Radical Vitality Kanchan Koya
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- Health & Fitness
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Welcome to Radical Vitality, a podcast dedicated to helping you live a healthy, vibrant, joyful life. Dr. Kanchan Koya is joined by leaders in science and medicine who are passionate about sharing their knowledge along with actionable tips for better health. Whether you’re a woman juggling the demands of modern life or someone who wants to optimize their health in an evidence-based, sustainable way, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting-edge science and practical tips.
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Why Moringa Is A True Superfood With Dr. Jed Fahey And Lisa Curtis
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jed Fahey and Lisa Curtis about the incredible health benefits of moringa, a nutrient-dense leafy green that may help enhance healthspan and prevent chronic disease.
Moringa is a protein-rich, leafy green that is more nutritious than kale and has anti-inflammatory benefits rivaling turmeric. This actual superfood naturally grows all over the tropics. The experts, Dr. Jed Fahey and Lisa Curtis, unlock moringa’s superstar nutrient profile, which, unlike many foods, can energize you in real time!
The nutrient source behind moringa, phytochemicals, is what the tree uses to fight against pests and pathogens. Dr. Jed breaks down why eating these plants' defense compounds benefits the body. Lisa explains the health benefits of regular consumption and the optimum ways to harvest the vegetables, as done by her company, Kuli Kuli Foods.
We consider the ways moringa could be used to support anti-diabetes diets, especially in places like India, where the trees naturally grow, and for cancer prevention. Lisa gives recommendations for introducing moringa to your diet, both for an energizing effect and a cleansing effect. I hope this episode motivates you to leverage the power of this miracle tree in your life on a more regular basis for health, chronic disease prevention, and more vitality!
Episode Outline:
(03:47) Meet the experts, Dr. Jed Fahey and Lisa Curtis
(07:27) What is moringa?
(13:36) The power of glucosinolates and phytochemicals
(24:51) Health benefits of regular consumption
(27:29) Anti-diabetes and cancer prevention support
(38:11) How to begin taking moringa
(43:37) Gut microbiome benefits
(46:57) Women’s health, cruciferous vegetables, and moringa
(56:11) Sustainability and environmental impact of sourcing moringa
(1:00:24) Oatmeal for radical mornings
Connect with Dr. Jed Fahey:
Connect with Dr. Jed Fahey on LinkedIn
Learn more about Dr. Jed Fahey on his website
Connect with Lisa Curtis:
Learn more about Kuli Kuli Foods and enter RADICAL at checkout for an exclusive 20% discount!
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram
Website
Newsletter
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Why Our Kids' Health Is Not Alright (And How To Fix It) with Dr. Elisa Song
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Elisa Song about the rise of chronic disease in children and simple ways to combat these worrying trends to keep your children happy and healthy.
her career to helping parents and practitioners bridge the gap between conventional and holistic pediatrics. Her latest book, Happy Healthy Kids, is a fun and deeply informative read for you and your child that asks the simple question: What if you could change the future of your child's health with five simple steps?
The foundation of health for our kids and teens is in their microbiome. Chronic disease in children is higher than ever before. We must find new solutions to keeping our children healthy and safe. I love Dr. Song’s holistic approach to healing, which works across food, lifestyle, and medication when necessary. She reminds us that it is never too late to restore a gut microbiome. The basis to do so is using food and lifestyle as medicine. In the face of frightening statistics, like 1 in 2 kids in the US does not eat a single vegetable in a day, educating ourselves on better ways to eat and live is crucial.
Dr. Song shares her five steps for microbiome magic, what to look out for when selecting packaged foods, and how to make everyday meals pop! The goal of getting healthier is to create whole gut resilience, not to strive for perfection or never allow in any “fun” foods. It's not about creating rigid boundaries but learning to make informed choices. We conclude by discussing the differences between good and bad stress. Stimulating the vagus nerve can make you feel great while also lowering chronic inflammation by balancing blood sugar and hormones, which deeply support the microbiome. In fact, Dr. Song recommends vagus nerve balancing activities over any supplements! She shares how to take deep, slow belly breaths and begin your journey with the breath.
This episode is a great resource for steps you can take today to nourish your child’s gut microbiome and help your child thrive!
Episode Outline:
(03:42) The rise of chronic disease diagnoses in children
(10:23) Root cause of disease epidemic
(17:06) Healing the gut microbiome
(20:57) Dr. Song’s patient stories of gut transformation
(28:28) Five steps for microbiome magic
(35:49) ‘Mischief makers’ in the diet
(39:18) For the ‘white foods’ only kid
(44:35) Power of nervous system regulation
(49:43) Probiotics supplements and yogurt for kids
(56:49) Making informed decisions around added sugar
(1:05:15) Link between stress and the microbiome
(1:14:13) Spending more time in nature
Connect with Dr. Elisa Song:
Learn more on Dr. Song’s website
Follow Dr. Song on Instagram
Buy Dr. Song’s book, Happy Healthy Kids
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram
Website
Newsletter
YouTube -
Science-Based Nutrition For Cancer with Dr. Krystle Zuniga
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Krystle Zuniga about nutrition strategies for cancer prevention, the misinformation surrounding cancer and nutrition, and practical steps we can all take to reduce our risk for cancer and improve outcomes in the face of a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer is one of the major disease risks we face in modern times. Preventing it and properly using nutrition once we have a cancer diagnosis is of prime importance. Dr. Zuniga and I share the frustration of witnessing so much misinformation on the internet about nutrition's role in healing. In this episode, we debunk myth after myth!
While I am passionate about providing actionable steps that support a healthy lifestyle, I do want to remind listeners that being human comes with a risk of disease and cancer, so to say we can eliminate risk is impossible. If you have a cancer diagnosis, please remember it is not your fault. Starting from here, Dr. Zuniga offers several ways to reduce cancer risk. We know about the risks associated with alcohol, smoking, and UV exposure, but there is more research than ever before now available around nutrition.
The World Cancer Research Fund offers 10 recommendations for cancer prevention, and Dr. Zuniga breaks down a few of those steps in detail. For example, focusing on plants doesn’t mean eliminating all meat when implementing a more plant-forward diet. Another current trend is eating a lot of unprocessed grass-fed red meat. While it is high in heme iron, this kind of iron can lead to oxidative stress as well as high colon and breast cancer risks. We also speak on a few other “controversial” foods: sugar, dairy, and soy. Always do thorough research on any trending advice!
While receiving cancer treatment, Dr. Zuniga recommends eating in a way that supports immune function, muscle health, and overall metabolic health. Currently, in the US, there are shockingly few dieticians available compared to the number of people with cancer, so the nutrition advice is not as individualized as it could be. Too often, people are told either that nutrition doesn’t matter or that they can eat whatever they want, both of which are false.
Overall, improving our lifestyle through better sleep, better food, and better stress management prevents cancer and many other illnesses. Magic bullet supplements or fasting techniques do not exist, but consistent small habits will always positively contribute to your well-being. Eating more plants and less processed foods is the perfect way to start today.
Episode Outline:
(06:48) Dr. Zuniga’s passion for cancer-focused nutrition
(08:34) More cancer being detected now in young people than ever, sensational or not?
(13:08) Ways to reduce cancer risks in daily life
(16:07) Plant-forward diets and processed meat
(21:06) The unprocessed red meat trend
(24:25) Berries and cruciferous veggies
(26:58) Does dairy lead to cancer?
(29:34) Myth: cancer loves sugar
(33:09) Truth around cancer supplements
(42:46) Dietary changes during cancer treatment
(49:27) Survivorship nutrition needs
(50:47) Myth: soy causes cancer
(55:20) Dr. Zuniga’s non-negotiable daily wellness practice
Resources Referenced:
Simon Hill’s podcast, The Proof
World Cancer Research Fund’s 10-Step Cancer Prevention Recommendations
ACIR’s New American Plate
Connect with Dr. Krystle Zuniga:
Learn more on Cancer Nutrition HQ’s website
Follow Cancer Nutrition HQ on Instagram
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram
Website
Newsletter
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No Nonsense Nutrition Strategies For Better Health with Dr. Adrian Chavez
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Adrian Chavez about science-based nutrition, how to know what health information we can trust, and holistic approaches to lifelong health.
In a world of fad diets and rampant misinformation, Dr. Chavez’s message of science-based nutrition that debunks health fads is just what we need! Dr. Chavez comes from an exercise science background. His interest in nutrition began from a performance and body composition standpoint, which gives his approach an edge. He recalls early on in his studies reading a lot of health books that he soon learned were flat out wrong. There is so much great nutrition information available clouded by misinformation and class barriers.
Because everyone’s lifestyle and genetic markers are different, there is no single best diet for health. However, the diet that helps protect each individual in the long run is ultimately the one that provides the right amount of energy. For the most part, this is found in a diet that provides all of your micronutrients, which is basically a diet not composed of processed foods. This includes eating enough nuts and seeds, getting adequate protein and feeling good! If you are trying to upgrade your lifestyle, Dr. Chavez emphasizes that tracking is a great method to build new habits, however a lot of people just use tracking to restrict themselves, which is not effective.
Dr. Chavez shares that body fat is not harmful to our health unless it is associated with metabolic dysfunction, and that actually healthy body fat levels are much higher than we think, which are certainly more than what’s portrayed in advertising. What’s more, when people restrict themselves for too long, when they gain it back, it’s purely fat and not muscle. What most people actually need is to gain more muscle.
Dr. Chavez wraps up by debunking and clarifying several social media trends: the differences between animal and plant proteins, warnings against worrying too much about normal blood sugar spikes in response to healthy carbohydrate rich foods, intermittent fasting as a magic cure, and collagen supplements.
Episode Outline:
(1:22) Dr. Chavez’s passion for nutrition
(8:32) Human body vs human being
(11:19) The best diet for overall, long-term health
(18:56) Protein is a building block for everything
(22:36) Track calories, micro and macronutrients
(26:36) The truth about body fat
(34:19) Protein in the Blue Zones
(41:47) Plant-based protein sources
(46:07) Blood sugar spikes
(55:45) Intermittent fasting
(59:16) Collagen supplements
Resources Referenced:
NIH Bodyweight Planner
Connect with Dr. Adrian Chavez:
Follow Dr. Chavez on Instagram
Subscribe to The Nutrition Science Podcast
Work with Dr. Chavez
Enroll in Nutrition Mastery Blueprint
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram: @chefspicemama
Website: spicespicebaby.com
Newsletter
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How Environmental Toxins Are Making Us Sick (And What To Do About It) with Dr. Vivian Chen
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Vivian Chen, founder of Plateful Health and Lumebox, to talk about how environmental toxins are adversely affecting our health and practical tips for managing them without feeling overwhelmed.
Conventional Western medicine trains doctors to manage disease states and symptoms but not necessarily to create health and vitality in the body by focusing on the root causes of disease. In Dr. Vivian’s experience, she encountered firsthand illnesses that couldn’t be resolved through her conventional medical training. She became fascinated by the often poorly understood root causes of disease and simple lifestyle shifts that can promote health and healing and pivoted to integrative medicine.
Detoxification is a natural human process happening 24/7, though we’ve been made to believe it's something to achieve only through pills or 10 days of juices or smoothie cleanses. The detox industry has tapped into our human nature of wanting a quick fix. Ensuring our bodies are detoxing correctly is the crux of Dr. Vivian’s work, but that has to do with what is going in and out of our bodies more than taking any miracle cleanse.
We discuss the role environmental toxins play in our bodies. Dr. Vivian emphasizes that people shouldn’t feel scared about environmental toxins or that they need to 100% overhaul their lives. Instead, the more you know, the more you can take small steps that add up to meaningful change! She offers several actionable tips for improving your body’s natural detox systems that you won’t want to miss.
Dr. Vivian is also the founder of Lumebox, an innovative red light therapy tool that improves skin conditions and decreases inflammation and pain. It is truly a fabulous product, and I swear by it! Lastly, we discuss the role of alcohol in our detox systems. She explains that when the body receives alcohol, it tries to break it down immediately, putting other functions on the back burner. This can lead other detoxification processes to slow down and show up as another symptom, like PMS or breast tenderness.
Episode Outline:
(03:42) On filling in learning gaps after medical school
(09:46) Detox fads
(17:46) The liver is in overwhelm
(20:31) Do toxins really matter?
(25:45) Toxins in the endocrine system
(31:28) “Things going in” tips
(40:46) Minimize toxin exposure through cookware
(45:55) “Things going out” tips
(53:32) Red light therapy and detox
(1:00:02) Alcohol and health
(1:04:12) Dr. Vivian Chen’s daily non-negotiable habits
Resources Referenced:
Read Count Down by Shanna Swan
Learn about your home’s water on the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database
Check out the Air Doctor Air Filter use code platefulhealth
Connect with Dr. Vivian Chen:
Instagram: @plateful.health
TikTok: @plateful.health
Learn more on Dr. Vivian Chen’s website: platefulhealth.com
Learn about Dr. Vivian Chen's Detox Right Course HERE
Enjoy the benefits of red light therapy with my affiliate link Lumebox
Check out Dr. Vivian Chen’s free Cookware Guide
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram: @chiefspicemama
Website: spicespicebaby.com
Newsletter
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Simple Yet Powerful Tools To Transform Your Gut Health with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Welcome to Radical Vitality! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist and New York Times best-selling author, to discuss the fascinating interconnectedness of gut health with every aspect of our well-being.
Gut health is inextricably linked with our overall health, disease risk and longevity. The science is emerging at breakneck speed and it’s telling us that most if not all of our chronic disease burden has a relationship of some sort with the health and vitality of our gut. There is compelling, accumulating evidence that when people have high-fiber, plant-rich diets, they significantly lower their risks of these diseases, and this is precisely what Dr. B speaks with me about today.
The microbiome is like a command center for human health, which includes digestion as well as metabolism, the immune system, hormones, mood, and brain health. Dr. B emphasizes the importance of examining one’s bowel movement patterns to identify potential problems and understand the possible interconnectedness of other symptoms with one’s gut health.
We speak about the imperative of eating a wide variety of plants and fermented foods. For me, the best way to ensure consistent diversity across plants is to make them delicious! Dr. B then walks us through two companies he is associated with, firstly Zoe, which I can vouch is amazing, that offers microbiome testing and very personalized diet suggestions, as well as 38TERA, which manufactures a truly innovative microbiome and prebiotic fiber supplement.
If you want to learn more about how gut health is connected to seemingly every pillar of our health, from inflammation, exercise, sleep, skin, and even conditions such as leaky gut and acid reflux, and simple yet powerful ways to optimize it, this episode is not to be missed!
Episode Outline:
(03:12) The importance of prioritizing gut health
(09:23) Signs that your gut health is great, or not
(12:33) Bristol Stool Scale
(19:20) Gut microbiome tests and the Zoe diet
(28:45) The gut loves consistent variety!
(34:42) Coffee and acid reflux
(38:01) Everyday foods Dr. B recommends for gut health
(42:29) America doesn’t have a protein problem but a fiber problem
(50:59) Fiber supplements vs the real thing
(52:43) Exercise and the gut connection(55:32) Small fasts yield big impact
(1:00:09) Truth behind leaky gut
(1:05:13) Hormesis, or how different kinds of stress impact the microbiome
(1:10:20) The nuance of probiotics
Resources Referenced:
Efficacy of Probiotics in Children and Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis: research paper
Bristol stool scale: diagram
Going Head to Head with Heartburn course: enroll here
How to Become FIBER FUELLED and Revolutionize Your Health: Momlight! podcast episode
Can Spices Improve Your Health? with Kanchan Koya: ZOE podcast episode
Connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz:
Instagram: @theguthealthmd
Website: theplantfedgut.com
Learn more about Zoe: zoe.com
Learn more about Dr. B's new science-based prebiotic supplement: 38tera.com
Buy Fiber Fueled
Buy The Fiber Fueled Cookbook
Connect with Kanchan:
Instagram
Website
Newsletter
YouTube