Welcome to another episode of the Empower Nutrition Podcast! I'm your host, Erin Skinner, and I'm so excited to delve into today's topic with you: gut health 101.

It's not just about avoiding bloating or discomfort – a healthy gut is essential for overall well-being. If you've been enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave us a positive review. It really helps us spread the word to those seeking nutritional solutions for chronic challenges related to digestion, metabolism, and hormones.

Today, we're going to explore why gut health is so crucial. While most people understand the connection between gut health and digestion, there's a lot more to it. The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its wide-ranging influence on various bodily systems. It produces neurotransmitters and plays a vital role in mental health, immune function, hormonal balance, and even metabolic health.

Mental health is closely tied to gut health, and there's well-documented evidence supporting this connection. Additionally, the gut's impact on the immune system is significant, contributing to autoimmune conditions, allergies, asthma, and skin reactivity like eczema and psoriasis. Hormone imbalances also stem from gut health, particularly the estrobolome which affects estrogen levels. Unhealthy gut health can lead to hormone-related symptoms such as PMS, fertility issues, and mood swings.

Furthermore, gut health is intricately linked to metabolic health. Many individuals in the modern world suffer from metabolic endotoxemia, where inflammatory elements from the gut enter the bloodstream due to a compromised gut lining. This leads to systemic inflammation affecting insulin sensitivity and hormone signaling, contributing to obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The implications of poor gut health don't stop there. It's closely tied to the two main causes of death in Western societies: cardiovascular disease and cancer. Inflammation triggered by gut health issues plays a significant role in the development of arterial plaque and cancer. Even dementia is connected to gut health through the release of inflammatory compounds into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of cognitive decline.

Considering these dire consequences, it's clear that prioritizing gut health is vital. While genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle also contribute to health challenges, the gut is a primary driver behind many chronic conditions. Here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your gut health:

1. Fermented Foods: Incorporate fermented foods like live yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha into your diet. These foods not only provide live bacteria but also essential postbiotic compounds that support a healthy gut.

2. Fiber Intake: Consume a sufficient amount of fiber through non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits. Fiber feeds your gut bacteria and supports a balanced microbiome.

3. Prebiotics: Include prebiotic-rich foods such as asparagus, artichokes, berries, and nuts. These special fibers selectively nourish beneficial gut bacteria.

4. Protein Intake: Ensure you're getting an adequate amount of protein, as it supports the turnover of gut lining cells and maintains a healthy gut barrier.

5. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Incorporate nutrient-dense foods like liver, fatty fish, eggs, and nuts to provide essential fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) that are crucial for immune and gut health.

6. Omega-3 Fats: Consume omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish or supplements. Omega-3s support immune health, cell integrity, and the production of short-chain fatty acids by healthy gut bacteria.

While working on these positive changes, it's also important to minimize factors that harm gut health. Antibiotics, certain medications, alcohol, refined flour, sugar, and excessive use of NSAIDs can negatively impact gut health.

Remember, gut health is a multifaceted endeavor, and addressing it requires a holistic approach. By incorporating fermented foods, prioritizing fiber, consuming nutrient-dense foods, and making informed choices about medications and lifestyle, you can significantly improve your gut health and overall well-being.

Thank you for joining us on the Empower Nutrition Podcast. If you're struggling with gut health concerns, hormone imbalances, metabolic issues, weight management, or other nutrition-related challenges, we're here to help.

At Thrive Care Clinic, we take a nutrition-centered approach to healthcare, helping you optimize your health through personalized, evidence-based care.

To learn more or book an appointment, visit Thrive Care Clinic. You can also reach us with questions at [email protected].

We look forward to supporting you on your journey to better health. Take care, and we'll see you next time.

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

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Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

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Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

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Welcome to another episode of the Empowered Nutrition podcast! We are so thrilled to have you here. As we bask in the warmth of summer, we're bringing you a series of quick and casual episodes to match those chill summer vibes. So, if you're listening to this as it comes out, get ready for a dose of valuable knowledge while you soak up the sun!

Before we dive into today's topic, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude. We don't usually ask for it, but your support means the world to us. If you love this podcast as much as we love creating it, please consider leaving a positive review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us spread the message of empowerment and good health to even more listeners!

Now, let's unveil the mystery behind a pressing concern: allergies and their unexpected link to gut health. Yes, you heard that right! Allergies are becoming increasingly common, affecting around 10% of adults. But why is this happening, and what can we do about it? Stay tuned as we explore the fascinating world of epidemiology and its connection to your gut health. Prepare to be amazed at the intricate dance between your microbiome and those pesky allergies!

So, whether you're lounging at the beach or taking a leisurely stroll, grab your earbuds, and let's embark on this eye-opening journey together! Are you ready to discover the hidden connection between allergies and gut health? Let's dive in! 🌟🌱🎧

Main Topic: Are Allergies Increasing? The Gut Health Connection (01:06 - 05:54)

• Erin confirms that allergies are indeed increasing in prevalence, with approximately 10% of adults affected.
• The rise in allergies is connected to research in epidemiology, which studies the incidence and prevalence of allergies.
• Gut health plays a significant role in the development of both environmental and food allergies.
• Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut's microbiome (primarily in the large intestine), is a major driver of allergies.
• Dysbiosis disrupts the production of short-chain fatty acids, essential for maintaining a healthy gut lining.
• Damage to the gut lining leads to increased intestinal permeability, allowing undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.
• The immune system responds by developing antibodies to these foreign substances, leading to allergies.
• The cycle of unhealthy microbiome, damaged gut lining, and immune reactivity perpetuates and can escalate over time.
• In the Western world, atopy (hyperreactivity of the immune system) is on the rise, leading to various allergic diseases like asthma and eczema.

Addressing Allergies: Focus on Gut Health (05:55 - 10:09)

• Improving gut health is crucial to combat allergies and atopy.
• Some clients might be resistant to the idea of addressing gut health alongside other health concerns.
• Clients can either generically work on improving gut health or opt for a gut test to identify specific issues.
• Dysbiosis is a broad term for unhealthy gut ecosystems, but various specific imbalances can contribute to allergic responses.
• The next episode will provide practical tips and strategies to optimize gut health.

Resources:

Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, Jiang J, Blumenstock JA, Davis MM, Schleimer RP, Nadeau KC. Prevalence and Severity of Food Allergies Among US Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2019 Jan 4;2(1):e185630. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630. PMID: 30646188; PMCID: PMC6324316.

Warren CM, Jiang J, Gupta RS. Epidemiology and Burden of Food Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Feb 14;20(2):6. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-0898-7. PMID: 32067114; PMCID: PMC7883751.

Niewiem M, Grzybowska-Chlebowczyk U. Intestinal Barrier Permeability in Allergic Diseases. Nutrients. 2022;14(9):1893. Published 2022 Apr 30. doi:10.3390/nu14091893

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

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Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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Welcome back to the Empowered Nutrition podcast! In this episode, Dr. Pal Manickam welcomes Erin Skinner, a registered dietitian, for an enlightening discussion on the significance of circadian rhythm, nutrition, and gut health in maintaining metabolic and digestive well-being. Together, they explore the benefits of fasting, aligning eating patterns with daylight hours, the importance of fiber for a healthy gut microbiome, and the integration of conventional medicine with nutrition for optimal health outcomes.

Episode Highlights:

1. Understanding Circadian Rhythm and Metabolic Health:

• Dr. Pal Manickam and Erin Skinner highlight the impact of circadian rhythm on metabolic processes and discuss the benefits of eating within the sun to sunset window.
• They emphasize that aligning eating patterns with daylight hours can enhance metabolism and improve overall metabolic health.

1. The Role of Fiber in Gut Health:

• Erin emphasizes the importance of fiber diversity in promoting a healthy gut microbiome.
• They discuss the alarming trend of insufficient fiber intake in the population and underscore the significance of incorporating an adequate amount of fiber in the diet.

1. Nutrition and Gut Health for Vegetarians:

• Erin shares valuable insights on nutrition and gut health for vegetarians.
• She emphasizes the importance of protein diversity and suggests incorporating fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut to improve gut diversity.

1. Combining Conventional Medicine with Nutrition:

• Dr. Pan Monica and Erin stress the significance of combining conventional medicine with nutrition for holistic health outcomes.
• They discuss the need for acknowledging the essential role of food in addition to medical interventions for optimal well-being.

Best Quotes: "We just abused the plan that was provided to us, and that is the replication of what we see in terms of GI diseases."

Conclusion: Dr. Pal Manickam and Erin Skinner provide valuable insights into the importance of circadian rhythm, fasting, nutrition, and gut health for metabolic and digestive wellness. They emphasize the benefits of aligning eating patterns with daylight hours, incorporating fiber in the diet, and the role of protein diversity and fermented foods in vegetarian nutrition. By combining conventional medicine with nutrition, individuals can achieve holistic health and well-being.

Check out the full interview on Youtube!

Interested in learning more about GI health from Dr. Pal? Follow him on Youtube and Instagram!

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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Welcome to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast, where we explore the latest breakthroughs in health and wellness. In today's episode, we dive into the importance of Omega-3 fats and their impact on overall health and well-being. Our special guest, Dr. Bill Harris, sheds light on the significance of Omega-3 in lowering triglyceride levels, improving cardiovascular health, and more.

Bill Harris has a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry and has been studying omega-3 fatty acids for the last 40 years. During that time, he has published over 340 papers on omega-3 and been the recipient of 5 NIH grants on omega-3 fatty acids. In 2004, he co-developed a new blood test called the "Omega-3 Index," and in 2009, he formed OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC, to offer the test to researchers, clinicians and consumers. In 2020 he started the Fatty Acid Research Institute to accelerate the discovery of fatty acid and health relationships. His scientific productivity was recently ranked among the top 2% in a survey of scientists worldwide.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Link between Omega-3, Triglyceride Levels, and Mortality:

• • Low levels of Omega-3 increase the risk of mortality, especially in individuals who smoke.
  • Non-smokers with high Omega-3 levels have the lowest risk of death.
  • Discover why maintaining a healthy Omega-3 index is crucial for longevity.

1. Debunking Myths about Vegan Diets and Omega-3:

• • Vegan diets may not provide sufficient Omega-3 fatty acids.

• • B12 and fatty acids like EPA and DHA play a vital role in disproving the idea that a vegan diet is enough for human nutrition.
  • Learn about the importance of supplementation for individuals following plant-based diets.

1. The Best Sources of Omega-3:

• • Fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are excellent sources of Omega-3 fats.
  • Explore the benefits of incorporating these fish into your diet and the recommended serving sizes.

1. Addressing Concerns about Mercury in Fish:

• • Debunking the misconceptions surrounding mercury levels in fish consumption, particularly tuna.
  • Dr. Harris highlights the positive effects of Omega-3 on child development, emphasizing that concerns about mercury are often exaggerated.

1. The Accessibility of Omega-3 Testing:

• • Dr. Harris discusses the lack of understanding surrounding Omega-3s and emphasizes the importance of testing for optimal levels.
  • Discover how Omega quant testing is now readily accessible, providing valuable insights into individual Omega-3 levels.
  • As a special offer for our podcast listeners, Omega quant testing is available with a discount. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Omega-3 fats are a powerful tool for improving overall health and well-being. The episode has highlighted the significance of Omega-3 in lowering triglyceride levels, improving cardiovascular health, and even aiding child development. Remember to consider supplementation if you follow a vegan diet or struggle to consume enough Omega-3-rich foods.

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening episode of the Empowered Nutrition Podcast. Stay tuned for more episodes where we continue to explore the latest advancements in health and nutrition. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with others who may benefit from understanding the power of Omega-3 fats. Until next time, stay healthy and take care!

To learn more about Omega 3 testing, visit www.omegaquant.com.

You can also book an omega-3 test from our website at https://www.empowerednutrition.health/store/Nutritional-Assessment-c144350558

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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Adrenal fatigue is not a real medical diagnosis. However, the phenomenon is alluding to an imbalance in terms of the levels of your adrenal hormones, related to the signaling between your brain, adrenal glands, thyroid, and gut. Adrenal hormones include cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.There are actual medical diseases that involve very abnormal levels of adrenal hormones such as Cushings disease – high cortisol. However, the term 'adrenal fatigue' refers more to a departure from optimal levels that doesn't reach an extreme. If you suspect adrenal fatigue or an imbalance of adrenal hormones and ask your conventional provider to check you, they will likely test your cortisol levels and tell you that you're normal. That's becaue they're using the reference ranges for the traditional, overt adrenal disease. However, Empowered Nutrition, we acknowledge that many people have imbalances of their adrenal hormones that impact their health, yet do not meet the traditional cut-offs for overt disease.

Here are some of the things we see with adrenal imbalance:

• Irregular blood sugar, especially at night and upon waking (CAR)
• Weight gain, especially central, that is resistant to most diet attempts
• Anxiety or depression
• Low energy, especially in the afternoon
• Low libido
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Symptomatic menstrual cycles: PMS, PMDD, cramping
• Slow digestion/constipation
• Feeling cold often
• Low circulation in extremities
• Sleep challenges: night waking, hard to get to sleep, early waking

Remember, the adrenals are the foundation that then impact the sex hormones and thyroid so you will see symptoms related to any of the three. Some of the most common scenarios where we see adrenal dysregulation are:

• Busy/tired moms – missing sleep due to kids, just an overall high burden, trying to balance work with parenting and self care
• Excess fasting
• Excess high intensity exercise, especially fasted
• Excess dieting – calorie or carb restriction
• Other high stressors: carers, high-stress job, divorce, chronic illness
• Past trauma: early life trauma that is emotional, sexual, or physical: this can manifest in adrenal dysregulation due to chronic sympathetic tone, event if current life is normal.

If you suspect adrenal imbalance, there are a few ways to test:

• Indirect: wear a CGM – there are certain patterns that match this. Specifically, it will be high readings overnight/during sleep and when waking/still fasted.
• Get a cortisol curve: a one-point test doesn't work. We use the Adrenocortext from Genova. It measures cortisol across the day, including the CAR, plus DHEA – an important precursor to cortisol.
• Combine adrenals with sex hormones: we use DUTCH testing that shows the metabolites on both sides of the coin, from precursors to active hormones to the metabolites.

Whether you test or not, there are few tried and true steps that you can take to support your adrenal health. These are the things that we find to be most helpful for our clients:

• Diet: ensure regular meals across a 12-hour period with some slow carb at each meal, coupled with protein and/or fat. Avoid refined carbs, processed food, and excess caffeine. Minimize alcohol. Don't overly-restrict energy – only a minor deficit or none. Get help if you need it.
• Sleep: prioritize this. No blue lights for 3 hours before bed. Get a tracker if you need to, so that you can quantify it. The Oura ring will tell you if your sleep is sufficient to keep your HRV, resting heart rate, and body temp optimized.
• Exercise: avoid fasted, high-intensity exercise, especially caffeinated. Instead of Crossfit-esque workouts, transition to traditional weight lifting, and cardio that shifts between steady state and occasional FED intervals/high intensity.
• Mental health: at a minimum, start a daily practice of meditation or biofeedback such as HeartMath. Get a therapist – almost everyone can benefit. If you have past trauma especially, look into brain re-training approaches such as the Gupta program or DNRS.

Hopefully this helps and feel free to reach out if you want help with assessing and optimizing your adrenal health!

Links from this episode:

DNRS: https://retrainingthebrain.com/

Gupta program: https://www.guptaprogram.com/

Oura ring: https://ouraring.com/

HeartMath: https://www.heartmath.com/

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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In this episode of the Empowered Nutrition Podcast, we dive into the topic of Sucralose, a non-caloric sweetener commonly known as Splenda. Join me as I discuss a recent article published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, shedding light on the potential dangers associated with Sucralose.

🔸 Claim 1: Stability and Digestion Sucralose was believed to pass through the gut undigested and unchanged. However, research shows that Sucralose breaks down in the gut, releasing chlorine into the system and raising concerns about its potential health risks.

🔸 Claim 2: Impact on the Gut Microbiome Initial claims suggested no effect on the gut microbiome, but subsequent studies have demonstrated that Sucralose disrupts and damages the microbiome in both humans and animals, leading to a compromised gut barrier and systemic inflammation.

🔸 Claim 3: Intestinal Barrier Integrity Sucralose was believed to have no impact on the intestinal barrier, but it has been found to damage the gut lining, leading to increased permeability, epithelial scarring, and bacterial infiltration. These effects are associated with inflammation and increased risk of colon cancer.

🔸 Claim 4: Bioaccumulation Contrary to initial claims, Sucralose does bioaccumulate in the body, particularly in adipose tissue. Studies have shown that it persists in fat tissue even after discontinuing its consumption, and it can lead to increased lipid accumulation in fat cells.

🔸 Claim 5: Metabolic Effects Early claims stated that Sucralose had no effect on metabolism, blood glucose, or insulin. However, research over the past two decades has revealed that Sucralose alters glucose and insulin concentrations in humans, impairs liver metabolic health, and blunts thyroid function.

🔸 Claim 6: Biological and Toxicological Impact Initial claims suggested no toxicological impact or consequences on genes. However, studies have shown that Sucralose increases the risk of genotoxicity, DNA damage, and cancer. Heating Sucralose produces toxic compounds, further exacerbating its potential harm.

🔬 Listen here as I conclude that the six original safety claims of Sucralose have been debunked by scientific evidence, emphasizing the need to be aware of the potential risks associated with this commonly used sweetener.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on the Empowered Nutrition Podcast to learn more about the research findings and gain insights into making informed choices about sweeteners and their impact on your health.

Reference:

Schiffman SS, Scholl EH, Furey TS, Nagle HT. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays [published online ahead of print, 2023 May 29]. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2023;1-35. doi:10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37246822/

Love it? Hate it? We'd love to hear your feedback! Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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Curious about genetic testing and how beneficial it can be for your health?

No…we're not talking about the ancestry testing that told you that you are 99.9% likely to prefer vanilla ice cream over chocolate.

On this week's podcast, I have the pleasure of talking about nutrigenetics with Dr. Yael Joffe, the founder of 3x4 genetics!

Think of your genetics as a blueprint that gives you an idea of who you are and how you respond to the world around you. Nutrigenetics, as you have put together is personalized nutrition based on our genetics and how our DNA influences the choices we make in life.

Why start your healthcare journey with a genetic test? You only have to test once in your lifetime because genes don't change! What changes is how genes switch on and off based on our environment.

How is this test different from another DNA test? 3x4 uses root cause analysis to view pathways that affect the cell (inflammation, metabolism, and detoxification processes) and groups together multiple genes and using a polygenetic risk score to measure your disease risk based on your genome.

This week, Dr. Yael Joffe and I discuss:

· FOUR ways genetics can be used as a screening tool:

• Helps you know which area of health to focus from the beginning.
• Results that give the most personalized lifestyle and nutrition protocol (with the help of a qualified clinician)
• Allows you to determine specific lab values to follow up with
• Allows for targeted supplementation – choosing the supplements with the greatest impact on your health.

· Red flags and questions to ask the genetic testing companies.

· And so much more!

Interested in ordering a 3x4 test with Empowered Nutrition? Click here.

Want to learn more about 3x4 genetics whether you are a clinician or a client?

Get to know your genes at https://3x4genetics.com or email your questions to [email protected].

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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This week's podcast episode features Dr. Barrie Tan – a world renowned expert in the chemical and biochemical world, known for his discovery of the most potent form of Vitamin E, tocotrienol!

A little background on Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin (absorbed with dietary fats and stored in fatty tissue and the liver) and is made up of 8 related molecules, collectively grouped together as Vitamin E. The mechanism of Vitamin E acts as an important antioxidant to help protect our cells from free-radical damage. As many forms of Vitamin E exist, our focus today is tocotrienol, and shouldn't be confused with alpha-tocopherol, the most common form of Vitamin E you see on the back of most vitamin bottles.

Because tocotrienols are a (fairly) recent scientific discovery, prior studies for Vitamin E supplementation used alpha-tocopherol- which turned out to have some unfortunate downsides for cardiac and cancer research. However, the discovery of pure tocotrienol from annatto plants have continuously made an impact on Vitamin E and antioxidant research. Some health benefits of supplementing with tocotrienol are reduction of fat in the liver as well as overall reduction in inflammatory biomarkers, as well as improvement of bone health, cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity, brain health, and so much more!

Bottom line: the type of Vitamin E you are supplementing with matters! It's nearly impossible to get adequate antioxidant protection from diet alone.

Watch our interview here!

Interested in learning more about Vitamin E? Dr. Tan has so graciously offered us a link to his free e-book! You can also head over to Dr. Barrie's website to check out his research with annatto and tocotrienols!

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

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Ready or not, Artificial Intelligence is taking over our world and the way we receive information.

AI chatbots such as Chat GPT allows you to have human-like conversations and can answer questions to assist you with tasks, custom workout plans, etc…you name it!

On today's podcast episode, I tested Chat GPT's responses to basic nutrition questions to determine how reliable the responses are in comparison to a dietitian's evidence-based recommendations. AI is not perfect, and ChatGPT is always programmed to find you an answer, so think of the chatbot like a "Super google" to get one synthesized answer.

Listen to hear how Chat GPT responded to the following questions!

- "How much fish oil is safe to consume?"

- "What supplements should I take for PCOS?"

- "Is it healthy to follow a carnivore diet?"

- "Is saturated fat unhealthy?"

- "Are vegan diets healthy?"

As always, AI is not a replacement for a healthcare practitioner's advice. Please discuss your healthcare with a licensed professional.

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

Follow us on:

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Unless you've been living off-grid for the last few months, chances are you've heard of Ozempic (or semaglutide)– the newest FDA approved miracle injection for weight loss. Social media has ignited feeds across the world with weight loss transformation posts from semaglutide injections- and 812 million views on TikTok to be exact.

Tailored to diabetes, this drug works by stimulating insulin secretion and therefore lowering fasting and postprandial glucose levels in four mechanisms. During the Ozempic drug trials, it was noted that weight loss was such a consistent and dramatic side effect that the FDA approved semaglutide for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy in 2021.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The four mechanisms of Ozempic
  • Changes in insulin sensitivity
  • Increased energy expenditure by encouraging stored fat to turn into energy.
  • Slows gastric emptying
  • The impact on appetite.
• And what current research is finding. (Hint: It might not be a long-term weight loss miracle!)

To sum it up, weight loss medications like Ozempic cannot have substantial results without compromise (i.e. losing lean muscle mass). Most importantly, NONE of the weight loss medications are fixing the root cause of the problem. The purpose of this podcast is to help you make an informed decision about your options for weight loss. If you are considering semaglutide injections for weight loss, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons!

Love it? Hate it? We'd love to hear your feedback!

References used for this episode:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30122305/

O'Neil PM, Birkenfeld AL, McGowan B, et al. Efficacy and safety of semaglutide compared with liraglutide and placebo for weight loss in patients with obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo and active controlled, dose-ranging, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2018;392(10148):637-649. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31773-2

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33755728/

Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.322

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769337/

Sargeant JA, Henson J, King JA, Yates T, Khunti K, Davies MJ. A Review of the Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Lean Body Mass in Humans. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2019 Sep;34(3):247-262. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2019.34.3.247. PMID: 31565876; PMCID: PMC6769337.

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35441470/

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725

Empowered Nutrition is now called Thrive! A Nutrition-centric healthcare model that helps you leverage the power of food to optimize your health.

Start your journey to better health with Thrive. Book your consultation: Thrive Care ClinicResources & updates: linktr.ee/realnutrition

Subscribe to the Empowered Nutrition Podcast and leave a review to help more people discover root-cause healthcare and nutrition.

Ready to dive in? Listen here

Lean for Life is now in the App Store!

Heal your Metabolism with the Lean for Life app: https://empowered-nutrition.ck.page/193bb2cd67

Help yourself feel aligned using our three phase approach: Lean for Life Membership called Heal, Optimize , and Refinewhere you will be empowered to reverse previous metabolic damage with the assistance of our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Check out more details on our website!

Want to learn more about our one-on-one Empowered Nutrition coaching? Book a free chemistry call to discuss your story and see if we're a good fit.

Enjoying the podcast?

Please review the Empowered Nutrition Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Then, send me a screenshot of your positive review to [email protected] as a DM on Instagram (@thrive-clinics). Include a brief description of what you're working on with your health and/or nutrition and I'll send you a free custom meal plan!

Do you have questions you would like answered on the Empowered Nutrition podcast? You can propose your questions/ideas by email to: [email protected]

Follow us on:

Facebook | Instagram