Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark: “We’re Souping, Stewing, & Sobering Up | Gwyneth Paltrow’s Doctor Dr. Will Cole, DC”
Release Date: January 7, 2025
In this compelling episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex Clark engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Will Cole, DC, a renowned functional and integrative medicine specialist known for his work with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow. The discussion navigates the intricate intersections of health, politics, and culture, offering listeners a rich tapestry of insights into contemporary wellness trends and the evolving landscape of functional medicine.
1. Navigating Politics and Health in Hollywood
Dr. Will Cole opens up about the backlash he faced within Hollywood after publicly supporting health initiatives aligned with the Trump administration. This stance led to criticism from his wellness-focused Hollywood peers, highlighting a significant “realignment” within the political affiliations of the wellness community.
Dr. Will Cole [02:50]: “There's no diversity of thought. It's this monolithic group thing that I'm sick of, especially from a health and wellness and functional medicine space.”
Cole emphasizes the shift from a traditionally left-leaning wellness alternative to a more politically diverse and even conservative-supporting movement. He discusses the Maha movement, a strategic initiative advocating for health-focused policy changes, and the surprising endorsements from figures like Dick Cheney supporting Kamala Harris.
Alex Clark [08:10]: “President Trump is very, very unique in the way he thinks. ... He is showing immediately that he's willing to follow through on this.”
2. The Importance of Functional Medicine and Lab Testing
The conversation delves deep into the essentials of functional medicine, with Dr. Cole outlining key laboratory tests individuals should consider to monitor their health proactively. He underscores the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction, noting that only about 7% of Americans are metabolically healthy.
Dr. Will Cole [35:58]: “Fasting glucose, we went under 90. Most people, the fasting glucose isn't. We want the A1C, which is your three-month average of your blood sugar to be under 5.7.”
Key recommended labs include:
- Fasting Glucose and A1C: Indicators of metabolic health.
- Triglycerides and HDL Cholesterol: Assessing insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk.
- Inflammation Markers: Such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine.
- Ferritin Levels: To check for iron deficiency, particularly in women.
3. Understanding and Managing Inflammation
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to unpacking the concept of inflammation. Dr. Cole differentiates between healthy, acute inflammation and chronic, dysregulated inflammation that underpins many modern health issues, including autoimmune diseases, anxiety, depression, and brain fog.
Dr. Will Cole [40:28]: “Inflammation is a nebulous term. Like what is it? We kind of know it's not good, but God made inflammation, it's a bad thing.”
He highlights the role of inflammation in the gut-brain axis and advocates for dietary and lifestyle interventions to manage chronic inflammation effectively.
4. Debunking Health Myths and Embracing Superfoods
The episode addresses several health myths, including the misconceptions surrounding SSRIs and collagen powders. Dr. Cole critically examines the efficacy of SSRIs, suggesting that their benefits may largely stem from the placebo effect rather than their pharmacological action.
Dr. Will Cole [43:08]: “People that have mild to moderate depression. SSRIs. Antidepressants work about the same as a sugar pill, about the same as a placebo drug, with a lot of other potential side effects as well.”
In the realm of nutrition, the discussion shifts to postbiotics—the end products of bacterial fermentation in the gut—and their emerging role in promoting health. Dr. Cole stresses the importance of a diverse fiber intake to cultivate a robust microbiome.
5. Raw Milk and Gluten Sensitivities: A Cultural Perspective
Dr. Cole defends the health benefits of raw milk, countering the mainstream media's negative portrayal. He attributes the politicization of raw milk to cultural shifts rather than its inherent properties.
Dr. Will Cole [27:21]: “The fact that this has been politicized is a media issue, not an actual human person issue, because, yeah, it is ridiculous.”
Regarding gluten sensitivities, Cole argues that modern processing and hybridization of grains exacerbate adverse reactions, rather than gluten itself being inherently problematic.
Dr. Will Cole [48:06]: “It's more what we've done to it because we've hybridized it. We've sprayed it with herbicides and pesticides. We're not properly preparing it like our ancestors would have.”
6. Fasting and Its Multifaceted Benefits
The benefits of intermittent fasting are explored, with Dr. Cole advocating for its role in enhancing metabolic health and supporting the gut. He references historical and cultural practices of fasting, linking them to both spiritual and physical well-being.
Dr. Will Cole [62:28]: “Paracelsus was the father of toxicology in Switzerland in the late 1400s, early 1500s. He called fasting the physician within.”
7. The Role of Faith in Health and Wellness
Integrating a biblical worldview, Dr. Cole discusses the importance of stewardship over one’s body, aligning physical health with spiritual well-being.
Dr. Will Cole [54:17]: “The Bible says our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So let's just start there.”
He encourages faith communities to take a proactive role in advocating for and embodying wellness, rejecting nihilistic attitudes towards health.
8. Practical Health Advice for Parents and Individuals
Addressing common mistakes in parenting related to nutrition and technology, Dr. Cole emphasizes the need for parents to control the food environment at home and limit children's exposure to unhealthy marketing.
Dr. Will Cole [64:21]: “Your kid only can eat at home what you buy them.”
He advocates for gradual substitutions of healthier food options without shaming or demonizing, promoting a positive approach to nutrition.
9. Addressing Cultural and Societal Health Challenges
Dr. Cole articulates a remedy for a sick culture: reconnecting with nature. He frames this as both a physical and spiritual endeavor, essential for healing societal dissonance.
Dr. Will Cole [66:52]: “Get closer to nature, whatever that looks like... people need to stop acting like little gods and realize we're a part of creation.”
He emphasizes the urgent need to bridge the epigenetic mismatch, where our rapid societal changes outpace our biological evolution, leading to widespread health issues.
10. Closing Insights and Future Directions
In concluding the episode, Dr. Cole underscores the importance of informed consent and the democratization of health information. He encourages listeners to seek functional medicine approaches that tailor to individual needs rather than conforming to one-size-fits-all solutions.
Dr. Will Cole [69:08]: “Patient, patient, patient. So it's like, that's how I do it... making functional medicine accessible, affordable for everybody.”
He invites listeners to engage with his own podcast, The Art of Being Well, and his telehealth services for personalized health guidance.
Notable Quotes:
- Dr. Will Cole [02:50]: “There's no diversity of thought. It's this monolithic group thing that I'm sick of, especially from a health and wellness and functional medicine space.”
- Dr. Will Cole [35:58]: “Fasting glucose, we went under 90. Most people, the fasting glucose isn't. We want the A1C, which is your three-month average of your blood sugar to be under 5.7.”
- Dr. Will Cole [43:08]: “People that have mild to moderate depression. SSRIs. Antidepressants work about the same as a sugar pill, about the same as a placebo drug, with a lot of other potential side effects as well.”
- Dr. Will Cole [66:52]: “Get closer to nature, whatever that looks like... people need to stop acting like little gods and realize we're a part of creation.”
Conclusion
This episode of Culture Apothecary serves as a crucial dialogue on the convergence of health, politics, and culture. Dr. Will Cole provides a nuanced perspective on functional medicine’s role in addressing modern health crises, advocating for a more individualized and integrative approach. By dissecting contemporary wellness trends and political dynamics, the episode equips listeners with the knowledge and motivation to take proactive steps towards holistic well-being.
For those seeking to deepen their understanding of functional medicine and its interplay with societal structures, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Whether you’re navigating personal health challenges or aiming to influence broader cultural shifts, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark delivers a powerful message: healing a sick culture starts with informed, conscious choices in our personal and collective lives.
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