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The Health Edge: translating the science of self-careAuthor: Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD, MPH
Its not what we dont know that gets us into trouble. Its what we know that aint so. Will RogersWe believe the explosion of life science research from many disciplines had catapulted ahead of our capacity to process, integrate, understand, and apply. We are interested in translating all that is out there as news to use. A fundamentally different understanding of human biology has emerged. The implications from the perspective of self-care are profound. We are rapidly moving away from the debate of nature versus nurture toward an understanding that life emerges from a dynamic landscape of nature via nurture. We are passionate about the science. We are passionate about the implications. We believe in the capacity and possibility made possible by being alive here and now! We are beautifully designed to be on the African Savannah, living fully integrated with our planet, and in the context of social relationship. Our modern environment is not well designed to promote human health and the capacity to thrive. Many are struggling to maintain balance and traction in lives that often feel overwhelming and frightening.The challenge is to better leverage our superb ancestral adaptation for a different and radically challenging modern environment. Everything that touches us today has the potential be be very familiar or totally foreign. The less aware one is of the day to day distance between what we are biologically , as a species, familiar with and what we actually encounter, the fewer the possibilities for more effective alignment. Leaving ones health trajectory to chance in our modern environment is a very risky proposition. We are interested in holding the science to the light with an open and humbled mindset. Like you, We are intrepid explorers interested in how we emerge in the midst of our relationship with the environmental inputs of our liveshow we eat, how we move, how we sleep, how we navigate the mind fields of conflict in our lives, how socially conn Language: en Genres: Alternative Health, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The Delicate Balance Between Oxidative Stress And Antioxidants
Wednesday, 3 December, 2025
Send us a textMost wellness advice tries to stamp out oxidative stress. We make a different case: the right dose of stress is the signal that builds resilience. From the first snowfall chat to a deep dive on electrons, mitochondria, and energy flow, we walk through how redox balance—reduction and oxidation—is the unseen driver of better fitness, metabolism, and healthy aging. Rather than drowning your cells in pharmacologic antioxidant doses, we show why whole foods, intelligent training, and hormetic practices switch on the body’s superior, built-in defenses.We break down how reactive oxygen species act as messengers that activate NRF2 and tune NF kappa B, leading to stronger antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione. You’ll hear why studies on high-dose vitamin A, E, and isolated polyphenols have disappointed or even backfired, and how funding bias confuses the supplement hype cycles. We connect these insights to practical levers: balancing training intensity to avoid chronic overreach, using time-restricted eating to spur ketone-driven repair, and introducing sauna, cold exposure, and real daylight to enhance mitochondrial function and recovery.Food-first takes center stage. We discuss the risks of seed oils and excessive polyunsaturated fats on membrane stability and oxidative load, plus simple swaps toward olive oil, avocado, and nutrient-dense whole foods. Micronutrients like selenium, zinc, and sulfur amino acids matter because they power your endogenous antioxidant systems. The goal isn’t to smother the flame; it’s to keep a steady candle that signals adaptation without tipping into a wildfire. We close with a n=1 approach—listen to energy, sleep, and training feedback—and small experiments that reveal your best balance.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves the science of training and longevity, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us.For video, open access reference papers and PP slide deck go to: www.thehealthedgepodcast.com
