, with some finding links between health problems and dye use, and others finding no link. The differences found in more recent studies, says James-Todd, may be due to the fact that they are testing different products. Today's products use different chemicals than older formulations, which were not linked to health risks in some previous studies. ​Analyzing the study results Authors of the 2019 study drew on data from the Sister Study, which enrolled more than 50,000 women — the healthy sisters of women with breast cancer — ages 35 to 74. The study ran from 2003 to 2009 and used questionnaires, which were updated every three years. The surveys included questions about how often women used hair dye, as well as what colors and types of dye they used and whether it was permanent or semi-permanent. The study also used information gathered about other hair products, specifically chemicals used to straighten hair. The average follow-up period for the study was a little over eight years, and the current analysis included information gathered through 2016. The analysis also linked hair straightening products to a higher risk of breast cancer. These chemical products were associated with an 18% higher risk of breast cancer in women who used them in the 12 months before the study period. The more often women used straightener, the higher the risk. Women who used the products every five to eight weeks had a 31% higher risk of going on to develop breast cancer compared with nonusers. Although African American women in the study were more likely than others to use straighteners, the increase in breast cancer risk was similar for all races. There didn't appear to be an elevated breast cancer risk among women who used semi-permanent dyes, except among women who used the dyes at home. Researchers speculated this may be because they were more likely to get the dye on their skin, or to use the dyes in spaces that weren't well ventilated, leading them to breathe in higher amounts of chemicals. ​Change your beauty standard It may not be easy to let your hair go gray and to embrace your wrinkles, but it's a cultural shift women should consider. Being healthy is beautiful, and women should challenge the cultural standard of beauty. "It's about being comfortable with these changes and changing what's acceptable," says Tamarra James-Todd, assistant professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "We should start teaching our children, teaching the next generation, that you should embrace the different stages of your life and not try to alter that." ​Interpreting the study results It's important to note that all the participants in the 2019 hair dye study were deemed to have a high risk for breast cancer because their sisters had the disease. This means that the findings might not apply to the average population. However, because this particular study already focused on a group of women that were at high risk because of family history, it's likely that the additional elevated risk seen in African American women was not due to genetic factors, says James-Todd. It's more likely to reflect environmental factors, such as differences in the chemicals used in products typically marketed to these women, she says. In the past, scientists have found higher concentrations of problematic hormone-disrupting chemicals in products marketed to African American women, said study authors. In addition, they noted that breast cancer rates have been increasing in recent years among African American women, who are more often diagnosed with aggressive types of breast cancer and are more likely to die from the disease. ​What to take from the study So, does this mean that women should stop using hair color entirely? Dr. Rexrode says it's too soon to say. "Over all, I don't tell people never to dye their hair again based on this paper. But a 40% increased risk is large enough for concern," she says. So, the findings also shouldn't be ignored, and the topic warrants more study. For the average woman in the study (that is, one whose sister had breast cancer), exposure to hair dye increased her baseline risk of breast cancer, she says. While there are certain breast cancer risk factors that you can't control, such as your family history or how old you were when you started menstruating, you can choose your hair products and how often you use them. ​Reducing your chemical exposure While researchers continue to look into this issue, James-Todd and Dr. Rexrode say there are several steps you can take to reduce potential risks related to personal care products. Do your research. When choosing a product, look at the label to see what chemicals it contains, and determine if it's something you want to use. Organizations such as the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) have analyzed many common products and provide information about potential safety concerns. The organization ranks some common beauty products on a scale from 1 to 10, from those generally thought to be safe to those that contain chemicals that raise more concerns, says James-Todd. "Find out as much as you can about what you are using," she says. ​Find safer alternatives. If products you are currently using contain potentially harmful chemicals, switch to a safer option if one is available. The nonprofit Silent Spring Institute has a smartphone app called Detox Me that you can use in the store to scan product barcodes. If a safer option is available, it will let you know. It also offers a Detox Me Action Kit, which allows you to send a urine sample to have your chemical exposure levels tested to get an idea of how your levels compare to others in the United States. The kit also gives you ideas on how to reduce your exposure. ​Be skeptical of product claims. Many companies are legitimately working to develop safer products, but some manufacturer claims are dubious. Many companies will remove chemicals that have been highlighted as problematic, such as bisphenol-A or phthalates (chemicals known to be endocrine disrupters, substances that mimic or suppress human hormones). But they may then replace those chemicals with ones that are equally problematic. So, the products aren't really safer, and in some cases, they may be even worse than the original, says James-Todd. Pare down. While it may be tempting to fill your bathroom shelves with all the latest lotions and potions, making more judicious choices may be a better option. Limiting your options to products you consider essential can reduce your exposure. "For example, I love perfume, but I don't wear it anymore," says James-Todd. ​Go natural. Many beauty treatments can be mixed up in your kitchen. Look online for recipes for natural skin and hair treatments. But be aware that some "natural" consumer products can also bring health risks. For example, essential oils are often recommended as an alternative to perfumes and fragrances. But some, in particular lavender and tea tree oils, have estrogenic properties that can pose some of the same health risks as their chemically laden counterparts, says James-Todd. Natural does not always mean safer. ​The bottom line: "Women should be thinking carefully about the products they use," says Dr. Rexrode. "And I think we should be demanding more information about their safety." ( Credits:  Harvard Health)  

This week, Dee dives into the ​recently released Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2025 ​Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce, commonly known as "The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen ​List​s", with a spotlight on blackberries—a new addition to the Dirty Dozen​ list, coming in at number ten. Listen in as Dee explains why blackberries made the list for the first time this year, ​and delves into the other produce items on both the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 Lists to help ​you make safer, cleaner decisions for your plate and your health.References: Blackberries: Dirty Dozen newcomer. (2025, June 11). Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/blackberries.php?Get a downloadable copy of the EWG's 2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce (Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 Lists):  https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

Most of us focus on the obvious when it comes to wellness, what we eat, how we move, and how much we rest. But there's another daily habit that could quietly be affecting our health: the water we drink. We often think about diet, exercise, and even sleep when it comes to our health, but how often do we think about our water? In this episode, I talk with Cydian Kaufman, water quality expert CEO of Pure Water Northwest, about what's really in your tap water and how it could be affecting your energy, skin, and long-term health. Cydian explains the difference between “legal” and “healthy” water standards and shares practical tips on improving your water at home, from reverse osmosis systems to dealing with PFAS and other hidden contaminants. Know what you drink. Tune in now. --- Listen to the podcast here: Tapping into Health and Water Wellness with Cydian Kauffman Welcome to Action's Antidotes, your antidote to the mindset that keeps you settling for less. Growing up on Long Island, my family, we always used some form of a water filter. It was always –– it was before Brita but there was a predecessor to it, now a lot of people use Brita, or we would use bottled water. However, living in Denver, we recently had a project where we reconstructed our water pipelines to get the lead out of the water. Since then, I've actually drank all my water out of the tap here in Denver, Colorado. Whether that's the right decision or not, I am not sure, so I'm going to introduce to you my guest, Cydian Kauffman, who is one of the owners of Pure Northwest Water, to tell me about water as well as whether or not I'm making the right decision with this current situation. ---   Cydian, welcome to the program.   Thanks for having me on. Appreciate being here. It's Pure Water Northwest, by the way, just so you know. I love talking about water. I'd be happy to jump right in and talk about Denver specifically, if you like, however you want to approach it.   Yeah, I mean, I didn't know. All I do remember is that a few years ago, they reconstructed the pipelines here in Denver and they said the project was to get the lead out of the water and that, since then, I've, at least, in my head, felt like just drinking the water out of the tap was perfectly fine.    It might be. What zip code are you in? What, if you don't mind saying that?   Oh, wow. Yeah, we're getting fine-tuned here. I'm in 80205.   Right. Let's get specific. So, you're on the Denver Water Board, water quality ––   Yeah, but I'm not elected to any water position here. I just ––   Yeah, I know. I mean, you're on the main water in Denver, Colorado,   Yeah, I assume. I mean, I'm only like a mile and a half east of downtown.   All right, so if you look up, and most people in the country can do this, you can actually go look up water quality reports for whatever water quality you're on, and there's two ways to go about this. One is to just literally look up the water quality report for your municipality, which I've got right in front of me, two seconds of doing a Google search, I got the Denver Water Quality Report. Yeah, that's going to bring you to a page with a bunch of lists of what they do and how they do it and, eventually, you're going to get to exact contaminants that they test for and their results. If you don't want to just take their word for it, though, you can go to a website called the EWG, the Environmental Working Group, then go to their tap water database, type in your zip code and find your municipality that way, and then you can kind of compare those two. Now, unfortunately for most people, this is going to be more annoying than good experience because there's so much confusion in these lists, like what does it mean to have eight parts per billion of bromodichloromethane, which happens to be in Denver water. If you talk to someone like myself, we will know right away, bromodichloromethane,

Understanding the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15: A Guide to Healthier Produce Choices: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) 2025 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Highlighting the importance of making informed produce choices, Leyal explains the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, which list the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables, respectively. Key findings include the presence of harmful pesticides in 75% of non-organic produce and the health risks associated with pesticide exposure. Leyla offers practical tips on reducing pesticide intake, such as opting for organic produce, washing fruits and vegetables, and utilizing frozen options when fresh organic produce is unavailable.

 This week I talk with Cydian Kauffman of Pure Water Northwest to discuss all things water! This was a rollercoaster of an episode. There are some daunting things about water quality and treatment, but fortunately there are things you can do to help protect yourself and your pets from some of the harmful things that end up in our water. To learn more about Pure Water Northwest check them out online at www.purewaternorthwest.com. You can also check out the Environmental Working Group to see if your municipality has water tests on their database at www.ewg.org/tapwater/.#waterquality #petsafety #watersafety #animalrescuepod Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at theanimalrescuepodcast@gmail.com or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site

In this episode of The Matt Feret Show I interview Therese Forton-Barnes, a green-living expert, advocate, and business owner. Therese and I discuss her mission of detoxifying American households, and she identifies the top products mindful consumers may want to avoid. Therese shares insight into her process of downsizing toxins in her home and provides helpful resources listeners can explore to learn more about the ingredients in their cleaning supplies, drinking water, and health and beauty products. Watch this podcast on YouTube.Introduction to Therese Forton-Barnes [1:09]Health Starts in the Home with Therese Forton-Barnes [5:46]Products to Minimize in the Home with Therese Forton-Barnes [9:45]Monitoring the Air Quality in Your Home with Therese Forton-Barnes [28:06]Common Air Pollutants in the Home with Therese Forton-Barnes [30:58]Chemical Content of Personal Products with Therese Forton-Barnes [42:17]How to Minimize Chemicals in Water with Therese Forton-Barnes [57:38]Connect with me via the podcast website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.Check out Therese's Green Living Guru's website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Amazon storefront.Explore green-living resources Environmental Working Group Tap Water Database, Environmental Working Group, Made-Safe.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wednesday, May 14th, 2025Today, the government failed to file its privilege log on time in the Abrego Garcia case prompting Judge Xinis to order them to file it; a trump appointed judge in Pennsylvania becomes the first to call Trumps invocation of the Alien Enemies Act lawful; the USDA reverses course and commits to restore purged climate webpages in response to a lawsuit brought by farmers; more than a dozen states slapped the Trump administration with two new lawsuits on Tuesday accusing it of withholding funding in retaliation for immigration policies; Chuck Schumer says he is placing a hold on Trump DOJ nominees amid questions on Qatar's luxury jet gift; the FBI has been ordered to prioritize immigration as DOJ scales back white collar cases; and a magistrate judge cautioned Trump's DoJ on making public statements about the mayor of Newark; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, Helix27% Off Sitewide plus Free Bedding Bundle with any Luxe or Elite Mattress Order, when you go to HelixSleep.com/dailybeansThank You, Fast Growing TreesGet 15% off your first purchase.  FastGrowingTrees.com/dailybeansThank you to our thousands and thousands of sustaining members, and please join us and support independent media at patreon.com/muellershewrote for as little as $3 a month.MSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueGuest: Claudia BrachoUrban Peace InstituteDonate - Urban Peace InstituteUrban Peace Institute - YouTube; @urbanpeaceinst - Bluesky; @UrbanPeaceInst - twitter; @urbanpeaceinstitute - InstagramStories:A New Jersey mayor's arrest at ICE facility fires up Democrats from New York to Chicago | POLITICOFBI ordered to prioritize immigration, as DOJ scales back white collar cases | ReutersStates accuse Trump administration of holding emergency relief hostage over immigration policy | Courthouse News ServiceChuck Schumer says he is placing a hold on Trump DOJ nominees amid questions on Qatar's luxury jet gift | NBC NewsUSDA Reverses Course, Commits to Restore Purged Climate Webpages in Response to Farmers' Lawsuit | EarthjusticeGood Trouble:RFK Jr just tweeted the following message: “If you know a regulation that's making our health system worse, not better-tell us. Submit your ideas at regulations.gov/deregulation. We're listening. In order to Make America Healthy Again, providers and caretakers must have the critical opportunity to focus on preventing and treating chronic diseases. Their time and talent should not be spent doing unnecessary or burdensome paperwork”Find Upcoming Demonstrations And Actions:50501 MovementJune 14th Nationwide Demonstrations - NoKings.orgIndivisible.orgShare your Good News or Good Trouble:dailybeanspod.com/goodFrom The Good NewsDepeche Mode.comDepeche Mode - YouTubeDepeche Mode - Where's the Revolution (Official Video)House of Black Cat MagicReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Federal workers - feel free to email me at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen.Share your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/ Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Subscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.comFollow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Substack|Muellershewrote, BlueSky|@muellershewrote , Threads|@muellershewrote, TikTok|@muellershewrote, IG|muellershewrote, Twitter|@MuellerSheWrote,Dana GoldbergTwitter|@DGComedy, IG|dgcomedy, facebook|dgcomedy, IG|dgcomedy, danagoldberg.com, BlueSky|@dgcomedyHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/Patreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

What if the products you use every day—like your plastic containers, laundry detergent, or air fresheners—were quietly affecting your family's health? In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Harris, childhood cancer survivor and environmental toxin expert, to explore how to reduce hidden toxins in your home without feeling overwhelmed. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Tanya shares practical tips that any busy parent can start using right away. You'll learn how simple swaps and small adjustments can help protect your family's health—without needing to go completely toxin-free or “all natural” overnight.

Dr. Aly Cohen is a board-certified physician practicing in rheumatology and integrative medicine, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, available now for pre-order, connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease...and what we CAN all do about it!Now for more background: Athe University of Pennsylvania, she focused her studies on medical anthropology and human evolution - topics that have greatly influenced her work. She is on faculty of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine  (AIHM), Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), and the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) at the University of California, Irvine, where she created and manages the environmental medicine and integrative rheumatology curriculum for medical colleagues. Dr. Cohen has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease- prevention or­ganizations, and is coeditor of the textbook, Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press/Weil Integrative Medicine, Academic Series. She is the co-author of the bestselling, consumer guidebook, Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environ­mental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. She has been the recipient of countless awards. AGENDA:   1.     What is environmental medicine? a.     learn more about environmental health topics?  TheSmartHuman.com.     Other educational projects? (curriculum for physicians, nurses, PT, Nurse practitioners AND creating online courses for parents/athletes/women and fertility & pregnancy...coming soon at AlyCohenMD.com) 2.     Break down for us the ‘classes' of toxins- like persistent organic chemicals vs endocrine disruptors, EMFs, etc- how can we start to discern the different chemicals & what how they affect? What are they doing inside our bodies? 3.     Once they come into our bodies- through our lungs, skin & GI tract, what do they do to us? How & where do they get stored? What are the various compartments? a.     Role of the immune system & even more broadly, the neuroimmune axis? As a rheum, what about our autoimmune epidemic? b.     What about the MIND? c.     Role of adipose? d.     Role of bones- how women will have more toxins come out post-menopause when the bone tissue starts to degrade with osteoporosis? e.     With infection/ concussion/ inflammation, the greater porosity of the blood brain barrier? Is this our Alzheimer's epidemic? 4.     How can we test for them in our bodies? a.     Standard testing with LabCorp/ Quest? b.     Specialty functional med lab testing? 5.     How do we detox? The million-dollar question! a.     We naturally detox daily- peeing, pooping, sweating & crying. How to amplify? b.     What is your 21-day program? c.     Ayurvedic panchakarma6.     Obviously, the first step is to avoid toxic chemicals coming into our bodies in the first place: a.     What are the most important things to know about making the right daily choices?                                                i.     Water filters                                              ii.     Detergents & cleaning products b.     Talk to us about regulations- do we dare? c.     How can we test our water, soil, etc? d.     What advice do you have for folks wanting to make their communities safer?CLOSING: Dr. Cohen is working to educate and empower the next generation to make safer, smarter lifestyle choices through the creation of en­vironmental health and prevention curricula for schools nationally. Her TEDx talk, “How to Protect Your Kids from Toxic Chemicals" can be found on YouTube

YouTuber Tom Webster just published several key exhibits shown at the trial of Richard Allen. Namely, two police interviews and several calls between Allen and his wife and mother. We will talk about a few things that stood out to us. He was convicted of murdering Liberty German and Abigail Williams.The October 13, 2022 police interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGZiyAfe2XIThe October 26, 2022 police interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpskkR380PYThe prison calls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkujWThNJKQ&t=10sSubscribe to Tom Webster on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TomWebsterChannelJoin our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/c/murdersheetSupport The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.Keep hydrated. It's good for your body and your overall well being.But doing so isn't always as easy as it sounds. I always prefer bottled water because I doesn't like the taste of tap. That was always annoying, though because it costs more money. But my picky instinct was right.Research by the Environmental Working Group finds that many homes in America can have harmful contaminants in its tap water.Microplastics and contaminants are in our drinking water. Buying bottled water is obviously more expensive than just using tap water, plus it comes with its own issues. So what're we to do?AquaTru has us covered. This 4-stage reverse osmosis water purification system changed our lives and has us saving money and drinking way more water. We love our Wifi-connected purifier. It saves us save a lot of money and makes our water taste crisp. AquaTru comes with a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee and even makes a great gift…Today my listeners receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Just go to AquaTru.com — and enter code “MSHEET” “ at checkout. That's 20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code MSHEET.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if you could slow down aging and stay energized for decades longer? Kayla Barnes-Lentz—Top Biohacker, Longevity Expert, and Founder of LYV The Wellness Space—has done exactly that. Her biological age is 10 years younger than her real age, and she's here to share how you can do it too. Kayla gets into simple but powerful biohacks—how sleep, food, and even your hormones play a huge role in how you age. Plus, Kayla shares her own routine, from lab tests to cutting-edge treatments that might just help you live to 150. If you've ever wondered how to stay sharp, strong, and full of life for years to come, you won't want to miss this. Tune in and get the inside scoop! Key Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:48] The truth about biological age testing. [00:03:48] Is longevity escape velocity a myth? [00:08:25] Hyperbaric therapy—does it work? [00:11:11] What grip strength reveals about your lifespan. [00:13:16] Hidden toxins affecting your health daily. [00:17:24] Morning habits for a longer life. [00:19:50] Why VO2 max matters for women. [00:26:00] Redefining joy: How health impacts true happiness. [00:29:02] Sleep needs most women ignore. [00:30:33] How to align your nutrition with your cycle. [00:34:25] Healthy habits women can start focusing on. [00:35:03] Fasting for women – is this good or bad? [00:37:51] How fun changes as you age. [00:41:45] The real secret to a longer, better life. [00:44:05] EMFs—should you be worried? [00:48:02] Can your bed improve your health? [00:51:03] Ovarian longevity—what to know. [00:55:00] The role of relationships in long-term health. [01:00:05] The ultimate health blueprint for women. Memorable Quotes "We have our chronological age, which is the number on the calendar. But your biological age, like the age of your internal speed, doesn't have to match that. It can be older, or it can actually be younger." — Kayla Barnes-Lentz "I don't want to just live to 150 to live to 150. I want to live to 150 and be vibrant and have energy. So, no, I certainly don't want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. I want to live longer in good health." — Kayla Barnes-Lentz Where to Find Our Guest Website: https://www.kaylabarnes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KaylaBarnesLentz Other links mentioned in the episode: Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/ To stay connected and to learn more about Vishen and Mindvalley, click on the links below:  Website: https://www.mindvalley.com/about Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindvalley/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindvalley Become the best version of yourself with the world's most effective transformation platform. Join Mindvalley Membership Today: https://start.mindvalley.com/membership Produced by Evolved Podcasting: https://www.evolvedpodcasting.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harry Truman once proclaimed: “No man should be president who doesn't understand hogs.”That might explain the calamitous mess that President Trump-Musk is making of our government today. Clearly, Don and Elon know nothing about four-legged farm animals, but they certainly know how to squeeze government to fatten their own two-legged breed of corporate swine. Thus, the billionaire hucksters are bulldozing agencies that serve people's real needs, while preserving those that subsidize corporate greed.For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A once-proud agency created by Abraham Lincoln to serve tillers of the soil, but USDA today has become a bottomless feeding trough for agribusiness giants and other financial powers that “till” taxpayers.Our country's Farm Program, meant to be a safety net for hands-on dirt farmers, is now a $20-billion-a-year subsidy that pays zero to the vast majority of farm families. Instead, 75 percent of our money goes to the biggest and richest 10 percent of corporate fiefdoms, including billionaire speculators who never get any dirt under their fingernails.Actually, the Trump-Musk chainsaw crew is whacking some USDA programs—such as food stamps for poor families, helping school districts buy from local farmers and ranchers, and other efforts providing modest help to grassroots people and communities. But not a peep from the duo about the bales of taxpayer cash hauled every year to their own class of rich elites.This is Jim Hightower saying… A Department of Agriculture is as needed today as in Lincoln's time. But an honest overhaul is necessary to return it to its democratic roots of serving the workaday people of rural America, freeing it from the corporate interests now running roughshod over those same people. For more information, go to Environmental Working Group at ewg.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

In Episode 234 of the Fit Father Project Podcast, Dr. Anthony Balduzzi and Tina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Just Thrive, delve into the world of gut health, probiotics, and the journey of Just Thrive. Tina shares her transition from a career in pharmaceuticals to creating a science-backed probiotic company after witnessing the overuse of medications and the industry's failure to address root causes. They discuss the unique benefits of spore-based probiotics, the importance of quality in probiotic products, and the evolving understanding of gut health's impact on overall well-being. The conversation also touches on the effects of diet, antibiotics, and the signs of a healthy gut.Tina and Dr. Anthony delve into the critical role of gut health, discussing the prevalence of gut dysbiosis, the impact of diet on gut integrity, and the importance of digestive bitters and probiotics. They explore how common foods can affect gut health, the significance of diverse diets, and the future of gut health products. The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive measures in maintaining gut health for overall well-being.If you're looking to improve your gut health, optimize digestion, and take control of your well-being, this episode is packed with practical insights and research-backed solutions. Plus, listeners can explore Just Thrive products and get 20% off with the code FitFamily at justthrivehealth.com.Key TakeawaysThe pharmaceutical industry often prioritizes profit over patient health.Spore-based probiotics survive the gastric system better than others.Quality control in probiotics is crucial for efficacy.The gut directly influences mood, immunity, and nutrient absorption.Glyphosate (found in pesticides) is more damaging than antibiotics.Organic food is crucial.Antibiotics can disrupt gut microbiome balance.Diet plays a significant role in gut health. Gut dysbiosis can manifest as indigestion, heartburn, and autoimmune issues.A significant portion of the population may have undiagnosed leaky gut.Dietary choices, particularly gluten, can exacerbate gut issues.Bloating is a sign of inflammation and gut distress.Diverse diets are essential for a healthy microbiome.Digestive bitters can enhance digestion and gut health.Probiotics are crucial for maintaining gut health and balance.Immediate relief from digestive issues can be experienced with bitters.The future of gut health may involve multiple probiotic strains for optimal health.More About Tina Anderson and Just ThriveWebsite: https://justthrivehealth.com/Use code FITFAMILY and save 20% off sitewide for a limited timeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/justthrivehealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justthrivehealth/X: https://x.com/JustThriveHlthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justthriveEWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen ListsCheck out Environmental Working Group's website https://www.ewg.org/ to get your FREE digital copy of their Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen Lists.Biographical Information on Tina AndersonTina Anderson's journey into the world of health had a unique start

Today, I'm thrilled to repost the conversation with Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder of the Environmental Working Group, a powerhouse built to  protect human health and the planet. For over 30 years, he's been a leading voice challenging industrial agriculture, flawed U.S. food policies, and the toxic threats facing families—especially women and kids. From pushing the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act to shield children from pesticides to creating tools like the Skin Deep Database and Dirty Dozen list, Ken's work empowers moms with science to make safer choices. His latest venture is a podcast entitled Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode where he digs into endocrine disruptors and environmental health, issues hitting close to home for every parent. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Ken Cook! Dr. M

Are the products you use every day poisoning you? In this episode of Super Life, Darin Olien dives into phthalates, a class of toxic chemicals found in food packaging, personal care products, medical devices, and even children's toys. Despite mounting evidence linking phthalates to hormone disruption, infertility, obesity, and chronic illness, these chemicals remain largely unregulated in the United States. Darin breaks down why phthalates are everywhere, how they impact your body, and what you can do to protect yourself. He also highlights Minnesota's groundbreaking SF 188 bill, which aims to force food manufacturers to test and disclose phthalate contamination for the first time in U.S. history. If you care about your health, your family, and the toxic load in your daily life, this is a must-listen episode that will make you rethink what you're consuming. Government Responsibility in the Spread of Phthalates Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable. Since the mid-20th century, they've been incorporated into countless consumer goods, from food packaging to personal care products. This widespread use is largely due to regulatory inaction and the prioritization of industrial interests over public health. In the United States, agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been slow to regulate phthalates, despite mounting evidence linking them to serious health issues. These include endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes. Unlike Europe, which has banned certain phthalates in food packaging and children's products, the U.S. has often allowed industry self-regulation, leading to widespread contamination in consumer goods. The Industrial Agricultural Revolution and Processed Foods The post-World War II industrialization of food production significantly increased the use of phthalates. As food manufacturing scaled up, plastics became integral in packaging and processing equipment, leading to phthalate leaching into our food supply. Highly processed foods are particularly susceptible due to multiple points of plastic contact during production and storage. Studies have shown that individuals consuming more processed and fast foods have higher levels of phthalates in their bodies. Minnesota's Legislative Action: A Step Forward In January 2025, Minnesota State Senator Heather Gustafson introduced Senate File 188 (SF 188), a bill requiring food manufacturers to test their products for phthalates and publicly disclose the results. If passed, this legislation would be the first of its kind in the U.S., aiming to increase transparency and encourage manufacturers to reduce phthalate levels in their products. According to Senator Gustafson, "Minnesotans have the right to know whether the food they are eating and serving their families is contaminated with toxic phthalates. My bill will help consumers make healthier buying decisions and create a strong incentive for food manufacturers to get plastic chemicals out of our food."  advocacy.consumerreports.org Why This Matters This bill is crucial because it: Increases Transparency: For the first time, food companies would be required to test for and disclose phthalate levels, creating public awareness of the contamination problem. Encourages Stricter Regulations: Public disclosure could lead to consumer pressure for stronger nationwide bans and restrictions. Prioritizes Public Health: It challenges the longstanding prioritization of industry preferences over public health, acknowledging that chemical exposure is a public health crisis. Addresses Chronic Illness: With rising rates of metabolic disorders and hormone-related diseases linked to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, holding manufacturers accountable is a step toward reversing this trend. Products Commonly Containing Phthalates and Associated Health Risks Phthalates are pervasive in many consumer products. Here's a breakdown of common sources and the potential health implications: Personal Care Products: Items such as nail polishes, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, cleansers, and shampoos often contain phthalates.  fda.gov Food Packaging and Processed Foods: Phthalates can leach into food from packaging materials and during processing. Diets high in dairy and meat have been associated with higher levels of phthalate exposure.  webmd.com Medical Devices: Some medical devices, including intravenous bags and tubing, contain phthalates to increase flexibility.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Household Items: Products like vinyl flooring, shower curtains, and certain furniture may contain phthalates.  toxicfreefuture.org Children's Toys: Some toys, especially those made from flexible plastics, can contain phthalates.  toxicfreefuture.org   Health Risks Associated with Phthalate Exposure Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body's hormonal systems. Potential health effects include: Reproductive Issues: Exposure has been linked to reproductive problems, including reduced fertility.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Developmental Problems: Prenatal exposure may lead to developmental issues in children.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Respiratory Issues: There is evidence suggesting a link between phthalate exposure and respiratory problems, such as asthma.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Metabolic Effects: Some studies have associated phthalate exposure with metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and obesity.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov   Steps to Reduce Phthalate Exposure To minimize exposure to phthalates: Choose Phthalate-Free Products: Opt for personal care items labeled as phthalate-free. Limit Processed Food Intake: Reducing consumption of processed foods can decrease phthalate exposure. Use Alternatives to Plastic: Whenever possible, choose glass, stainless steel, or other non-plastic materials for food storage and household items. Stay Informed: Regularly check resources like the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database to find products free from harmful chemicals. How You Can Take Action While Minnesota is leading the way, collective action is essential to drive nationwide change. Here are steps you can take: Support the Bill: If you're in Minnesota, contact your state legislators to express support for SF 188. You can find more information and track the bill's progress here. Sign Petitions: Look for petitions advocating for the reduction of phthalates in consumer products and add your voice. Stay Informed: Follow organizations like Consumer Reports and Clean Water Action, which are actively involved in this issue. Reduce Personal Exposure: Limit consumption of highly processed foods, use glass or stainless steel for food storage, and avoid products with "fragrance" listed as an ingredient, as it can be a source of phthalates. Active Petition to Support Minnesota's SF 188 As of now, there isn't a specific petition available for Minnesota's SF 188 bill. However, you can take proactive steps to support this legislation: Contact Legislators: Reach out to Minnesota state legislators to express your support for SF 188. Personalized messages can be impactful. Stay Informed: Monitor the bill's progress through the Minnesota Revisor's Office website. Conclusion Minnesota's initiative is a significant step toward addressing the pervasive issue of phthalate contamination. However, true accountability requires federal-level bans, a shift toward non-toxic alternatives, and a rethinking of industrial food production. By staying informed and taking action, we can collectively push for a healthier future.   Bibliography Consumer Reports. "Minnesota Senator Gustafson introduces bill to protect consumers from toxic plastic chemicals in food." January 21, 2025.  advocacy.consumerreports.org Food Safety Magazine. "Bill Introduced in Minnesota to Require Phthalate Testing for Packaged Foods." January 21, 2025.  food-safety.com Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. "SF 188 as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025)."  revisor.mn.gov Food & Wine. "Minnesota Just Became the First State to Target Plastic Chemicals in Food." January 22, 2025.  foodandwine.com Thank you for joining us on "SuperLife with Darin Olien." Let's continue to strive for a healthier, more informed world.   Research Summaries: "Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health" Authors: Ying Wang, Hongjun Zhu, and Yanan Kannan Summary: This study discusses the widespread use of phthalates as endocrine disruptors and their detrimental effects on human health. It highlights that phthalates are present in numerous products that come into contact with plastics during production, packaging, or delivery.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov "Critical Review on the Presence of Phthalates in Food and Evidence of Their Impact on Human Health" Authors: Giuseppe Latini, Valentina Del Vecchio, and Andrea Massaro Summary: This review examines the presence of phthalates in various foods and their potential health impacts, including their role in increasing the risk of developing allergies and asthma.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov "Why Phthalates Should Be Restricted or Banned from Consumer Products" Authors: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Summary: This article discusses how phthalates can leach into food from vinyl plastic equipment and materials, emphasizing the need for restrictions or bans due to associated health risks.  hsph.harvard.edu "Phthalates and Diet: A Review of the Food Monitoring and Epidemiology Data" Authors: Rolf U. Halden Summary: This review highlights epidemiological studies showing positive associations between the consumption of meats, discretionary fats, and dairy products with increased phthalate exposure.  ehjournal.biomedcentral.com "Personal Care Product Use Patterns in Association with Phthalate and Bisphenol A Exposure" Authors: Jessica T. Barson, John D. Meeker, and Kelly K. Ferguson Summary: This study investigates the relationship between personal care product usage and exposure to phthalates and BPA, finding significant associations that suggest these products are notable sources of exposure.  nature.com "What Are Phthalates and How Do They Affect Your Health?" Authors: National Center for Health Research Summary: This article provides an overview of phthalates as synthetic chemicals used to make plastics flexible and to add fragrance to products, discussing their role as endocrine disruptors and potential health effects, especially in young children.  center4research.org   Bibliography: Wang, Y., Zhu, H., & Kannan, Y. (2021). Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 1-8.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Latini, G., Del Vecchio, V., & Massaro, A. (2020). Critical Review on the Presence of Phthalates in Food and Evidence of Their Impact on Human Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 5655.  pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2019). Why Phthalates Should Be Restricted or Banned from Consumer Products.  hsph.harvard.edu Halden, R. U. (2014). Phthalates and Diet: A Review of the Food Monitoring and Epidemiology Data. Environmental Health, 13(1), 43.  ehjournal.biomedcentral.com Barson, J. T., Meeker, J. D., & Ferguson, K. K. (2023). Personal Care Product Use Patterns in Association with Phthalate and Bisphenol A Exposure. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 33(1), 45-54.  nature.com National Center for Health Research. (2021). What Are Phthalates and How Do They Affect Your Health?.  center4research.org       What You'll Learn in This Episode: (00:00:00) Introduction – The toxic truth hiding in your everyday products. (00:03:19) What Are Phthalates? – The chemicals making plastics flexible (and your health fragile). (00:04:24) How Phthalates Get into Your Body – Food, air, water, and even medical devices. (00:05:50) The Devastating Health Effects of Phthalates – Endocrine disruption, infertility, and metabolic disease. (00:07:45) Why the U.S. Fails to Regulate Phthalates – The FDA, EPA, and corporate influence. (00:10:14) Why Europe Banned Phthalates (and the U.S. Didn't) – A look at the regulatory failures. (00:12:38) The Connection Between Phthalates & Infertility – How they are lowering sperm counts and harming pregnancy. (00:15:10) Processed Foods & Fast Foods—A Phthalate Hotspot – Why eating out could be dosing you with toxins. (00:18:49) The Hidden Dangers in Medical Devices – Why even hospitals aren't safe. (00:21:20) Minnesota's Groundbreaking SF 188 Bill – Why this legislation could change everything. (00:24:30) How Phthalates Are Even in Your Children's Toys – The shocking reality parents need to know. (00:27:15) The Impact of Phthalates on Weight Gain & Diabetes – How they disrupt metabolism. (00:30:07) The Fight for Transparency in the Food Industry – What's being done to expose these chemicals. (00:33:12) How to Reduce Your Phthalate Exposure – Simple swaps to detox your home and body. (00:36:40) What You Can Do Today – Advocacy, petitions, and making informed choices. (00:40:12) The Call to Action – Why raising awareness is the key to change.     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com. Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway: "Phthalates are everywhere—but they don't have to be inside you. Awareness is power, and it's time to fight back against the toxic chemicals hiding in plain sight."

Want to add a healthy habit to your daily routine that is absolutely free and incredibly effective? Looking to reduce insulin resistance and lose visceral fat? Want to boost mental health and improve cognitive function? Look no further than walking! Tune in to hear us unpack the myriad of research-supported benefits.   In this episode, we discuss the incredible benefits of walking, from lowering blood pressure to improving heart rate variability to reducing stress and so much more. Learn about the magic number when it comes to step count, our thoughts on walking in nature vs. on a treadmill, and get practical tips for getting those steps!    Also in this episode:  Naturally Nourished Teas are buy 3 get 1 FREE, use code FREETEA Gift cards at Naturally Nourished Detox Masterclass 1/8 Keto Masterclass 1/15 Walking Pad C2 use code ALIMILLERRD for savings Health Benefits of Walking Lowers Blood Pressure Hypertension: Brisk walking for 30 minutes, five days a week reduces blood pressure (Hypertension, 2020). Improves Cholesterol Levels Cholesterol: Effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol (Journal of the American Heart Association, 2021). Lipid Profiles: Walking improves triglycerides and HDL (Atherosclerosis, 2021). Reduces the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease Coronary Artery Disease Risk: 150 minutes of walking weekly (Circulation, 2022). Enhances Cardiorespiratory Fitness Reduces Systemic Inflammation Systemic Inflammation: Walking lowers CRP and IL-6 (Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2020). Systemic Inflammation: Walking reduces inflammatory cytokines (The Journal of Endocrinology, 2022). Helps Maintain Healthy Weight and Prevent Obesity Improves Heart Rate Variability Heart Rate Variability: HRV improvement with regular walking (Heart, 2022). Prevents Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral Artery Disease: Walking improves circulation and function in PAD patients (Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2021). Reduces Resting Heart Rate Enhances Endothelial Function Supports Recovery After Cardiac Events Improves Insulin Sensitivity Insulin Sensitivity: Improvements with post-meal walks (Diabetes Care, 2021). Enhances Glucose Regulation Boosts Fat Oxidation Fat Oxidation: Brisk walking boosts fat metabolism (Journal of Applied Physiology, 2022). Reduces Visceral Fat Reduction of visceral fat after 10,000 steps/day (Obesity, 2021). Promotes Energy Balance Energy Balance: 12,000 steps/day for maintaining weight (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2020). Regulates Hormones Related to Metabolism Increases Mitochondrial Efficiency Improves Metabolic Flexibility Prevents Metabolic Syndrome Helps Manage Type 2 Diabetes Mental health Stress Reduction: Nature walks lower cortisol more than treadmill (Environmental Research, 2022). Stimulates Neurogenesis and Brain Plasticity Brain Connectivity: Walking improves default mode network activity (Journal of Aging Research, 2021). Enhances Neurotransmitter Balance Supports Autonomic Nervous System Regulation Improves Sensory Integration Vestibular Function: Enhancing balance and stability with walking (Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2021). Strengthens Cognitive Function Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function: Exercise-induced brain growth (Nature Neuroscience, 2021). Promotes Myelination and Nerve Health Enhances Emotional Regulation via the Vagus Nerve Reduces Neurological Disease Risk Synchronizes the Nervous System Through Rhythmic Movement Improves Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Bone and Joint Health Immune System Support Longevity and Reduced Mortality Gut Health Gut Health: Positive effects on microbiota diversity (Gut Microbes, 2020). The Science of Step Counts Thoughts on Nature vs. Treadmill Walking Cognitive Benefits: Nature walking improves attention restoration (Nature Neuroscience, 2021). Proprioception: Benefits of uneven terrain in natural settings (Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023). Motivation: Outdoor walkers maintain habits better than treadmill users (Behavioral Medicine, 2022). Immune Boosting: Increased NK cell activity in forest walkers (International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2021).   Sponsors for this episode:  According to extensive research by the Environmental Working Group, virtually every home in America has harmful contaminants in its tap water. That's why you've got to check out AquaTru. AquaTru purifiers use a 4-stage reverse osmosis purification process, and their countertop purifiers work with NO installation or plumbing. It removes 15x more contaminants than ordinary pitcher filters and are specifically designed to combat chemicals like PFAS in your water supply. Naturally Nourished Podcast listeners can use code ALIMILLERRD at AquaTru.com to save 20% off. 

What is the difference between Germ Theory and Terrain Theory? Where did each way of thinking come from, how do they differ in terms of key principles, and how do they impact treatment of disease? Tune in to hear us compare and contrast and give our two cents on what each one has gotten right or wrong.    In this episode, we unpack the historical origins of both Germ Theory and Terrain Theory. We discuss how each one has impacted medicine, from hygiene and sanitation to pharmaceutical intervention and beyond. Plus we discuss key aspects of how you can best support your body's individual terrain and immune system and share our Strep Throat Protocol.    Also in this episode:  Free Detox Class 1/8/25 Sign Up Here Free Keto Masterclass 1/15/25 Sign Up Here Save the Date, next LIVE Keto Reset starts 1/29 Buy 3 Get 1 Free Tea with code FREETEA What is Germ Theory? Historical Origins Shortcomings What is Terrain Theory? Nutrient Deficiency Vitamin D Balanced Blend Bio-C Plus Cellular Antiox Sugar Consumption Naturally Nourished Episode 262 The Keto-Immune Connection Gut Microbiome Beat the Bloat Cleanse Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic GI Immune Builder Stress Stress Manager Bundle Relax and Regulate Sleep Support Detox 10 Day Detox Branch Basics use code ALIMILLERRD on a starter kit Air Quality Air Doctor use code ALIMILLERRD Strep Throat Protocol References Wang, T., et al. (2014). The role of vitamin D in immunity and inflammation. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 25(5), 499–505. Martineau, A. R., et al. (2017). Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 17(8), 810–818. Johnson, R. J., et al. (2014). Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and reduced immune function: An examination of leukocyte function and inflammation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(4), 1141-1146. Cranford, R. R., et al. (2002). The effects of dietary sugar on neutrophil function. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75(4), 781-785. Adkins, Y., et al. (2006). Acute intake of sugar-sweetened beverages decreases immune function. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 91(2), 615–618. Shin, N. R., et al. (2015). The gut microbiota and its implications for health and disease. Frontiers in Immunology, 6, 121. Belkaid, Y., & Hand, T. (2014). Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Nature Reviews Immunology, 16(6), 390–400. Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: A meta-analytic study of 30 years of research. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 30(10), 1023–1039. Black, P. H., & Garbutt, L. D. (2002). Stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 16(3), 331–338. Bryant, P. A., et al. (2004). Sleep and immune function. Journal of Immunology, 173(4), 2149–2156. Prather, A. A., et al. (2015). Sleep and C-reactive protein: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep, 38(6), 827–835. Source: Saito, H., et al. (2014). Liver detoxification and its importance for health. Hepatology International, 8(1), 15–20. Brook, R. D., et al. (2010). Particulate matter air pollution and cardiovascular disease: An update to the scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(8), 1150–1156. Nieman, D. C. (2013). Exercise immunology: An introduction. Exercise Immunology Review, 19, 8–20. Sponsors for this episode:  According to extensive research by the Environmental Working Group, virtually every home in America has harmful contaminants in its tap water. That's why you've got to check out AquaTru. AquaTru purifiers use a 4-stage reverse osmosis purification process, and their countertop purifiers work with NO installation or plumbing. It removes 15x more contaminants than ordinary pitcher filters and are specifically designed to combat chemicals like PFAS in your water supply. Naturally Nourished Podcast listeners can use code ALIMILLERRD at AquaTru.com to save 20% off. 

There are dangers lurking in our food that affect your health and the health of our entire society, and you should know about them. In this episode, get the highlights from two recent Congressional events featuring expert testimony about the regulation of our food supply, as well as testimony from the man who is soon likely to be the most powerful person in our national health care system. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Joe Rogan Episodes The Joe Rogan Experience. The Joe Rogan Experience. The Joe Rogan Experience. The Joe Rogan Experience. Ron Johnson Scott Bauer. January 3, 2023. AP News. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Daniel Cusick. October 28, 2024. Politico. Rachel Treisman. August 5, 2024. NPR. Susanne Craig. May 8, 2024. The New York Times. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA “Generally Recognized as Safe” Approach Paulette M. Gaynor et al. April 2006. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Paulette Gaynor and Sebastian Cianci. December 2005/January 2006. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Glyphosate September 20, 2023. Phys.org. Lobbying and Conflicts of Interest OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets. LinkedIn. Shift from Democrats to Republicans Will Stone and Allison Aubrey. November 15, 2024. NPR. Helena Bottemiller Evich and Darren Samuelsohn. March 17, 2016. Politico. Audio Sources September 25, 2024 Roundtable discussion held by Senator Ron Johnson Participants: , Author, Good Energy; Tech entrepreneur, Levels , Co-founder, Truemed; Advocate, End Chronic Disease , aka the Food Babe, food activist Jillian Michaels, fitness expert, nutritionist, businesswoman, media personality, and author Dr. Chris Palmer, Founder and Director, Metabolic and Mental Health Program and Director, Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, McLean Hospital; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Brigham Buhler, Founder & CEO, Ways2Well Courtney Swan, nutritionist, real food activist, and founder of the popular platform "Realfoodology" , Founder and CEO, HumanCo; co-founder, Hu Kitchen Dr. Marty Makary, Chief of Islet Transplant Surgery, Professor of Surgery, and Public Policy Researcher, Johns Hopkins University Clips Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: When discussing improvements to US healthcare policy, politicians from both parties often say we have the best healthcare system in the world. That is a lie. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: Every major pillar of the US healthcare system, as a statement of economic fact, makes money when Americans get sick. By far the most valuable asset in this country today is a sick child. The pharma industry, hospital industry, and medical school industry make more money when there are more interventions to perform on Americans, and by requiring insurance companies to take no more than 15% of premiums, Obamacare actually incentivized insurance companies to raise premiums to get 15% of a larger pie. This is why premiums have increased 100% since the passage of Obamacare, making health care the largest driver of inflation, while American life expectancy plummets. We spend four times per capita on health care than the Italians, but Italians live 7.5 years longer than us on average. And incidentally, Americans had the highest life expectancies in the world when I was growing up. Today, we've fallen an average of six years behind our European neighbors. Are we lazier and more suicidal than Italians? Or is there a problem with our system? Are there problems with our incentives? Are there problems with our food? 46:15 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: So what's causing all of this suffering? I'll name two culprits, first and worst is ultra processed foods. 47:20 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: The second culprit is toxic chemicals in our food, our medicine and our environment. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: The good news is that we can change all this, and we can change it very, very, very quickly, and it starts with taking a sledgehammer to corruption, the conflicts in our regulatory agencies and in this building. These conflicts have transformed our regulatory agencies into predators against the American people and particularly our children. 80% of NIH grants go to people who have conflicts of interest, and these scientists are allowed to collect royalties of $150,000 a year on the products that they develop at NIH and then farm out to the pharmaceutical industry. The FDA, the USDA and CDC are all controlled by giant for-profit corporations. Their function is no longer to improve and protect the health of Americans. Their function is to advance the mercantile and commercial interests of the pharmaceutical industry that has transformed them and the food industry that has transformed them into sock puppets for the industry they're supposed to regulate. 75% of FDA funding does not come from taxpayers. It comes from pharma. And pharma executives and consultants and lobbyists cycle in and out of these agencies. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: Money from the healthcare industry has compromised our regulatory agencies and this body as well. The reality is that many congressional healthcare staffers are worried about impressing their future bosses at pharmaceutical companies rather than doing the right thing for American children. Today, over 100 members of Congress support a bill to fund Ozempic with Medicare at $1,500 a month. Most of these members have taken money from the manufacturer of that product, a European company called Novo Nordisk. As everyone knows, once a drug is approved for Medicare, it goes to Medicaid, and there is a push to recommend Ozempic for Americans as young as six, over a condition, obesity, that is completely preventable and barely even existed 100 years ago. Since 74% of Americans are obese, the cost of all of them, if they take their Ozempic prescriptions, will be $3 trillion a year. This is a drug that has made Novo Nordisk the biggest company in Europe. It's a Danish company, but the Danish government does not recommend it. It recommends a change in diet to treat obesity and exercise. Virtually Novo Nordisk's entire value is based upon its projections of what Ozempic is going to sell to Americans. For half the price of Ozempic, we could purchase regeneratively raised organic agriculture, organic food for every American, three meals a day and a gym membership for every obese American. Why are members of Congress doing the bidding of this Danish company instead of standing up for American farmers and children? Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: For 19 years, solving the childhood chronic disease crisis has been the central goal of my life, and for 19 years, I have prayed to God every morning to put me in a position to end this calamity. I believe we have the opportunity for transformational, bipartisan change to transform American health, to hyper-charge our human capital, to improve our budget, and I believe, to save our spirits and our country. 1:23:10 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Our next presenter, Dr. Marty Makary also bears a few scars from telling the truth during COVID. Dr. Makary is a surgeon and public policy researcher at Johns Hopkins University. He writes for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, and is the author of two New York Times best selling books, Unaccountable and The Price We Pay. He's been an outspoken opponent of broad vaccine mandates and some COVID restrictions at schools. Dr. Makary holds degrees from Bucknell University, Thomas Jefferson University and Harvard University. Dr. Marty Makary: I'm trained in gastrointestinal surgery. My group at Johns Hopkins does more pancreatic cancer surgery than any hospital in the United States. But at no point in the last 20 years has anyone stopped to ask, why has pancreatic cancer doubled over those 20 years? Who's working on that? Who's looking into it? We are so busy in our health care system, billing and coding and paying each other, and every stakeholder has their gigantic lobby in Washington, DC, and everybody's making a lot of money, except for one stakeholder, the American citizen. They are financing this giant, expensive health care system through their paycheck deduction for health insurance and the Medicare excise tax as we go down this path, billing and coding and medicating. And can we be real for a second? We have poisoned our food supply, engineered highly addictive chemicals that we put into our food, we spray it with pesticides that kill pests. What do you think they do to our gut lining and our microbiome? And then they come in sick. The GI tract is reacting. It's not an acute inflammatory storm, it's a low grade chronic inflammation, and it makes people feel sick, and that inflammation permeates and drives so many of our chronic diseases that we didn't see half a century ago. Who's working on who's looking into this, who's talking about it? Our health care system is playing whack a mole on the back end, and we are not talking about the root causes of our chronic disease epidemic. We can't see the forest from the trees. Sometimes we're so busy in these short visits, billing and coding. We've done a terrible thing to doctors. We've told them, put your head down. Focus on billing and coding. We're going to measure you by your throughput and good job. You did a nice job. We have all these numbers to show for it. Well, the country is getting sicker. We cannot keep going down this path. We have the most over-medicated, sickest population in the world, and no one is talking about the root causes. Dr. Marty Makary: Somebody has got to speak up. Maybe we need to talk about school lunch programs, not just putting every kid on obesity drugs like Ozempic. Maybe we need to talk about treating diabetes with cooking classes, not just throwing insulin at everybody. Maybe we need to talk about environmental exposures that cause cancer, not just the chemo to treat it. We've got to talk about food as medicine. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): So, Dr Makary, I've got a couple questions. First of all, how many years have you been practicing medicine? Dr. Marty Makary: 22 years. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): So we've noticed a shift from decades ago when 80% of doctors are independent to now 80% are working for some hospital association. First of all, what has that meant in terms of doctors' independence and who they are really accountable too? Dr. Marty Makary: The move towards corporate medicine and mass consolidation that we've witnessed in our lifetime has meant more and more doctors are told to put their heads down, do your job: billing and coding short visits. We've not given doctors the time, research, or resources to deal with these chronic diseases. 1:32:45 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Dr. Casey Means is a medical doctor, New York Times Best Selling Author, tech entrepreneur at Levels, an aspiring regenerative gardener and an outdoor enthusiast. While training as a surgeon, she saw how broken and exploitative the health care system is, and led to focus on how to keep people out of the operating room. And again, I would highly recommend everybody read Good Energy. It's a personal story, and you'll be glad you did. Dr. Casey Means: Over the last 50 years in the United States, we have seen rapidly rising rates of chronic illnesses throughout the entire body. The body and the brain, infertility, obesity, type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, Alzheimer's, dementia, cancer, heart disease, stroke, autoimmune disease, migraines, mental illness, chronic pain, fatigue, congenital abnormalities, chronic liver disease, autism, and infant and maternal mortality all going up. Americans live eight fewer years compared to people in Japan or Switzerland, and life expectancy is going down. I took an oath to do no harm, but listen to these stats. We're not only doing harm, we're flagrantly allowing harm. While it sounds grim, there is very good news. We know why all of these diseases are going up, and we know how to fix it. Every disease I mentioned is caused by or worsened by metabolic dysfunction, a word that it is thrilling to hear being used around this table. Metabolic dysfunction is a fundamental distortion of our cellular biology. It stops our cells from making energy appropriately. According to the American College of Cardiology, metabolic dysfunction now affects 93.2% of American adults. This is quite literally the cellular draining of our life force. This process is the result of three processes happening inside our cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, a process called oxidative stress, which is like a wildfire inside our cells, and chronic inflammation throughout the body and the gut, as we've heard about. Metabolic dysfunction is largely not a genetic issue. It's caused by toxic American ultra processed industrial food, toxic American chemicals, toxic American medications, and our toxic sedentary, indoor lifestyles. You would think that the American healthcare system and our government agencies would be clamoring to fix metabolic health and reduce American suffering and costs, but they're not. They are deafeningly silent about metabolic dysfunction and its known causes. It's not an overstatement to say that I learned virtually nothing at Stanford Medical School about the tens of thousands of scientific papers that elucidate these root causes of why American health is plummeting and how environmental factors are causing it. For instance, in medical school, I did not learn that for each additional serving of ultra processed food we eat, early mortality increases by 18%. This now makes up 67% of the foods our kids are eating. I took zero nutrition courses in medical school. I didn't learn that 82% of independently funded studies show harm from processed food, while 93% of industry sponsored studies reflect no harm. In medical school, I didn't learn that 95% of the people who created the recent USDA Food guidelines for America had significant conflicts of interest with the food industry. I did not learn that 1 billion pounds of synthetic pesticides are being sprayed on our food every single year. 99.99% of the farmland in the United States is sprayed with synthetic pesticides, many from China and Germany. And these invisible, tasteless chemicals are strongly linked to autism, ADHD, sex hormone disruption, thyroid disease, sperm dysfunction, Alzheimer's, dementia, birth defects, cancer, obesity, liver dysfunction, female infertility and more, all by hurting our metabolic health. I did not learn that the 8 billion tons of plastic that have been produced just in the last 100 years, plastic was only invented about 100 years ago, are being broken down into micro plastics that are now filling our food, our water, and we are now even inhaling them in our air. And that very recent research from just the past couple of months tells us that now about 0.5% of our brains by weight are now plastic. I didn't learn that there are more than 80,000 toxins that have entered our food, water, air and homes by industry, many of which are banned in Europe, and they are known to alter our gene expression, alter our microbiome composition and the lining of our gut, and disrupt our hormones. I didn't learn that heavy metals like aluminum and lead are present in our food, our baby formula, personal care products, our soil and many of the mandated medications, like vaccines and that these metals are neurotoxic and inflammatory. I didn't learn that the average American walks a paltry 3500 steps per day, even though we know based on science and top journals that walking, simply walking 7000 steps a day, slashes by 40-60% our risk of Alzheimer's, dementia, type two diabetes, cancer and obesity. I certainly did not learn that medical error and medications are the third leading cause of death in the United States. I didn't learn that just five nights of sleep deprivation can induce full blown pre-diabetes. I learned nothing about sleep, and we're getting about 20% less sleep on average than we were 100 years ago. I didn't learn that American children are getting less time outdoors now than a maximum security prisoner. And on average, adults spend 93% of their time indoors, even though we know from the science that separation from sunlight destroys our circadian biology, and circadian biology dictates our cellular biology. I didn't learn that professional organizations that we get our practice guidelines from, like the American Diabetes Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, have taken 10s of millions of dollars from Coke, Cadbury, processed food companies, and vaccine manufacturers like Moderna. I didn't learn that if we address these root causes that all lead to metabolic dysfunction and help patients change their food and lifestyle patterns with a united strong voice, we could reverse the chronic disease crisis in America, save millions of lives, and trillions of dollars in health care costs per year. Instead, doctors are learning that the body is 100 separate parts, and we learn how to drug, we learn how to cut and we learn how to bill. I'll close by saying that what we are dealing with here is so much more than a physical health crisis. This is a spiritual crisis we are choosing death over life. We are we are choosing death over life. We are choosing darkness over light for people and the planet, which are inextricably linked. We are choosing to erroneously believe that we are separate from nature and that we can continue to poison nature and then outsmart it. Our path out will be a renewed respect for the miracle of life and a renewed respect for nature. We can restore health to Americans rapidly with smart policy and courageous leadership. We need a return to courage. We need a return to common sense and intuition. We need a return to awe for the sheer miraculousness of our lives. We need all hands on deck. Thank you. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): I'm not letting you off that easy. I've got a couple questions. So you outlined some basic facts that doctors should know that truthfully, you could cover in one hour of an introductory class in medical school, yes. So why aren't we teaching doctors these things? Dr. Casey Means: The easy thing to say would be, you know, follow the money. That sounds sort of trite, but frankly, I think that is the truth, but not in the way you might think that, like doctors are out to make money, or even medical schools. The money and the core incentive problem, which is that every institution that touches our health in America, from medical schools to pharmaceutical companies to health insurance companies to hospitals offices, they make more money when we are sick and less when we are healthy. That simple, one incentive problem corrodes every aspect of the way medicine is thought about. The way we think about the body, we talked about interconnectedness. It creates a system in which we silo the body into all these separate parts and create that illusion that we all buy into because it's profitable to send people to separate specialties. So it corrodes even the foundational conception of how we think about the body. So it is about incentives and money, but I would say that's the invisible hand. It's not necessarily affecting each doctor's clinical practice or the decision making. It's corroding every lever of the basics of how we even consider what the human body is and what life is. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): In your book, you do a really good job of describing how, because of the specialization of medicine, you don't see the forest for the trees. The fact is, you do need specialized medicine. I mean, doctors can't know it all. So I think the question is, how do we get back to the reward for general practitioners that do focus on what you're writing about? Dr. Casey Means: I have huge respect for doctors, and I am incredibly grateful for the American health care system, which has produced miracles, and we absolutely need continue to have primary care doctors and specialists, and they should be rewarded highly. However, if we focused on what everyone here is talking about, I think we'd have 90% less throughput through our health care system. We would be able to have these doctors probably have a much better life to be honest. You know, because right now, doctors are working 100 hours a week seeing 50, 60, 70 patients, and could actually have more time with patients who develop these acute issues that need to be treated by a doctor. But so many of the things in the specialist office are chronic conditions that we know are fundamentally rooted in the cellular dysfunction I describe, which is metabolic dysfunction, which is created by our lifestyle. So I think that there's always going to be a place for specialists, but so so many, so much fewer. And I think if we had a different conception for the body is interconnected, they would also interact with each other in a very different way, a much more collaborative way. And then, of course, we need to incentivize doctors in the healthcare system towards outcomes, not throughput. 1:46:25 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Our next presenter is Dr. Chris Palmer. Dr. Palmer is a Harvard trained psychiatrist, researcher and author of Brain Energy, where he explores a groundbreaking connection between metabolic health and mental illness. He is a leader in innovative approaches to treating psychiatric conditions, advocating for the use of diet and metabolic interventions to improve mental health outcomes. Dr. Palmer's work is reshaping how the medical field views and treats mental health disorders. Dr. Chris Palmer: I want to build on what Dr. Means just shared that these chronic diseases we face today. Obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, all share something in common. They are, in fact, metabolic dysfunction. I'm going to go into a little bit of the science, just to make sure we're all on the same page. Although most people think of metabolism as burning calories, it is far more than that. Metabolism is a series of chemical reactions that convert food into energy and building blocks essential for cellular health. When we have metabolic dysfunction, it can drive numerous chronic diseases, which is a paradigm shift in the medical field. Now there is no doubt metabolism is complicated. It really is. It is influenced by biological, psychological, environmental and social factors, and the medical field says this complexity is the reason we can't solve the obesity epidemic because they're still trying to understand every molecular detail of biology. But in fact, we don't need to understand biology in order to understand the cause. The cause is coming from our environment, a toxic environment like poor diet and exposure to harmful chemicals, and these are actually quite easy to study, understand, and address. There is no doubt food plays a key role. It provides the substrate for energy and building blocks. Nutritious foods support metabolism, while ultra processed options can disrupt it. It is shocking that today, in 2024, the FDA allows food manufacturers to introduce brand new chemicals into our food supply without adequate testing. The manufacturer is allowed to determine for themselves whether this substance is safe for you and your family to eat or not. Metabolism's impact goes beyond physical health. I am a psychiatrist. Some of you are probably wondering, why are you here? It also affects mental health. Because guess what? The human brain is an organ too, and when brain metabolism is impaired, it can cause symptoms that we call mental illness. It is no coincidence that as the rates of obesity and diabetes are skyrocketing, so too are the rates of mental illness. In case you didn't know, we have a mental health crisis. We have all time prevalence highs for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, deaths of despair, drug overdoses, ADHD and autism. What does the mental health field have to say for this? Well, you know, mental illness is just chemical imbalances, or maybe trauma and stress that is wholly insufficient to explain the epidemic that we are seeing. And in fact, there is a better way to integrate the biopsychosocial factors known to play a role in mental illness. Mental Disorders at their core are often metabolic disorders impacting the brain. It's not surprising to most people that obesity and diabetes might play a role in depression or anxiety, but the rates of autism have quadrupled in just 20 years, and the rates of ADHD have tripled over that same period of time. These are neuro developmental disorders, and many people are struggling to understand, how on earth could they rise so rapidly? But it turns out that metabolism plays a profound role in neurodevelopment, and sure enough, parents with metabolic issues like obesity and diabetes are more likely to have children with autism and ADHD. This is not about fat shaming, because what I am arguing is that the same foods and chemicals and other drivers of obesity that are causing obesity in the parents are affecting the brain health of our children. There is compelling evidence that food plays a direct role in mental health. One study of nearly 300,000 people found that those who eat ultra processed foods daily are three times more likely to struggle with their mental health than people who never or rarely consume them. A systematic review found direct associations between ultra processed food exposure and 32 different health parameters, including mental mental health conditions. Now I'm not here to say that food is the only, or even primary driver of mental illness. Let's go back to something familiar. Trauma and stress do drive mental illness, but for those of you who don't know, trauma and stress are also associated with increased rates of obesity and diabetes. Trauma and stress change human metabolism. We need to put the science together. This brings me to a key point. We cannot separate physical and mental health from metabolic health. Addressing metabolic dysfunction has the potential to prevent and treat a wide range of chronic diseases. Dr. Chris Palmer: In my own work, I have seen firsthand how using metabolic therapies like the ketogenic diet and other dietary interventions can improve even severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, sometimes putting them into lasting remission. These reports are published in peer reviewed, prestigious medical journals. However, there is a larger issue at play that many have talked about, medical education and public health recommendations are really captured by industry and politics, and at best, they often rely on weak epidemiological data, resulting in conflicting or even harmful advice. We heard a reference to this, but in case you didn't know, a long time ago, we demonized saturated fat. And what was the consequence of demonizing saturated fat? We replaced it with "healthy vegetable shortening." That was the phrase we used, "healthy vegetable shortening." Guess what was in that healthy vegetable shortening? It was filled with trans fats, which are now recognized to be so harmful that they've been banned in the United States. Let's not repeat mistakes like this. Dr. Chris Palmer: So what's the problem? Number one, nutrition and mental health research are severely underfunded, with each of them getting less than 5% of the NIH budget. This is no accident. This is the concerted effort of lobbying by industry, food manufacturers, the healthcare industry, they do not want root causes discovered. We need to get back to funding research on the root causes of mental and metabolic disorders, including the effects of foods, chemicals, medications, environmental toxins, on the human brain and metabolism. Dr. Chris Palmer: The issue of micro plastics and nano plastics in the human body is actually, sadly, in its infancy. We have two publications out in the last couple of months demonstrating that micro plastics are, in fact, found in the human brain. And as Dr. Means said, and you recited, 0.5% of the body weight, or the brain's weight, appears to be composed of micro plastics. We need more research to better understand whether these micro plastics are, in fact, associated with harmful conditions, because microplastics are now ubiquitous. So some will argue, well, they're everywhere, and everybody's got them, and it's just a benign thing. Some will argue that the most compelling evidence against that is a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine a few months ago now, in which they were doing routine carotid endarterectomies, taking plaque out of people's carotid arteries. Just routinely doing that for clinical care, and then they analyzed those plaques for micro plastics. 58% of the people had detectable micro plastics in the plaques. So they compared this 58% group who had micro plastics to the ones who didn't, followed them for three years, just three years, and the ones who had micro plastics had four times the mortality. There is strong reason to believe, based on animal data and based on cell biology data, that microplastics are in fact, toxic to the human body, to mitochondrial function, to hormone dysregulation and all sorts of things. There are lots of reasons to believe that, but the scientists will say, we need more research. We need to better understand whether these micro plastics really are associated with higher rates of disease. I think people are terrified of the answer. People are terrified of the answer. And if you think about everything that you consume, and how much of it is not wrapped in plastic, all of those industries are going to oppose research. They are going to oppose research funding to figure this out ASAP, because that will be a monumental change to not just the food industry but our entire economy. Imagining just cleaning up the oceans and trying to get this plastic and then, more importantly, trying to figure out, how are we going to detox humans? How are we going to de-plasticize human beings? How are we going to get these things out? It is an enormous problem, but the reality is, putting our heads in the sand is not going to help. And I am really hopeful that by raising issues and letting people know about this health crisis, that maybe we will get answers quickly. Dr. Chris Palmer: Your question is, why are our health agencies not exploring these questions? It's because the health agencies are largely influenced by the industries they are supposed to be regulating and looking out for. The medical education community is largely controlled by pharmaceutical companies. One and a half billion dollars every year goes to support physician education. That's from pharmaceutical companies. One and a half billion from pharmaceutical companies. So physicians are getting educated with some influence, large influence, I would argue, by them, the health organizations. It's a political issue. The NIH, it's politics. Politicians are selecting people to be on the committees or people to oversee these organizations. Politicians rely on donations from companies and supporters to get re-elected, and the reality is this is not going to be easy to tackle. The challenge is that you'll get ethical politicians who say, I'm not going to take any of that money, and I'm going to try to do the right thing and right now, the way the system is set up, there's a good chance those politicians won't get re-elected, and instead, their opponents, who were more than happy to take millions of dollars in campaign contributions, will get re-elected, and then they will return the favor to their noble campaign donors. We are at a crossroads. We have to decide who are the constituents of the American government. Is it industry, or is it the American people? 2:09:35 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Calley Means the co-founder of Truemed, a company that enables tax free spending on food and exercise. He recently started an advocacy coalition with leading health and wellness companies called End Chronic Disease. Early in his career, he was a consultant for food and pharma companies. He is now exposing practices they used to weaponize our institutions of trust, and he's doing a great job doing interviews with his sister, Casey. Calley Means: If you think about a medical miracle, it's almost certainly a solution that was invented before 1960 for an acute condition: emergency surgical procedures to ensure a complicated childbirth wasn't a death sentence, sanitation procedures, antibiotics that insured infection was an inconvenience, not deadly, eradicating polio, regular waste management procedures that helped control outbreaks like the bubonic plague, sewage systems that replaced the cesspools and opened drains, preventing human waste from contaminating the water. The US health system is a miracle in solving acute conditions that will kill us right away. But economically, acute conditions aren't great in our modern system, because the patient is quickly cured and is no longer a customer. Start in the 1960s the medical system took the trust engendered by these acute innovations like antibiotics, which were credited with winning World War Two, and they used that trust to ask patients not to question its authority on chronic diseases, which can last a lifetime and are more profitable. But the medicalization of chronic disease in the past 50 years has been an abject failure. Today, we're in a siloed system where there's a treatment for everything. And let's just look at the stats. Heart disease has gone up as more statins are prescribed. Type 2 diabetes has gone up as more Metformin is prescribed. ADHD has gone up as more Adderall is prescribed. Depression and suicide has gone up as more SSRIs are prescribed. Pain has gone up as more opioids are prescribed. Cancer has gone up as we've spent more on cancer. And now JP Morgan literally at the conference in San Francisco, recently, they put up a graph, and they showed us more Ozempic is projected to be prescribed over the next 10 years, obesity rates are going to go up as more is prescribed. Explain that to me. There was clapping. All the bankers were clapping like seals at this graphic. Our intervention based system is by design. In the early 1900s, John D. Rockefeller using that he could use byproducts from oil production to create pharmaceuticals, heavily funded medical schools throughout the United States to teach a curriculum based on the intervention-first model of Dr. William Stewart Halsted, the founding physician of Johns Hopkins, who created the residency-based model that viewed invasive surgical procedures and medication as the highest echelon of medicine. An employee of Rockefeller's was tasked to create the Flexner Report, which outlined a vision for medical education that prioritized interventions and stigmatized nutritional and holistic remedies. Congress affirmed the Flexner Report in 1910 to establish that any credentialed medical institution in the United States had to follow the Halsted-Rockefeller intervention based model that silos disease and downplay viewing the body as an interconnected system. It later came out that Dr. Halsted's cocaine and morphine addiction fueled his day long surgical residencies and most of the medical logic underlying the Flexner Report was wrong. But that hasn't prevented the report and the Halsted-Rockefeller engine based brand of medicine from being the foundational document that Congress uses to regulate medical education today. Calley Means: Our processed food industry was created by the cigarette industry. In the 1980s, after decades of inaction, the Surgeon General and the US government finally, finally said that smoking might be harmful, and smoking rates plummeted. We listened to doctors in this country. We listened to medical leadership, and as smoking rates plummeted, cigarette companies, with their big balance sheets, strategically bought up food companies, and by 1990 the two largest food companies in the world were Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds, two cigarette companies. These cigarette companies moved two departments over from the cigarette department to the food department. They moved the scientists. Cigarette companies were the highest payers of scientists, one of the biggest employers of scientists to make the cigarettes addictive. They moved these addiction specialists, world leading addiction specialists, to the food department by the thousands. And those scientists weaponized our ultra processed food. That is the problem with ultra processed food. You have the best scientists in the world creating this food to be palatable and to be addictive. They then moved their lobbyists over. They used the same playbook, and their lobbyists co-opted the USDA and created the food pyramid. The Food Pyramid was a document created by the cigarette industry through complete corporate capture, and was an ultra processed food marketing document saying that we needed a bunch of carbs and sugar. And we listened to medical experts in this country, the American people, American parents. Many parents who had kids in the 90s thought it was a good thing to do to give their kids a bunch of ultra processed foods and carb consumption went up 20% in the American diet in the next 10 years. The Devil's bargain comes in in that this ultra processed food consumption has been one of the most profitable dynamics in American history for the health care industry. As we've all just been decimated with chronic conditions, the medical industry hasn't. Not only have they been silent on this issue, they've actually been complicit, working for the food industry. I helped funnel money from Coca Cola to the American Diabetes Association. Yeah. 2:31:40 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Next presenter will be Brigham Buhler. Brigham is the Founder and CEO of Ways2Well, a healthcare company that provides personalized preventive care through telemedicine, with a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry. Brigham is focused on making healthcare more accessible by harnessing the power of technology, delivering effective and tailored treatments. His vision for improving health outcomes has positioned him as a leader in modern patient centered healthcare solutions. Brigham Buhler: We hear people reference President Eisenhower's speech all the time about the military industrial complex, but rarely do we hear the second half of that speech. He also warned us about the rise of the scientific industrial complex. He warned us, if we allow the elite to control the scientific research, it could have dire consequences. 2:36:30 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): I'm going to call an audible here as moderator, I saw that hopefully the future chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Mike Crapo from Idaho, came into the room. I asked Mike to share his story. He used to wear larger suits, let's put it that way. But he went down the path of the ketogenic diet, I believe. But Mike, why don't you tell your story? And by the way, he's somebody you want to influence. Chairman of Senate Finance Committee makes an awful lot of decisions on Medicare, Medicaid, a lot of things we talked about with Ozempic, now the lobbying group try and make that available, and how harmful, I think, most people in this room think that might be so. Senator Crapo, if you could just kind of tell us your story in terms of your diet change and what results you had. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID): Well, first of all, let me thank you. I didn't come here to say anything. I came here to listen, but I appreciate the opportunity to just have a second to tell you my personal story. I'll say before I do that, thank you for Ron Johnson. Senator Johnson is also a member of the Finance Committee, and it is my hope that we can get that committee, which I think has the most powerful jurisdiction, particularly over these areas, of any in the United States Congress, and so I'm hopeful we can get a focus on addressing the government's part of the role in this to get us back on a better track. 2:54:35 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe -- they wrote that for me, that wasn't me, that's my not my nickname -- is a food activist, author and speaker committed to improving food quality and safety. She has built a powerful platform through her blog advocating for transparency in food labeling and the removal of harmful chemicals from processed food. Her activism has spurred significant change in the food industry, encouraging consumers to make healthier, more informed choices, while prompting companies to adopt cleaner practices. Vani Hari: Our government is letting US food companies get away with serving American citizens harmful ingredients that are banned or heavily regulated in other countries. Even worse, American food companies are selling the same exact products overseas without these chemicals, but choose to continue serving us the most toxic version here. It's un-American. One set of ingredients there, and one set of ingredients here. Let me give you some examples. This is McDonald's french fries. I would like to argue that probably nobody in this room has not had a McDonald's french fry, by the way, nobody raised their hand during the staff meeting earlier today. In the US, there's 11 ingredients. In the UK, there's three, and salt is optional. An ingredient called dimethyl polysiloxane is an ingredient preserved with formaldehyde, a neurotoxin, in the US version. This is used as a foaming agent, so they don't have to replace the oil that often, making McDonald's more money here in the United States, but they don't do that across the pond. Here we go, this is Skittles. Notice the long list of ingredient differences, 10 artificial dyes in the US version and titanium dioxide. This ingredient is banned in Europe because it can cause DNA damage. Artificial dyes are made from petroleum, and products containing these dyes require a warning label in Europe that states it may cause adverse effects on activity and attention in children, and they have been linked to cancer and disruptions in the immune system. This on the screen back here, is Gatorade. In the US, they use red 40 and caramel color. In Germany, they don't, they use carrot and sweet potatoes to color their Gatorade. This is Doritos. The US version has three different three different artificial dyes and MSG, the UK version does not and let's look at cereal. General Mills is definitely playing some tricks on us. They launched a new version of Trix just recently in Australia. It has no dyes, they even advertise that, when the US version still does. This is why I became a food activist. My name is Vani Hari, and I only want one thing. I want Americans to be treated the same way as citizens in other countries by our own American companies. Vani Hari: We use over 10,000 food additives here in the United States and in Europe, there's only 400 approved. In 2013, I discovered that Kraft was producing their famous mac and cheese in other countries without artificial dyes. They used Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 here. I was so outraged by this unethical practice that I decided to do something about it. I launched a petition asking Kraft to remove artificial dyes from their products here in the United States, and after 400,000 signatures and a trip to their headquarters, Kraft finally announced they would make the change. I also discovered Subway was selling sandwiches with a chemical called azodicarbonamide in their bread in other countries. This is the same chemical they use in yoga mats and shoe rubber. You know, when you turn a yoga mat sideways and you see the evenly dispersed air bubbles? Well, they wanted to do the same thing in bread, so it would be the same exact product every time you went to a Subway. When the chemical is heated, studies show that it turns into a carcinogen. Not only is this ingredient banned in Europe and Australia, you get fined $450,000 if you get caught using it in Singapore. What's really interesting is when this chemical is heated, studies show that it turns into a carcinogen. Not only is this ingredient banned, but we were able to get Subway to remove azodicarbonamide from their bread in the United States after another successful petition. And as a bonus, there was a ripple effect in almost every bread manufacturer in America followed suit. For years, Starbucks didn't publish their ingredients for their coffee drinks. It was a mystery until I convinced a barista to show me the ingredients on the back of the bottles they were using to make menu items like their famous pumpkin spice lattes. I found out here in the United States, Starbucks was coloring their PSLs with caramel coloring level four, an ingredient made from ammonia and linked to cancer, but using beta carotene from carrots to color their drinks in the UK. After publishing an investigation and widespread media attention, Starbucks removed caramel coloring from all of their drinks in America and started publishing the ingredients for their entire menu. I want to make an important point here. Ordinary people who rallied for safer food shared this information and signed petitions. Were able to make these changes. We did this on our own. But isn't this something that the people in Washington, our elected politicians, should be doing? Vani Hari: Asking companies to remove artificial food dye would make an immediate impact. They don't need to reinvent the wheel. They already have the formulations. As I've shown you, consumption of artificial food dyes has increased by 500% in the last 50 years, and children are the biggest consumers. Yes, those children. Perfect timing. 43% of products marketed towards children in the grocery store contain artificial dyes. Food companies have found in focus groups, children will eat more of their product with an artificial dye because it's more attractive and appealing. And the worst part, American food companies know the harms of these additives because they were forced to remove them overseas due to stricter regulations and to avoid warning labels that would hurt sales. This is one of the most hypocritical policies of food companies, and somebody needs to hold them accountable. Vani Hari: When Michael Taylor was the Deputy Commissioner of the of the FDA, he said, he admitted on NPR, we don't have the resources, we don't have the capabilities to actually regulate food chemicals, because we don't have the staff. There's no one there. We are under this assumption, and I think a lot of Americans are under this assumption, that every single food additive ingredient that you buy at the grocery store has been approved by some regulatory body. It hasn't. It's been approved by the food companies themselves. There's 1000s of chemicals where the food company creates it, submits the safety data, and then the FDA rubber stamps it, because they don't have any other option. 3:09:15 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): So our next presenter is Jason Karp. Jason is the founder and CEO of HumanCo, a mission driven company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is the co-founder of Hu Kitchen, known for creating the number one premium organic chocolate in the US. My wife will appreciate that. Prior to HumanCo, Jason spent over 21 years in the hedge fund industry, where he was the founder and CEO of an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. Jason graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 3:11:10 Jason Karp: I've been a professional investor for 26 years, dealing with big food companies, seeing what happens in their boardrooms, and why we now have so much ultra processed food. Jason Karp: Having studied the evolution of corporations, I believe the root cause of how we got here is an unintended consequence of the unchecked and misguided industrialization of agriculture and food. I believe there are two key drivers behind how we got here. First, America has much looser regulatory approach to approving new ingredients and chemicals than comparable developed countries. Europe, for example, uses a guilty until proven innocent standard for the approval of new chemicals, which mandates that if an ingredient might pose a potential health risk, it should be restricted or banned for up to 10 years until it is proven safe. In complete contrast, our FDA uses an innocent until proven guilty approach for new chemicals or ingredients that's known as GRAS, or Generally Recognized as Safe. This recklessly allows new chemicals into our food system until they are proven harmful. Shockingly, US food companies can use their own independent experts to bring forth a new chemical without the approval of the FDA. It is a travesty that the majority of Americans don't even know they are constantly exposed to 1000s of untested ingredients that are actually banned or regulated in other countries. To put it bluntly, for the last 50 years, we have been running the largest uncontrolled science experiment ever done on humanity without their consent. Jason Karp: And the proof is in the pudding. Our health differences compared to those countries who use stricter standards are overwhelmingly conclusive. When looking at millions of people over decades, on average, Europeans live around five years longer, have less than half our obesity rates, have significantly lower chronic disease, have markedly better mental health, and they spend as little as 1/3 on health care per person as we do in this country. While lobbyists and big food companies may say we cannot trust the standards of these other countries because it over regulates, it stifles innovation, and it bans new chemicals prematurely, I would like to point out that we trust many of these other countries enough to have nuclear weapons. These other countries have demonstrated it is indeed possible to not only have thriving companies, but also prioritize the health of its citizens with a clear do no harm approach towards anything that humans put in or on our bodies. Jason Karp: The second driver, how we got here, is all about incentives. US industrial food companies have been myopically incentivized to reward profit growth, yet bear none of the social costs of poisoning our people and our land. Since the 1960s, America has seen the greatest technology and innovation boom in history. As big food created some of the largest companies in the world, so too did their desire for scaled efficiency. Companies had noble goals of making the food safer, more shelf stable, cheaper and more accessible. However, they also figured out how to encourage more consumption by making food more artificially appealing with brighter colors and engineered taste and texture. This is the genesis of ultra processed food. Because of these misguided regulatory standards, American companies have been highly skilled at maximizing profits without bearing the societal costs. They have replaced natural ingredients with chemicals. They have commodified animals into industrial widgets, and they treat our God given planet as an inexhaustible, abusable resource. Sick Americans are learning the hard way that food and agriculture should not be scaled in the same ways as iPhones. 3:16:50 Jason Karp: They use more chemicals in the US version, because it is more profitable and because we allow them to do so. Jason Karp: Artificial food dyes are cheaper and they are brighter. And the reason that I chose to use artificial food dyes in my public activist letter is because there's basically no counter argument. Many of the things discussed today, I think there is a nuanced debate, but with artificial food dyes, they have shown all over the world that they can use colorants that come from fruit. This is the Canadian version. This is the brightness of the Canadian version, just for visibility, and this is the brightness of artificial food dyes. So of course, Kellogg and other food companies will argue children prefer this over this, just as they would prefer cocaine over sugar. That doesn't make it okay. Calley Means: Senator, can I just say one thing? As Jason and Vani were talking, it brought me back to working for the food industry. We used to pay conservative lobbyists to go to every office and say that it was the "nanny state" to regulate food. And I think that's, as a conservative myself, something that's resonated. I just cannot stress enough that, as we're hopefully learned today, the food industry has rigged our systems beyond recognition. And addressing a rigged market is not an attack on the free market. Is a necessity for a free market to take this corruption out. So I just want to say that. 3:21:00 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Our next presenter is Jillian Michaels. Ms. Michaels is a globally recognized fitness expert, entrepreneur, and best selling author. With her no nonsense approach to health, she's inspired millions through her fitness programs, books and digital platforms, best known for her role on The Biggest Loser, Michaels promotes a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition and emphasizing long term health and self improvement. Jillian Michaels: The default human condition in the 21st century is obese by design. Specific, traceable forms of what's referred to as structural violence are created by the catastrophic quartet of big farming, big food, Big Pharma, and big insurance. They systematically corrupt every institution of trust, which has led to the global spread of obesity and disease. Dysfunctional and destructive agricultural legislation like the Farm Bill, which favors high yield, genetically engineered crops like corn and soy, leading to the proliferation of empty calories, saturated with all of these toxins that we've been talking about today for three hours, it seems like we can never say enough about it, and then this glut of cheap calories provides a boon to the food industry giants. They just turn it into a bounty of ultra processed, factory-assembled foods and beverages strategically engineered to undermine your society and foster your dependence, like nicotine and cocaine, so we literally cannot eat just one. And to ensure that you don't, added measures are taken to inundate our physical surroundings. We're literally flooded with food, and we are brainwashed by ubiquitous cues to eat, whether it's the Taco Bell advertisement on the side of a bus as you drive to work with a vending machine at your kids school, there is no place we spend time that's left untouched. They're omnipresent. They commandeer the narrative, with 30 billion worth of advertising dollars, commercials marketed to kids, with mega celebrities eating McDonald's and loving it, sponsored dietitians paid to promote junk food on social media, utilizing anti-diet body positivity messaging like, "derail the shame" in relation to fast food consumption, Time Magazine brazenly issuing a defense of ultra processed foods on their cover with the title, "What if altra processed foods aren't as bad as you think?" And when people like us try to sound the alarm, they ensure that we are swiftly labeled as anti-science, fat shamers, and even racists. They launch aggressive lobbying efforts to influence you. Our politicians to shape policy, secure federal grants, tax credits, subsidy dollars, which proliferates their product and heavily pads their bottom line. They have created a perfect storm in which pharmaceuticals that cost hundreds, if not 1000s per month, like Ozempic, that are linked to stomach paralysis, pancreatitis and thyroid cancer, can actually surge. This reinforces a growing dependence on medical interventions to manage weight in a society where systemic change in food production and consumption is desperately needed and also very possible. These monster corporations have mastered the art of distorting the research, influencing the policy, buying the narrative, engineering the environment, and manipulating consumer behavior. Jillian Michaels: While I have been fortunate enough to pull many back from the edge over the course of my 30 year career, I have lost just as many, if not more, than I have saved. I have watched them slip through my fingers, mothers that orphan their children, husbands that widow their wives. I have even watched parents forced to suffer the unthinkable loss of their adult children. There are not words to express the sadness I have felt and the fury knowing that they were literally sacrificed at the altar of unchecked corporate greed. Most Americans are simply too financially strained, psychologically drained and physically addicted to break free without a systemic intervention. Attempting to combat the status quo and the powers that be is beyond swimming upstream. It is like trying to push a rampaging river that's infested with piranhas. After years of trying to turn the tide, I submit that the powers that be are simply too powerful for us to take on alone. I implore the people here that shape the policy to take a stand. The buck must stop with you, while the American people tend to the business of raising children and participating in the workforce to ensure that the wheels of our country go around. They tapped you to stand watch. They tapped you to stand guard. We must hold these bad actors accountable. And I presume the testimonials you heard today moved you. Digest them, discuss them, and act upon them, because if this current trend is allowed to persist, the stakes will be untenable. We are in the middle of an extinction level event. The American people need help. They need heroes. And people of Washington, your constituents chose you to be their champion. Please be the change. Thank you. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): There was one particular piece of legislation or one thing that we could do here in Washington, what would it be? Jillian Michaels: Get rid of Citizens United and get the money out of politics. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Okay. 3:37:00 Calley Means: To the healthcare staffers slithering behind your bosses, working to impress your future bosses at the pharmaceutical companies, the hospitals, the insurance companies, many of them are in this building, and we are coming for you. 3:37:25 Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Next up is Ms. Courtney Swan. Ms. Swan is a nutritionist, real food activist, and founder of the popular platform, Realfoodology. She advocates for transparency in the food industry, promoting the importance of whole foods and clean eating. Courtney is passionate about educating the public on the benefits of a nutrient dense diet, and she encourages sustainable, chemical-free farming practices to ensure better health for people and the planet. Courtney Swan: Our current agriculture system's origin story involves large chemical companies -- not farmers, chemists. 85% of the food that you are consuming started from a patented seed sold by a chemical corporation that was responsible for creating agent orange in the Vietnam War. Why are chemical companies feeding America? Corn, soy and wheat are not only the most common allergens, but are among the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops today. In 1974 the US started spraying our crops with an herbicide called glyphosate, and in the early 1990s we began to see the release of genetically modified foods into our food supply. It all seems to begin with a chemical company by the name IG Farben, the later parent company of Bayer Farben, provided the chemicals used in Nazi nerve agents and gas chambers. Years later, a second chemical company, Monsanto, joined the war industry with a production of Agent Orange, a toxin used during the Vietnam War. When the wars ended, these companies needed a market for their chemicals, so they pivoted to killing bugs and pests on American farmlands. Monsanto began marketing glyphosate with a catchy name, Roundup. They claimed that these chemicals were harmless and that they safeguarded our crops from pests. So farmers started spraying these supposedly safe chemicals on our farmland. They solved the bug problem, but they also killed the crops. Monsanto offered a solution with the creation of genetically modified, otherwise known as GMO, crops that resisted the glyphosate in the roundup that they were spraying. These Roundup Ready crops allow farmers to spray entire fields of glyphosate to kill off pests without harming the plants, but our food is left covered in toxic chemical residue that doesn't wash, dry, or cook off. Not only is it sprayed to kill pests, but in the final stages of harvest, it is sprayed on the wheat to dry it out. Grains that go into bread and cereals that are in grocery stores and homes of Americans are heavily sprayed with these toxins. It's also being sprayed on oats, chickpeas, almonds, potatoes and more. You can assume that if it's not organic, it is likely contaminated with glyphosate. In America, organic food, by law, cannot contain GMOs and glyphosate, and they are more expensive compared to conventionally grown options, Americans are being forced to pay more for food that isn't poisoned. The Environmental Working Group reported a test of popular wheat-based products and found glyphosate contamination in 80 to 90% of the products on grocery store shelves. Popular foods like Cheerios, Goldfish, chickpea pasta, like Banza, Nature Valley bars, were found have concerning levels of glyphosate. If that is not alarming enough, glyphosate is produced by and distributed from China. In 2018, Bayer bought Monsanto. They currently have patented soybeans, corn, canola and sugar beets, and they are the largest distributor of GMO corn and soybean seeds. Americans deserve a straight answer. Why does an agrochemical company own where our food comes from? Currently, 85 to 100% of corn and soy crops in the US are genetically modified. 80% of GMOs are engineered to withstand glyphosate, and a staggering 280 million pounds of glyphosate are sprayed on American crops annually. We are eating this roundup ready corn, but unlike GMO crops, humans are not Roundup Ready. We are not resistant to these toxins, and it's causing neurological damage, endocrine disruption, it's harming our reproductive health and it's affecting fetal development. Glyphosate is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. It is also suspected to contribute towards the rise in celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. They're finding glyphosate in human breast milk, placentas, our organs, and even sperm. It's also being found in our rain and our drinking water. Until January of 2022, many companies made efforts to obscure the presence of GMOs and pesticides in food products from American consumers. It was only then that legislation came into effect mandating that these companies disclose such ingredients with a straightforward label stating, made with bio engineered ingredients, but it's very small on the package. Meanwhile, glyphosate still isn't labeled on our food. Parents in America are unknowingly feeding their children these toxic foods. Dr. Don Huber, a glyphosate researcher, warns that glyphosate will make the outlawed 1970s insecticide DDT look harmless in comparison to glyphosate. Why is the US government subsidizing the most pesticide sprayed crops using taxpayer dollars? These are the exact foods that are driving the epidemic of chronic disease. These crops, heavily sprayed with glyphosate, are then processed into high fructose corn syrup and refined vegetable oils, which are key ingredients for the ultra processed foods that line our supermarket shelves and fill our children's lunches in schools across the nation. Children across America are consuming foods such as Goldfish and Cheerios that are loaded with glyphosate. These crops also feed our livestock, which then produce the eggs, dairy and meat products that we consume. They are in everything. Pick up almost any ultra processed food package on the shelf, and you will see the words, contains corn, wheat and soy on the ingredients panel. Meanwhile, Bayer is doing everything it can to keep consumers in the dark, while our government protects these corporate giants. They fund educational programs at major agricultural universities, they lobby in Washington, and they collaborate with lawmakers to protect their profits over public health. Two congressmen are working with Bayer right now on the Farm Bill to protect Bayer from any liability, despite already having to pay out billions to sick Americans who got cancer from their product. They know that their product is harming people. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): Couple questions. So you really have two issues raised here. Any concern about just GMO seeds and GMO crops, and then you have the contamination, Glycosate, originally is a pre-emergent, but now it's sprayed on the actual crops and getting in the food. Can you differentiate those two problems? I mean, what concerns are the GMO seeds? Maybe other doctors on t

Listener Sommer calls in to ask why she can buy foods in her grocery store that other countries have banned. Trying to figure out what all the chemicals and dyes in her food might do to her has left her with one question: “Don't you care about us?” This week on Explain It to Me, host Jonquilyn Hill gets some answers (and a scary story about orange dye!) from Vox producer Kimberly Mas and the Environmental Working Group's Melanie Benesh. After taping this episode, we heard back from the FDA: “Some ingredients considered GRAS may not have been previously assessed by FDA but may be assessed as part of the post market program if information becomes available suggesting that an FDA assessment is warranted. We can and will do what is within our authority, but Congress ultimately sets our authorities. The law does not require companies to submit their GRAS conclusions or related dossiers to FDA. However, industry is responsible for ensuring the safety and regulatory status of the ingredients they add to food,” an FDA spokesperson told us. “We can challenge a GRAS conclusion, and we have determined that the uses of certain ingredients are not GRAS and that they are unapproved food additives … Only Congress can change the law to require FDA review of all food ingredients.” Election Day is less than a week away. To commiserate, we're producing a special episode featuring your election-related questions and experiences, from heading to the polls to processing the results. So save our number now 1-800-618-8545 and call us next week with what you suddenly need to know.  Read More: Why food recalls are everywhere right now Credits: Jonquilyn Hill, host Sofi LaLonde, producer Cristian Ayala, engineer Anouck Dussaud, fact-checker Carla Javier, supervising producer Jorge Just, editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices