Today, Commander Divine speaks with Max Lugavere, NYT best-selling author and health journalist.

His latest book, Genius Kitchen, delivers nutritious recipes to help keep a sharp brain and strong body. In this episode, Max debunks common food myths, discusses the best diet for brain and metabolic health, how much protein you really need, and more. Key Takeaways: Meat is the most bioavailable protein found in nature.

Animal proteins are building blocks that are ready to easily plug and play in our bodies. Omega-3s derived from plants, on the other hand (walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc.) have to undergo a complex biological transformation before they can be used in the body.

The efficacy of those processes differ from person to person. Prevention is the cure. 60% of deaths worldwide occur due to noncommunicable, preventable conditions… and most of them start brewing well before the first symptoms occur. However, there is good research linked to certain diets (like the ketogenic diet) and their ability to prevent noncommunicable diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. That’s why it’s critical to adopt the right diet as early as possible.

Some meat is better than none. Meat is nutrient dense, has fat-soluble antioxidants to protect the brain, and is a great source of highly bioavailable protein. It also has unique nutrients like creatine for brain energy metabolism. While dose matters of course, the benefits of eating meat generally outweigh the risks.

Coffee is good for you... if you use a filter. Coffee contains a compound called cafestol, which is a very powerful elevator of LDL cholesterol. While cafestol is almost completely absorbed by a paper filter, using a French press allows it to filter through to your cup. If you’re prone to high cholesterol levels, run your coffee through a paper filter.