How to Uncover What's Silently Damaging Every Cell in Your Body (And Fix It Fast)
Mark Hyman, MD, talks with producer Emma about cell membrane health. He argues that damaged membranes disrupt communication between cells and drive disease, and that diet, testing and fewer toxins can repair them.
The gist
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Hyman says membranes are the body's communication hub: omega-3s keep them fluid, while trans fats make them stiff and disrupt signals like insulin.
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He says seed oils aren't the problem in themselves; oxidized industrial oils and too much omega-6 relative to omega-3 are.
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Hyman says 95% of Americans have an omega-3 index under 8%, the optimal level, and about half fall below 4%.
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He recommends SMASH fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring) two to three times a week, plus choline from liver, eggs, soy or supplements.
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Hyman says toxins, mold and metals damage membranes, and points to the Environmental Working Group, whose board he sits on, for cutting exposure.
Mark Hyman, MD recommends it
"Potentially take the right omega-3 supplements that are from a good source that's been third-party tested, that's tested for purity, potency, that doesn't have toxins, contaminants. It's not oxidized. It's a very hard job picking the right fish oil."
▶ Play at 11:289 creators recommend it, including Abbie Smith-Ryan, Andrew Huberman, and Tommy Wood.
See all on the Omega-3 fatty acids page
Mark Hyman, MD recommends it
"The best test you can get to get a general idea is the omega-3 index, which we offer at Function. It's inexpensive, it's reliable, it's proven, it tells you really where you are in the spectrum. And everybody should be over 8%."
▶ Play at 19:543 creators recommend it, including Rhonda Patrick and Will Bolsewicz.
See all on the Omega-3 Index Test page
Mark Hyman, MD recommends it
"I call it the SMASH fish: salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring. These are small fish, they're rich in omega-3s, they often have vitamin D as well. And they tend to have lower toxin levels."
▶ Play at 10:15
Mark Hyman, MD recommends it
"Have liver, eggs, soy, or take choline supplements on a regular basis."
▶ Play at 25:532 creators recommend it, including Jesse Inchauspe.
See all on the Choline supplements page
Mark Hyman, MD recommends it
"Make sure you reduce your exposures to toxins and mold and metals as much as possible. And there's a lot of ways to do that. The Environmental Working Group is a great resource for that. I'm on the board there."
▶ Play at 26:052 creators recommend it, including Anne Shippy.
See all on the Environmental Working Group pageWhat they recommend · 6 picks
"I call it the SMASH fish: salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring. These are small fish, they're rich in omega-3s, they often have vitamin D as well. And they tend to hav..."
"Potentially take the right omega-3 supplements that are from a good source that's been third-party tested, that's tested for purity, potency, that doesn't have toxins, contamina..."
"The best test you can get to get a general idea is the omega-3 index, which we offer at Function. It's inexpensive, it's reliable, it's proven, it tells you really where you are..."
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