Diet Science Dee and Michael McCaffrey

A study published in the British medical journal BMJ pooled data from 14 studies involving nearly 10 million people to look at connections between consumption of ultra-processed foods and various health outcomes. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of this massive study and what it means for your health.Reference:Lane, M. M., Gamage, E., Du, S., Ashtree, D. N., McGuinness, A. J., Gauci, S., Baker, P., Lawrence, M., Rebholz, C. M., Srour, B., Touvier, M., Jacka, F. N., O’Neil, A., Segasby, T., & Marx, W. (2024). Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: Umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses. BMJ,384, e077310. https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310 (https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310)

Gugulipid, also known as gum guggul, is an extract of the resin from a West Indian tree that has documented cholesterol lowering properties. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the specific compounds in gugulipid that decrease elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and the proper way to take this effective supplement.References: Urizar, N. L., & Moore, D. D. (2003). Guguglipd: A natural cholesterol-lowering agent. Annual Review of Nutrition, 23, 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.23.011702.073102  (https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.23.011702.073102)Link to Guggul Supplement (2 capsules per day provides 75 mg guggulsterone*): https://amzn.to/3UWZDI0 (https://amzn.to/3UWZDI0)

In a recent study, researchers found that the diet of some ancient hunter-gatherers primarily ate plant foods, including beans and grains, with only a small percentage of meat in their diet. This new understanding contrasts with the meat-centric modern Paleo diet. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of the study, and what it means for your health.References:Moubtahij, Z., McCormack, J., Bourgon, N., Trost, M., Sinet-Mathiot, V., Fuller, B. T., Smith, G. M., Temming, H., Steinbrenner, S., Hublin, J.-J., Bouzouggar, A., Turner, E., & Jaouen, K. (2024). Isotopic evidence of high reliance on plant food among later Stone age hunter-gatherers at Taforalt, Morocco. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 8(5), 1035–1045. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02382-z  (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02382-z%C2%A0)

HDL is an acronym for "high-density lipoproteins"--compounds made in the body that are considered the "good guys" in the cholesterol game. They help to keep the "bad cholesterol" from building up and forming plaque in the arteries. Having high levels of HDL reduces the risk for both heart disease and stroke. Listen in this week as Dee elevates your understanding of cholesterol and explores natural strategies to boost your HDL levels.References:Stadler, J. T., & Marsche, G. (2021). Dietary strategies to improve cardiovascular health: Focus on increasing high-density lipoprotein functionality. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.761170/full (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.761170/full)

Bergamot, a citrus fruit hailing from the groves of southern Italy’s Calabria region, has been shown in clinical trials to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase good cholesterol. Listen in in this week as Dee discusses the results of clinical studies using bergamot and the virtues of this super fruit.Reference:Lamiquiz-Moneo, I., Giné-González, J., Alisente, S., Bea, A. M., Pérez-Calahorra, S., Marco-Benedí, V., … Mateo-Gallego, R. (2020). Effect of bergamot on lipid profile in humans: A systematic review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60(18), 3133–3143. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2019.1677554 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2019.1677554)Link to purchase Bergamot: https://amzn.to/3wwO9mf (https://amzn.to/3wwO9mf)

In 2015 a research team at UC Riverside found that soybean oil consumption induces obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in mice. Now, a new study by the same team shows that oil could also affect genes in the brain related to conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, and depression. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of this study and how the changes in microbiome caused by soybean oil consumption are linked to negative iimpact on brain function.Reference:Martinez-Lomeli, J., Deol, P., Deans, J. R., Jiang, T., Ruegger, P., Borneman, J., & Sladek, F. M. (2023). Impact of various high fat diets on gene expression and the microbiome across the mouse intestines. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49555-7 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49555-7)