ReThink Health with Dr. Autumn Smith

IN THIS EPISODE What if we've been looking at cancer the wrong way for more than 70 years? In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Thomas Seyfried, a professor of biology at Boston College and author of Cancer as a Metabolic Disease. For decades he has asked a question most of oncology stopped asking long ago: what if cancer isn't driven mainly by bad genes? This conversation is deeply personal for me. My dad battled cancer three times, and I recently lost him. Two of my close friends, one in her 40s and one in his 50s, are facing cancer right now. Dr. Seyfried's work was a source of hope for our family, and I know cancer touches almost everyone's life. Dr. Seyfried explains why he believes cancer is primarily a mitochondrial metabolic disease. His argument builds on the work of Nobel laureate Otto Warburg and on his own lab's research into how cancer cells rely on two fuels: glucose and glutamine. He walks us through the nuclear transfer experiments that challenged the gene-centered view of cancer. He also explains why cancer cells "ferment" for energy instead of "breathing" like healthy cells. You'll learn: Why Dr. Seyfried believes the gene mutations found in cancer are an effect of the disease rather than its cause The difference between fermentation and respiration, and why cancer cells keep fermenting even when oxygen is present Why he says glucose and glutamine must be targeted together, and how his "press-pulse" strategy works How to use the Glucose-Ketone Index to see where your metabolism stands Why ketones are often called a "super fuel" for healthy cells How alcohol, portion size, exercise, stress, and fasting affect your glucose ketone index (GKI) What forever chemicals and rising childhood obesity may mean for cancer rates in kids What a day of eating and living looks like for a researcher who has studied cancer for 40 years If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, this episode offers a different perspective and practical tools to bring to your conversations with your healthcare team. HELPFUL RESOURCES Paleovalley Essential C Complex >>> Support immune health and antioxidant defenses with full-spectrum vitamin C, sourced from three organic superfoods. Save up to 20% on Paleovalley Essential C Complex.

IN THIS EPISODE What if the most overlooked nutrient in your diet isn't a vitamin or a mineral, but a simple amino acid your body already makes? In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Joel Brind, a biochemist with over 50 years in medical research and the author of The Glycine Miracle. Dr. Brind has spent nearly two decades studying glycine, and he makes the case that this "nonessential" amino acid may actually be the body's primary regulator of inflammation. Unfortunately, most of us are falling short by as much as 10 grams a day… which translates to a shockingly wide range of health problems today. You'll learn: Why glycine is technically "nonessential," and why your body likely can't make nearly enough of it on its own Why meat eaters surprisingly have less glycine in their blood than vegans How glycine acts as a molecular gatekeeper, controlling whether immune cells stay calm or launch a full inflammatory response Which modern eating habits may be driving a glycine deficiency Why higher natural glycine levels translate to a lower risk of major cardiac events New research on how restoring glycine to aging cells can reverse markers of mitochondrial aging Why Dr. Brind believes chronic, unresolved inflammation after everyday injuries like sunburns or sprains isn't actually "normal" The difference between getting glycine from food, collagen, magnesium glycinate, or a standalone supplement, and what each does and doesn't provide Practical, everyday ways to close the "glycine gap" without overhauling your entire diet If you've ever wondered why nagging aches, poor sleep, or slow recovery seem to be your "normal," this conversation offers a compelling, science-backed reason why they might not have to be. HELPFUL RESOURCESPaleovalley Bone Broth Protein Powder >>> Support your body's daily glycine needs with Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein Powder. Save up to 20% on Paleovalley Bone Broth Protein.

IN THIS EPISODE Are our brains shrinking? According to my guest this week, the answer is a resounding yes… and he's been warning us about it since 1972. In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Michael Crawford, a pioneering nutritional scientist and one of the first researchers in the world to identify DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as essential to brain development and function. Nearly 40 years ago, his lab discovered that primates deprived of omega-3 fatty acids developed severe self-harming behavior, hair loss, and psychological distress that reversed once DHA was restored to their diet. Since then, the evidence has only grown. Dr. Crawford walks us through the astonishing story of how the human brain evolved in the sea over 500 million years, why larger-bodied animals are actually worse at making their own DHA, and why average human brain capacity is rapidly shrinking. We also get into the controversial and often misunderstood topic of mercury in seafood, why pregnant women may be doing more harm than good by avoiding fish, and what groundbreaking new research is revealing about DHA's role in brain development before birth. You'll learn: Why brain tissue is fundamentally different from the rest of the body, and why government nutrition guidelines miss this entirely The staggering economic cost of brain disorders, and why it now outpaces heart disease and cancer combined The real reason ultra-processed foods are stripped of omega-3s, and why that matters more than you might think The truth about mercury in seafood, and why its "danger" is far less significant than we've been told What Japan's coastal restoration projects can teach us about rebuilding our own fisheries and food systems The best food sources of DHA, including surprising picks for people who don't eat fish If you're not eating seafood on a regular basis, this episode makes a compelling case for why that one change could matter more than almost anything else you do for your brain. HELPFUL RESOURCES Paleovalley Omega-3 Complex >>> Support brain, heart, cellular, and whole-body health with 1,050 mg of clean, bioavailable omega-3s per serving. Save up to 20% on Paleovalley Omega-3

IN THIS EPISODE Is your morning coffee helping or hurting your health? The answer may depend on much more than how many cups you drink. In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with nutritional biochemist Stephen Cherniske, author of Caffeine Blues, for a nuanced look at one of the most widely consumed compounds in the world: caffeine. Rather than labeling caffeine "good" or "bad," Stephen explains why your dose, timing, genetics, and individual response can completely change how caffeine affects you. Stephen (who still drinks coffee himself) encourages understanding your own physiology and using caffeine strategically rather than mindlessly; a distinction that becomes especially important since people can metabolize and respond to caffeine very differently. You'll learn: Why caffeine doesn't actually give your body energy (and what it does instead) The research-backed benefits of caffeine for cognition, memory, athletic performance, and metabolic health Why the same amount of caffeine may make one person feel great and another anxious, jittery, or unable to sleep How caffeine can interfere with deep, restorative sleep even when you think you're sleeping just fine How your heart rate and sleep quality may provide clues about your personal caffeine tolerance Why caffeine timing matters (and when Stephen recommends cutting yourself off for the day) Why tea may feel different from coffee for people who are sensitive to caffeine What to look for when choosing a high-quality decaf coffee If coffee is one of the first things you reach for every morning, this episode will help you stop thinking about caffeine as simply "healthy" or "unhealthy" and start asking a much more useful question: How is it actually affecting you? HELPFUL RESOURCES Paleovalley Polyphenol-Dense Organic Coffee >>> Enjoy clean, organic coffee made with antioxidant-rich beans and rigorously tested for purity. Try Paleovalley Polyphenol-Dense Organic Coffee today for up to 20% OFF!