In an era where chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer dominate health headlines and drain economies, a return to ancestral patterns offers a potent shield. This post explores how consuming whole foods—especially animal-based ones rich in their natural fats—while shunning processed items laden with chemicals, refined carbs, and vegetable oils, combined with daily non-burning sun exposure, consistent deep sleep, regular walking and exercise, and fostering supportive relationships over toxic ones, can prevent these ailments. Drawing on observations from researchers such as Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Weston Price, and Staffan Lindeberg among indigenous groups, this approach contrasts with the pitfalls of processed diets, erratic sleep patterns, and harmful social ties that can lead to debilitating conditions requiring costly medical interventions, supported by stark statistics on disease prevalence and economic burdens.
Read MoreDr. Weston A. Price's research on the human diet has stood the test of time, offering insight into the role that traditional diets play in overall health. Price correctly identified the detrimental effects of "displacing foods of modern commerce," such as refined sugar, white flour, and processed oils, on dental health and physical development. He also highlighted the importance of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, and what he termed "Activator X" (now known as vitamin K2), found abundantly in animal-based foods. However, modern research adds another layer to Price's conclusions: the importance of chewing harder, unprocessed foods to develop a healthy jaw and straight teeth. This blog explores how these two factors—diet and chewing—work together to ensure optimal health.
Read MoreThis is the presentation I am giving today at PaleoFx in Austin Texas.
Read MoreTooth wear is considered a bad thing in the modern era. It can be painful and unsightly. Furthermore, a 2019 analysis of 706 studies involving tooth wear associated it with sleep disorders, oro-facial pain, oral dryness, GERD, and sleep bruxism (tooth grinding). However, several lines of research conclude that tooth wear, even in childhood, may be an evolutionary survival strategy. Especially as it pertains to proper jaw growth. The story is a little complicated, so I want to give you a little background and then explain how tooth wear may have been beneficial during our evolution.
Read MoreAs an active clinician with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, I am always searching for new perspectives on our poor health. Sometimes I find antique descriptions of current health problems. I recently found and read a book by George Catlin on how our children can achieve beautiful faces and superior health by ensuring that they sleep with their mouths closed. I had thought this knowledge to be a recent scientific finding, so naturally, I was intrigued and read the book in a few short hours. I was highly impressed with the Native American wisdom he shared. Sadly, the knowledge was largely forgotten and is only followed by a few people today. Here's some of what I learned...
Read MoreIn the history of the human race, eating was regarded with the highest priority. The taste was unimportant. Today, overly tasty foods act on the brain the same way alcohol, meth, cocaine, heroin, and many other drugs do. They cause a dopamine hit that will stimulate reward-seeking behaviors that are difficult to control. Flavorful foods are hijacking our brains. Drugs and hyper-palatable/highly processed foods are precisely the same. In both cases, the immediate short-term pleasure overtakes long-term health and wellness. I will cover this unfortunate shift and what we can do about it in this post.
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