In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, to explore the profound impact of bioflavonoids on health. We delve into the historical significance, antioxidant properties, and gene-regulating capabilities of flavonoids. Dr. Bland highlights the role of these nutrients in promoting longevity and immune resilience. Our discussion also covers revolutionary insights into GLP-1 agonists and the benefits of Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat. This episode offers valuable information on how flavonoid-rich foods can fundamentally enhance well-being and immune function.
Key Takeaways:
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Historical Significance: Bioflavonoids, originally termed Vitamin P, play a vital role in preventing diseases like scurvy and have been part of human diets for centuries.
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Antioxidant Properties: These compounds serve as powerful antioxidants, quenching damaging free radicals and reducing biological aging.
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Epigenetic Influence: Bioflavonoids regulate gene expression, impacting immune responses and metabolic processes, which is critical for longevity and disease prevention.
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GLP-1 Agonist: Foods rich in flavonoids stimulate GLP-1 production, influencing appetite regulation and metabolic health, paralleling the effects of popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.
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Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat: HTB is highlighted for its extraordinary immune-enhancing properties, high flavonoid content, and its role in regenerative agriculture.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland is a personable and highly respected thought leader who has spent more than five decades focused on the improvement of human health. He is known worldwide as the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, which represents his vision for a care model that is grounded in systems biology and informed by research that he has a unique ability to synthesize. His pioneering work has created the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, as well as the Institute for Functional Medicine, the global leader in Functional Medicine education.
Since 1991, hundreds of thousands of healthcare practitioners have participated in PLMI and IFM programs, and this collective knowledge has positively impacted the lives of patients all over the world. Dr. Bland began his career as a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Puget Sound. He is a natural educator and became involved with numerous academic institutions during the years he spent teaching. This includes the significant contributions he made to the founding of Bastyr University, the first federally accredited university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in natural medicine in the US. In the early 1980s, Dr. Bland was hand-selected by two-time Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Pauling to serve as Director of Nutritional Research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine.
Dr. Bland is the author of best-selling books and over 120 peer-reviewed research publications. He speaks extensively, and his engaging style makes him popular with both professional and consumer audiences. Dr. Bland’s latest project is Big Bold Health, where he’s on a mission to transform the way people think about one of nature’s greatest innovations—the immune system. Through Big Bold Health, Dr. Bland is advocating for the power of immuno-rejuvenation to enhance immunity at a global level. It’s an ambitious and purpose-driven effort that encompasses his active stance on regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship, and planetary health.
