The Dr. Josh Axe Show – "The Top 1% in Health Do THIS | Best Wellness Trends of 2025"

Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful solo episode, Dr. Josh Axe unpacks the hottest—and most controversial—wellness trends of 2025, separating science-backed practices from social-media hype. He provides a personalized lens through which listeners can evaluate raw milk, beef tallow, the carnivore diet, nootropics, nicotine gum, kratom, ozone therapy, shilajit, cold plunges, sourdough bread, and parasite cleanses. Drawing on both modern research and traditional systems like Chinese medicine, Dr. Axe highlights the importance of tailoring health trends to individual needs rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Personalized Nature of Wellness Trends

(01:45 – 04:30)

• Dr. Axe cautions against "one-size-fits-all" health advice: Many trends work for some, but not others.

"With most of them, it's personalized. You know, some people might do very well on a parasite cleanse. Others should not do a parasite cleanse." – Dr. Axe (01:57)

• Emphasizes the need for individual assessment before starting any trending wellness practice, especially intensive diets or herbal regimens.

1. Raw Milk

(04:30 – 13:45)

• Benefits: High in fat-soluble vitamins (D, K2), probiotics, enzymes, immunoglobulins, healthy fats, and proteins.
• Risks: Not ideal for those with candida issues, mucus buildup, immune issues, or lactose intolerance (though raw milk’s lactase can help some).
• Fermentation: Raw yogurt/kefir are preferable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Testimonies:
  • Will Witt cured gout with a 10-day raw milk cleanse.
  • Jordan Rubin reversed Crohn’s with raw goat’s milk kefir.
• Scientific evidence: Studies (e.g., Alex report, Pasteur study) show children consuming raw milk have lower rates of eczema, asthma, respiratory infections.
• Sourcing: Find at local farmer’s markets or buy raw cheese at health-focused stores.

Quote:

"Raw milk is probably one of my favorite, if not my favorite, trend here that I see people jumping on today." – Dr. Axe (12:58)

2. Beef Tallow

(13:45 – 25:40)

• Nutritional profile: Rich in saturated fat, vitamins A/D/E/K2, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).
• Uses: For cooking (high heat stability), carnivore/keto diets, and skin moisturizer.
• Benefits:
  • Closely matches human fat composition, especially beneficial for dry skin.
  • Some studies (Nutrients journal) link CLA in beef tallow to better weight loss, insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation.
• Risks/Drawbacks:
  • High dose intake can overburden liver and gallbladder, especially for those with sluggish detoxification pathways or liver stagnation (as per traditional Chinese medicine).
  • Not ideal for everyone—certain people may fare better with other oils (e.g., coconut, flax).
• Skin care considerations: Good for the body; use caution on the face, particularly for acne-prone individuals.

Quote:

"Beef tallow is, again, we're talking about mammal to mammal here, not plant to mammal." – Dr. Axe (16:15)
"It's not that simple... Everyone is a unique individual. And this personalized nutrition and personalized medicine is something we need to pay close attention to.” – Dr. Axe (23:08)

3. Carnivore Diet

(25:40 – 38:15)

• Definition: Extremely low-carb, animal-product-only regimen.
• Short-term benefits: Reduces inflammation, balances blood sugar/insulin, relieves autoimmune flares, GI issues, joint pain, and anxiety.
• Scientific support:
  • 2021 study: >90% of carnivore dieters reported improved health, diabetes reversal, mental clarity.
  • Dr. Paul Saladino (once a strict carnivore advocate) now includes fruit, honey, fermented dairy for balance.
• Risks with long-term use:
  • Deficiencies in vitamin C, magnesium, fiber, polyphenols—can impact gut and brain health.
  • Favors anabolic processes but neglects cleansing/catabolic activity.
  • Chinese medicine: Over-acidification and mineral imbalances (drawing minerals from bones/organs).
• Recommendation: Use as a short-term therapeutic intervention; reintroduce fruits/vegetables over time, ideally with functional medicine guidance.

Quote:

"A carnivore diet in the short term for many people has tremendous benefits. However, I believe the carnivore diet long term is going to lead to some health issues." – Dr. Axe (31:29)

4. Nootropics

(39:55 – 50:37)

• Examples: Ginkgo biloba, rhodiola, lion’s mane, bacopa, cordyceps, L-theanine, MCT oil, matcha, coffee.
• Why they’re trending: Digital distractions, burnout, rise of ADHD diagnosis.
• Personal story: Dr. Axe struggled with ADHD and wishes he knew natural nootropics as alternatives to Ritalin/Adderall.
• Cautions:
  • Don’t use as a crutch to push past healthy limits; avoid stacking multiple stimulants daily.
  • Use cyclically for focus sessions, not daily reliance.
• Standout botanicals:
  • Ginkgo: best for brain blood flow.
  • Lion’s Mane: promotes nerve growth.
  • Rhodiola: stress resilience, mitochondrial support, improved ADHD symptoms (study supported).
  • L-Theanine: Calms, improves sleep; synergistic with green tea.
• Hot take: Matcha preferred over coffee for its balanced stimulation/calmness.

Quote:

“Don’t use [nootropics] as a crutch or simply to be able to go more and more and more and more until you totally crash and burn.” – Dr. Axe (42:35)

5. Nicotine Gum/Patches

(50:37 – 55:20)

• Nootropic use: Popular among productivity biohackers for attention/focus, and as an appetite suppressant.
• Mechanism: Boosts dopamine, acetylcholine; can temporarily enhance cognitive function.
• Traditional (TCM) and Western medicine views:
  • Hot/drying agent—dries up “yin,” depletes fluids, agitates the heart and kidneys.
  • Particularly detrimental for menopausal women due to drying effects.
  • Risks: Raises blood pressure/heart rate, oral health impact, high addiction potential.
• When appropriate: Infrequent, situational use (e.g., deadline week), mainly for older men without adrenal depletion.
• Anecdote: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used nicotine gum during lengthy Congressional hearings.

Quote:

“Nicotine in small amounts, probably men that are older, on occasion, that would be fine for them... But as you can see, nicotine is not good for everybody long term because of how it dries the lung and causes excess heat within the body.” – Dr. Axe (54:29)

6. Kratom

(55:20 – 1:01:25)

• Origin: Southeast Asian tree; active alkaloids hit opioid receptors.
• Uses: Pain, anxiety, depression relief; alternative for opioid/stimulant withdrawal.
• Study mention (2018):
  • 91% for pain, 67% anxiety, 65% depression among users.
• Drawbacks: In TCM, very drying and hot—depletes yin, hard on the liver/adrenals long-term.
• When useful: Short-term use for acute pain or post-surgery can be preferable to prescription opioids.
• Clinical strategy: Combine with yin-nourishing botanicals (like CBD, turmeric, magnesium) to mitigate side effects; use lower doses.

Quote:

“So one of the things that I consult and recommend patients do: let's say you're dealing with chronic pain. Okay? You can take Kratom for a period of time, but let's also add in CBD and turmeric and magnesium and some other things...” – Dr. Axe (1:00:35)

7. Ozone Therapy

(1:01:25 – 1:05:00)

• What it is: Triatomic oxygen (O3) used IV, via insufflation, or re-infusion therapy.
• Use Cases: Chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, enhancing mitochondrial energy.
• Clinical research: Randomized trial (2018) showed ozone therapy improved chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Chinese medicine perspective: Clears toxic “heat” and stagnation. Overuse can deplete fluids/yin.
• Best timing: Phase 2/3 of chronic illness protocols, after initial body-strengthening.

8. Shilajit

(1:05:00 – 1:07:00)

• Source: Himalayan resin/rock exudate; high in fulvic/humic acids, trace minerals.
• Benefits: Testosterone boost (study: 250mg/day for 90 days increased total/free T in men), supports Qi and mitochondrial energy.
• Caveat: May aggravate weak digestion or loose stools.

9. Ice Baths/Cold Plunges

(1:07:00 – 1:14:50)

• Practice: Immersing in <60°F water for nervous system/metabolic benefits.
• Benefits: Spikes norepinephrine, improves mood/focus/recovery, reduces inflammation.
• Risks:
  • Unsuitable for those with hypothyroid, cold intolerance, weak constitution, women (generally more sensitive to excess cooling).
  • Daily/overuse can be damaging (weakens “kidney yang” per TCM).
• Practical advice: Most people benefit from brief cold showers 1–2x/week rather than full cold plunges; healthy men and competitive athletes tolerate more.
• Analogy: Don’t “lift 50lb dumbbells before you’re ready”—start small and only increase as your body adapts.

Quote:

“For a lot of you, it's no cold whatsoever. You're much better off getting an infrared sauna.” – Dr. Axe (1:13:58)

10. Sourdough Bread

(1:14:50 – 1:17:25)

• Why trending: Celebrity/homesteader endorsement, family-friendly food.
• Benefits:
  • Fermentation breaks down gluten, improves mineral absorption, lowers glycemic index, easier on digestion.
• Limitation: Still impacts blood sugar in diabetics/insulin resistance if consumed in excess.

11. Parasite Cleansing

(1:17:25 – 1:22:15)

• Popular herbs: Black walnut, wormwood, clove, mimosa pudica, berberine.
• Key perspective: Only warranted when parasites are present; strong herbs may damage gut/microbiome if used unnecessarily.
• Trend caution: Don’t cleanse “just because it’s trending”; accurate diagnosis required.

Quote:

“Parasite cleansing can be amazing... but many of those herbs are very hard on the gut. So again, I'm a big fan—only if you have a parasite.” – Dr. Axe (1:21:43)

Notable Quotes

• On Social Media Health Hype:

  "Some of these wellness trends are here to stay... Others actually can wind up harming you or at least doing more harm than good." – Dr. Axe (00:46)

• On Personalization:

  “Everybody is a unique individual. This personalized nutrition and personalized medicine is something we need to pay close attention to.” – Dr. Axe (23:13)

• On Short-term vs. Long-term Approaches:

  “Carnivore diet will fix those symptoms, but it's not getting your body fully back to where it needs to be.” – Dr. Axe (37:50)

• On Responsible Use:

  “Don’t use [these enhancers] as a crutch to go more and more and more... until you crash and burn.” – Dr. Axe (42:35)

• On Trend Caution:

  “You can have too much of a good thing.” – Dr. Axe (1:15:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Personalization of Trends: 00:46 – 04:30
• Raw Milk: 04:30 – 13:45
• Beef Tallow: 13:45 – 25:40
• Carnivore Diet: 25:40 – 38:15
• Nootropics: 39:55 – 50:37
• Nicotine Gum: 50:37 – 55:20
• Kratom: 55:20 – 1:01:25
• Ozone Therapy: 1:01:25 – 1:05:00
• Shilajit: 1:05:00 – 1:07:00
• Cold Plunge: 1:07:00 – 1:14:50
• Sourdough Bread: 1:14:50 – 1:17:25
• Parasite Cleansing: 1:17:25 – 1:22:15

Final Takeaways

Dr. Axe emphasizes critical thinking and personalization when evaluating wellness trends. While many practices—raw milk, beef tallow, nootropics, sauna/cold exposure, sourdough—may offer real benefits, they are not universally suitable. Listeners are encouraged to tune into their own bodies, consider genetic and constitutional factors, and consult with healthcare practitioners before jumping into any trend.

“It's so dependent upon your own biology. Some people are going to really thrive on some, some not as much on others. But overall, you really need to listen to your body.” – Dr. Axe (1:22:00)