The latest episode of the TimboSugarShow podcast featured a special guest, Dr. Paul Saladino, also known as the “Carnivore MD.” Sean O’Malley and Tim Welch, renowned for their commitment to health and peak performance, delved into a range of topics with Saladino, including the benefits of an animal-based diet, the dangers of modern food systems, and the practical steps anyone can take to improve their health. It was a conversation packed with actionable insights and deep reflections on what it means to truly nourish the body.
Who Is Dr. Paul Saladino?
Dr. Saladino has become a prominent voice in the health and wellness space by advocating for an animal-based diet. A board-certified physician with a background in functional medicine, Saladino champions the power of nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods to heal chronic conditions and optimize health. His philosophy combines ancestral dietary wisdom with cutting-edge nutritional science, emphasizing the role of high-quality animal products, such as grass-fed meats, organ meats, raw dairy, and honey.
Saladino’s journey into this field was born from personal challenges. Struggling with eczema, asthma, and allergies throughout his life, he sought answers beyond conventional medicine. His frustration with the lack of focus on root causes in traditional healthcare led him to explore alternative approaches. Today, he is a passionate advocate for dietary changes as a way to combat modern health crises, from chronic inflammation to mental health issues.
The TimboSugar Connection: Why This Episode Matters
Sean O’Malley and Tim Welch have built a loyal following by sharing their journey of self-improvement and health optimization. As professional athletes, their lives revolve around demanding training schedules, recovery, and staying at the top of their game. Over the years, they’ve adopted clean eating habits, incorporating principles inspired by holistic health experts like Paul Chek and now Paul Saladino. Their conversation with Saladino wasn’t just an interview but a meeting of like-minded individuals committed to living intentionally and inspiring others to do the same.
Key Highlights from the Podcast
The episode touched on numerous topics, from ancestral eating practices to the systemic issues plaguing modern food systems. Below, we’ve broken down the most compelling moments.
1. The Nutritional Power of Meat and Organs
Saladino highlighted the unparalleled benefits of eating organ meats, such as the heart and liver, due to their dense nutritional profile. He explained how organs are rich in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), essential for energy production and overall cellular health. In a striking anecdote, Saladino shared how indigenous tribes honor the heart as the “strength” of the animal, reflecting its symbolic and nutritional importance.
Tim and Sean’s curiosity about organ meats turned practical when Tim mentioned having a heart in his freezer, leading to a discussion about simple ways to prepare it. Saladino’s advice was clear: “Don’t waste it.” Whether eaten raw, as carpaccio, or lightly grilled, he emphasized the value of including organs in a balanced diet.
2. Raw Milk and Its Superiority
A recurring topic was the nutritional value of raw milk, which Saladino described as a “powerhouse” of enzymes, probiotics, and essential nutrients. Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk retains its natural integrity, making it a staple in Saladino’s daily routine. He shared how he starts his mornings with a mixture of raw milk, honey, and his proprietary supplement, Heart & Soil (featuring nutrient-rich organ extracts).
Sean and Tim, both fans of raw milk, agreed on its benefits. Tim reflected on how improving his gut health over the years has significantly enhanced his overall performance.
3. The Seed Oil Crisis
Saladino’s critique of seed oils—such as canola, sunflower, and soybean oil—was one of the episode’s most eye-opening segments. He explained how these oils, rich in omega-6 fatty acids, contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances. For athletes like Sean and Tim, who depend on their bodies to perform at elite levels, avoiding seed oils is non-negotiable.
Tim shared how advising students to switch to organic, local meats often helps them overcome digestive issues associated with poor-quality foods. Saladino built on this by explaining the importance of sourcing high-quality meat and fats, noting that “grocery store convenience” often comes at the cost of long-term health.
4. Ancestral Eating and the “Grandmother Rule”
Saladino introduced what he calls the “Grandmother Rule”: eat only foods your great-grandmother would recognize. This simple guideline underscores the dangers of processed foods laden with preservatives, artificial dyes, and synthetic additives. Sean and Tim reflected on their childhood diets of Pop-Tarts, Doritos, and sugary cereals, contrasting them with their current commitment to whole, unprocessed foods.
“Diseases don’t start overnight,” Saladino reminded listeners. “It’s the cumulative effect of years of poor choices.”
5. Addressing Modern Health Crises
The conversation also delved into systemic health issues, including:
Childhood Nutrition: Saladino highlighted the alarming rise in childhood obesity, ADHD, and other developmental disorders. He attributed much of this to poor parental awareness and the pervasive influence of convenience foods.
Epigenetics and Pregnancy: The trio discussed how a mother’s diet during pregnancy impacts the long-term health of her child, reinforcing the importance of nutrient-dense foods over processed options.
The “Make America Healthy Again” Movement: Saladino shared his involvement with this initiative, aiming to reform government food policies by eliminating harmful additives, improving transparency, and promoting whole foods.
5. Practical Advice for Listeners
A significant strength of the episode was its actionable insights. Saladino emphasized that eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Some of his tips included:
Focus on Simplicity: Ground beef, raw cheese, fruits, and honey are affordable, nutrient-rich staples.
Plan Ahead: Cooking meat and packing it for the day can save time and ensure you always have a healthy option on hand.
Rethink Snacks: Replace processed options with meat sticks, raw milk, and fresh fruit.
Evaluate Your Diet: If something isn’t working, experiment and simplify. For example, eliminating common triggers like gluten or seed oils can lead to noticeable improvements.
Sean and Tim shared their own strategies, like preparing large meat-and-fruit boards for family meals. Saladino praised these efforts as a practical way to encourage healthier eating habits without creating extra work.
6. Gut Health and Microbiome Myths
One listener question raised concerns about the carnivore diet’s impact on gut microbiome diversity. Saladino explained that research linking dietary diversity to microbiome health is largely correlational. He argued that removing processed foods and focusing on high-quality animal and plant-based foods has a far greater impact on gut health than striving for excessive variety.
7. The Athlete’s Perspective
For athletes, the conversation reaffirmed the importance of tailoring nutrition to performance. Saladino noted that carbohydrates, particularly from fruit, honey, and squash, are essential for recovery and glycogen replenishment. Sean and Tim acknowledged the role of clean carbohydrates in their training regimens, discussing how these sources fuel their double-session days without the crashes associated with processed sugars.
Watch the full episode here:
A Call to Action: Make Health a Priority
The episode’s overarching message was clear: health requires intentional effort. Saladino encouraged listeners to view quality food as an investment in long-term well-being. While convenience foods may save time in the moment, they come with hidden costs—from reduced energy and mental clarity to increased healthcare expenses down the line.
Sean and Tim echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of discipline and self-awareness. They credited their success not only to physical training but also to their commitment to clean eating and consistent self-improvement.
Final Thoughts
This episode of the TimboSugarShow was more than a conversation; it was a roadmap for reclaiming health in a world dominated by convenience and misinformation. Dr. Paul Saladino’s expertise provided a wealth of insights, from the benefits of organ meats and raw milk to the dangers of seed oils and processed foods. For Sean, Tim, and their audience, the discussion reinforced the value of eating intentionally and living mindfully.
Key Takeaways:
Prioritize high-quality, grass-fed meats and nutrient-dense organs.
Incorporate raw milk and honey into your diet for natural energy and gut health.
Avoid seed oils and artificial additives to reduce inflammation and improve overall well-being.
Simplify your meals and stick to foods your ancestors would recognize.
Invest in your health today to avoid greater costs in the future.
Learn More
To explore more about Dr. Paul Saladino’s work, visit his website at Paul Saladino MD and follow him on Instagram. For fans of the TimboSugarShow, this episode is a must-listen, packed with practical advice to elevate your health and performance.
