Unlocking Nutrition: The Nutrivore Approach to a Balanced Diet
Release Date: 11/30/2024
Empowering Natural Healing from IBD
Proven Health Alternatives
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dane Johnson — Founder of Crohn’s Colitis Lifestyle and the visionary behind the S.H.I.E.L.D. program — to unpack the real-life strategies that helped him reclaim his health after a near-death battle with Crohn’s disease. With authenticity and purpose, Dane shares how he turned suffering into strength, leveraging natural medicine, functional nutrition, and integrative therapies to not just survive IBD — but thrive. His S.H.I.E.L.D. framework (Supplements, Herbs, Imagination, Exercise, Lifestyle, Diet) is a testament to...
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Lifestyle and Herbal Medicine to Heal Lyme Disease
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Myriah Hinchey, a functional medicine practitioner specializing in chronic illness and immune dysfunction, to explore the complex world of autoimmunity through the lens of Lyme disease and stealth pathogens. We dive into how these microbes evade the immune system, disrupt the body’s internal balance, and target areas of weakness — from old injuries to inflamed tissues. Dr. Hinchey explains how this leads to persistent inflammation, neurological symptoms, and gut dysfunction, often without obvious signs of infection. You’ll learn why a root-cause...
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You Need An Oil Change
Proven Health Alternatives
Can fish oil really transform your health? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Charles Sefcik, a board-certified chiropractic neurologist and certified clinical nutritionist, to explore one of the most powerful and underrated tools in functional medicine: omega-3s. We break down how EPA and DHA support your brain, hormones, metabolism, and inflammation pathways—and why most people aren’t getting nearly enough from food alone. We also share what to look for in a quality fish oil supplement, how to avoid common pitfalls like oxidation and poor sourcing, and why testing your fatty acid...
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Thyroid Transformation Quick-Start
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Heather Stone, a leading functional medicine practitioner with over 20 years of experience, to unpack why so many thyroid issues go undiagnosed or mismanaged. We go beyond the standard TSH lab test to explore the real drivers of thyroid dysfunction — from gut imbalances and hormone shifts to environmental triggers often overlooked in conventional care. You’ll hear why medication alone rarely resolves symptoms long term, and why a precision-based, root-cause approach is essential for lasting healing. We dive deep into Hashimoto’s, autoimmune...
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Neuroception - Feeling Safe in Order to Heal
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Pedram Shojai to dive into the fascinating connection between your gut and your overall health. We break down neuroception — how your body subconsciously scans for safety — and why it plays such a critical role in healing and performance. We get into the gut’s “second brain,” the enteric nervous system, and how it drives your physical and mental well-being without you even realizing it. Dr. Shojai also shares real-world insights on tackling dysbiosis, understanding gut-immune symbiosis, and how simple lifestyle shifts can radically improve your...
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The Rainbow Diet
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Deanna Minich — a nutrition scientist and author of the Rainbow Diet — to talk about a topic we don’t hear nearly enough about: the power of color in our food. We dive into what food colors actually do in the body, how they impact everything from mood to memory, and why most of us are walking around with a “color deficiency” without even realizing it. Dr. Minich breaks down the functional role of phytonutrients in a way that’s easy to understand, yet incredibly eye-opening. She also challenges conventional diet labels (vegan, carnivore, etc.)...
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How to Sharpen and Protect Your Mind for a Lifetime
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dale Bredesen, a true pioneer in Alzheimer's research and functional medicine. Together, we dive into groundbreaking advancements in the world of neurodegenerative diseases, with a special focus on the exciting breakthroughs in detecting and potentially reversing Alzheimer's and other related conditions. Dr. Bredesen sheds light on the new disease mechanisms and innovative blood tests that are changing the game, showing us that cognitive decline isn’t something we simply have to accept. We also explore his integrative approach to combating Alzheimer's,...
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Pressing RESET and Healing Forward
Proven Health Alternatives
In this exciting episode, I sit down with Tim Anderson, creator of the Original Strength System, to explore how overuse injuries sparked the development of a method that helps people restore their primal movement patterns—essentially pressing their 'reset' button for better mobility and reduced pain. Together, we break down the connection between mobility, stability, and strength, highlighting how they work together to support optimal health. Tim shares how the Original Strength System offers a simple yet powerful approach to reclaiming movement, improving physical function, and...
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Navigating Supplement Quality
Proven Health Alternatives
In this latest episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I sit down with Dr. Eric Viegas, a Medical Product Manager, to break down the booming supplement industry and its crucial role in modern health. We discuss why supplements are essential for many people today—helping to fill critical nutrient gaps in our diets. But with that rise in demand comes a major challenge: quality control. Dr. Viegas sheds light on the risks of low-quality supplements, from inconsistent potency to contamination, and shares key strategies for ensuring product credibility—like looking for third-party testing...
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Unmasking Metabolic Syndrome: Insights and Solutions
Proven Health Alternatives
In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Melody Hartzler to dig deep into the metabolic storm affecting so many today. We’re talking insulin resistance, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies—and how functional medicine can actually turn the tide. Dr. Hartzler brings the data, the real-world insights, and the solutions most aren’t talking about. From the hidden dangers of common meds like statins to the underrated power of zinc, magnesium, and gut health, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can apply right away. If you’re a practitioner, a...
info_outlineWe dive into the importance of meeting your body’s nutritional needs to optimize health and prevent chronic disease, while tackling common nutrient deficiencies and their real-world impacts. Together, we unpack diverse dietary frameworks—from vegan to carnivore—and share practical ways to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your life.
Dr. Ballantyne also gives us an exclusive look at her new book, Nutrivore, which is packed with tools and strategies for personalizing your nutrition, cutting through dieting culture, and focusing on what really matters: nourishment over judgment.
Join me for this insightful conversation and get ready to rethink your relationship with food—and your health
Key Takeaways:
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Nutrivore Philosophy: Emphasizes nutrient density over calorie counting, advocating for a diet rich in diverse, whole foods to meet essential nutritional needs.
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Diet Flexibility: The Nutrivore approach can integrate with various dietary preferences, whether carnivore or vegan, ensuring nutritional adequacy.
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Health Impact of Nutrients: Key nutrients are crucial for both immediate health benefits and long-term chronic disease prevention.
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Psychology of Dieting: The risks associated with restrictive diets highlight the importance of a balanced approach focusing on inclusion rather than exclusion of certain foods.
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Practical Tools for Diet Improvement: Dr. Ballantyne provides strategies and resources, including the Nutrivore score, to help people make informed dietary choices.
Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD, is the founder of Nutrivore.com and the New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. A leading science communicator and health educator, Dr. Sarah empowers individuals to make informed diet and lifestyle choices through evidence-based resources rooted in the latest research.
Since launching her first website in 2011, Dr. Sarah has delved deeply into topics like immune health, metabolic health, gut microbiome health, nutritional sciences, and the science-backed principles of health at any size. She is also a vocal advocate against the harm caused by healthism, diet culture, and predatory marketing.
Through Nutrivore, Dr. Sarah offers a fresh, inclusive approach to dietary guidance—centered on nutrient density and sufficiency, with a focus on nourishment, not judgment. Her work inspires a balanced perspective on health, free from dogma and misinformation.