🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱

After decades of stagnation, the field of psychiatry is undergoing a transformative shift.

For 75 years, mental health issues were largely viewed as “chemical imbalances” best treated with medications. While these medications have helped many, their efficacy is often limited, and they come with common side effects like fatigue, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.

Enter metabolic psychiatry—a groundbreaking new approach that reimagines mental health challenges as issues rooted in brain metabolism. This fresh perspective is revolutionizing how we perceive and address mental health conditions, offering powerful, practical, and safe solutions that are accessible to everyone.

The most exciting discovery of our time? Robust mental health is deeply connected to robust metabolic health—and achieving metabolic health starts with a brain-friendly diet.

For those struggling with mental health, understanding how dietary changes can provide benefits that no medication can is critical. However, the key lies in making the right changes—ones that go beyond conventional dietary advice.

By integrating cutting-edge research on brain metabolism with evidence-based insights on brain-nourishing foods, we can unlock a powerful formula for optimal mental well-being. This exciting synergy is the focus of our podcast, and today, we’re thrilled to feature an expert in this field: Dr. Georgia Ede, MD, author of Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind.

In this episode, Dr. Ede shares her insights on the revolutionary potential of metabolic psychiatry and the role of diet in mental health. Together, we’ll explore how rethinking the way we nourish our brains can lead to profound changes in how we think, feel, and live.

Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of nutrition and psychiatry and discover how small, actionable dietary changes can unlock a brighter, healthier future for your mind.

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0:05 Introduction

4:15 Welcoming Dr. Ede

5:01 Dr. Ede's Backstory And Experimenting with Her Own Diet

10:46 Shifting Beliefs From Standard Psychiatric Medicine

15:22 SSRI's And Their Efficacy

20:13 Standard American Diet And Widespread Mental Health Crisis

26:21 Inflammation And Its Affect On Mental Health

30:18 Insulin Resistance, The Brain, and Impact on Mental Health

34:49 The Pushback Georgie Has Received W

39:28 Metabolism, Mitochondrial Function Relation To Mental Health Issues

44:36 Using A Ketogenic Diet To Manage Mental Health

52:55 Personalized Medicine Through A Diet That Works For Your Body

1:01:20 Thank you to Dr. Georgia and Conclusion

====

Dr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her

twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard

University, where she was the first psychiatrist to offer students nutrition-based approaches to

mental health conditions.

Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for serious mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health, and is a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund’s Metabolic Mind Award. Her bestselling new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was recommended by the New York Times Book Review as among the three best mental health books of 2024.

___________________________

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Tune in to The Empowering Neurologist Podcast for an Inspiring Conversation with Dr. Jill Carnahan, Author of Unexpected

I’ve just finished recording a very moving interview with Dr. Jill Carnahan—Functional Medicine expert, speaker, and author. This was an unforgettable conversation about her new book, Unexpected. Dr. Carnahan’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and transformation, and her insights have changed countless lives through her compassionate approach to health.

Dr. Carnahan’s journey to becoming a functional medicine leader is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she faced serious health challenges that nearly ended her life and forever transformed her approach to patient care. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 25, Dr. Carnahan was forced to confront the fear, uncertainty, and upheaval that accompany life-altering illness. During her treatment, she developed a deeper understanding of what her patients were experiencing, not only physically but also emotionally. Just as she was beginning to regain her health, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a severe autoimmune disorder that impacted her life for years.

These back-to-back health crises became defining moments for Dr. Carnahan. They pushed her to pursue holistic healing modalities, ultimately shifting her career path toward Functional Medicine. Through her own journey of recovery, she developed a unique perspective on health that goes beyond treating symptoms, instead focusing on addressing the root causes of illness and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

In our time together Dr. Carnahan discusses:

☑️ The pivotal moments in her life that led her to Functional Medicine and reshaped her philosophy on health

☑️  How emotional resilience and compassion are critical components of healing

☑️  Practical strategies to detoxify, restore gut health, and promote holistic recovery

☑️  Insights into managing autoimmunity and chronic illness in a way that prioritizes the whole person

☑️  The role of mindset and self-compassion in transforming personal health challenges into opportunities for growth

My hope is that you will find our conversation to be an inspiring and enlightening experience. Her warmth, empathy, and expertise make her a true pioneer in Functional Medicine and a source of hope for anyone on their own health journey.

====

00:11  Intro

01:09  Introduction to Dr. Jill

04:30  Dr. Jill’s Cancer Diagnosis

09:16  How She Learned To Trust Herself: Blending Intuition with Logic

11:54  The Illusion of Certainty & Embracing Fear

14:53  Returning to Medical School Post Chemo

20:12  Where Jill’s Cancer May Have Originated

24:24  The Diet That Helped Dr. Jill’s Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and SIFO Flare Ups

34:51  Dr. Jill’s Journey Into Functional Medicine as a Doctor

39:45  Dr, Perlmutter Shares His Patient’s Gluten-Free Experience

41:11 Using The Human Genome in Functional & Integrative  Medicine

50:00 How Personal Agency Impacts The Healing Process

51:50 Upstream From The Microbiome Is The Soil & Outro

====

Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical services including functional medical consulting, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage.

Be sure to follow her @drjillcarnahan on Instagram.

___________________________

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What makes a good brain go bad? And if we can answer that question, how do we fix it? Of all the things that we consider that are important for brain cell function, the activity of the mitochondria is primary. And, what do mitochondria need to function at their best? The answer is not a supplement. It's not other forms of nutrients, it is oxygen. And as it turns out, enhancing, the oxygen availability for mitochondria is a powerful therapeutic tool across a wide variety of neurological issues. Mitochondrial dysfunction is central to things like dementia, autism, stroke, head injury, and even long COVID.

Hyperbaric oxygen is a clearly the most leading edge therapy that targets mitochondrial function and improves blood supply to the brain. This is a technique in which individuals are placed in a chamber, the atmospheric pressure is increased, and they breathe oxygen in varying concentrations through a facemask.

Today we are going to visit the Aviv Clinic in central Florida as I am joined by Amir Hadanny, MD, PhD, Aviv’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research. Dr. Hadanny has done and continues to do incredible research using hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an interventional tool to treat a variety of issues, including those mentioned above. The results, that are published in preview journals, are outstanding. Clearly hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when provided with a regimented protocol as we see at the Aviv Clinic, is giving people, a second chance.

====

00:00 Intro

00:01:28 The Evolution of Hyperbaric Medicine Research

00:03:00 Clinical Applications: PTSD and Long COVID

00:05:30 Inside the Aviv Clinics Experience

00:09:22 Long COVID Study: Research Design and Findings

00:33:40 Cognitive and Physical Benefits in Healthy Aging

00:37:28 PTSD Breakthrough Study and Government Adoption

00:43:47 Future of Hyperbaric Medicine

00:45:50 Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

====

Amir Hadanny, MD, PhD is a neurosurgeon and researcher at Aviv Clinics, specializing in the use of hyperbaric medicine to optimize brain and body performance. He also serves as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research at Aviv Scientific. Dr. Hadanny completed his MD at Tel Aviv University, his PhD in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology focused on machine learning from Bar Ilan University, and his neurosurgery training at Galilee Medical Center in Israel. He completed a Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery fellowship at Albany Medical Center and a Harvard Research Fellowship in the Brain Modulation Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. Through his work at Aviv Clinics and Aviv Scientific, Dr. Hadanny has published more than 60 scientific studies on the use of a unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol for neurorehabilitation and recovery in different brain pathologies and its effect on the biology of aging.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15565-0

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38360929/#:~:text=The%20results%20indicate%20HBOT%20can,after%20the%20last%20HBOT%20session.

___________________________

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We are certainly all aware of the health consequences associated with consumption of ultra processed foods. And this discussion always moves to the role of the sugars and refined carbohydrates in these foods in terms of threatening our metabolic health - and rightfully so.

But there’s another threat associated with these and other foods that is equally important. And that’s the type of oils they contain. In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Cate Shanahan, a groundbreaking physician and the author of the eye-opening book Dark Calories. Dr. Shanahan dives deep into a topic that is often overlooked in conversations about nutrition: the dangers of seed oils and their pervasive presence in our diets.

In Dark Calories, Dr. Shanahan reveals how seed oils—despite being marketed as healthy alternatives—can have detrimental effects on our brain and overall health. We explore the science behind these oils, explaining how they can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and toxicity, and how these mechanisms threaten our health. By bringing awareness to the hidden dangers of these ubiquitous ingredients, Dr. Shanahan encourages us to reconsider what we think we know about healthy eating.

What makes this episode truly valuable is not just the scientific insights Dr. Shanahan shares but also the wealth of actionable material she provides. Throughout our conversation, we discuss practical steps listeners can take to reduce seed oil consumption and make healthier food choices. From understanding food labels to selecting healthier cooking fats, Dr. Shanahan equips us with the tools we need to nourish our bodies and brains effectively.

She emphasizes the importance of whole, nutrient-dense foods, urging us to prioritize traditional fats over industrial seed oils that can contribute to chronic inflammation and cognitive decline. Whether you’re a health enthusiast or simply looking to improve your diet, this episode is packed with invaluable tips, like what to order when you go out to eat, that you can implement immediately.

====

00:00 Introduction to Cate + the Dangers of Seed Oils

03:18 The 'Hateful Eight' Oils Explained

06:20 Origins of Vegetable Oils in the Food Supply

10:47 Toxicity of Refined Oils

15:03 Health Risks of Heated Oils

18:01 Medical Industry Conflicts

32:12 Strategies for Avoiding Harmful Oils

37:03 Comparison of Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats

40:35 Impact of Toxic Oils on Chronic Diseases

53:00 Summary and Closing Out

====

Cate Shanahan, MD, has shaped the best parts of today’s food and health landscapes. Her books and other publications have taught a generation of health influencers what an ideal human diet looks like and the damaging effects of a collection of 8 common seed oils (“The Hateful 8”), informing the full spectrum of nutrition leaders, including keto, carnivore, functional medicine and more. Her science backed diet advice has inspired food entrepreneurs to make billions, including bone broth, live-culture ferments, and seed-oil-free business empires like the Primal Kitchen and Bulletproof brands. As a family physician, she has personally worked 1:1 with thousands of patients to improve energy metabolism and reduce fatigue, cellular inflammation, and organ dysfunction. Through her works and influence, she has helped millions escape the vicious cycle of sickness and drug dependence. 

Dr. Cate’s Monthly Newsletter signup: https://drcate.com/newsletter-signup/ 

About Dr. Cate’s Books https://drcate.com/which-drcate-book-should-i-buy/

LinkedIn: @DrCateShanahan

X: @DrCateShanahan

Instagram: @DrCateShanahan 

___________________________

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What can we do to improve our brains? This is clearly a topic that is central to our messaging. And we have focused on a variety of levers to pull, including exercise, sleep, dietary changes, nature, connection, etc. But we've now learned about a powerful input that has proven incredibly effective in improving brain function, especially in a variety pathological situations like cognitive decline, anorexia, depression, and even autism. This innovative approach has been called olfactory enrichment. And basically, this involves stimulating the brain with various types of scents.

Perhaps the top researcher on the planet exploring this subject and creating innovative ways for us to take advantage of olfactory enrichment is Dr. Michael Leon.He received his PhD from the University of Chicago and joined the professoriate at the young age of 24. He is currently Professor emeritus in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California Irvine.

He has received the Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute for Mental Health for his work on the neurobiology of early learning, the D.G. Marquis Award from the American Psychological Association for developing an effective treatment for children with autism, and the Healthcare Technology Acceleration Award from the California HealthCare Foundation for his work on body weight normalization. In a recent analysis from the Stanford University, he was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world.

On the podcast we review this empowering science in detail and I am certain you will be you captivated by the therapeutic potential of this intervention.Also, we’ll explore the device Dr. Leon has created so that everyone can take advantage of these exciting developments. 

====

0:00 Intro

2:48 Researching Olfactory Enrichment 

7:25 Impact of Olfaction on Disease

13:47 Relationship Between Inflammation & Sense of Smell

16:27 Study of Olfactory & Memory Loss

19:41 Losing Sense of Smell In Covid

24:01 Relationship of Taste to Olfaction

26:04 Impact on Depression 

27:26 Difference Between this and Aromatherapy 

31:59 Treating Anorexia with This

33:11 How This Works on a Subconscious Level

34:50 Memory Air Device 

36:25 Conclusion

====

Michael Leon received his PhD from the University of Chicago and joined the professoriate at the age of 24.  He is currently Professor emeritus (recalled) in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of California Irvine. He also is a member of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, as well as the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at UCI.  He has received multiple awards for teaching undergraduates, including the Professor of the Year Award as the best teacher on the UCI campus. He has received the Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute for Mental Health for his work on the neurobiology of early learning, the D.G. Marquis Award from the American Psychological Association for developing an effective treatment for children with autism, and the Healthcare Technology Acceleration Award, from the California HealthCare Foundation, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for his work on body weight control. In a recent analysis from the Stanford University School of Medicine, he was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world for the impact of his research. He is a partner in Science Lab 3 and the Mando Group.

___________________________

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Our lifestyle choices are fundamental as it relates to the health of our brains. Who knew? Well one person who knows this information and has done an amazing job getting this out to public awareness is Louisa Nicola, neurophysiologist, human performance coach and  founder of Neuro Athletics, a human performance coaching firm that supports the highest performing athletes and executives in the world. This organization bring science-based solutions to elite performers who want to perform at their highest level.

Luisa graduated from the university of Sydney medical school and specializes in Neurophysiology. She is currently completing her PhD and has recently published fascinating report on the benefits of resistance exercises as it relates to Alzheimer's disease.

The podcast that you were about to watch extremely empowering. What you will find in Louisa’s messaging is a heartfelt devotion to empowerment for all who will listen that truly, our brain’s destiny is something we can control. I'm very grateful that she joined us on the podcast today.

====

0:00 Intro

2:37 How Louisa Got Started

5:00 Exercise’s Impact on Brain Health

11:37 Aerobics vs Strength Training 

14:56 Wearable Devices to Track Exercise 

19:53 What Happens in the Brain During Exercise 

25:11 Importance of Restorative Sleep

30:42 Best Type of Diet for the Brain

33:09 Phd: Resistance Training & Alzheimer’s

36:28 Conclusion

====

Neurophysiologist and human performance coach, Louisa Nicola is the founder and head performance advisor of Neuro Athletics - a human performance coaching firm that boasts the highest performing athletes and executives in the world. Neuro Athletics brings science based solutions to elite performers who want to perform at their peak. Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School and specialises in neurophysiology. 

https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/

https://apple.co/3H02jPa 

https://neuroathletics.substack.com/subscribe 

https://www.neuroathletics.com.au/

___________________________

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Around 60 million people around the world have dementia. 300 million have depression, and billions of people are experiencing brain problems due to chronic stress. These conditions are partially preventable, but most people don’t know the steps to take to decrease their risk and protect their brains. It turns out that the place where our brains are at the highest risk for being damaged is actually in our homes, and that we have an incredible amount of control over what happens here. But sadly, most of us are being unintentionally exposed to things in our houses that are poisoning our brain health. In this episode, we’re going deep into the science that examines those factors in our environments that are damaging our brains. We connect with an expert in environmental and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Austin Perlmutter. We’re going to explore exactly what we are exposing ourselves to, in our homes, cars and offices, that threaten to worsen our cognitive and mental health. And, importantly, Dr. Perlmutter will reveal simple steps we can employ, today, to reduce this threat. 

====

0:00 Intro

3:06 How our environment threatens our brain

8:18 Health Begins in the Kitchen

12:10 Air Pollution in the Kitchen

18:13 Pollution in our World Today

23:23 Hidden Sources of Pollution: Vacuums & Incense

28:34 Effectiveness of N95 Masks

31:00 We Can’t Overlook This

35:00 Air Fresheners & Perfumes 

39:13 Indoor Filtration & Ventilation 

46:40 Other Pollutants to Watch Out For

49:25 Conclusion

====

Here's more about our guest, and yes, my son:

Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of “stuckness” in our brains and bodies. His writings, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs explore how environmental factors influence our cognitive and mental state and have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, MedPage today, Newsweek, Medical News Today, NPR and a wide range of other media outlets. He is a co-producer of the Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention series, and host of the Better Brain Blueprint series. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he is running a first-of-its kind study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetic modulation.

___________________________

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Researchers around the world are looking at the role of a mechanism, inflammation, in what makes a good brain go bad, and specifically in diseases like Alzheimer’s. Dr. Jack Auty is a Tasmanian researcher who is focused on this process and is exploring a variety of inroads to inflammation, including, zinc deficiency, as well as the possible role of our ever-increasing exposure to microplastics in amplifying this mechanism.

Dr. Auty has a very expansive social media exposure, bringing this information to the public awareness. He’s a very interesting researcher on a number of levels, including fieldwork looking at animals exposed to microplastics as well as translational research from the lab to humans again focused on inflammation and its damaging role throughout the body, and specifically the brain. 

Currently, Dr. Auty is a lecturer in the Medical Sciences division in the School of Medicine at the University of Tasmania. He, in addition, serves as a collaborator with an organization called the Adrift Lab, and we will learn more about their mission on our podcast as well.

====

0:00 Intro

3:16 Studying the Mechanism of Inflammation

13:12 Optimizing Our Microglia

16:46 Polygenic Influences on Alzheimer’s

21:16 Accumulation of Microplastics 

34:35 Avoiding Microplastics

36:53 Zinc’s Impact on Alzheimer’s 

43:20 Removing the Blame From Lifestyle Choices

52:00 The Adrift Lab: Studying Microplastics

57:23 Conclusion

====

Jack completed a Bachelor of Science in anatomy with a neuroscience focus at the southernmost university in the world – the University of Otago. During his degree Jack took several botany papers and fell in love with the subject, so Jack continued studies at Otago with a post graduate diploma in botany followed by a Ph.D. which combined botany and neuroscience by investigating the effects of marijuana-like synthetic cannabinoids on inflammation in the ischemic brain, combining botany and neuroscience.

After completing his Ph.D., Jack continued his research at the University of Otago with projects on hydrogen sulphide as an inflammatory signaling molecule and kamikaze neutrophils that release their DNA contents onto bacteria. He then moved to the University of Manchester, where he primarily investigated the role of the inflammasome in Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. Jack was fortunate to have inspiring, supportive, and scientifically proficient supervisors and collaborators in Dr. Catherine Lawrence and Prof. David Brough, under whose guidance he was able to make significant contributions to the field of inflammation research.

Currently, Jack is a lecturer in Medical Sciences at the University of Tasmania, where he investigates inflammation. He is focused on establishing the inflammatory properties of environmental microplastics and identifying the cellular mechanisms that mediate microplastic-induced inflammation. Additionally, he aims to understand how peripheral and central inflammatory responses contribute to Alzheimer's disease.

https://jackauty.com

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In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast, we had the profound pleasure of reconnecting with my longtime friend and now filmmaker, Max Lugavere, the creative force behind the deeply moving documentary Little Empty Boxes. Max, who is as articulate as he is passionate, took us through the deeply personal journey that led to the making of his film—a narrative woven from love, loss, and the quest for understanding dementia.

The genesis of Little Empty Boxes is as poignant as it is inspiring. Max shared the moment his life changed during what was meant to be a serene summer vacation: his mother, Kathy, was unable to recall the current year, a lapse that signaled the onset of her cognitive decline. This incident wasn't just a fleeting moment of forgetfulness; it was the beginning of a challenging journey through the landscape of dementia, a condition affecting over 55 million people worldwide.

Moved by his mother's struggle, Max returned to New York City, transitioning from a concerned son to a determined researcher, diving deep into the complexities of dementia. The film follows his exploration of innovative approaches beyond conventional medication, aiming to slow the progression of his mother's illness.

Max described Little Empty Boxes as a project that "crept in, claws out." It wasn’t a film he planned, but one that emerged from necessity. His mother's worsening condition was harrowing to witness, but it birthed a purpose that transcended personal pain. Max emphasized that the film isn’t centered on definitive medical answers or miraculous recoveries. Instead, it presents a raw, messy, and intimately personal look into the life of a dementia patient and the daily realities of their caretakers.

One of the most touching moments in our conversation was Max’s reflection on the film as a tribute to his mother and a love letter to the science of dementia prevention. He hopes that by sharing his mother's story, the film will not only shine a light on ways to delay or prevent this devastating condition but also encourage viewers to cherish every memory. "It's about making the most of what remains, together," Max remarked, highlighting the film’s focus on the human elements of love, memory, and resilience.

Our discussion with Max was more than just an interview; it was an exploration of the emotional and scientific facets of dementia through the lens of a devoted son's experience. For anyone who has witnessed the impacts of dementia firsthand, or for those interested in the intersections of film and real-world issues, Little Empty Boxes offers a compelling narrative that is both educational and deeply moving.

Watch Little Empty Boxes here: https://littleemptyboxes.com/

====

0:00 Intro

3:49 The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

8:09 How Medicine Failed Max’s Mom

12:07 How Fraudulent Research Clouded Our Knowledge

18:14 Making “Little Empty Boxes”

26:06 Bringing the Prevention Conversation to the Masses

35:50 Conclusion

====

Max Lugavere is a health and science journalist, filmmaker, and bestselling author. He is the author of the Genius trilogy of books, including the New York Times bestseller Genius Foods and the Wall Street Journal bestseller Genius Kitchen. He hosts The Genius Life podcast, one of the top health and wellness podcasts in the U.S, and has an audience of over 1.5 million followers across social media.

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