- Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell
- A radio show that’s all about living a healthy life.
Presented by: Nutrition World
Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio
Production of: Whitfield Media Group
Title: Beyond Basic Blood Work: Preventive Health with Chris Lezu
[0:01:35] Holistic Health Fair & Upcoming Guests
- Ed reminds listeners about the Nutrition World Holistic Health Fair on October 24, featuring more than 90 vendors according to the hosts.
- Highlights food from Tallow House, a coffee truck, and educational lectures from health professionals.
- Mentions speakers including Charles Miller and Chris Lezu of Be Well Labs.
- Introduces Chris as the episode’s featured guest, who will discuss comprehensive blood testing and preventive healthcare.
[0:02:27] Restaurant Reviews & Making Healthier Food Choices
- Ed discusses his recent visit to Cyr’s in downtown Dalton and his surprise at how long the restaurant has been operating.
- Mentions Ford’s, a new restaurant opening near Hamilton Place.
- Emphasizes his belief that food choices are among the most powerful tools for supporting long-term health.
- Shares his typical restaurant order of hamburger steak, broccoli, and salad with olive oil.
- Ed and Clint debate the nutritional differences between ketchup and mustard, particularly added sugar.
- Ed encourages listeners to make intentional food choices even when eating at conventional restaurants.
[0:05:46] Podcast of the Week: David Sinclair on Glycine & Longevity
- Ed recommends a podcast featuring longevity researcher Dr. David Sinclair discussing glycine.
- Glycine is an amino acid that has attracted research interest for its potential role in healthy aging.
- Ed explains that glycine may work through different biological mechanisms than other longevity-related compounds such as rapamycin and NMN.
- He discusses glycine’s relatively low cost, pleasant taste, and potential benefits for sleep.
- Shares that he has personally started taking five grams of glycine nightly and believes it has improved his sleep.
[0:08:14] Book Recommendations for Quitting Smoking & Drinking
- Ed recommends books by Allen Carr focused on quitting smoking and alcohol.
- Credits Nutrition World vice president Scott with introducing him to the books.
- Says he has heard numerous success stories from people who struggled to quit using other approaches.
- Discusses the possibility of applying the books’ principles to vaping.
- Ed and Clint briefly discuss alcohol consumption and the importance of recognizing that no alcoholic beverage is completely without health risks.
[0:14:24] Seed Oils, Moderation & Healthy Living
- Ed and Clint revisit their ongoing disagreement about Waffle House, seed oils, and dietary habits.
- Clint argues that occasional indulgences can fit into a balanced lifestyle.
- Ed believes the word “moderation” is often used too loosely to justify unhealthy choices.
- Ed suggests aiming for approximately 95% healthy choices rather than the commonly discussed 80/20 approach.
- The conversation leads into the importance of understanding what’s happening inside the body rather than relying entirely on appearance.
[0:15:20] Chris Lezu of Be Well Labs: The Value of Comprehensive Blood Testing
- Physician associate Chris Lezu joins Ed and Clint to discuss preventive healthcare and laboratory testing.
- Chris has been working with Marlene at Be Well Labs for approximately a year and a half.
- Explains that blood testing can identify potential health concerns before noticeable symptoms develop.
- Discusses examples including:
- Thyroid antibodies associated with autoimmune thyroid conditions
- C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker
- Cardiovascular risk markers
- Ed highlights several cardiovascular markers beyond a standard cholesterol reading, including ApoB, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and fibrinogen.
- They discuss how someone can feel healthy while having abnormal laboratory markers.
- Chris emphasizes using testing to identify potential risks earlier and guide preventive health decisions.
[0:18:17] Chris’s Background & Transition Into Holistic Healthcare
- Chris shares that he spent approximately 12 years working as a physician assistant, primarily in urgent care.
- Explains that he enjoyed urgent care because it allowed him to help people with many different health concerns.
- Describes his transition into wellness-focused healthcare at Be Well Labs.
- Ed credits Chris with expanding his knowledge through continuing education, seminars, reading, and observing patient experiences.
- Chris identifies cardiovascular and lipid testing as one of the most significant areas in which his perspective has changed.
[0:19:39] Cardiovascular Health: Looking Beyond LDL Cholesterol
- Chris discusses how conventional healthcare often focuses heavily on LDL cholesterol when evaluating cardiovascular risk.
- He argues that metabolic health deserves greater attention alongside cholesterol levels.
- Ed explains that metabolic health involves several interconnected systems, including:
- Insulin regulation
- Liver function
- Blood sugar metabolism
- Lipid processing
- Chris discusses using familiar tests, such as A1C and lipid panels, to gain additional insight into metabolic health.
- They distinguish between standard laboratory reference ranges and what they consider optimal ranges.
- Ed argues that results falling within a laboratory’s normal range don’t necessarily mean someone has achieved optimal health.
- Chris explains that his clinical experience has helped him develop a more individualized approach to interpreting results.
[0:21:41] Patient Empowerment & Changing Healthcare Perspectives
- Clint asks Chris how working in holistic healthcare has changed his approach to patients.
- Chris identifies patient responsibility and empowerment as one of his biggest philosophical changes.
- Rather than telling patients what to do, he encourages them to take ownership of their health decisions.
- Describes his role as providing guidance, education, and recommendations while allowing patients to choose their next steps.
- Chris acknowledges that his previous medical training shaped some of his assumptions about health concerns.
- Mentions previously being skeptical of issues involving mold exposure and Epstein-Barr virus.
- Says additional study of biochemistry and patient experiences has influenced his understanding of how the body develops dysfunction.
[0:23:47] Snakebite Safety & Emergency Medical Care
- Ed asks Chris about the dangers of copperhead bites while hunting in remote wooded areas.
- Chris explains that the severity of a venomous snakebite can vary depending on several factors.
- Clint shares a story about someone who required hospitalization after a rattlesnake bite.
- They discuss preventive measures such as protective snake chaps and boots.
- The group recognizes that snakebites require emergency medical attention rather than home treatment.
[0:26:10] What to Expect From a Be Well Labs Consultation
- Clint asks Chris to explain how appointments at Be Well Labs differ from typical medical visits.
- Chris describes two main approaches:
- Individual lab testing: Patients can request specific tests, such as CRP or a lipid panel, with some visits taking less than 30 minutes.
- Comprehensive consultations: Patients can discuss symptoms, concerns, and health goals with Chris to develop an individualized testing plan.
- After reviewing laboratory results, Chris provides recommendations and follow-up information.
- Patients can choose whether to continue working with him or simply use the information they receive.
- Chris recommends scheduling appointments for longer consultations.
- The group also discusses additional Be Well Labs services, including:
- IV hydration and nutrient therapies
- Red light therapy
- Wellness consultations
- Ed shares his recent experience with elevated CRP and Epstein-Barr-related laboratory markers.
- Chris explains that CRP is an inflammation marker and that some inflammation is a normal physiological response.
- Listeners are directed to beginwithlabs.com for more information.
[0:34:04] Health Fair Updates & New Nutrition World Products
- Ed again encourages listeners to attend the October 24 Health Fair.
- Highlights Tallow House, praising its focus on a smaller menu and carefully prepared food.
- Discusses Nutrition World’s recent trip to a health-food convention in Orlando.
- Mentions interviews recorded with approximately 17 health-industry experts.
- Announces that some interviews will be shared through Nutrition World’s social media.
[0:36:19] Clint’s Commentary on Braco’s “Transformational Gaze”
- Clint discusses Braco, a performer known for holding events in which he silently gazes at audiences.
- Expresses skepticism about claims that people experience emotional, spiritual, or physical transformations during these events.
- Ed suggests that attendees may be receiving something personally meaningful from the experience.
[0:37:44] The Clean Fifteen: Choosing Produce With Lower Pesticide Residues
- Ed introduces the Environmental Working Group’s Clean Fifteen, a list of produce items identified as having relatively low pesticide residues in its testing-based rankings.
- Discusses examples from the list, including:
- Pineapple, sweet corn, avocados, and papayas
- Onions, sweet peas, asparagus, and cabbage
- Watermelon, cauliflower, bananas, and carrots
- Mushrooms and kiwi
- Ed and Clint share their personal preferences for different fruits and vegetables.
- Ed particularly emphasizes cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Discusses indole-3-carbinol, a compound associated with cruciferous vegetables that has been studied for its potential health effects.
[0:40:39] Household Chemicals & Reducing Everyday Exposures
- Ed discusses advice from integrative physician Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy about household products she avoids.
- Highlights concerns involving several common consumer products, including:
- Conventional plug-in air fresheners
- Strongly scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners
- Sucralose-containing sweeteners
- Certain personal-care products and sunscreens
- Single-use coffee pods
- Announces that Nutrition World plans to carry essential-oil-based plug-in air fresheners.
- Recommends following knowledgeable health professionals and being selective about information consumed through social media.
[0:43:27] Colorectal Cancer Trends & Supplement Transparency
- Ed discusses research examining increasing rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults.
- Raises concerns about possible relationships between ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk.
- Revisits research interest in cruciferous vegetables and their potential protective associations.
- Shifts to the importance of transparency within the supplement industry.
- Highlights NutriBio and its CheckMySupps.com platform.
- Explains that the platform provides access to product testing information and certificates of analysis.
- Praises companies that make ingredient verification and quality-control information available to consumers.
[0:44:27] Steak ‘n Shake & Changes to Cooking Ingredients
- Ed praises Steak ‘n Shake for changes the company has made to certain ingredients and cooking practices.
- Discusses the company’s move away from seed oils in some food preparation.
- Clint recalls enjoying the restaurant with his children.
- Ed expresses interest in returning to try the updated menu.
- Their conversation reflects Ed’s broader interest in restaurants making changes he considers healthier.
[0:45:28] Air Pollution, Brain Health & Home Air Purification
- Ed discusses a retrospective study involving approximately 70 patients that examined air-pollution exposure and brain aneurysm risk.
- Describes an observed association between elevated particulate exposure months earlier and increased aneurysm risk.
- Raises concerns about wildfire smoke and prolonged exposure to polluted air.
- Explains that he uses an AirDoctor air purifier in his bedroom.
- Also discusses his personal use of water filtration and EMF-related products.
- Emphasizes that his goal is not necessarily to live to 100, but to maintain a high quality of life as he ages.
- Clint notes that taking preventive steps can also provide peace of mind.
[0:51:23] Gary Vaynerchuk, Natural Health & Trusting the Body
- Ed shares an interview with entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee) discussing his upbringing and attitudes toward healthcare.
- Gary describes growing up in a family that preferred traditional remedies and avoided medications when possible.
- Recalls childhood practices involving ingredients such as ginger, cinnamon, mint, and beets.
- Ed is particularly interested in Gary’s childhood belief that the body had an extraordinary ability to heal itself.
- Ed acknowledges that health concerns can still create fear and uncertainty, even for people who strongly believe in preventive wellness.
[0:53:46] Fear, Group Psychology & Critical Thinking About Health
- Clint recalls a local school incident involving a broken thermometer that was initially feared to contain mercury.
- Says he believes later reporting indicated that the thermometer contained alcohol rather than mercury, although he acknowledges uncertainty about the details.
- Discusses how fear and group reactions can amplify perceived symptoms.
- Ed and Clint explore the influence of suggestion, social pressure, and collective anxiety.
- Clint connects the discussion to public reactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Both emphasize the importance of maintaining critical thinking rather than allowing fear to control health decisions.
[0:55:58] Oral Health, Gum Disease & Kidney Function
- Ed discusses a study of approximately 6,000 adults in Germany examining associations between gum disease and kidney function.
- Reports that severe periodontal disease was associated with reduced kidney function.
- Also discusses research linking poor oral health with certain cardiovascular concerns.
- Emphasizes the importance of the oral microbiome and maintaining beneficial bacteria in the mouth.
- Mentions chewable oral probiotics as a product he personally plans to incorporate.
- Expresses concern about frequently using antibacterial mouthwashes that indiscriminately kill oral bacteria.
- Refers listeners to his dental-health ebook available through The Holistic Navigator.
[0:57:24] Clint’s Book: The Room With No Doors
- Clint discusses his recently published book, The Room With No Doors.
- Explains that the book focuses on how excuses can prevent people from achieving their goals.
- Examples include excuses related to:
- Weight loss and physical fitness
- Financial improvement
- Career growth
- Personal development
- Clint believes the book is especially relevant for sales professionals and business leaders.
- The book is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.
- The episode concludes with Ed and Clint encouraging listeners to return the following week.
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