337: The Evolution of “Keto,” & How Ketones Fight Inflammation & Disease with Dr. Michael Wool
Jul 31, 2024
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Dr. Michael Wool, a seasoned internist and researcher, discusses the fascinating role of ketones in fighting inflammation and various diseases. He sheds light on the evolution of the ketogenic diet, tracing its journey from epilepsy treatment to a cultural phenomenon. The conversation delves into the science behind sugar-driven systems versus ketosis, and the cellular mechanisms of obesity. Dr. Wool also addresses the therapeutic potential of ketones for brain health, highlighting their advantages in energy production and cognitive support.
Understanding ketosis reveals its potential in enhancing metabolic function and reducing inflammation for improved health outcomes.
Exogenous ketones provide a rapid alternative to achieve elevated blood ketone levels, offering therapeutic benefits for obesity and neurodegenerative disorders.
Deep dives
Understanding Ketosis and Its Benefits
Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body primarily uses ketones for energy instead of glucose. This process occurs during fasting or a low-carbohydrate diet, leading to various health benefits. It has been shown to help with weight management, reduce inflammation, and improve mental clarity and cognitive function. A key aspect of ketosis is its role as a signaling molecule, which can help regulate cellular interactions, enhancing overall health.
The Role of Exogenous Ketones
Exogenous ketones are supplemental ketones taken to elevate blood ketone levels quickly, providing a convenient alternative to strict dietary measures. They can raise ketone levels in a matter of minutes, offering benefits for energy production without the need for a prolonged ketogenic diet. These ketones may offer therapeutic potential for various health issues, including obesity and neurodegenerative disorders, by improving metabolic function and reducing inflammation. Furthermore, the safety and efficacy of combining exogenous ketones with other treatments, like semaglutides, are being explored as a means to enhance weight loss and improve metabolic health.
Cellular Communication and Health Implications
Cell signaling is crucial in maintaining health, and disturbances can lead to conditions like obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. In obesity, larger fat cells release inflammatory signals that hinder effective communication between cells, contributing to chronic diseases. Conversely, ketones can improve this cellular communication, leading to better health outcomes by enhancing energy production and reducing inflammation in the body. It is essential to understand how nutritional choices, such as those involving ketones, can impact these cellular processes.
Fasting and Its Historical Context
Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years across various cultures, initially recognized for its health benefits in ancient Greek and Chinese medicine. Modern research reveals that fasting promotes ketosis, recognized in the early 20th century for its efficacy in treating epilepsy. The resurgence of interest in ketogenic diets and their physiological impacts has grown, particularly as the negative effects of a high-carbohydrate diet become more apparent. This evolution reflects a shift toward understanding our ancestral diets and their implications for contemporary health.
Dr. Michael Wool is a board-certified internist with Cedars-Sinai and a faculty member at UCLA and UCSF Medical Schools. With 35 years of HIV clinical research, multiple U.S. patents, and experience building and selling multiple medical companies, Dr. Wool has focused his efforts on studying ketones and their role in fighting deadly inflammation, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, and other health outcomes. He joins the show to discuss what happens when our systems are being driven by sugar vs. ketones, understanding true ketosis, the evolution of “keto” in popular culture and science, how obesity works at a cellular level, how ketones treat obesity, inflammation, and other diseases, how to supplement with exogenous ketones and more.
Check out Keto5, the exogenous ketones Dr. Michael Wool backs (he is the CEO).
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