Roots to Health with Dr. Craig Keever

Ever feel trapped in the “there’s a pill for that” loop while your labs keep creeping the wrong way? We’ve been there. Today we pull back the curtain on how a symptom-first mindset masked the slow march from high cholesterol to high blood pressure to type 2 diabetes—and how shifting to a whole food plant-based approach finally addressed the root causes. We get practical about the real obstacles. S...

Ever feel like your meals happen to you instead of for you? We dive into mindful eating as a simple, powerful way to slow down, listen to your body, and enjoy food without the stress spiral. Rather than pushing another “plan,” we focus on practical steps you can actually use: short pauses before the first bite, chewing enough to let fullness signals catch up, putting the fork down now and then, an...

Obesity is personal, cultural, and biological—and we open all those doors with clarity and compassion. We dig into what the numbers really mean, why BMI needs a companion like waist-to-height ratio, and how visceral fat drives risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain cancers. Craig shares a candid journey from a BMI of 41 to 27, highlighting what actually moved the needle:...

One in eight women will face breast cancer, but the story doesn’t end with risk—it begins with what we can control. We take you inside a practical, science-forward look at breast health where food, movement, stress, and sleep act as daily levers. With an evidence lens inspired by Dr. Kristi Funk’s work, we separate myth from mechanism and map out simple habits that lower estrogen load, cool inflam...

The staggering truth about the supplement industry will make you think twice before swallowing those pills. With over $30 billion in annual sales and more than 85,000 products flooding the market since deregulation in 1994, what's actually in those bottles might shock you. Dr. Craig Keever and Amy dive deep into the disturbing reality of supplement safety, revealing how up to 90% of herbal su...

Feeling trapped in a cycle of chronic pain and inflammation? You're not alone. Millions struggle with inflammatory conditions that conventional medicine often manages with medications rather than addressing root causes. But what if your kitchen could be your pharmacy? In this revealing episode, Dr. Craig Keever and his wife, Amy Keever, explore the powerful connection between what's on y...

The journey toward optimal health often begins with what's on our plate. Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy reveal how the Food for Life program, developed by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has revolutionized their approach to health and chronic disease management. Their personal testimonials are powerful: Craig reversed his metabolic syndrome, shedding nearly 100 pounds and el...

The destructive cycle of chronic inflammation affects millions, yet conventional medicine often addresses symptoms without resolving root causes. In this candid conversation, Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy reveal the profound connection between diet and auto-inflammatory conditions through both scientific evidence and personal testimony. Amy's journey from debilitating fibromyalgia, endome...

Confused about what "processed foods" really means? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, we unpack the critical distinctions between different levels of food processing and why they matter for your health. Most of us have heard we should avoid processed foods, but the reality is more nuanced. Processing exists on a spectrum – from minimally altered foods like frozen v...

"What's on your child's plate today shapes their health tomorrow." This isn't just a catchy phrase—it's the reality facing parents navigating a food landscape dominated by processed options, clever marketing, and conflicting nutrition advice. In this candid conversation, Dr. Craig and Amy Keever tackle one of the most challenging aspects of plant-based living: getting...

Have you ever questioned whether dairy deserves its health halo? Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy challenge the dairy industry's marketing claims with scientific evidence and personal experience in this compelling episode. The hosts explore how milk is primarily a sugar drink containing lactose that most of our bodies naturally stop digesting properly after infancy. They discuss how dairy co...

Ever found yourself desperately scanning gas station shelves for anything remotely plant-based while traveling? You're not alone. Plant-based eating can feel particularly challenging on the road, but Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy are here to show you that with the right preparation, you can maintain your health-supporting diet anywhere your adventures take you. From their amusing experime...

Take a journey beyond the dinner plate as we explore the comprehensive framework that creates true health and vitality. While nutrition forms the foundation of wellness, it's just one of six essential pillars that work together to create optimal physical and mental wellbeing. Drawing from personal experience and evidence-based research, we dive into the exercise pillar, sharing how starting w...

Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy tackle the questions that keep plant-based parents up at night: "Is my child getting enough protein? What about iron? Is soy safe?" Drawing from his pediatric practice and their personal journey, they provide science-backed answers to the most common nutrition concerns. The protein myth gets thoroughly debunked right out of the gate. While hospital wards...

What drives someone to completely transform their eating habits? For Dr. Craig Keever, it was a health crisis – pushing 300 pounds with five medications for metabolic disorders that weren't improving his condition. His plant-based journey led to remarkable results: nearly 100 pounds lost and freedom from all medications. But health is just one of three powerful motivators explored in this fou...

Fat remains perhaps the most misunderstood macronutrient in nutrition science. While many diets demonize it completely and others elevate it as the ultimate fuel source, the truth lies somewhere in between. This deep dive into the world of dietary fats reveals why our bodies genuinely need fat for essential functions—from brain health and hormone production to cell regeneration and vitamin absorpt...

Carbohydrates have been unfairly demonized in modern diet culture, but this eye-opening exploration of the science behind our body's preferred fuel source challenges everything you thought you knew about nutrition. We dive deep into the macronutrient balance that actually supports optimal health: roughly 15% protein, 30% fat, and 55% carbohydrates for the average healthy person. This isn&apos...

Fueling your body with the right nutrients is crucial for a healthy lifestyle, and the topic of protein often raises questions, especially among those interested in plant-based diets. Join Dr. Craig Keever as he explores the world of plant-powered protein, unraveling the myths and misconceptions that surround this vital macronutrient. In a friendly and engaging manner, he introduces listeners to t...

"What is plant-based nutrition?" seems like a straightforward question, but misconceptions abound. Dr. Keever dismantles the myths that plant-based eating means endless salads and bland food, sharing his transformative health journey that reversed serious conditions through whole food plant-based nutrition. Our bodies are carbohydrate machines, designed to thrive on complex carbs found i...

Dr. Craig Keever’s journey from chronic illness to health empowerment unfolds in a compelling narrative that intertwines personal experience and professional insights. As the founder of Ozark Pediatrics, Dr. Keever shares his life-changing decision to embrace a plant-based diet—a choice inspired by both his personal struggles with health and a pivotal documentary that challenged his understanding...