Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life Presented by: Nutrition World www.nutritionw.com Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio www.noogadentistry.com Production of: Whitfield Media Group www.vitalhealthradio.com Title: Why Your Collagen and Probiotic Supplements May Be Falling Short [0:02:32] State of U.S. Health & Helpful Resources Ed discusses declining national health despite record healthcare spending. Emphasis on personal responsibility: lifestyle, nutrition, and smart supplementation. Recommends EWG.org and the EWG app to check toxicity and “forever chemicals” in consumer products, especially cosmetics and personal care. Curt shares he researches through Perplexity AI (more conventional) and Bright Answers (more alternative), then lands in the middle. [0:05:04] Toxins, Seed Oils & Distrust in Food Labeling Discussion of a UC study on avocado oil products showing many were adulterated with seed oils. Curt describes feeling “betrayed” by brands that market as healthy but hide poor ingredients. Ed notes avocado oil is highly prone to contamination; olive oil tends to be more reliable. Brief mention of tallow‑fried chips sold at Nutrition World—nutritionally superior but pricier. [0:06:11] Local Food Spots, Tallow Cooking & Health Fair Announcement Ed highlights Tallow House (Chattanooga/Cleveland area): simple menu, tallow‑fried foods, attention to high‑quality ingredients. Kurt praises a local Steak and Shake using 100% grass‑fed burgers and tallow‑fried fries/tots. Ed mentions Portofino as a regular spot (shish kebabs, salads, better‑quality olive oil, his drink “Edward’s Elixir”). Announcement: October 24 Health Fair—described as the largest health fair in the region. [0:08:10] Fertility Challenges & Free Lecture by Katie Poole, NP Promotion of a free fertility lecture by Katie Poole (nurse practitioner) on September 16 at 7 p.m. Details available under Events at nutritionw.com. Main contributors to fertility struggles: hormone imbalances, PCOS, chronic inflammation, nutrition, stress. Ed shares success stories of women who conceived within months after working with Katie on testing and protocol changes. [0:09:25] Pepcid, Reflux, Serotonin & Histamine Angle Ed asks about Pepcid (famotidine). Kurt: Pepcid is an H2 blocker used for reflux/heartburn; overall very safe for symptom control. Comparison to PPIs (e.g., Prilosec): PPIs take 6–8 hours to start working and are not good “take it when you’re hurting right now” drugs. Concerns about long‑term PPI use and overuse. Ed references Dr. Peter McCullough’s comments on serotonin syndrome and notes Pepcid has been discussed as part of managing issues tied to high serotonin/histamine (not medical advice, but shared as education). [0:11:30] Ed’s Bodybuilding Prep, Pain Flare, Oxalates & Pepcid Relief Ed details his Chattanooga Fitness Bodybuilding Contest prep (Jan 2–July 11): 6 days/week lifting + 1 day cardio, felt exceptional with no aches/pains despite age 69. Two weeks after relaxing his diet post‑contest, he developed significant morning and nighttime aches. Suspected contributors Increased oxalate intake Histamine issues After starting Pepcid based on McCullough’s article, Ed reports near‑total relief of pain within one day, strengthening his belief in a histamine/serotonin component. [0:16:39] Collagen 101 Introduction of Reagan, Registered Dietitian and National Educator for Ancient Nutrition. Ed recounts his double hip replacement and heavy, “double‑dose” collagen regimen before/during/after surgery, crediting it with very rapid recovery (back to work ~day 7, gym ~day 9). Reagan defines collagen: A structural protein and most abundant protein in the body. Key for joints, skin, hair, nails, ligaments, tendons, bone matrix, and gut lining. [0:18:10] Modern Diet vs. Nose‑to‑Tail Eating & Collagen Decline with Age Past generations consumed collagen via nose‑to‑tail eating (skin, connective tissue, cartilage, broths). Modern diets focus on muscle meat, leading to low natural collagen intake. Reagan: collagen production drops starting around age 25, accelerating visible aging and tissue wear. Supplementation (or deliberate dietary choices) can help replenish and support these structures. [0:19:37] Forms, Dosing & Multi‑Type Collagen Ed prefers powders over capsules to reach meaningful doses. Reagan: unflavored hydrolyzed collagen Mixes easily into beverages and foods. Is heat‑stable, so cooking and baking with it is fine. Emphasis on multi‑collagen formulas (multiple types, e.g., I, II, III, etc.) because each type targets different tissues. Reagan explains hydrolysis: proteins are broken into smaller peptides/amino acids for easier absorption. Recommended to choose “hydrolyzed collagen peptides” for best utilization. [0:24:35] Collagen vs. Whey Protein & Visible Benefits Reagan confirms collagen cannot replace whey or complete proteins for muscle building; it’s complementary, not a substitute. Ed’s protocol: Ancient Nutrition A2 whey for muscle + collagen for connective tissue, skin, etc. Noted benefits: significantly faster fingernail growth and more frequent haircuts while using collagen consistently. Reagan describes collagen loading: Rough guideline: ~20 g/day for 4–6 weeks to build up “stores”. Then 5–10 g/day as a maintenance dose. [0:32:37] Gut Microbiome & Dr. O’Hara’s Probiotics with Dr. Ross Pelton Ed introduces Dr. Ross Pelton (“The Natural Pharmacist”), author of 13 books and 20+ peer‑reviewed articles. Central theme: gut microbiome health as a foundational driver of immune function, detoxification, neurotransmitters, and graceful aging. Dr. Pelton explains: Gut microbiome (~100 trillion bacteria) primarily in the colon. Their main job: convert components of food into postbiotic metabolites. It’s largely these metabolites, not the bacteria directly, that regulate many aspects of health. Beneficial bacteria require dietary fibers and polyphenols (from plant foods) as fuel. Most Americans are deficient in fiber and phytonutrients, compromising postbiotic production. [0:37:53] Why Many Probiotics Underperform (The “Oral Probiotic Dilemma”) Factors limiting typical oral probiotics: Stomach acid kills many bacteria before they reach the intestines. Bile and pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine can damage bacterial membranes. Even surviving strains often enter a colon that’s a “food desert” (low fiber/polyphenols), so they don’t thrive. Billion‑CFU marketing claims may not translate into proportional clinical benefits. [0:40:30] Dr. O’Hara’s: Long Fermentation & Metabolite‑Rich Formula Dr. O’Hara’s is distinctive because it focuses on delivering postbiotic metabolites, not huge CFU counts. Production: 13 starter bacterial strains + 14 plant foods (fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, seaweeds). 3–5 years of fermentation in large vats (including anaerobic phases to mimic the colon). Outcome: ~500 different postbiotic metabolites, including 100+ weak organic acids that help keep colonic pH mildly acidic (ideal range 6.2–6.8). The product does contain live bacteria, but the primary value is the metabolite complex. Clinical data: Study on college‑aged women with chronic constipation: 3 capsules/day for 2 weeks led to normal bowel function in many, vs. placebo. Ed shares his own experience with the sachets, noting dramatically improved elimination and joking about “best bowel movements of my life”. Dr. Pelton: the formula acts as a bowel adaptogen, helpful for both constipation and diarrhea. [0:44:51] Oral Microbiome Use & Product Variants Some dentists instruct patients to bite open a capsule, swish, then swallow to support oral microbiome and gum health. Ed uses ½ sachet intentionally for oral and gut benefits. Product line: Original Formula – 3‑year fermentation. Professional Formula – additional 2 years anaerobic fermentation. Sachets – each packet ≈ 5 capsules of Professional Formula worth of metabolites. [0:49:21] Dr. O’Hara’s Origin Story & Essential Formulas Dr. O’Hara’s path: Initially a landscape architect with a global clientele. Became very ill in Malaysia after drinking a traditional beverage. Quickly recovered after locals gave him a fermented fruit “jam”. Fascinated, he studied these products, then at age 49 returned to school for a Ph.D. in microbiology. Spent ~10 years refining the multi‑year fermentation process. Michael Schoor (future founder of Essential Formulas) had a similar healing experience with the product in Malaysia, then later secured exclusive U.S. distribution rights. In Japan, the product is known as OMX (O’Hara Mountain Extract); rebranded in the U.S. as Dr. O’Hara’s Probiotics. [53:27] Closing Reflections: Supplements, Aging & Future Topics Ed reflects on: The value of being proactive versus reactive in health. Kurt resonates with Dr. Pelton’s journey from a traditional pharmacist to nutraceutical advocate, seeing his own path echoed. Ed flags rapamycin as another key anti‑aging interest, teasing a future focused conversation with Dr. Pelton. The post Radio Show / Podcast – August 30, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.