Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone naturally produced in the intestines during meals. It helps regulate blood sugar and weight by increasing insulin, slowing stomach emptying, and promoting fullness. Medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® mimic the effects of GLP-1 but can be expensive and have unpleasant side effects. Listen in this week as Dee explores research on foods and probiotics that naturally boost GLP-1, offering similar benefits without the high costs and side effects.

References:

De Silva, A., & Bloom, S. R. (2012). Gut hormones and appetite control: A focus on PYY and GLP-1 as therapeutic targets in obesity. Gut and Liver, 6(1), 10–20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3286726/

Hira, T., Trakooncharoenvit, A., Taguchi, H.;,Hara, H. (2021). Improvement of glucose tolerance by food factors having glucagon-like peptide-1 releasing activity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(12), 6623. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/12/6623

Perraudeau, F., McMurdie, P., Bullard, J., Cheng, A., Cutcliffe, C., Deo, A., Eid, J., Gines, J., Iyer, M., Justice, N., Loo, W. T., Nemchek, M., Schicklberger, M., Souza, M., Stoneburner, B., Tyagi, S., & Kolterman, O. (2020). Improvements to postprandial glucose control in subjects with type 2 diabetes: A multicenter, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a novel probiotic formulation. BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, 8(1), e001319. https://drc.bmj.com/content/8/1/e001319

Link to purchase GLP-1 Probiotic: https://pendulumlife.com/products/glp-1-probiotic

A study published in the British medical journal BMJ pooled data from 14 studies involving nearly 10 million people to look at connections between consumption of ultra-processed foods and various health outcomes. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of this massive study and what it means for your health.

Reference:

Lane, M. M., Gamage, E., Du, S., Ashtree, D. N., McGuinness, A. J., Gauci, S., Baker, P., Lawrence, M., Rebholz, C. M., Srour, B., Touvier, M., Jacka, F. N., O’Neil, A., Segasby, T., & Marx, W. (2024). Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: Umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. BMJ,384, e077310. https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310

Gugulipid, also known as gum guggul, is an extract of the resin from a West Indian tree that has documented cholesterol lowering properties. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the specific compounds in gugulipid that decrease elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and the proper way to take this effective supplement.

References: Urizar, N. L., & Moore, D. D. (2003). Guguglipd: A natural cholesterol-lowering agent. Annual Review of Nutrition, 23, 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.23.011702.073102 

Link to Guggul Supplement (2 capsules per day provides 75 mg guggulsterone*): https://amzn.to/3UWZDI0

In a recent study, researchers found that the diet of some ancient hunter-gatherers primarily ate plant foods, including beans and grains, with only a small percentage of meat in their diet. This new understanding contrasts with the meat-centric modern Paleo diet. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of the study, and what it means for your health.

References:

Moubtahij, Z., McCormack, J., Bourgon, N., Trost, M., Sinet-Mathiot, V., Fuller, B. T., Smith, G. M., Temming, H., Steinbrenner, S., Hublin, J.-J., Bouzouggar, A., Turner, E., & Jaouen, K. (2024). Isotopic evidence of high reliance on plant food among later Stone age hunter-gatherers at Taforalt, Morocco. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 8(5), 1035–1045. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02382-z 

HDL is an acronym for "high-density lipoproteins"--compounds made in the body that are considered the "good guys" in the cholesterol game. They help to keep the "bad cholesterol" from building up and forming plaque in the arteries. Having high levels of HDL reduces the risk for both heart disease and stroke. Listen in this week as Dee elevates your understanding of cholesterol and explores natural strategies to boost your HDL levels.

References:

Stadler, J. T., & Marsche, G. (2021). Dietary strategies to improve cardiovascular health: Focus on increasing high-density lipoprotein functionality. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.761170/full

Bergamot, a citrus fruit hailing from the groves of southern Italy’s Calabria region, has been shown in clinical trials to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase good cholesterol. Listen in in this week as Dee discusses the results of clinical studies using bergamot and the virtues of this super fruit.

Reference:

Lamiquiz-Moneo, I., Giné-González, J., Alisente, S., Bea, A. M., Pérez-Calahorra, S., Marco-Benedí, V., … Mateo-Gallego, R. (2020). Effect of bergamot on lipid profile in humans: A systematic review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60(18), 3133–3143. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2019.1677554

Link to purchase Bergamot: https://amzn.to/3wwO9mf

In 2015 a research team at UC Riverside found that soybean oil consumption induces obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in mice. Now, a new study by the same team shows that oil could also affect genes in the brain related to conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of this study and how the changes in microbiome caused by soybean oil consumption are linked to negative iimpact on brain function.

Reference:

Martinez-Lomeli, J., Deol, P., Deans, J. R., Jiang, T., Ruegger, P., Borneman, J., & Sladek, F. M. (2023). Impact of various high fat diets on gene expression and the microbiome across the mouse intestines. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49555-7  

A recent study conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that patients with a history of colorectal cancer who added a cup of navy beans daily to their regular meals saw positive changes in their gut microbiome after just 4 weeks. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of this study and how the changes in microbiome aid in colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

Reference:

Zhang, X., Irajizad, E., Hoffman, K. L., Fahrmann, J. F., Li, F., Seo, Y. D., Browman, G. J., Dennison, J. B., Vykoukal, J., Luna, P. N., Siu, W., Wu, R., Murage, E., Ajami, N. J., Mcquade, J. L., Wargo, J. A., Long, J. P., Do, K.-A., Lampe, J. W., … Daniel, C. R.. (2023). Modulating a prebiotic food source influences inflammation and immune-regulating gut microbes and metabolites: Insights from the BE GONE trial. Ebiomedicine, 98, 104873. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00439-5/fulltext

Autophagy is a natural biochemical self-preservation process whereby the body cleans out damaged cells in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells. There are certain diet and lifestyle factors that aid or inhibit autophagy, leading either to improved health or accelerated degeneration.  Listen in this week as Dee discusses the mechanisms of autophagy and the best ways to ensure its optimal benefits.

Reference:

Aman, Y., Schmauck-Medina, T., Hansen, M., Morimoto, R. I., Simon, A. K., Bjedov, I., Palikaras, K., Simonsen, A., Johansen, T., Tavernarakis, N., Rubinsztein, D. C., Partridge, L., Kroemer, G., Labbadia, J., & Fang, E. F. (2021). Autophagy in healthy aging and disease. Nature Aging, 1(8), 634–650. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-021-00098-4#

Buckwheat honey is a type of honey produced by bees that collect nectar solely from the flowers of the buckwheat plant. This gives the honey a unique flavor and much higher antioxidant levels than clover or other types of honey. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the many unique health benefits of buckwheat honey!

Link to purchase buckwheat honey: https://amzn.to/4apKkhr