Maximize Nutrient Density

with Sally Fallon Morell

Our ancestors, worldwide, hold the key to healthy eating. It’s called “nutrient density.” Basically, they knew how to get the most out of each bite because they learned it from their parents, who learned it from their parents, and so on. Traditional indigenous diets worldwide were much more nutrient-dense than ours today: they were high in a variety of nutrients and replete with the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K.

In this conversation, Sally Fallon Morell, the president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, goes into detail about why this is and how we can eat a more nutrient-dense diet today. She explains the essential role of vitamins A, D, and K in fertility, boosting mood, improving dental health and more. She describes what foods contain them in just the right proportions, including butter and raw cheeses. She reminds us of the benefits of organ meats. And she gives practical suggestions for simple ways to include foods in the diet that will give all of us the most bang for our buck, health-wise.

Notes:

Highlights from the conversation include:

How Dr. Price noted that all cultures enjoyed nutrient-dense foods that included generous amounts of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and
How most modern diets considered ”healthy” can still be deficient in vitamins & minerals
How even whole foods might not provide these fat-soluble vitamins
How symptoms of deficiency include depression, anxiety, autoimmunity, infertility, tooth decay
Vitamins A and D are necessary for mineral metabolism and making hormones
Vitamin A protects us against cancer and infections
Vitamin D and A hormones give signals and Vitamin K is the messenger
Vitamin K sends calcium in the body where it belongs and where it doesn’t belong
Why the USDA calls vegetables “nutrient dense”
How true health foods include animal fats that allow absorption of nutrients
The dangers of animal protein without animal fat
How saturated fats have been demonized
How industrial fats are implicated in heart disease
How Dr. Price studied the vitamin and mineral content of traditional diets
How Dr. Price observed how vitamin activators improved orphans’ health and behavior
The one dietary tweak (instead of turning to meds) that can improve health, mood and outlook
How incorporating fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K can make a huge difference
How you needn’t buy organic to start improving your diet (start with what you can afford)
The importance of getting rid of industrial fats
Make the change to foods that include cheese, egg yolks, organ meats, fish, lard, butter