Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

In this episode Robb chats with Diana Rodgers, co-author of Sacred Cow and founder of Sustainable Dish. They chat about a recent study out of Harvard that claims that eating two servings of meat per week increases risk for Type II Diabetes. They also chat about Diana’s decision to wrap up the Sustainable Dish podcast and what’s next on the horizon. 

Red meat intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in a prospective cohort study of United States females and males

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Coming soon...

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

An analysis of studies pertaining to masks in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Characteristics and quality of all studies from 1978 to 2023

Michael Rose - What Evolution Teaches Us About Living Longer (Ancestral Health Today Episode 005)

Fat Fueled Sheep Hunting with Gina Shively | Salty Talk 019 | THRR

Modern Wisdom #676 - Eric Weinstein - Why Can No One Agree On The Truth Anymore? 

Unusual blood sugar fluctuations

Jack writes:

Hi Robb,

Long-time fan of your work, first time trying to reach out to you. Thanks very much for any insight you are able to provide. I have been tracking my blood sugar levels over the past 6 months after getting some results from my primary care provider that showed my fasting blood glucose at 93, and my HgA1C at 5.6. Both of these have steadily crept up over the past 5 years. My primary care provider was not concerned because I technically didn't fall outside of any "normal" range, but I have tried making my way through a good chunk of "Your Blood Never Lies" by James LaVelle, and I decided to try to dig into my tendencies a bit more after seeing a number of things "trending" in the wrong direction, though still "normal." I am a 38-year-old father of two kids ages 1 and 3, and I want to do the best I can to optimize my health for them.

 I am about 162 lbs and roughly 12% bodyfat. Resting heart rate hovering in the high 40s and low 50s, blood pressure typically about 115/65. After getting a home glucose monitoring kit and tinkering with my diet, I found a decent rhythm and meal plan that allows me to largely avoid blood sugar spikes throughout the course of the day. I almost never see my blood sugar rise higher than about 125, and only once or twice saw it higher than 140 in the past 6 months. I respond decently well to my meals and snacks per the recommendations Chris Kresser gave for 1, 2, and 3 hour post eating readings. For a period of time, my fasting blood glucose was pretty consistently between 78 and 90, which I was very excited about. However, over the past 5-6 weeks I have been getting lots of high 90s, low 100s, and even some 110-115. Interestingly, my blood sugar will fall lower though throughout the day (typically to between 90-110, even down to as low as 80 in the late afternoon when I get home from work).

 I am a strength and conditioning coach and currently get to workout 3-4 times per week for 30 minutes or so doing kettlebell circuits and the occasional run. My sleep has not been particularly great the past several months due to my son and daughter's nightime routines and sleep habits. I have lately tried to go to bed earlier when my daughter does in an attempt to get about 8 hours, but it was routine for me to get more like 6.5-7.5 hours "in bed," while oftentimes waking up several times per night and/or having a tough time falling asleep. I eat pretty well, though not 100% clean, during the week, and kick my heels back a bit on the weekend with some pizza and booze, but I wouldn't say I completely blow the doors off. These diet practices have been pretty consistent during the period of time before my morning blood sugar began to consistently be lower, and also now that it has gradually crept higher over the past 5-6 weeks.

1. A) What do you think could be causing morning blood sugar to be on the "higher" side even if I eat fairly low/clean carb and haven't changed much diet wise over the past 6 weeks?
2. B) If morning glucose is "high" but returns quickly to these 100-110 levels after my eating most of the time and I rarely spike higher than 125 or so, is that still bad for my health, or is an elevated "baseline" ok as long as I don't consistently get higher than 140 or so as I read in Kresser's article?

Thanks so much for any insight you can share!

Staying Paleo in the Mountains

Lucia writes:

Hi, I'm 39 years old and I practice mountaineering. World wide the food recommended while being in the mountains specially over the 4000 meters (where the body battles to adapt to less oxygen and lower temperatures) is a diet rich in carbs and sugars to access glucose faster, since the physical demand is huge and these are easier to access.

Since it´s particularly important to reduce the amount of weight we carry in our backpacks and we are not able to keep this food refrigerated, I´m wondering if you are familiar with this activity, and what would you suggest to eat, and how during an ascent and the days before and after, to stay paleo and cover the demands of my body.

Ps: I usually loose a lot of weight every time i go, that includes tons of muscle lost.

BJJ in your 40s

Chris writes:

Dear Robb and Nicki,

Thanks so much for the great podcast. Lovin it!:)

I have a question regarding BJJ:

I’m turning 39 next month and a bit in a midlife crisis: I’m pretty fit, doing my zone 2 and strength training regularly but I miss a bit the elements of play and community in my life. Zone 2 workouts are a bit lonely:)

I know you two are doing Jiu Jitsu and I want to give it a try. Do you have any tips for starting with 39 and training into your 40s? How do you avoid injuries? Any chance to keep nice ears?:)

How did your training approach evolve? My goal is character development and community. Do you think BJJ is ideal for that?

Hope you have some insight! Thanks so much:)

Chris

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Transcript coming soon...

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Blood biomarker profiles and exceptional longevity: comparison of centenarians and non-centenarians in a 35-year follow-up of the Swedish AMORIS cohort

Winnebago Man (We've got flies Tony vid - nsfw - lots of F bombs in this)

OCR training and nutrition

Justin writes:

Hey Robb and Nicki, big fan love all that you guys do for your listeners! My question is if you were to put together the best training plan for running an obstacle course race such as spartan race or savage race what would that look like? I usually do the 10k to half marathon distances if that helps to clarify the distance. I currently attend orange theory fitness classes 4x per week monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday then long run on saturdays. I was hoping the consistency of doing orange theory for almost exactly 1 year would really help me get in OCR shape but sadly it just hasn’t made that big of an impact. I just started incorporating the long runs on Saturday back into my training and realized once I did the running from the classes really hasn’t changed how well I run and still feel my heart rate much higher than I’d like even at slower paces. Not sure if CrossFit would be a better option since I’ve never dived into that arena but I’m very open to any suggestions. Nutrition wise I try to get my body weight of protein daily, carbs around 220, and fat around 65. Those numbers were given to me by a nutritionist I did a consult with a few weeks ago. Again any tips you guys have are very much appreciated!

Salt intake

Darren writes:

 Hi robb and nikki. Listening to yiu from tasmania australia. I recently read salt fix and hearing alot about sodium intake. I have been having alot more salt recently and have noticed a dramatic improvement in all health perameters. Due to mainstream info i am struggling to accept that i should be taking extra salt. I eat a low carb whole food diet i run a busy cafe some cardio some weight training quite activevery lean 52 yoand my blood pressure is always around 100/70. My question is there any other long term problems with too much salt other than high bp. Thanks for keepin it real

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Click for transcript PDF

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

What It Will Really Take to Restore Trust in the CDC

Paul Offit (72) is not getting a booster and neither should any healthy person who had COVID

The most important lesson of the 1918 influenza pandemic: Tell the damn truth

How to Sleep Like Your Life Depends On it! 

What to prioritize?

Lacy writes:

Hi Robb and Nicki! I 1st want to thank you for all that you do, you are truly changing the world! I am a mom of 3 kids, ages 4, 3 and 5 months and I work full time. As you can imagine, I have a lot on my plate but am trying my hardest to be as healthy as possible: I do the best that I can with sleep (as best one can do with young children), usually infrared light, attempt to eat healthy/get sufficient protein, workout, etc. but feel like I am spinning my wheels getting nowhere. Each pregnancy has added pounds and with each additional child I find less and less time to get quality workouts in. I guess my question is, as parents who have "been there" what would you recommend prioritizing? I am currently at my heaviest weight but am breastfeeding (VERY successfully partly due to LMNT) and find that my milk supply suffers everytime I try to lose weight and I'm sure my hormones are absolutely jacked up due to being pregnant and/or breastfeeding for the past 5 years (&counting). Should i focus on protein? Sleep? Hormones?What's a mom to do?! Thanks for the insight.

Masking

Mari writes:

Hi, long time listener here. Thanks for keeping on. Not a health related question-

I’m going to be attending massage school in CA in January. I’ve been living in Idaho and haven’t been paying attention to much but I heard on one of your recent podcasts that certain schools in CA are implementing ridiculous bullshit again. I called the massage school to confirm- they told me they will be following CDC guidelines (mask mandates if the CDC recommends). Is this still….legal? If I say no can they kick me out?

I would go elsewhere but other circumstances make this particular location and school the best option. Thanks for any advice if there’s any to give. - Mari

DEXA scan reliability

Cassie writes:

Robb & Nicki,

I hope your move is going well for your family!

First off I wanted to thank you both for having a significant impact on my health and wellness. I started training bjj over 10 years ago (when I still had braces) and it wasn't until our gym started following you and the Paleo lifestyle that all the wounds in my mouth started magically healing and I could finally sleep through the night. I am amazed by how undereducated our society is about the importance of the food (and poison) we put into our bodies. I really appreciate the effort you two put forth to make better humans.

I recently started getting into podcasts so I apologize if you've already covered this: How reliable are DEXA scans? I just got one done and the results were shocking to say the least. I am a 34y/o female, 5'2, never had a child, I weighed in at 112 lbs, wear size 0 jeans and this thing marked me at 32% body fat. According to their chart, that puts me in the category of obese. Is this exactly what they mean by skinny fat? Like I'm just fat and bones, no muscle? *Mind blown emoji*

I will admit, in the past year I haven't been training. I am active duty military, got promoted just about 12 months ago, and I feel like I have no time for myself in my life anymore. Do I cook, sleep, do laundry or finish my homework in my limited spare time? I would say, if anything, that I am definitely calorie restricted unintentionally, which worries me about training if I barely have time to eat as it is. I guess the other part of my question is how do I start over? Eating sufficiently? Training? Destressing? I have 4 more years before I retire, but until then I need to find small successes so that I don't wreck my body in the meantime.

Thank you again! You're my favorite podcast every week.

P.S. Are there any plans for flavored LMNT without sweeteners? I don't consume added sweeteners during my anti-inflammatory elimination diet resets so I can only have raw. Now my bf forever refers to LMNT as "sweat water."

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Transcript coming soon...

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

CDC: New COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase Nearly 16%

Vinay Prasad: Do not report COVID cases to schools & do not test yourself if you feel ill

Early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels

30 Day Reset - Loss of Appetite

Julie writes:

Some personal info:

I'm a 40 year old female. 5'3." BMR is 1,542 (based on a calculator I found using the google machine). 199 pounds.

On September 1, I started the 30 Day Reset. During July and August, I was more conscious about what I was eating and lost 18 pounds. While doing that, I read Wired to Eat and decided to use September for the 30 Day Reset. Today is September 4, so this is just my 4th day on the reset.

Yesterday morning I woke up hungry (which is abnormal for me), but I waited about two hours before I ate breakfast because that's what I'm used to. After getting my day started, I wasn't feeling hungry anymore so it wasn't a big deal to wait to eat breakfast. I typically wake up, I lift for about 30 minutes, some days I take a walk for 1-2 miles, then shower and eat breakfast. I don't normally feel hungry until a couple hours after waking up.

Aside from waking up hungry, yesterday and today I have had almost no appetite. Because I lift, I feel like I should be getting a good amount of protein in my diet. Typically I would be eating 25-35g of protein per meal. I had a packet of salmon and some green beans for lunch today, and I basically forced myself to finish so I could get the protein I feel like my body needs. While I'm not trying to make any hardcore gains during the 30 Day Reset, I don't want to lose any muscle mass while I go through this. It just seems like yesterday and today, after I take a few bites of my meal, I'm no longer hungry.

So, my questions: Is this loss of appetite normal or should I be concerned that I'm not eating enough? For the past three days, I've been eating 850 - 1,100 calories. Should I eat more even if I have to force myself because I'm not hungry?

Thank you!

DIM Supplement Causing Sudden Decrease in HDL

Susan writes: 

Hi Robb and Nicki,

Longtime listener... maybe since 2009 ~~ Paleo Solution w' Robb and Greg. Good stuff.

As a spry 20 year old in about 2000, I started the Atkin's diet and transitioned to clean eating around 2008. My total cholesterol has always been ~200 and split 50/50 - HDL/ LDL. I've had it tested dozens of times over the years.

I've been the same weight since my teen years immediately went back to that weight post pregnancy.

My body fat by hydrostatic testing has ranged from 17% - 21% throughout my adult life, with it being more near 17% in my later adult life (more self control about calories I think).

I lift weights with intensity 6-7 days per week and keep my calories between 1600-1900 per day.

Daily Supplements:

Magnesium

Vitamin D

Cheap little multi

Fish Oil

DIM

I am now 44.

I just got my fasting bloodwork done, and my HDL has dropped from 100-110 to 77.

My LDL has gone from 100 to 149.

Two things have changed in my lifestyle:

1. The addition of the DIM supplement last summer. Before taking DIM, I had horrible perimenopause symptoms. I was waking up in the middle of the night so drenched in sweat that I would need to take a shower. If I wasn't drenched, I was nervous, stressing, mind-spinning and not sleeping. 100% of my symptoms are gone since starting 300mg of DIM before bed.

1. Simply in an effort to keep calories under control, I've entirely cut nuts out of my diet (I used to eat tons), and I eat a lot less red meat than I used to. I also have started to sometimes eat fake foods, like protein bars, which I never would have previously touched.

I've been feeling pretty good, crushing it at the gym, staying lean and mentally pretty clear. So, I was excited to get my bloodwork back. Low-and-behold my LDL is up and HDL is way down. It hasn't been below 100 in the last 20 years. So, I consider this a sudden drop.

Also, my kidney function is looking pretty mediocre. eGFR = 81 (sodium and potassium are off too)

In any case, my family tends to drop dead like flies at a pretty early age due to cardiovascular disease (skinny little Irish smokers). So, this sudden fluctuation in cholesterol is pretty scary to me.

Dr. Google says that taking progestins may cause HDL to drop.

Dr. Google also says that DIM causes an increase in progesterone.

My question is....

Do you theorize a tie between the DIM supplement and my sudden drop in precious HDL?

As a very active person with a 90% clean diet, should I care?

The other 10% is protein bars and Chardonnay.

There is very little to be said about the long term affects of DIM out there on the interwebs. So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Thanks!

Susan

Vasectomy Research

Trevor writes: 

Hello, my question harkens back to THRR episode 063. A question was asked about getting a vasectomy. Robb, you referenced someone you know who found research that indicated negative hormonal consequences (less testosterone) following vasectomy. I find myself in the same situation now as a 44 year old over-fat dude considering vasectomy for birth control. My wife has used hormonal birth control methods during our marriage. Now her functional medicine Doctor is encouraging her to cease her hormonal intervention to work on some health concerns. Before I run my business into a scalpel, I’d like to know the potential hormonal risks I’m facing.

I’ve done my amateur keyword searches on jama.org and pubmed, but I can’t seem to find the research you mentioned in that episode. The conventional health articles say lower testosterone is not a risk. Can you help me find the research you mentioned? Or some tips on “how to fish” and do better research on my own?

Thanks for all you two do!

Trevor

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Coming soon...

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Pots and COVID

Web3 Working Group - DarkHorse Podcast

Dr. Aseem Malhotra - Joe Rogan Experience

Pharma: Not Their First Rodeo – Umberto Meduri & Paul Marik on DarkHorse

Effect of alirocumab and evolocumab on all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events: A meta-analysis focusing on the number needed to treat

Death by lab work

Olivia writes:

Hey Robb and Nicki! Long time listener and strong endorser of the work y'all are doing. I wish more people and healthcare providers were on the same page, or hell even in the same book as this community! ANYWAY....I recently got my labs done and I have some concerns on the results I received. For context: I am a 30 y/o female, no kids, work out 3-4 x week (mostly weight training and average 8-10K steps per day) I work as a nurse, tend to focus my meals around 30g or more of protein (red meat, chicken, dairy, eggs, I eat it all), and drink plenty of water and LMNT :), avoid seed oils and other ultra processed garbage. I went through some hormone issues for 5-7 years (i.e very infrequent cycle due to too much exercising and under fueling). Since then, I have become so much more educated and I have recovered my cycle *naturally*; gaining probably 30-40 ish pounds from my low; currently sitting at 155 5'6. I feel great, but these lab results got me shook! Any and all advice welcome.

Total Cholesterol- 282

Triglycerides- 43

Non HDL- 169

HDL- 113

ApoA to ApoB- 0.41

ApoB- 113

Liver enzymes AST and ALT- slightly elevated

Total T3 - 68 all other thyroid values "normal"

Fasting BGL- 95

A1C- 5.0

Am I destined for an early death related to heart disease?? I've listened to Huberman on blood glucose control and will implement his ideas to lower my fasting number, but it's hard to eat my last meal 2-3 hours before bed on days I work since I get home at 8. I hope this isn't too long of question, feel free to cut out anything you'd rather not discuss and just give general guidelines. THANK YOU!!!

Stay salty,

Olivia

ApoB confusion

Marit writes:

Hi Robb and Nicki,

I've been listening to your podcast and following your work for many years and I've thrown some similar hard questions at you, which you were kind enough to try to answer (thanks!). I'm so frustrated that I can't understand statistics enough to draw my own conclusion based on the literature on ApoB and statins. I listened to a Peter Attia's podcast and he said (I heard it twice to confirm) that if ApoB were low in the population he "thinks" AS CVD would be dramatically reduced. His pushes alot for statin use. On the flip side, reading the breakdown of studies on statins on Chris Kresser's website, I just can't understand why Peter Attia takes this stance. It doesn't add up! My gut feeling is risk for any chronic disease is never calculated on just one lab value (that's just logical). but even if it was, why does Attia use statins when they don't seem to reduce deaths, strokes or heart attacks by very much, in people without CVD? Don't statins obliterate ApoB?

You're the absolute best if you answer this question for me. I'd be forever greatful!

Thanks guys for all the work you do. It's appreciated!

Cholesterol and Diet

Jay writes:

Hi Robb and Nicki,

One of your original six listeners here. (Can't be wrong!) Thanks for all the good work.

Recent bloodwork revealed high cholesterol and LDL numbers (216 and 123, respectively), as well as non-HDL cholesterol (137) and apolipoprotein B (94). (HDL is 79 and triglycerides are 50.) For what it's worth, my glucose is in the normal range, though slightly high considering my otherwise overall health, activity level, and diet.

My functional med practitioner has suggested the "Cardiometabolic Food Plan." (for reference: https://www.allinahealth.org/-/media/allina-health/files/business-units/penny-george-institute-of-health-and-healing/2_ifm_cardiometabolicfoodplan_comprehensiveguide.pdf)

I'm reticent, considering the plan's emphasis on soy protein, legumes generally, grains, and limiting saturated fat. I could modify it to eliminate those things, but then I'm back to basically what I do already. 

Quick background: male, 38, active (commute on a bike, strength train, chase kids), small business owner with two young kids (i.e., non-zero amount of stress, less-than-perfect sleep). I have a pretty good gluten intolerance (which is how I found your work right around when you published The Paleo Solution — thanks again!) and generally follow a paleo-primal-ish template, with some full-fat dairy and rice/corn, occasionally, mostly to coexist with my family without being a *complete* pain in the ass.

So: Would those lab numbers concern you? What do you think about the Cardiometabolic Food Plan, specifically? And generally, what would you suggest for diet or any other interventions to right the ship?

Thanks tons and keep up the good work!

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The irony of protein corporations

Is caffeine harmful for long term health? 

David writes: 

I recently quit caffeine. Initially, I felt awful but over time have noticed an improvement in how I feel, energy levels, mood, motivation, sleep quality, etc.

My caffeine-addicted friends are (I think) in denial, and insist it’s not necessary to quit. They point to studies showing health benefits of taking caffeine every day. Some even insist it’s completely harmless in moderation, but I’m skeptical.

Searching the Internet, it’s nearly impossible to find anything negative about long-term use of caffeine. This makes me even more skeptical. How can this be the only addictive drug with zero (or near zero) side effects and no long-term impact on health?

Did I give up my caffeine addiction for no good reason? Is there something I’m missing? What’s the real story with caffeine? Is it a net benefit or net harm for most people? Have caffeine addicts found the holy grail of drugs, or are they in denial?

Help me understand this better.

TRT

Greg writes: 

I am a 64 year old male. I work out 5-6 mornings a week and bike 25-30 miles a week My natural testosterone levels average 650-800. I am not on TRT but do take several supplements including tongkat ali. I've asked my friends who are on TRT what their plan is in the event of a major catastrophe Either man made or natural. Of course they have none. What would happen to the millions of males dependent on their weekly or monthly TRT when none is available? What would you suggest as a back up plan?

Jiu Jitsu

Rob says:

Robb Wolf, it is another Rob Wolf.  I started training Jiu Jitsu at age 64 and I just got my purple belt.  Would love to learn more about how you train.

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Coming soon...

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Type 1 diabetes and low carbohydrate diets—Defining the degree of nutritional ketosis

Association of Immune Thrombocytopenia and Celiac Disease in Children: A Retrospective Case Control Study

Diet and Digestion

Andrew writes:

Hi Robb! I’m loving the podcast! Just started listening and got your information from the lady who started the Debug Your Health blog which goes over diet and parasite elimination. She recommended for diet just doing grass fed meat and veggies. I did that for a few days but had severe leg cramps and sleep disturbances. Also, I’ve been constipated for awhile now and just can’t seem to find the right diet for addressing this issue. I will go to the bathroom once every three days and my gut just doesn’t feel right whatsoever. Also, I have A- blood type so I should be having more frequent bowel movements but that is not the case. I am only 21 years old and want to live my life. My suspicion is that it may be related to parasites, heavy metals, and maybe nutritional deficiencies. Any suggestions on how to get rid of this constipation with diet, parasite cleansing, or even enemas? Keep up the great work and I am excited to hear your response!

Immune thrombocytopenia ITP

Allen writes:

Hello,

My wife has an immune system disorder called Immune thrombocytopenia ITP. It is triggered by pregnancy. Her platelet count drops, which means she is at greater risk for hemorrhaging. The underlying cause of ITP is unknown according to our doctors and what I’ve read. For her first pregnancy, the doctors prescribed two treatments to ameliorate the platelet count: prednisone and IVG (this is standard treatment AFAICT) but these treatments had minimal/no effect. As the disease is evidently related to immune system health, I wondered if there are any dietary or environmental things we might look at which could help. Any advice getting pointed in the right direction would be much appreciated. Thank you!

eGFR results while on a high protein diet

Richard writes:

 I went to the doctor for a full feeling in my throat that was affecting my voice. Nothing was found but some of the bloodwork results have me a little worried.Creatinine 1.3, Total bilirubin 2.1, GFR 60. Should I be concerned with high meat intake? I follow a ketovore diet that averages less than 20g of carbs per day. Protein falls between 150 and 250 per day. The day of the test I had about a pound of meat for breakfast 6:00AM and nothing else before the bloodwork at 2:00PM. The doctor didn’t express any concern over the results but a GFR of 60 is kidney disease according to all the charts on the web. I’m going to get retested but I’m wondering if my diet makes these tests unreliable. How would you prepare for the second test to insure that the results are accurate?

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Coming soon at Robbwolf.com

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

why progress is environmentalism

Plasma Arc Recycling

Decouple: Mining Our Way To Net Zero

Elevated Prolactin

Steven writes:

 I’ll start off by saying I love the podcast! I’ve been a listener since day one. The Paleo Solution was a real eye opener in regard to noticeably feeling different after eating “clean”.

I’m turning 40 next year and thought it would be a good idea to get a snap shot of where my Hormone levels are. I like to think I do a good job of being cognizant of eating well, sleeping, and training.

My recent hormone bloodwork:

LH 4.2

FSH 2.9

Testosterone 724

Prolactin 24.5

Need I be alarmed about my prolactin? From what I understand it can indicate a serious problem or just be due to endurance training.

Over the past 2 years I’ve been running a lot. I trained for and completed a 50 mile Ultra Marathon and a Marathon. As of late I am lifting (squats 2x a week deads 1x a week). My running mileage is low comparatively to a few months ago. Some pull ups and push ups every day. Besides just being fatigued from training at times I feel and think I perform pretty well. All though I don’t notice it work is a stressor and I’m certain that the shift work I do isn’t helpful.

I plan to follow up about my blood work. Should I be asking for a thyroid blood work? Is it dumb to just attribute the high prolactin to endurance training and low carb eating?

Omega 3's

Amy writes:

To omega or not to omega? That is the question. Kresser is going to try & sell me some tomorrow. Barry Sears says they’re the answer to whatever ails you. But Masterjohn says they’re basically poison, and we need more arachadonic acid, in fact. In the last podcast of yours I heard, you mentioned them briefly. What are you doing about them lately? (Feel free to use this for a podcast question if you like :) )

Alternatives to Phenibut for Mood/Well Being (if necessary)

Matt says:

I currently average 1 gram of phenibut a day to lift my mood & prevent anxiety and have played with periods of abstaining for 1+ months. I find only a little withdrawal symptoms so its not untenable however my baseline mood is not nearly as social and happy as I am with the small to moderate phenibut usage.

My question to you both is do you see a problem with it as most of the "research" out there is N=1 examples of people abusing and experience rebound anxiety. Are there other anxiolytics like ashwaganda? others? I should try and what are good sources as I am reluctant to grab off a random amazon wholesaler.

For context my sleep is dialed in at 7-8 hrs per night, daily 10 min meditation, yoga and fitness, and eat a paleo (+rice) diet.

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Fatigue and Pain Sent Her to the ED: Medical Mystery Solved

Dr. Michael Ruscio

Aglaee Jacobs M.S., R.D.: Digestive Health With Real Food

Intestinal Methane Overgrowth

Keri writes:

Gluten tag from your old home of New Braunfels! I really appreciate you two and your no nonsense, but super informative podcast. It always hits home for me. I have gone back and forth between keto and carnivore since 2019. Felt great at first, but the last 18 months have had weight gain, bloating and constipation. Never really had a weight issue before. I’m 5’7” and have averaged 135 pounds pretty consistently. I was referred to a gastroenterologist, did the breath test, and tested very high for intestinal methanogenic overgrowth (IMO). The doctor gave me a two week dose of xifaxin and that was it. No other protocol or follow up. I just finished the antibiotic with no relief. I am an active 52 year old, weight train 3 to 4 days a week, take my dog for a hour walk almost every day, gets lots of Texas sun, drink only water with LMNT of course. My two part question to the both of you is how in the world was I blessed with this lovely methane bug and is there any way to rid myself of it? Any supplements? I am taking berberine. I also have hypothyroidism and take desicated thyroid for that. The more I research, the more confused and overwhelmed I get. It seems it’s a little different from your standard SIBO. I’ve heard some doctors say to follow fodmap and others go all the way to carnivore. Any suggestions would be super appreciate, as I value your insight greatly.

All the knowledge, how to implement it

Tracie writes:

Hey Robb and Nikki, I've been listening to your podcast since my first rebel reset back in 2021 and have greatly appreciated the work that you do and the community I have found here at the healthy rebellion. I feel like I have all the knowledge that I could ever need to optimize myself, but I'm still not implementing it in the right way to improve my body composition. I feel like I've been doing B+ work since 2021, and A+ work for the past 3 months but I haven't seen any results. I'm a type A personality but I've learned to forgive myself for not being perfect, and have added a little meditation in my life. I'll lose 5-10 lbs and then it always comes back. I'm 33, female, 5'4", and 175 lbs. I was 125 lbs when I was vegan in college at 20 but of course had no muscles and mild anemia, I figured that was still a healthy target weight for me. I don't even care what the scale says, I just want to look good naked! I slowly gained weight over the last decade due to burritos, pizza, beer, stress, and smoking. I really was a hot mess until 2020. I've been approaching my failure through the lens of Boyd Eaton's evolutionary discordance hypothesis. I'm wondering if it's appropriate to tackle body composition issues using the old evolutionary discordance hypothesis, and if there have been any recent updates to it? 

I figure I'm not losing weight because my nutrition/exercise regime is still too much of a departure from the ancestral model but I've been eating paleo since 2021 and feel like I have balanced my 4 pillars. I'm taking Chris Kresser's Adapt Natural bundle to cover the declining nutritional quality of our foods. I use 2-3 sticks of LMNT a day, sometimes an extra to compensate for the hot and humid east coast summer. I Started doing Paul Saladino's animal based thing in August 2022 and it was great post gut dysbiosis (that was October 2021) but I also feel like the fruit and dairy are not helping the body composition. I hate to not eat them since they are nutrient dense and I do like how I feel.

I went to see Dr. Ruscio for the gut dysbiosis and feel fully recovered but my relationship with vegetables has never been the same and Paul caters to that. I see people rocking the vegetables in the healthy rebellion though and I sometimes wonder if I could do keto, although I do suffer from hypoglycemic episodes and get really lethargic when I try to get down to 25 grams of carbs. I have taken the Keto Masterclass. I feel like my electrolytes are on point though so I should be lethargic, and I love salting my food and eating salty olives/pickles. I only drink 12-18 ounces of coffee day, so that doesn't seem like the culprit. 

What really annoys me and why I decided to write to you is because I am now exercising the most I ever had in my life and still not slimming down. I still just look puffy all over. I hike 5-7 miles a week with a 10-15 lb backpack, and one of those hikes is up a small east coast mountain. I get 5 miles of walking in most days a week, I run 3-4 miles a week 1-2 miles a day on top of the walking, and am now adding BJJ 3-4 hours a week, I don't lift weights and know this would be huge but I don't know how and cant afford a personal trainer yet. Hoping the BJJ does the trick, my training load is high but its enjoyable. I have used chronometer to track what I'm eating periodically, so I know I get 125+ grams of protein, 120 from animal sources (lots of steak, chicken, and pork) but I do eat 2300 calories easy. I'm doing 120-150 grams of carbs from mostly fruit, an ounce of maple syrup sometimes or a few tablespoons of honey also contribute. Diana Rogers suggests 1500 on her sustainavore course as a starting point. How many calories should I go for? That's got be my issue, I'm eating enough calories to maintain weight and I got to go into a comfortable non-lethargic deficit. Advice would be much appreciated!

The Healthy Rebellion Radio is sponsored by our electrolyte company, LMNT. Proper hydration is more than just drinking water. You need electrolytes too! Check out The Healthy Rebellion Radio sponsor LMNT for grab-and-go electrolyte packets to keep you at your peak! They give you all the electrolytes want, none of the stuff you don’t. Click here to get your LMNT electrolytes

Coming soon!