DrTalks Podcast

The episode highlights Len’s transformative journey in managing and reversing his type 2 diabetes with the guidance of Dr. Beverly Yates. Len had been struggling to control his blood sugar levels despite using traditional medical interventions and prescription medications. After enrolling in a six-month health program that emphasized personalized care, Len learned how to use data from his Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to make better lifestyle choices. The guidance he received helped him adjust his diet, manage stress, and prioritize sleep—three vital aspects of the Yates Protocol.

Len’s story underscores the importance of connecting health data with practical lifestyle changes. Through expert support and focusing on nutrition, meal timing, and sleep, Len saw significant improvements in his blood sugar levels, leading to sustained control and a healthier life. His success serves as a testament to the power of individualized care and the role that continuous monitoring and feedback can play in managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.

In this insightful interview, Ken Swartz, MS, a leading researcher in antioxidants and mitochondrial health, explains how C60, a unique carbon molecule, can significantly benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes by optimizing mitochondrial function. Mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, are crucial for energy production, hormone balance, and overall cellular health. Swartz discusses how C60 works as a potent antioxidant that selectively neutralizes the most harmful free radicals—superoxide and hydroxyl ions—without interfering with essential cellular processes.

For those with diabetes, maintaining mitochondrial health is vital, as it directly impacts energy levels, cognitive function, and blood sugar regulation. Swartz emphasizes that C60 helps reduce oxidative stress, which is often elevated in diabetic patients, leading to improved brain function, reduced fatigue, and better blood sugar control. He also highlights the importance of choosing high-quality C60 products, explaining what to look for to ensure efficacy and safety. Overall, C60 offers a promising natural supplement to enhance health and manage diabetes by addressing the root causes of oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction.

In this enlightening interview, Megan Ramos, a leading expert in therapeutic fasting, explains how intermittent fasting can be used to reverse type 2 diabetes by addressing the underlying issue of insulin resistance. She describes how the conventional approach of frequent eating leads to constant insulin production, which over time, causes the body to become resistant to its own insulin. By strategically reducing meal frequency and allowing the body to enter a fasting state, insulin levels are lowered, and the body can repair its sensitivity to insulin, leading to better blood sugar control and overall health.

In this insightful session, Dr. Joel Kahn, a leading cardiologist, delves into the profound connection between diabetes and heart disease, revealing how these conditions often develop silently and go unnoticed until they result in serious health crises. He stresses the importance of prevention through lifestyle changes, particularly advocating for a whole food, plant-based diet as a powerful tool in reversing both diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Kahn also introduces the heart calcium CT scan, a vital but underutilized diagnostic tool that can detect silent heart disease early, offering patients a chance to take corrective action before it's too late.

Dr. Kahn further explains how modern lifestyle factors, including poor diet and inactivity, contribute to the rise in both diabetes and heart disease. He emphasizes the need for individuals to take charge of their health through regular monitoring and the adoption of healthier habits. By focusing on early detection and making informed dietary choices, patients can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and potentially reverse diabetes, leading to a longer, healthier life.

In this informative session, Dr. Audrey Wells, a seasoned sleep medicine physician, explores the crucial relationship between sleep and diabetes management. She explains how poor sleep quality, particularly due to sleep apnea, can disrupt insulin sensitivity and exacerbate blood sugar issues in people with diabetes. Dr. Wells highlights the importance of early screening and diagnosis of sleep disorders in diabetic patients, as untreated sleep apnea is common and can have severe health consequences. She also addresses common misconceptions about sleep apnea, emphasizing that symptoms like snoring are not always present, especially in women, and that the absence of snoring does not rule out the condition.

Dr. Wells provides actionable advice for improving sleep, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding late-night eating, and using technology to monitor sleep patterns if you sleep alone. She also discusses the effectiveness of CPAP therapy as the gold standard for treating sleep apnea and offers insights into alternative treatments for those who struggle with CPAP compliance. The session underscores that improving sleep quality is a powerful tool in managing diabetes and enhancing overall health.

In this insightful session, Dr. Nasha Winters, a leading expert in integrative oncology, discusses the concept of metabolic flexibility and its importance in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. She explains that metabolic flexibility refers to the body's ability to switch between burning glucose and fat for energy, a capability that is often lost due to poor lifestyle choices and environmental factors.

Dr. Winters also emphasizes that many people, regardless of their appearance, may be metabolically unhealthy and are at risk for serious health issues. She stresses the importance of assessing metabolic health through regular lab tests and understanding personal metabolic responses to diet and lifestyle.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Mindy Pelz, an expert in fasting and hormone health, shares valuable insights into how fasting can be a powerful tool for women, particularly during menopause. As women age and estrogen levels drop, they become more insulin resistant, making it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and regulate blood sugar levels.

Dr. Pelz explains that the same dietary habits that worked in a woman's 30s may no longer be effective in her 40s and 50s. By understanding the body's energy systems and using fasting to switch from glucose burning to fat burning, women can regain control over their metabolism, support brain health with ketones, and improve overall well-being.

In this presentation, Dr. Beverly Yates shares the inspiring story of Pam, a woman who struggled with Type 2 diabetes for over 25 years. Despite years of relying on medications and various health professionals, Pam saw little improvement until she began working with Dr. Yates. The key to Pam's transformation was addressing the root cause of her fatigue and cravings—cortisol imbalance. Through the Yates Protocol, which emphasizes nutrition, meal timing, stress management, sleep, and exercise, Pam was able to regain her energy, reduce her dependency on medications, and make healthier food choices that supported her long-term health goals.

Pam’s journey demonstrates the profound impact that addressing underlying issues can have on managing and even reversing Type 2 diabetes. By focusing on the five lifestyle factors of the Yates Protocol, Pam not only improved her blood sugar levels but also transformed her overall quality of life. Her success story serves as a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges, showing that with the right support and strategies, it is possible to take control of one's health and achieve lasting change.

In this episode, Dr. Terry Wahls discusses her groundbreaking approach to managing neurodegenerative diseases through diet and lifestyle changes. Drawing from her personal experience with multiple sclerosis, Dr. Wahls emphasizes the importance of nutrient-dense foods, particularly those rich in mitochondria-supporting nutrients, to improve brain health.

She explains the benefits of her Wahls Protocol, which includes consuming nine cups of vegetables daily, focusing on leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and sulfur-rich foods. Dr. Wahls also highlights the advantages of a personalized ketogenic diet, stressing the importance of monitoring lipid levels and considering variations such as an olive oil-based ketogenic diet.

In this episode, Dr. Heather Sandison, ND, interviews Max Lugavere, a filmmaker, health journalist, and author of "Genius Foods" and "Genius Kitchen." Max shares his personal journey of researching brain health and nutrition after his mother was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. He emphasizes the importance of diet in maintaining cognitive function and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

Max explains that the brain requires specific types of fats, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids, for optimal health. He discusses the different types of fats and oils, advocating for extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil as the healthiest options. He also highlights the importance of whole, unprocessed foods, and criticizes the overconsumption of refined, bleached, and deodorized grain and seed oils like canola, corn, and soybean oil.

The discussion covers the benefits and potential risks of dairy and red meat. Max believes that full-fat dairy can be beneficial for those who are not lactose intolerant, while he recommends choosing grass-fed, grass-finished red meat for its nutrient density and lower environmental impact. He also discusses the importance of choline, found in foods like eggs and red meat, for brain health.

Max emphasizes the value of home-cooked meals and provides practical tips for incorporating brain-healthy foods into daily meals. He shares his own dietary habits, which focus on high-quality protein sources, vegetables, and whole fruits. Max also touches on intermittent fasting and its benefits for brain health, recommending a 12-hour eating window as a simple and effective strategy.