Ultra-Processed People: How Big Food Is Rewiring Our Brains | Chris Van Tulleken

The Dr. Hyman Show

Dr. Mark Hyman

Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Medicine

4.6 • 8.7K Ratings

🗓️ 16 April 2025

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ultra-processed food is the new cigarette—and it's fueling a global health crisis hiding in plain sight. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris van Tulleken—infectious disease physician, BBC broadcaster, and author of Ultra-Processed People—to expose the truth behind ultra-processed foods and the industries driving their consumption. To find out what this food is really doing to us, Dr. van Tulleken became the first subject in a groundbreaking clinical trial—eating 80% of his calories from ultra-processed food for a full month. We unpack what makes ultra-processed food fundamentally different from real food—even when the ingredients look similar, and why its impact on your brain, metabolism, and long-term health is far worse than anyone thought… You’ll learn: How ultra-processed food hijacks your brain’s reward system The science behind food addiction and satiety hormones Why food labels and front-of-package claims are designed to mislead you What the latest data says about UPFs and 32 chronic diseases The global policy movements and lawsuits now underway to fight back This episode is part science, part exposé, and a wake-up call for anyone who thinks food is just about calories and willpower. If you care about your health, your kids, or the future of our food system, you need to hear this. https://linktr.ee/ultraprocessedpeople View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast

Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up on this episode of the Dr. Hyman Show.
0:02.6	The ultra processing, which includes the marketing, the coloring, the texture effects,
0:07.0	the physical processing, thermal chemical processing.
0:09.6	That is the stuff that allows you to eat so much of the sugar, salt, and fat.
0:17.2	In functional medicine, we always start with the gut.
0:20.0	It's at the core of nearly every aspect of health, from digestion and immune function
0:24.2	to brain and skin health.
0:25.4	Your gut microbiome regulates inflammation, absorbs nutrients, and maintains the integrity
0:29.7	of your gut barrier.
0:30.8	That's why I take and recommend seeds DS01 daily symbiotic, a next-level probiotic designed
0:35.6	to go beyond digestion.
0:37.0	With 24 clinically studied
0:38.3	probiotic strains and a pomegranate-based prebiotic, seeds DS-01 supports gut immune function,
0:44.2	gut barrier integrity, and even heart health through the gut liver axis. But here's what's really
0:49.0	exciting. Research now shows that gut health directly impacts skin health through the gut skin axis.
0:55.3	Seeds DS01 contains targeted strains clinically validated to support clear, hydrated skin from within.
1:02.9	As a member of Seeds Clinical Board, I've seen the science behind their formulations.
1:07.2	And new research shows seeds DS01 supports short-chain fatty acid production, which is key for gut barrier function, immune health, and healthy aging.
1:16.0	If you're ready to optimize your gut health, Seed is offering my community 25% off your first month.
1:20.8	Just head to Seed.com slash Heimann and use code 25-H-E-M-M-A-N at checkout.
1:25.2	That's Seed.com slash Heimann with code 25-H-h-M-A-N for 25% off your first month of
1:31.2	seeds, DS-1. Did you know there's a newly discovered essential nutrient that could be the missing
	...

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