How do barukas, also known as baru almonds, compare with other nuts?There is a new nut on the market called baru almonds, branded as “barukas” or baru nuts. Technically, it isn’t a nut but a seed native to the Brazilian Savannah, known as the Cerrado, which is now among the most threatened ecosystem
If the microbiome of those eating plant-based diets protects against the toxic effects of TMAO, what about swapping gut flora?“Almost 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates stated that ‘All disease begins in the gut.’” When we feed our gut bacteria right with whole plant foods, they feed us right back with be
Is “toxic mold syndrome” a real thing? What do we do about toxic mold contamination of food?In recent years, mold has been blamed for all sorts of “vague and subjective” symptoms, but we have little scientific evidence that mold should be implicated. However, this “concept of toxic mold syndrome has
The overall cost-benefit ratio for mycotoxins depends on which food is contaminated.Ochratoxin has been described as toxic to the immune system, developing fetus, kidneys, and nervous system, as well as being carcinogenic, but that is in animal studies. Ochratoxin “causes kidney toxicity in certain
Most crops are contaminated with fungal mycotoxins, but some foods are worse than others.Oats can be thought of as “uniquely nutritious.” One route by which they improve human health is by providing prebiotics that “increase the growth of beneficial gut microbiota.” There are all manner of oats, ran
Ever since the days of Hippocrates, 2,400 years ago, fasting has been offered as a treatment for acute and chronic diseases, based on the observation that when people get sick they frequently lose their appetite.Along with fever, decreased food consumption is one of the most common signs of infectio
One of the few food contaminants found at higher levels in those eating plant-based diets are mycotoxins, fungal toxins in moldy food ingredients, such as oats.In France, exposure to dietary contaminants was compared between vegetarians and meat-eaters, and the results showed that exposures to persi
How might we moderate the rare but very real risk of headbanging?If you search for heavy metal in the National Library of Medicine database, most of what you find is on heavy metal contamination in fish, which “makes it difficult to establish clearly the role of fish consumption on a healthy diet” a
What can reishi mushrooms, shiitake mushroom extracts, and whole, powdered white mushrooms do for cancer patients?“A regular intake of mushrooms can make us healthier, fitter, and happier, and help us live longer,” but what is the evidence for all that? “Mushrooms are widely cited for their medicina
Did the five randomized controlled trials of reishi mushrooms in cancer patients show benefits in terms of tumor response rate, survival time, or quality of life?Can mushrooms be medicinal? Mushroom-based products make up a sizable chunk of the $50 billion supplement market. “This profitable trade pr
In honor of National American Heritage Month, we are thrilled to share Chef Lois Ellen Frank’s Navajo Minestrone Soup with you. For more about Chef Lois, check out this interview.“Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez have been vocal proponents of healthy eating. President
The American Medical Association passed a resolution encouraging hospitals to offer healthy plant-based food options.“Globally, 11 million deaths annually are attributable to dietary factors, placing poor diet ahead of any other risk factor for death in the world.” Given that diet is our leading kil
There is another reason to avoid palm oil and question the authenticity of extra-virgin olive oil.The most commonly used vegetable oil in the world today is palm oil. Pick up any package of processed food in a box, bag, bottle, or jar, and the odds are it will have palm oil. Palm oil not only contai
We had the pleasure of talking with Ronnie Penn about his military service, his work as a chef and a coach, and what Veterans Day means to him. We hope you enjoy this interview. Thank you for your service, Ronnie. We’re honored to speak with you today. Can you start by sharing a bit about your backg
Chlorohydrin contaminates hydrolyzed vegetable protein products and refined oils.In 1978, chlorohydrins were found in protein hydrolysates. What does that mean? Proteins can be broken down into amino acids using a chemical process called hydrolysis, and free amino acids (like glutamate) can have tas
Treat the underlying cause of chronic lifestyle diseases.It’s been said that more than 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates declared, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” In actuality, it appears that he never actually said those words, but there’s “no doubt about the relevance of food…and i
Having a “normal” cholesterol level in a society where it’s normal to die from a heart attack isn’t necessarily a good thing.“Consistent evidence” from a variety of sources “unequivocally establishes” that so-called bad LDL cholesterol causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—strokes and heart
What effects do fasting and a plant-based diet have on TBI and migraines?An uncontrolled and unpublished study purported to show a beneficial effect of fasting on migraine headaches, but fasting may be more likely to trigger a migraine than help it. In fact, “skipped meals are among the most consist
More than half of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers appear to have a form of atypical food allergy.A chronic gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome affects about one in ten people. You may have heard about low-FODMAP diets, but they don’t appear to work any better than the standa
What does the gut have to do with developing Parkinson’s disease?Parkinson’s disease is an ever-worsening neurodegenerative disorder that results in death and affects about 1 in 50 people as they get older. A small minority of cases are genetic, running in families, but 85% to 90% of cases are spora
The spice cumin can work as well as orlistat, the “anal leakage” obesity drug.In my video Friday Favorites: Benefits of Black Cumin for Weight Loss, I discussed how a total of 17 randomized controlled trials showed that the simple spice could reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And its side
Please note: This blog contains descriptions of sexual assault.“Recent reports of medical students performing pelvic exams for training purposes on anesthetized women without their consent”—or their knowledge—“have produced a firestorm of controversy and calls for greater regulation.” However, that
We had the pleasure of talking with Ale Graf about her work, food, and National Hispanic Heritage Month. We hope you enjoy this interview and her recipe for Hibiscus Chamoy.As someone who creates Mexican dishes with a plant-based twist, how is food an important part of your culture and how you share
Please note: This blog contains descriptions of sexual assault.From Heart Failure, a book I wrote about my time at Tufts University School of Medicine: “I am all gloved up, fifth in line. At Tufts, medical students—particularly male students—practice pelvic exams on anesthetized women without their c
