Alter Your Health

Dr. Benjamin Alter

Your source of information and inspiration to promote the holistic transformation of your health and the health of our planet! Dr. Benjamin chats with all sorts of experts in the fields of consciousness, holistic health, spirituality, and nutrition diving deep to access and share the nuggets of truth that support the growth and evolution of people and the planet.

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Top 10 Alter Your Health Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Alter Your Health episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Alter Your Health for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Alter Your Health episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#340 | WW - Processing, Integrating, & Letting Sh!t Go

Alter Your Health

09/21/22 • 23 min

You already know that digestive issues are far too common. You also know that your HEALTH and body's balance is dependent on clean, efficient, and harmonious digestive processes.
Many digestive issues can simply be due to eating unhealthy, processed, chemically-ladened junk foods. However, there are many who seem to consume loads of ultra-processed foods just fine without suffering from acute or chronic digestive complaints - though that certainly does not mean they are optimally healthy.
More often than not the root cause of digestive issues are not found in examining WHAT we are eating but rather HOW we are eating. That is to say, our state of mind and emotion plays a powerfully significant role in how the digestive system operates to create either health and harmony or dis-ease and imbalance.
We covered a bit of this "3rd Chakra" energy stuff last week in episode #338 when talking about the energetic connections with stomach health and function. Today we are moving down the digestive tract to discuss the energy that travels through the billions of neurons that send signals to and from the intestines.
The theme of today: processing, assimilating, absorbing, integrating, and eliminating with grace and ease.

Join the conversations live on YouTube every Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth
Some highlights from today's WW episode on intestinal energetics...

The brain-intestine connection - exploring how moment-to-moment state of mind impacts intestinal function
How we can allow ourselves the power to absorb and integrate the more challenging aspects and relationships in life
The root energetic causes of IBS, SIBO, food intolerances, and intestinal dysbiosis - seriousness, controlling, self-judgment, strong opinions, irritability, resistance
The importance of letting go to what no longer serves us in service of clearing the colon and optimizing bowel transit
Why dietary changes offer little sustainable relief of chronic digestive issues and how we can instead fully embrace the present to find our digestive health

Links to some more good stuff
- Get weekly Meal Guides: https://www.alter.health/meal-guides
- Stay connected on Telegram: https://t.me/alterhealth
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- ATTN Health Practitioners! Learn more and apply to the Plant Based Mind Body Practitioner Program: https://www.alter.health/pbmb-practitioner
Peace and Love.

Links to more good stuff
- EAT MORE, WEIGH LESS PROGRAM - www.alter.health/eat-more-weigh-less
- 1-on-1 Nutritional Analysis Package - www.alter.health/nutritional-analysis
- Get the Alter Health weekly WFPB Meal Guides: www.alter.health/meal-guides
- Thrive on Plants Program: www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- TMS Free Life Program - www.alter.health/tms-free-life

#346 | WW - Detox Judgment, Heal the Gallbladder

Alter Your Health

10/19/22 • 20 min

The podcast took a brief hiatus as we welcomed our Baby Girl into the world! What a wild and wonderful week it's been. We are so in love...
The podcast resumes with some pre-recorded episodes as we finish our "Head to Toe" series.
While the gallbladder helps with digestion and detoxification with its storage and release of bile, we can pause and consider what else besides the fatty foods and accumulated toxins can we allow ourselves to let go of...
Gallstones are one of the most common gallbladder afflictions. Sure, we want to avoid those foods and environmental exposures that can lead to the sluggishness and stone formation... but how about the hard thoughts, bitterness, and judgment that we might also be holding onto?
While the liver is all about the emotion of anger, the gall bladder represents that same anger directed towards oneself. So, to create the healthy energetics for gallbladder function, we can give ourself the mega dose of unconditional self-compassion we deserve!
Some highlights from today's WW episode on emotions and your LIVER...

The brain - gallbladder connection and how the stress response burdens digestion and detoxification via shutting off gallbladder function
What we can do with the inevitable angry and resentful thoughts and how we can release them from consciousness and the body
How a healthy stream of self-expression and compassion translates to fluidity and function of bile release from the gallbladder
Where anger fundamentally comes from and ways we can normalize and integrate this heavy emotion

#254 | WW - Your Inner Cryptocurrency

Alter Your Health

11/03/21 • 15 min

Inner cryptocurrency...? WTF?
Hear me out!
For those completely unfamiliar with the world of cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, ethereum, etc.) just follow along with the new metaphor :)

It's pretty well understood that any financial investment carries with it a bit of "risk." With crypto (some coins) there is A LOT of risk.
Various markets have different amounts of volatility... not so dissimilar from your inner state from moment to moment, huh?
Join the conversation live in the Plant Based & Stress Free FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alterhealth
Join the conversation live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth
For more, deep conversations on the topics of Mind, Thought, and Consciousness come on into Peace on Earth: https://alter.health/peace-on-earth

Some highlights from today's WW episode...

- Becoming obsessed with anything (inside or outside) can lead to stressful thinking/feeling
- Generally speaking, micromanaging a situation doesn't take us anywhere productive
- How we can "set down" our thinking the same way we set down our cell phone
- It's helpful to step back and look at growth/health/peace from a global perspective
- For every "up" there is a "down" - we are self-balancing!
Links to some more good stuff

- Join weekly Peace on Earth conversations: https://www.alter.health/peace-on-earth
- Join the Plant Based &. Stress Free FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alterhealth
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- ATTN Health Practitioners! Learn more and apply to the Plant Based Mind Body Practitioner Program: https://www.alter.health/pbmb-practitioner
Peace and Love.

#280 | WW - Camouflage Limiting Thoughts

Alter Your Health

02/16/22 • 13 min

Limited thoughts are sneaky! They are often hidden in plain sight, but completely out of awareness at the same time...
It's like when a friend points out an exotic bird on a distant tree... you strain your eyes in attempts to spot the bird, meanwhile, another one flies up to perch on a branch just above your head!
Sometimes our focus is simply limiting our perception and we are unable to fully grasp the reality of a situation.
Arguably, this is to some degree the case ALL THE TIME! But, bringing insight to the invariable blindspots can be very empowering... and humbling!
We unpack the mysterious nature of these sneaky limited thoughts in today's episode...
Join the conversations live on YouTube every Wednesday: https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth
For more, deep conversations on the topics of Mind, Thought, and Consciousness come on into Peace on Earth: https://alter.health/peace-on-earth

Some highlights from today's WW episode...

State of mind (and awareness) shifts moment to moment
Curiosity keeps a mind open to new ideas and possibilities
Humans are creatures of habit - we fall into habitual thinking
We can create new habits, have fresh thoughts, and experience the world anew in a moment
Even the most stubborn and "close minded" person is connected with infinite creative potential

Links to some more good stuff

- Join weekly Peace on Earth conversations: https://www.alter.health/peace-on-earth
- Join Alter Health on Locals: https://alterhealth.locals.com
- Stay connected on Telegram: https://t.me/alterhealth
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- ATTN Health Practitioners! Learn more and apply to the Plant Based Mind Body Practitioner Program: https://www.alter.health/pbmb-practitioner
Peace and Love.

#41 | Is your liver sluggish? Learn how to promote a healthy liver!

Alter Your Health

10/24/18 • 28 min

I feel like it's been a long time coming, as the Liver literally plays a central role in every aspect of health and healing. If you want to experience your optimal health and heal from any chronic health condition, you are definitely going to want to tune into this one!
We talk many things including...

Some of the MANY roles that the liver is responsible for on a day to day, moment to moment basis
* Production of bile
* Production of certain proteins for blood plasma
* Production of cholesterol
* Conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage
* Regulation of blood levels of amino acids
* Processing hemoglobin for use in blood cells
* Conversion of ammonia to urea
* Clearing the blood of drugs and alcohol
* Regulating proteins necessary for proper blood clotting/coagulation
* Creating immune proteins
* Clearance of bilirubin from the body
* Break down and remove excess hormones from the body
* DETOXIFICATION
We dive into the the steps of detoxification and the key ingredients to carry out these processes
* We talk about the signs and symptoms of a stressed or sluggish liver
* Weight gain
* Hormonal imbalances (irregular menses, infertility, menopausal symptoms)
* Chronic skin issues (acne, psoriasis, eczema)
* Fatigue
* Irregular bowels/undigested food in stool
Finally, we talk about some of the nutritional and lifestyle keys for maintaining optimal liver health

Tune in to learn some of the most important tips to living a clean and healthy life so that your liver stays happy and functions optimally!

Links to learn more

Show notes and resources: https://alter.health/episode41/

Get a copy of Dr. Benjamin's book: https://amzn.to/2tmiOz3

Apply to work with Dr. Benjamin: https://alter.health/membership

Connect on Facebook: https://fb.me/alterhealthinc

Follow Dr. Benjamin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbenjaminalter

#313 | MM - Clear and Radiant Skin

Alter Your Health

06/20/22 • 30 min

Beauty comes from within. Of course, beauty is more than just skin deep, but the radiance and glow of healthy skin also comes from within.
Chronic or recurrent conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or just aging and dehydrated skin are exceedingly common. The good news is that radiant skin is much closer than you might realize!
You may have been led to believe that you need some special products or potions to have healthy, ageless skin. The multi-billion dollar beauty industry capitalizes on our culture's vain nature and desire for a quick fix.
Through understanding the intrinsic connections between skin, digestion, liver health, circulation, lymphatics, hormones, etc. it becomes clear that the glowing skin we all seek is a natural consequence of a healthy and balanced internal terrain.
This is a huge topic, and a powerfully liberating one! Waking up to and revealing our true inner radiance brings deeper confidence, peace, trust, and freedom. The only side effect to natural and radiant skin from within is enhanced all around health and vitality.
Tune into this week's Alter Your Health from Head to Toe episode and learn much more about healing skin issues and popular topics like collagen, antioxidants, liver detox, and much more!

As always, you can join us live each Monday at 12 PT / 3 ET on the Alter Health YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/alterhealth
Some highlights from today's episode on SKIN..

The incredible regenerative potential of the skin - we have an entirely new epidermis approximately every month
How so many topical agents can do more harm than good to this enormous organ covering +/- 20 square feet!
The underlying features of common conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin
The most common nutritional and lifestyle obstacles that exacerbate skin issues
How supporting digestion and liver health with nutrient density and hydration are reflected through radiant skin
The most liberating topical skin routine - the caveman method!

Links to some more good stuff
- Join Alter Health on Locals: https://alterhealth.locals.com/
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- ATTN Health Practitioners! Learn more and apply to the Plant Based Mind Body Practitioner Program: https://www.alter.health/pbmb-practitioner
Peace and Love.

#355 - TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome) & Mind as Medicine

Alter Your Health

12/01/22 • 37 min

It's me, Dr. Ben this time. I'm struggling with some TMS symptoms.
Dr. Susanna shared her journey and insight with it nearly a year ago back in Episode #267. And for those totally new to the concept or idea of TMS, my conversation during Episode #76 with Michael Galinsky, the filmmaker of All The Rage: Saved by Sarno, is a great place to start. Or you can watch that awesome documentary film!
So, my right knee flared up on a short run. It's so easy (and tempting!) to just blame it on the run - a tendonitis strain or something. While that may have happened, it doesn't in and of itself explain the nagging and persistent pain.
The fact of the matter is that TMS - tension myositis syndrome - is at the root of virtually ALL chronic conditions... seriously!
So, how do we deal with it? Well it's a very personal process, but I'll share my perspective here in this episode.
PS - I also share a bit in my new Substack you can find at benjaminalter.substack.com
- I wrote an article called TMS - Tension Myositis Syndrome (or Too Much Suppression)
Some highlights from today's episode...

Why emotional pain is so difficult to feel and how culture makes it easier and more acceptable for pain to manifest physically
The mechanics of TMS - i.e. the way that psychological stress manifests physiologically in muscles, and all cells of the body
My view of the "TMS Community" and how I try to avoid the dogma
Why it makes sense to nurture the physical even though root causes are mental/emotional
Tips and tools for navigating pain while taking total responsibility for self-healing

Links to some more good stuff
- Get the Alter Health weekly WFPB Meal Guides: https://www.alter.health/meal-guides
- Cleanse with Us during the next Alter Health Cleanse: https://www.alter.health/cleanse
- Work with us in the Thrive on Plants program: https://www.alter.health/thrive-on-plants
- ATTN Health Practitioners! Learn more and apply to the Plant Based Mind Body Practitioner Program: https://www.alter.health/pbmb-practitioner
Peace and Love.

#369 - The Truth About Goitrogens

Alter Your Health

03/08/23 • 36 min

Continuing our discussion around “anti-nutrient” compounds in plants takes us to goitrogens.
This term refers to substances that can interfere with iodine uptake by the thyroid and lead to decreased thyroid function, thereby leading to the formation of a “goiter.” The classic goitrogen is actually the deficiency of iodine, an essential mineral for thyroid activity. This, of course led to the iodination of table salt, which ensures proper iodine intake and thyroid function for people who may otherwise by iodine deficient. Note that we don’t advocate for consuming iodized table salt, or any added salt to the diet generally. Enough iodine is present in all fresh fruits and veggies, but eating sea vegetables like dulse or nori from time to time is a good iodine insurance policy.
The goitrogens that we are talking about today are mainly the glucosinolate compounds found highest in brassica or cruciferous vegetables. One specific compound has been singled out and named goitrin (poor guy) due to the alleged goitrogenic effects. Like the other “anti nutrients” we’ve covered (lectins, oxalates, and phytates), glucosinolates are naturally occurring phytonutrients that actually have wonderful health benefits, not determinants!
In todays episode we’ll look in to the science that supports the claims behind these so called goitrogenic nutrients. We’ll also look at some of the science showing the health benefits of the same compounds in question!
I find it ironic that one of the most famous and widely occurring goitrogenic glucosinolate is glucoraphanin which is actually the precursor to the beloved isothyanate compound, sluforophane! Sorry for all of the biochemistry jargon... The point is just that many of the same people fear mongering about anti nutrients like goitrogens also praise the detoxification and health benefits of sulforophane. (And if you want to learn more about sulforophane, you can tune into Episode #364.)
Episode Highlights

Cell and animal model studies have shown how glucosinolate compounds (goitrin) may potentially interfere with thyroids uptake of iodine, thereby decreasing thyroid function
Studies have also shown that many other common compounds such as resveratrol and other flavonoids may also have this sort of “goitrogenic effect”
There is a huge range when it comes to the amount of glucosinolates in cruciferous veggies - very much dependent upon soil quality and growing conditions
Cooking/steaming veggies vastly lowers glucosinolate content, including glucoraphanin which has clear health benefits
Studies seem to show that in general, consumption of glucosinolate-rich foods like cruciferous vegetables is protective against cancer and other disease
Nutrients exist in a complex matrix and compounds studied in reductionistic isolation may show data that is irrelevant and unrepresentative to real world circumstances

#126 | Ellen Friedman: Grace & Ease with Pain & Disease

Alter Your Health

09/02/19 • 80 min

My mom is a guest on the podcast! Ellen Friedman is my mother and physical therapist turned spiritual life coach. She's a special human being. Our relationship has been such a source of growth and learning... it feels like a big leap in healing and connecting to share this conversation with her.

We talk about many things, from form to formless. We didn't get so much time to talk about what Ellen is truly passionate about these days, supporting individuals in navigating their life and health with grace and ease. But that being said, I trust this conversation will give a solid taste of how Ellen is able to connect with humans and support the deepening of their understanding of life, health, and dis-ease.

Some highlights include...

Ellen's journey through physical therapy and into spiritual coaching
Her experience witnessing miracles of people healing multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions
The "Ellenisms" that her clients began asking for
Where to focus to cultivate a healing mindset
How understanding the nature of thought supports our experience of health
How to experience less suffering physically and emotionally

You may also be interested in these other 3-principles based conversations...

Episode 8 with Dr. Bill Pettit - www.alter.health/episode8

Episode 60 with Dicken Bettinger - www.alter.health/episode60

Episode 80 with Rohini Ross - www.alter.health/episode80

Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to leave a comment, rating, or review on whatever platform you choose to tune in on!

Links to learn more

SHOW NOTES: https://alter.health/episode126/
TAKE OUR ONLINE COURSE: https://alter.health/course
SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/alterhealth
JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY: https://www.alter.health/healing-community
GET OUR BOOK: https://amzn.to/2tmiOz3
APPLY TO WORK WITH US: https://alter.health/membership
CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://fb.me/alterhealthinc
CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM:

#166 | TJ David: Mindful, Balanced, and Plant-Powered Mountain Endurance

Alter Your Health

01/20/20 • 80 min

I googled "plant based athlete roaring fork valley" and found TJ... and I sure am glad that I did!

TJ is not your typical extreme outdoorsman. He is mindful, grounded, soulful, creative, restorative... and plant powered!

OK - so, I might be making some generalizations about mountain athletes, but he's a super cool guy and we had a great conversation.

Some highlights include...

How and when TJ decided to make his hobby a career
Key points and practices for staying mindful in the mountains
The equation for balance and the necessity for restorative practices
What a plant based diet did for TJ's performance
The holistic approach to coaching athletes in achieving their goals

Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to leave a comment, rating, or review on whatever platform you choose to tune in on!

You may also be interested in these episodes...

Transform Life From Battleground to Playground with Dr. Benjamin - https://www.alter.health/episode106
3175 mile Plant-Powered Mission with Robbie Balenger - https://www.alter.health/episode124
“Running is my new Hunting” with Josh LaJaunie - https://www.alter.health/episode130

Links to learn more

SHOW NOTES: https://www.alter.health/episode166
JOIN PLANT BASED & STRESS FREE FB GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alterhealth/
TAKE OUR ONLINE COURSE: https://www.alter.health/course
SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/alterhealth
GET OUR BOOK: https://amzn.to/2tmiOz3
APPLY TO WORK WITH US: https://www.alter.health/holistic-intensive
CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://fb.me/alterhealthinc
CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/alter.health

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FAQ

How many episodes does Alter Your Health have?

Alter Your Health currently has 389 episodes available.

What topics does Alter Your Health cover?

The podcast is about Plant Based, Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Alternative Health, Mental Health, Awakening, Podcasts, Consciousness and Health.

What is the most popular episode on Alter Your Health?

The episode title '#354 - My Grace-Full Birth Journey' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Alter Your Health?

The average episode length on Alter Your Health is 38 minutes.

How often are episodes of Alter Your Health released?

Episodes of Alter Your Health are typically released every 3 days, 12 hours.

When was the first episode of Alter Your Health?

The first episode of Alter Your Health was released on May 13, 2018.

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Alter Your Health

Dr. Benjamin Alter

Top 10 Alter Your Health Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Alter Your Health have?

What topics does Alter Your Health cover?

What is the most popular episode on Alter Your Health?

What is the average episode length on Alter Your Health?

How often are episodes of Alter Your Health released?

When was the first episode of Alter Your Health?

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