#179 Paul Saladino - The FDA Approved Poison You Eat Every Day

Paul Saladino and Shawn Ryan engage in a thorough discussion on how moving closer to nature and leading a relaxed lifestyle in natural environments like Costa Rica can profoundly impact one's health and well-being.

Prioritizing Nature, Outdoor Activities, and a Relaxed Lifestyle Boosts Well-Being

Saladino has embraced a lifestyle that significantly prioritizes well-being through an intimate connection with nature and outdoor activities.

Moving To Costa Rica Allowed the Host More Time in Nature, Surfing, and a Less Stressful, Balanced Lifestyle, Enhancing His Health and Happiness

Initially escaping an ice storm in Austin, Texas, Saladino found himself prolongedly residing in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica—originally planning an eight-day trip that turned into a permanent relocation. The move allowed him to enjoy daily surfing, strolling on the beach, watching sunsets, and engaging with the local community at farmers' markets, where he sources raw goat milk and grass-fed meat. He contrasts his new surroundings with suburban life near Washington, D.C., and city life in Austin, Texas, indicating a significant boost to his happiness and health since living among the jungle and ocean. Saladino emphasizes how daily joy from surfing and playing in nature contributes to his overall happiness and productivity.

Saladino has purchased a home in Costa Rica and is not only seeking a path to citizenship but also appreciates that this remote location offers not only modern amenities but also a strong connection with untouched nature. He feels "wealthy in terms of sunlight" and emphasizes the importance of living in an environment that supports his biology, including grounding and getting full-spectrum light exposure. Shawn Ryan also hints at considering a move to a natural setting, suggesting a shared understanding of the health benefits stemming from such an environment.

Disconnecting From Technology, Screens, and Cities Positively Impacts Circadian Rhythms, Mitochondrial Function, and Physiological Regulation

Saladino discusses the negative influence of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) from devices like cell phones and the positive impact of disconnecting from technology, particularly at night. He prioritizes keeping a healthy circadian rhythm by using red lights at night, disconnecting from screens a few hours before sleep, and waking up with the sunrise to maximize exposure to the full spectrum of sunlight.

Proximity to Sunlight, Infrared, and Grounding Supports Human Biology

Sunlight Boosts Mitochondrial Function and Melatonin Production

Saladino details the benefits of abundant sunlight in Costa Rica for human health. Ultraviolet light's role in vitamin D production and the full spectrum of light are crucial elements of his morning routine, which includes surfing at sunrise and engaging in grounding, a practice of walking barefoot to receive sunlight in his eyes. He points to the importance of natural light, inc ...

Paul Saladino speaks on the detrimental health effects of ultra-processed foods and the industrialization of our food supply, drawing attention to the inequities in dietary choices and the false narratives surrounding calorie consumption and exercise.

Seed Oils, Refined Carbs Drive Chronic Disease Epidemic

Saladino emphasizes the point that not all calories are created equal and suggests that a calorie-restricted diet consisting of unhealthy foods will not promote health. Industrial processes, such as refining, bleaching, and deodorizing seed oils, result in products that are marketed as healthy despite being historically inappropriate for human consumption. Such industrialized fats and refined carbohydrates are implicated in the epidemic of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Seed Oils Harm Mitochondria and Promote [restricted term] Resistance

Saladino discusses the rising consumption of seed oils since the 1980s and how the human body stores these polyunsaturated fats, which were historically consumed at much lower levels. He argues that an increase in linoleic acid from sources like corn and soy has correlated with a rise in chronic illnesses and points out that seed oils lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and [restricted term] resistance. Saladino asserts that seed oils, high in linoleic acid, cause [restricted term] resistance and potentially increase the risk of diseases like atherosclerosis due to LDL oxidation.

Sugars and Refined Carbs Cause Gut Dysbiosis, Inflammation, and [restricted term] Resistance

When it comes to sugars and refined carbs, Saladino clarifies that these can induce [restricted term] resistance not by increasing blood sugar levels, but by harming the gut microbiome, resulting in dysbiosis. The resulting endotoxemia, marked by the release of inflammatory molecules by gut bacteria, signals [restricted term] resistance due to inflammation. He argues that the harmful effects of sugar are mitigated by the other chemicals present in whole fruits, which are missing in refined sugar products.

Industrialization and Processing Stripped Foods of Nutrients and Introduced Harmful Adulterants

Pasteurization Reduces Milk's Beneficial Immune Components and Nutritional Value

Paul Saladino addr ...

Paul Saladino gives a detailed examination of the drivers of chronic diseases, highlighting that many of today's health issues are rooted in [restricted term] resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction, while cholesterol and lipoproteins are often wrongly blamed for heart disease.

[restricted term] Resistance and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Underlie Chronic Illnesses

Saladino criticizes the mainstream narrative that focuses on energy balance and disregards the quality of food consumed. He emphasizes the detrimental effects of poor-quality foods on mitochondrial energy production, which relate to [restricted term] resistance and metabolic dysfunction. The rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and auto-immunity in modern societies are contrasted with the absence of such illnesses in hunter-gatherer societies. Saladino attributes the current health crisis, particularly among the Pima Indians, to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. These foods, rich in ingredients like seed oils, refined grains, and sugar, impair energy production at a molecular level, leading to [restricted term] resistance and metabolic dysfunction.

Seed Oils & Refined Carbs Impair Mitochondrial Energy & Cause [restricted term] Resistance

Saladino suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic imbalance stem from an excessive intake of polyunsaturated fats compared to historically consumed levels of saturated and monounsaturated fats. He argues that the consumption of polyunsaturated rich seed oils causes [restricted term] resistance at a mitochondrial level by disrupting electron transport and energy generation. Metabolic dysfunction primarily occurs at the level of the mitochondria, where the body’s inability to convert food into usable energy leads to impaired ATP production. Saladino indicates that issues such as an abundance of linoleic acid from seed oils in the mitochondrial membrane can cause a proton leak, thereby reducing ATP production and contributing to [restricted term] resistance.

Cholesterol and Lipoproteins Wrongly Blamed For Heart Disease

Ldl Cholesterol and Heart Disease: A Correlational, Not Causative, Association

Saladino reviews the often misconstrued link between LDL cholesterol and heart disease, pointing out inconsistencies and correlational rather than causative associations. He cites a study indicating no significant relationship between saturated fat consumption and heart disease, which challenges the notion that LDL cholesterol levels are a direct cause of heart disease. Instead, the presence of atherosclerosis in arteries, but not veins, and the tendency of LDL to inflict harm only when oxidized suggests that other factors are at play.

[restricted term] Resistance and Oxidative Stress Drive Atherosclerosis; Ldl Is Secondary

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Paul Saladino discusses the shortcomings of current dietary and medical advice, emphasizing the influence of corporate interests on health recommendations and the insufficient nutritional education provided to medical professionals.

Flawed Research and Bias in Dietary and Medical Guidelines

Saladino raises concerns about the standard medical and nutritional guidelines, citing the possible impact of industry lobbying.

Lipid Hypothesis Linking Saturated Fat, Cholesterol to Heart Disease Lacks Evidence, Influenced by Industry Interests

Saladino critiques the lipid hypothesis, which establishes a connection between saturated fat, cholesterol, and heart disease. He discusses the historical eating habits and how these refute the claim that saturated fat causes heart disease. He cites the Seven Countries Study by Ancel Keys, which has been criticized for selective data usage that supported the belief in a link between saturated fat and heart disease. This flawed belief has underpinned longstanding USDA dietary guidelines, according to Saladino.

Furthermore, Saladino questions the push for polyunsaturated fats over saturated fats that arose from this flawed nutritional guidance. He confronts the conventional wisdom surrounding LDL cholesterol, asserting that we have been misled by the narrative that LDL is harmful, an idea which he says has been influenced by the propagation of seed oils and the vested interests of the American Heart Association. Saladino emphasizes that his perspective on LDL differs, viewing it as an immune particle with evolutionarily consistent roles, rather than something that evolved to harm us.

Authorities Have Failed to Educate the Public About Chronic Disease, Instead Promoting Ineffective and Potentially Harmful Interventions

Saladino argues against the common refrain "all foods fit," critiquing the disregard for the detrimental effects of ingredients in ultra-processed foods. He contends that this overlooks the impact of these additives on metabolism and mitochondrial function. Saladino also takes issue with the widespread use of statins, a class of drugs to lower LDL cholesterol, highlighting their adverse effects and the lack of consideration for the historical importance of cholesterol and animal fats in human health.

Doctors Receive Minimal Nutrition Training

Saladino laments the lack of nutritional education within the medical profess ...

With Paul Saladino as a proponent, the conversation delves into the benefits derived from focusing on animal-based diets, particularly the inclusion of organ meats, and reevaluates the role of plant-based foods.

High-Quality Animal-Based Diet Reverses Chronic Health Issues

Saladino has encountered thousands of individuals who have reversed chronic illnesses by altering their diets. Diseases previously seen as incurable, including diabetes, obesity, depression, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases, have reportedly been mitigated or reversed through diet changes, particularly via carnivorous or animal-based diets. Such diet adjustments have notably led to improvements negating the need for surgeries in some cases.

Organ Meats: A Nutrient-Rich Source for Immune Function, Hormonal Balance, and Tissue Repair

Saladino underscores the importance of consuming the whole animal, including organ meats like liver, heart, kidney, spleen, and brain, for a comprehensive nutrient intake. These organs provide essential vitamins and nutrients like vitamin A, choline, biotin, folate, and copper, which support immune function, hormonal balance, and tissue repair. He refers to his experience with the Hadza tribe and their high valuation of organ meats, further validating their significance in human diets.

Beyond vitamins and minerals, these organs offer bioactive peptides and micro RNA with the potential to benefit corresponding human organs—a fact mirrored in the traditional practices of indigenous tribes. Saladino has founded companies like Heart and Soil Supplements, producing organ capsules, and Lineage, creating grass-finished meat sticks with organs, to facilitate the incorporation of these nutrient-rich sources into modern diets. He advocates for the inclusion of organ meats, whether raw, cooked, or freeze-dried, as part of a balanced and nutrient-dense diet.

Plant-Based Foods: A Supplement, Not the Foundation of a Healthy Diet

Saladino suggests autoimmune or sensitive individuals may significantly benefit from limiting or excluding plant foods from their diets, possibly permanently, due to the defensive chemicals in plants that can affect gut health and immune response. He shares his personal experience with eczema improvement after cutting out vegetables and anecdotes of individuals with conditions like psoriasis experiencing relief after adopting meat-centered diets. Saladino discusses the higher bioavailability and nutrient density in animal-based foods compared to their plant-based counterparts, stating that nutrients such as creatine, carnitine, taurine, B12, and K2 are vital for humans and are primarily found in animal foods.

He notes the traditional practice of fermenting vegetables by hunter-gatherers, implying that modern diets devoid of this practice may contribute to the negative effects of plant defense chemicals. For those with autoimmune conditions, eliminating vegetables and prioritizing an animal-based diet could lead to dramatic positive changes in their immune systems.

Balanced Animal Proteins, Fats, and Carbs From Fruit and Honey Restore Metabolic Health and Mitigate ...