Regenerative Meat Could Save Your Health (and the Planet) | Autumn Smith

Mark Hyman

Oct 15, 2025

Episode description

Food is medicine isn’t a slogan—it’s how our bodies are designed to heal. My guest today, Autumn Smith, knows that better than anyone. After overcoming years of digestive and mental health struggles, she co-founded Paleo Valley and Wild Pastures to help others access truly nutrient-dense food. On this episode of The Dr. Hyman Show, we explore how regenerative farming restores both soil and human health, why food quality matters as much as food choice, and how regeneratively raised animal foods can contain the same healing compounds we find in plants. Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

You’ll learn:

• How to tell if your meat is truly regenerative

• What labels like grass-fed, grass-finished, and regenerative really mean

• Why soil health directly impacts your nutrient intake

• Easy ways to lower inflammation through better fats

• Affordable steps to eat well and support the planet

When we heal the soil, we heal ourselves—and that change starts with what’s on your plate

https://wildpastures.com/

https://paleovalley.com/

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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Discover phytonutrients in animal products for health benefits

Animal products like lamb liver can contain as many beneficial phytonutrients as vegetables, as the compounds from the diverse forage an animal eats are stored in its meat.

#meat

#nutrition

Scan food for real-time nutrient density insights

A handheld, "Star Trek-like" device is being developed that will allow consumers to scan food and get a real-time reading of its nutrient density.

#device

#nutrition

Choose regeneratively-raised meat for ergothioneine benefits

Ergothioneine, a compound produced by soil fungi that supports mitochondrial and brain health, is transferred into meat and is 2.8 times higher in regeneratively-raised animals.

#longevity

#mitochondria

Obtain omega-3 fatty acids from grass-fed beef

Grass-fed beef can be a good source of the same long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DPA, and DHA) that are typically found in fish.

#grass-fed

#omega-3

Choose nutrient-dense foods for better flavor

The flavor of a food, whether meat or plant, is directly linked to its phytochemical density, meaning more nutritious food naturally tastes better.

#nutrition

Choose organ meats for affordable nutrient density

Organ meats are one of the most affordable and nutrient-dense foods available, far surpassing most vegetables in micronutrient content.

#affordability

#nutrition

Choose chicken wisely to reduce inflammation risk

Due to their feed, conventional chicken and pork can have a much higher inflammatory omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (up to 30:1) than even factory-farmed beef (8:1).