Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark: How To Embrace Your Divine Femininity | Mary Ruddick

Release Date: January 28, 2025
Host: Alex Clark
Guest: Mary Ruddick
Hosted by: Turning Point USA

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex Clark welcomes Mary Ruddick, a renowned human ecologist and medical nutritionist. Mary shares her extensive journey of overcoming severe health challenges and her global research into optimal health practices among indigenous communities. The conversation delves deep into the intersections of diet, hormonal balance, mental health, and societal structures affecting women's health.

The Connection Between Fertility and Health

Alex Clark kicks off the discussion with a provocative question about the ease of pregnancy among women living different lifestyles:

Alex Clark [00:00]: "Why is it sometimes so easy for like some woman on meth in the street to get pregnant and not this woman who's living this non-toxic organic lifestyle?"

Mary Ruddick responds by highlighting the role of stress and feminine energy in fertility:

Mary Ruddick [00:09]: "That lady on meth is not stressed, she's actually in her feminine."

She emphasizes that fertility is a significant indicator of overall health:

Mary Ruddick [00:19]: "If that's not a sign from Mother Nature, I don't know what is."

Mary explains that modern lifestyles, filled with plastic and environmental toxins, severely impact women's reproductive health.

Impact of Western Lifestyle on Health

The discussion shifts to how Western society’s disconnection from the natural world affects physical and mental health:

Alex Clark [02:45]: "Are we insulating ourselves from the natural world in the West? And if so, how is that affecting?"

Mary Ruddick draws parallels between the current state of America and a developing nation, citing rapid changes post-Covid and the deteriorating health infrastructure:

Mary Ruddick [03:49]: "America has always shined. It's a place of abundance. But when I come home, I don't see how people are functioning. I really don't."

She points out the increasing public stress and lack of safety, contrasting it with traditional societies where community and communal responsibilities foster better health and security.

Living for Community vs. Isolation

Mary discusses the importance of community in maintaining health, contrasting it with the insular nature of modern American culture:

Mary Ruddick [05:44]: "We are communal beings. When I go to traditional societies, no one goes off on their own. Everyone shares responsibilities and respects each other's roles."

This communal living is presented as a remedy to the increasing social anxiety and isolation seen in Western societies.

Mary Ruddick’s Personal Health Journey

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Mary’s personal battle with dysautonomia, a rare nervous system disorder. She recounts her experience of being bedridden for four years and her eventual recovery through a holistic approach:

Mary Ruddick [06:38]: "I was sick for 12 years, bedridden for periods. My fever went up to 106 and stayed there for six days, damaging my nervous system."

Mary explains how traditional and modern scientific insights helped her heal, emphasizing the importance of the microbiome and diet in restoring health:

Mary Ruddick [09:48]: "If you want to build a sandcastle, you need sand. Your diet is your building block. There's few things more important."

The Microbiome and Modern Health Challenges

Mary delves into the critical role of the microbiome in health, critiquing the overuse of antibiotics and the lack of understanding of microbial health:

Mary Ruddick [13:13]: "We're putting ourselves extinct very quickly. Our microbiome is too damaged, and we're living with no rest at all."

She stresses that balance in the gut lining is essential for a robust immune system and overall well-being:

Mary Ruddick [43:43]: "It's an overall sea change that's needed. We have to go low carb because fluctuating blood sugar destabilizes our immune and hormonal systems."

Dietary Recommendations for Optimal Health

When asked about dietary advice for those struggling with autoimmune and nervous system disorders, Mary offers nuanced guidance:

Mary Ruddick [39:44]: "There are 41 different diets I work with. For hormonal issues, you need something to bind excess hormones and support liver detoxification."

She challenges the conventional wisdom around eliminating gluten, arguing that traditional fermentation processes mitigate gluten’s impact:

Mary Ruddick [40:36]: "The idea that we can just take gluten or dairy out of the diet is pointless. Traditional bread fermentation reduces gluten to manageable levels."

Mary advocates for an integrative approach that considers the entire dietary and lifestyle context rather than blanket exclusions.

Hormonal Balance and Feminine Energy

Addressing hormonal imbalances, Mary explains how societal pressures and masculine lifestyles disrupt women's hormonal health:

Mary Ruddick [21:20]: "With the feminist era, we lost our securities and female hormones. Living in a masculine way causes a hormonal crisis in women."

She identifies signs of excessive masculine influence, such as depression, anxiety, PMS, and skin issues, linking them to environmental and lifestyle factors that elevate cortisol levels.

Mary emphasizes the necessity of community and relational interactions to foster feminine hormones like oxytocin:

Mary Ruddick [45:43]: "Progesterone is balanced by being around girlfriends. Our hormones are influenced by posture, interactions, and social engagements."

Practical Steps to Embrace Divine Femininity

Mary provides actionable advice for listeners seeking to restore hormonal balance and overall health:

1. Consistent Daily Routines:

   Mary Ruddick [44:35]: "Your first meal of the day should always be at the same time. Wake up at the same time every day."

2. Dietary Adjustments:

   Mary Ruddick [52:54]: "Go ketogenic, eat organ meat, get sunlight in the morning while petting a puppy, and do not wear anything that is not a natural fiber."

3. Social Connections:

   Mary Ruddick [45:34]: "Hang out with friends once a week to balance progesterone."

She underscores the importance of low-carb diets and soluble fiber intake for hormonal health and managing conditions like PCOS:

Mary Ruddick [47:26]: "For PCOS, increase soluble fiber with foods like broccoli, carrots, and asparagus."

Healing a Sick Culture

When asked to recommend a single remedy to heal a sick culture, Mary emphasizes the foundational role of the microbiome and sugar balance:

Mary Ruddick [55:24]: "Becoming outdated with how much we're doing damage to the microbiome is essential. Go low carb to stabilize blood sugar and support hormone production."

She advocates for widespread education and knowledge-sharing to empower individuals to take control of their health, moving beyond reliance on practitioners due to the overwhelming number of sick individuals.

Conclusion

Mary Ruddick’s insights offer a holistic perspective on health, intertwining diet, hormonal balance, community, and the microbiome. Her unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern science provides listeners with practical steps to embrace their divine femininity and restore overall well-being.

Notable Quotes

• Mary Ruddick [02:14]: "If you want to build a sandcastle, you need sand. Your diet is your building block."
• Mary Ruddick [03:49]: "America is flooded with the hallmarks of a developing nation."
• Mary Ruddick [05:44]: "We are communal beings. When I go to traditional societies, no one goes off on their own."
• Mary Ruddick [55:24]: "Becoming outdated with how much we're doing damage to the microbiome is essential."

About Mary Ruddick

Mary Ruddick is a human ecologist celebrated for her pioneering work with indigenous communities and her expertise in ancient wisdom combined with modern scientific insights. After overcoming a debilitating condition, dysautonomia, Mary now offers personalized care focusing on nervous system disorders, post-viral syndromes, infertility, and autoimmunity. She is an advocate for integrating traditional healing practices with contemporary health strategies to foster optimal well-being.

Connect with Mary Ruddick

• Website: maryreddick.com
• Instagram: @MaryQueenOfHeart
• YouTube: MaryReddick777

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