The Health Edge: translating the science of self-care
Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD, MPH
49 episodes
17 hours ago
Send us a text What if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health. ...
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Send us a text What if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health. ...
Send us a text What if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health. ...
Send us a text Curious why coconut oil can raise LDL for some people yet still show up in diets that improve metabolic health, cognition, and body composition? We get clear on what coconut oil actually is—a family of saturated fats with a rare abundance of medium-chain triglycerides—and why MCTs create ketones that the brain and mitochondria can use even without fasting. Instead of stopping at cholesterol, we look at the fuller picture: insulin resistance, inflammation, triglycerides, and rea...
Send us a text If pomegranates, raspberries, and walnuts could whisper a secret to your cells, it might be this: the right microbes can turn plant defense into human resilience. We dive into the journey from ellagic acid to urolithin A, mapping how polyphenols meet the microbiome to support mitochondrial function, muscle strength, and brain health. Along the way, we unpack the science of mitophagy, inflammation control, and metabolic signaling that ties colorful foods to better performance an...
Send us a text A 35% drop in liver fat in under a week sounds impossible—until you see how a simple macro shift can redirect your metabolism. We dive into a Danish crossover study where calories stayed equal, protein held steady, and the only real change was carbohydrates versus fat. The result: rapid reductions in hepatic fat, lower triglycerides, improved insulin sensitivity, and clear signs of metabolic flexibility, all in four to five days. We unpack what that means for everyday eating, h...
Send us a text The clock isn’t just on your wall—it’s in your cells. As autumn settles in and daylight wanes, we dig into how light acts as information for your biology, shaping sleep depth, hormone timing, and metabolic health. A standout 15-year cohort of 200,000+ children links persistent artificial light at night to higher obesity risk, and it pairs with wearable data from tens of thousands of people that reveals how little real sunlight most of us get—even at the height of summer. We br...
Send us a text Nature deficit syndrome is silently affecting millions as we spend over 95% of our lives indoors beneath artificial lighting that disrupts our biology at the most fundamental level. Dr. Mark Pettus delivers a compelling exploration of this modern disconnection, introducing the powerful concept that our current "junk light" epidemic may soon be viewed with the same concern we now direct toward processed foods. Drawing from both scientific research and ancient wisdom traditions,...
Send us a text At a time when anxiety and depression rates are soaring across all age groups, Dr. Mark Pettus cuts through the noise with revelatory insights into how our daily choices shape our mental landscape. This compelling exploration connects the dots between what's on your plate, how you move through your day, and the remarkable resilience of your brain. Dr. Pettus introduces the concept of allostatic load—how our bodies interpret and respond to environmental stressors—and reveals wh...
Send us a text The rhythms of nature have orchestrated human biology for millennia, but our modern lifestyle has disconnected us from these essential patterns. Dr. Mark Pettus takes us on a fascinating journey through the science of circadian rhythms, revealing how light serves as crucial information that synchronizes every cell in our bodies with the natural day-night cycle. From ancient Hippocrates to Nobel Prize-winning research, the evidence is clear: our bodies respond profoundly to lig...
Send us a text Curious about natural alternatives to expensive GLP-1 medications like Ozempic? Dr. Mark Pettus unveils powerful nutritional strategies to boost your body's own GLP-1 production for improved metabolic health and sustainable weight management. This eye-opening presentation dives into the fascinating relationship between your diet, gut microbiome, and GLP-1 production. Dr. Pettus, a kidney and integrative medicine specialist with 40 years of medical experience, explains how qual...
Send us a text Chronic inflammation has emerged as one of the most significant drivers behind virtually all modern health challenges. In this thought-provoking exploration, Dr. Mark Pettus reveals why researchers now refer to inflammation as "the cause of everything" and introduces the concept of "inflammaging" – how chronic inflammation accelerates biological aging and compromises quality of life. Dr. Pettus takes us beyond conventional medical thinking to understand that while inflammation...
Send us a text Prepare to have your understanding of genetics completely transformed. The revolutionary science of epigenetics reveals that you're not simply a prisoner of your DNA – you're actively participating in how your genes express themselves through every choice you make. Dr. Mark Pettus takes us on a fascinating journey through this emerging field that bridges the gap between fate and free will. Drawing on cutting-edge research and decades of clinical experience, he explains how our...
Send us a text Creatine might be the most underappreciated nutritional powerhouse in our health toolkit. While many associate it exclusively with weightlifters and athletes, the science reveals a molecule with profound benefits reaching far beyond the gym. Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD,MPH dive into creatine's fundamental role in human physiology as part of our body's most immediate energy production system – the ATP-PCR pathway. They unpack how this simple compound supports not just m...
Unlock the secrets to a healthier, longer life by mastering the science behind protein intake. Discover the critical role of animal protein in maintaining lean body mass, boosting metabolic health, and combating age-related muscle loss. We challenge traditional views and outdated guidelines, bringing you insights from recent research and experts in the field to help you reassess the power of protein in your diet.With less than 10% of Americans achieving optimal metabolic health, it's time to ...
In this first Health Edge podcast of 2025, Mark Pettus MD and John Bagnulo PhD, MPH review a 2024 study published in The Journal of Nutrition.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002231662400289X?via%3Dihubhttps://www.thehealthedgepodcast.com
In this Health Edge recording, Mark describes a model of integrative health-lifestyle medicine that is distinctly different from current allopathic disease-based models. He examines the metabolic perfect storm of insulin resistance and inflammation as passports to accelerated aging, chronic complex disease risk and poor quality of life or healthspan. His slides can be downloaded at www.thehealthedgepodcast.com
In this episode of the Health Edge I review a recent meta-analysis examining the magnitude of cardiovascular benefit from taking statins for elevated LDL in both primary and secondary prevention.JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(5):474-481. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.0134 Published online March 14, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285...
Do you ever feel like everything you've been told about healthy eating seems to be teetering on the edge of being overturned? Welcome to a mind-bending exploration where we question the status quo, particularly the demonization of full fat dairy and saturated fats. I'm diving deep into a groundbreaking study suggesting that pentadecanoic acid, a saturated fat found in full-fat dairy could actually promote health and contribute to our longevity. We challenge the shortcomings in the tradi...
In a world where health advice is abundant, it can be challenging to sift through conflicting data and headlines. One such contentious issue is the connection between red meat and type 2 diabetes. On this episode of The Health Edge, we take a critical look at this connection and aim to provide a balanced perspective on this often polarizing topic.The episode focuses on a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health that has purportedly found a connection between red meat consumption ...
Ready to have your understanding of BMI flipped on its head? We're diving into an intriguing study that suggests a BMI lower than 25 might be linked with decreased mortality. That's right, what you've been told about the ideal BMI could be all wrong. We also tackle the waist to hip ratio, showing you how to measure it and why it might be a better health marker than BMI. So, grab a tape measure and prepare for a health knowledge overhaul.
Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of protein and its pivotal role in our dietary intake? Strap in as we guide you through the complex world of essential amino acids, and the significant part they play in our bodies. We discuss the importance of achieving a balance in your protein consumption, focusing on the dietary reference intakes, and the potential risks of under-consuming protein. Discover why 25 grams of protein per meal can be beneficial for you, and the distinctions between plant ...
The Health Edge: translating the science of self-care
Send us a text What if your lighting is sending the wrong message to your biology? We dig into the science of light as information, showing how specific wavelengths trigger opsins in the eyes and skin to set circadian rhythm, shape metabolism, and influence mood, sleep, and aging. From violet and sky-blue that kick-start morning alertness to red and near-infrared that support mitochondrial function, collagen, and nitric oxide, we connect the dots between spectrum quality and everyday health. ...
