The Health Edge: translating the science of self-care

In this recording of The Health Edge, Mark and John interview Mark Campbell PhD. We discuss the science linking time in Nature with global health outcomes. About Mark Campbell: Dr. Mark A. Campbell uses his background in wellness, sports medicine, exercise science, and performance psychology to impact change across all areas of life. His diverse background affords him the ability to help audiences see the world through many lenses.
Mark shares his unique blend of holistic education, application, and
experience with audiences worldwide. Mark spent almost a decade
leading performance and wellness-based programs for the US Army and the Department of Defense, which included assisting the military and government leads from fourteen Allied nations in developing transition
programs for their wounded, ill, and injured military populations. He then acted as the Director of Mental Conditioning for the World Series Champion
Washington Nationals. Mark holds both the Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP) and Certified Worksite Wellness Specialist (CWWS) through the National Wellness Institute, were he currently serves as the Senior Fellow for Healthcare and Ability.
https://campbell-performance.com/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32668...

In a world where health advice is abundant, it can be challenging to sift through conflicting data and headlines. One such contentious issue is the connection between red meat and type 2 diabetes. On this episode of The Health Edge, we take a critical look at this connection and aim to provide a balanced perspective on this often polarizing topic.
The episode focuses on a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health that has purportedly found a connection between red meat consumption and type 2 diabetes. This study suggests that red meat consumption increases the risk of diabetes by 62%. However, upon further scrutiny, we find that the absolute risk difference between meat-eaters and non-meat eaters is a mere 0.52% versus 0.37%. Furthermore, the study relies heavily on food frequency questionnaires, a method known to have numerous inherent flaws, thus raising questions about the study's overall impact.
The world of nutritional epidemiology is complex and fraught with potential pitfalls. One of the most significant issues is the use of confounding variables, factors that can interfere with the results of a study. For instance, when considering red meat consumption, how do we separate the impact of the meat itself from the other components often associated with it, such as high-fat sauces or refined grains? Additionally, inaccuracies in data collection methods, such as the use of food frequency questionnaires, can further muddy the waters.
These epidemiological studies are not without their merits, as they often provide hypotheses that merit further exploration. However, it's important to remember that quality nutritional research can be elusive. Therefore, the focus should not just be on what food one consumes, but also the overall nutrition and lifestyle factors.
To truly understand the implications of such studies, it is vital to consider the overall nutrition and lifestyle of an individual. A person's health is not just determined by their food choices but also their overall lifestyle. Factors such as physical activity levels, sleep patterns, stress levels, and even social determinants of health play a significant role in determining health outcomes. A hamburger consumed by a physically active person who maintains a balanced diet may not have the same health implications as the same hamburger consumed by a sedentary individual with a diet rich in processed foods.
In conclusion, while it is essential to remain informed about the latest nutritional research, it's equally important to approach these studies with a critical eye. While the connection between red meat and type 2 diabetes is a topic that continues to garner attention, it's clear that more comprehensive research is needed. The key takeaway is that your health is not solely determined by individual food choices but by a complex interplay of lifestyle factors. As always, the best approach is to maintain a balanced diet, stay active, and make informed decisions about your health.
For a thoughtful and more detailed review of this study and studies like this I highly recommend Zoe Harcombe's PhD terrific work. https://www.zoeharcombe.com/

In this episode of the Health Edge Mark and John discuss areas of research they are closely following. John shares some interesting fatty acid research and introduces heptadecanoic acid as an emerging 17-carbon fat, important to healthy brain aging. Mark reviews some aging and longevity research he is following. Topics include epigenetic aging, biologic age regression using Yamanaka factors, gene and cell therapies, and senolytics.

In this recording of The Health Edge, Mark and John discuss the importance of dietary intake and sources of omega 6 and omega 3 fats. An abundance of epidemiological and clinical trials suggest high ratios of O-6/O-3 drive increased inflammation, oxidative stress and are associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Mark and John look at the biochemistry and some clinical trials that support avoidance of processed omega-6 vegetable oils and encourage more whole omega-3 sources.
The research papers reviewed can be found at: www.thehealthedgepodcast.com

In this episode of The Health Edge Mark and John review some papers that challenge the well accepted clinical meme that lowering LDL should be the focal point of reducing CV risk and all-cause mortality risk.
Papers referenced:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/6/e...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...