Longevity Secrets Revealed: Mediterranean Diet Surprises with Dr. Artemis Morris

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most studied diets in the world, and the modern version may be missing one of its most important pieces.   What if the version you know leaves out part of what made it work in the first place? On Own Your Heart Health, host Dr. Regina Druz sits down with Dr. Artemis Morris, naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and co-author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Dummies, to explore what the traditional Mediterranean diet looked like before it became a modern wellness label. Dr. Morris grew up in a Mediterranean household with Cretan family roots, conducted an ethnographic study in Crete, and interviewed people who lived during the era of the original Seven Countries Study. What she found adds a deeper layer to the way most people understand this diet.   The missing piece is wild edible plants. Dandelion greens, chicory, wild amaranth, and other foraged greens were part of the traditional diet and, according to Dr. Morris, contain higher antioxidant and polyphenol content than cultivated plants. They were free, local, and woven into everyday eating, as long as they came from clean soil and were not sprayed with toxins. Dr. Morris explains what they are, where people traditionally found them, and how they were prepared with extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and the mineral-rich cooking liquid.   Dr. Morris also takes a closer look at extra virgin olive oil. Dr. Morris makes the case for thinking of it as a nutraceutical with real clinical value, not merely a kitchen staple. You will learn how much she recommends each day, why “cold-pressed” is not the strongest marker of quality, and how to build a three-tier olive oil system at home based on quality, polyphenol content, and use.   If you want to eat in a way that supports heart health and longevity, this episode brings the Mediterranean diet back to its real foundation.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Artemis Morris and Her Mediterranean Roots 06:55 The Therapeutic Order: Why Naturopathic Medicine Starts with Nutritional Foundation 16:24 Stress, Spirituality, and the Hidden Side of Heart Health 20:06 The Secret of the Traditional Mediterranean Diet: Wild Edible Plants 24:08 What Is an Ethnographic Study and What Did Dr. Morris Find in Crete? 33:13 How to Choose High-Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil 37:34 The Three-Tier Olive Oil System for Home Use 41:21 Why Eating Patterns and Personalization Matter More Than Specific Foods 46:28 A Practical Mediterranean Diet Checklist for Better Heart Health   Connect with Dr. Artemis Morris: Dr. Morris Olive Oil Resource    Links: Schedule a Discovery Call Access Courses and Events Get Heartwell Toolkits Schedule a Business Meeting   Connect with Dr. Regina Druz: Visit the Holistic Heart Centers website Follow Holistic Heart Centers on Facebook Follow Holistic Heart Centers on X Subscribe to Dr. Regina on YouTube Follow Dr. Regina on Instagram Follow Dr. Regina on TikTok Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm