BigDeal Podcast Summary: "Everything I Learned In Med School Was WRONG | Paul Saladino"

Host: Codie Sanchez
Guest: Dr. Paul Saladino
Release Date: December 11, 2024

Codie Sanchez welcomes listeners to another eye-opening episode of the BigDeal podcast, where she engages with thought leaders to unearth unconventional wisdom aimed at transforming lives. This episode features Dr. Paul Saladino, an entrepreneur, investor, and former journalist turned advocate for unconventional health practices. Together, they delve deep into the flaws of modern medical education, the hidden dangers of the industrial food complex, and actionable strategies for reclaiming personal health and autonomy.

1. The Crisis in Western Health

Timestamp: [01:15]

Dr. Saladino opens the discussion by addressing the alarming decline in the health of Western populations over the past decades. He highlights the rise in obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and depression, despite governmental recommendations to eat healthily and exercise.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "We're clearly being poisoned. I mean, anyone who looks at Westernized Americans from a zoomed-out perspective over the last 50 years can see that something has gone horribly wrong with us." ([01:15])

He challenges the notion that increased calorie consumption alone is responsible for these health issues, presenting evidence that calorie intake has not significantly risen and introducing the concept of satiety sabotage through ultra-processed foods.

2. The Problem with Processed Foods and Seed Oils

Timestamp: [02:15]

Codie questions the prevalent belief that processed foods are merely more palatable and affordable, dismissing concerns about GMOs and seed oils.

Cody Sanchez: "We are being counseled by our government to eat healthy... But everything is going in the wrong direction." ([01:15])

Dr. Saladino: He disputes the claim that processed foods simply lead to higher calorie intake, suggesting instead that these foods disrupt satiety cues, making people feel hungrier and leading to overeating.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Ultra processed foods make us more hungry... there's probably something in these foods that are sabotaging satiety." ([02:15])

He cites studies by Kevin Hall and Japanese researchers showing that individuals consume more calories when eating ultra-processed foods compared to unprocessed alternatives, even when calories are controlled.

3. Critique of Seed Oils

Timestamp: [05:07]

The conversation shifts to seed oils, with Dr. Saladino providing an in-depth analysis of their origins and processing.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Canola oil is made from rapeseeds, which are not actually a food for humans... It has a large amount of erucic acid linked to heart issues." ([05:57])

He explains how seed oils like canola, corn, sunflower, safflower, and soybean are industrial byproducts refined using harmful processes, including heating to extreme temperatures and chemical extraction with hexane, leading to oxidation and contamination with neurotoxins like benzene.

4. Challenges in Medical Education and Practice

Timestamp: [17:13]

Dr. Saladino critiques the limitations of medical education, emphasizing that physicians are often constrained by an insurance model that prioritizes patient volume over outcomes.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "We are not taught to talk to patients that way. We are given this sort of subtle propaganda in medical school that your patients won't make dietary change." ([02:01])

He discusses the lack of current, unbiased research on nutrition, explaining that most existing studies are outdated or funded by pharmaceutical companies with vested interests, making it challenging to question established dietary guidelines.

5. Endocrine Disruptors in Cosmetics and Clothing

Timestamp: [26:37]

The focus shifts to everyday products like lotions, perfumes, and athletic wear, which Dr. Saladino argues are significant sources of endocrine disruptors.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "There have been interesting studies looking at women specifically in the study and cosmetics and personal care products... levels can go down by 50%." ([27:54])

He explains how chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and BPA in cosmetics and tight-fitting clothing can mimic hormones, disrupt endocrine function, and contribute to various health issues, including infertility and hormonal imbalances.

Codie raises concerns about trends in cosmetic use among young girls, highlighting the potential long-term impacts on their health and development.

6. Impact of Beauty Standards on Health and Relationships

Timestamp: [32:10]

Dr. Saladino discusses how modern beauty standards and the use of cosmetic products not only affect individual health but also interpersonal relationships.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Women on birth control are choosing different genetic partners due to altered pheromone signals." ([45:39])

He connects the use of cosmetics and endocrine disruptors to broader societal issues, such as impaired mate selection and difficulties in forming genetically compatible relationships. The conversation also touches on how birth control can influence hormonal signals and partner selection, further complicating reproductive health and compatibility.

7. Food Additives and Safety Concerns

Timestamp: [56:12]

The duo draws parallels between the regulation of cigarettes and ultra-processed foods, questioning why warning labels are absent on foods known to harm health.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Red 40, yellow 6, yellow 5, blue 5... we don't know what these do to us as humans." ([52:02])

He criticizes the FDA's "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) system, which permits thousands of untested chemicals in the American food supply, contrasting it with stricter regulations in Europe. Dr. Saladino advocates for more transparent labeling and regulatory oversight to protect public health.

8. Dietary Practices and Personal Health Strategies

Timestamp: [77:58]

Dr. Saladino shares his personal journey with various diets to manage autoimmune conditions, ultimately adopting an "animal-based" diet that includes meat and fruit. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring dietary choices to individual health needs and the potential benefits of organ meats for overall vitality.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "An animal-based diet is basically meat and fruit... foods we think of as vegetables have defense chemicals." ([65:58])

He discusses the nutritional superiority of organ meats, such as liver, which provide a comprehensive array of vitamins and minerals essential for health, beyond what muscle meats offer.

9. The Role of Organ Meats in Health

Timestamp: [63:39]

Dr. Saladino elaborates on the benefits of consuming organ meats, arguing that they offer unique nutrients and bioactive compounds that support corresponding human organs.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Raw liver and raw steak do actually have vitamin C... liver concentrates in the liver of the embryo." ([66:02])

He shares historical and anecdotal evidence supporting the consumption of organ meats, including ancient practices and modern supplement innovations like his company’s organ capsules, which aim to deliver these benefits in a convenient form.

10. Raw Milk vs. Pasteurized Milk

Timestamp: [72:10]

The conversation touches on the debate between raw and pasteurized milk, with Dr. Saladino advocating for the potential health benefits of raw milk when produced under clean conditions.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Raw milk could potentially program our immune system in certain ways." ([74:07])

He recounts how pasteurization became standard in the early 1900s to prevent contamination but argues that modern technology could make raw milk safe and beneficial, citing studies linking raw milk consumption to lower rates of asthma, eczema, and allergies.

11. Practical Steps for Detoxification and Healthy Living

Timestamp: [80:02]

Towards the end of the episode, Dr. Saladino provides actionable advice for listeners looking to detoxify their environment and improve their health:

1. Prioritize Whole Foods: Eliminate processed foods and focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods that your ancestors would recognize.
2. Choose Clean Cosmetics and Clothing: Opt for natural, non-toxic personal care products and clothing made from safe materials like organic cotton or tallow-based soaps.
3. Incorporate Organ Meats: Introduce organ meats into your diet to ensure a comprehensive intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "Start with your food... think simple. Start maybe with meat and fruit and see if the health issues get better." ([80:02])

He emphasizes gradual changes and the importance of reading labels to become more aware of what one consumes both internally and externally.

12. Conclusion and Inspirational Insights

Timestamp: [81:08]

In wrapping up, Dr. Saladino shares sources of personal inspiration, highlighting Khalil Gibran's The Prophet for its profound life lessons on relationships, love, and personal growth.

Dr. Paul Saladino: "I find it beautiful on marriage, on children, on relationships, on love, on work." ([81:25])

This reflection underscores the podcast's overarching theme: the interconnectedness of physical health, personal well-being, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways:

• Reevaluation of Dietary Guidelines: Current Western dietary recommendations may be flawed, with processed foods and seed oils contributing to widespread health issues beyond mere calorie intake.

• Critique of Medical Practices: Modern medicine often prioritizes symptom management over addressing root causes, constrained by outdated education and financial models.

• Endocrine Disruptors: Common cosmetics, personal care products, and certain clothing materials contain chemicals that disrupt hormonal balance and overall health.

• Importance of Whole, Unprocessed Foods: Adopting diets rich in unprocessed, animal-based foods and organ meats can provide comprehensive nutrition and support long-term health.

• Awareness and Action: Individuals can take control of their health by making informed choices about their diet, personal care products, and clothing, gradually eliminating toxins from their lives.

• Organ-Meat Benefits: Incorporating organ meats into the diet offers a wealth of essential nutrients and may provide bioactive compounds that support corresponding human organs.

• Raw vs. Pasteurized Milk: While raw milk carries contamination risks, it may offer immunological benefits that warrant its reconsideration in modern diets under safe production practices.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Paul Saladino on Western Health Decline:
  “We’re clearly being poisoned. I mean, anyone who looks at Westernized Americans from a zoomed-out perspective over the last 50 years can see that something has gone horribly wrong with us.” ([01:15])

• Dr. Paul Saladino on Seed Oils:
  “Canola oil is made from rapeseeds, which are not actually a food for humans... It has a large amount of erucic acid linked to heart issues.” ([05:57])

• Dr. Paul Saladino on Processed Food Satiety:
  “Ultra processed foods make us more hungry... there’s probably something in these foods that are sabotaging satiety.” ([02:15])

• Dr. Paul Saladino on Cosmetic Chemicals:
  “We are porous, right? We have pores... So anything you put on your skin is going into your body and being absorbed into the cells at your dermis and epidermis.” ([26:47])

• Dr. Paul Saladino on Organ Meats:
  “An animal-based diet is basically meat and fruit... foods we think of as vegetables have defense chemicals.” ([65:58])

Final Thoughts:

This episode serves as a compelling critique of modern dietary and medical practices, urging listeners to question established norms and seek out more natural, whole-food-based approaches to health. Dr. Paul Saladino provides a wealth of information backed by both personal experience and scientific research, encouraging a proactive stance towards health and wellness. Codie Sanchez facilitates a thought-provoking dialogue that challenges listeners to rethink their everyday choices for a healthier, more autonomous life.