Alter Life

#308 | WW - Where Courage Comes From

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I, Dr. Ben, have observed Dr. Susanna act in courageous ways over the past few weeks. When I reflected this to her, she was inspired to share her proc...

#307 | MM - Supplements Won't Cure You

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've got to admit... it's really quite saddening to see people spending tons of money on supplements in a never-ending hope to feel better....

#306 | WW - Ditch The Diagnosis

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A medical diagnosis is a way for doctors and insurance companies to streamline policies and protocols.You are not your diagnosis.The symptoms or diagn...

#305 | MM - What You Should Know About Stevia & Monk Fruit

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are all sorts of “natural sweeteners” on the market, but we’ve got questions… How natural are they? Are they a healthy substitute to oth...

#304 | WW - Finding Trust in Life's Chaos

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Life tends to feel chaotic. In fact, you could say that chaos is a defining feature of life!Nevertheless, it can feel like we’re on our own, and no ...

#303 | MM - Regulate Immunity, Reverse Allergies

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Between 10-30% of the global population experiences allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as "hay fever," which is the most common presentation...

#302 | WW - Brain-Body Science: Psycho-endo-neuro-immunology

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our cells are constantly eavesdropping on our thoughts and emotions. This means that the moment-to-moment shifting of states of mind and emotion dire...

#301 | MM - Plant-Powered Athletic Performance & Endurance

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A healthy and vital body is best capable of high-level athletic performance.Athleticism and endurance have always been important to me, Dr. Ben. I&apo...

#300 | WW - Freedom From Victim Addiction

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The human experience is generated from within.Sure, all sorts of things are constantly happening in the apparent outside physical world - relationship...

#299 | MM - Anti-Inflammatory Mini-Masterclass!

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you probably already know, inflammation is the cause of essentially all chronic disease - but what causes inflammation?We're glad you asked!We...

#298 | WW - The Illusion of Self Improvement

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I remember the first time I wandered through the "self-improvement" aisle of the book store. I found myself there not to "be better,&qu...

#297 | MM - Favorite Spring Cleansing Foods

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The fresh growth and new life of springtime naturally invite cleansing.Dandelions sprouting, asparagus shooting, flowers budding... it's like nat...

#296 | WW - Sorting Through Infinite Opinions

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We live in the information age with an exponential surge of data, ideas, pictures, words, voices, and stories flooding into our consciousness around t...

#295 | MM - Are Whole Grains Healthy for You?

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grains have been vilified in more recent years, predominantly by modern Paleo Diet ideology. However, evidence suggests that humans have been consumin...

#294 | WW - Excuses vs Responsibility

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever find yourself coming up with an excuse for what you did or didn't say or do?I do. And it never feels very good...Each time I make an ...

#293 | MM - Healing Eczema with Diet and Lifestyle

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eczema is the most common chronic skin condition that so many people just “deal with.”Otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, its incidence has incr...

#292 | WW - Why We Don't Have a Meditation Practice

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since meditation practices have swept the western world, many may come to believe that meditation is a necessary tool for "enlightenment," s...

#291 | MM - Lifestyle Liver Support in a Toxic World

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liver disease is much more common than people realize! Approximately 25% of adults and 10% of kids have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the...

#290 | WW - Beyond Cognitive Dissonance

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cognitive dissonance means "mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or value...

#289 | MM - How to Stay Toxin-Free

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Environmental toxins are ubiquitous in today's world and often play a central role in numerous chronic conditions.Staying free from toxicity does...

#288 | WW - When Things Aren't Going Your Way...

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Plans, expectations... we all have them. And, let's be real... life does NOT always unfold in such a way that is aligned with our human hopes.Thi...

#287 | MM - Why We Generally Don't Recommend Functional Lab Tests

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Food sensitivity tests, heavy metal testing, SIBO tests, stool panels,  organic acids tests, genetic testing...If you wanted to, you could spend 10&a...

#286 | WW - There's Always Space for Patience

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”- Winnie The PoohPatience can be easy to find when we are in a patient and unde...

#285 | MM - The Sweet Truth of Natural Health Gains

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are all sorts of things that can be done to create short-term results.Caffeine gives an energy boost. Ibuprofen stops inflammation. Alcohol calm...

#284 | WW - Should We Be Practicing More Mindfulness?

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is Mindfulness a practice? If so, should we be doing more of it?These are questions that demand answers!SO many people subscribe to mindfulness practi...

#283 | MM - Plant-Based Calcium for Strong & Healthy Bones

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with about 99% of it stored to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Many people obsess over getti...

#282 | WW - Being With Those Who Are Suffering

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Being with suffering can be challenging!This is where compassion comes into play. Our ability to hold ourselves and others in a space without trying t...

#281 | MM - Reframing Symptoms to Understand Health

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Medicinal Monday we are taking about 10 steps backward to better understand and more fully contextualize the body and how to create he...

#280 | WW - Camouflage Limiting Thoughts

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Limited thoughts are sneaky! They are often hidden in plain sight, but completely out of awareness at the same time... It's like when a friend po...

#279 | MM - Nitric Oxide & Healthy Vascular Function

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nitric oxide is the most powerful compound for maintaining vascular health!Unfortunately, the endogenous production of this potent molecule naturally ...

#278 | WW - Breaking the Judgment Cycle

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since the dawn of time, human beings have existed in a cycle of judgment - right and wrong, good and bad, us and them. As tribal beings, our survival ...

#277 | MM - Keep Your Lymphatic System Healthy

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that the lymphatic system is like your body's internal sewage management system?It's time to understand what's going on in...

#276 | WW - Do You Hate Feeling Hated?

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling accepted, appreciated, and loved is a basic human need. So it makes sense then that feeling HATED would come with immense resistance.But, what...

#275 | MM - Does Farting Mean That I'm Unhealthy

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does farting mean that I'm unhealthy...?NO! Everyone farts! Even the healthiest people.But.... not all farts are equal! You probably had a sense ...

#274 | WW - Do You Blindly Follow Social Norms?

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What the heck are "social norms" and where do they come from!?How has society come to collectively agree upon follow so many weird things, a...

#273 | MM - Should You Be Eating SOY?

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many people hear "Plant-Based Diet" and assume "Soy-Based Diet."This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we, Drs. Ben...

#272 | WW - Where to find Freedom

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Freedom is defined as "the state of not being a slave or prisoner" according to Merriam Webster...We happen to feel that it is MUCH more tha...

#271 | MM - Mind Body Freedom from the Symptom Imperative

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Symptom Imperative?It's the symptom that occurs when pain changes location or when it's replaced by another symptom or conditioin that may a...

#270 | WW - The Struggle is NOT Real

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you are struggling, chances are you are doing more thinking than you realize.We heard a mentor share this wisdom that really resonated as Truth.So ...

#269 | MM - Cooling Down Menopausal Hot Flashes

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neither of us has had hot flashes... but we have worked with many people who have,  and some who never did.The fact is that hot flashes are common an...

#268 | WW - Do You Avoid Anger?

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For a multitude of reasons, anger can e a difficult emotion for many.Happiness, Joy, and Peace of course tend to be easier to feel and share.Most even...

#267 | MM - Healing Back Pain & Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS)

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ugh... back pain. We've probably all had it, or at least 80% of us will, according to the NIH.It can be a real pain in the butt! Or sometimes nec...

#266 | WW - Going Beyond Your Busy-ness

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Overwhelm, busyness, to-do lists... there sometimes seems no end.Amidst the craze of busy minded thought storm, there is always peace, clarity, inspir...

#265 | MM - Here's How To Shorten a Cold/Flu

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's cold/flu season!(Yes, there are different viruses than those that rhyme with shamona...)"In the US after the summer sunshine people sta...

#264 | WW - Your Sensitivity is a Superpower

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Feelings can be hard to handle, but becoming more sensitive to those strong emotions can actually be an awesome strength. This week we share some insi...

#263 | MM - Heal Dry Skin Naturally

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dry skin is OH SO common with so many left dependent on moisturizers to manage symptoms.Topical moisturizers do manage symptoms, at best, but often al...

#262 | WW - Everyday is a Birthday!

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It was just my (Dr. Ben's) Birthday on Nov 28th!'Twas a great day... an insightful day...  This week we share some insights around living l...

#261 | MM - How to "Detox" after Indulging in Junk Food

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Indulging in those "red light foods" is something that many people choose to do a little more often around the holidays.This episode is abou...

#260 | WW - Self-Dissolving Problems

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We've all got problems from time to time...But, do your problems solve themselves?!This week we talk about that state of mind where everything lo...

#259 | MM - Why We Don't Do "Cheat Days"

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This topic comes up so very often..."Is it okay to have a "cheat day?""How often can I eat ______?""Don't you ever ...

#258 | WW - Healing an Emotional Hangover

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What's an emotional hangover?It's that lingering feeling of upset - after an argument, a loss, a thought - that just feels to last a little ...

#257 | MM - Are Nightshade Vegetables Healthy for Everyone?

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Short answer: YES.Longer answer: Some people have digestive vulnerabilities that can be reversed.Want to tolerate nightshades and build digestive resi...

#256 | WW - Avoid Over-Responsibility

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We alllll have the tendency of feeling responsible for stuff outside of ourselves.How do we avoid it? Where do we draw the line?Lots explored and unpa...

#255 | MM - Healing Magic of Cold Showers

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably heard about cold showers by now, popularized by people like Wim Hoff or other "bio hackers"But, did you know, hydrother...

#254 | WW - Your Inner Cryptocurrency

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Inner cryptocurrency...? WTF?Hear me out!For those completely unfamiliar with the world of cryptocurrencies (bitcoin, ethereum, etc.) just follow alon...

#253 | MM - Eat Plants, Prevent UTIs

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Urinary tract infections can be really irritating... especially when recurrent!As is always the case, we are not intending to diagnose or treat any co...

#252 | WW - Being/Loving My Full Messy Self

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You are beautiful... inside and out!It's easy to see and appreciate it when you feel GOOD.But what about when you don't feel so good...?Let&...

#251 | MM - WTF is Heart Rate Variability? Why Does it Matter?

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Heart Rate Variability is a measurement of the parasympathetic nervous system... Let's talk more about it!I, Dr. Ben, have been geeking out on th...

#250 | WW - Is Reality Really "Inside Out"?

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"Inside Out" is sometimes used to describe how the 3 Principles of Mind, Thought, and Consciousness give rise to the human experience...But ...

#249 | MM - Care for the Gallbladder, Even Without One!

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gall bladder issues are OH SO common, leading to tons of surgeries... what's the cause???It's actually quite simple... sorta.In this week&ap...

#248 | WW - Feeling Restricted with Diet & Lifestyle?

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join the Brain Body Wisdom Workshop! https://www.alter.health/brain-body-wisdom-workshopUGH! Sometimes changes in diet and lifestyle can be hard... ri...

#247 | MM - How to Hydrate Your Cells

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

WATER! How have we gone this long in the podcast without a hydration deep dive...!?We know it's a critical determinant of health.While we can sur...

#246 | WW - Beauty IS the Eye of the Beholder

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Isn't life BEAUTIFUL!? It sure is here during the autumn season in the Rocky Mountains...Nature/Beauty is a wonderful teacher, reminding us to be...

#245 | MM - FIBER: Your New Best Friend

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

FIBER is in fact our best friend. Or more accurately, our microbiome's best friend!Despite the clear benefits, fiber can cause some digestive iss...

#244 | WW - Self-Made Drama Queen

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shifting things up a bit today...Going beyond concepts, theories, ideas and into real world life.Today we unpack a recent experience and insight in ou...

#243 | MM - Vitamin D in a Nutshell

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vitamin D is KEY! SO important in SO many physiologic functions - along with all other vitamins and minerals, of course!With SO much info out there, i...

#242 | WW - Trust the Body, Trust the Mind

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

TRUST.... so much easier said than done.BUT, when you understand how the body and mind work, trust becomes a lot more feasible.Today we talk about how...

#241 | MM - Cleanse Your Body Wisely

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cleanses of all sorts have been super popular over the years... but, do they actually provide any true health benefits?In this week's Medicinal M...

#240 | WW - Feelings are for Feeling

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been feeling some emotions lately!?You must be human!Today we talk about the healthy and human approach to feeling the fullness of emotions w...

#239 | MM - Why We Say "No Thanks" To Alcohol

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of the world enjoys alcoholic beverages from time to time.But do you know how alcohol affects the body?In this week's Medicinal Monday, we c...

#238 | WW - Down River with a Life Vest

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been completely overwhelmed, fearful, anxious, devastated yet also, at the very same time, feel a sense of peace and trust?Yes... it sur...

#237 | MM - Reverse Adrenal Fatigue

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The adrenal glands take on A LOT these days, always working to keep our bodies and energy levels in balance.Like anything else, the adrenals can becom...

#236 | WW - Weathering the Storm

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emotional storms are no joke! Often it feels like the intensity of feelings will never end...These human experiences can be opportunities for immense ...

#235 | MM - Coffee: Good, Bad, & Ugly

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is coffee a healing beverage? Here we explain why it is NOT.While it is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, we know that doesn't ...

#234 | WW - Time to Stop Judging Judgements

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody likes the feeling of JUDGING or BEING JUDGED.Here, we unpack the nature of judgement and answer some really important questions...What is judgm...

#233 | MM - Risks of High Fat Diets

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

High fat diets are still trendy... and  most likely always will be! While they may offer a few short term benefits for some, they come with longterm ...

#232 | WW - Precision with Decisions

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes decisions can feel difficult, and the pressure we may put on ourselves or the situation doesn't make things any easier.Decisions can be...

#231 | MM - The Gut-Immune Connection

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Health starts in the gut!We certainly weren't the first to state this fact! Gut issues are oh so common, and as a result, so are systemic inflamm...

#230 | WW - Lifestyle Change Made Easssssy

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with people every day about changing foundational lifestyle habits.It is so common for people to overTHINK the process and make things SO much...

#229 | MM - Remedies to Keep Blood Sugar Balanced

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Balanced blood sugar is critical for survival!Fortunately, your body knows precisely how to maintain perfect balance given the proper environment and ...

#228 | WW - Create More Clarity

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clarity. Insight. Intuition. Knowing.....It's important to feel CONNECTED.In this week's Wisdom Wednesday episode we talk about this innate ...

#227 | MM - Fermented Foods for Gut Health?

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fermented foods are all the rage, and have been for some time...They are enjoyed throughout cultures and celebrated for health benefits.Are fermented ...

#226 | WW - Thoughts Aren't Real

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If thoughts aren't real, then what is!?We explore the answer to this question in today's Wisdom Wednesday episode.In a nutshell, thoughts on...

#225 | MM - How to Mess Up and Fail in your WFPB Lifestyle

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here are our tips on what NOT to do if your goal is healthy WFPB living.A lot of people know exactly what to do to achieve optimal health.Much fewer a...

#224 | WW - Never Trust the Weatherman!

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We love the Weather - Mind metaphor... and sometimes it's not even a metaphor! Dr. Susanna shares her experience amidst the recent heatwave in Co...

#223 | MM - Nutrition & Mental Health

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Covering 2 of our most favorite things here on the podcast today...It is so very common to attribute our mood or mindset to something outside of ourse...

#222 | WW - What's Fear For?!

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

FEAR! We all have fears... or do we? I don't know...In any case, we humans are prone to becoming AFRAID!Is fear something to fix? Or to conquer? ...

#221 | MM - Building Muscle and Staying Pumped on Plants

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you wanna get SWOLE!?Well, to be honest, we don't really... BUT, we do want to stay strong, toned, and keep peak physical performance!In this ...

#220 | WW - Lessons from Kitty Cats

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's funny how all humans are nature lovers, while most tend to forget that we, too, are nature!And nature is a beautiful teacher. For us those t...

#219 | MM - The Best On the Go WFPB Snacks

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you SNACK? We most certainly do! Snacking can be totally important and healthy for sustaining health and energy, so as long as you are choosing to ...

#218 | WW - Someone Call Tech Support!

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when everything just stops working and there's nothing you can do!?Well... you do nothing! But oftentimes you may also do a consider...

#217 | MM - Be the WFPB Change You Wish To See in the World!

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is SOOOO common to feel alone or overwhelmed on a whole food plant based lifestyle, especially when family, friends, and community have other nutri...

#216 | WW - 1st Wisdom Wednesday! Broken Camera Edition

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We've been wanting to start this project for some time, and that time is NOW!...even though our fancy camera broke just before the livestream, we...

#215 | MM - What Does a Healthy Microbiome Look Like?

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does a HEALTHY Microbiome Look Like?This is a question that needs to be asked if you want to experience greater health!The reason being that your...

#214 | MM - To Fast, or Not To Fast?

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fasting sure is a hot topic in health, and for good reason!In this episode we break down the science of fasting for health, covering everything from p...

#213 | MM - Change Habits for Good - Without Willpower!

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your health today depends upon the habits your habits and behavior yesterday.We all know the importance of creating better habits to actualize the hea...

#212 | MM - Peace with Protein: How Much Do You Really Need?

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to talk about anything in the world of nutrition without addressing the sexiest of all macronutrients!? I think not.When adopting any f...

#211 | MM - What About Sugar Cravings!?

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about CRAVINGS. We are told to just "deal with it," "force it" or "harness willpower." But, that only ta...

#210 | MM - Ascending Through Stress

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about stress. It's the elephant in the room... that sometimes we don't even know is there!I this week's Medicinal Monda...

#209 | MM - Favorite Nutritional Powders & Food-Based Supplements

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Medicinal Monday episode, we are talking about SUPPLEMENTS! If you know us, you know that we are not huge on supplements. Of cours...