He was a morbidly obese heart surgeon. Through high school, college, med school and surgical training, he followed the U.S. dietary guidelines for both diet and exercise. Yet nothing he did could keep the weight off. Each day in the operating theater he would split open the chests of people just like himself. He was heading for the operating table and knew he had to find solutions that worked. In 2016, he finally found a way to lose 100 pounds and keep it off. Now - in addition to doing heart surgery - he helps people just like himself get healthy, lose the weight and keep it off. Dr. Philip Ovadia is now a rebel M.D. working to keep people OFF his operating table.
While most people focus on cholesterol numbers, the real cardiovascular risk comes from hormone imbalances triggering inflammation. The body actually increases cholesterol production during menopause to try to make more hormones - but it's the underlying hormone deficiency, not the cholesterol, that raises heart disease risk.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Dr. Jay Wrigley, a functional medicine physician with 29 years of experience in hormonal biochemistry, shares groundbreaking insights about the connection between hormone balance, metabolic health, and heart disease risk. He explains how the dramatic hormonal changes during menopause can trigger inflammation and increase cardiovascular risk if not properly managed. The episode explores why traditional hormone replacement therapy using synthetic hormones can be problematic, while bioidentical hormones in physiological doses may be protective. Dr. Wrigley emphasizes that metabolic health through proper diet and lifestyle is crucial - especially during hormonal transitions. He challenges conventional wisdom about cholesterol and discusses why common blood tests like TSH may not tell the full story. The conversation provides practical strategies for optimizing hormone balance naturally through stress management, proper nutrition, and metabolic health, potentially helping listeners avoid serious health issues as they age.
NOTABLE QUOTE
"If you want to increase your quality of life into your seventies or eighties, what's clear is that what's keeping most people from that is rock bottom levels of the hormones we've been talking about."
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
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Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
A professional chef's transformation from traditional fine dining to health-focused ketogenic cooking, demonstrating that healthy eating can be both simple and delicious without compromising on taste or quality.
NOTABLE QUOTE
"Take the worst piece of shit steak. It's still better than the sugar and processed food that we eat."
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this enlightening episode of Stay Off My Operating Table, host Dr. Philip Ovadia welcomes Chef Oded Talmor, known as the Keto Chef, who shares his remarkable journey from professional basketball player to Wolfgang Puck-trained chef to ketogenic cooking expert.
After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 23, Chef Talmor embarked on a decade-long journey to health through dietary changes, eventually discovering the benefits of a ketogenic diet. His experience led him to develop a new approach to cooking that emphasizes high-quality animal proteins and natural fats while eliminating processed oils and sugars.
The discussion covers crucial topics including the superiority of cooking with traditional fats like beef tallow, the importance of quality in meat selection, and how removing sugar from one's diet can enhance natural food flavors. Chef Talmor also addresses the misconception that ketogenic eating is expensive or complicated, sharing practical tips for making healthy cooking accessible and enjoyable.
👨🍳 Follow Chef Oded Talmor: Instagram/YouTube/TikTok: @ketochef
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
While most physicians receive only two weeks of nutrition education focused mainly on vitamin deficiencies, Dr. Reller's early exposure to nutrition came from her mother's college nutrition background, which helped shape her eventual path toward metabolic health despite traditional medical training.
Dr. Kerry Reller, a board-certified family and obesity medicine physician, shares her transition from electrical engineering to medicine and her approach to incorporating metabolic health principles into a traditional insurance-based practice. She explains how she navigates insurance requirements while still providing comprehensive care, including longer appointment times and detailed lab work analysis. The discussion highlights the challenges of working within the traditional medical system while addressing root causes of metabolic dysfunction. Dr. Reller emphasizes the importance of taking time to understand patient habits, from coffee additives to daily routines, that impact metabolic health. She addresses the concerning rise in childhood metabolic issues, sharing personal experiences as both a physician and parent dealing with school nutrition challenges. The conversation explores the barriers preventing more doctors from adopting metabolic health approaches, including limited awareness and medical education focused primarily on medication-based solutions rather than prevention.
NOTABLE QUOTE
"If I don't take the time to ask these questions, I mean, I probe and I probe. I'm like, what is it? Something is going on that you're doing on a daily basis that is affecting you and making you have poorer metabolic health. So let's find out what it is."
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Dr. Ryan Cooley's journey from a heart attack survivor to a pioneer in metabolic health is nothing short of transformative. After following conventional medical advice and still suffering a heart attack, Dr. Cooley began questioning the lipid hypothesis and delving into how diet and lifestyle can influence genetic predispositions. With a special focus on insulin resistance and cardiac health, he shares his insights and personal experiences, challenging the prevailing norms and shedding light on new approaches to preventing heart disease.
In this episode, we dig into the complex relationship between insulin resistance, visceral fat, and cardiovascular diseases like atrial fibrillation. Dr. Cooley explains how fat accumulation around vital organs triggers inflammatory responses and arrhythmias, advocating for a focus on metabolic health over merely lowering LDL cholesterol levels. His personal and clinical observations provide a compelling argument for a more holistic approach to managing heart health, emphasizing the often-overlooked role of cardiac fat.
We explore the nuances of reversing insulin resistance and the difficulties of diagnosing ectopic fat, often invisible from the outside. Dr. Cooley shares his transition from a vegan diet to a keto vegetarian and nearly carnivore diet, leading to improved lipid profiles and overall heart health. The discussion extends to the importance of satiety, specific medical tests, and the future of cardiometabolic care, including plans for a clinic centered on lifestyle interventions. Tune in to learn how these insights can pave the way for better preventive measures in heart disease management.
Key Takeaways
- Over 90% of arrhythmia patients show insulin resistance
- Fat accumulation around heart tissue directly impacts heart rhythm
- Traditional treatments often miss the metabolic root cause
- Dietary changes can improve or
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Two entrepreneurs created a preservative-free, clean meat snack company -Joburg Meats - that produces traditional South African biltong using only beef, apple cider vinegar, salt, and spices - making it ideal for low-carb and health-conscious consumers.
Yuda Holzburg and Joseph Baumgargen of Joburg Meats are bringing traditional South African biltong to the American market with a focus on clean ingredients and quality sourcing.
Unlike conventional jerky, which is cooked with sugars and preservatives, their biltong is naturally cured for two weeks using only beef, apple cider vinegar, salt, and spices. The meat comes from pasture-raised, grass-fed cattle from South America, where traditional farming practices are still the norm.
The conversation takes an interesting turn when Chief Product Officer Jon Engleson shares his personal experience of losing 10 pounds in one week simply by switching from eating babka (a sweet bread) to biltong for breakfast.
The company is expanding their line to include new flavors like Korean BBQ and truffle, plus developing clean versions of traditional salamis without nitrates or preservatives.
Did You Know...?
One of the founders was originally a tech professional who also practiced as an energy healer and EMT for 15 years. This unexpected background led him to be particularly conscious about creating clean, additive-free products, as he had developed sensitivity to testing food quality through his healing work.
NOTABLE QUOTE
"You kind of muscle test each product. You're like, is this really good? Is this really not good? And you test and nope, no good. I'm like, okay I'm going to need it anyway. Okay. When it came to this biltong, I was introduced to it. And I don't know why subconsciously I did a muscle test and asked, is this a good product? Is this healthy for me? And I
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Former pharmaceutical rep Mark Groves shares his journey from selling statins to becoming a relationship expert in this thought-provoking episode. Groves delves into the often-overlooked connection between our relationships and physical health, explaining how suppressing our authentic selves can lead to inflammation and various health issues.
Learn how making small choices in diet can empower us to make positive changes in other areas of life. Groves emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, using our voice, and addressing resentment to improve both our relationships and physical wellbeing.
Discover why the quality of our relationships at age 50 is a stronger predictor of health at 80 than traditional medical markers. This conversation explores how learning to express ourselves authentically can have far-reaching effects on our overall health and happiness.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
5:30 Mark's journey from pharma rep to relationship expert
12:45 The connection between relationships and physical health
20:30 The power of making small choices
28:15 Setting boundaries and addressing resentment
35:40 The Harvard Study of Adult Development findings
relationship health, authentic living, inflammation, boundary setting, Harvard Study of Adult Development
Learn More:
Website: https://markgroves.com/
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
In this compelling episode of the Stay Off My Operating Table podcast, Dr. Philip Ovadia interviews McKenna Duquette, a physician assistant with a unique journey. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 4, McKenna shares her transition from patient to practitioner, offering valuable insights into managing autoimmune conditions through metabolic health approaches.
McKenna discusses her early experiences with conventional medicine and her eventual shift towards functional medicine and lifestyle interventions. She explains the challenges of integrating these approaches into urgent care settings and highlights the importance of patient education in managing chronic conditions.
The conversation explores generational differences in receptiveness to metabolic health strategies, noting that patients in their 30s and 40s tend to be more open to lifestyle changes. McKenna also touches on the delicate balance of managing autoimmune conditions while considering cancer risks, providing a nuanced perspective on treatment decisions.
Dr. Ovadia and McKenna discuss the growing demand for metabolic health practitioners and her upcoming role in the iFixHearts team. This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and individuals living with chronic conditions, emphasizing the potential of lifestyle modifications in transforming health outcomes.
Follow McKenna Duquette on Instagram: @embri_health
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
This episode features the remarkable story of Mimi Morgan, a 70-year-old woman who overcame multiple severe health conditions through dietary changes. Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and life-threatening infections, Mimi defied medical expectations and regained her health.
For decades, Mimi followed trendy low-fat, plant-based diets, which she now believes contributed to her declining health. After being hospitalized multiple times and told she had little hope for recovery, Mimi decided to radically change her approach to food. She adopted a high-fat, low-carb diet, eventually transitioning to a carnivore and then a "lion diet" consisting primarily of animal products.
Within months of changing her diet, Mimi began experiencing significant improvements in her symptoms. She was able to wean herself off all medications and regain her mobility and energy. Now at 70, Mimi feels healthier than ever before and is training to walk 500 miles across Spain.
Mimi's story highlights the potential impact of nutrition on health and challenges conventional medical wisdom about managing chronic diseases. Her experience suggests that dietary changes may offer hope for some patients facing seemingly intractable health conditions.
NOTABLE QUOTE
"I'm just continuing training for my 500 mile walk and trying to, you know, share my story and hopefully give people hope, but especially the older ones, you know, the So many are told, I mean, I've heard it a gazillion times, you're over 60, of course this hurts. You know, you're over 60, of course you're on medication."
#ChronicIllnessRecovery #nutritionandhealth #highfatlowcarb #HealingThroughDiet #OvercomingParkinsons #healthtransformation #foodasmedicine #carnivorediet
Follow Mimi K. Morgan:
Twitter & Instagram: @MimiKMorgan
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Dr. Jeffrey Gross reveals how stem cell therapy is revolutionizing medicine, from reversing joint pain to potentially regrowing limbs.
Learn about:
• How stem cells can repair damaged knees without surgery (3:45)
• The truth about stem cell treatments in the US (11:20)
• Regenerating heart tissue after a heart attack (18:30)
• Using stem cells to fight cancer and reverse aging (23:15)
• The future of regrowing limbs and repairing spinal cord injuries (27:40)
Dr. Gross explains the science behind stem cells, debunks common myths, and shares incredible patient success stories. Discover how this cutting-edge therapy could help you avoid surgery and recover from injuries and chronic conditions.
Is stem cell treatment right for you? Find out in this interview with one of the industry's leading regenerative medicine experts.
Connect With Dr. Gross:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recellebrate/
Website: https://recellebrate.com/
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Tired of conflicting nutrition information? Join Dr. Philip Ovadia and guest Evan Cohen as they discuss groundbreaking research that challenges everything we thought we knew about nutrition advice.
This video provides clear, evidence-based insights that could transform your health. Listen for the revelation at 31:15 that exposes why popular diet advice might be making you sick.
GUEST BIO:
Evan Cohen is a Principal and the Chairman of The Brattle Group, a 600-person international economic consulting firm. He is a litigation consultant with expertise in tax, valuation, and damages, who has provided expert testimony in various federal and state courts on issues relating to finance and economics. He has also led a nutrition research group at Brattle since 2011, where he has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles on nutritional epidemiology, and regulatory and nutritional economics, including sin taxes, such as those on soda, and nutrition and poverty. Most recently, he has published an article using data from the Nurses' Health Study, one of the largest and most influential longitudinal epidemiological data sets, examining the association between compliance with U.S. Government nutrition advice since the 1970s and obesity in The Journal of Nutrition (see link below).
Most importantly, he was a elementary, middle, high and Hebrew school classmate of Dr. Philip Ovadia.
LINKS:
Website: Evan Cohen
Study: Compliance with U.S. Government Nutrition Advice and Concurrent Obesity Trends Using Nurses' Health Study Data, 1980–2011 - ScienceDirect
Social Media Handles:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-cohen-3196605/
Twitter: @EvanKCohen
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
Dr. Marty Makary challenges deeply ingrained medical dogmas that have shaped healthcare for decades. From hormone replacement therapy to low-fat diets, Dr. Makary exposes how outdated assumptions can adversely affect patient care and health outcomes.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 - Introduction and background
00:05:30 - Hormone Replacement Therapy controversy
00:15:45 - Low-fat diet myths
00:25:00 - Challenging medical dogma
00:35:00 - The future of medicine and AI
BIO
Dr. Marty Makary is a surgeon, public health expert, and New York Times bestselling author. He is a professor at Johns Hopkins University and has been a leading voice in medical innovation and health policy. Dr. Makary's work focuses on making healthcare safer, more transparent, and more patient-centered.
DID YOU KNOW
While discussing the dangers of medical dogma, Dr. Makary reveals an unexpected connection between C-section births and an increased risk of colon cancer in young people. This surprising link highlights the complex interplay between medical practices and long-term health outcomes, further emphasizing the need for continuous reevaluation of established medical norms.
RESOURCES
Send Dr. Ovadia a Text Message. (If you want a response, include your contact information.)
Joburg Meats
Keto/Carnivore-friendly meat snacks. Tasty+Clean. 4 ingredients. Use code “iFixHearts” to save 15%.
Chances are, you wouldn't be listening to this podcast if you didn't need to change your life and get healthier.
So take action right now. Book a call with Dr. Ovadia's team.
One small step in the right direction is all it takes to get started.
How to connect with Stay Off My Operating Table:
Twitter:
Learn more:
Theme Song : Rage Against
Written & Performed by Logan Gritton & Colin Gailey
(c) 2016 Mercury Retro Recordings
Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Dr. Philip Ovadia.
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