Diet Science

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb with health benefits documented in medical texts dating back to 77 AD. Listen in this week as Dee discusses how rhodiola enhances brain functions and reduces anxiety.  Link to Purchase Rholiola:  https://amzn.to/41kHmHC

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has over 4,000 years of traditional use in India for improving many conditions. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the many benefits of Ashwagandha! Link to Purchase Ashwagandha: https://amzn.to/46SNk3m

Three decades ago a team of independent nutrition experts was recruited by the USDA to create the first Food Guide Pyramid published in 1992 to help Americans get healthier. But, the USDA caved to food industry interests and modified the experts' recommendations, and have never taken a clear stance against processed foods. As a result, Americans are less healthy than they were 30 years ago. Listen...

A new study reveals that diet sodas sweetened with the artificial sweetener aspartame (also known as Equal) increase insulin levels the same as regular sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the impact this has on weight gain, diabetes and overall health. Link to The Science of Skinny: https://amzn.to/3SOpLp3

A special type of fiber has been found to be especially effective at suppressing appetite and tamping down cravings. Listen in this week as Dee discusses how beta glucan works in the body and which food sources are the best. Link to Muffin Recipe:   https://processedfreeamerica.org/dees-flourless-oat-bran-muffins-apple-cinnamon/

Promising research shows vitamin K provides defense against age-related conditions like osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the role of vitamin K in bone health and beyond. Reference: Xv, F., Chen, J., Duan, L., & Li, S. (2018). Research progress on the anticancer effects of vitamin K2. Oncology letters, 15(6), 8926–8934. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pm...

A study looking at gut bacteria levels in over 2,500 people has linked low levels of certain types of gut bacteria with higher incidence of depression, affirming previous research linking diet quality to this mood disorder. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the the results of this study and the foods that influence a healthy gut and balanced moods. Reference: Radjabzadeh, D., Bosch, J. A., Uitt...

The OMAD (one meal a day) diet is making big and bold promises for weight loss and better health, including delaying the aging process. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the research and whether this dietary approach is a viable option for you. Reference: Meessen, E. C. E., Andresen, H., van Barneveld, T., van Riel, A., Johansen, E. I., Kolnes, A. J., Kemper, E. M., Olde Damink, S. W. M., Schaa...

Most everyday kitchen spices have a long history of medicinal use, and many of them are good for increasing metabolism in the body due to their thermogenic properties. Listen in this week as Dee discusses five common spices that are known for their ability to lower inflammation, rev up metabolism and burn fat more efficiently. 

A new study shows that walnut consumption is especially potent for heart health, and the earlier you start, the better the benefit. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of the study and why walnuts are an important shield against heart disease. References: Steffen, L. M., Yi, S. Y., Duprez, D., Zhou, X., Shikany, J. M., & Jacobs, D. R., Jr (2021). Walnut consumption and cardiac phe...

Psyllium husk has been dubbed by some social media blogs as a "poor man's" Ozempic. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the similarities and differences between psyllium husk and the popular weight loss drug, and suggests a novel natural alternative that has shown significant improvements in body weight, abdominal circumference, and body fat percentage. References: Boix-Castejón, M., Herranz-Lópe...

A polyphenol compound in hibiscus called Hibiscus sabdariffa is shown in studies to aid weight loss by controlling appetite and increasing production of the AMPK gene which regulates cellular energy. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the AMPK gene and its role in weight loss, lowering blood pressure and even anti-aging! References: Boix-Castejón, M., Herranz-López, M., Pérez Gago, A., Olivares-...

In addition to being one of the fundamental amino acids used to building protein in the body, glycine is involved in many different important chemical reactions within the body, especially its ability to quell inflammation. It also has a sweet taste, similar to sugar, but without any of the calories or negative effects on blood sugar. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the many health benefits o...

A recent study evaluated over 2,000 fish oil supplements and found that the variable doses suggested on product labels are typcially much lower than the doses used in studies that associate fish oil benefits for heart, brain and joint health. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the results of this study and what the optimal doses of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are.   Reference: Assadourian,...

A new study shows that the majority of dairy farmers in Ireland use a pasture based, grass-fed feeding system that produces milk with significantly higher levels of 4 key nutrients compared to grass-fed dairy cows in the U.S. and other countries.  Listen in this week as Dee discusses the results of this study and why Irish butter really is better. Reference: Timlin, M., Fitzpatrick, E., McCarthy,...

The medical term "fatty liver disease" is getting a new name as terminology adapts to better reflect the symptoms of the disease and becomes more sensitive to patient experiences. The changes were needed because the term could be considered to confer stigma. Listen in this week as Dee reveals the new name for this metabolic condition, and offers some helpful nutrtion advice on how to support heali...

A recent study investigating the effect of three different concentrations of green tea in the diet showed better gut health and more weight loss in the group consuming the highest concentration. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the results of the study and what it means for your overall health. Reference: Mei, H., Li, J., Liu, S., Jeyaraj, A., Zhuang, J., Wang, Y., Chen, X., Yuan, Q., & Li...

Brands of soda like Olipop and Poppi are the latest in a line of food and beverage products called "functional foods" that have added ingredients purported to improve health. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the role of prebiotics in gut health, and whether adding them to sodas provides similar beneft to eating probiotic foods. She also reviews several brands of prebiotics sodas to help you ma...

The MIND Diet was originally developed to help older adults stave off dementia and keep their minds sharp. Now a new study shows that this brain-healtlhy approach to eating can also help school-aged children find their focus. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of this study, and which foods are the most important for brain health. Reference: Ramsey, L. (2023, July 23). MIND diet may...

Omega-3's are well known for reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer, but their role in chronic lung disease has not been well studied until now. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of this study, including which type of omega-3 has the most impact on lung health, and the foods you need to include to make sure you get enough. Reference: Patchen, B. K., Balte, P., Bartz, T...

The American Medical Association has adopted a new policy on the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) alone for assessment of disease risk, noting significant limitations associated with widespread use of BMI in clinical settings. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the reasons for the new policy, and lists some other measurements that are more accurate for determiing disease risk factors. Reference: AMA...

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in many diet sodas, sugar-free products, and sold in blue packets under the name "Equal", has now been classified by the World Health Organization as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings and recommendations from this study, as well as other health concerns linked to aspartame consumption. Link to Dee's book The...

Carotenes are a class of plant-compounds found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Listen in this week as Dee discusses a new study that links high amounts of carotenes in the blood with less artery atherosclerosis, and which foods are the best sources of carotenes. References: Bujosa, F., Herreras, Z., Catalán, M., Pinyol, M., Lamuela-Raventos, R. M., Martínez-Huélamo, M., Gilabert, R., Ji...

Allulose is a relatively "new" sweetener on the market that has been shown in studies to promote weight loss and lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. But what is allulose, exactly? Listen in this week as Dee explains the chemistry of allulose, how it works in the body, and why it is considered the "holy grail" of sweeteners. References: Fukunaga, K., Yoshimura, T., Imachi, H., Kobayas...

New research published in the journal Science has found that a deficiency of taurine, an amino acid involved in immune and neurological funtion, is a driver of aging. Increasing intake of taurine has been shown to slow down the aging process in laboratory animals. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the study's findings, and what it means for human health. Reference: Singh, P., Gollapalli, K., Ma...