The Dr. Josh Axe Show: Top 10 Reasons You're Not Healing – Summary

In the landmark 250th episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Josh Axe delves deep into one of the most frequently asked questions by his listeners: "Why am I not experiencing a breakthrough in my health?" Released on May 12, 2025, this episode meticulously outlines the Top 10 Reasons You're Not Healing, offering actionable insights to help listeners achieve better health and wellness. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Combining High Amounts of Fats and Carbohydrates in the Same Meal

Dr. Axe begins by addressing a common dietary mistake: consuming large quantities of both fats and carbohydrates simultaneously. He explains how this combination can sabotage various aspects of health, including hormone balance, weight loss, gut health, and immune function.

Metabolic Confusion: "When you combine high fat and high carb, your body gets confused about what to burn for fuel, leading to fat storage" (05:30).
Insulin Spike: High intake of both macronutrients spikes insulin levels, promoting fat storage and disrupting hunger hormones, making it harder to feel full.
Enhanced Reward Signaling: "Combining fats and carbs amplifies dopamine-related pathways," Dr. Axe notes, likening it to the addictive nature of slot machines or excessive phone use (07:15).

Recommendation: Dr. Axe advises prioritizing high-protein meals and either focusing on carbohydrates or fats, but not both in excess. For instance, a high-protein breakfast with moderate carbs or fats tailored to activity levels can optimize metabolism.

2. Under Eating Protein

Protein is paramount for numerous bodily functions, yet many individuals fail to consume adequate amounts.

Optimal Intake: "You want to take your body weight and consume at least half," Dr. Axe emphasizes, suggesting that individuals aim for 30 to 40 grams of protein in three daily meals (10:45).
Benefits of Protein: A meta-analysis of 74 studies revealed that increased protein intake leads to significant gains in lean body mass, strength, and improved metabolism (11:20).
Balanced Amino Acids and Peptides: Beyond protein, Dr. Axe highlights the importance of consuming a variety of amino acids and peptides found in organ meats and bone broth to support organ health and tissue repair.

Recommendation: Incorporate high-quality protein sources such as wild-caught fish, grass-fed red meat, organic dairy, and organ meats into daily meals. Supplements like collagen or glandulars can also enhance peptide intake.

3. Not Supporting Nutrient Absorption

Absorption is as crucial as intake. Poor nutrient absorption can lead to widespread deficiencies despite a nutritious diet.

Common Causes: Dysbiosis, leaky gut, low stomach acid, and isolated supplement intake impede proper absorption (15:00).
Supplement Synergy: "Taking magnesium by itself or vitamin D by itself, you're not absorbing them very well," Dr. Axe explains, advocating for combined nutrient supplementation to enhance bioavailability.
Prevalence of Deficiencies: Shocking statistics reveal that 94% of people are vitamin D deficient, along with high rates of deficiencies in vitamins E, magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C (20:10).

Recommendation: Utilize whole-food-based supplements or consume nutrients in synergistic combinations. Incorporate probiotics to improve gut health and consider supplements that support fat absorption, such as Tudca or ox bile.

4. Chronic Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

Hydration extends beyond drinking water; it's about maintaining a balance of electrolytes essential for cellular function.

Quality of Water: "Ensure your drinking water is clean and filtered to remove fluoride and other chemicals," Dr. Axe advises (22:30).
Electrolyte Balance: Emphasizes the importance of potassium, sodium, and magnesium, recommending natural sources like avocados, bananas, leafy greens, and coconut water over commercial electrolyte drinks high in sodium.
Dietary Hydration: "Eating more vegetables and fruits, such as watermelon, supports hydration naturally," he states (24:00).

Recommendation: Focus on whole-food sources for electrolytes and ensure consistent intake of mineral-rich foods. When necessary, opt for natural electrolyte supplements that maintain a balanced ratio of potassium to sodium.

5. Insufficient Nature and Light Exposure

Modern lifestyles often limit exposure to natural light and the outdoors, adversely affecting circadian rhythms and hormone production.

Circadian Regulation: "Natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythms, which then supports hormone production," Dr. Axe explains, linking it to improved sleep and overall healing (26:10).
Historical Context: Reflects on ancestors' lifestyles where 50% of jobs were agricultural, necessitating constant outdoor activity and natural light exposure.
Practical Steps: Suggests daily morning walks and increasing time spent outdoors to boost natural light intake.

Recommendation: Incorporate regular outdoor activities and prioritize exposure to natural sunlight, especially in the morning, to enhance hormonal health and support the body's natural healing processes.

6. Fragmented Sleep and Lack of Deep REM Sleep

Quality sleep is a cornerstone of health, yet many suffer from poor sleep patterns.

Impact of Technology: "Spending too much time on your phone or watching TV at night disrupts deep sleep," states Dr. Axe (30:45).
Deep Sleep Importance: Highlights that deep sleep is crucial for physical healing, while REM sleep supports cognitive functions like memory and emotional balance.
Sleep Hygiene Tips: Advocates for a consistent sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed, and avoiding excessive carbohydrates, alcohol, and caffeine in the evenings.

Recommendation: Establish a rigid sleep routine, minimize blue light exposure before bedtime, and create a conducive sleep environment to enhance deep sleep phases and overall recovery.

7. Underutilizing Peptides

Peptides play a significant role in healing and cellular functions, yet their consumption is often overlooked.

Dietary Sources: Dr. Axe emphasizes the importance of organ meats like liver and heart, which are rich in peptides such as glutathione and creatine (34:20).
Supplementation: For those requiring advanced healing, synthetic peptides like BPC157, TB500, and MOTS C are recommended to support muscle recovery, mitochondrial function, and immune health.
Ancient Practices: References historical consumption of bone broth and organ meats as natural sources of therapeutic peptides.

Recommendation: Integrate organ meats into the diet or consider high-quality peptide supplements to support comprehensive healing and cellular health.

8. Mouth Breathing Instead of Nasal Breathing

Breathing patterns significantly impact overall health, particularly during sleep.

Health Consequences: "Mouth breathing has been linked to insomnia, poor sleep, facial structure changes, and weakened immune systems," warns Dr. Axe (38:00).
Children's Health: Highlights issues like swollen tonsils and frequent infections in children due to mouth breathing.
Solutions for Adults: Suggests using medical-grade tape to promote nasal breathing during sleep and engaging in myofunctional therapy exercises to strengthen nasal breathing mechanisms.

Recommendation: Practice nasal breathing techniques consistently, especially during sleep, to enhance oxygen intake, improve sleep quality, and bolster immune function.

9. Lack of a Personalized Nutrition Plan

One-size-fits-all diets often fail to address individual health needs, leading to stagnation in healing processes.

Individual Variability: "You are a unique individual. Your diet should likely be very different than a number of other people," Dr. Axe stresses (42:10).
Success Stories: Shares examples where personalized diets, tailored through methods like tongue diagnosis and advanced blood work, have led to significant health improvements in patients.
Professional Guidance: Recommends consulting with functional medicine practitioners or utilizing virtual clinics for customized dietary plans.

Recommendation: Develop a personalized nutrition plan that caters to your unique health conditions, genetic makeup, and lifestyle, preferably under the guidance of a qualified health professional.

10. Overreliance on Conventional Testing

Traditional medical tests may not provide a complete picture of one's health, often missing underlying issues.

Limitations of Standard Tests: "Most doctors today are not running the right tests," Dr. Axe points out, critiquing the inadequacy of conventional blood panels and CT scans (45:50).
Advanced Testing Methods: Advocates for organic acid tests, micronutrient tests, and DNA methylation tests to assess vitamin deficiencies, metabolic issues, and biological age.
Holistic Assessment: Emphasizes the importance of looking upstream to identify and address root causes rather than merely treating visible symptoms.

Recommendation: Opt for advanced diagnostic tests that offer a deeper insight into your body's internal processes, enabling targeted interventions for optimal health.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Josh Axe concludes the episode by reiterating the significance of addressing these 10 critical areas to achieve a health breakthrough. He encourages listeners to implement small, manageable changes, emphasizing that even subtle adjustments in diet, lifestyle, and health monitoring can lead to substantial improvements.

Community and Support: "We're literally transforming the health of this world together," Dr. Axe affirms, thanking his subscribers and urging them to share the episode to broaden the reach of these vital health insights (50:15).
Future Episodes: He hints at upcoming episodes featuring esteemed guests like Gary Breca and Dr. Mark Hyman, promising continued excellence in delivering cutting-edge health information.

Final Recommendation: Embrace a holistic and individualized approach to health, focusing on balanced nutrition, optimal nutrient absorption, proper hydration, adequate sleep, and advanced health assessments to unlock your body's full healing potential.

By addressing these Top 10 Reasons You're Not Healing, listeners are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to overcome common health obstacles and embark on a journey towards sustained wellness and vitality.