Rethinking Oils: Navigating the Minefield of Modern Nutrition
Release Date: 01/21/2025
Decoding Your Metabolic Health: A Deep Dive into MVX Testing
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I sit down with Dr. Darren Schmidt to explore one of the most promising tools in functional medicine today: the MVX Plus test. Launched in 2025, this next-gen blood panel goes far beyond standard labs—offering a deeper lens into chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and more. Dr. Schmidt breaks down the six core markers—from GlycA to citrate to branched-chain amino acids—and explains how they uncover hidden vulnerabilities affecting your healthspan. We also dive into practical insights, like the importance...
info_outline
How to Anti-age Through Your Immune System
Proven Health Alternatives
In our latest episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I sit down with Dr. Austin Perlmutter for a deep dive into the science of longevity—what it really means to live not just longer, but better. We explore the crucial difference between lifespan and healthspan, why brain health is central to aging well, and how lifestyle choices like nutrition, movement, and environmental exposures directly shape our future. Dr. Perlmutter also shares insights on immune reprogramming, the rising trend of “quick-fix” longevity hacks, and why true health takes more than just hype. If you’re looking for...
info_outline
Strong and Smart: How to Avoid Injuries and Train for a Lifetime
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I sit down with legendary coach and Hall of Fame weightlifter Dan John to talk all things strength, health, and longevity. Dan shares decades of hard-earned wisdom—from the foundational exercises he swears by to how real food, rest, and smart supplementation fuel a life well-lived. We go beyond reps and routines to explore aging with strength, the underrated power of simplicity in fitness, and why consistency trumps complexity every time. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your wellness journey, Dan’s no-nonsense approach offers a playbook for staying...
info_outline
Resilience in Action: Training, Wellness, and Mental Strength Beyond the Frontline
Proven Health Alternatives
In this episode, I sit down with Detective Jay Lacayo to explore the intense physical and mental demands faced by SWAT and ESU officers. Jay takes us through the grueling journey to join these elite units—from passing the legendary Cooper Test to mastering high-pressure scenario training. His insights reveal how martial arts, mental sharpness, and evolving tactics shape what it truly means to be part of these specialized teams. But this conversation goes beyond the badge. Jay stresses the importance of continuous education and rigorous testing to keep officers at their best, a principle I...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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.)...
info_outlineIn this episode, I chat with Udo Erasmus, a pioneering expert in the field of nutrition and health, and the creator of flaxseed oil. Drawing from decades of research and his own personal health transformation, Erasmus explains why so many of us still fall for the misconceptions about seed oils.
He dives into how these oils are processed and why they might not be as healthy as we think. Erasmus passionately advocates for better alternatives and breaks down the effects of nutrient deficiencies on our health. We also discuss how Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are converted in the body and what factors affect their efficiency.
This episode isn’t just about fats; it’s about rethinking the foods we consume every day and their long-term impact on our health. If you're looking to learn more about nutrition and make smarter, healthier choices, this one’s for you!
Key Takeaways:
-
Udo Erasmus emphasizes the importance of balancing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in the diet for optimal health, with a notable argument for using oils made with health in mind.
-
He critiques the damage done by typical oil processing methods, which compromise the nutritional integrity of oils, leading to health problems.
-
Erasmus shares vital insights on why frying and consuming processed seed oils are detrimental to health and promotes steaming as a healthier cooking option.
-
The conversation underscores the role of essential fatty acids in dealing with inflammation, diseases, and overall cellular health, advocating a shift from processed foods to fresh, organic alternatives.
-
Through personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Erasmus dismantles myths around omega fatty acids, offering practical advice for harnessing their benefits.
Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice, a globally recognized line of health oils. His groundbreaking work in the flaxseed oil industry helped create a billion-dollar sector focused on health. After overcoming pesticide poisoning in 1980, Udo became passionate about exploring the connection between health, nature, and human well-being.
He’s the author of Fats That Heal Fats That Kill, with over 250,000 copies sold, and has delivered thousands of presentations around the world. Udo’s expertise spans biochemistry, nutrition, genetics, and counseling psychology, and his message has impacted millions globally.
- Instagram
Connect with me!: