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8. The Best Fats for the Best Health: Part 1

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

Release Date: 07/19/2024

50. 8 Longevity Secrets (That Won't Cost a Dime)

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode, Miles Hassell MD breaks down the no-gimmick fundamentals of living free of preventable disease and feeling better. No expensive tests. No complicated biohacking. Just simple habits that actually work. You’ll learn why home-cooked whole foods beat anything factory-made, why getting short of breath during exercise daily is essential, how waistline control reverses chronic disease, and why purpose, generosity, and play keep your brain young. Key Takeaways: Eat real whole foods cooked at home; avoid ultra-processed foods. Follow a simple Mediterranean-style diet with fruits,...

49. Holiday Eating Without Sabotaging Your Health

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

The holidays don’t have to mean weight gain, regret, or a health reset in January. In this Christmas special, Miles Hassell MD breaks down how to fully enjoy the season while protecting your long-term health. Learn why ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol hit harder than you think—and how simple planning can help you celebrate without self-sabotage. You can enjoy treats, stay active, and feel great heading into the new year. Key Takeaways: You can enjoy the holidays without gaining weight or wrecking your health Ultra-processed foods, sugar, and excess alcohol have real...

48. Vitamin D Supplements: Do They Work?

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

Most people take vitamin D pills because their doctor, a commercial, or a supplement aisle told them to. But do vitamin D supplements actually improve your health? In this episode, Miles Hassell MD breaks down what the evidence really shows — and why vitamin D sources found in nature may be far more powerful. We dive into the massive gap between blood levels of vitamin D and whether supplements actually work, the risks of “false confidence” in pills, and the often-overlooked benefits of sunlight, food, weight management, and real lifestyle habits. Key Takeaways Supplements rarely...

47. Do You Need A Statin?

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, we take a deep dive into statins, their true benefits, their real risks, and the massive role lifestyle plays in shaping heart disease outcomes. Rather than accepting oversimplified medical advice, this episode empowers you to think critically, understand uncertainty in medicine, and make fully informed decisions about your own health. You’ll learn how to interpret risk statistics (like relative vs absolute risk), why lifestyle may outperform medication for many people, and why statins are helpful for some—yet potentially unnecessary or...

46. Preventing Fractures & Building Stronger Bones

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this special Walk Don’t Run to the Doctor episode, Miles Hassell MD tackles one of the most important, yet misunderstood health topics: osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Rather than focusing on numbers from a Dexa scan or quick prescriptions, this episode empowers you with real, actionable steps to build stronger bones and improve your long-term health with evidence-based lifestyle tools. You’ll learn why lifestyle choices—good food you make at home, sunlight, and movement—often outperform medications in maintaining bone health. The discussion blends current research, humor, and...

45. Why Pills Aren't Saving You (But This Might): Link in Description

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

This week we are featuring a recent podcast recorded at George Fox University, called George Fox Talks. Erika Barber, MD talks with Miles Hassell MD about taking ownership of your own health. Through thoughtful eating and by giving your palate a chance to develop an appreciation for the richness of available food, you can have a transformative impact on the quality of your life and your body’s ability to resist disease. Watch the full episode through the links provided. YouTube: Apple Pocasts: Spotify: Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine,...

44. Is Your Blood Pressure Medicine Making You Sicker?

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

Are blood pressure medications saving lives—or quietly making things worse? In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD takes a hard look at the role of blood pressure drugs. While medications can protect against stroke and heart damage, they also carry serious side effects—from fatigue and dizziness to diabetes and falls in older adults. The bigger issue? Medications can distract from the most powerful treatment of all: lifestyle change. Eating better, moving more, trimming excess weight, and cutting harmful habits often work better than pills—and without the...

43. How to Be Young at an Old Age with Mac Lake

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD sits down with author Mac Lake to explore the connection between faith, health, and personal responsibility. Mac Lake is a highly respected leader, author, and founder of Multiply Group, where he helps leaders and organizations develop strategies to multiply their leadership impact. An inspirational trainer and leadership coach, Mac is gifted at simplifying complex ideas into actionable strategies that anyone can implement to achieve transformative results in their personal life, team, and organization. He has written seven...

42. Are Red Dye, High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Fancy Tests Health Distractions?

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode of Walk Don’t Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD unpacks the common health “distractions” that steal attention, money, and energy from what really matters for your well-being. From the sugar wars (high fructose corn syrup vs. cane sugar), to food dyes, celebrity health fads, and fancy but questionable medical tests, we explore how to separate hype from evidence. Key Takeaways: High fructose corn syrup and cane sugar are equally harmful—what matters is cutting refined sugars overall. Food dyes aren’t the main problem—we shouldn't be eating the ultra-processed...

41. Your letters: Listeners Avoiding Surgery

Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD

In this episode, Miles Hassell, MD answers heartfelt listener letters about gallbladder disease and knee pain—sharing real-life stories of patients who successfully avoided major surgeries through lifestyle medicine. From tackling gallstones with diet and exercise to managing osteoarthritis without knee replacement, Dr. Hassell highlights how small, consistent changes—like removing sugar, eating a Mediterranean-style diet, incorporating probiotic foods, and staying active—can dramatically improve health outcomes. Key Takeaways: Gallbladder health: Slow weight loss, high-fiber foods...

More Episodes

Did you know that one simple change in your kitchen could transform your health? In today’s episode, Miles Hassell, MD, explores the extensive health benefits of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Drawing on three lines of evidence, he makes a compelling case for making EVOO your primary kitchen fat.

A few takeaways from Miles Hassell, MD:

Studies have shown that EVOO supports gut health. A healthy gut can contribute to improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and even better mental health.
Regular consumption of EVOO has been associated with a lower incidence of dementia. This connection underscores the importance of incorporating EVOO into your diet as part of a proactive approach to brain health.
Research indicates that higher consumption of olive oil is linked to a lower incidence of certain cancers. The powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of EVOO play a significant role in reducing cancer risk.
One of the most well-documented benefits of EVOO is its ability to lower the risk of heart disease. Unlike other vegetable oils, EVOO has been consistently shown to promote cardiovascular health.

Miles Hassell, MD emphasizes that EVOO is not just a cooking ingredient but a therapeutic tool. Its unique composition of monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds makes it a powerhouse for health promotion.

While other vegetable oils lack the same level of evidence for health benefits, EVOO stands out for its protective effects. When compared to other oils, EVOO consistently comes out on top.

Making the switch to EVOO can be a simple yet powerful change to improve your overall health. So next time you're cooking, reach for the EVOO and enjoy both its flavor and its multitude of health benefits.

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References for Today’s Episode:

Markellos C, Ourailidou ME, Gavriatopoulou M, Halvatsiotis P, Sergentanis TN, Psaltopoulou T. Olive oil intake and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2022 Jan 11;17(1):e0261649. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261649. PMID: 35015763; PMCID: PMC8751986.

Millman JF, Okamoto S, Teruya T, Uema T, Ikematsu S, Shimabukuro M, Masuzaki H. Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health. Nutr Rev. 2021 Nov 10;79(12):1362-1374. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa148. PMID: 33576418; PMCID: PMC8581649.

Guasch-Ferré M, Hruby A, Salas-Salvadó J, Martínez-González MA, Sun Q, Willett WC, Hu FB. Olive oil consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;102(2):479-86. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.112029. Epub 2015 Jul 8. PMID: 26156740; PMCID: PMC4515873