The Dr. Hyman Show – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Regenerative Meat Could Save Your Health (and the Planet)
Guest: Autumn Smith (MS, PhD, FDNP; co-founder of Paleo Valley and Wild Pastures)
Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Dr. Mark Hyman

Overview

In this insightful episode, Dr. Mark Hyman sits down with Autumn Smith, a functional medicine nutritionist, entrepreneur, and advocate for regenerative agriculture. Together, they unpack the crisis within our modern food system, the severe nutrient depletion of our diets, the powerful link between real food and mental health, and why regenerative, pasture-raised meat isn’t just better for the planet—it’s pivotal for our own vitality. The discussion weaves Autumn’s personal journey from chronic digestive illness to health advocate, the cutting-edge science behind nutrient density in meat, and practical, hopeful ways listeners can reclaim their health and the health of the planet through responsible food choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Autumn’s Health Journey and the Power of Food as Medicine

[03:53–07:22]

• Autumn recounts suffering from severe bloating, pain, and IBS as a child and teen, and how she felt “trapped in this body working against me” ([04:05], Autumn).
• Conventional doctors had no solutions beyond symptom management; only a dietary shift—“crowding out processed foods, adding high quality animal products, bone broths, fermented foods, and stabilizing blood sugar”—resolved both her digestive and mental health issues.
• Dr. Hyman underscores: “Depression, anxiety...single biggest cause of disability. People don’t realize it’s connected to what they eat or how they live—something that’s modifiable and fixable” ([07:23], Dr. Hyman).

The Root Problems of the Modern Food System

[12:06–17:09]

• Autumn explains:
  • Ultra-processed foods dominate American diets (60% of intake, 70% for kids; [10:24–12:06], Dr. Hyman).
  • Industrial agriculture has decimated soil health, leading to “food that looks like food, but isn’t truly nourishing” ([13:26], Autumn).
  • Historical nutrient decline is dramatic: “An apple in 1912 vs. 1992 has 50% less calcium, 80% less magnesium, 90% less iron” ([13:26], Autumn).
  • “Soil is not dirt—the richness and microbial life in soil are essential for nutrient transfer from mineral to plant, and then to us.” ([14:45–15:37], Dr. Hyman & Autumn)

Regenerative Agriculture and Nutrient Density

[19:17–41:01]

• Dr. Hyman introduces research from Fred Provenza and Stefan van Vliet (Utah State), showing that animal diets (wild vs. feedlot) affect both animal and human health via metabolomics.
• Autumn describes the Bionutrient Food Institute’s creation of a handheld device—“like a Star Trek scanner for nutrient density”—democratizing food quality info ([22:52–23:47], Autumn).
• Key scientific findings from the Beef Nutrient Density Project:
  • Grass-fed, especially regenerative, beef has:
    • Lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratios (2:1 vs. 8:1 in grain-fed)
    • More long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA/DPA)
    • Higher levels of CLA (cancer & metabolism protective), longer-chain saturated fats with cardiovascular benefits (e.g., stearic acid, C15), and minerals (6x more selenium, 3x calcium, 2x copper, 1.2x iron)
    • Presence of phytochemicals and plant compounds usually associated with vegetables ([25:10–36:22], Autumn & Dr. Hyman)
• “Meat was a photograph of the land…a reflection of the plants and biology present” ([25:41], Autumn).

Notable Quote:

“[The] more phytochemical density, the better the taste—animals (and humans) self-select the food that nourishes them if given the chance.” ([26:01], Dr. Hyman)

Why “Meat” Is Not All the Same, and the Problem with Chicken & Pork

[41:01–54:13]

• Regenerative vs. conventional: Grass-fed is not a standardized term. “A ‘grass-fed’ label could still mean the animal spent last weeks in a feedlot eating grain—ratios went from 28:1 to 2:1 across products labelled the same in one study” ([41:32–42:06], Autumn).
• Chicken & Pork: Conventional poultry/pork are even worse for omega 6:3 ratios (up to 30:1), while ruminant animals have a more favorable profile, especially if pastured.
  • “Most people think chicken’s healthy, but unless it’s truly pasture-raised and fed a diverse diet, it could be driving inflammation and poor health outcomes” ([52:24–54:13], Autumn & Dr. Hyman).
• Autumn describes her company's efforts—and the complexity—of lowering omega 6 in chickens (currently at a promising 4:1; [57:44–59:19]).

Clinical Evidence: Impact on Human Health

[45:46–48:42]

• Van Vliet trials: Moving from standard American diet to whole foods, and further to regenerative meat, showed reductions in inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF, CRP). Even swapping in regenerative meat for conventional in an otherwise healthy diet led to marginally lower inflammation ([45:46–47:21], Autumn).
• Omega-3 deficiency is lethal: “Harvard research showed 84,000 Americans die every year because they're not getting enough omega-3s. That’s on par with deaths from the opioid crisis” ([48:06], Autumn & Dr. Hyman).

Notable Quote:

“If you had to eat one steak instead of three to get a significant amount of omega 3s...it’s a big deal” ([48:30], Autumn).

The Environmental & Community Case for Regenerative Approaches

[66:18–68:44]

• Regenerative agriculture restores more than just nutrients; it literally heals ecosystems. “Nature is like a horse behind a gate; just let her out and she’ll restore herself” ([67:31], rancher via Autumn).
• Soil can store 3x more carbon than the atmosphere—“the biggest carbon sink” ([68:02–68:06], Dr. Hyman).
• Soil and plant biodiversity translates to the human microbiome; loss of biodiversity is a threat to health and medicine discovery.

Breaking Barriers: Accessibility, Affordability, and Practical Solutions

[71:55–82:11]

• “Eating out less, cooking simple meals at home, and focusing on whole foods is the foundation. A pound of ground beef, homemade potatoes, and fermented vegetables is an affordable, nutrient dense meal” ([76:07–77:02], Autumn).
• Organ meats (“primal blends”) are nutrient powerhouses and cost-effective; “heart, liver, kidney, spleen are top of the list worldwide for nutrients people are missing” ([77:19], Autumn).
• Buy directly from trustworthy farmers, use all parts of the animal, shop local/seasonal, and batch cook to save time and money.
• Invest in health over convenience: “Don’t spend $3,000 a year on lattes—invest in food that will keep you healthy” ([70:35–71:29], Dr. Hyman).

Notable Quote:

“The real cost of cheap food isn’t what you pay at the checkout—it’s what you pay in environmental damage, pharmaceuticals, lost productivity, and poor health down the road.” ([75:21], Autumn & Dr. Hyman)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• “What you put at the end of your fork is more powerful than what you'll find in a prescription bottle.” —Dr. Hyman [00:00, 02:36]
• “Meat was a photograph of the land.” —Autumn Smith [25:41]
• “The body—and the earth—have a regenerative capacity if you just create the right conditions.” —Dr. Hyman [66:18]
• “Eating well isn’t just for the elite; small decisions, like swapping one meal, make a massive difference over time.” —Autumn Smith [79:05]
• “There are no great acts of love, only small acts done with great love.” —Dr. Hyman quoting Mother Teresa [82:54]

Essential Timestamps: Segment Guide

• Autumn’s health crisis & transformation: [03:53–07:22]
• Gut-brain axis & food as medicine: [04:53–10:01]
• Nutrient depletion & modern agriculture crisis: [13:05–15:37]
• Beef Nutrient Density Project findings: [22:00–36:22]
• Difference between types of meat, grass-fed/regenerative explained: [41:01–45:46]
• Clinical research: effects on inflammation, omega 3s: [45:46–48:42]
• Omega-6 to 3 in chicken, pork, beef: [51:40–54:13, 57:44–59:19]
• Regenerative ag & climate, restoring nature: [66:18–68:44]
• Affordable, accessible eating; practical advice: [71:55–82:11]
• Parting messages & inspiration: [82:11–83:04]

Tone & Feel

The episode is conversational, empowering, and rich in practical hope. Dr. Hyman’s curiosity and passion for getting to the root cause intersects with Autumn’s humility, clarity, and lived experience as both patient and advocate. The tone is one of both personal and planetary healing, with abundant actionable steps for listeners regardless of budget or background.

Conclusion

The episode shatters myths about meat, malnutrition, and the accessibility of healthy food. It showcases why food quality—“what your food ate”—matters deeply for your health and the environment, and why regenerative meat isn’t a luxury but a step towards healing bodies, communities, and ecosystems. Autumn and Dr. Hyman’s dialogue provides practical wisdom and scientific validation for anyone looking to “claim their health” through food sovereignty, nutrient density, and systemic change.

Find Out More

• Wild Pastures
• Paleo Valley
• [Dr. Mark Hyman’s Recommended Reading (“Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?”, “The Pegan Diet”, “Food Fix”, “Young Forever”)]
• Environmental Working Group’s “Good Food on a Tight Budget” Guide
• Follow Autumn Smith on Instagram: @paleovalley, @wildpastures
• Follow Dr. Hyman: @drmarkhyman

(References to advertisements, personal plug sections, and procedural show-outro removed for clarity and focus on core content.)