144- Which Genes Impact Your Ability to Detox with Dr. Elena Krasnov

Bryan Carroll: [00:00:14] If you listen to episode 142, I had Dr. Yael Joffe on the show to talk about how some of our genes can give us insights into nutrients that may be beneficial to our body in the 18 years, since the human genome project was completed.

We have been learning a lot about genes and how it influences our health. What's up everyone. I'm Bryan Carroll and I'm here to help people move more, eat well and be adventurous. And today we'll be talking about our genes and how it impacts our ability to detoxify Dr. Elena Krasnov is on the show and we'll be focused on what struggles we can have with detoxing and which genes are important for the detox systems in the body.

So let's jump into my conversation with Dr. Elena. Dr. Elena krasnov is a naturopathic doctor with extensive training in medical, genetics, and culation therapy. She continually integrates new research into her practice and encourages patients to participate in their own healing process to help enhance their quality of life.

Thank you for coming on to the show Dr. Elena. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:01:16] Thank you for having me

Bryan Carroll: [00:01:18] course. And I'm really excited to chat with you because we're going to be talking a lot about genetics and snips and detox. But before we dive into that, let's learn a little bit more about you. And what is your background?

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:01:30] So my background is in microbiology. I studied that and then I studied genetics at the university of Toronto. I have always been interested in genetics. It was always a curiosity of mine. I was interested in plant biologists, and so it was very young. So it was a natural progression for me to go into that field.

And I have been doing that ever since the late eighties. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:01:55] So, what is it specifically about genetics? That's really gotten you really passionate about it? 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:02:02] I was just always fascinated about how the DNA works, how, you know, certain little nucleotides decide what we become at the end, whether you have curly hair, straight hair, blue eyes, dark eyes.

It's it's, it's just always been fascinating subjects for man. And I wanted to explore it further. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:02:23] And I know the human genome project that completed back in 2003. So we've had about what is that 18 years now since the genome has first been mapped. So we are definitely learning a lot about the genome and there's still quite a bit to learn.

But. Tell us a little bit about jeans. What is it with our genes that allow us to function the way that we function and how does it impact our behavior? How we look, how our bodies function overall. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:02:53] Well, we, we are still kind of learning as we go along. New information is constantly being sort of put up front and, and, and we continue to develop things in terms of how we use the information we have.

So genetic diseases and gene mapping and, you know, CRISPR technology that has currently just come on. On the Mark on the market on, on learning how to integrate that into diseases. I just happened to hear recently on MSNBC, they were talking about how you could slice out part of, part of your genetics and make you resistant to viral infections.

They presumably tried to do that in China for now HIV, which is controversial. They did it on the set of twins. So I'm not sure how far that can go, but learning how to. Sort of exercise parts of the genes that cause late onstage disease is, is I think something for the future that is going to become more and more available as we go along.

Bryan Carroll: [00:04:03] Yeah, it is. It's a super interesting when you're looking at genes, because I believe I saw some research that came out that. Like even in identical twins Eve each identical twin has a set of kids. Their kids are more identical to being siblings than they are being cousins. Even though on paper, we would say that they're cousins, but that just shows you how tight that a genetic expression or that genome within them can be.

And, 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:04:31] and also in terms of disease and generics, They have studied identical twins where only one twin would get the disease and the other one would not. So there is a lot to be said for environmental factors that will affect whether you get sick or not in certain things. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:04:49] Yeah. That's, that's really interesting.

And one of the things you like to focus on is the detox pathways within our system. Speaking of environmental factors. So, you know, a lot of people ask. Aren't our body's designed to naturally remove toxins. And why does it seem like if they are designed to remove toxins, for whatever reason, some people get bound up and they're not able to excrete toxins as easily as the next person.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:05:18] So, yeah, we are obviously designed to excrete toxins or we wouldn't exist as a species. But because of different variations in genetics, some people can excrete toxins much more efficiently. Others also would accumulate toxins more because of the lack of, you know, capability of creating it. And therefore will become more toxic.

Like two people in the same environment. One will get sick. The other one will not. And that depends on their ability to detoxify and, and longevity comes into it because some people. No matter what they do, they will live a long, happy, healthy life. And others could be doing a lot of different things. I would still end up second die early, and that's where genetics and genetic detoxification comes in as well as effects of environment, diet, lifestyle, and stress.

And their effect on gene expression 

Bryan Carroll: [00:06:17] is epigenetics. Part of the reason why some people might have a hard time detoxing and other people don't have any issues whatsoever. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:06:28] I think in a way, yes, it is. There is such things, as you know, there is a disease called  syndrome. Where the patients tend to be more.

Sometimes they're more prone to being jaundice. They do have higher Billy Rubin and they also have a higher degree of burden. So they, their detoxification pathway is faltered. So they are more, more sensitive to chemicals. They are more sensitive to toxicity and they have to take extra care to keep on stimulating the liver and the gallbladder.

The clans so they can stay on top. And I think that's a good example of genetic variation and predisposition to disease. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:07:12] Yeah. It's kind of interesting. Cause it seems like. A lot of species on the planet are kind of the Canary in the coal mines for environmental toxins and other toxins that are around us.

And that seems like the human body for whatever reason is very resilient, to be able to handle a lot of toxic load before we completely just break down. So why is it that the human body seems to be able to handle a much higher load of toxins before we break down while other species can't handle that much before they break down.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:07:44] Well, part of it is because we're just larger in size and therefore can handle a higher toxic load. And that's why you look at Canary because it's just small imperative will be affected more by toxins. And it will get affected, you know, a lot faster than the humans sitting in the same line, because we are able to tolerate higher levels before it shuts down our system and large ocean mammals like dolphins whales can, can withstand quite a lot of toxicity in their bodies before they actually die.

Whereas smaller fish you're going to see. Much more problems, much more genetic variability. Sometimes it affects their reproduction and you can see that quicker because they are smaller and therefore it requires less toxins to throw them off. I think it's also, it's, it's basically per body weight. So the smaller you are, that's what children are affected more than adults because they're smaller and therefore it takes less of a toxin.

To make them unwell to make them sick. It was also sorry to interrupt. There was also a study in Mexico though, where they looked at pregnant women who were exposed to arsenic, low levels of arsenic, and they detect the changes in DNA and the offsprings. So it can even be translated that way. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:09:10] Yeah, one of my questions was going to be, is it also the speed of reproduction?

So like it takes humans a long time to reproduce, whereas smaller animals typically reproduce much faster. So are we seeing a more issues within those species because they're reproducing and going through many more generations than we are. But in theory, by the time we would get to the same amount of generations as what the smaller animals have gone through, we would probably see the same type of changes in the body and in the genes.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:09:45] I don't know that I haven't actually thought of that it's possible, but I, I, I really don't know. I don't know if it is because their reproduction cycle is shorter. It's, it's possible if you think about it because the toxic sort of parent. Keep strip producing and passing on that toxicity in water. If it's possible.

Just, just theoretically. I don't know that for a fact though. I haven't looked into it. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:10:11] So when we're looking at genes, what are snips? Exactly. You mentioned snips earlier, 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:10:17] so snips are single. Nucleotide changes that that happened within the DNA. And it's really as much as one nuclear thought you can switch from from a C to a G from a T2 and eight, and it creates variability.

It's not that the, the gene cannot function, it just functions slightly different. And so it would call it for a protein in a slightly different way. It would still work. It's just going to not work the same. So it creates minor. Variability is it's not, you know, it's not going to cause major disease, but it's just gonna change slight differences.

A good example for that would be the, the main cytochrome P four 50 gene that will produce an enzyme. That's going to be not as effective and removing sort of. You know how to recycle means or polycystic chromatics things you get from smoked meat from grilling, you know, all those dark charts on the barbecue.

So people who will sort of have a change in that gene will be more affected by eating too much grilled meat. Then don't say somebody else. Right. So, you know, you, and I might think the same thing yet. I will can say, can you will. And, and those in an example of a single nucleotide polymorphism is just, is just a slight little change that doesn't change the whole game, but it just changes that a little bit.

How many, 

Bryan Carroll: [00:11:56] how many snips are available and the jeans. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:12:00] Oh, I would think there are millions of snips, but we don't know about all of them. We just know the ones that we have looked at and there are always new ones coming up. And then they're also constantly deciding, you know, this one is not a good representation.

There's a different snip. So within the same genome, they could be, you know, like lots of different steps, that code for something very similar, for example there is five or six different snips set called , which is the main detoxification  they didn't in codes for the glutosiome, which protects us from oxidative damage.

So there is like five or six, no snips, some people have both bears. Some people are missing some fairs, some pounds, three out of five, some have all five. And their ability to undergo oxidative damage is going to be dependent on how many snips they're missing. And so then they would have to. Take more care and will precaution maybe take more supplements to make sure that they are oxidative really producting their petitions.

Bryan Carroll: [00:13:12] So how do they, how are they researching snips? Exactly. Like, are they, how I'm trying to figure out how to ask a question? How do they know that this snip does X is basically what I'm trying to get to? 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:13:27] Oh, that's a good question. How do they know which ones? I think that they, they look at diseases and they try to look at the mapping and then, and then the snips that they already know, they, they follow that through versus the disease.

I'm just, just sort of thinking out loud here as to how I would approach it. That follows down research. You look at what's now, and then you try and tie to do something. And then.

Bryan Carroll: [00:13:57] Do you know if they have any way to isolate out a specific snip and then be able to run tests on that snip to see if it. You know, how gludethyon impacts that snip or anything like that, or is it more based off of we have this set of data with all these different snips available and people have sent in health questionnaires and whatnot, and this is what they're presenting with.

So then are they looking at correlations? I, 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:14:24] I think it's, it's the correlation of snips to disease, not the other way around, because really, if you think about a snip was just the single nucleotide change, you, you wouldn't be able to pick it out out of this huge amount of data. Plus not all steps, not all segments of DNA code for anything useful.

Right? There is a lot of DNA that is there that, that doesn't call it for engine genes or that we don't know that it's called sports. Some poles are, are not expressed. So, so you have to look at it as is there environmental. Factors that are gonna turn on certain genes or are they going to state turned off and therefore not express themselves?

Like you could have all sorts of genes, but if you're not expressing and it's not going to affect you. So I don't know if I'm answering your question, but I think the, the example of  it's first, you would look at whether you go to science functioning, and then you would look at the genetic. Markers and see are they're there or they're missing.

It's not, it's not the other way around. You would look. It's from disease to the DNA, not from DNA to disease. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:15:40] Interesting. Yeah. I feel like with millions of different snips available, it's going to take, take a little time to research all that and figure it out. And since it's only been about 18 years, we still have a long ways to go.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:15:52] Plus not everything is useful. I think 23 and me, sometimes they put in new genes and then they drop others out of their sequence. So sometimes the research comes in and they decide this is really not a good marker. So then they drop that off their panel. And sometimes they use a different one because there's more than one single if it's not something written in stone.

And I'm sure that there are similar snips on different chromosomes that can take over if something's missing. And we don't know everything there is to know yet. Yep. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:16:27] Yep. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:16:29] Just as an example, when I looked at my own DNA, half of the things that were in the report, don't apply to me. So, even though it said that I would have this and that and that, and that I don't have any nonsense, so they're not expressed or for whatever reason, maybe because my lifestyle is so good or because I do all these things.

Well, none of those. Issues that are listed in their actual applied to me. So I was like very interesting, but I put to know, but it makes no difference. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:17:03] Yeah. Which that brings up a very interesting question because people, you know, there's, there's more and more genetic tests that people can run and it just spits out like all this information that like you just mentioned might not.

Applied directly to you. But a lot of these companies, they feel like they have to give people information or what to do or what they can do with the information that they're getting from taking a gene test. So they feel like they have to supply the person with information to follow which with gene expression might not be the appropriate pathway for them to follow.

Is that correct? 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:17:42] Absolutely. I think, I think the problem with having people having too much information is, and they, the example, well, it's a really controversial example is Angelina Jolie. Finding out that she had the genetic, the genes for breast cancer and going through radical treatments and a lot of people looking at her also doing that.

And it's not a given that that's the best way to go forward. It may be this for her, but because she's a public figure and she looks, people look upon her as an example. I think it also probably promote some people to do radical things that may not necessarily benefit them. Just because you have the genes doesn't mean you can get the disease.

Yes. You could have 80% chance of getting it, but you also have 20% chance of not getting. So nothing, it's nothing is ever a hundred percent. And I think people need to be a little bit more positive, can be more proactive in how they can improve their health. Even if they don't have the genetics that's necessarily going to make them super humans.

Yup. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:18:52] It's a very good point because we can't really predict the future. So like the choice she made, it could have been the right choice, but we won't ever know. Because we don't know what would have happened if she didn't make that 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:19:04] choice. Absolutely. I think, and I actually know several people that took her as an example, and did the same thing having maybe had no need for that.

And it is it's, it's, it's a pretty invasive, radical procedure. On the other hand, I do know others. Who is who had, they obviously had inherited him. The mother had the disease, the daughter ended up having the disease and, and maybe in her case, it would have been a good idea to do out, but we would not, maybe, maybe she could have done other things to prevent the onset of cancer by doing something different in her life that she did not do.

So again, it's always that balance that you need to. Take two on cap thing, the same applies to colon cancer as well. So, so unless you have like familial polyposis where your risk of colon cancer, astronomically goes up when you have the certain genes, it's, it's, you know, you're not going to take your colon out, but you should probably have, you know, colonoscopy more often than an average person.

So did you can catch it earlier. So, yeah. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:20:25] Yeah, there's there's there must have been a lot of issues with this type of stuff, because like, if you do the 23 and me and if you want to see if you have the gene for Alzheimer's, you have to hit like 15 different buttons to say yes, I actually do want to see that gene and see if I have it or not.

But four, they finally give you that information and I'm going to assume it's because people, you know, They might find out that they're more prone to get Alzheimer's and that could really impact them mentally on what their future might look like. And they might not want to put that type of situation on loved ones.

But you see that with other people too, who are looking to potentially have kids, but then they get their gene mapping back and then they find out stuff that they might not want to pass on a kid, so that maybe they forego not having kids, just because of that information. 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:21:18] True, but something like Alzheimer's is there's no direct link between a specific genetic mutation.

And also because there's a lot of factors, there is, there is the predisposition, so to say, but then there's also lifestyle. There is diet. There is, you know, like now they say, you know, exercise is, is, is a better medicine for Alzheimer's and a lot of medication, especially like dancing. And, but on the other hand, I do know someone who was tested.

So the father of the person was tested to be positive for some form of genetic disease that promotes colon cancer. Forget that I don't know exactly which it is. So two of his children got tested. One was fine, one and that having the genetic defect. So now she does already have a child, which, so she hasn't checked the child yet because it's a baby.

But now she's thinking she wants to have IVF for future children so she can screen out for the disease. And I actually can blame her for that, because that makes sense that like, so that kind of thing probably is not a bad idea because then you, you're taking a risk of exposing your children to potential really devastating disease.

There was actually a program I saw on TV about. Genetic stomach cancer in very young age. So there was a group of family where a mother and two daughters died from stomach cancer at the age of like 29, 35, something like that. And it was, and one of them still chose to have her children, no matter what.

And the other one actually decided not to just not to pass it on. They were both carriers. So it's a very, it's a very, it's a devastating, and it's very difficult choice that people do. But if we already have the information, I think we owe it to ourselves, to our children to do something proactive about it and not willingly knowingly past things that we'll tell them.

Yep. That might be a little too controversial for some people. But I happen to think that if I knew I had a disease like that, I would probably choose myself not to pass it on. Yup. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:23:42] It's kind of like, is it Huntington's that pretty much, if you have the gene, then it's almost a hundred percent that you're going to develop it.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:23:51] But the issue with Huntington's is because it doesn't show itself to later in life. It's a little too late for it to, by that time, people have already had children. So now we know about it and you can do it earlier. But before I think the reason that it kept propagating is because people lived long enough to reproduce without knowing.

So, so I think eventually it'll probably be, become extinct because it's not going to be. Now we know a lot about it and now we, we know what to do. Mm, 

Bryan Carroll: [00:24:27] well let's see if you could pick four important as snips that you would be looking at in a patient for proper detoxification. I know you mentioned a couple already.

Are there any other ones that you would want to talk about? 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:24:45] Well, well, first of all, the CYP one a that is the one that codes for cytochrome P four 50, the cytochrome P four 50 is an extremely important detox mechanism that we all have. That would probably be my number one. Jean Toluca. I would look at glutathione peroxidase because glutathione is an essential antioxidant and prevents oxidative damage.

I would look at diamond oxidase and histamine transference. Those are the two genes that cause people with allergies, a lot of grief, so that they're responsible for histamine breakdown in the body. And so when that mechanism is not working out, you're going to have a lot more allergies. And so if you do have that sort of weakness, there are certain things you should avoid, like drinking alcohol, for example, because that would make them feel worse.

So. One of the things too, I, I, I'm part of a sort of system, some kind of a Facebook group with people with high histamine reactions, I'm filing there, just because I'm curious to know what people are putting in. And a lot of people are very, very sensitive and they have issues with this food and that food.

And everybody's confused as to what they should be doing, what they should be taking. It's one of the support group. But there's some common things that, that, you know, you do not do when you have a high histamine reaction. And if you're genetically predisposed, you should not be eating, you know, shellfish, smoked fish things that are going to impact you.

Sorry. It's easier to prevent than they realize if they, if they actually did their genetic testing. The other one I would look at as the contingent, that that one is responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. And so they will be effective for, for our mood, but it is also important for detoxifying estradiol.

So comp, the gene is affected by. Folic acid folate, and it can cause buildup of unhealthy estrogen and Colton, familial, breast cancer and uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. And so that is an important gene that you want to make sure, you know, if you do have a problem with that, you want to take all the precautions and do take preventive measures.

To protect yourself from developed, from being susceptible to, you know, breast cancer, breast, cysts, variances, et cetera, and stuff like that. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:27:31] Perfect. And I know testing is a little bit different for you up in Canada than it is down in the States, but what are some good ways to test for these different snips?

I know you mentioned getting the raw data from 23andme is one option, but there's also other options out there. Well 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:27:50] in the U S there is a lot of companies that are offering DNA testing. There are some companies that sell vitamins that are awful. So DNA testing, I know current capsulations and designs for health, full pop DNA tests that they use.

Definitely pure encapsulation. Has they have a whole genomic. Section where they, you can get certain vitamins based on what your snips are. And so they're doing quite a bit of research that, that, that you can utilize our supplements based on your results. I know that the labs that do other testing, like urine heavy metals, they also do DNA testing.

I'm just trying to think of one. There is, I think it's called. I can't think right now, what it's called. I do use them for one of these two tests protocol called a GI map where they map genetics of the bacteria. That's in your gut. They also do general genetic tests, but I would just work with like your local co health advisor provider.

And I'm sure they can recommend something that they use. You don't want to just go and get one off Amazon. And then find out that you've spent three, 400, $500 for something that's not useful. Right? 23 and me in Canada, it's the most inexpensive task. It's like fairly, I should say cheap, but if you don't look at the raw data and if you don't have anyone to look at your own data, the information they provide, is there a limited, like, they're going to tell you, you have cardiovascular disease.

Predisposition or you don't have it. And then, you know, you, you may have diabetes. I find that is a useless information. Like, you know, any one of us could be having predisposition to diabetes. So what does that mean? I found that their information was not very useful and I was glad that I could get the role data so I could play with it myself.

And figure it out, actually got my son to do it too. And we were, we're still analyzing, it was interesting to look at his versus mine just because I was curious. But I wouldn't, I wouldn't advise just doing DNA tests out of the blue without talking to someone first because I have had patients who went and did it.

And then, then, then nothing. They didn't do anything with their results. They just spend the money and then use it in any way. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:30:26] Yep. And for the 23andme, they kind of hide the raw data. So if people just do a search for 20, 23 in me raw data, then they should find the link that takes you right to the page to download it.

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:30:38] You can ask them for, I eat. Is there, you can just download it, but it's not clearly. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:30:44] Nope. Yeah. So it's a, it's buried pretty far in, on the site. So it is there. You just got 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:30:51] to ask for it. I wouldn't know it wasn't available. Exactly. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:30:54] Yeah, yeah. Yep. Yep. Well that, is there any final things that you want to make sure that we cover when it comes to snips genes and detoxification?

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:31:05] I just want to point out that, you know, genetics, isn't, everything, your environment. It has a lot to do with it. Your ability to handle stress has a lot to do with it. Whether you sleep or you don't sleep. Will influence call you express your genes. So lifestyle and environment will cause your genes to be either expressed or suppressed.

And so you can always manipulate it to your advantage. So I don't think it's a death sentence. If your genes say that you're going to have some disease. Because they're always something you can, there's a lot of things you can do. You just need to know what to do and be proactive about it. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:31:46] Perfect. And what is your vision of what healthy looks like and what are three things you do daily to reach?

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:31:53] I think the definition of health fit is when you can. Sort of experienced life to, to the most and, and do whatever you want and not be sort of impacted by the ability or pain or, or some kind of a disability that precludes you from just enjoying your life to the fullest. And the three things that I would do to make sure that, that I get the best out of life is to make sure that I get enough sleep, that I eat organic food.

As much as I can help it drink clean filtered water, and, and you may not need to filter your water, but in Toronto, it's the idea you know, try and go on a holiday where you can get fresh air making sure you learn how to handle stress. The stress is the biggest detrimental health nowadays. Financial health, stress, relationship, stress, any kind of stress.

Again, learning how to handle stress will lead to a nice life, a healthier life overall. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:32:57] Perfect. Well, people can find [email protected] and that's www.naturalorapathyclinic.com. Are you on any social media channels as well? 

Dr. Elena Krasnov: [00:33:09] Yes, I do have an Instagram account under Dr. Elena crosstalk, and I do have a Facebook group for the Toronto naturopathic clinic.

It's not a Facebook group, sorry. It's a Facebook page where we post sort of latest advances with those quotes. We both food. What do you call it? Inspirational things, recipes, you know, sometimes I do a cooking video. Well, sometimes I have to train my patients as to how to eat and how not to eat.

And that, and so I post that on Instagram and Facebook. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:33:50] Perfect. Well, thank you so much for coming onto the show, talking about genes, detoxification, and a couple of the important snips that we should be looking for. I definitely appreciate it. Genes are absolutely fascinating and we have a long way to go to really understand them, but I'm, it's fun to see just the progression we've made in the last 18 years with it.

So thank you so much. Thank you for having me. I've said it before the work being done around genetics is absolutely amazing and I'm excited to see what can be possible in the future. We still have a long way to go to fully understand how all of this works, but we made great progress in 18 years. Next week I have Danny and the Hara on the show.

Let's go learn who he is. I am here with Danny and Hara. Hey, Danny, what is one unique thing about you that most people don't know? 

Danny: [00:34:39] The unique thing about me that most people don't know. I, I, some people think, Oh, he's has a PhD, yada, yada, yada, probably the thing I'm most proud of that most people don't know in my life is that I was the best man for four of my different close friends.

And we all kind of like hung out together and they all chose me just really strange, but I'm so proud and humbled by that. So it's kind of, kind of a weird quirk, I guess. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:35:04] Nice. Been to a lot of weddings, then 

Danny: [00:35:07] that's true. We won't talk about the rest of the story. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:35:12] Well, what will we be learning about in our interview together?

Danny: [00:35:16] Oh, insects, the beauty of insects, the beauty of plenty of bees, all the interactions, how to, how to love yourself in the ecosystem, how to make the bees be part of your life and the insects be part of your life. Just all, all putting a positive light on it all because it is all necessary and it's all beautiful.

Bryan Carroll: [00:35:33] And minus honeybees. What are your favorite insects? 

Danny: [00:35:36] Mine, honey honeybees. My favorite insects are probably praying mantises and I grew up watching Michael Jordan play basketball and he just had this pillar mentality. And when you watch a praying mantis stock it's prey. And then shoot his arms out with this lightning fast strike.

It is just phenomenal. And I S I used to do research where these little itty bitty baby mantises would jump off their little ledges and catch flies midair. Ah, they're just so efficient at what they do and very beautiful. 

Bryan Carroll: [00:36:05] What are your top three tips to protect our natural environment? The top 

Danny: [00:36:09] three tips to protect the natural environment?

I would say, you know, be part of it. Number one, because then you're going to see it more. You're going to be, you're going to care for it more. That's number one, absolutely. Number two, use as few pesticides, chemicals, electricity, any of that stuff as possible, all that stuff will contribute to less overall effects on the ecosystem.

And then the last one, probably the most important one is make sure that, you know, other people understand what you're doing. So educate other people about treating ecosystems properly. Get that next generation trained up so they can love our beautiful Pacific Northwest, our lush green everything's that we have around us.

Bryan Carroll: [00:36:46] So one year ago, I started with my own beehive at right when the world was shutting down. And within a couple months I had two hives. And by the end of the season, I was able to get 104 pounds of honey. It is an amazing experience working with bees. And I am excited to share this episode with you. So until next week, keep climbing to the peak of your health.