Nerdversations with Mic the Vegan! Health, Environment, Conspiracies.
Introduction
In this section, the speakers introduce themselves and discuss their backgrounds.
Speakers' Backgrounds
- The guest has been watching the host's videos for years and loves them.
- The guest mentions that he was looking at some of the host's first videos where he used an iPhone 5 with a tied symbol stand on a rubber band.
- The guest notes that he doesn't know much about the host's background or education, unlike other podcasters who mention their credentials before starting an episode.
- The host reveals that his background is in sustainability, and he is one semester away from finishing his Master's in public health. He emphasizes that every major claim he makes will be backed up by science.
Backing Up Claims with Science
In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of backing up claims with science.
Relying on Peer Review Research
- The host emphasizes that relying on a person's credentials can be dangerous. Instead, every significant claim should be backed up by science.
- The host mentions that he has done all of the classes in his Master's in public health and has taken courses such as statistics and epidemiology to back up his claims.
- The host notes that it is not about who he is but rather about the links in the description below and how high quality they are.
Research Process
In this section, the speakers discuss their research process.
Doing Research for Episodes
- The guest asks how the host does all of his research for episodes. He mentions that he was impressed with the host's episode on why the Great Salt Lake is drying up.
- The speakers do not discuss this topic in detail.
Residential and Commercial Water Use
This section discusses the residential and commercial water use across 17 Western States.
Water Consumption Breakdown
- Only six percent of all water consumption is used for lawn watering, tooth brushing, pools, showers, etc.
- Eight percent of all water consumption is used for commercial purposes such as hotels with fountains and golf courses.
- 86 percent of all water consumption is used for irrigated crops.
- 32 percent of the total water footprint is just for crops to feed cows.
Animal Agriculture's Impact on Water Usage
This section explores how animal agriculture impacts water usage.
Lack of Awareness
- People often blame residential or commercial use for water shortages without considering animal agriculture's impact.
Visual Aids
- Visual aids can help people understand the amount of water being consumed by different industries.
Colorado River and Animal Agriculture
This section discusses the role that animal agriculture plays in the Colorado River's drying up.
Population Growth and Farming
- Increased population leads to more people farming and developing land for farming.
- People do not typically associate animal agriculture with the Colorado River's drying up.
Investigating Animal Agriculture's Role
- The speaker plans to explore exactly how much animal agriculture contributes to the Colorado River's drying up.
- The speaker believes that around 80% of fruit water usage can be attributed to animal agriculture.
Great Salt Lake and Mineral Exposure
This section discusses the Great Salt Lake and the dangers of mineral exposure.
Toxic Arsenic
- The Great Salt Lake has toxic arsenic that naturally occurs because it's a terminal lake.
- Exposing 70% of the bed of the Great Salt Lake can lead to dust storms exposing people to carcinogens over the next few decades.
Mineral Exposure
- Streams from mountains rich in minerals flow into the Great Salt Lake, which distills out a great number of minerals.
- Wind carries these minerals into cities, where they can be breathed in if the crust is disturbed.
Impact of Cows on Agriculture
This section explores how cows impact agriculture.
Data on Agriculture
- We use around 5 billion hectares for agriculture globally.
- Removing cows from agriculture except for dairy would cut that number in half.
The Impact of Feeding Confined Animal Operations
In this section, the speakers discuss how feeding confined animal operations is impacting the environment and animals.
Confined Animal Feeding Operations
- The Amazon is driven by house.
- Fish like tilapia and salmon are being fed soy pellets in confined animal feeding operations.
- This practice is causing a huge land imprint for these fish, which could have negative consequences.
Pescetarianism vs. Veganism
In this section, the speakers discuss whether pescetarians live longer than vegans and whether it's healthy to eat fish once or twice a week.
Seventh-day Adventist Study
- A study led by Gary Fraser found that vegans have lower incidence of diabetes, BMI, blood pressure, etc., except longevity.
- Pesco vegetarians live a little bit longer than vegans but it's unclear why.
Microalgae Tablets and B12 Supplements
- New studies show that vegans have the same levels of B12 as non-vegans.
- It's possible that pescetarians were eating more whole plant foods than vegans.
- There isn't enough data to make any real claims about mortality rates between pescetarians and vegans.
Reasons for Being Vegan
- Fish feel pain so it's not ethical to eat them.
- Even if there was a difference in mortality rates between pescetarians and vegans, it wouldn't be compelling enough for some people to start eating fish.
- It's good to have a normal BMI, but being too low can also have its own risks.
Veganism and Oil Consumption
In this section, the speaker discusses their personal views on veganism and oil consumption. They talk about how they have loosened up on their view of oil consumption over time.
Personal Views on Veganism
- The speaker's family is 97% vegan in terms of their meals.
- The speaker believes that personal views on food groups are important when it comes to veganism.
- The speaker believes that vegans who die of heart disease are likely consuming palm-related oils with high saturated fat.
Loosening Up on Oil Consumption
- The speaker has loosened up on their view of oil consumption over time.
- The Harvard Studies suggest that oil is not as bad as sugar, and polyunsaturated fats may even lower LDL cholesterol levels.
- There are vegans who could benefit from taking canola oil if they are not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids from other sources.
Seventh-Day Adventist Studies
- Some Seventh-Day Adventists consume a lot of substitute meats, which can be problematic for their health.
Coconut Oil and Heart Disease
In this section, the speaker discusses his aversion to coconut oil due to animal studies that show it promotes atherosclerosis in primates. He also talks about a textbook on his shelf that lists coconut oil as the number one agent for promoting atherosclerosis.
Coconut Oil and Atherosclerosis
- Animal studies have shown that giving primates, pigs, or dogs 20% of their calories from coconut oil leads to severe atherosclerosis.
- One study involved feeding monkeys a diet high in coconut oil for 18 months, which resulted in severe atherosclerosis. When they were switched to a low-fat diet without sugar for three and a half years, their coronary arteries showed much less plaque buildup.
- The speaker notes that there are decades of studies showing how animals with extreme atherosclerosis can reverse it through changes in diet.
Comparing Butter and Coconut Oil
- The speaker notes that human studies show butter raises LDL cholesterol more than coconut oil does.
- The breakdown of different types of saturated fat is what makes butter worse than coconut oil. Palmitate is higher in butter and is worse for clogging arteries.
Saturated Fats
In this section, the speaker discusses the differences between various types of saturated fats.
Stearic Acid vs. Palmitate
- Stearic acid found in dark chocolate doesn't seem to raise LDL cholesterol levels.
- Palmitate found in butter is worse for clogging arteries than other types of saturated fat.
This section was included as it is related to the previous section on coconut oil and heart disease.
Heart Health and Extreme Sports
The speaker discusses their congenital heart defect, which predisposes them to strokes. They also talk about the potential risks associated with extreme sports and how it can lead to atrial fibrillation.
Congenital Heart Defect
- The speaker has a congenital heart defect that predisposes them to strokes.
- Their cardiologist recently discovered that they have a quadruple threat due to their low heart rate from all the extreme sports they've done.
- The doctor is going to implant a device in their chest to monitor atrial fibrillation, which is more common in older athletes who have done extreme sports.
Risks of Extreme Sports
- The speaker's partner also did extreme biking and now has a low heart rate, which puts them at risk for health issues.
- There is a risk of developing atrial fibrillation from doing extreme sports, even though it may have given an advantage earlier in life.
- Tour de France competitors who died had higher incidences of atrial fibrillation than the general population.
Finding Balance
- The speaker currently engages in moderate exercise like floor hockey and rock climbing but avoids high-intensity activities that could lower their heart rate too much.
- They are considering getting back into running but are cautious about engaging in extreme exercise again.
Building Muscle Mass
The speaker talks about gaining muscle mass through consistent workouts and rock climbing.
Gaining Muscle Mass
- The speaker gained weight and muscle mass through consistent workouts and rock climbing.
- Rock climbing helped them feel more in control of their body, even though they gained weight.
Rock Climbing and Fitness
In this section, the speakers discuss their experiences with fitness and how they have found rock climbing to be a satisfying form of exercise.
Rock Climbing for Strength and Satisfaction
- The speaker suggests rock climbing as a satisfying form of exercise that can improve grip strength.
- The speaker used to go to the gym to bulk up but found it unsatisfying because he prefers being mobile. He lost weight and now feels better.
- Functionality is more important than appearance for the speaker, which is why he finds calisthenics and rock climbing appealing.
Meat vs Vegan Diets for Athletes
In this section, the speakers discuss a recent study comparing meat-based diets with vegan diets for recreational athletes.
No Difference in Muscle Strength or Mass
- A recent study compared meat-based diets with vegan diets for recreational athletes.
- The study found no difference in muscle strength or mass between the two groups.
- The sample size was small (12 people per group), so larger studies would be interesting to see.
Green Mediterranean Diet Study
In this section, the speakers discuss a study on the green Mediterranean diet, which reduces meat content and increases high polyphenol foods.
Greater Loss in Liver Fat with Polyphenols
- A study on the green Mediterranean diet found that adding more polyphenols led to a greater loss in liver fat.
- The study had 300 participants and was able to control variables well.
- The diet includes duckweed in green smoothies and three cups of green tea per day.
Nutrient Density and Antioxidants
In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of nutrient density in diets, specifically focusing on the nutritarian diet. They also talk about the role of antioxidants in maintaining good health and propose a new diet that focuses on antioxidant timing.
Nutritarian Diet
- The nutritarian diet emphasizes nutrient density in foods.
- A study showed that polyphenols found in green vegetables play a role in reducing liver fat.
- The speakers discuss what a whole food plant-based or vegan diet really is.
Antioxidant Timing
- A new proposed diet would focus on antioxidant timing to maintain good health.
- Antioxidants are important for reducing stress, aging, and potentially cancer risk.
- Different antioxidants go to different places in the body and have varying effects over time.
- Eating a healthy meal at night may not be enough to maintain good antioxidant status throughout the day.
- The speakers propose soaking the body with antioxidants through a high antioxidant diet.
Diurnal Sleep Cycle
- The speakers propose studying whether waking up in the middle of the night to consume more antioxidants could improve overall antioxidant status during sleep.
Alzheimer's Prevention and Brain Nutrition
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the importance of diet in Alzheimer's prevention and the unique nutritional requirements of the brain.
Nutritional Requirements of the Brain
- The brain has different nutritional requirements than the rest of the body due to its structural fat and blood-brain barrier.
- Be careful about what you drink, as hard water is better than soft water for hydration. Herbal teas, green teas, and drinks with polyphenols and antioxidants are recommended.
- Choline is a controversial nutrient that may be important for brain health. Dr. Patrick recommends getting a complete mineral panel to assess nutrient levels.
Copper Pipes and Hard Water
- Dr. Patrick is concerned about copper pipes in her home affecting her copper levels.
- Hard water can lead to calcium carbonate buildup in copper pipes, potentially reducing copper levels in drinking water.
Other Insights
- Drinking green tea or hibiscus tea with polyphenols and antioxidants can help hydrate the brain in the morning.
- Dr. Patrick has 400k subscribers on YouTube while some doctors like Ken Berry have 2.3 million subscribers.
The Popularity of Meat-Based and Vegan Channels on the Internet
In this section, the speakers discuss why meat-based and vegan channels are popular on the internet.
Reasons for Popularity
- Despite a trend towards less meat consumption, over 90% of people still identify as meat-eaters. Therefore, there is still a large audience interested in hearing about meat consumption.
- There are currently almost 400,000 subscribers to vegan channels on YouTube. While this number may seem small compared to meat-based channels with millions of subscribers, it is significant given that veganism is a relatively new concept.
- Some people immediately dismiss vegan content because they see "vegan" in the name. However, as more people become interested in plant-based diets, the audience for vegan content will likely continue to grow.
Future Plans for Vegan YouTuber
In this section, the speaker discusses his future plans as a YouTuber and public health professional.
Future Plans
- The speaker has backup plans as a contractor if he needs to make money outside of YouTube. However, he plans to continue making vegan videos for as long as he wants.
- The speaker is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health (MPH), which will help him gain credibility and provide academic training related to his YouTube content.
- The speaker has outlined several book ideas but wants to ensure that any book he writes provides new insights and value beyond what other vegan books offer. He plans to start writing after completing his MPH in 2023.
Plant-Based Netflix Series
In this section, the speakers discuss the idea of a plant-based or vegan-related Netflix series that explores different diseases and meets people who have improved their condition or reversed those conditions.
A Plant-Based Netflix Series
- The speakers suggest creating a six-part Netflix series that explores different diseases and meets people who have improved their condition or reversed those conditions.
- They note that there are not many plant-based or vegan-related Netflix series available currently.
- The speakers believe that such a series would be valuable in spreading information about plant-based diets and their benefits.
Future Plans
In this section, the speakers discuss their future plans, including an upcoming cookbook and renovating a house.
Cookbook and Renovations
- The speakers mention an upcoming instant pot cookbook they plan to release.
- They note that they should focus on completing the cookbook soon.
- One of the speaker's main priorities is renovating a house they recently purchased. They have been working on it for almost a year and still need to complete renovations on the upstairs area. This takes up much of their attention.
Monetizing YouTube Videos
In this section, the speakers discuss monetizing YouTube videos and how it affects content creation.
Monetization and Content Creation
- The first speaker notes that he turns off all interstitial ads in his videos.
- He mentions that another YouTuber is monetizing his videos without permission but finds it clever.
- The second speaker notes that he takes longer to create videos due to research but has other distractions as well.
- The first speaker notes that he recently did an episode on a scientist who went down a dark conspiracy theory path and feels the need to respond when his heroes are dissed with misinformation.
Environment and Diet
In this section, the speakers discuss the environment and its relationship to diet.
Environment and Diet
- One of the speaker's interests is discussing the environment in addition to diet.
- He notes that environmental issues will continue to be a big issue.
- The speaker has a background in earth science and mentions James Hansen's testimony about what we're doing to the atmosphere.
The Intersection Between Earth Science and Nutrition
In this section, the speaker talks about the impact of deforestation on the environment and how it is linked to our love for beef. He also discusses his dedication to speaking about the intersection between earth science and nutrition.
Deforestation and Beef Consumption
- Deforestation has led to half of the Earth being deforested, including tropical rainforests equivalent in size to Ireland, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and Poland combined.
- This deforestation is mainly due to our love for beef as it is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions.
- The speaker believes that we cannot continue eating beef forever as it is causing too much damage to the environment.
The Speaker's Dedication
- The speaker dedicates his life to speaking at TEDx events and creating content on YouTube about the intersection between earth science and nutrition.
- He believes that this topic is crucially important given its impact on our planet.
Conspiracy Theories About Coal Promotion
In this section, the speaker talks about a conspiracy theory he has regarding coal promotion. He also discusses how industries fund public figures and messaging.
A Conspiracy Theory About Coal Promotion
- The speaker shares a conspiracy theory that retired journalist Peter Clack was sponsored by coal companies to promote coal through Twitter.
- He suggests that Clack's financial troubles may have made him an easy target for sponsorship by coal companies looking to promote their agenda.
Funding Public Figures and Messaging
- There is solid evidence that industries fund public figures and messaging to promote their agenda.
- The speaker cites an example of Dr. Mike, who had a video sponsored by a red meat company, which he later took down after receiving criticism.
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