The Primal Shift

By: Michael Kummer
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  • Summary

  • Primal Shift is about helping you achieve optimal health by bridging the gap between ancestral living and the demands of modern society. We’ll talk about every aspect of a healthy life, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management, environmental toxins, hormesis, belonging and tribalism, and reconnecting with nature. Get ready to unlock the transformative power of nature as the ultimate biohack, revolutionize your health and reconnect you with your primal self. Each episode is short and concise, providing you with actionable tips and tricks you can use to start living a more primal lifestyle today.
    © 2023
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Episodes
  • 63: HbA1c Levels Explained: Why They May Be High Without High Blood Sugar

    63: HbA1c Levels Explained: Why They May Be High Without High Blood Sugar
    Oct 2 2024
    Are you finding that your HbA1c levels are elevated despite being on a low-carb, ketogenic, or even carnivore diet? Recently, my HbA1c test came back at 5.7 (just under the prediabetic range), and I knew something was off; after all, I’ve been following a relatively low-carb lifestyle for years, so there’s no way my blood sugar should be high enough to suggest prediabetes. In consulting with carnivore diet expert and medical doctor Shawn Baker, I learned that healthy red blood cells that live longer than average can actually skew HbA1c readings, making it appear as though you have higher blood glucose than you do. This happens because the longer your red blood cells live, the more glucose has time to attach to hemoglobin, artificially inflating your HbA1c levels. (Conversely, shorter-lived red blood cells can lead to lower readings, even in those with high blood sugar.) In this episode, I break down the science of the HbA1c test and explain how factors like red blood cell lifespan, iron deficiency, anemia, and other health conditions can all affect your hemoglobin A1c results. Even if you have healthy blood sugar and no signs of diabetes, your HbA1c might still be higher due to these factors. In my case, despite my elevated HbA1c, my continuous glucose monitor (CGM) showed average blood glucose levels between 85 and 89 mg/dL — well within the normal range. In this episode: 00:00:00 - Intro & elevated HBA1C discovery 00:01:15 - Investigating the cause of high HBA1C 00:02:54 - Understanding HBA1C and red blood cells 00:04:19 - Dr. Shawn Baker’s explanation: longer lifespan of RBCs 00:06:28 - Conclusion & next episode sneak peek Learn more: Continuous Glucose Monitoring Explained: https://michaelkummer.com/continuous-glucose-monitoring/ Levels vs. Nutrisense: CGM Comparison: https://michaelkummer.com/levels-vs-nutrisense/ Why You Should Wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/44-why-you-should-wear-a-continuous-glucose-monitor-cgm/ How Exercise Influences Your Blood Glucose Response [Coke Challenge]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIiuRoKtq1s Use the code YOUTUBE10 to get 10% off your order of Grass-Fed Beef Liver supplements at https://shop.michaelkummer.com Affordable At-Home Blood Testing with SiPhox Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7qRLzBcp94 Get 20% off your SiPhox Health purchase with the code MICHAELKUMMER at: https://michaelkummer.com/go/siphoxhealth Ultrahuman vs Oura Ring: What’s the BEST Fitness and Sleep Tracker?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-vAgCh22zk Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, OneSkin! OneSkin’s lineup of topical skin health products leverage the power of the company’s proprietary OS-01 peptide to remove dead skin cells, improve collagen production, increase skin hydration and more. Check out my before and after photos in my OneSkin review and visit OneSkin here. Get 15% off with my discount code MKUMMER: https://michaelkummer.com/go/oneskinshop Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/michaelkummer/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you’d like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code. #PrimalShift #OptimalHealth #AncestralLiving #Biohacking #HBA1C
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    8 mins
  • 62: Biological Age Test Review: Epigenetics Explained Simply | Hannah Went

    62: Biological Age Test Review: Epigenetics Explained Simply | Hannah Went
    Sep 25 2024
    Did you know that your biological age can tell a different story than your chronological age? From a health perspective, it’s not just about the number of years you’ve lived, but how your body has aged at the DNA level. Understanding your biological age can reveal how lifestyle choices and environmental factors have impacted your long-term health and longevity. In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Went from TruDiagnostic, a company that specializes in biological age testing and epigenetics, helping people gain deeper insights into their epigenome and overall health. Went breaks down the science of aging, highlighting how lifestyle decisions affect up to 80% of your health outcomes, compared to the 20% dictated by genetics. Whether it’s stress from childhood, diet, or daily habits, these factors influence your body’s biological age and its vulnerability to diseases. Using my own biological age test as a case study, we explore how it’s possible to age biologically faster than your chronological age, and what can be done to slow this process. Went also delves into epigenetic clocks like the OMICmAge, which assess gene expression to predict disease risks and mortality. Understanding these markers allows you to take a proactive approach to health, making preventative lifestyle adjustments before problems arise. We also discuss the practical side of biological age testing, including privacy concerns and the importance of regular testing to guide healthier choices. This episode provides actionable advice on how to take control of your aging process and improve both your lifespan and healthspan. If you want to understand how to better manage your biological age and epigenome, don’t miss this deep dive into the science of aging and longevity. In this episode: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:04 - Everything I’ve done to slow aging isn’t working?! 00:03:04 - What is biological aging and why does it matter? 00:06:12 - Gene expression and epigenetics explained 00:23:00 - How to measure and slow your biological aging 00:25:22 - How lifestyle impacts your aging process 00:32:23 - My fitness age is over 50 – what does that mean? 00:34:35 - How the immune system influences aging 00:35:44 - Telomeres and their role in aging 00:42:16 - Wrapping up & what’s coming next week! Learn more: Test your biological age with TruDiagnostic! Get 12% off your test with the code MICHAELKUMMER at checkout: https://shop.trudiagnostic.com/discount/MICHAELKUMMER How Much Do Your Genetics Influence Your Diet?: https://youtube.com/shorts/up0b_xOomVs The Link Between Skin Aging and Chronic Diseases with Alessandra Zonari: https://youtu.be/AQBl_kdhtyY Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, OneSkin! OneSkin’s lineup of topical skin health products leverage the power of the company’s proprietary OS-01 peptide to remove dead skin cells, improve collagen production, increase skin hydration and more. Check out my before and after photos in my OneSkin review and visit OneSkin here. Get 15% off with my discount code MKUMMER: https://michaelkummer.com/go/oneskinshop About Hannah Went - Co-Founder at TruDiagnostic At the helm from the start, molecular biologist Hannah Went serves as TruDiagnostic's Co-Founder. With an extensive academic and professional background in epigenetic research, Went is at the core of both patient and healthcare provider education, resources, and applications of our TruAge biological age test kits. As an epigenetic pioneer and advocate for women in STEM, Went brings fresh insight and the latest industry news in her monthly podcast, 'Everything Epigenetics.' Email: hannah@trudiagnostic.com Website: https://www.trudiagnostic.com/ Podcast Link: https://everythingepigenetics.com/ Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkummer82/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/michaelkummer/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mkummer82 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you’d like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code. #PrimalShift #OptimalHealth #AncestralLiving #Biohacking #Epigenetics #Telomeres #...
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    47 mins
  • 61: Gut Microbiome Analysis Powered by AI: Testing My Gut Health & Inflammation

    61: Gut Microbiome Analysis Powered by AI: Testing My Gut Health & Inflammation
    Sep 18 2024
    Your gut is home to an entire ecosystem of microorganisms that silently shape your digestion, immune function and overall health. Most of us barely think about it, but this hidden universe inside us plays a vital role in our well-being. I recently explored my own gut microbiome using Jona, an AI-powered platform that goes far beyond typical gut tests. Jona offers personalized insights based on cutting-edge research, showing how your microbiome could be impacting everything from inflammation to metabolic health. I was surprised to discover that my gut contains 246 different microorganisms, including the pathogen Clostridium perfringis. While that sounded alarming at first, Jona helped me understand that, in the context of my lifestyle — which includes raising livestock and spending a lot of time outdoors — it’s not a cause for concern. More importantly, Jona highlighted that my gut’s bacteria have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why my CRP levels are consistently low. One of the most fascinating aspects of my results is how they align with my animal-based diet. Most of the probiotics in my system come from fermented dairy products like kefir, reflecting how my dietary choices have shaped the microorganisms living inside me. Jona’s personalized approach even helped confirm why I sometimes experience discomfort with raw milk, revealing that my gut lacks certain lactose-digesting bacteria. If you’re interested in gaining deeper insights into your own gut health, Jona could be a game-changer. The platform links your microbiome data with real scientific studies, offering actionable recommendations tailored to your lifestyle and health goals. Make sure to use code Michael50 for 50% off your own gut analysis and take control of your gut health. In this episode: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:43 - Sponsor Mention: OneSkin 00:01:20 - What is Jona AI? 00:02:40 - My Gut Microbiome Results 00:07:39 - Final Thoughts & Recommendations Learn more: For more in-depth information about Jona AI and how it can help you understand and optimize your gut health, visit the official site at Jona Health. Discover how advanced AI technology, combined with scientific research, can transform your approach to gut health and well-being. 🔗 Don’t forget to grab $50 off your Jona AI Gut Health Test! Use code MICHAEL50 at checkout for $50 off the MSRP. https://michaelkummer.com/go/Jonahealth Why Your Gut Bacteria Hold The Key to Your Health (Blog Post): https://michaelkummer.com/gut-health-guide/ How I Cured My IBS Permanently (Blog Post): https://michaelkummer.com/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ 5 Reasons Why I Stopped Eating Fiber for Better Gut Health (Youtube Video): 5 Reasons Why I Stopped Eating Fiber for Better Gut Health Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, OneSkin! OneSkin’s lineup of topical skin health products leverage the power of the company’s proprietary OS-01 peptide to remove dead skin cells, improve collagen production, increase skin hydration and more. Check out my before and after photos in my OneSkin review and visit OneSkin here. Get 15% off with my discount code MKUMMER: https://michaelkummer.com/go/oneskinshop Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkummer82/ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/michaelkummer/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mkummer82 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you’d like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code. #PrimalShift #OptimalHealth #AncestralLiving #Biohacking #GutHealth #Jona
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    13 mins
Exercise & Fitness Hygiene & Healthy Living
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