The best of the Fundamental Health podcast, 2022 year in review

PS

Paul Saladino55m · 2022-12-27

Claims Made

120

Claims Supported

85

Support Rate

71%

Support rate

85 of 120 claims supported

85 supported35 partial / not

Claims from this content

102

Well SupportedRaw milk consumption is associated with lower rates of asthma, eczema, and allergies in children.Well SupportedDiabetic patients consuming high amounts of honey (up to 180+ grams/day) in a study lost weight and became more insulin sensitive, despite an increase in hemoglobin A1c.Well SupportedMetabolic dysfunction, specifically insulin resistance, is the primary event leading to atherosclerosis, not LDL directly injuring the endothelium.Well SupportedAn animal-based diet consisting of meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy may help with gut issues or autoimmune conditions.Well Supported

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A. Volkovreader

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Eliminating vegetables from the diet may improve overall health and longevity for individuals with autoimmune or unresolved health issues.

Well SupportedMany individuals with lactose intolerance can digest lactose after consuming raw milk over time.

Well SupportedChildren who drink raw milk have lower rates of asthma, allergies, and eczema in adulthood.

Well SupportedThe longevity observed in Loma Linda, California, is likely due to the avoidance of tobacco and alcohol by Seventh-day Adventists, not the avoidance of meat.

Well SupportedIndividuals who cannot tolerate lactose from raw dairy can consume fermented dairy products like yogurt, cheese, or kefir, where lactose is largely broken down.

Well SupportedAnimal foods rich in saturated fats offer benefits including increasing HDL, hormones, and testosterone, and serving as precursors for hormones.

Well SupportedFour out of five Blue Zones consume significant amounts of meat central to their culture and traditional dishes.

Well SupportedHistorical Okinawan centenarians were not vegans or vegetarians, and pork was a significant dietary component.

Not SupportedArtificial sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, and aspartame harm the gut microbiome by interrupting bacterial communication.

Well SupportedIncreased linoleic acid consumption leads to accumulation in adipose tissue and LDL particles, making LDL more susceptible to oxidation.

Well SupportedMeat, especially red meat, is a longevity food containing unique nutrients associated with longevity and decreased disease states.

Well SupportedHeart & Soil's 'Mood Memory and Brain' supplement contains desiccated brain, which includes nutrients like phosphatidylserine and BDNF, supported by clinical data.

Well SupportedBreakdown products of linoleic acid may affect satiety in the brain through cannabinoid receptors, potentially contributing to increased hunger and obesity.

Well SupportedHeart and Soil's 'Memory and Brain', 'Beef Organs', and 'Bone Matrix' supplements have passed third-party testing for purity and are Informed Sports certified.

Well SupportedFruit and honey are considered the least toxic sources of carbohydrates due to lower levels of plant defense chemicals.

Well SupportedManaging iron levels through phlebotomy can decrease sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.

Partially SupportedThe Hard Soil 'Whole Package' supplement is not Informed Sports certified because it contains naturally occurring testosterone and other androgens.

Well SupportedFreshly squeezed red orange juice can be beneficial for the endothelium when consumed in moderation.

Well SupportedRed meat from ruminant animals and organ meats are the best sources of nutrients for humans.

Not SupportedDrinking a diet beverage containing sucralose with carbohydrates or other foods is more metabolically harmful than drinking a diet beverage with sucralose alone.

Well SupportedRaw dairy is preferred over pasteurized dairy due to beneficial qualities that are denatured by heating milk.

Not SupportedPaul Saladino finds it difficult to source eggs from chickens not fed corn, soy, or vegetable oils.

Well SupportedThe Nicoya region of Costa Rica is a longevity region where men consume more meat and animal fat than the general Costa Rican population.

Well SupportedRemoving seed oils and high-fructose processed sugars from the diet are key strategies for improving metabolic health.

Not SupportedThe Blue Zones construct is flawed because it cherry-picks regions and ignores populations with higher longevity on dissimilar diets.

Well SupportedCarbohydrates can lead to lower levels of advanced glycation end products like methylglyoxal, which are increased in individuals on ketogenic diets.

Well SupportedLow-fat vegetarian diets are associated with a 26% decrease in testosterone.

Well SupportedIndividuals with diabetes or insulin resistance should reduce carbohydrate intake and gradually increase it as metabolic health improves.

Well SupportedPoor sleep quality can lead to reduced testosterone production.

Well SupportedCalorie counting is generally ineffective for weight loss, whereas improving food quality enhances satiety.

Well SupportedA diet rich in meat, organs, and animal fats supports optimal hormone levels and higher testosterone.

Well SupportedExcess fructose consumption in mammals leads to a rise in hemoglobin A1c and fructosamine, indicating glycation.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's LDL cholesterol was 130 and ApoB under 100 in December.

Not SupportedThe Whole Foods salad and hot bar contains canola oil, carrageenan, and sunflower seed oil, which are unhealthy and can damage the gut.

Well SupportedFructose found in fruit and honey is not inherently bad for humans, especially when consumed seasonally and locally.

Partially SupportedThe supplement 'Whole Package' reportedly improved sexual performance and increased fear of pregnancy in an ex-steroid user.

Partially SupportedOrgan meats are uniquely nutritious and should be included in the diet.

Partially SupportedHoney consumption is associated with improved cardiovascular disease outcomes and has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose.

Partially SupportedExcessive linoleic acid intake is harmful because it can overwhelm mitochondrial signaling and lead to oxidation.

Partially SupportedHoney and fruit, when consumed in moderation, are acceptable in the diet.

Not SupportedThe absence of vegetarian centenarians in Okinawa contradicts the claim that limited meat consumption is key to Blue Zone longevity.

Not SupportedStatins should generally not be considered for individuals without a history of heart attack, unless they experience no adverse effects.

Not SupportedThe idea that abundant plant fiber is needed for high gut microbial diversity is unsupported by research.

Not SupportedHigh fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is significantly worse for health than sucrose (table sugar), and should not be given to children.

Partially SupportedUV light and fermented foods increase gut microbial diversity.

Partially SupportedIncluding 400-500 calories of carbohydrates from fruit in a weight loss intervention does not lead to a loss of metabolic gains when processed fructose is removed.

Not SupportedLimiting carbohydrates for extended periods beyond a few weeks is likely more negative than positive for most humans.

Partially SupportedHoney, maple syrup, or fruit are better alternatives to lollipops or pancake syrup containing high fructose corn syrup for children.

Partially SupportedFructose, whether consumed alone or as part of sucrose in fruit, may aid weight loss and metabolic benefits.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino's ferritin levels are above 300 with iron saturations in the 40s to almost 50, suggesting a need to lower iron levels.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet including meat, organs, supplements, hamburger, and fruit is a preferred dietary pattern.

Partially SupportedPoor sleep negatively impacts hormonal health, including cortisol, growth hormone, and testosterone levels.

Partially SupportedNutrients critical for health, such as zinc and copper, are predominantly found in meat and organs.

Not SupportedApolipoprotein B (apoB) is not directly harmful to the endothelium.

Partially SupportedReplacing other foods with fructose can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin A1c.

Not SupportedRemoving high fructose corn syrup from the diet is recommended due to its potential to be more fattening and weight-gain inducing than sucrose.

Partially SupportedAnimal fat is a superior source of bioavailable vitamin E compared to nut oils or seed oils.

Not SupportedEmulsifiers and gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, and carrageenan can be harmful to the gut and should be avoided.

Partially SupportedAvoiding seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup can lead to weight loss and improved well-being.

Partially SupportedThe colon's enterocytes can be fueled by short-chain fatty acids other than butyrate, such as isobutyrate, acetate, and propionate.

Partially SupportedHumans should be fueled by protein, carbohydrates from sources like fruit, honey, or milk, and nutrients from organs, rather than primarily by fiber.

Partially SupportedFactors such as community, meaning in life, happiness, stress avoidance, simple living, and aligning sleep with natural light cycles can improve longevity.

Well SupportedSpecific diets, including ketogenic and modified ketogenic diets, can alter mitochondrial function to alleviate psychiatric illnesses.

Partially SupportedThere is no strong evidence that whole food forms of sugar, such as fruit or honey, are harmful to humans.

Partially SupportedPrioritize eating high-quality food over counting calories for weight loss.

Partially SupportedMinimizing stress from food inputs, such as avoiding caloric restriction and eating within a sufficiently large window, is important for thriving and vitality.

Not SupportedExcessive limitation of calories, protein, or other essential nutrients can negatively impact bone strength, brain function, muscle mass, resilience, strength, and recovery.

Not SupportedCalorie restriction or carbohydrate restriction can impair metabolism and negatively affect thyroid function.

Not SupportedProlonged adherence to a ketogenic or zero-carb diet may lead to metabolic issues such as persistent insulin resistance, hormonal decline, and electrolyte imbalances.

Not SupportedHemoglobin A1c is not a measure that shows fructose glycation.

Partially SupportedDiet and lifestyle changes can significantly improve or resolve mental health disorders like depression and anxiety for most individuals.

Partially SupportedOkinawans eat a lot of pork and likely more meat than the general Japanese population.

Partially SupportedEating whole, unprocessed foods is a strategy for improving health.

Partially SupportedChecking ferritin levels and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in conjunction is recommended.

Partially SupportedIncluding carbohydrates in the diet can lead to better long-term outcomes for hormones, electrolytes, and sleep, particularly for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.

Partially SupportedExcessive fiber intake may not always be beneficial for gut health and short-chain fatty acid production.

Partially SupportedAdding some carbohydrates to the diet may not be harmful for individuals with mitochondrial issues.

Not SupportedCaloric restriction provides no benefit for humans unless the restricted diet consists of poor-quality food.

Partially SupportedIndividuals with diabetes or obesity may benefit from slightly decreasing carbohydrates, considering activity level in macro planning.

Partially SupportedDietary changes can reduce cardiovascular risk more effectively than statins for individuals who have not had a heart attack.

Not SupportedStatins are not necessarily required for everyone experiencing endothelial damage or fatty streaks.

Not SupportedSeed oils (corn, canola, sunflower, safflower, peanut, soybean), high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners are problematic food components to avoid.

Not SupportedEating chicken and pork in 2022 is not recommended due to high linoleic acid content, and fish is avoided due to heavy metals.

Not SupportedStrict carnivore diets can lead to hormone deficits, sleep problems, mood problems, and insulin resistance long-term.

Not SupportedHigh fructose corn syrup is problematic for humans on a calorie-per-calorie basis.

Not SupportedMost people are not deficient in fiber to the extent that they need more to produce short-chain fatty acids.

Partially SupportedTesticles contain bioactive forms of testosterone with oral bioavailability that could be detected in drug tests.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet calculator is available at carnivoremd.com to help determine macronutrient needs, with adjustments for activity level.

Partially SupportedDecreasing linoleic acid intake may lead to significant improvements in mental health and other chronic illnesses.

Partially SupportedThe root causes of most mental health disorders are similar to autoimmune and chronic diseases, with genetic predisposition being a rare exception (<1% of cases).

Limited ResearchIntermittent fasting may not be beneficial for humans, especially if it leads to increased glucose or stress hormones, or decreased testosterone and increased cortisol.

Not SupportedThe belief that polyunsaturated fatty acids rich in linoleic acid are healthy for humans is flawed.

Partially SupportedThe Hadza diet, primarily consisting of meat, organs, honey, and berries, supports metabolic health.

Partially SupportedHigher levels of linoleic acid in adipose tissue are associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular disease.

Partially SupportedA nighttime routine including eating dinner early, using low blue light, engaging in non-electronic activities, and sleeping early supports circadian rhythm and testosterone.

Not SupportedCornstarch in processed foods can be harmful to the gut.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet can be constructed to be adequate in magnesium, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin E.

Partially SupportedA ketogenic diet may be helpful for individuals with mitochondrial dysfunction.