Optimum LifeStreams is all about healthy eating and living, organics and good food choices. Life enhancement expert Allan Hunkin and leading authorities and specialists discuss the latest research on, diet and weight management, longevity, nutrition, performance enhancement and right food choices. Sponsored by Natures' Path Foods (http://www.naturespath.com) makers of premium organic cereals, breads and other fine foods.

What does it take in food, training and conditioning to 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights? What does it take to run accros Death Valley in 126 degree temperatures, and run a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. What kind of body does one need to have to swim across the San Francisco Bay, scale Half Dome in Yosemite and mountain-bike for 24-hours straight.? Dean Karnazes knows. He has done all this and more. Men's Fitness Magazine says "Dean Karnazes might just be the fittest man in the world!" On seven different occasions, he's run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve. Dean is a Ten-time Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run Silver Buckle winner, has competed across the globe, and is the 2004 Badwater Ultramarathon champion, considered: 'The World's Toughest Footrace.' We talk with Dean about these extrodinary accomplishments and how he fuels his body and mind to do what he does. Dean is sponsored in part by Nature's Path Foods and he consumes Nature's Path foods for energy.

Surely no member of the vegetable kingdom has ever been more misunderstood than hemp. For too many years, emotion-not reason-has guided our policy toward this crop. And nowhere have emotions run hotter than in the debate over the distinction between industrial hemp and marijuana. This pdocast is intended to inform you on the true facts around hemp so you can distinguish between myth and reality. We talk with Charles Tremewen, Andrew Weil, Dr. Brian Becker and Adam Edinger about hemp and why it is such a terrific food plus the latest on regulations regarding hemp.

What are organics, and why are they so important in helping us to maintain good health? Dag Falck, Organic Program Manager for Nature's Path Foods Inc., talks about how to consumers can make the shift to a primarily organic diet. He also describes the issues facing organic farmers, and how Nature's Path is working with them to maintain the integrity of this rapidly growing industry.

Melanie McQuaid, a three-time Xterra champion and triathlete, talks about her sport, her training, and the food she uses to fuel her body for success. Originally from Victoria, BC, Melanie has raced at the highest level and has represented Canada at 10 World Championships for three different events, taking top spot to become World Champion in 2003. She understands the importance of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, in order to ensure she always attains peak performance. Listen here to find out how she does it, and how you can make the right choices to stay at the top of your game.

Nutritionists and Health Experts everywhere are telling us we need to eat a lot more whole grains to be healthy in the 21st Century. What are whole grains and why are they so important to our diet? Charles Tremewen and Maria Emmer-Aanes, both of Nature's Path Foods, share with us their knowledge of whole grains and how whole grains they help us cope with a hectic lifestyle. Our featured guest today is K. Dun Gifford, head of the Oldways Preservation Trust and founder of the Whole Grains Council. Dun is a expert on whole grains and responsible for a number of nation wide initiatives to help us make healthier food choices.

Our special guest is Dr. David Katz MD, MPH, is one of the nation's foremost authorities on nutrition, weight control, and the prevention of chronic disease. He is co-founder and director of Yale's Prevention Research Center, medical correspondent for ABC News, nutrition columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine, and the author of a syndicated health/nutrition column for the New York Times. Allan Hunkin talks with Dr. Katz about a lifestyle based upon flavor point management and other information contained in Dr. Katz's new book "The Flavor Point Diet."