TLDR;
This podcast features Thor, also known as "Vitamin A Disrespect," discussing his journey and insights on vitamin A toxicity. He shares his personal experiences with health issues, research into vitamin A, and his current views on diet and supplementation. The conversation covers topics such as the dangers of excessive vitamin A intake, sources of vitamin A in modern diets, and the potential benefits of a low vitamin A diet.
- Thor's personal health journey led him to research vitamin A toxicity.
- Modern diets and food fortification contribute to excessive vitamin A intake.
- Vitamin A toxicity can manifest in various symptoms, including skin issues, fatigue, and liver problems.
- A low vitamin A diet may offer benefits for certain individuals.
- Liver supplements are discouraged due to high vitamin A content and potential toxins.
Introduction [0:58]
Thor, also known as "Vitamin A Disrespect," shares his background as a college athlete who transitioned into TV and film in New York City, eventually working at the White House as a teleprompter operator. Throughout his career, he remained a go-to person for nutrition and fitness advice among his peers. However, he developed debilitating heartburn and itchy skin in his early 20s, leading him to explore alternative dietary solutions.
Dietary supplements [4:23]
Thor recounts how he initially improved his health by cutting out gluten, nitrates, and dairy. Later, he delved deeper into health optimization, incorporating supplements, vegetables, fish oil, eggs, and dairy. This eventually led to new health problems like gallstones, thinning hair, low energy, psoriasis, eye floaters, and irritability. In January, he decided to cut out caffeine and research the negative effects of coffee, which led him to discover vitamin A toxicity.
Choosing blindness over eczema [7:34]
Thor discusses Gran J Ru's book "Poisoning for Profits," where Ru, suffering from stage three kidney cancer and severe eczema, identified trigger foods high in vitamin A. Ru made a risk analysis and decided to lower vitamin A in his diet as much as possible, accepting the risk of blindness to alleviate his eczema. After 30 days, his joint pain disappeared, his skin stopped evaporating, and his kidney disease reversed.
Carnivore lifestyle [11:34]
Thor shares that he felt amazing after a month of trying a low vitamin A diet, which led him to pivot his health coaching group. He observed that many in the carnivore community naturally consume low vitamin A diets, especially those focusing on muscle meat. He also noticed that some individuals who reintroduce dairy and eggs into their carnivore diet experience a return of symptoms.
Excessive vitamin A intake leads to issues [16:27]
Thor explains that vitamin A, a fat-soluble molecule, can become toxic when consumed in excessive amounts. The RDA for vitamin A is around 900 micrograms a day, but many people consume 500 to 1,000% of the RDA daily through fortified foods, supplements, and various dietary sources. He shares an example of a person who was taking a weight gainer with 2,000% of the RDA of vitamin A, along with liver, fish oil, and raw milk, leading to vitamin A toxicity.
Diverse food sources can provide essential nutrients [18:42]
Thor explains that the average person gets vitamin A from tomatoes, which are the most popular vegetable in the West and are high in carotenoids. Tomatoes are often consumed with dairy in pizza, creating a double whammy. He also notes that some people get too much vitamin A from a variety of sources, including sweet potatoes, carrots, liver supplements, and eggs.
Glyphosate slows down detox enzymes, impacting health [20:51]
Thor discusses how glyphosate, a common herbicide, slows down detox enzymes, hindering the body's ability to metabolize retinol and retinoic acid. He emphasizes that modern diets offer a wide variety of foods year-round, leading to increased consumption of high carotenoid plants. Historically, people had limited access to such a diverse range of foods.
Enjoying organic, non-GMO, glyphosate-free meals with variety [24:06]
Thor explains that a low vitamin A diet can be approached in various ways. Gran Ru follows a strict diet of rice and black beans, while Thor consumes bison, steak, and fluctuates his carb intake with white rice, sourdough bread, sorghum, and barley. He also incorporates beans and psyllium husk for soluble fiber to help eliminate toxins. Others may opt for organic goats with fruit or grilled chicken with peeled zucchini or cucumber.
Excessive red meat [29:04]
Thor identifies photosensitivity, skin issues (eczema, psoriasis, acne), and joint pain as clear indicators of vitamin A toxicity. Vitamin A is an antagonist to magnesium, folate, and K2. Other symptoms include liver disease, low energy, irritability, anxiety, low libido, infertility, and dry mucus membranes.
Cut dairy, eggs [32:17]
Thor states that animal forms of vitamin A can be more toxic and quicker to affect the body, while plant forms may take longer and be less toxic. He emphasizes that all vitamin A starts as plants, with animals consuming plants and converting them into retinoids. The appropriate level of vitamin A intake depends on individual symptoms, serum levels, and history.
Individual needs and goals [33:44]
Thor explains that serum vitamin A levels may initially increase when starting a strict low vitamin A diet, indicating the body is starting to eliminate it. It can take three years to fully eliminate excess vitamin A. He advises individuals to start by accounting for their RDA of vitamin A and adjusting their intake accordingly.
Vitamin A toxicity and jaundice in babies [36:36]
Thor addresses the observation that Japan, with high egg consumption, has long life expectancy. He notes that Japanese people are generally shorter, consume less dairy, and may have different disease patterns. He also mentions the prevalence of jaundice in newborns, suggesting that women may be passing down vitamin A toxicity to their children.
Liver supplements [40:35]
Thor believes that liver supplements are a mistake, as the liver is the sewage waste plant of the body and stores toxins. Liver is high in vitamin A because it stores it there to protect other tissues. He cites cases of people ending up in the ER after taking liver supplements and emphasizes that liver also contains arsenic, lead, cadmium, and excess copper.
Copper in tumors [43:29]
Thor explains that copper, found in high concentrations in liver, is an antagonist to zinc and is estrogenic. Copper is also found in cancerous tumors. Additionally, if an animal is killed in a state of fight or flight, its liver will be flooded with epinephrine. He advises against consuming liver and highlights that even hunting dogs often avoid it.
Breast milk and receptors [48:04]
Thor addresses the presence of vitamin A in breast milk, noting that breast milk can also contain THC, U meth, and alcohol. He suggests that if a mother is high in vitamin A, her child may develop cradle cap or eczema. He also discusses retinol binding proteins and retinoid receptors, questioning why certain receptors are named after retinoids when they interact with numerous other compounds.
