Go Un-Pro

Brent W. Laartz
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Go Un-Pro with Dr. Brent W. Laartz, MD FIDSA: Living an Unprocessed Life for Longevity and Healthspan Have you ever known that something is SO good for you that you just can't wait, but life gets in front of you and prevents you from doing it? The inaction and procrastination could occur for a variety of reasons, and we will delve into my motivations and affirmations of a healthy life from this day forward. I am starting this series of videos and articles so that I can be accountable to myself regarding the changes in my diet that I REALLY NEED to survive into my 90s without heart disease, dementia, and arthritis. And hopefully, as you follow along, you can make your own improvements that will extend your life and prevent the horrible illnesses that are heart disease, dementia, and arthritis. Can I introduce myself? I'm Dr Brent W. Laartz, and I am an Infectious Diseases physician with a Master's in Neuroscience, author, creator, and entrepreneur. I've been involved with medical education for almost all my life and have been sharing my knowledge, teaching students, patients, and other doctors as faculty of a medical school, in hospitals, and clinics around the world. I'm ashamed to admit that I have lived a life of processed foods despite knowing the facts that are stacked against me if I continue living this way. My most recent research into longevity and its connection to our diet, exercise, sleep, and mental health, all with help from our microbiome, the bacteria living in our body, has me wanting to shout this information to the masses from the rooftops! This is so important that I am going to communicate what I have learned in every forum possible. Simply put, I am not going to do it anymore, and I am going to stay accountable to myself so that I follow through with it this time. Hence, the launch of this podcast, which I have been wanting to do for quite some time now. In addition, I am also launching publicly available Master courses that will delve incredibly deeply into the science behind diet and other interventions that will help me live well into my '90s and 100s, but not just live, but REALLY live! This is the concept of Healthspan. I know there are a lot of billionaires who are prominent in the media, trying to live forever, spending millions of dollars, but I am here to prove you can do it without spending a lot of money. The interventions I am doing will cost a little more money, but my budget is to only increase expenditures by a few $100 a month. The thing is, we are so accustomed to our artificial products that we deep down believe they are good for us. Don't accept this BS from your food, expect better. Most physicians I know are not living a healthy life, and until the past 6 months, that generalization included me. If you think otherwise, let me paint the picture of a typical doctor's lounge in the hospital or the home kitchen of your local physician. Hospital kitchens use the cheapest oils, fried foods, and beef, butters with mashed potatoes, pre-manufactured eggs, mass-produced bacon, candy, and ice cream sandwiches. This is what I was eating day in and day out, working 26 days per month. My cholesterol was skyrocketing, and my weight had peaked at 165 pounds on a 5-foot-7-inch frame. Then I took stock of my life. And it was just in time, too, for my kids were graduating from high school. At least I didn't have the excuse of cleaning my kids' plates anymore. I suspect that if you are listening to this podcast, reading this article, or taking this course, you are interested in living a more unprocessed life. If you are like me, you have reached a point in your life where you realize your health could be at a tipping point. I was lulled into thinking I was living a healthy life because I exercised and ate right some of the time. But that delusion could not have been further from the truth. I was drinking alcohol at least a few days per week, drank sodas at least a few days a wee

  1. 2d ago

    Sunday Science: Forever Chemicals and Nanoplastics and Inflammation

    Sunday Science: Impact of Microplastics and Forever Chemicals on Human Health   Speaker Contributions   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Acted as the primary subject matter expert, synthesizing three recent scientific studies regarding the health impacts of microplastics and perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS). He provided detailed analysis on how these contaminants contribute to inflammation, cellular senescence, and tumorigenesis, while sharing his personal journey toward a "deplasticized" lifestyle.   Key Points and Decisions   **Early Life Exposure**: Research by Majid Jouina et al. indicates that prenatal and early-life exposure to PFAS is associated with elevated fecal calprotectin levels in children, suggesting a potential link to long-term inflammatory bowel conditions.   **Microplastics and Tumorigenesis**: A study by Vishal Midya et al. demonstrated that microplastic ingestion in mice leads to colonic inflammation, altered transcriptome signaling, and increased tumorigenesis, particularly when combined with existing colitis.   **Cellular Senescence and Microbiome**: Research by Y. Wang highlights that polystyrene nanoplastics induce cellular senescence in young mice by activating the p38 MAPK pathway and downregulating essential antioxidant and detoxification genes. Furthermore, these particles cause significant dysbiosis in both oral and intestinal microbiomes.   **Systemic Health Risks**: The consensus of the discussed studies is that microplastics and forever chemicals are pervasive in the food chain, acting as vectors for other pollutants and contributing to systemic inflammation, which is a precursor to various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular issues and endocrine dysfunction.   Next Steps   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Committed to continuing his personal efforts to minimize plastic usage in his household and diet, specifically targeting food storage and ultra-processed food consumption.   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Plans to dedicate future episodes of the podcast to exploring the connections between intrauterine exposure, fertility, and the microbiome.   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Encourages listeners to adopt a whole-foods diet and reduce reliance on plastic-based food containers and synthetic clothing to mitigate personal exposure to environmental contaminants.   Articles Wang Y, Dong C and Xiao Y (2026) Polystyrene nanoplastics promote inflammation and aging in young mice through the oral-gut microbiome axis. Front. Immunol. 17:1806158. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1806158   Madjid Djouina, et al.  Ingestion of a human-relevant mixture of environmentally sourced microplastics promotes inflammation and tumorigenesis in the mouse colon, Environmental Pollution, Volume 395, 2026, 127794,   Vishal Midya, et al.  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in early life is associated with childhood intestinal inflammation: analyses of three birth cohorts, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2026,

  2. 5d ago

    Week 16: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life

    Navigating the Comfort Crisis: A Journey to an Unprocessed Life Speaker Contributions **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Served as the primary speaker, detailing his personal journey through "Week 16" of an unprocessed life. He contributed insights on the psychological and physical impacts of modern comfort, the importance of intentional living, and the rejection of instant gratification in favor of long-term health. Key Points and Decisions **The Comfort Crisis**: The host argued that modern society's reliance on convenience—such as ultra-processed foods, instant entertainment, and sedentary commuting—is detrimental to longevity. He decided to actively eschew these comforts in favor of "doing the hard work" himself. **Dietary Strategy**: The host committed to a diet focused on whole foods, specifically incorporating daily herbal teas (peppermint), chia seeds for omega-3s, and a 4-strain probiotic yogurt regimen (including *Lactobacillus salivarius*, *Akkermansia*, and *Veillonella*) to support metabolic health and stamina. **Environmental and Lifestyle Choices**: A firm decision was made to eliminate microwave usage and reduce plastic exposure in food preparation. The host emphasized the importance of real-world social connections, such as hosting gatherings and making phone calls, over digital communication. **Movement Philosophy**: The host decided to shift his exercise routine toward competitive races (starting with a 5K) and team sports, moving away from the excessive stress of ultra-endurance training while maintaining a balance of resistance and cardiovascular training. Next Steps and Action Items *   **Social**: Host a sourdough pizza party to foster community and connection. *   **Movement**: Begin training for a 5K competitive race to be completed within the next month. *   **Research**: Prepare and present the "Sunday Science" segment regarding the association between neonatal/adult plastic exposure and gut inflammation. *   **Routine**: Continue daily habits, including the consumption of herbal tea, chia seeds, and specific probiotic strains. *   **Environment**: Adjust the use of essential oil diffusers (specifically lavender) to ensure they do not negatively impact the sleep environment or pets.

  3. Jul 21

    Week 15: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life

    Week 15: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life  The 52-Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life: Week 15 Progress Report Speaker Contributions **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Acted as the primary contributor, detailing his "dollar cost averaging" philosophy for health. He shared his personal progress on his 52-week journey, emphasizing the importance of consistent daily investments in diet, exercise, sleep, motivation, and connection to secure long-term health. Key Points and Decisions **Health as a Retirement Account**: Dr. Laartz established the core metaphor that every healthy habit is a deposit into a long-term health account, while unhealthy choices function as early withdrawals that incur penalties. **Supplement Strategy**: A firm decision was made to avoid unnecessary supplements. Dr. Laartz will only utilize calcium, Vitamin D, and B12, prioritizing whole foods over pills to avoid "chasing good money with bad money." **Mindset and Manifestation**: The host emphasized that limiting beliefs and fear are the primary obstacles to health. He decided to reject the "status quo" of family medical history and instead manifest a future of vitality through proactive, daily action. **Plastic Reduction**: The host committed to systematically removing plastics from his environment, specifically targeting his phone case, measuring tools, and cleaning supplies in favor of sustainable materials like wood, stainless steel, and concentrated, eco-friendly detergents. Next Steps and Action Items *   **Diet**: Incorporate one new vegetable, fruit, or bean into the weekly diet and continue making homemade yogurt, hummus, and fermented foods. *   **Movement**: Resume trail running and perform yard work using electric equipment to maintain physical activity. *   **Sleep**: Begin using a natural reed diffuser with lavender and chamomile essential oils to improve sleep quality. *   **Connection**: Host a housewarming event featuring whole-food, locally sourced ingredients to foster community. *   **Plastic Elimination**: Replace his current plastic phone case with a wooden alternative and continue transitioning to plastic-free household cleaning products.

  4. Jul 13

    Sunday Science Diet Comparison and Aging 2026_07_12

    Sunday Science: Biological Aging and Dietary Patterns   Speaker Contributions   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Presented a detailed analysis of a UK Biobank study involving 400,000 participants. He evaluated the correlation between dietary patterns—specifically regular meat-eating, low-meat, pescatarian, and vegetarian diets—and biological aging using KDM-BA and PhenoAge metrics.   Key Points and Decisions   **Study Findings**: The research demonstrated that individuals who consume less meat, or follow pescatarian or vegetarian diets, exhibit a lower biological age compared to regular meat-eaters.   **Genetic Independence**: These findings remained consistent across all genetic risk categories (low, medium, and high), suggesting that diet plays a significant role in aging regardless of polygenic risk scores.   **Longitudinal Impact**: Data collected over a 4.4-year follow-up period confirmed that participants with lower meat intake experienced slower biological aging compared to the baseline of regular meat-eaters.   **Dietary Conclusion**: Dr. Laartz concluded that while individual dietary tolerance varies, the data strongly supports the longevity benefits of diets characterized by reduced meat consumption, such as Mediterranean, pescatarian, or vegetarian patterns.   Next Steps   **Resource Sharing**: Dr. Laartz committed to providing the full study, titled "Biological Aging Across Regular Meat, Low Meat, Pescatarian, and Vegetarian Dietary Patterns," in the episode show notes.   **Audience Engagement**: Listeners are encouraged to access further longevity research and video content via GoUnPro.com, YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.  Chuan-Rui Zeng, Yang-Wei Cai, Mao-Xiong Wu, Ze-Gui Huang, Qing-Yuan Gao, Jing-Wei Gao, Guang-Hong Liao, Jing-Feng Wang, Hai-Feng Zhang, Yang-Xin Chen,  Biological aging across regular meat, low meat, pescatarian and vegetarian dietary patterns: A population-based cohort study, Clinical Nutrition, Volume 61,2026,106611.

  5. Jul 6

    Week 14: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life

    Go UnPro Podcast: Week 14 Summary **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Provided a comprehensive update on his 52-week journey to an unprocessed life. He detailed his strategies for post-holiday recovery, home-based resistance training, dietary habits, and the reduction of environmental toxins in his new home. Key Points And Decisions **Post-Holiday Detox**: Dr. Laartz emphasized returning to a routine of fiber, water, and calorie restriction following the July 4th holiday, rather than relying on chemical detox products. **Resistance Training**: Due to a lack of gym equipment, the decision was made to focus on body weight resistance training, emphasizing muscle loading and injury prevention through careful form. **Dietary Strategy**: The host reaffirmed the "80% rule" for calorie restriction and decided to increase the frequency of visits to vegan restaurants and the production of fermented foods like yogurt and pickles. **Sleep Hygiene**: To improve sleep quality, the host decided to limit fluid intake within two hours of bedtime to prevent nocturnal interruptions. **Environmental Toxins**: Dr. Laartz decided to replace chemical weed killers with a vinegar-based solution and prioritize products free from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other harmful plastics. Next Steps And Commitments **Dr. Brent Laartz**: *   **Dietary**: Increase vegan restaurant visits to once per week and continue Sunday food preparation, specifically focusing on fermented cabbage, pickles, and oat milk yogurt. *   **Movement**: Implement a consistent body weight resistance training schedule and prioritize recovery days with light walking. *   **Sleep**: Enforce a strict cutoff for fluid intake two hours before bedtime. *   **Community**: Continue volunteering at a local soup kitchen and shelter to foster connection and purpose. *   **Household**: Continue the transition toward natural fibers and non-toxic, plastic-free household products.

  6. Jun 29

    Week 13: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life

    Go Unpro Podcast: Week 13 Progress Report   Speaker Contributions   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Provided a comprehensive update on his 52-week "unprocessed life" journey, detailing his transition to a new home, dietary modifications, and lifestyle habits centered on longevity.   Key Points and Decisions   **Dietary Shifts**: Dr. Laartz decided to completely eliminate beef and pork from his diet, focusing instead on poultry, seafood, beans, and fermented foods to support microbiome health.   **Movement and Environment**: The host emphasized the importance of "forest bathing" to reduce cortisol and committed to a structured routine of resistance training and cardiovascular exercise.   **Sleep Optimization**: To improve deep sleep metrics, the host identified light pollution as a primary obstacle and decided to invest in blackout curtains and motorized window treatments.   **Plastic Reduction**: A decision was made to systematically replace all plastic kitchenware; the host successfully replaced plastic cutting boards with stainless steel alternatives, reaching approximately 60% plastic-free status in the kitchen.   **Lifestyle Pillars**: The discussion reinforced the five pillars of longevity: diet, movement, sleep, connection/creativity, and purpose, with a specific focus on reducing screen time to improve mental well-being.   Commitments and Action Items   **Dr. Brent Laartz**: *   Install motorized blackout curtains to mitigate light interference and improve sleep quality. *   Establish a weekly tech-free board game night to foster family connection. *   Maintain a Sunday meal-prep schedule for beans, hummus, and fermented foods. *   Implement a one-hour "no electronics" rule before bedtime to enhance meditation and sleep hygiene. *   Continue the transition toward a 99% plastic-free household over the remaining 39 weeks of the year. *   Write down ten non-tech activities to pursue for personal creativity and connection.

  7. Jun 17

    Week 12: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life

    Week 12: A Doctor's 52 Week Journey to an Unprocessed Life  Spectacular Speaker-Focused Summary: Go Unpro Podcast Week 12 – Proof of Life, Microbiome Mastery & Unprocessed Progress **Dr. Brent Laartz**  A candid weekly update on personal setbacks (illness, house move) while celebrating small victories. He reinforced the centrality of microbiome health, outlined specific Week 12 targets across diet, movement, sleep, creativity, and plastics reduction, and reviewed cumulative progress from Weeks 1–12. The host emphasized accountability, whole-food preparation, and gradual lifestyle upgrades toward a 90–95% unprocessed life by Week 52. Key Points and Decisions **Microbiome focus**: Daily movement + increased fermented foods remain foundational; microbiome influences hormones, immunity, mood, and performance. **Diet upgrades**: Increase Sunday prep of dairy-free yogurts, beans, and vegetables; move from 2–3 to 3–4 vegan days/week; reduce alcohol to 8 drinks/month; favor low-sugar NA drinks for social settings. **Movement**: Target 7–8 combined cardio/resistance sessions weekly (including double-activity days); add one group class (Pilates/yoga); prioritize morning exercise when possible; schedule post-move tennis. **Sleep optimization**: Install automatic blackout curtains in new home; enforce no food after 8 p.m., no exercise/hot tub after 7 p.m.; maintain cool, dark bedroom. **Creativity & connection**: Begin weekly social painting/art sessions; continue journaling, affirmations, and reconnecting with friends/family. **Plastics reduction**: Replace parchment paper with vegetable-based Patapar paper; maintain ongoing elimination of plastic kitchenware and household products. **Cumulative habits retained**: 40+ whole foods weekly, daily greens/berries/fermented foods/fiber, time-restricted eating, meditation, gratitude, language learning, and community volunteering. Next Steps Implement increased food prep and vegan-day targets immediately. Test Patapar paper in cooking and report results. Install blackout curtains and automation in new residence post-move. Schedule recurring social painting session and one weekly vegan restaurant outing. Continue daily accountability tracking and morning sunlight exposure. Maintain all prior 12-week habits while layering on Week 12 enhancements toward the 52-week unprocessed goal.

  8. Jun 9

    Sunday Science 2026 Episode 7 Microbiome Enhancing Endurance and Strength

    Spectacular Speaker-Centric Summary: Unlocking Microbiome Power for Endurance and Strength in Sunday Science Summary of Each Speaker **Dr. Brent Laartz**: Hosted the discussion on the bidirectional microbiome-exercise relationship, covering mechanisms like lactate clearance and short-chain fatty acid production, citing studies on Veillonella, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus plantarum, and outlining practical takeaways for enhancing performance. Key Points and Decisions Exercise improves microbiome diversity and gut health overall, though excessive intensity may temporarily increase permeability; elite athletes show enriched beneficial bacteria like Veillonella due to lactate-rich environments. Key bacteria (Veillonella, L. salivarius, L. plantarum) clear lactate, boost short-chain fatty acids (propionic, acetic, butyric acids) for muscle energy and glycogen sparing, and support intestinal barrier integrity via tight junctions. Mouse and human studies (e.g., Scheiman 2019 in Nature Medicine; Lee 2020 in Microorganisms; triathlete trial with L. plantarum PS128) demonstrated 2-3x increases in endurance and grip strength without altering VO2 max. Decision: Prioritize natural approaches like exercise and diet over unproven supplements; Veillonella products exist but require further evaluation. Next Steps Incorporate exercise to foster lactate-utilizing bacteria and consume prebiotic fibers (inulin, chicory root, garlic) to support their growth. Explore targeted Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains via diet or supplements while ensuring adequate fiber for colonization; consider homemade yogurt with verified lactate-utilizing species. Follow Sunday Science episodes on social platforms, podcasts, YouTube, and GoOnPro.com for ongoing science-based wellness insights.

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About

Go Un-Pro with Dr. Brent W. Laartz, MD FIDSA: Living an Unprocessed Life for Longevity and Healthspan Have you ever known that something is SO good for you that you just can't wait, but life gets in front of you and prevents you from doing it? The inaction and procrastination could occur for a variety of reasons, and we will delve into my motivations and affirmations of a healthy life from this day forward. I am starting this series of videos and articles so that I can be accountable to myself regarding the changes in my diet that I REALLY NEED to survive into my 90s without heart disease, dementia, and arthritis. And hopefully, as you follow along, you can make your own improvements that will extend your life and prevent the horrible illnesses that are heart disease, dementia, and arthritis. Can I introduce myself? I'm Dr Brent W. Laartz, and I am an Infectious Diseases physician with a Master's in Neuroscience, author, creator, and entrepreneur. I've been involved with medical education for almost all my life and have been sharing my knowledge, teaching students, patients, and other doctors as faculty of a medical school, in hospitals, and clinics around the world. I'm ashamed to admit that I have lived a life of processed foods despite knowing the facts that are stacked against me if I continue living this way. My most recent research into longevity and its connection to our diet, exercise, sleep, and mental health, all with help from our microbiome, the bacteria living in our body, has me wanting to shout this information to the masses from the rooftops! This is so important that I am going to communicate what I have learned in every forum possible. Simply put, I am not going to do it anymore, and I am going to stay accountable to myself so that I follow through with it this time. Hence, the launch of this podcast, which I have been wanting to do for quite some time now. In addition, I am also launching publicly available Master courses that will delve incredibly deeply into the science behind diet and other interventions that will help me live well into my '90s and 100s, but not just live, but REALLY live! This is the concept of Healthspan. I know there are a lot of billionaires who are prominent in the media, trying to live forever, spending millions of dollars, but I am here to prove you can do it without spending a lot of money. The interventions I am doing will cost a little more money, but my budget is to only increase expenditures by a few $100 a month. The thing is, we are so accustomed to our artificial products that we deep down believe they are good for us. Don't accept this BS from your food, expect better. Most physicians I know are not living a healthy life, and until the past 6 months, that generalization included me. If you think otherwise, let me paint the picture of a typical doctor's lounge in the hospital or the home kitchen of your local physician. Hospital kitchens use the cheapest oils, fried foods, and beef, butters with mashed potatoes, pre-manufactured eggs, mass-produced bacon, candy, and ice cream sandwiches. This is what I was eating day in and day out, working 26 days per month. My cholesterol was skyrocketing, and my weight had peaked at 165 pounds on a 5-foot-7-inch frame. Then I took stock of my life. And it was just in time, too, for my kids were graduating from high school. At least I didn't have the excuse of cleaning my kids' plates anymore. I suspect that if you are listening to this podcast, reading this article, or taking this course, you are interested in living a more unprocessed life. If you are like me, you have reached a point in your life where you realize your health could be at a tipping point. I was lulled into thinking I was living a healthy life because I exercised and ate right some of the time. But that delusion could not have been further from the truth. I was drinking alcohol at least a few days per week, drank sodas at least a few days a wee

Information

  • Creator
    Brent W. Laartz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Go Un-Pro