Jay Shetty - Dr. Will Cole

1)      Dr. Will Cole, a functional medicine practitioner, discusses the importance of gut health and how it is linked to our overall well-being. He explains that the gut and the brain are formed from the same fetal tissue and are connected through the gut-brain axis. The gut is home to 75% of the immune system and inflammation, which is the commonality between almost every health problem. Dr. Cole stresses the importance of understanding gut health, even if you don't have extreme digestive symptoms, as it affects our mood, brain function, and immune health.

2)      Dr. Will discusses the importance of understanding the gut-brain connection and how gut issues have become wide spread. He emphasizes that just because something is common, it doesn't mean it's normal, and highlights that many people have digestive issues, inflammation, and other symptoms that they assume are normal. Dr. Cole also points out that our bowel movements can offer a window into our overall health, and when we have ravenous cravings, trouble losing weight, hair loss, or skin problems, these can be alerts that something is wrong.

3)      Will discusses shame flammation, which is the convergence of mental, emotional, and physical health. He emphasizes that mental health and physical health are inseparable, and our thoughts and emotions impact our physical health, spiking inflammation levels, and affecting how our hormones are expressed. Will explains the physiological side, which includes four food types that can disrupt the gut microbiome and regulate inflammation levels, including gluten-containing grains, industrial seed oils,conventional dairy, and added sugar. He adds that alcohol should be added to the list since it's becoming normalized in the wellness world, and there is no healthy amount of alcohol.

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4)      Will shows the connection between alcohol and intuition shows that alcohol can cloud our judgment and make it harder for us to listen to our intuition. It can also impact our gut microbiome, disrupting the balance of the bacterial population and potentially leading to issues like bacterial overgrowth and leaky gut syndrome. These disruptions can trigger a cascade of inflammation in the body and may even contribute to the rise in autoimmune diseases. While it's important to be mindful of our gut health when taking medications or consuming certain foods, it's also essential to be conscious of our relationship with alcohol and how it may be affecting our overall well-being both physically and psychologically.

5)      Will talks about chronic stress, which is a common issue for many people who are stuck in a fight-or-flight state, but there's no real threat causing their stress. Chronic stress leads to an overproduction of cortisol, which can cause inflammation and other issues. He explains that chronic inflammation or cortisol levels are a problem because the body needs balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Cole recommends bringing healthy boundaries, having a better relationship with technology, prioritizing sleep, and bringing self-care practices into our lives. He highlights the importance of treating acts of stillness, feeding our head and heart, and dealing with both physiological and psychological aspects of stress. He advises everyone that you don't have to be perfect or have it all together to start making positive changes.

6)      Will Cole speaks with Jay about developing a healthy mindset towards food, and how this relates to self-respect and self-care. Cole stresses the importance of identifying the foods that don't make people feel good, and viewing avoiding them as a form of self-respect instead of something restrictive. He also uses an analogy of luxury cars to highlight the importance of treating one's own body with respect and care, and how this perspective can lead to better food choices. The section ends with a discussion on how developing a taste for healthy foods is possible when people consistently make the effort to eat them.

7)      Jay and Dr. Will discuss the process of breaking unhealthy eating habits and replacing them with better options. Will notes the importance of repairing the gut-feelings connection by eating nutrient-dense foods and regulating blood sugar, which leads to the possibility of the individual not enjoying indulgent foods as much. He highlights the idea of "food peace" whereby individuals are not bound by food, but rather use it as a mindfulness tool. Will suggests eating consciously, realizing if food loves you back or not, and using mindful eating as an opportunity to experiment with new options. Furthermore, he stresses that experimenting with other healthy activities with friends can be a fun way of socializing, leading to personal growth and great relationships with others.

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8)      Cole discusses the thyroid and hormonal tests that doctors perform. Most of the thyroid labs and hormonal tests are conventional tests but if a patient has a decent relationship with their doctor and if it's clinically appropriate, they should be able to run the panel even if it's slightly outside of what their routine Labs. Their panel consists of a TSH,a thyroid stimulating hormone, and maybe a T4 to give the person thelevothyroxine, that Synthroid pharmaceutical thyroid replacement hormone. However, in functional medicine, there are more labs such as a full thyroid panel which includes total T3, free T3, free t for, and thyroid antibodies.For those who are struggling with food intolerances or food reactions, they need to keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another,but they can look to healthy foods as a starting point.

9)     Will emphasizes that people who have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) should avoid consuming higher FODMAP foods such as onions, garlic, broccoli, asparagus, and brussels sprouts. He explains that these foods contain fermentable sugars that cause gastrointestinal upset and exacerbate conditions such as anxiety, depression, and autoimmune issues. On the other hand, people with mold toxicity should avoid higher mold foods such as grains, gluten, coffee, and wine. Additionally, Dr. Cole mentions that higher histamine foods such as kombucha, bone broth, fermented and pickled foods, and avocados can cause problems for people with histamine intolerance. He reminds people to diagnose themselves effectively and seek appropriate solutions to health concerns.

10)   Will Cole participates in the "Final Five" rapid-fire question segment. He offers his best advice, which is that you can't heal a body you hate. He cautions against shaming the body and trying to find health through it because that won't work. Something that he used to value for his health but doesn't anymore is taking a lot of supplements, as he finds streamlining his experience with healthy eating habits results in a better and more impactful use of supplements. His current purpose in life is to help people with silent health problems and to be a light for God. He also believes in being kind and speaking after careful thought. A health law he would create is to eat foods that love you back, finding out what those are and focusing on them, as it puts the rest of the stuff intoperspective.

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