If you’re not sure where to focus your health efforts, or you think you know the best way to address your primary concern, tune in! Have you heard about the Eight Domains of Health? Which three areas should you prioritize to make the most significant impact on your health journey? How can you tell if the changes you’re making are truly working?

In this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries, Jenn dives deep into the Eight Domains of Health, unraveling the layers of wellness that go beyond simple diet and exercise. She covers the essential systems that contribute to lasting wellness, from the intricacies of digestion as a whole-body experience to the often-overlooked role of detoxification, hormone balance, and cardiovascular health. Jenn also explains the importance of body composition, cognitive health, and the crucial need for quality sleep to create a foundation for healthy aging. Whether you're looking to prioritize these domains or are wondering if your efforts are paying off, Jenn provides practical insights and tips for creating a balanced health journey. She also highlights the three key domains to focus on as you begin your wellness journey. OH! And don't miss next week's episode on epigenetic testing, where she'll discuss how to determine your biological age!

The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [02:38] Exploring the 8 Domains of Health
• [07:32]  Digestion - the whole body experience
• [12:16] Toxins need to go
• [19:39] Endocrine System: what are our hormones up to
• [25:07] Weight and body composition: is BMI BS
• [30:34] Fitness: how it helps determine longevity
• [35:53] Cardiovascular health: it's plumbing, electrical, circulation and oxygenation throughout the body
• [40:29] Cognitive Function - Let’s think about it
• [43:06] Sleep - Don’t underestimate it. Stress disrupts all eight domains of health
• [47:08] How should you tackle this pyramid of “Domains” 
• [1:00:45] Right before Thanksgiving, Nutrition Nugget will be all about giving and gratitude

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Digestion is a full-body process, from your mouth to your intestines. Symptoms like bloating or indigestion reflect how well your digestive system is functioning. Lifestyle choices, including diet, affect digestion and gut health. A balanced system requires attention to all aspects of digestion.
• Health should be measured by body composition and muscle strength, not BMI. Lean muscle and balanced fat are better indicators of health. Nutrition, blood sugar balance, sleep, stress management, and fitness support a healthy body composition and overall wellness.
• Muscle mass and fitness are critical for longevity, supporting joint health, balance, and resilience. Strength training reduces joint strain and boosts cardiovascular and brain health. A well-rounded fitness routine, including strength, aerobic, and balance exercises, is essential for health and independence as we age.
• Sleep is essential for overall health, serving as the "ultimate biohack" for body and mind. Quality sleep supports detoxification, recovery, hormone balance, cognitive function, and more. Prioritizing sleep can lead to noticeable improvements across multiple areas of health, reinforcing its critical role in wellness.

QUOTES: 

[10:14] “Christine and I have a mentor who says the road to health is paved with good intestines. Your GI tract is your immune system, nutrient absorption, and gut-brain connection.” Jenn Trepeck

 [12:44] “You can't age well if you can't detox well.” Jenn Trepeck

[30:59] “Muscle is expensive tissue because you have to work for it. But I think your muscle mass is your longevity lever. I think the less muscle we have, the faster we age.” Jenn Trepeck

[35:59] “Regarding cardiovascular health, most doctors look at cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, which are all plumbing. I think the pieces that get overlooked are the electrical pieces of the heart.” Jenn Trepeck

[48:36] “We have to be willing to give the body time to respond. We didn't get here overnight. We're not going to repair it overnight.”  Jenn Trepeck

[49:01] “I implore you to be willing to journal. I don't mean writing down every thought and feeling. I mean, track what you notice because often, these things will improve so unless we pause to think about it and consider it, we might not notice some of the changes happening.” Jenn Trepeck

[58:50] “So the idea of putting all these things together to me is more about being able to think of the small changes we can make.” Jenn Trepeck

RESOURCES:

Become A Member of Salad with a Side of Fries

Jenn’s Free Menu Plan

A Salad With a Side of Fries

A Salad With A Side Of Fries Merch

A Salad With a Side of Fries Instagram

Debunking Detox

Where Does The Food Go To?

Down and Dirty 

Nutrition 101

Caveman Biology in a Very Modern World (Dr. Kathy Campbell)

BMI is BS

Brain Health and Blood Sugar