Alter Life

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with about 99% of it stored to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Many people obsess over getting enough calcium for healthy and strong bones, but it is also required for many other physiologic processes such as healthy muscle contractions, signaling neurological pathways, and facilitating numerous enzymatic reactions. Like everything in the b...

Being with suffering can be challenging! This is where compassion comes into play. Our ability to hold ourselves and others in a space without trying to judge or fix is an innate quality that we are called to more fully embody. It's always easier said than done and we can only ever do our best. This makes SELF-compassion paramount, though we can also always use our relationships and circumsta...

In today's Medicinal Monday we are taking about 10 steps backward to better understand and more fully contextualize the body and how to create health. Instead of being subject to our experience of health and/or dis-ease we can be empowered in our role to heal ourselves. This all sounds nice and idealistic, but how can we actually start to move the needle to feel better in body and mind? This...

Limited thoughts are sneaky! They are often hidden in plain sight, but completely out of awareness at the same time... It's like when a friend points out an exotic bird on a distant tree... you strain your eyes in attempts to spot the bird, meanwhile, another one flies up to perch on a branch just above your head! Sometimes our focus is simply limiting our perception and we are unable to full...

Nitric oxide is the most powerful compound for maintaining vascular health! Unfortunately, the endogenous production of this potent molecule naturally declines with age... BUT, there is MUCH to do to preserve optimal nitric oxide production and vascular function, and of course, it comes down to DIET. In this episode, we get nitty-gritty and nuanced in discussing vascular performance and the import...

Since the dawn of time, human beings have existed in a cycle of judgment - right and wrong, good and bad, us and them. As tribal beings, our survival has depended on not being cast out of society. Yet our essence is divine. We are all made from the same stuff and share so much despite the apparent differences in physical form. Being subject to criticism and judgment in more recent times, we have b...

Did you know that the lymphatic system is like your body's internal sewage management system? It's time to understand what's going on in there so that we can optimize its form and function because that is absolutely critical to your health! The lymphatic system is an essential and hardworking bodily system that is easily forgotten about. However, it plays a vital role in immunity, d...

Feeling accepted, appreciated, and loved is a basic human need. So it makes sense then that feeling HATED would come with immense resistance. But, what is HATE? And, is it possible to be authentically free from hatred? Getting to know hatred on a deeper level can actually be quite liberating! We explore the topic in today's episode. As always, we aim towards a deeper understanding of Truth an...

Does farting mean that I'm unhealthy...? NO! Everyone farts! Even the healthiest people. But.... not all farts are equal! You probably had a sense (or smell) of that. Also, some flatulence is associated with excessive bloating, GI cramping, and irregular bowel habits - not very pleasant symptoms that could indicate imbalances in the digestive system. Here in this episode, we intend to disting...

What the heck are "social norms" and where do they come from!? How has society come to collectively agree upon follow so many weird things, and why do some feel so much pressure to follow suit when feeling so icky inside!? As Jiddu Krishnamurti put it... “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” That is of course not to say that everything society doe...

Many people hear "Plant-Based Diet" and assume "Soy-Based Diet." This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we, Drs. Ben and Suz, do not consume Soy, except for very rare occasions. That being said, there is TONS of misinformation to dispel when it comes to SOY. In this episode, we talk about soybean cultivation, the GMO issue, various soy-based products, nutritional...

Freedom is defined as "the state of not being a slave or prisoner" according to Merriam Webster... We happen to feel that it is MUCH more than that. To be fair, that definition is just one of the dictionary's three essential meanings, but let's be real - it's hard to put words on the experience of freedom. While the topic of freedom has become oddly politicized in recent t...

Symptom Imperative? It's the symptom that occurs when pain changes location or when it's replaced by another symptom or conditioin that may also become chronic. We (mainly Dr. Susanna) have been diving into a deeper understanding of the mind-body phenomenon of tension myositis and the work of Dr. John Sarno. You can go back to Episode 267 for more of an overview. In this episode we conti...

If you are struggling, chances are you are doing more thinking than you realize. We heard a mentor share this wisdom that really resonated as Truth. So often we may slide into struggle without even realizing it. Maybe there are thoughts that "this is difficult" so "I should feel ______." But the truth is, the feeling of struggle or suffering that we bring to a situation is alwa...

Neither of us has had hot flashes... but we have worked with many people who have,  and some who never did. The fact is that hot flashes are common and "normal," but not necessarily natural or healthy. In fact, most symptoms associated with menopause are a sign of liver stress. A stressed liver isn't able to regulate hormones as gracefully as a healthy liver. As a result, signs of h...

For a multitude of reasons, anger can e a difficult emotion for many. Happiness, Joy, and Peace of course tend to be easier to feel and share. Most even have an easier time with sadness, anxiety, grief, or loneliness, which are all more socially acceptable than anger. In this episode, we explore the origins of anger and hope to normalize the human experience of anger and its expressions in the wor...

Ugh... back pain. We've probably all had it, or at least 80% of us will, according to the NIH. It can be a real pain in the butt! Or sometimes neck.... or hip... or.... you get the idea! Sadly, over half of the population has back pain that persists for 5+ years with 200 BILLION dollars being spent treating the symptoms... yes, treating symptoms. In this week's episode, we talk about the...

Overwhelm, busyness, to-do lists... there sometimes seems no end. Amidst the craze of busy minded thought storm, there is always peace, clarity, inspiration, as well as opportunities to warp time in your favor to get what you need done exactly when it's needed. Here we share some recent insights about our experiences of transcending the busyness of life. Join the conversation live on YouTube:...

It's cold/flu season! (Yes, there are different viruses than those that rhyme with shamona...) "In the US after the summer sunshine people stay indoors out of the blustery weather and we have a candy holiday followed up by a pi and stuffing yourself holiday followed up by a candy and pie holiday, followed up with boozing holiday parties to start the new year and we call this “FLU SEASON”...

Feelings can be hard to handle, but becoming more sensitive to those strong emotions can actually be an awesome strength. This week we share some insights around living life from a place of open-mindedness where we are able to see the celebratory potential in a moment. Join the conversation live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth For more, deep conversations on the topics of Mind, Tho...

Dry skin is OH SO common with so many left dependent on moisturizers to manage symptoms. Topical moisturizers do manage symptoms, at best, but often also exacerbate underlying imbalances! In this episode, we get to the root of dry skin to empower you to create moist and healthy skin naturally from the inside out - but also the outside in! If you'd like to join these conversations live, be sur...

It was just my (Dr. Ben's) Birthday on Nov 28th! 'Twas a great day... an insightful day...  This week we share some insights around living life from a place of open-mindedness where we are able to see the celebratory potential in a moment. Join the conversation live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth For more, deep conversations on the topics of Mind, Thought, and Consciousn...

Indulging in those "red light foods" is something that many people choose to do a little more often around the holidays. This episode is about supporting your body (and mind!) in recovering optimally. If you'd like to join these conversations live, be sure to Subscribe to the Alter Health YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth Some highlights from today's MM episo...

We've all got problems from time to time... But, do your problems solve themselves?! This week we talk about that state of mind where everything looks problematic, contrasted with the grace and ease state where things work themselves out. The fact is that problems always look bigger when they are in focus. In the right time, problems often disappear miraculously! If not entirely, we gain acce...

This topic comes up so very often... "Is it okay to have a "cheat day?" "How often can I eat ______?" "Don't you ever desire or crave ______!?" Today we dig into the concept of "cheating" on a whole food plant-based lifestyle. However, this conversation spans far more broadly than just how we relate to food and lifestyle. The principles covered her...