Chapter 1: The Misconceptions About Food Safety

How often have you come across claims that certain foods are toxic? A quick search reveals numerous fitness influencers in grocery stores asserting that vegetables can be harmful and that oatmeal absorbs essential nutrients.

Let me set the record straight: these assertions are completely unfounded. A basic understanding of toxicology and biochemistry will show that these influencers are misinformed.

Remember this: the dosage determines toxicity.

Every substance can become harmful if taken in excessive amounts, even those typically regarded as safe or beneficial. For instance, excessive water consumption can be lethal. Should we then avoid water altogether?

Absolutely not.

Consider children's vitamins, like Flinstones vitamins, which include cyanocobalamin—a compound derived from hydrogen cyanide. This synthetic form of vitamin B12 sounds alarming, but is it actually toxic?

Only if you were to consume over 2500 capsules, which is far beyond the recommended limit.

So let's stop labeling foods as toxic without considering dosage.

Conversely, some foods require a certain quantity to provide health benefits. Protein is crucial for cellular processes and muscle growth; consuming only 5 grams daily can lead to muscle atrophy.

Additionally, nutrition is intricate, and mechanisms cannot be isolated. Peanut butter, for example, has 8 grams of protein per serving. However, it is primarily a high-calorie fat source with some protein content. Relying solely on peanut butter for protein would likely result in significant fat gain.

With this understanding, let's discuss the next proposed superfood: feces.

How Consuming Feces Can Enhance Your Health

Layne Norton has long been an advocate against health and fitness misinformation. Like many healthcare professionals, he is frustrated by the ridiculous claims from various influencers.

To debunk their absurd "biohacking" assertions, he employs scientific evidence. Here’s his argument for feces as a potential superfood.

Human excrement is rich in butyrate, which can enhance fat oxidation, activate brown fat, and increase coupling proteins. Many influencers tout their supplements or hacks to achieve these results.

Moreover, butyrate has been shown to reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, reduce fat tissue, and lower inflammation—all critical concerns for those facing metabolic issues, such as Type II diabetes.

It can also enhance mitochondrial function, which may improve athletic performance.

Conversely, low butyrate levels in the gut microbiome can increase the risk of obesity and insulin resistance.

Given all this evidence, how can one dismiss feces as a superfood?

Quick question: Did you actually review the studies? Perhaps you only skimmed the abstracts?

The nuances are crucial.

How Much Feces Should Be Consumed?

The first complication in the studies is that most of the benefits were observed in vitro (in lab settings) or in rodents. Only one study involved humans, and those effects were reversed with supplementation.

The second complication relates to dosage. When adjusting for human equivalence (considering that rodents are smaller), you would need to consume a staggering 50–100 pounds of feces daily to achieve similar benefits.

That’s quite a stockpile!

Combating Misinformation in Health

Joking aside, Layne Norton emphasizes a significant issue prevalent on social media: the abundance of misinformation. While some pseudoscientific claims may not be harmful, many anecdotes of success can often be attributed to other factors (like calorie deficits, not organ meats or carb removal) or placebo effects (like chiropractic adjustments).

In general, quick fixes do not exist. Nobody is "ahead of the science." Genetics and environment play roles in our health, but the primary factors remain diet, exercise, and sleep. We have substantial evidence outlining effective strategies.

Consume a variety of plants, aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night, and follow physical activity guidelines. To build muscle or enhance cardiovascular fitness, consistent and intense exercise is necessary. For weight loss, a caloric deficit is essential.

There are various nuances for optimizing results (I’ve published numerous articles on these subjects), but the fundamentals apply universally.

Biohacks are a myth.

To counter misinformation, first, steer clear of those claiming to offer quick fixes or proprietary solutions.

Second, rely on the evidence. Look for systematic reviews and meta-analyses encompassing human randomized control trials, rather than isolated studies or mechanistic data (like the claims about consuming feces).

Lastly, maintain skepticism and seek diverse perspectives.

I’ve encountered many outlandish claims in clinical settings and have seen plenty online. Vigilance is key.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What health claims have you come across? How do you combat misinformation? Please share your insights and questions in the comments.

Chapter 2: Videos on Gut Health and Nutrition

In this video, "The No.1 Poo & Gut Scientist: If Your Poo Looks Like This Go To A Doctor! Dr Will Bulsiewicz," Dr. Bulsiewicz discusses the significance of gut health and what your stool can reveal about your overall well-being.

In "Does Poop Hold the Secret to Your Health? | Sarah Greenfield RD, CSSD," Sarah Greenfield explores the potential health benefits associated with gut microbiome health and its relation to fecal matter.