Wild Health Podcast

Dr. Jeff Graham sits down with Dr. Damon Forbes to explore the emerging concept of "lean mass hyper-responders"— fit, low-carb individuals who present with unusually high LDL levels. They unpack the physiology behind this pattern, discuss how it differs from familial hypercholesterolemia, and review new data on cardiovascular risk. The conversation offers a nuanced look at how metabolism, diet, and lipid transport intersect in precision medicine.

Dr. Tommy Wood, physician-scientist and professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, shares how the brain develops, adapts, and recovers from injury across the lifespan. He explains how genetics, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and other daily habits shape cognitive performance and resilience. Drawing on research and clinical insights, Dr. Wood highlights practical, evidence-based strategies to support brain health at every stage of life.

Can your grip lower your blood pressure? In this episode, Dr. Erin Faules talks with Mark Young, CEO of Zona Health, about how isometric training can support cardiovascular health and help manage blood pressure without medication. We also cover early detection, self-monitoring, and nervous system regulation in protecting healthspan and preventing chronic disease. Topics covered: The Air Force origins of isometric training research How isometric exercise improves vascular health and lowers blood pressure Using data and self-tracking for early detection of dementia and heart disease The role of inflammation and nervous system balance in longevity

Steven Rofrano discusses how everyday food choices influence health and well-being. Drawing on his background in functional medicine and passion for regenerative health, he explores the importance of ingredient quality, accessibility, and taste in shaping healthier habits. Key topics covered: Shifting from industrial food norms toward nutrient-rich, traditionally prepared foods Why eliminating seed oils and using whole, heritage ingredients matters Making healthier foods the default option in society Balancing flavor with nutrition to create sustainable dietary change Considering regulation, sourcing, and the role of GMOs in modern agriculture

Dr. Clayton Bell, a functional and integrative medicine physician, shares both his clinical expertise and personal journey with Lyme disease and related co-infections. He discusses the challenges of accurate testing, how symptoms can overlap with conditions like mold exposure, and why whole-person care—addressing physical, emotional, and environmental factors—is essential. The conversation covers a spectrum of treatment approaches, from lifestyle interventions to antibiotics and SOT therapies, while emphasizing resilience and root-cause medicine.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Courtney Runyon, we explore how over-giving, emotional suppression, and relational stress contributed to a life-altering autoimmune health crisis—and how, just days after ending a relationship defined by those patterns, her body began to heal. Courtney shares how empathy, when unboundaried, can drive inflammation—and how reclaiming agency over your energy can shift everything. We talk about the science of stress and the nervous system, the emotional roots of chronic illness, and how tools like psychedelics supported her recovery. This is a conversation about what happens when your body says what you won't—and how healing begins the moment you start to listen.

Description: In the third and final episode of the healthspan series, Dr. Erin Faules and Dr. Jeff Graham explore the intersection between neurodegenerative disease and metabolic dysfunction—two often-connected drivers of decline. They discuss early detection strategies, the role of genetics, and insulin resistance, and emerging clinical tools to assess and reduce long-term risk. Key Topics Covered: Distinguishing normal aging from neurodegenerative disease Early signs of cognitive decline and how to detect them The role of APOE-4 and other genes in Alzheimer's risk Metabolic dysfunction as a driver of brain aging ("Type 3 diabetes") Blood-based biomarkers: phospho-tau, NFL, CRP, fasting insulin, and more Lifestyle interventions: sleep, strength training, CGMs, circadian-aligned eating Tools like CNS Vital Signs, PET scans, and neuroquant MRIs Supplements and prescriptions: Omega-3s, creatine, berberine, GLP-1s, inositol Connecting muscle mass to glucose control and long-term healthspan

In the first episode of a three-part series on the key factors that limit healthspan, Dr. Erin Faules speaks with Wild Health CEO Dr. Carl Seger about two common but often under-addressed contributors: atherosclerosis and mental health disorders. This episode includes discussion of: Why atherosclerosis often progresses silently, and why calcium scores may miss early disease The link between depression, chronic stress, and cardiovascular risk The clinical relevance of advanced screening tools like coronary CTA, LP(a), and AI-driven risk assessment Treatment advances including GLP-1 receptor agonists and psychedelic-assisted therapy This is Part 1 of a 3-part series exploring the 7 most common blocks to healthspan. Over the next two weeks we will dive into atrophy, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, neurodegenerative disease and cancer.