600: The Nutrition Scientist Who Says We've Been Thinking About Food All Wrong | Dariush Mozaffarian, MD

Nutrition science is shifting from reductionist metrics like calorie counting and macronutrient ratios toward a holistic focus on food quality and biological impact. Cardiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian argues that chronic disease stems more from a lack of nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods than from overconsumption of specific fats or proteins. Refined starches—often overlooked in favor of sugar—function as hidden metabolic disruptors, while ultra-processed foods hijack biological signaling, suppress resting energy expenditure, and alter gut microbiome function. Obesity is primarily a biological consequence of this toxic food environment rather than a failure of individual willpower. True health requires prioritizing whole, protective foods like fish, nuts, and fermented dairy, while recognizing that protein intake beyond muscle-building requirements provides no additional metabolic benefit and may be counterproductive.