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Category: Nutrition

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  • How Healthy Are Baruka Nuts? | NutritionFacts.org

    How do barukas, also known as baru almonds, compare with other nuts?

    There is a new nut on the market called baru almonds, branded as “barukas” or baru nuts. Technically, it isn’t a nut but a seed native to the Brazilian Savannah, known as the Cerrado, which is now among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Over the last 30 years, much of the Cerrado’s ecosystem has been destroyed by extensive cattle ranching and feed crop production to fatten said cattle. If it were profitable not to cut down the native trees and instead sell baru nuts, for example, that could be good for the ecosystem’s health. But what about our health?

    “Although baru nuts are popular and widely consumed, few studies report on their biological properties.” They do have a lot of polyphenol phytonutrients, presumably accounting for their high antioxidant activity. (About 90% of their phytonutrients are present in the peel.) Are they nutritious? Yes, but do they have any special health benefits—beyond treating chubby mice?

    Researchers found that individuals fed baru nuts showed lower cholesterol, supposedly indicating the nuts “have great potential for dietary use” in preventing and controlling cholesterol problems. But the individuals were rats, not humans, and the baru nuts were compared to lard. Pretty much everything lowers cholesterol compared to lard. Nevertheless, there haven’t been any reports about the effect of baru nut consumption on human health, until this: A randomized, controlled study of humans found that eating less than an ounce a day for six weeks led to a 9% drop in LDL cholesterol. Twenty grams would be about 15 nuts or a palmful.

    Like many other nut studies, even though the research subjects were told to add nuts to their regular diets, there was no weight gain, presumably because nuts are so filling that we inadvertently cut down on other foods throughout the day. How good is a 9.4% drop in LDL? It’s the kind of drop we can get from regular almonds, though macadamias and pistachios may work even better, but those were at much higher doses. It appears that 20 grams of baru nuts work as well as 73 grams of almonds. So, on a per-serving basis or a per-calorie basis, baru nuts really did seem to be special.

    There are lower-dose nut studies that show similar or even better results. In this one, for instance, people were given 25 grams of almonds for just four weeks and got about a 6% drop in their LDL cholesterol. In another study, after consuming just 10 grams of almonds a day, or just seven individual almonds a day, study participants got more like a 30% drop in LDL during the same time frame as the baru nuts. Three times better LDL at half the dose with regular almonds, as you can see below and at 2:47 in my video Are Baruka Nuts the Healthiest Nut?.

    The biggest reason we are more confident in regular almonds than baru almonds is that studies have been done over and over in more than a dozen randomized controlled trials, whereas in the only other cholesterol trial of baru nuts, researchers found no significant benefit for LDL cholesterol, even at the same 20-gram dose given for even longer—a period of eight weeks.

    That’s disappointing, but it isn’t the primary reason I would suggest choosing other nuts instead of baru nuts. I would do so because we can’t get raw baru nuts. They contain certain compounds that must be inactivated by heat before we can eat them. The reason raw nuts are preferable is because of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), so-called glycotoxins, which are known to contribute to increased oxidative stress and inflammation.

    Glycotoxins are naturally present in uncooked animal-derived foods, and dry-heat cooking like grilling can make things worse. The three highest recorded levels have been in bacon, broiled hot dogs, and roasted barbecued chicken skin—nothing even comes close to that, not even Chicken McNuggets, as you can see below and at 3:50 in my video.

    However, any foods high in fat and protein can create AGEs at high enough temperatures. So, although plant foods tend to “contain relatively few AGEs, even after cooking,” there are some high-fat, high-protein plant foods. But, again, AGEs aren’t a problem at all with most plant foods. See the AGE content in boiled tofu (in a soup, for instance), broiled tofu, a raw apple, a baked apple, a veggie burger—I was surprised that veggie burgers are so low in AGEs, even when baked or fried—and nuts and seeds, which are up in tofu territory, especially when roasted, which is why I would recommend raw nuts and seeds and nut and seed butters whenever you have a choice. See below and at 4:33 in my video.

    Doctor’s Note

    In my Daily Dozen checklist, I recommend eating a quarter cup of nuts or seeds or two tablespoons of nut or seed butter each day. Why? See related posts below. 

    For those unfamiliar with advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), check out the first two videos I did on them way back when: Glycotoxins and Avoiding Glycotoxins in Food.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

    Source link

  • Top 12 New Year, New You, The Must-Have Wellness Products for 2026 

    Dec 23, 2025

    By Liana Werner-Gray

    The New Year is one of my favorite times to reset  physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. True healing doesn’t always come from extremes; it comes from consistently giving your body what it actually needs to thrive. These are the wellness tools I personally use and return to year after year because they support detoxification, nervous system balance, digestion, clean living, cellular health, healthy cravings and even make the body inhospitable to cancer. 

    Can you believe I’ve been consistently living the Earth Diet lifestyle now for seventeen years? It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done and I love sharing with you along the way what works and doesn’t work. I am so grateful for healthy I feel and how much energy I have, especially compared to when I rock bottom with my health. Each product for this lineup below aligns with the Earth Diet philosophy: real, high quality ingredients and supporting the body’s natural intelligence to heal itself.

    Disclaimer: When you shop using my links or codes, I may receive a commission that supports my work. I’m so grateful for your support.

     

    1. Berberine – Helps with Sugar Cravings + A GLP1 Alternative!  

    Berberine is especially effective for reducing sugar cravings because it targets blood sugar instability, which is often the real driver behind cravings, not lack of willpower! When blood sugar spikes and then crashes, the brain signals for quick energy in the form of sugar. Berberine helps correct this by:

    • Improving insulin sensitivity, allowing glucose to move efficiently into cells

    • Reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes, preventing crashes

    • Activating AMPK, the body’s metabolic “master switch,” which supports better glucose and fat utilization

    When blood sugar is steady, cravings naturally quiet down.

    Berberine is also gaining attention as a powerful natural GLP-1 alternative because it supports many of the same metabolic pathways as GLP-1 medications—without overriding the body’s natural signals. GLP-1 plays a key role in appetite control and blood sugar regulation, and berberine helps by:

    • Increasing the body’s own GLP-1 production in the gut

    • Slowing carbohydrate absorption in the intestines

    • Reducing excess glucose output from the liver

    • Supporting a healthy gut microbiome, which directly influences appetite hormones

    I need to write an an entire article on the dangers and toxicity of GLP1 and would encourage you all to stay far away from it as it has links to thyroid cancer and blindness. Instead of suppressing appetite artificially, berberine helps the body relearn how to regulate hunger and fullness naturally. Many people notice fewer sugar cravings, feeling satisfied sooner, steadier energy between meals, and less desire to snack late at night. When paired with a clean, whole-food Earth Diet, berberine becomes a powerful plant-based tool for metabolic health supporting balance, sustainability, and long-term wellness rather than quick fixes. 

    Global Healing’s berberine is formulated without fillers, using clean sourcing, made with organic ingredients and use glass packaging! Ideally stay away from supplements in plastic.  

    Berberine is typically taken daily, split into 2–3 doses, and works best when taken with meals or 15–30 minutes before eating, especially before higher-carbohydrate meals. Because it has a short half-life, spreading doses throughout the day helps maintain steady blood-sugar support, improve insulin sensitivity, enhance natural GLP-1 signaling, and reduce sugar cravings. Many people take it with breakfast and lunch, adding dinner if evening cravings or blood-sugar issues are present, and some choose to cycle it for long-term use.

    Berberine is a completely natural compound that comes straight from plants found in nature. It is a yellow, bitter-tasting natural chemical compound (an alkaloid) found in plants including barberry, goldenseal, tree turmeric (berberis aristata), Amur cork tree and Oregon grape. 

    Berberine has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments, particularly infections and digestive issues. 

     

    Popular Potential Uses and Benefits: 

    • Diabetes and Blood Sugar Control: Berberine may help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, with some studies showing effects comparable to the prescription drug metformin.
    • Cholesterol Management: It might help lower total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, potentially offering an option for patients who cannot tolerate statin medications.
    • Weight Management: Preliminary research suggests berberine may modestly help with weight loss, BMI reduction, and decreased abdominal fat by activating an enzyme (AMPK) that regulates metabolism. It is sometimes informally referred to as “nature’s Ozempic,” though it works differently and its effects are significantly smaller.
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): It may help improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and hormone levels in women with PCOS.
    • Other Uses: It has also been studied for high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, gut health (by balancing bacteria), and the treatment of canker sores with a topical gel. 

     

    Link: globalhealing.com

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

    2. 6-Day Liver Cleanse Kit – by Global Healing 

    Most people need a liver cleanse! Unless you have done an intentional liver cleanse, your liver would most likely benefit from this incredible and easy cleanse. The liver is the body’s primary detox organ, and when it’s overburdened, it affects digestion, hormones, skin, mood, and energy. This liver cleanse supports bile flow, toxin elimination, and overall liver function using organic herbs and whole-food compounds.

    Global Healing is known for exceptionally clean formulations, no fillers, and glass packaging — a big deal when detoxing. This liver cleanse supplement line includes ingredients like organic milk thistle, turmeric, reishi mushroom, dandelion, aloe, peppermint and magnesium. Truly incredible! 

    You do this liver cleanse for just 6 days only, but you get amazing results that will last a lifetime! 

     

    Link: globalhealing.com

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

    3. Go Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds

    Pumpkin seeds are one of the best go-to snacks known to man! Excellent for on-the-go lifestyle and traveling when you need a quick protein boost. Pumpkin seeds are surprisingly high in protein, especially for a WHOLE, plant food. Just ¼ cup (about 30 g) of pumpkin seeds provides 7–9 grams of protein, which is comparable to:

    • 1 large egg (~6–7 g protein)

    • ½ cup cooked quinoa (~4 g)

    • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (~4 g)

    • ¼ cup almonds (~6 g)

    What makes pumpkin seeds stand out is that their protein comes packaged in a real, whole food, not a processed powder. They also contain all nine essential amino acids, making them one of the best plant-based protein sources available.

    Beyond protein, pumpkin seeds are rich in:

    • Magnesium (great for muscles, sleep, and stress)

    • Zinc (immune and hormone support)

    • Healthy fats for satiety and blood sugar balance

    • Fiber to support digestion

    Look for any organic brand! I love Go Raw mbecause they go above and beyond by using organic, sprouted seeds, which improves digestion and nutrient absorption, making them easier on the gut and more bioavailable.

    Sold online and available at most grocery stores and supermarkets.

     

    4. Aloe Vera Juice — (Raw & Unfiltered)

    Aloe 1 is one of the only companies in the U.S. that offers truly raw, unfiltered aloe juice that is flash-frozen at peak freshness with no preservatives or additives. Most aloe products on store shelves are watered down, processed and contain preservatives that reduce aloe’s healing benefits. 
     

    Aloe is one of the most powerful things you can do to support your digestion, reduce inflammation, and has neuroprotective effects that help support mood, focus, and emotional balance especially for anxiety and depression. It’s great for anyone looking to clean out their gut including parasites and bad bacteria (they hate aloe), heal IBS, bloating, Colitis, Crohn’s disease or any gut issue for that matter. If this is you I recommend you doing the Aloe + Silver cleanse for 4-8 weeks or until your gut is healed or improved. Check it out here 

    Alternatively you can drink 8-12 ounces of aloe her day for healing, maintenance, hydration (ladies it is hands down one of the best things we can drink for glowing skin from the inside out).  

    Link to buy the aloe: aloe1.com

    Use this link to receive a complimentary aloe lotion which is so divine, use it daily after you exfoliate shower. It’s great and nourishing especially for sensitive skin. Tip: When you buy the aloe you get 2 x 58 ounce bottles and they come frozen. Put 1 in the freezer and leave one to defrost in the fridge and drink that throughout the week. The aloe will stay fresh in the fridge for 10 days and you can refreeze it if you need. 

     

    5. Redmond Clay

    Bentonite clay has been one of my core healing tools for over 17 years, dating back to when I was very sick and actively healing. I’ve used it internally, in baths, as a face mask, and as a paste on areas needing extra detox support. Bentonite clay works by binding to toxins and heavy metals and drawing them out of the body in a powerful, natural way.

    If you are dealing with ANY GUT ISSUES AT ALL… you have got to try drinking this. Drink it daily for 30 days, just mix 1 teaspoon in a cup of water, or add it to a jar and shake it up and drink. There may be chunks to clay at the bottom, you don’t need to drink those if the texture isn’t for you.  

    It carries a natural negative charge, which attracts positively charged toxins, making it effective for both internal and external detoxification.

    Important note: Never use metal utensils or bowls with bentonite clay. Always use glass, wood, or plastic, as metal can interfere with its strong magnetic detoxifying properties! 

    I recommend getting the loose powder so you can mix it with water, juices or smoothies. You can also make face masks and first aid clay putty with the loose powder, or get the pre-made clay mask tube. Redmond also have a brand new toothpaste that has bentonite clay which is excellent for the gums, teeth and balancing good bacteria in the mouth! 

    You can purchase Redmond on Amazon of course, but if you are able I would really appreciate if you order directly from Redmond’s website as it helps to support my business immensely, and is better for Redmond’s business also. It’s always better to support the businesses website’s directly, however I know Amazon is convenient and I understand that.  

    Link: redmond.life

    Code: LIANA for 15% off

     

    6. RNC Store – Earth Diet Cancer Bundle

    These are the top 3 things I recommend to everyone that make the body inhospitable to cancer. Anyone with cancer, or anyone serious no about preventing cancer, should look into these seriously. This bundle brings together three foundational nutrients I’ve used for years to support detoxification, immune strength, and cellular health. These compounds work at a deep level to nourish the body and support its natural defenses. 

    • B17 (Apricot Seeds / Amygdalin) supports healthy cellular metabolism and encourages the body’s natural ability to identify abnormal cells.

    • Chlorophyll oxygenates the blood, supports liver detoxification, binds to toxins, and helps calm inflammation.

    • Sulforaphane (Broccoli Sprouts) activates detox enzymes, protects DNA, and supports long-term cellular resilience.

    This bundle reflects the core of the Earth Diet — using nature’s most powerful compounds to create an environment where disease cannot thrive.

    Link: rncstore.com/EarthDiet

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

    7. Anxiety-Free Supplement

    This is my own formula, created with organic herbs and nutrients that support the nervous system, adrenals, and stress response. The ingredients work together to calm the body, support emotional balance, and help bring the nervous system out of fight-or-flight.

    It’s grounding, nourishing, and designed for daily use without dependency.

    Link: lianasorganics.com

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com (listed as Ashwagandha Advantage)

     

    8. My Books & Video Courses

    Education is one of the most powerful healing tools we have. My books and video courses were created to give you clear, empowering guidance on how to heal using real food, detox principles, and simple lifestyle changes.

    My four books — The Earth Diet, Cancer-Free with Food, Anxiety-Free with Food, and 10-Minute Recipes — teach how food can be used as medicine, how to reduce toxic load, and how to support the body naturally.

     

    The Earth Diet (The First Book)

    This foundational book introduces the core principles of returning to nature to heal the body. It teaches how to remove modern toxins, eat real food, and support the body’s natural ability to restore balance. The Earth Diet lays the groundwork for all future healing by reconnecting food, lifestyle, and the environment the way nature intended.

    Get it from Amazon here.

     

    10-Minute Recipes

    Created for people who are busy but still want to eat clean and heal. This book proves that nourishing, whole-food meals do not need to be complicated or time-consuming. With a foreword by Dr. Mark Hyman, it makes real-food eating practical, accessible, and sustainable for modern life.

    Get it from Amazon here.

     

    Cancer-Free with Food

    With a foreword by Dr. Mark Hyman and named one of the Top 100 Cancer Books of All Time, this book is packed with science-backed nutrition guidance and over 100 healing recipes. It explains how food can support the body’s natural defenses and cellular health, empowering readers with evidence-based tools for prevention and recovery. 

    Get it from Amazon here.

     

    Anxiety-Free with Food

    Written for those suffering from anxiety, this book reveals the powerful connection between food, gut health, the nervous system, and the brain. It explains the science behind how what we eat directly affects mood, stress response, and mental clarity—offering a natural, food-first approach to calming the body and mind.

    Get it from Amazon here.

     

    My video courses take this deeper, guiding you step-by-step through gut healing, weight balance, detoxification, and full-body resets so you can confidently apply this knowledge to your daily life. These are a great gift to yourself or to your loved ones. 

     

    Natural Healing Course

    A comprehensive course focused on healing the body through detoxification and anti-inflammatory, whole foods. Designed to support overall health and address a wide range of imbalances naturally.

     

    Cancer Healing Course

    A science-informed, food-first approach to supporting the body during cancer recovery and prevention, with a strong focus on detox, cellular health, and nourishment.

     

    Weight Loss Course

    A natural, sustainable weight-loss program that focuses on real food, hormone balance, and reducing inflammation—without extreme dieting or deprivation.

     

    Gut Healing Course

    A targeted course to restore gut health, reduce inflammation, and rebalance digestion, recognizing the gut as the foundation of overall health.

     

    Books: theearthdiet.com/books

    Courses: theearthdiet.com/courses

    9. Healthy Tech Essentials

    Create a non-toxic home by adding these healthy technologies. Reducing daily toxin exposure is one of the fastest ways to support healing, and there is nothing better than living in an amazing healthy environment with clean air and pure water. I give all my clients this checklist to eventually do to create the most amazing healthy home: 

    ✅ Water filter (for entire home or under sink)

    ✅ Shower filter (unless you get an entire home filtration system) 

    ✅ Air purifier 

    ✅ Non-toxic surgical stainless steel cookware 

    ✅ Knives and kitchen utensils made with American stainless steel 

    ✅ Mattress and pillows 

     

    My friend Anna has vetted the best of the best (I’ve also vetted all of these and have created my own non-toxic home). So you can buy all of these in one place, from Anna’s company “Healthy Tech”. You can either call Anna here 7543363394 she is very enthusiastic about these products and can explain the science of them in detail, or you can check them out on her website below… 

    Code: LIANA for 10% off 

     

    Shower Filter — reduces chlorine and heavy metals 

    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/shower-filter

    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/shower-filter

     

    Cookware — avoids chemical coatings and endocrine disruptors 

    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/cookware
    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/cookware

     

    Water Filter — provides clean, mineral-balanced drinking water

    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/under-sink-water-filter
    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/under-sink-water-filter

     

    Air Purifier — removes indoor pollutants, mold, and allergens

    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/air-surface-pro
    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/air-surface-pro

     

    Cutlery
    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/cutlery
    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/cutlery

     

    Grounding Mattress

    Info: https://www.healthytechs.com/grounding-mattress

    To order: https://www.healthytechs.com/product-page/grounding-mattress

     

    10. Nama Cold-Press Juicer

    One of the most impactful things you can do for your health is drink fresh juice daily — and a quality juicer makes all the difference. Fresh green juice is like a liquid IV for the body, delivering hydration, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in their most absorbable form.

    Nama is the highest cold-pressed juicing technology that currently exists on the market. Everyone I know is so happy with their Nama juicer and the joy it brings to their home, plus clean up is so happy! Cold-pressed juicing also preserves enzymes and nutrients far better than blending, which means your body actually gets the full benefit. My go-to daily juice — celery, cucumber, broccoli sprouts, lemon, and ginger — supports digestion, reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, and keeps skin glowing.

    Link: https://namawell.com

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

    11. Signal Relief Patches

    These natural pain patches help ease muscle tension and discomfort without chemicals or medications. I use them on my neck, shoulders, and lower back after travel or long workdays. Many people also find relief using them for headaches, migraines, and post-surgery recovery.

    The patches work through bioelectric signaling, helping interrupt pain signals and allowing the body to naturally release tension. If you or anyone you love experience any physical pain these are a MUST TRY! 

    Cool to note: If they don’t work for you they have a full money back guarantee within 45 days. These patches don’t work for a small amount of people less than 5% because of their biological makeup. But if you are in pain and you are in the 95% you will be so relieved and overjoyed, I’ve seen people in tears over the relief these patches can bring.

    Link: signalrelief.com

    Code: LIANA for $15 off

     

    12. Organic Mattress and Sofa — The Futon Shop

    Did you know that if your mattress isn’t organic, that you are actually breathing in petrochemicals every single night? If your sofa isn’t organic, the same thing you are breathing in invisible petrochemicals every time you are in the living room. I am not saying this to cause fear, but to empower you. Because many people have health issues like weakened immunity, breathing issues, allergies, skin inflammation and more just because of what they are breathing in their home environment, and when you know this it can be empowering to make some changes in your home. 
     

    A petrochemical is a chemical substance made from petroleum (crude oil) or natural gas. These chemicals are used to create plastics, synthetic fabrics, foams, solvents, pesticides, and many household products— including synthetic mattresses, carpets, and furniture. When these materials break down or off-gas, they can release fumes that affect air quality and health.

    Breathing in petrochemicals nightly can irritate the lungs and airways, disrupt sleep, and contribute to headaches, brain fog, and nervous system stress. Long-term exposure has been linked to hormone disruption, increased inflammation, and a higher toxic load on the liver as the body works to detoxify these compounds. Over time, this chronic exposure may weaken immune function and increase the risk of respiratory issues and chemical sensitivities.

    Sleeping on natural materials helps calm the nervous system and supports deeper, more restorative rest. I have the Royal Mattress with the Royal Topper, and it feels like I am sleeping on a cloud every single night. Sleep is when the body repairs and regenerates. A natural futon mattress supports spinal alignment, grounding, and breathability without synthetic foams, flame retardants, or off-gassing chemicals.

    Core Natural Materials Used in the Futon Shop Mattresses and Sofas 

    The Futon Shop mattresses and sofas are handcrafted from mainly natural and organic materials rather than synthetic foams or chemicals:  

     

    ✔️ Organic cotton

    • Most futon mattresses use USDA-certified organic cotton batting as the main filling. Cotton is breathable and sustainable.  

    ✔️ Organic wool

    • Some models layer GOTS-certified organic wool with cotton, which adds cushioning, natural flame resistance, and temperature regulation.  

    ✔️ Natural latex (Dunlop)

    • Certain futons include natural Dunlop latex layers (not synthetic foam) for added support and durability.  

    ✔️ Coconut coir or micro-coils (optional)

    • In more supportive versions, natural coconut coir fibers or pocketed micro-coils can be added for firmness and structure.  

    ✔️ Potato-based PLA fiber (in some shiki versions)

    • Some lighter futon styles include PLA fiber derived from potato starch for a softer feel without synthetic materials.  

    🛏️ Cover and Certifications

    • Covers are typically made of organic cotton or GOTS-certified textile, keeping chemical exposure low.  

    • Many materials are certified organic or tested to Oeko-Tex standards.  

     

    Non-Toxic Focus

    The Futon Shop’s mission is to avoid fossil-fuel-based, chemical materials and replace them with natural fibers like cotton, wool, latex, and other renewable resources. Each mattress is designed to be chemical-free and low-off-gassing compared with typical synthetic foam mattresses.  
     

    Link: thefutonshop.com (link to mattress page specifically) 

    And link to sofas: 

    Code: LIANA for 5% off

    Source link

  • Can Vegan Fecal Transplants Lower TMAO Levels? | NutritionFacts.org

    If the microbiome of those eating plant-based diets protects against the toxic effects of TMAO, what about swapping gut flora?

    “Almost 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates stated that ‘All disease begins in the gut.’” When we feed our gut bacteria right with whole plant foods, they feed us right back with beneficial compounds like butyrate, which our gut bugs make from fiber. On the other hand, if we feed them wrong, they can produce detrimental compounds like TMAO, which they make from cheese, eggs, seafood, and other meat.

    We used to think that TMAO only contributed to cardiovascular diseases, like heart disease and stroke, but, more recently, it has been linked to psoriatic arthritis, associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, and everything in between. I’m most concerned about our leading killers, though. Of the top ten causes of death in the United States, we’ve known about its association with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, killers number one and five, but recently, an association has also been found between blood levels of TMAO and the risks of various cancers, which are our killer number two. The link between TMAO and cancer could be attributed to the inflammation caused by TMAO, but it could also be oxidative stress (free radicals), DNA damage, or a disruption in protein folding.

    What about our fourth leading killer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like emphysema? TMAO is associated with premature death in patients with exacerbated COPD, though it’s suspected that it’s due to them dying from more cardiovascular disease.

    The link to stroke is a no-brainer—no pun intended. It is due to the higher blood pressure associated with higher TMAO levels, as well as the greater likelihood of clots forming in those with atrial fibrillation. Those with higher TMAO levels also appear to have worse strokes and four times the odds of death.

    Killer number six is Alzheimer’s disease. Can TMAO even get up into our brains? Yes, TMAO is present in human cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the brain, and TMAO levels are higher in those with mild cognitive dysfunction and those with Alzheimer’s disease dementia. “In the brain, TMAO has been shown to induce neuronal senescence [meaning, deterioration with age], increase oxidative stress, impair mitochondrial function, and inhibit mTOR signaling, all of which contribute to brain aging and cognitive impairment.”

    Killer number seven is diabetes, and people with higher TMAO levels are about 50% more likely to have diabetes. Killer number eight is pneumonia, and TMAO predicts fatal outcomes in pneumonia patients even without evident heart disease. Kidney disease is killer number nine, and TMAO is strongly related to kidney function and predicts fatal outcomes there as well. Over a period of five years, more than half of chronic kidney disease patients who started out with average or higher TMAO levels were dead, whereas among those in the lowest third of levels, nearly 90% remained alive.

    How can we lower the TMAO levels in our blood? Because TMAO originates from dietary sources, we could limit our intake of choline- and carnitine-rich foods. They’re so widespread in foods,” though we’re talking about meat, eggs, and dairy. “Therefore, restriction of foods rich in TMA-containing nutrients may not be practical.” Can we just get a vegan fecal transplant? “Vegan donors provided the investigators with a fresh morning fecal sample…”

    If you remember, if you give a vegan a steak, despite all that carnitine, they make almost no TMAO compared to a meat-eater, presumably because the vegan hasn’t been fostering steak-eating bugs in their gut. See below and at 3:40 in my video Can Vegan Fecal Transplants Lower TMAO Levels?.

    Remarkably, even if you give plant-based eaters the equivalent of a 20-ounce steak every day for two months, only about half start ramping up production of TMAO, showing just how far their gut flora has to change. The capacity of veggie feces to churn out TMAO is almost nonexistent. Instead of eating healthier, what about getting some vegan poop?

    In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, research subjects either got vegan poop or their own poop back through a hose snaked down their nose, and it didn’t work.

    First of all, the vegans recruited for the study started out making TMAO themselves, in contrast to the other study, where they didn’t make any at all. This may be because the earlier study required the vegans to have been vegan for at least a year, and this study didn’t. So, there wasn’t much of a change in TMAO running through their bodies two weeks after getting the vegan poop, but the vegan poop they got seemed to start out with some capacity to produce TMAO in the first place.

    So, the failure to improve after the vegan fecal transplant “could be related to limited baseline microbiome differences and continuation of an omnivorous diet” after the vegan-donor transplant. What’s the point of trying to reset your microbiome if you’re just going to eat meat? Well, the researchers didn’t want to switch people to a plant-based diet since they knew that alone can change our microbiome, and they didn’t want to introduce any extra factors. The bottom line is that it seems there may not be any shortcuts. We may just have to eat a healthier diet.

    Doctor’s Note

    Want to become a donor? Find out How to Become a Fecal Transplant Super Donor.

    For more on TMAO, check out related posts below. 

    See the microbiome topic page for even more.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • The Longevity Blueprint: How to Live Younger, Longer

    The Longevity Blueprint: Summary

    In this episode, The Longevity Blueprint, host Evan Transue engages with Dr. Jeffrey Gladden, a renowned interventional cardiologist and founder of Gladden Longevity. They delve into Dr. Gladden’s personal health journey, which began in his fifties when he faced significant health challenges including exhaustion, weight gain, anxiety, and depression. Dissatisfied with traditional allopathic solutions, he transitioned into functional and integrative medicine, finding substantial improvements in his health through genetic insights and personalized treatments. 

    Dr. Gladden discusses the importance of a psychospiritual foundation and introduces his methodology for longevity, emphasizing the need for an exponential approach to counteract the exponential nature of aging. He explains five critical areas: life energy, longevity, health, performance, and environment. They touch on practical measures like heart rate variability for assessing parasympathetic tone and stress resilience. 

    Dr. Gladden advocates identifying with a youthful age rather than chronological age to drive proactive health and fitness behaviors. The podcast highlights the forthcoming Gladden Longevity Wingman app, which aims to democratize access to personalized health coaching. For more information, listeners are directed to Gladden Longevity’s website, podcast, and book.

    The Longevity Blueprint: Topics

    00:00 Welcome to the Health Detective Podcast

    01:14 Introducing Dr. Jeffrey Gladden

    02:30 Dr. Gladden’s Personal Health Journey

    04:54 Discovering Functional Medicine

    08:15 The Shift from Sick Care to Health Optimization

    18:05 The Concept of Longevity

    25:40 Optimizing the Nervous System

    26:12 Understanding Longevity and Aging

    27:05 The Importance of Genetics

    27:27 Performance and Training for Longevity

    28:15 The Impact of Environment on Health

    28:42 The Role of Psychospiritual Health

    34:41 Heart Rate Variability and Stress

    38:49 Meditation and Daily Practice

    43:15 Gladden Longevity Services

    45:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

    Where to Find Jeffrey Gladden, MD

    Go to our Health Detective Podcasts for more informational and functional health-oriented podcasts like this one.

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  • The Science Behind Holiday Feasting—and Why It’s Totally Fine

    Published December 20, 2025 03:00AM

    I didn’t even like the pie. It was too sweet and store-bought. Still, there I was—standing barefoot in the kitchen, fork in hand, jeans already unbuttoned, eating it straight from the plastic container. I wasn’t hungry, but I was still eating.

    The holiday kitchen is its own ecosystem—spices in the air, the familiar clutter of dishes, the hum of a full house. We eat past the point of hunger, not out of need, but out of something else. Memory. Instinct. Permission.

    Every year, by New Year’s Day, the shame spiral kicks in. I’m left googling “sugar detox,” pricing out gym memberships, and trying to erase the previous three weeks like they were a stain on my progress. I’d spent the last year following a strict training plan—running four miles a day, tracking macros, staying committed to keto. I knew how to stay “on track” and override cravings.

    So why, every winter, did my body—and my resolve—seem to abandon the plan?

    Humans’ Biological Wiring Tells Us to Feast During the Holiday Season

    Ancient rituals honoring the winter solstice centered on feasting and togetherness. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, which marked the coming winter months and involved an abundance of food and gifts. In early Germanic societies, Yule was a mid‑winter festival spanning multiple days that honored the solstice and welcomed the inevitable gradual return of light. In my Caribbean-American home, it wasn’t a solstice log or a Roman banquet—it was Trinidadian Parang, a Christmas musical celebration dating back to the eighteenth century. Our feast includes indulging in a traditional lime-infused eggnog called punch de crème and meat-filled cornmeal pies called pastelles.

    For most of human history, winter wasn’t just cold—it was dangerous. Food was hard to come by. Energy needed to be conserved. When food was available, we ate it. Not because we were undisciplined, but because survival required it. We evolved in environments of scarcity and unpredictability—what evolutionary biologists call a “feast-or-famine” model. We feasted when conditions allowed.

    Despite the abundance of modern food, our biochemistry hasn’t kept pace. Less light exposure during the winter months shifts your biological clock, throwing off your hormones, mood, and sleep. One of those hormones, serotonin, also drops. Because serotonin is the neurotransmitter that fuels feelings of happiness, having less of it can contribute to low mood. Fatigue is another symptom. This is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression. SAD may create a stronger draw toward carbohydrate‑rich, comforting foods—and weight gain.

    According to a 2023 study, our food and energy intake increases in spring and winter but decreases in summer. Changes in how much food we eat or desire are due to environmental changes (fewer daylight hours) and social influences—like holidays.

    Ambient temperature also affects how much we eat. Colder temperatures increase ghrelin levels (the hormone that makes us feel hungry) and decrease leptin (the hormone that signals feelings of fullness), making us hungrier in the winter. When it’s hot out, leptin production increases, and we eat less.

    These biological responses may still influence our cravings and energy‑storage instincts: craving warmth, calories, and rest may be as much biology’s winter survival plan as modern psychological comfort‑seeking. So when I grew ravenous in the winter, my body wasn’t betraying me. It was remembering biology.

    Modern Diet Culture versus Ancient Wisdom 

    Modern wellness culture tends to treat indulgence like a crime scene. The most obvious example? The “cheat day.” A concept that promises freedom but is built entirely on the idea that pleasure is dangerous unless tightly scheduled. It’s a momentary lifting of restrictions—then back to penance—as if food needs a hall pass.

    A 2025 review suggests that cheat days can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.

    Christy Harrison, a registered dietitian and author of The Wellness Trap, argues that wellness and diet culture intersect, ultimately robbing people of their well-being. Our dissatisfaction with our bodies, coupled with a toxic relationship with food, is due to a culture that depicts food as something to earn, fear, or justify. What looks like permission is often just control, dressed up as reward.

    During my own health journey, I leaned hard into that logic. A slice of birthday cake meant an extra sprint the next day. Mac and cheese at Friendsgiving? Only if I’d front-loaded with salad the week before. These weren’t decisions based on celebration. They were transactions. Controlled indulgence wrapped in justification. And still, it never really worked the way I wanted it to.

    The problem wasn’t the food. It was the framing.

    The modern “feast” is shame-adjacent and digitally documented. We scroll past plates and captions. We track our intake. We read headlines about guilt-proof recipes and plan our penance before the dessert fork drops. But when you strip away the macros, cheat days and ancient feasts aren’t so different. Both interrupt restriction. Both follow structure. Both mark a deviation from the everyday. The key difference? Ancient feasts were communal. Intentional. Emotional. They weren’t followed by shame—they were followed by storytelling.

    Ancient cultures made room for the feast—and understood its role in resilience. Modern diet culture isolates it, labels it a failure, and markets the fix.

    We don’t need another day of atonement. We need to remember why the feast existed in the first place.

    Not every craving is about calories. Some are about company, or memory, or needing something warm and familiar to take up space in your body when the rest of the world feels cold.

    Research shows that communal eating increases satisfaction and enhances emotional well-being. On the contrary, according to a 2021 study, eating alone, specifically when you don’t actually want to be alone but are forced to do so because you live alone, can fuel depression.

    Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist and author of The Joy of Movement, writes that food is often our most immediate tool for self-soothing. But shame, especially around food, cuts us off from the very things that nourish us emotionally. “Shame isolates us from others and from ourselves,” she writes. “But joy reconnects. Movement, music, shared meals—these are things that bring us back.”

    In community, I forget to be afraid of food. When I’m telling stories over a plate, not tracking every bite, the anxiety lifts. The numbers fall away. The feast becomes what it’s always been: a way back to ourselves.

    It took me years to understand that I wasn’t undoing progress during the holidays. I was participating in a pattern, one my ancestors already knew. These days, I still train. I still run. I still eat with intention. But I no longer treat December as something to survive or erase. I build space around the feast—not as a break from discipline, but as part of it.

    If I know I’m going to a holiday dinner, I don’t starve myself beforehand or punish myself after. I don’t try to “balance the macros” or “earn” the cake. I eat the food because it’s meaningful. I’m not erasing anything. I’m joining something.

    I stack my plate with the things I know will support me—turkey, ham, maybe oxtail if I’m lucky. But now I leave room for the mac and cheese too.

    So no, I’m not detoxing in January. I’m not apologizing for what I ate, or trying to scrub my body clean of memory. I’m not doing penance. I’m practicing recognition.

    And that pie I didn’t like? I wouldn’t eat it again. But I don’t regret it either.

    Want more Outside health stories? Sign up for the Bodywork newsletter. Ready to push yourself? Enter MapMyRun’s You vs. the Year 2025 running challenge.

    aunderwood

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  • Is Aflatoxin a Concern? | NutritionFacts.org

    Is “toxic mold syndrome” a real thing? What do we do about toxic mold contamination of food?

    In recent years, mold has been blamed for all sorts of “vague and subjective” symptoms, but we have little scientific evidence that mold should be implicated. However, this “concept of toxic mold syndrome has permeated the public consciousness,” perpetuated by disreputable predatory practices of those making money testing homes for mold spores or testing people’s urine or blood. But all these tests are said to “further propagate misinformation and inflict unnecessary and often exorbitant costs on patients desperate for a clinical diagnosis, right or wrong, for their constellation of maladies…The continued belief in this myth is perpetuated by those charlatans who believe that measles vaccines cause autism, that homeopathy works, that fluoride in the water should be removed….”

    Mold toxin contamination of food, however, has emerged as a legitimate issue of serious concern, and mycotoxins are perhaps even more important than other contaminants that might make their way into the food supply. Hundreds of different types have been identified, but only one has been classified as a known human carcinogen, and that’s aflatoxin. The ochratoxin I’ve previously discussed is a possible human carcinogen, but we know aflatoxin causes cancer in human beings. In fact, aflatoxins are amongst the most powerful known carcinogens.

    It has been estimated that about a fifth of all liver cancer cases may be attributable to aflatoxins. “Since liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and mortality rapidly follows diagnosis, the contribution of aflatoxins to this deadly cancer is significant.” And once aflatoxin makes it into the food, there is almost nothing we can do to remove it. Cooking, for example, doesn’t help. Indeed, as shown below and at 1:50 in my video Should We Be Concerned About Aflatoxin?, once it makes it into crops or into the meat, dairy, and eggs from animals consuming those crops, it’s too late. So, we have to prevent contamination in the first place, which is what we’ve been doing for decades in the United States. Because of government regulations, “companies in developed countries…are ‘always sampling’ for aflatoxin,” resulting in nearly $1 billion in losses every year. That may get even worse if climate change exacerbates aflatoxin contamination in the Midwest Corn Belt.

    So, on a consumer level, it is more of a public health problem in the less industrialized world, such as in African countries, where conditions are ripe and farmers can’t afford to throw away $1 billion in contaminated crops. Aflatoxin remains a public health threat in Africa, Southeast Asia, and rural China, affecting more than half of humanity. This explains why the prevalence of liver cancer in those areas may be 30 times higher, yet it is not a major problem in the United States or Europe.

    Only about 1% of Americans have detectable levels of aflatoxins in their bloodstream. Why not 0%? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration works to ensure that levels of exposure to these toxins are kept as low as practical, not as low as possible. In California, for instance, there has been an increase in “unacceptable aflatoxin levels” in pistachios, almonds, and figs. Unacceptable in Europe, that is, so it affects our ability to export, but not necessarily unacceptable for U.S. consumers, as we allow twice as much aflatoxin contamination.

    Figs are unique since they’re “allowed to fully ripen and semidry on the tree.” This makes them “particularly susceptible to aflatoxin production.” It would be interesting to know about the fig-consuming habits of the 1% of Americans who were positive for the toxin. If figs were to blame, I’d encourage people to diversify their dried fruit consumption, but nuts are so good for us that we really want to keep them in our diets. The cardiovascular health benefits we get from nuts outweigh their carcinogenic effects; nut consumption prevents thousands of strokes and heart attacks for every one case of liver cancer. “Thus, the population health benefits provided by increased nut consumption clearly outweigh the risks associated with increased aflatoxin B1 exposure.”

    So, we’re left with aflatoxin being mostly a problem in the developing world, and, because of that, it “remains a largely and rather shamefully ignored global health issue….” Where attention has been paid, it has been largely driven by the need to meet stringent import regulations on mycotoxin contamination in the richer nations of the world, rather than to protect the billions of people exposed on a daily basis.

    Doctor’s Note

    This is the last video in a four-part series on mold toxins. If you missed the others, check the related posts below. 

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • Food Lies Exposed

    Food Lies Exposed: Summary

    In Food Lies Exposed, host Evan Transue interviews Brian Sanders, the filmmaker behind the ‘Food Lies’ documentary and host of the ‘Peak Human’ podcast. Brian discusses his transition from a diet with processed foods to one rich in whole foods and animal products, leading to significant improvements in his health. 

    He attributes much of modern health issues to big industry’s push for high-profit, processed foods, which have low nutrient density compared to whole foods. Sanders emphasizes the importance of bioavailable nutrients, especially those found in animal products, for maintaining health. Referencing historical and scientific perspectives, he argues that whole foods, both plant and animal, provide essential nutrients that modern processed diets lack. 

    The conversation touches on the detrimental effects of low-quality diets and the implementation of the ‘Sapien’ framework, which focuses on aligning diet and lifestyle closer to nature. Additionally, Sanders introduces the Sapien Center in Austin, Texas, which promotes community-based health practices, including access to regenerative agriculture, wellness activities, and social gatherings. The podcast concludes with Sanders advising listeners to radically reduce their intake of processed foods for better health outcomes.

    Food Lies Exposed: Topics

    00:00 Introduction to the Health Detective Podcast

    00:33 Meet Today’s Guest: Brian Sanders

    03:01 Brian’s Health Journey Begins

    05:27 Transformative Dietary Changes

    08:46 The Birth of Food Lies

    11:27 Uncovering Industry Corruption

    17:32 The Influence of Fake Studies

    23:55 Avoiding Diet Fads

    24:30 Personal Diet Journey

    24:51 The Flaws of Diet Extremes

    25:50 Commonalities in Successful Diets

    27:25 The Importance of Whole Foods and Animal Nutrition

    28:37 Case Studies and Personal Anecdotes

    31:43 Nutrient Density and Bioavailability

    34:55 The Problem with Processed Foods

    42:38 The Sapien Center and Community Health

    47:23 Final Thoughts and Signature Question

    Where to Find Brian Sanders

    Go to our Health Detective Podcasts for more informational and functional health-oriented podcasts like this one.

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  • Are the Effects of Ochratoxin Concerning? | NutritionFacts.org

    The overall cost-benefit ratio for mycotoxins depends on which food is contaminated.

    Ochratoxin has been described as toxic to the immune system, developing fetus, kidneys, and nervous system, as well as being carcinogenic, but that is in animal studies. Ochratoxin “causes kidney toxicity in certain animal species, but there is little documented evidence of adverse effects in humans.” That’s why it’s only considered a possible human carcinogen.

    Big Ag assures that current ochratoxin levels are safe, even among those who eat a lot of contaminated foods. The worst-case scenario may be young children eating a lot of oat-based cereals, but, even then, “their lifetime cancer risk is negligible.” Individuals arguing against regulatory standards suggest we can eat more than 42 cups of oatmeal a day and not worry about it. Where do they get these kinds of estimates?

    They determine the so-called benchmark dose in animals—the dose of the toxin that gives a 10% increase in pathology—then, because one would want to err on the side of caution, divide that dose by 500 as a kind of safety fudge factor to develop the tolerable daily intake. For cancer risk, you can find the tumor dose—the dose that increases tumor incidence in lab animals by 5%—and extrapolate down to the ”negligible cancer risk intake,” effectively incorporating a 5,000-fold safety factor, as seen below and at 1:28 in my video Should We Be Concerned About the Effects of Ochratoxin?.

    It seems kind of arbitrary, right? But what else are you going to do? You can’t just intentionally feed people the stuff and see what happens—but people eat it regularly. Can we just follow people and their diets over time and see if those who eat more whole grains, like oats, for example, are more likely to have cancer or live shorter lives?

    What is the association between whole grain intake and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality? Every additional ounce of whole grains eaten a day is associated with not only a lower risk for cancer mortality but also a lower risk of dying from all causes put together. Below and at 2:05 in my video are findings from all the big cancer studies. Every single one trended towards lower cancer risk.

    The bottom line is that you don’t find adverse effects confirmed in these population studies. This is not to say ochratoxin is necessarily harmless, but “any such risk does not outweigh the known benefits of wholegrain consumption.” In fact, healthy constituents of the whole grains themselves, like their antioxidants, may directly reduce the impacts of mycotoxins by protecting cells from damage. So, eating lots of fruits and vegetables may also help. Either way, “an overall healthy diet can play a significant role in mitigating the risk of contaminants in grain.”

    In summary, healthy foods like whole grains are good, but just not as good as they could be because of ochratoxin, whereas less healthful foods, like wine and pork, are worse because of the mycotoxin, as shown below and at 2:52 in my video. Ochratoxin was detected, for example, in 44% of tested pork.

    Doctor’s Note

    This is the third video in a four-part series on mold toxins. If you missed the first two, see Ochratoxin in Breakfast Cereals and Friday Favorites: Ochratoxin and Breakfast Cereals, Herbs, Spices, and Wine.

    Should We Be Concerned About Aflatoxin? is coming up next.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • Why Low Energy Is a Red Flag for Deeper Imbalances

    Why Low Energy Is a Red Flag: Summary

    In Why Low Energy Is a Red Flag, host Evan Transue introduces Julie James, a board-certified FDN practitioner and licensed physical therapist. Julie shares her personal health journey, marked by severe childhood asthma, infertility, Hashimoto’s, and chronic fatigue, which conventional medicine couldn’t resolve. Everything changed for Julie when she discovered FDN and ran her first panel of functional lab tests, identifying hidden stressors that were sabotaging her health. This breakthrough restored her health and fueled her mission to help others. 

    Now, as a course mentor at FDN, Julie helps clients uncover root causes of their health issues through targeted functional lab testing and natural health programs. She emphasizes the importance of stress reduction, identifying hidden chronic issues, and providing actionable data from lab results. Julie’s approach empowers her clients to listen to their bodies and make informed decisions for lasting vitality. She highlights the role of FDN’s one-on-one mentorship in ensuring trainees are well-prepared to help their clients effectively. 

    Julie also discusses her focus on busy health-minded women, often dealing with low energy and complex symptoms, and shares a client success story overcoming recurrent SIBO. Her recommended labs for clients include GI MAP, DUTCH test, and Total Tox Burden, which provide actionable insights to optimize health. The episode concludes with Julie’s advice to slow down and listen to one’s body, emphasizing the importance of restful practices in achieving optimal health.

    Why Low Energy Is a Red Flag: Topics

    00:00 Introduction to the Health Detective Podcast

    00:49 Meet Julie James: Overcoming Health Challenges

    02:50 Julie’s Early Health Struggles

    07:04 Connecting the Dots: From Symptoms to Diagnosis

    09:37 Discovering Functional Medicine and FDN

    12:31 The Role of a Course Mentor at FDN

    17:35 Julie’s Health Transformation and Current Status

    21:13 Biggest Findings on Health Labs

    22:47 Personal Health Journey and Lab Results

    26:04 Clientele and Ideal Clients

    28:27 Common Patterns in Lab Results

    38:32 Favorite Client Success Stories

    40:54 Final Thoughts and Advice

    Where to Find Julie James

    Go to our Health Detective Podcasts for more informational and functional health-oriented podcasts like this one.

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  • Real food for pregnancy with Lily Nichols – Diet and Health Today

    In this episode, Zoë chats with Lily Nichols, a registered dietitian and expert in prenatal nutrition. They discuss the importance of nutrition before, during, and after pregnancy, emphasizing the need for evidence-based dietary guidelines. Lily critiques the current official guidelines, particularly regarding macronutrient ratios, and highlights the significance of preconception nutrition for optimal fertility. The conversation also covers gestational diabetes, cravings during pregnancy, weight gain recommendations, and postpartum nutrition, particularly the increased protein needs during the fourth trimester.

    Video

    Zoe

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  • DIY Natural Holiday Gifts You Can Make at Home

    By Liana Werner-Gray

    There’s something so meaningful about giving gifts that feel personal – gifts you can touch, make, and share from the heart. You can’t go wrong with simple, earthy ideas that are fun to put together and genuinely useful. And if you have children, this is such a sweet thing to do together letting them help create these beautiful little gifts for friends, teachers, neighbors, or family. Kids get so excited to add their own little touches.

    Below are three of my favorite clean, Earth Diet friendly DIY holiday gifts using ingredients you probably already have at home — including two of my top clean staples: Redmond Clay and Redmond Real Salt. These are simple, pure, and wholesome ingredients that make the most beautiful spa-like gifts.

     

    1. Mineral Detox Bath Soak Jars

    A calming, cleansing soak that supports the skin and body.


    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup Redmond Real Salt

    • 1 cup Epsom salt

    • ½ cup Redmond Clay

    • 10–15 drops essential oil (lavender, eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint)

    • Optional: dried rose petals or dried lavender


    Actions:

    1. Add Redmond Real Salt, Epsom salt, and Redmond Clay to a mixing bowl.

    2. Break up any clumps so the texture stays smooth.

    3. Add essential oils and stir until fully combined.

    4. Add dried petals if desired.

    5. Transfer into mason jars for gifting. 


    Packaging Idea:

    Cover the lid with a small square of recycled kraft paper, secure the ring, and tie with twine. Add a handwritten tag kids love decorating these.

     

    2. Glow Clay Face Mask Kit

    A mineral-rich, skin-tightening mask that brightens, purifies, and supports a natural glow.


    Ingredients     (to include in the gift):

    • Small jar with Redmond Clay powder

    • Small bottle or vial of rosewater or water

    • Optional: a dropper bottle with tea tree or lavender essential oil

    • Small reusable bowl (bamboo, glass, or ceramic)

    • Wooden spoon or mixing stick

     
    Actions (to print on the included card):

    1. Scoop 1 tablespoon Redmond Clay into the bowl.

    2. Add 1 tablespoon water or rosewater.

    3. Stir with the wooden spoon until it forms a smooth, creamy paste.

    4. Apply to face for 10–15 minutes until it gently firms.

    5. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.


    Packaging Idea:

    Wrap the bowl, spoon, and clay jar in unbleached cotton or a kraft paper bag. Tie with twine and tuck in a sprig of rosemary for a natural scent.

     

     

    3. Hydrating Salt Body Scrub

    A clean, spa-like exfoliant that leaves skin soft and glowing.


    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup Redmond Real Salt

    • ½ cup melted coconut oil

    • 1 tsp vanilla extract or essential oil

    • Optional: lemon zest or grated ginger for a festive aroma


    Actions:

    1. Combine Redmond Real Salt and melted coconut oil in a bowl.

    2. Add vanilla or your favorite essential oil.

    3. Stir until the mixture becomes a thick, grainy paste.

    4. Add zest or ginger if desired.

    5. Spoon into jars and seal.


    Packaging Idea:

    Glass jars look beautiful with simple twine or ribbon. Kids can draw little labels or holiday doodles for the front of the jar.

     

     

    Earth Diet Style Final Touches

    • Keep everything low-waste with recycled or compostable packaging.

    • Mason jars or cleaned jars from past pantry items work perfectly.

    • Add handwritten labels, twine, rosemary, pine, or fresh eucalyptus as décor.

    • Tie a small bundle of eucalyptus to the outside of any gift — it looks beautiful and the recipient can hang it in their shower for a natural spa-steam moment.

    • Simple, clean, earth-sourced ingredients always make the best gifts.

    These DIY gifts are thoughtful, grounding, and meaningful and they bring that clean, natural touch we all love during the holidays. They’re beautiful, affordable, and from the heart… which is always the best kind of gift. 

    The bests gifts are the ones that nourish our bodies as well as don’t cause damage to the environment. 

     

    Use code Liana for 15% off your next Redmond purchase! 

     

    *This is a sponsored blog.

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  • The Hidden Toll of Holiday Stress on Women’s Health

    (Photo: Ayana Underwood/Canva)

    Published December 11, 2025 02:24PM

    As many women can empathize with, the winter season often forces us to do it all. We’re put into the role of head chief, full-time caretaker, and Christmas tree pruner during one of the most chaotic times of the year. And according to a new survey, the holiday stress can take a serious toll on women’s health.

    Oshi Health, a nationwide virtual health clinic specializing in the treatment of digestive issues, found in their survey that women are far more likely than men to suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) distress during the holiday season. The reason? Women are often the ones who curate and shop for everything on the gift lists, plan family travel, handle the logistics of hosting, cook, and—for those who are parents—manage and tend to their kids’ needs. They’re what the survey calls “Holiday CEOs.” Though anyone can be a Holiday CEO, women are more likely to shoulder the season’s tasks.

    Taking on significantly more responsibility than any one person can or should manage causes stress. These external factors “influence our nervous system load, which influences our stress response,” and lead to gut problems, says Meg Bowman, a licensed integrative clinical nutritionist with expertise in mental health. During this time of year, Bowman says, “We see more bloating, more gas, indigestion, and GERD (acid reflux).

    What Triggers GI Distress During the Holidays?

    One thing our bodies love and need to thrive is communication. “We’ve long known that the gut and brain are in constant conversation. When stress rises, the gut feels it,” said Dr. Treta Purohit, a gastroenterologist and the Executive Medical Director at Oshi Health, in the survey’s official report.

    Of the 2,504 adults surveyed, 76 percent reported experiencing gut discomfort during the holidays. The top drivers of gut problems? Fifty-two percent point to schedule disruptions due to travel, and 42 percent blame financial stress.

    According to the survey, other reported culprits of GI distress, in order of most damaging to least, include the dietary shifts that come with, understandably, indulging in all the delicious food and alcohol this season brings (36 percent), navigating strained interpersonal family dynamics (34 percent), and a lack of sleep (32 percent).

    But why does stress cause such gnarly gut problems? When anxiety spikes, the body goes into fight or flight mode. This activates hormones that signal how quickly or slowly food should move through the body. Food moving too fast causes diarrhea; too slow, constipation. There’s a feedback loop at play, though. Because an out-of-whack gut microbiome signals to the brain that there’s a problem, resulting in even more stress.

    While Both Men and Women Deal with Holiday Stress, Women Still Suffer the Most

    One in five women, or 20 percent, identify as Holiday CEOs, compared to just eight percent of men. One-third of all genders in the Holiday CEO role report gut distress. Parenting, however, adds another layer of strain: women who are both Holiday CEOs and mothers with kids under 18 report even poorer gut health than women without kids, dads, and men without kids.

    “The outside stress load for women during this period is much higher,” Bowman says, citing reasons like fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, spikes in cortisol levels, and the angst of navigating tough family dynamics, all of which contribute to GI discomfort. These symptoms peak during the food holidays, she says. “It starts at Halloween and doesn’t go away until after the New Year.”

    Emotional distress stemming from a disordered relationship with food—compared to men, women are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder in their lifetime—also spikes this time of year, says Bowman.

    The survey notes that conversations about women’s health usually surround fertility issues and menopause—gut health gets overlooked, even though common digestive function issues have a direct impact on women’s quality of life and mental health.

    Too much stress can lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that disproportionately affects women when compared to men, according to research. The reasons why women are more prone to IBS are still up for debate, but it likely has to do with hormones and physiological differences between men and women.

    Expert-Approved Tips on How to Manage Gut Health Issues During the Holidays

    Bowman suggests the following tips to alleviate GI symptoms:

    • Don’t starve yourself ahead of the big holiday meals: Many of us like to save our appetites before the family dinner. Bowman advises clients to refrain from doing so, as it interferes with peristalsis, the involuntary muscle movement that propels food through your GI tract. She recommends eating a small meal consisting of protein, carbs, and fiber. “Seed crackers with nut butter or olives and cheese would be great,” she says. A small meal beforehand will help keep your blood sugar in check.
    • Go for a postprandial walk, aka a fart walk, after a large meal: Bowman says that light movement, even just getting up and helping to wash the dishes, can relieve bloating and gas.
    • Hydrate consistently—even when you’re traveling: Bowman says people tend to avoid drinking regularly because they don’t want to have to get up and use the bathroom during a flight. But not getting enough water can lead to constipation, so aim to keep up your usual water intake. Drinking a warm beverage within three hours of waking up can also promote digestive flow, she says.
    • Massage your stomach: Kneading your stomach can help keep things moving, says Bowman. Rub your abdomen from the lower right, up toward your ribcage, then to the left of your stomach, and then down; this movement follows the direction of the large intestine and helps push waste along.
    • Take some magnesium citrate: This medication, which you can get from a drugstore, has a laxative effect. Magnesium also is an anxiolytic, meaning it can help relieve anxiety, too, she says. 

    While it’s totally fine to indulge over the holidays, Bowman suggests noting any unusual symptoms. If you see blood in your stool, experience unexplained weight loss, pain that wakes you out of your sleep, or gas that lasts more than a few days, you’ll want to see a doctor.

    Want more Outside health stories? Sign up for the Bodywork newsletter. Ready to push yourself? Enter MapMyRun’s You vs. the Year 2025 running challenge.

    aunderwood

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  • Mold Toxins in Cereals, Herbs, Spices, and Wine | NutritionFacts.org

    Most crops are contaminated with fungal mycotoxins, but some foods are worse than others.

    Oats can be thought of as “uniquely nutritious.” One route by which they improve human health is by providing prebiotics that “increase the growth of beneficial gut microbiota.” There are all manner of oats, ranging from steel-cut oats to, even better, intact oat groats (their form before being cut), all the way down to highly processed cereals, like Honey Nut Cheerios.

    “Rolling crushes the grain, which may disrupt cell walls and damage starch granules, making them more available for digestion.” This is bad because we want the starch to make it all the way down to our colon to feed our good gut bacteria. Grinding oats into oat flour to make breakfast cereals is even worse. When you compare blood sugar and insulin responses, you can see significantly lower spikes with the more intact steel-cut oats, as shown below and at 0:54 in my video Ochratoxin in Certain Herbs, Spices, and Wine.

    What about ochratoxin? As seen here and at 1:01 in my video, oats are the leading source of dietary exposure to this mold contaminant, but they aren’t the only source.

    There is a global contamination of food crops with mycotoxins, with some experts estimating as much as 25% of the world’s crops being affected. That statistic is attributed to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, but it turns out the stat is bogus. It isn’t 25%. Instead, it may be more like 60% to 80%. “The high occurrence is likely explained by a combination of the improved sensitivity of analytical [testing] methods and the impact of climate change.”

    Spices have been found to have some of the highest concentrations of mycotoxins, but because they are ingested in such small quantities, they aren’t considered to be a significant source. We can certainly do our part to minimize our risk, though. For instance, we should keep spices dry after opening sealed containers or packages.

    What about dried herbs? In “Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Dietary Supplements: Hidden Health Risk for Consumers,” researchers found that milk thistle–based supplements had the highest mycotoxin concentrations. It turns out that humid, wet weather is needed during milk thistle harvest, which is evidently why they get so moldy. “Considering the fact that milk thistle preparations are mainly used by people who suffer from liver disease,” such a high intake of compounds toxic to the liver may present some concern.

    Wine sourced from the United States also appears to have particularly high levels. In fact, the single highest level found to date around the world is in a U.S. wine, but there’s contamination in wine in general. In fact, some suggest that’s why we see such consistent levels in people’s blood—perhaps because a lot of people are regular wine drinkers.

    Ochratoxin is said to be a kidney toxin with immunosuppressive, birth defect–causing, and carcinogenic properties. So, what about ochratoxin decontamination in wine? That is, removing the toxin? Ideally, we’d try to prevent the contamination in the first place, but since this isn’t always practical, there is increased focus on finding effective methods of detoxification of mycotoxins already present in foods. This is where yeast enters as “a promising and friendly solution,” because the mycotoxins bind to the yeast cell wall. The thought is that we could strain out the yeast. Another approach is to eat something like nutritional yeast to prevent the absorption.

    It works in chickens. Give yeast along with aflatoxin (another mycotoxin), and the severity of the resulting disease is diminished. However, using something like nutritional yeast as a binder “depends on stability of the yeast-mycotoxin complex through the passage of the gastrointestinal tract.” We know yeasts can remove ochratoxin in foods, but we didn’t have a clue if it would work in the gut until 2016. Yeast was found to bind up to 44% of the ochratoxin, but, in actuality, it was probably closer to only about a third, since some of the bindings weren’t stable. So, if you’re trying to stay under the maximum daily intake and you drink a single glass of wine, even if your bar snack is popcorn seasoned with nutritional yeast, you’d still probably exceed the tolerable intake. But what does that mean? How bad is this ochratoxin? We’ll find out next.

    Doctor’s Note

    This is the second video in a four-part series on mold toxins. The first one was Ochratoxin in Breakfast Cereals.

    Stay tuned for Should We Be Concerned About the Effects of Ochratoxin? and Should We Be Concerned About Aflatoxin?. You can also check: Friday Favorites: Should We Be Concerned About Ochratoxin and Aflatoxin?.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • The Sympathetic Spiral of Doom

    The Sympathetic Spiral of Doom: Summary

    In The Sympathetic Spiral of Doom, host Evan Transue interviews Dr. Scott Sherr, a board-certified internal medicine physician specializing in health optimization medicine and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Dr. Sherr discusses his unique background growing up with a chiropractor father, which led him to bridge conventional and alternative medicine through health optimization. 

    He emphasizes the importance of foundational health, looking at metabolomic panels, organic acid testing, stool assessments, and food sensitivity tests for comprehensive health insights. A key focus is the concept of the ‘Sympathetic Spiral of Doom,’ where chronic sympathetic overdrive leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that balancing this system is critical for overall health. 

    Dr. Sherr advocates for non-pharmaceutical approaches to support the GABA system, such as kava, CBD, and specific formulations from his company, Troscriptions. He concludes that calming the nervous system is essential for long-term health optimization.

    The Sympathetic Spiral of Doom: Topics

    00:00 Welcome to the Health Detective Podcast

    00:34 Introducing Dr. Scott Sherr

    02:35 Dr. Scott’s Background and Journey

    04:37 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Insights

    15:56 Health Optimization Medicine Explained

    16:05 Metabolomics and Its Importance

    24:08 Integrating Health Optimization and Functional Medicine

    28:43 Lab Testing and Health Span Focus

    30:23 Foundational Health Assessments

    30:47 Hormone Optimization and Health Framework

    31:15 Creating an Optimization Strategy

    31:39 Audience Interaction and Questions

    32:11 Food Sensitivity Testing

    34:01 Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Balance

    35:07 Understanding the Sympathetic Spiral of Doom

    40:06 GABA System and Supplementation

    55:04 Final Thoughts and Signature Question

    Where to Find Dr. Scott Sherr

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  • The Effects of Fasting on Cancer | NutritionFacts.org

    Ever since the days of Hippocrates, 2,400 years ago, fasting has been offered as a treatment for acute and chronic diseases, based on the observation that when people get sick they frequently lose their appetite.

    Along with fever, decreased food consumption is one of the most common signs of infection. Often regarded as an undesirable manifestation of sickness, it’s actually an active, beneficial defense mechanism. As I discuss in my video Fasting for Cancer: What about Cachexia, chronic under-nutrition can impair our defenses, but data suggest that, in the short-term, immune function can be enhanced by lowering food intake.

    Researchers have shown that the blood from starved mice was nearly eight times better at killing off the invading bacteria in a petri dish, dramatically boosting the capacity of their white blood cells to kill off the pathogens. What about people? And what about cancer?

     

    Does Fasting Help Our Natural Killer Cells Fight Cancer Cells?

    When study participants fasted for two weeks on an 80-calorie-a-day diet, not only did their white blood cells show the same kind of boost in bacteria-killing ability and antibody production, but their natural killer cell activity increased by an average of 24%. This is especially interesting because our natural killer cells don’t just help clear infections, but they also kill cancer cells. In fact, that’s how the researchers measured natural killer cell activity; they pitted them against K562 cells, which are human leukemia cells.

    Fasting is said to improve anticancer immunosurveillance, or, more poetically, by “stimulating the appetite of the immune system for cancer.” So, why isn’t fasting used more to treat cancer? Because so much about cancer care revolves around keeping people’s weight up to try to counteract the cancer-wasting syndrome.

     

    What Causes Cancer Cachexia?

    Until recently, fasting therapy was not considered to be a treatment option in cancer, related to the fact that a common therapeutic goal in palliative cancer treatment is to avoid weight loss and counteract the wasting syndrome known as cachexia, which is the ultimate cause of death in many cancer cases.

    Tumors are voracious, rapidly expanding and in need of a lot of energy and protein, so cancer metabolically reprograms the body to start breaking down to feed its tumors. It does this by triggering inflammation throughout the body. It’s not just that people lose their appetite. “The fundamental difference between the weight loss observed in CC [cancer cachexia] and that seen in simple starvation is the lack of reversibility with feeding alone.”

    Therapeutic nutritional interventions to correct or reverse cachexia frequently fail. The best treatment for cancer cachexia, therefore, is to treat the cause and cure the cancer. In fact, maybe forcing extra nutrition on cancer patients could be playing right into the tumor’s hands. Like in pregnancy when the fetus gets first dibs on nutrients even at the mother’s expense, the tumor may be first in the feeding line. Maybe our loss of appetite when we get cancer is even a protective response.

     

    Is Chemotherapy Enough?

    As I discuss in my video Fasting Before and After Chemotherapy and Radiation, for the past 50 years, chemotherapy has been a major medical treatment for a wide range of cancers. Its main strategy has been largely based on targeting cancer cells, by means of DNA damage caused in part by the production of free radicals. Although these drugs were first believed to be very selective for tumor cells, we eventually learned that normal cells also experience severe chemotherapy-dependent damage, which can lead to dose-limiting side effects, including bone marrow and immune system suppression, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, even death.

    If you do survive chemotherapy, the DNA damage to normal cells can even lead to new cancers down the road. There are cell-protecting drugs that have been tried to reduce the side effects so you can pump in higher chemo doses, but these drugs have not been shown to increase survival––in part because they may also be protecting the cancer cells. What about instead fasting for cellular protection during cancer treatment?

     

    Fasting and Chemotherapy

    Many may not recognize the role fasting can play in cancer prevention and treatment. Short-term fasting before and immediately after chemotherapy may minimize side effects, while, at the same time, it may actually make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment. That’s exciting! 

    During deprivation, healthy cells switch from growth to maintenance and repair, but tumor cells are unable to slow down their unbridled growth, due to growth-promoting mutations that led them to become cancer cells in the first place. This inability to adapt to starvation may represent an important Achilles’ heel for many types of cancer cells.

    As a consequence of these differential responses of healthy cells versus cancer cells to short-term fasting, chemotherapy causes more DNA damage and cell suicide in tumor cells, while potentially leaving healthy cells unharmed. Thus, short-term fasting may protect healthy cells against the toxic assault of chemotherapy and cause tumor cells to be more sensitive––or at least that’s the theory.

    Researchers found that, in rodents, fasting alone appears to work as well as chemotherapy. What’s more, unbridled tumor growth was also knocked down by radiation therapy—and even more so after the combination of radiation and alternate-day fasting. However, alternate-day fasting alone seemed to do as well as radiation. These data are exciting, but for mice with breast cancer. What about people?

     

    Fasting Put to the Test Against Cancers

    As I discuss in my video Fasting Before and After Chemotherapy Put to the Test, several patients diagnosed with a wide variety of cancers elected to undertake fasting prior to chemotherapy and share their experiences. They reported a reduction in fatigue, weakness, and gastrointestinal side effects while fasting and felt better across the board, with zero vomiting. The weight lost during the few days of fasting was quickly recovered by most of the patients and did not lead to any discernable harm. So, overall, fasting under care seems safe and potentially able to ameliorate side effects.

    chart showing reduced chemotherapy side effects with fasting

    In a randomized clinical study, breast and ovarian cancer patients fasted from 36 hours before chemotherapy until 24 hours after, and fasting did appear to improve quality of life and fatigue. However, another study found no such beneficial effects. There did appear to perhaps be less bone marrow toxicity, given the higher counts of red blood cells and platelet-making cells. But no benefit when it came to saving white blood cells—the immune system cells—so that was a disappointment. Perhaps they didn’t fast long enough?

    A systematic review of 22 studies found that, overall, fasting may not only reduce chemotherapy side effects (like organ damage, immune suppression, and chemotherapy-induced death), but it may also suppress tumor progression, including tumor growth and metastasis, resulting in improved survival. But, nearly all the studies were on mice and dogs. The studies on humans were limited to evaluating safety and side effects. The tumor-suppression effects of fasting––for example, its influence on tumor growth, metastasis and prognosis––sadly, were not evaluated.

     

    Does Fasting Make Chemo More Effective?

    As I discuss in my video Fasting-Mimicking Diet Before and After Chemotherapy, short-term food withdrawal during chemotherapy may begin to solve the long-standing problem with most cancer treatments: how to kill the tumor without killing the patient. Short-term fasting––for example, for 48 hours before chemo and 24 hours afterwards––may reduce side effects, so-called “chemotherapy-induced toxicity.” However, the potential tumor-suppressing effects of fasting have still not been thoroughly evaluated.

    Some argue that reducing chemo’s side effects alone could improve efficacy, since patients could withstand higher doses. For example, the heart and kidney damage associated with the widely prescribed anti-cancer drugs limit their full therapeutic potential. It’s not clear, though, that maximizing the tolerated chemo dose would achieve longer survival or better quality of life. For now, I think we should just be satisfied with the fewer side effects for fewer side effects’ sake.

     

    How Does Fasting Work?

    Fasting can reduce the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a cancer-promoting growth hormone. The reduced levels of IGF-1 mediate the differential protection of normal cells and cancer cells in response to fasting and improve chemo’s ability to kill cancer but spare normal cells.

    So, reducing IGF-1 signaling may provide dual benefits by protecting normal tissues while reducing tumor progression. It may even help prevent the cancer in the first place. But fasting isn’t the only way to drop IGF-1 levels: A few days of fasting can cut levels in half, but that’s largely because protein intake is being cut. Protein is a key determinant of circulating IGF-1 levels in humans––suggesting that “reduced protein intake may become an important component of anticancer and antiaging dietary interventions,” particularly a reduction in animal protein.

     

    Lowering Protein Intake to Lower IGF-1

    If you compare those who eat strictly plant-based diets and get about the recommended daily intake of protein (0.8 grams per kg of body weight) to individuals who are just as slender but consume the higher amount of protein more typical to Americans, going on a calorie-restricted diet may lower IGF-1 a little, but eating a plant-based diet can lower it even more than going low calorie. 

    Chart showing bigger restriction of IGF-1 concentration compared to a low calorie or western diet

    So, not only may a diet centered around whole plant foods down-regulate IGF-1 activity, potentially slowing the aging process, but it may be a way of turning anti-aging genes against cancer.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • Perimenopause was a Wake-Up Call

    Perimenopause was a Wake-Up Call: Summary

    In Perimenopause was a Wake-Up Call, Detective Ev interviews Jane Velasco, a fitness and health expert with over 23 years of experience. Jane shares her impressive bio, highlighting her journey as a personal trainer and the establishment of her training facility in Los Angeles. Her health began to decline in 2019 with symptoms including joint pain, fatigue, insomnia, and weight gain despite an active lifestyle. Traditional medical consultations yielded no answers, leading her to explore functional health. Encouraged by her business coach and FDN practitioner, she enrolled in the FDN program, discovering various underlying health issues including HPA axis dysfunction and gut dysbiosis. Applying the FDN principles, she successfully healed herself, losing weight and regaining energy.

    In the podcast, Jane discusses her health journey, the importance of breath work, and the value of functional health labs in diagnosing and treating health issues. She highlights her desire to help others through her functional health practice, which integrates bodywork, personal training, and functional health consulting. Jane recounted a success story of helping a client overcome perimenopausal insomnia by addressing hormone imbalances and emphasizing breath work. Jane also expressed a future goal to open a women’s wellness retreat to apply FDN principles in a more immersive way. The episode underscores the importance of listening to one’s intuition and the potential of functional health approaches to provide lasting solutions to chronic health problems.

    Perimenopause was a Wake-Up Call: Topics

    00:00 Introduction to the Health Detective Podcast

    00:50 Meet Jane Velasco: A Journey in Fitness and Health

    01:18 Jane’s Health Decline and Search for Answers

    01:56 Discovering Functional Health and FDN

    02:25 Jane’s Healing Journey and Professional Mission

    03:35 Interview with Jane: Emotional and Mental Struggles

    10:36 Exploring Breath Work and Qigong

    20:27 The Impact of Stress and HPA Axis Dysfunction

    25:09 Understanding Cortisol Levels

    26:32 The Role of FDN Practitioners

    27:45 Intuition and Medical Decisions

    30:56 Challenges with Conventional Medicine

    33:25 Integrative Health Practices

    36:01 Jane’s Functional Health Practice

    40:05 Client Success Stories

    43:06 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

    Where to Find Jane Velasco

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  • Did the CTT statin papers achieve their aims? – Diet and Health Today

    Introduction

    This is the final of three articles looking at the statin trials that have been conducted and the pooling together of those trials with the technique called meta-analysis. The Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU) is an academic research unit within the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford. The Cholesterol Treatment Trialist (CTT) group is a collaboration led by researchers from the CTSU and other institutions. The CTT group produces meta-analyses of data from statin trials to assess the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs on cardiovascular outcomes.

    The CTT collaboration has published six meta-analyses in the Lancet between 2005 and 2019. These 6 papers have included between 14 and 28 trials where either a statin was compared with a placebo or a higher dose statin was compared with a lower dose statin. The first note shared some background on the CTSU – particularly the facts that the unit has received millions from statin manufacturers and the unit treats raw data as commercially sensitive and not for sharing. Those data affect patients and should be shared.

    The second note focused on the 14 trials that are included in all 6 meta-analyses. The first CTT meta-analysis (2005) involved just those 14 trials. The last CTT meta-analysis (2019) involved 28 trials. Provided that trials 15-28 didn’t have striking results against statins, adding more trials would not change and might strengthen the original findings.

    This final note summarises the six CTT papers. How many people were involved? What were the characteristics of those people (women, with/without diabetes, with/without vascular disease)? What time period was reviewed? What mortality benefit was claimed (and was this robust?) What was the relative risk reduction claimed? What was the absolute risk reduction? Ditto for major vascular events? It puts claims in context given what we’re covered about statins to date. That context is where we will start…

    Zoe

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  • The Sleep Tech Trap

    The Sleep Tech Trap: Summary

    In The Sleep Tech Trap, sleep expert Molly Eastman discusses transformational insights into sleep optimization. The episode highlights the importance of good sleep habits, wearable technology, and the impact of substances like THC and alcohol on sleep. Molly shares her journey from struggling with insomnia to becoming a renowned sleep consultant and the founder of ‘Sleep is a Skill.’ 

    The key takeaways include the significance of maintaining consistent wake-up times, the physiological benefits of exposure to natural light, and the detrimental effects substances like THC can have on long-term sleep quality. She also underscores the potential of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) in improving sleep. Molly discusses the usefulness of wearables, particularly the Oura ring, for tracking sleep patterns and identifying issues like sleep apnea. Additionally, she mentions her current focus on writing a book and exploring life without constant sleep tracking. 

    The episode emphasizes the relationship between sleep, mental well-being, and overall health, advocating for a balanced approach that includes social interactions. Listeners are encouraged to follow Molly’s work through her website, ‘Sleep is a Skill,’ where she offers various resources, masterclasses, and one-on-one consultations to help individuals achieve better sleep.

    The Sleep Tech Trap: Topics

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    01:06 Molly Eastman’s Journey to Becoming a Sleep Consultant

    02:00 The Struggles and Breakthroughs with Insomnia

    04:32 The Birth of ‘Sleep is a Skill’

    07:04 The Impact of Medications and the Path to Holistic Solutions

    11:15 The Importance of Social Capital and Overcoming Health Anxiety

    18:40 Embracing Life’s Uncertainties and Letting Go of Control

    35:01 Practical Sleep Tips

    35:23 The Importance of Consistent Sleep Habits

    35:51 Anchor Habits for Better Sleep

    36:49 The Role of Light and Darkness in Sleep

    42:34 The Impact of Wearables on Sleep Tracking

    51:11 The Effects of Substances on Sleep

    51:33 The Role of THC and CBD in Sleep

    53:32 The Importance of Sleep Apnea Testing

    01:06:28 Molly’s Sleep Resources and Offerings

    Where to Find Mollie Eastman

    Go to our Health Detective Podcasts for more informational and functional health-oriented podcasts like this one.

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  • Fungal Toxins for Breakfast? | NutritionFacts.org

    One of the few food contaminants found at higher levels in those eating plant-based diets are mycotoxins, fungal toxins in moldy food ingredients, such as oats.

    In France, exposure to dietary contaminants was compared between vegetarians and meat-eaters, and the results showed that exposures to persistent organic pollutants like PCBs and dioxins were dramatically lower among those eating more plant-based foods. This was due to their avoidance of foods of animal origin, though they did have higher estimated exposure to some mycotoxins, fungal toxins present in moldy food.

    There are many types of mold on the planet, possibly millions, and the vast majority are harmless. However, over the last several years, certain mold toxins, such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin, have been popping up in breakfast cereals. Hundreds of samples were taken off store shelves, and about half were found to be contaminated with ochratoxin, but those store shelves were in Pakistan, which has a sub-tropical climate with monsoons and flash floods, leading to fungal propagation. Similar results have since popped up in Europe, in Serbia, for instance. They’ve also been found in Spain and seen in Portugal. Then, mycotoxins were discovered in breakfast cereals in Canada. What about breakfast cereals sold in the United States?

    Researchers collected 144 samples and, similar to other countries, found that about half contained ochratoxin, but only about 7% exceeded the maximum limit established by the European Commission. What is the significance of finding ochratoxin in U.S. breakfast cereals? In the largest study to date, which included nearly 500 samples of cereal off store shelves across the United States, overall detection rates were about 40%, though only 16 of the samples violated the European standards. All the cereals with ochratoxin were oat-based; however, about 1 in 13 of the oat-based cereal samples tested were contaminated.

    Ochratoxin has become increasingly regulated by many countries to minimize chronic exposure. Shown below and at 2:23 in my video Ochratoxin in Breakfast Cereals are the current regulations for mycotoxins in cereal-based baby foods, for example, worldwide.

    Some countries are very strict, like in the European Union; other countries are less so, and one country in particular has no standards at all. Ochratoxin is not currently regulated at all in the United States.

    What about sticking to organic products? One might expect them to be worse due to the fact that fungicides are not allowed in organic production. However, “mycotoxin concentrations are usually similar or reduced in organic compared with conventional products.” For example, in one of the breakfast cereal studies, researchers found similar contamination, and the same was found for infant foods. It cannot be concluded that organic is better than conventional from a mycotoxin perspective. “Despite no use of fungicides, an organic system appears generally able to maintain mycotoxin contamination at low levels.” But how much is that saying, given how widespread it is? How concerned should we be about the public health effects from “long-term exposure to this potent mycotoxin”?

    If you look at blood samples taken from populations going back decades, sometimes 100% of people turn up positive for ochratoxin circulating in their bloodstream. In some sense, mycotoxins “are unavoidable contaminants of food,” since they are not easy to detect and many of them can remain hidden. And, once foods have become contaminated, mycotoxins aren’t destroyed by cooking. So, are there some foods we should simply try to avoid due to a higher risk of contamination? That’s exactly the question I’m going to address next.

    Doctor’s Note

    This is the first video in a four-part series on mold toxins. Check related posts below for the other three.

    Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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  • The Earth Diet Holiday Gift Guide: My Favorite Stocking Stuffers & Christmas Gifts 2025

    Dec 02, 2025

    By Liana Werner-Gray

    The holidays are such a beautiful opportunity to give gifts that truly nourish — the kind that bring comfort, healing, and a sense of calm into people’s lives. Every year, I gather the products I personally use and love: clean wellness essentials, toxin-free beauty, grounding home items, superfoods, and little joyful treats that make natural living feel easy and exciting.

    These stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts are all “Earth Diet–friendly” in the sense that they support the body with real ingredients, minerals, and nature-based healing. I hope they bring inspiration and wellness into your home this season. 

    So let’s get into it, first I will share my favorite stocking stuffers which are awesome smaller gifts that can literally fit in a stocking, and then to the bigger Christmas gifts. Give the gift of health this season, it is truly the gift that keeps on giving and will live long on in your loved ones life! This selection of goodies helps people to achieve amazing health all year long.

    Disclaimer: When you shop using my links or codes, I may receive a commission that supports my work. I appreciate this so much!

     

    Easy, feel-good stocking stuffers that support the body, uplift the mood, and fit perfectly into a clean lifestyle. 

    1. Redmond Electrolyte Packs

    The must have electrolytes of 2025! Made by the same people who make Redmond Real Salt, they come from an ancient seabed in Utah, so they naturally contain dozens of trace minerals the body needs for energy, hydration, and adrenal support. No sugar, no artificial flavors — just real minerals. I keep these in my purse, gym bag, and suitcase. P.S the kids grape flavor is my favorite!

    Perfect for: Hydration, travel, natural energy

    Link: https://redmond.life/collections/re-lyte

    Code: Liana for 15% off!

     

    2. Global Healing Supplements – Probiotics

    Global Healing makes some of the cleanest supplements on the market — organic, no fillers, and formulated with real detox science behind them and they come in glass bottles, never plastic! Most supplements are in plastic bottles. Their probiotics are gentle, effective, and designed to truly support gut balance, digestion, and overall immune health. A staple for travel, daily wellness, and keeping your gut happy through the holiday season.

    Perfect for: Gut support, daily digestion, immune health, wellness lovers

    Link: https://globalhealing.com

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

     

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    3. Anxiety-Free Supplement

    This is my own formula, made with 10 organic ingredients that support the nervous system and adrenals. It’s very grounding. On Amazon it’s listed as Ashwagandha Advantage because of labeling rules, but it’s the same formula. A thoughtful little stocking stuffer for anyone wanting more calm.

    Perfect for: Stress relief, mood balance, adrenal support

    Link: https://lianasorganics.com/

    Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com

    IMG_3035.jpeg

    4. Rich Nuts Sprouted Nuts

    Sprouted nuts are easier to digest and the nutrients are more bioavailable. These taste incredible and make such a good on-the-go snack. Clean oils, clean seasonings — Earth Diet approved.

    Perfect for: Snack lovers, hikers, real-food people

    Link: https://www.vitacost.com/rich-nuts

    Code: EARTHDIET1225 for 10% off

     Rich Nuts Sweet 3-Pack

    5. Fine & Raw Chocolate

    One of my favorite chocolates. It’s organic, clean, and made in small batches in New York. Sweetened with coconut sugar and dairy free, they are just divine. The mesquite bar is just sweetened with mesquite (a fruit) so if you are looking for almost zero sugar that’s the bar for you. Cacao is rich in magnesium and antioxidants, so this is a treat that actually nourishes. Their truffles are just gorgeous too, I mean who wouldn’t want these in the holding stockings?

    Perfect for: Chocolate lovers

    Link: https://www.fineandraw.com

     

    6. Ancient Nutrition

    Ancient Nutrition makes some of the cleanest, most trustworthy collagen I’ve ever used. Their formulas are made from real, whole-food ingredients, and you can truly feel the difference in how they support the body. I use their collagen daily because it’s amazing for hair, skin, nails, gut lining, and joint health — all the things we want to keep strong and youthful. It mixes beautifully into tea, smoothies, and even baking, making it such an easy wellness upgrade.

    Perfect for: Hair, skin, nails, joints, gut support

    Link: https://ancientnutrition.com

     multi collagen protein pure 60 servings front of bottle

     

    7. Redmond Real Salt

    Who doesn’t need some salt in their life? These make excellent gifts especially the seasonings which are delicious. The mini shakers are great for traveling, I never go anywhere without it, just ask my friends, haha! 

    Perfect for: Foodies, cooks, mineral support

    Link: https://redmond.life/products

    Code: Liana for 15% off!

     Open box displays four RealSalt Ancient Fine Sea Salt shakers against a white background.

    8. Truvani

    Truvani keeps ingredients simple and clean. Their protein powders don’t have any gums or chemical sweeteners — just real food. They are so delicious and so good for smoothies, baking, and daily nourishment. Their only bars are also made with just a handful of whole ingredients, these are must have for kids to take to school or for you to take to work when you need a wholesome snack. Founded by Vani Hari the Food Babe.

    Perfect for: Smoothie lovers, fitness, clean eating

    Link: https://www.truvani.com

     Truvani Organic Vegan Plant Based Vanilla Flavored Protein Powder (20.95 oz) | Delivery Near Me - Doordash

    9. Beekeeper’s Naturals Bee Pollen & Propolis Spray

    Propolis is naturally antiviral and antimicrobial, and it’s amazing for winter immune support. I take bee pollen for energy and B vitamins. Spray the propolis spray 4 times under your tongue everyday to prevent yourself from catching anything this season! Great for travel and everyday wellness.

    Perfect for: Immunity, travel, daily energy

    Link: https://www.beekeepersnaturals.com

     

     Beekeeper's Naturals Propolis Throat Spray for immune support, featuring the bee logo & product name.

    10. Signal Pain Patches

    These natural patches help ease muscle tension and soreness without chemicals. I use them on my neck, shoulders, and lower back when I’ve been traveling or working long hours. People also have great success using them for headaches and migraines, and can help with post surgery recovery too. Their patches are fascinating they draw the pain to the patch and release the pain.

    Perfect for: Athletes, busy people, anyone with muscle tension

    Link: https://signalrelief.com

     

    11. Dirt Don’t Hurt Oils & Skincare

    Dirt Don’t Hurt creates beautiful, detoxifying oral care and body products made with clean, earth- and plant-based ingredients. They use activated charcoal, mineral-rich clays, essential oils, and herbs — and the scents are absolutely divine. Everything feels grounding, nourishing, and truly natural on the skin.

    If you want to gift someone pure, mineral-rich self-care, start with the detoxifying mineral mask and follow with the Nourish & Glow Body Oil. Your skin feels invigorated, soft, and naturally radiant — it’s such a healthy, feel-good upgrade.

    Perfect for: Clean beauty lovers, natural skincare, grounding rituals

    Link: https://dirtdonthurtme.com

     

    12. Araza Beauty Makeup

    Food-based makeup made with superfoods and natural pigments. I love their bronzers and lip glosses — they feel good on the skin and actually nourish while you wear them. Absolutely divine!

    Perfect for: Clean beauty lovers

    Link: https://arazabeauty.com/LIANA

    Code: LIANA for 15% off!

     

    13. Imlakesh Superfoods

    High-quality superfoods like Sacha Inchi, Golden Berrries and Cacao that support brain health and clean energy. A great way to elevate smoothies or snacks. Golden Berries are like nature’s sour patch gummy’s! An epic replacement.

    Perfect for: Superfood lovers

    Link: https://imlakeshorganics.com

     

    14. Sovereign Silver – Mist, Nasal Spray & Healing Gel

    Colloidal silver is one of my absolute travel essentials — I never leave home without it. It’s incredibly soothing for the immune system and so helpful for calming the throat, supporting sinus health, and easing skin irritations.

     • Mist Spray: My daily go-to. I spray it under my tongue for immune support, or use it on the skin for irritation, breakouts, or cuts.

     • Nasal Spray: Amazing for opening the sinuses, clearing congestion, and supporting respiratory health — especially during travel or winter months.

     • Gel: Perfect for bug bites, burns, scrapes, blemishes, and any irritation that needs a little extra healing support.

    Everything is clean, gentle, and easy to use — truly a little healing kit in a bottle.

    Perfect for: Immune support, travel, sinus care, skin healing

    Link: https://sovereignsilver.com/

    Code: EARTHDIET20 for 20% off

     

    15. Redmond Clay

    I’ve used Redmond Clay for over 17 years. It’s naturally charged and draws out toxins from the skin and body. You can use it as a face mask, a paste for bites, or even drink it for gut support. A little jar lasts forever. Their facial mud’s make excellent gifts for all the women in your life who like natural beauty!

    Perfect for: Detox, skin healing, gut health

    Link: https://redmond.life/products/redmond-clay

    Code: LIANA for 15% off

     

    16. Primal Kitchen

    Clean condiments made with avocado oil — no seed oils, no junk. They make healthy eating so much easier and more delicious. Check out their Italian salad dressing and their buffalo sauce!

    Perfect for: Healthy kitchens

    Link: https://www.primalkitchen.com/collections/shop-all

     

    17. RNC Store – Earth Diet Cancer Bundle

    This bundle brings together the three powerhouses I personally use every single day to support detox, strengthen immunity, and keep the body as inhospitable to cancer as possible. These nutrients have been part of my own healing lifestyle for years, and they continue to be foundational for deep, cellular nourishment.

    Here’s what’s inside:

     • B17 (Apricot Seeds / Amygdalin)

    B17 supports healthy cellular function and encourages the body’s natural ability to identify and eliminate abnormal cells. It also boosts detoxification, supports metabolism, and nourishes the gut.

     • Chlorophyll

    I call this nature’s internal cleanser. Chlorophyll helps oxygenate the blood, neutralize toxins, calm inflammation, and support immunity. Its “high-frequency” energy helps the body feel clearer, lighter, and more balanced.

     • Sulforaphane (Broccoli Sprouts)

    A potent detoxifier that activates your body’s natural cleansing pathways. It helps protect DNA, reduces oxidative stress, supports liver function, and strengthens gut health — all essential for long-term healing.

    This trio reflects the heart of The Earth Diet: using powerful nutrients from nature to nourish, detoxify, and support the body in its natural healing wisdom.

    Perfect for: Deep wellness support, prevention, and anyone wanting to strengthen their healing journey

    Link: http://RNCstore.com/EarthDiet

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

     

    18. La Costa Organic Jewelry

    These pieces are truly special. Each one is handcrafted with organic, intentional materials that carry a beautiful, grounding energy. You can feel the care and artistry in every necklace and bracelet — they’re the kind of gifts people hold onto for years. I love giving these because they’re not just jewelry… they feel like little reminders of beauty, healing, and connection.

    Perfect for: Thoughtful, meaningful gifting

    Link: https://www.lacostaorganicjewelry.com

    Code: LIANA for 15% off

     

     19. Nick’s Sticks – Clean Protein Sticks

    These are my go-to for an easy, clean protein boost— each one gives you 10–15g of high-quality protein with no junk ingredients. They’re simply seasoned with Redmond Real Salt and superfoods like oregano and garlic. Two or three sticks keep me full and energized.

    Website: https://nicks-sticks.com | Code: LIANA (15% off)

    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicks-Sticks | Code: EARTHDIET (15% off)

     

     20. Broc Shot

    Broc Shot is one of the easiest ways to get a powerful dose of sulforaphane, the detoxifying compound found in broccoli sprouts. Sulforaphane activates your body’s natural detox pathways, supports the liver, reduces inflammation, protects DNA, and boosts overall cellular health. I’ve used broccoli sprouts for years, and this is such a convenient way to get those benefits daily — no sprouting needed.

    Perfect for: Detox, mood support, inflammation, longevity

    Link: https://brocshot.com/

    Code: LIANAW15 for 15% off

     

    21. Pure Body Extra – Zeolite Detox Spray

    In just 30 seconds a day, you can help your body naturally eliminate toxins and heavy metals and feel a noticeable lift in your energy and overall well-being. Pure Body Extra is a clean, gentle zeolite detox that works at the cellular level — perfect for anyone wanting to support their detox pathways without doing anything extreme. I love it because it’s simple, effective, and fits seamlessly into a busy routine (especially during holiday season!).

    Perfect for: Anyone needing a daily detox boost, wellness lovers, and an easy, meaningful stocking stuffer

    Link: https://liana.thegoodinside.com/pbx-trial-offer-10c2020-lp   ( New customer special try for $13.83) 

     Pure Body Extra is the world’s first hydrated zeolite for fast and effective detox on a cellular level.

    22. Silverite Pillowcase — Silverite Global

    The Silverite pillowcase is such a simple way to upgrade your sleep space. It’s infused with natural silver, which makes it naturally antibacterial and resistant to mold, mildew, and allergens. That means a cleaner, fresher pillowcase that stays odor-free and supports a healthier sleep environment — especially if you’re sensitive to dust or toxins. Made with 100% cotton and a luxurious, breathable fabric, it feels soft, cool, and incredibly comfortable against the skin. And it comes with a travel bag, so you can bring your clean-sleep routine anywhere.

    Perfect for: Clean sleep, antibacterial bedding, sensitive skin, travel

    Link: https://silveriteglobal.com/

    Code: LIANA (20% off)

     

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    These items help transform daily routines — making clean living easier, cozier, and more healing. I use all of these myself, and they make wonderful gifts for anyone wanting a healthier, more grounded home.

     do the same but wrapped gifts around more christmassy

    1. Farm to Home Comforter

    This comforter is one of the coziest and cleanest bedding options I’ve found. It’s made with organic, non-toxic materials and feels light, breathable, and supportive. I love gifting clean bedding because sleep is such a big part of healing, and chemical-free fabrics can make a huge difference for the skin, lungs, and overall rest.

    Perfect for: Clean sleep, cozy nights, creating a toxin-free bedroom

    Link: https://www.amazon.com

     [CLICK TO SEE WHERE TO SHOP] Organic Cotton Down Comforter

    2. Nama Juicer

    One of the biggest healing tools in my own routine is a daily green juice — it’s been part of my lifestyle for years. I love the Nama Juicer because it keeps the nutrients intact and makes green juicing so simple. With the slow, cold-press design, I can make a few juices at once and store them in glass jars, which helps me stay consistent no matter how busy life gets.

    Perfect for: Anyone wanting to build a daily juice habit

    Link: https://namawell.com/holiday

    Code: LIANA for 10% off!

     

    3. Video Courses

    If you’re wanting to go deeper into healing with me, my video courses are such a powerful way to do that. I created each one to walk you through natural healing step-by-step — using real food, grounding practices, and simple lifestyle shifts that truly make a difference. Whether your focus is gut health, weight loss, or a full-body reset, there’s a course that will meet you right where you are.

    Perfect for: Anyone ready for clear guidance and deeper healing support

    Link: https://www.theearthdiet.com/courses

     

    4. LaundryPure

    LaundryPure is a non-toxic laundry system that cleans clothes without detergent — just activated oxygen and cold water. It removes odors, dirt, and bacteria while protecting sensitive skin and eliminating chemicals from your home.

    Perfect for: Anyone wanting non-toxic laundry and cleaner air at home

    Link:https://www.healthytechs.com/laundry-pure

    Code: LIANA 

     laundry.png

    5. Natural Bed Frames — The Futon Shop

    The Futon Shop also carries beautifully crafted natural bed frames made with clean, sustainable materials. Their frames are designed using solid, untreated wood and non-toxic finishes, creating a supportive and chemical-free foundation for your mattress. It’s the perfect way to complete a truly organic sleep setup — sturdy, minimalist, and aligned with a low-tox lifestyle.

    Perfect for: Clean home lovers, non-toxic bedroom upgrades, creating a fully natural sleep sanctuary

    Link: https://www.thefutonshop.com

    Code: LIANA (5% off)

     Japanese Tatami Bed

    6. Shower Filter — Healthy Techs

    A shower filter is one of the easiest clean-living upgrades and makes such a difference for skin and hair. This one helps reduce chlorine and other contaminants so your showers feel gentler and cleaner. It’s something I use daily and always recommend.

    Perfect for: Anyone wanting cleaner, more nourishing water

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/shower-filter

    Code: LIANA

     

    7. Futon Mattress — The Futon Shop

    The Futon Shop offers some of the cleanest, most thoughtfully designed organic bedding options. Their futon mattresses are made with natural materials like organic cotton, wool, and latex — perfect for creating a toxin-free sleep space that’s grounding, breathable, and supportive.

    Perfect for: Restful sleep, clean home lovers, toxin-free living

    Link: https://www.thefutonshop.com

    Code: LIANA (5% off)

     

    8. All-In-One Clean Machine — Healthy Techs

    This tool is one of my favorite ways to keep a home clean without using harsh chemicals. It helps remove dust, debris, and environmental toxins while being incredibly simple to use. If you want your home to feel cleaner, lighter, and lower-toxin, this is such a great upgrade.

    Perfect for: A low-maintenance, low-toxin cleaning routine

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/all-in-one-clean-machine

    Code: LIANA

     

    9. Treeboard — Clean, Sustainable Cutting Boards


    A high-quality cutting board is an essential part of a clean, healthy kitchen — and Treeboard is one of my absolute favorites. Their boards are handcrafted from sustainably sourced wood, toxin-free, and built to last. I love that they’re made with clean materials and finished without harsh chemicals, making them a much safer choice than conventional plastic or composite boards.

    Perfect for: Clean cooking, food prep, gifting, upgrading your kitchen tools

    Link: https://treeboard.com/cutting-boards/

    10. Grounding Pillow — Healthy Techs

    I love this grounding pillow because it helps reconnect your body to the earth’s natural frequencies, which can calm the nervous system and support better sleep. It’s such a beautiful tool for anyone wanting more relaxation and balance.

    Perfect for: Stress relief, calming the body, and supporting sleep

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/pillow

    Code: LIANA

     

    11. Futon Sofa — The Futon Shop

    I’m such a fan of The Futon Shop because they truly prioritize clean, organic materials. Their futon sofas are made with organic cotton, wool, and latex — no chemicals, no flame retardants — just clean comfort. They’re cozy, supportive, and beautiful, and I love how grounding they make a space feel.

    Perfect for: Anyone wanting safe, organic, nontoxic furniture

    Link: https://www.thefutonshop.com

    Code: LIANA (5% off)

     

    12. Air Filter — Healthy Techs

    Clean air is such an important part of a healing home. This air purifier helps pull out mold, dust, chemicals, and environmental toxins, which makes a huge difference for energy, sleep, and overall wellness. I notice such a difference when I use it — especially during winter when the windows stay closed.

    Perfect for: Anyone wanting cleaner, fresher indoor air

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/air-surface-pro

    Code: LIANA

     

    13. Red Light Therapy — Healthy Techs

    Red light has become part of my nightly routine because it supports cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and helps the body recover naturally. It’s soothing, grounding, and amazing for skin, energy, and sleep.

    Perfect for: Skin health, recovery, and deeper relaxation

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/redlight

    Code: LIANA

     

    14. Ozone Filter (Odor & Black Mold) — Healthy Techs 

    If you’re dealing with odors or mold — or just want a deeper level of purification — this ozone filter is amazing. It helps break down airborne toxins and neutralize stubborn smells. It’s a powerful tool for creating a truly clean home environment, especially in older homes or areas with moisture.

    Perfect for: Mold issues, deep purification, refreshing the home

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/air-surface-pro-ozone

    Code: LIANA

     

    15. Cutlery — Healthy Techs

    This non-toxic cutlery is made with high-quality stainless steel that won’t leach metals or chemicals into your food. Durable, beautiful, and designed for daily use.

    Perfect for: Healthy kitchens, new homeowners, clean cooking

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/cutlery

    Code: LIANA

     Screenshot 2024-02-18 at 10.23.00 PM.png

    16. Pots & Pans — Healthy Techs

    These pans are made with surgical stainless steel — no coatings, no Teflon, no toxins. They heat evenly and last for years.

    Perfect for: Anyone cooking daily, detox-friendly kitchens, clean food prep

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/cookware

    Code: LIANA

     

    17. Water Filter — Healthy Techs

    This under-sink system is one of my favorites. It removes contaminants (including PFAS) while keeping beneficial minerals. Clean water is foundational for healing, and this makes the upgrade effortless.

    Perfect for: Hydration, detox, supporting the whole household’s wellness

    Link: https://www.healthytechs.com/under-sink-water-filter

    Code: LIANA

     

    18. Buydeem Kettle

    This kettle is a daily essential in my home. I use it for tea, lemon water, and detox drinks. It heats water gently with precise temperature control.

    Perfect for: Tea lovers, morning rituals, cozy winter routines

    Link: https://us.buydeem.com/products/us-tea-maker

    Code: LIANA20 for 20% off

     

    19. All Four of My Books

    Books make such heartfelt gifts. My four books — The Earth Diet, Cancer-Free with Food, Anxiety-Free with Food, and 10-Minute Recipes — all teach healing through real food and simple daily practices.

    Perfect for: Food-as-medicine lovers, new year resets, education + inspiration

    Link: 10-Minute Recipes, The Earth Diet, Cancer Free With Food, Anxiety Free With Food

     

    20. Elements of Grace Candles

    Clean candles made with natural waxes and essential oils — no synthetic fragrances. They bring such a calming energy to a space.

    Perfect for: Relaxation, cozy evenings

    Link: https://elementsofgrace.co/home?am_id=liana

    Code: LIANA for 10% off

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