The Ty Beal Show

Ultra-Processed People: Corporate Power and Public Health | Chris van Tulleken, MD, PhD

What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and why is the concept so controversial? How does a diet high in these foods affect our bodies, brains, and hormones? And how can we build effective policies to improve public health without shaming individuals or fueling disordered eating?
In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Chris van Tulleken, MD, PhD, a professor at University College London, BBC broadcaster, and author of the bestseller Ultra Process People, joins Ty to discuss the science and politics of ultra-processed foods.
Dr. van Tulleken shares the compelling results from his own self-experiment eating a diet comprised of 80% UPFs, detailing the rapid weight gain, hormonal disruption, and surprising changes in brain connectivity it caused. We explore the intense debate around the UPF definition, why industry engineering makes these products distinct from homemade food, and how corporate profit motives are a key driver of the global obesity pandemic. Dr. van Tulleken also offers a nuanced path forward for policy—one that focuses on nutrient-based warning labels, taxation, and marketing restrictions—and shares how he balances this knowledge with real life in his own family.
Highlights from the episode include:
What happened to Dr. van Tulleken’s body, appetite hormones, and brain on a one-month, 80% ultra-processed diet
The scientific and policy debates surrounding the UPF definition
How food companies engineer food for overconsumption and profit
Why a homemade brownie is not the same as a commercially produced one
Practical policy solutions, including warning labels, marketing restrictions, and taxation
The parallels between the food industry and the tobacco industry
The critical problem of industry-funded science and conflicts of interest
Navigating a "disordered food environment" without triggering disordered eating
Dr. van Tulleken brings his rigorous scientific perspective and trademark humor to one of the most polarized issues in modern nutrition, making a powerful case that we must address corporate power and the food environment to solve diet-related disease.
Find Dr. Chris van Tulleken at University College London and get his book, Ultra Process People. Connect with Dr. van Tulleken on X and Instagram.
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Bridging Research and Policy in Global Nutrition | Purnima Menon, PhD

How do we turn cutting-edge nutrition research into policies that improve people's lives? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Purnima Menon, PhD, Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at IFPRI, shares her journey from reading recipe books as a child to becoming a world leader in advancing global nutrition at the intersection of science and policy.
Purnima explains why understanding people—their constraints, motivations, and contexts—is essential to creating meaningful change in food systems. We discuss the challenges of siloed thinking in nutrition, the complexities of sustainable diets, and what it takes to bridge the gap between evidence and action. Purnima brings a deeply human-centered perspective to some of the most pressing questions in food systems transformation.
Highlights from the episode include:
Why understanding people is central to all nutrition change—whether in behavior, programs, or policy
The biggest challenges facing global nutrition today and why we need to move beyond siloed solutions
How dietary choices are shaped by structural constraints at the intersection of water, energy, food, and gender
What it takes to bridge research and policy—and why both matter
The role of policy incentives and political economy in transforming food systems
Dr. Menon brings decades of experience working with influential researchers and policymakers around the world, offering a nuanced perspective that connects evidence to real-world impact. Her work reminds us that privilege comes with responsibility—and that meaningful change requires joining the dots between science, people, and policy.
Find Dr. Purnima Menon at IFPRI and connect with her on X and LinkedIn.
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Muscle Health, Protein, and Longevity | Stuart Phillips, PhD

How much protein do we really need? And is resistance training more important than we thought? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Stuart Phillips, PhD, renowned expert in muscle health and aging at McMaster University, breaks down the science of muscle preservation across the lifespan.
Stuart shares his evolving perspective on protein's role in building and maintaining muscle, explaining why exercise is the true driver of muscle development—and why the current Recommended Dietary Allowance may be setting the bar too low. We discuss optimal protein intake for different life stages, the nuances of plant-based versus animal-based proteins, and why strength training matters far more for longevity than most people realize.
Highlights from the episode include:
Why exercise, not protein alone, is the key to preserving muscle as we age
The difference between strength and power—and why power matters most for preventing falls and maintaining independence
Evidence-based resistance training: what works and how much time you really need to invest
The RDA for protein versus optimal intake—and why the distinction matters globally
Protein requirements across life stages: pregnancy, childhood, older adulthood
Plant-based versus animal-based proteins: separating science from ideology
Safe protein intake ranges for longevity and health
What older adults should prioritize to maintain muscle and function
Dr. Phillips brings a refreshingly balanced perspective grounded in decades of rigorous research—pushing back against both protein minimalism and protein extremism to reveal what the evidence says.
Find Dr. Stuart Phillips at McMaster University. Connect with him on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Regenerative Grazing, Soil Health, and Climate Change | Paige Stanley, PhD

Can grazing livestock help restore soils, support biodiversity, and even mitigate climate change? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, rangeland ecologist at Colorado State University, Dr. Paige Stanley, shares her research on regenerative grazing systems and their potential to benefit both landscapes and livelihoods.
Paige explains how well-managed grazing influences soil carbon dynamics, plant communities, and ecosystem resilience—and why not all grazing systems are created equal. We discuss the science behind methane emissions from cattle, trade-offs in land use, and how policy and incentives can help expand regenerative ranching practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.
Highlights from the episode include:• How regenerative grazing differs from conventional grazing and why management matters• What the latest research says about grazing’s role in soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity• The methane puzzle—short-lived climate pollutants and strategies to reduce emissions• Opportunities and challenges in scaling regenerative ranching for both ranchers and policymakers
Paige brings a nuanced, evidence-based perspective on the role of grazing animals in sustainable food systems—cutting through polarized debates with insights from the field.
Find Paige Stanley on X and at her website.
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Understanding OCD and Evidence-Based Treatment | Sara Brungardt, PhD, LPC

What exactly is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—and how can evidence-based therapies help people reclaim their lives? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Sara Brungardt, licensed professional counselor and founder of CalmOCD, shares her expertise on diagnosing and treating OCD with proven methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Sara explains how OCD differs from perfectionism or personality traits, why intrusive thoughts don’t define a person’s character, and how therapy can rewire the brain’s fear response. We also discuss common myths about OCD, overlaps with eating disorders and anxiety, and how families can best support loved ones navigating recovery.
Highlights from the episode include:
What distinguishes OCD from ordinary worries or habits
How ERP and ACT work to reduce compulsions and anxiety
The connection between OCD, eating disorders, and control
Practical advice for supporting someone with OCD or seeking treatment
Dr. Brungardt offers a compassionate, science-based perspective that brings clarity to a misunderstood condition—and hope to those living with it.
Find Dr. Brungardt at CalmOCD.com and on Instagram.
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U.S. Food Politics and Rethinking Chronic Disease | Calley Means

Why do so many U.S. nutrition and health policies seem to favor ultra-processed foods over real, nutrient-dense foods—and what can be done about it? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Calley Means—New York Times #1 best-selling author, co-founder of Truemed, and Senior Advisor to the White House on MAHA—unpacks the structural incentives driving chronic disease in America.
Calley draws on his experience as a former political consultant for food and pharmaceutical companies to reveal how lobbying and reimbursement systems shape the foods we eat and the treatments we receive. We discuss how misaligned incentives fuel the epidemic of obesity and metabolic disorders, why prevention remains undervalued, and what reforms could redirect billions toward truly health-promoting foods.
Highlights from the episode include:
How Big Food and Big Pharma shape nutrition guidelines and healthcare spending
The impact of ultra-processed foods on children’s health and chronic disease risk
Policy and market innovations—like food-as-medicine—that could shift incentives toward prevention
Practical steps for individuals and policymakers to support healthier food environments
Calley shares an urgent, insider’s perspective on how policy and industry can change to address the root causes of metabolic disease rather than merely treating symptoms.
Find Calley Means on X and Instagram, learn more about Truemed at truemed.com, and order Good Energy on Amazon.
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Preventing heart disease, low-carb diets, and time-restricted eating | Ethan Weiss, MD

Heart disease is still the top killer globally—but prevention and innovation are reshaping how we think about risk. In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, cardiologist Dr. Ethan Weiss—Chief Scientific Officer at Marea Therapeutics and long-time UCSF faculty expert—walks us through the intersection of genetics, metabolism, and cardiovascular health.
Dr. Weiss explains the concept of cardio-endocrine medicine, where heart disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes are deeply interlinked, and explores how imaging, biomarkers, and genomics are improving risk prediction. We dive into LDL vs ApoB, the role of new lipid therapies, and how personalized prevention looks in practice. Along the way, Dr. Weiss shares his experience with a Mediterranean-style low-carb diet and his take on time-restricted eating.
Takeaways from the episode include:
Why metabolic disease is inseparable from cardiovascular risk
How new tools (imaging, biomarkers, genetics) sharpen our prediction
Evidence-based lifestyle and clinical strategies to reduce risk
Evaluating low-carb diets, saturated fat, and fasting approaches
What the future holds in therapies for lipoprotein(a) and beyond
Find Dr. Ethan Weiss at Marea Therapeutics and UCSF. Connect with him on X.
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Nutritional Dark Matter and Regenerative Agriculture | Stephan van Vliet, PhD

What are the hidden compounds in our food, and how do farming practices shape their presence? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Stephan van Vliet, PhD, Professor of Nutrition at Utah State University, discusses his pioneering work in metabolomics and the concept of "nutritional dark matter"—the thousands of understudied compounds in food that may impact health.
Dr. van Vliet shares his journey from studying egg nutrition to uncovering the complexity of phytochemicals and other bioactive compounds in foods like beef, bison, and plants. The conversation explores how regenerative agriculture, with its focus on soil health and biodiversity, enhances nutrient density in crops and livestock, and what this could mean for human health and sustainable food systems.
What you'll learn:
The meaning of "nutritional dark matter" and why it matters for health
How regenerative farming influences phytochemicals in plants and animal products
The unique role of grazing animals in upcycling inedible plants into bioavailable nutrients
The differences between pasture-raised and grain-fed beef from a metabolomics perspective
Practical tips for choosing nutrient-dense foods at the grocery store or farmers market
Dr. van Vliet also discusses his ongoing research, including trials comparing regenerative and conventional agriculture, and the potential multi-generational health impacts of dietary patterns. This episode offers insights into how food production systems shape the nutritional quality of what we eat and their broader implications for health and the environment.
Find Dr. Stephan van Vliet’s research at Utah State University and learn more about his work at the van Vliet Lab.
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Eating Disorders and Intuitive Eating | Taylor Aasand, RD, MPH

What does it take to foster a healthy relationship with food for children and adolescents? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, registered dietitian and certified eating disorder specialist Taylor Aasand explores the complexities of eating disorders like ARFID, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. Drawing from her practice in Phoenix-Scottsdale, she shares evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery, emphasizing compassionate, family-centered approaches and the power of intuitive eating.
What you'll learn:
The prevalence and impact of eating disorders in youth, affecting up to 1 in 8 individuals
How ARFID differs from picky eating and its severe consequences, like growth stunting
Why body image drives anorexia but not ARFID, and how to spot subtle warning signs
Practical ways to support recovery, including social media audits and family-style meals
How intuitive eating promotes self-compassion and balanced nutrition without restrictive diets
Taylor also discusses navigating today’s challenging food environment, offering parents actionable advice on fostering positive food conversations to prevent disordered eating. Find Taylor Aasand’s work at her private practice.
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The Planetary Health Diet 2 | Walter Willett, MD, DrPH

What does it take to eat for the health of humans and the planet? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Walter Willett, the world’s most cited nutritionist, gives a sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission and provides his take on ultra-processed foods and seed oils.
From his family farm in Michigan to leading Harvard's Department of Nutrition for 25 years, Dr. Willett shares the journey that led him to pioneer nutritional epidemiology. At the center of this conversation is the planetary health diet—a flexible framework to address human and planetary health.
What you'll discover:
The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission's updated recommendations (releasing October 3rd)
How to adapt the planetary health diet from vegan to omnivore preferences
The limitations of the NOVA ultra-processed food framework
The health effects of seed oils like soybean and canola oil
How Dr. Willett's trans-fat research transformed American food policy
Dr. Willett addresses the seed oil controversy with decades of research, explaining why these oils have helped reduce heart disease rates since the 1950s. He also reveals why the real drivers of obesity aren't seed oils but sugar-sweetened beverages and refined starches, and how the planetary health diet balances individual health with global sustainability and equity.
Find Dr. Walter Willett's research at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and learn more about the EAT-Lancet Commission.
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