Mastering Blood Sugar Podcast: The Vegetable Myth with Paul Saladino, MD

In this episode, Dr. Brian interviews Dr. Paul Saladino, the Carnivore MD, on his unconventional approach to nutrition and health. Dr. Saladino challenges the common belief that vegetables are always good for humans and advocates for a carnivorous diet instead.

He discusses his book and the research behind his ideas, inviting listeners to consider new perspectives on health and nutrition. The conversation touches on the influence of parents and cultural programming and the importance of questioning our assumptions.

Vegetables Are Not Always Healthy
Vegetables are often considered one of the most essential and healthy foods a person can eat. We are taught to include them in our diet from a young age, and doctors and nutritionists often recommend them. However, recent research by Dr. Paul Saladino, the carnivore MD, has challenged this assumption.

Dr. Saladino suggests that not all vegetables are healthy for humans. He argues that some vegetables contain compounds that can harm our bodies. For example, Dr. Saladino points to the presence of lectins, proteins found in some plants that may lead to inflammation and other adverse health effects. He also suggests that some vegetables contain compounds that can be hard for our bodies to digest, such as oxalates and phytates, which can interfere with the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals.

Eliminate Seed Oils and Processed Sugar
Dr. Saladino emphasizes the importance of eliminating seed oils and processed sugar from our diets. Seed oils, such as corn, canola, safflower, sunflower, and grape seed oil, are often found in processed foods and can contribute to various health issues. Processed sugar also contributes significantly to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Eat Animals For Nutrients
Eating animals for their nutrients is a concept that has been around for centuries. In recent years, however, the idea has been met with skepticism because plants contain more vitamins and minerals than animals. However, this is not necessarily true. While plants contain some vitamins and minerals, they also contain defense chemicals that can harm humans. Additionally, animal foods are more bioavailable than plant foods, meaning that our bodies can more easily absorb and use the nutrients found in animal foods.

The Hadza, an indigenous people living in Tanzania, is an example of a culture that relies heavily on animal foods. The Hadza are hunter-gatherers, hunting and gathering their nutrition from the land. They consume various animals, including antelope, wildebeest, and other game, as well as honey, fruits, and nuts. Studies have found that the Hadza have an excellent nutrient intake, with adequate levels of vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. This is likely due to their diet, which is high in animal foods.

Key Takeaways

[00:01:25] Challenging beliefs about vegetables.
[00:03:44] Vegetables are potentially not healthy.
[00:09:11] Plant defense mechanisms.
[00:18:22] The benefits and detriments of vegetables.
[00:21:40] Molecular hormetics in plants.
[00:24:19] Why we should eat animals.
[00:27:20] Metabolic dysfunction and diet.
[00:33:04] Fructose and fruit vs. processed sugar.
[00:41:30] Seed oils and metabolic disease.
[00:44:41] Optimal human diet.
[00:56:43] Evolution of human vision.

Resources

Website: https://www.carnivoremd.com
The Carnivore Code: https://www.amazon.com/Carnivore-Code-Unlocking-Returning-Ancestral/dp/035846997X/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carnivoreMD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carnivoremd2.0/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/paulsaladinomd
Heart&Soil: https://heartandsoil.co/