Podcast Summary: Beyond Blind Blaming – Dr. Josh Axe: 95% of Diseases Are Lifestyle-Related, Here's How to Reverse Them Naturally

Host: Kevin D. St.Clergy
Guest: Dr. Josh Axe
Date: October 14, 2025

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In this episode, Kevin D. St.Clergy sits down with Dr. Josh Axe—a leading figure in natural medicine and clinical nutrition—to explore the radical idea that 95% of diseases are rooted in lifestyle rather than genetics, and that most can be reversed or dramatically improved with holistic, personalized approaches. The conversation dives into the real causes behind chronic illness, exposes common myths, and offers actionable strategies for transforming health naturally, emphasizing the critical role of community, purpose, and ancient remedies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Dr. Axe’s Personal Motivation and Story

[02:17–05:47]

• Dr. Axe was drawn to natural medicine after witnessing his mother's struggle with cancer and chronic illness, poorly managed by conventional medicine.
  • “I want to help people like my mom, and there has to be a better way.” — Dr. Josh Axe [04:08]
• His family’s journey—from traditional treatments to holistic healing modalities—inspired his commitment to root-cause medicine and holistic protocols.
• After helping his mother heal naturally from a second cancer diagnosis, Dr. Axe began applying these methods with patients, seeing reversal in conditions like autoimmune disease and diabetes.

The Prevalence of Lifestyle Disease

[05:57–06:50]

• 95% of modern health conditions are lifestyle-related, not primarily genetic.
  • “You have these genetic or epigenetic switches... but pretty much almost every single time those genes have to be turned on, and that's done via lifestyle.” — Dr. Josh Axe [06:17]
• Patients often blame genetics because doctors tell them so; in reality, choices about diet, sleep, environment, and stress play a much larger role.

The Three Fundamental Connections for Health

[07:05–09:09]

• Dr. Axe outlines three critical connections for health:
  1. Connection to God – Provides identity, purpose, and an eternal mindset.
  2. Connection to Others – Community is the strongest predictor of longevity, surpassing diet and exercise.
  3. Connection to Nature – Aligning with circadian rhythms, sunlight, and natural environments optimizes hormonal and nervous system health.
  • “If you feel like you have a really great family, close friends... that's actually more important than diet. It's more important than exercise.” — Dr. Josh Axe [07:56]
• Modern life, dominated by tech, big pharma, and processed foods, disconnects us from all three.

Purpose and Its Impact on Health

[09:31–10:39]

• Lack of purpose post-retirement or after major life changes detracts from health and lifespan.
  • “If you go from working and retire and then... do nothing, it actually is detrimental to your health. It takes years off your life because you lose your sense of purpose.” — Dr. Josh Axe [09:41]
• Only 25% of people are clear on their purpose, but finding purpose supports healing on a cellular and mitochondrial level.

Gut Health and the "Eat Dirt" Principle

[12:23–15:18]

• Gut health underpins nearly every aspect of well-being—immunity, energy, hormones, mood.
• The “Eat Dirt” approach includes:
  • Eliminating sugar, seed oils, and processed foods.
  • Incorporating gut-healing foods like bone broth, wild meats, olive oil, avocados, berries.
  • Spending more time outdoors and gardening to foster beneficial bacteria.
  • Supplementing with probiotics.
  • “Taking an antibiotic drug is like dropping an atomic bomb in your body. I mean, you're absolutely decimating your good bacteria population.” — Dr. Josh Axe [12:50]
• Outdoor time and physical activity are powerful levers for gut and overall health.

Where to Start: Practical Changes

[15:56–19:04]

• Dr. Axe recommends focusing first on diet (whole foods, less processed), movement (especially walking), sleep, and stress reduction.
  • Example Day: Superfood smoothie for breakfast, protein and vegetables for lunch/dinner, healthy fats, lots of time outdoors.
• Personalized supplementation can help—herbs tailored to common issues: ashwagandha (thyroid/adrenal), ginger (gut), black cohosh (menopause), etc.

The Myth of One-Size-Fits-All Diets

[20:43–22:08]

• Dr. Axe debunks the idea that a single diet (keto, vegan, etc.) works for everyone.
  • “The keto diet's great for a very small group of people, but for a lot of people, it's not the right diet for them.” — Dr. Josh Axe [22:03]
• Dietary protocols should be individualized based on health condition, constitution, and even tongue analysis (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Personalized Nutrition & Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

[23:15–26:09]

• Dr. Axe uses “tongue diagnosis” and blood work to personalize dietary plans.
  • “Based on the color, just slight change in the color of their tongue, I can tell what's going on with their blood based on the coating on their tongue.” — Dr. Josh Axe [23:55]
• Tools like continuous glucose monitoring and working with practitioners can reveal individual food reactions and the right macros.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes (and Most Conditions)

[26:14–28:57]

• Type 2 diabetes is “one of the easiest” to reverse in his clinic—high-protein, high-fiber, healthy fats, select supplements, movement.
• Herbs and nutrients for diabetes: chromium, berberine, fenugreek, cinnamon, gymnema.
• “The only outlier” to reversal is stress-induced cortisol elevation; address stress and sleep as final keys.

The Critical Role of Nature, Movement, and Tech Detox

[29:31–31:46]

• Walking outdoors, daylight exposure improve sleep, lower stress, and benefit hormone cycles.
• Excessive tech/screen time disrupts hormones, suppresses healing, and amplifies loneliness and stress.
  • “The amount of time we spend on technology is incredibly, incredibly disruptive to our health.” — Dr. Josh Axe [31:44]

The Power of Community and Relationships

[32:18–35:46]

• Loneliness equals the health risk of “smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
  • “If you're a person that feels very lonely for a day... it's the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes that day.” — Dr. Josh Axe [32:36]
• To reduce stress and foster well-being:
  • List stressors and joy-giving activities, take action or surrender the former, schedule the latter.
  • Identify top contacts (“iron sharpens iron”); limit toxic influences, cultivate positive support—especially vital when family relations are challenging.

Ancient Remedies: Herbs and Bone Broth

[38:39–42:38]

• Science is “catching up” to ancient wisdom, e.g., turmeric + black pepper for absorption—known in Ayurveda for 3,000+ years.
• Herbal medicine offers potent, side-effect–free therapies for nearly every condition:
  • Turmeric, boswellia, ginger for pain/inflammation
  • Ashwagandha, rhodiola for thyroid/adrenals
  • Black cohosh, red clover for menopause
  • “Herbs are nature’s medicine. In fact, most people don’t know this, but nearly... 50% of medications today are taken from herbs.” — Dr. Josh Axe [41:30]

The Importance of Masterminds/Peer Groups for Growth

[43:35–44:55]

• Dr. Axe attributes much of his personal and professional growth to “iron sharpens iron” masterminds—monthly book discussions, note sharing, peer feedback.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Taking an antibiotic drug is like dropping an atomic bomb in your body.” — Dr. Josh Axe [12:50 & 00:21]
• “Connection to God, connection to others, and connection to the earth... critical.” — Dr. Josh Axe [07:10]
• “You have these genetic or epigenetic switches... but pretty much almost every single time those genes have to be turned on, and that's done via lifestyle.” — Dr. Josh Axe [06:17]
• “If you feel very lonely... it's the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes that day.” — Dr. Josh Axe [32:36]
• “The amount of time we spend on technology is incredibly, incredibly disruptive to our health.” — Dr. Josh Axe [31:44]
• “Herbs are nature’s medicine. In fact, most people don’t know this, but nearly... 50% of medications today are taken from herbs.” — Dr. Josh Axe [41:30]
• “The keto diet's great for a very small group of people, but for a lot of people, it's not the right diet for them.” — Dr. Josh Axe [22:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dr. Axe’s background & motivation: [02:17–05:47]
• Lifestyle vs. genetics in disease: [05:57–06:50]
• Three critical health connections: [07:05–09:09]
• Purpose and longevity: [09:31–10:39]
• Gut health/Eat Dirt principles: [12:23–15:18]
• Actionable health changes (diet/movement): [15:56–19:04]
• The myth of one right diet: [20:43–22:08]
• Tongue diagnosis/personalized medicine: [23:15–26:09]
• Reversing diabetes and chronic illness: [26:14–28:57]
• Nature, walking & sleep: [29:31–31:46]
• The impact of tech and loneliness: [31:46–32:41]
• Building community, managing toxic relationships: [32:41–38:10]
• Ancient remedies & herbal medicine: [38:39–42:38]
• Masterminds/peer communities for growth: [43:35–44:55]
• How to find Dr. Axe & learn more: [45:04–45:40]

Episode Takeaways

• Modern chronic disease is overwhelmingly dictated by lifestyle—not destiny or genetics.
• The pillars of health are spiritual purpose, meaningful relationships, and a close relationship with the natural world.
• Personalized, root-cause approaches—especially gut healing, stress management, and individualized diet—drive lasting transformation.
• Ancient remedies and herbal therapies, not pharmaceuticals, often provide safer, more effective solutions.
• Community support and masterminds are powerful catalysts for health and personal growth.

Resources Mentioned

• Eat Dirt (Dr. Axe’s book)
• Health Institute (thehealthinstitute.com)
• Dr. Josh Axe Show (podcast)
• Dr. Axe on YouTube & Instagram (@drjoshaxe)
• Harvard Longevity Study

This episode is a resource-rich, inspiring look at why most health issues are fixable, with practical wisdom on making lasting, meaningful changes—without blind blaming or resignation to the status quo.