In this episode, I interview top functional medicine practitioner Dr. Will Cole.

He is the author of Ketotarian® and was named one of the top 50 functional-medicine and integrative doctors in the nation and is a health expert and course instructor for the world’s largest wellness brands such as Mindbodygreen and Goop.

In this episode, Dr. Cole talks about:

Functional medicine and emphasizes the importance of our relationship with our body and food
He shares a few powerful messages. One of which is “You cannot heal a body you hate.”
We talked about transitioning from vegetarian to ketotarian,
Why conventional medicine has failed us
And much more

Learn more about Dr. Will Cole here https://drwillcole.com/

[0:35] Dr. Cole’s interesting childhood

He grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and he lived his childhood a little bit different than most kids.
- He grew up eating organic foods and drinking Adaptogenic Tonics which are not normal during the 80s and 90s.
He learned and understand food and developed his relationship with health and wellness at a very young age.
When he was 16 years old, Dr. Cole already knew he wanted to get into wellness in some way. At Southern California University of Health Sciences, he started focusing on functional medicine.

[4:08] Practicing virtual functional medicine

Hundred percent (100%) of Dr. Cole’s patients/clients are online.

Dr. Will Cole together with his team consult world wide in Autoimmune, Brain, Gut, Hormone, and Thyroid health.
It is convenient for people who may not have access to a nearby functional medicine doctor.

[5:54] What is it like living in Dr. Cole’s household?

Dr. Cole and his wife have 2 wonderful kids, a son and a daughter.
One cool thing about being a functional medicine practitioner who gets invited into workshops or seminars is him being able to bring his family and give them front row seats for his talks.
His son is very much into the concept of helping people.
- Of his two kids, his son will most likely be into the health and wellness field as well.
On eating healthy foods:
- Dr. Cole shifts his kids’ mindset into eating healthy foods.
- He would normally say to them “Look at the healthy food we get to eat and feel great as a result of it.”
- Loving your body enough to feed it well:
- - For adults, little boys and little girls, it is very important to have a healthy relationship with food.
  - See you child as an individual and observe how they receive information. Make their foods age-appropriate as well.
  - Foods you eat impact your hormonal levels.
  - It’s not about punishing your body by not having all the good stuff. It’s really about focusing on all the good stuff and the grace that we get from feeding our body good things.

[10:45] Why is it important to get a comprehensive health history of patients?

Most of Dr. Cole’s patients have seen previous doctors before they consult with him.
His job as a functional medicine practitioner is to find out what’s been missed out on his clients pile of laboratory reports.
Thorough medical history is not respected enough even though it gives a lot of information.
If you have a doctor or a medical practitioner who’s asking you basic questions and not digging into your history, consider that a red flag.

[14:36] Rigged system: Experiencing symptoms but not sick enough to be diagnosed

The system is broken and it is distracted on things that are not the most effective but with the least amount of side effects.
The system is largely trained to diagnose a disease and match it with a medication.
Main options of people with autoimmune issues are steroids, immuno-suppresants and biological drugs.
- They don’t put everybody on this medication but when it gets bad enough, they basically punish and suppress the immune system down.
- These problems don’t happen overnight. By the time it gets to the point where they want to put you on these medications, that’s an average of 10 years prior to the diagnosis.
All chronic problems are called chronic for a reason. They don’t happen overnight.
Dr. Cole’s book, The Inflammation Spectrum, will help you discover how inflammation is at the core of most common health woes.
Some people have been sick for so long. They will never be 100% better. But, we have to get them the best they can be and live the best life they can live. That’s a better alternative than taking a medication for the rest of your life.
Functional medicine is revolutionary. Today, conventionally trained hospitals are now providing functional medicine clinics.
We have to do different to see something different.

[19:34] Dr. Cole was a vegetarian for 10 years until his health starts declining

Just because something is better doesn’t mean it’s optimal long-term.
Dr. Cole transitioned into being vegetarian to being a ketotarian.

[21:22] Exercise and Eating Healthy

Food and exercise are both important. They are two sides of the same coin.
Food is such a powerful driver. It is primary and exercise is icing on the cake.
The ratio between food and exercise looks different for different people.
Dr. Cole loves his Peleton bike but he also do yoga and gym circuits.

[25:36] The problem with Orthorexia, the obsessive behavior in pursuit of a healthy diet

Orthorexia starts with good intentions but ends with health problems.
We have to untangle that stress and obsession and start healing the person physically but also heal the person’s relationship with food.

[27:15] A peek on Ketotarian, Dr. Cole’s book

Ketotarian: A ketogenic plant-based rockstar
- The ketogenic diet kick-starts your body's metabolism so it burns fat, instead of sugar, as its primary fuel.
Burning sugar vs. Burning fat:
- Sugar burning diet is basically the standard American diet.
- - Little metabolic flexibility
- Fat burning diet regain your metabolic flexibility.
- - Creates food freedom
  - Tames inflammation and cravings
  - Achieves peak physical and mental performance
Statistics:
- Nearly 20% of all adults have a diagnosable mental disorder.
- 81% of Americans take atleast 1 medication per day.
- Out of 68 children, there is 1 diagnosed as autistic.
- The United States spends more on healthcare than the next top 10 spending countries combined but ranks last on living a long and healthy life.

[33:37] Research has shown, over 90% of our longevity is determined by the choices we make, not our genetics

Genetics is a piece of the puzzle but it’s not the biggest piece.
Majority of health problems we see today are largely influenced by epigenetics.
Know that you have control over your destiny. It’s not your DNA that determines your destiny.

[35:55] Huge misconceptions about conventional doctors and nutritional advice

Research has shown that most doctors would fail a basic nutrition test.
Conventional medical doctors should be trained in the nutritional aspect because most of their patients have problems largely influenced by lifestyle.
Most conventional doctors nowadays engage in learning activities about functional medicine where they are learning things they didn’t learn at medical school.

[40:40] Eliminating Inflammation with a Personalized Ketogenic Diet

The Inflammation Spectrum:
- Functional medicine lifestyle guide to start finding out which foods work best for your body
- In this book, Dr. Cole eloquently explains the root cause of health problems and offers a fun, innovative plan to begin lowering inflammation and reclaiming optimal wellness.
- The book will be released on October 2019. Pre-order The Inflammation Spectrum here.

[43:20] Love and Gratitude: Two of the biggest healers in our world

You cannot heal a body you hate.
If you get your head, heart and your relationship with food and your body right, that will create in infrastructure for sustainable wellness.
- It will also lower your stress levels.
- It will create a healing environment.
It’s not just about food and movement. It’s also your mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Mental health is physical health.

AND MUCH MORE!

Resources from this episode:

Visit Dr. Will Cole’s Website

Ketotarian® by Dr. Will Cole

Pre-order The Inflammation Spectrum: Find Your Food Triggers and Reset Your System by Dr. Will Cole
The goop Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Keto Talk Podcast With Jimmy Moore & Dr. Will Cole
Learn more about Dr. Datis Kharrazian, one of the big names in functional medicine
Upcoming Events:
- A University of Miami Event at The Sacred Space
- - Ketotarian: The Exciting Science and Application of a Plant Based Ketogenic Diet (November 15, 2019)
- Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus
- - Miami Book Fair (November 15, 2019)
Some relevant articles by Dr. Cole:
- What Does A Functional Medicine Program Look Like?
- The Underlying Factors That Contribute To Autoimmune Conditions

This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast including Ben Azadi disclaim responsibility from any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not accept responsibility of statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or non-direct interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.

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April 9th, 2018 Oddcast!