520. Is Your Diet Killing You? | Dr. Benjamin Bikman
Feb 10, 2025
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Dr. Benjamin Bikman, a bestselling author and bioenergetics Ph.D., dives deep into the insulin resistance epidemic affecting America. He unpacks the crisis of sugar addiction and its neurological impacts, discussing how high carbohydrate diets contribute to serious health issues. They explore the inefficacies of current dietary guidelines and the need for better public health education. With insights on ketogenic diets and metabolic health, Bikman highlights revolutionary approaches to combat chronic diseases, including practical solutions for sustainable dietary changes.
Excess carbohydrate intake is a major factor in the epidemic of insulin resistance, leading to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Reducing sugar and carbohydrates is critical for reversing metabolic dysfunction and improving overall health, supporting the link between diet and chronic illness.
Reevaluating flawed dietary guidelines is essential, as past recommendations have contributed to the obesity crisis and misinformation around nutrition.
Deep dives
The Impact of Carbohydrates on Health
Excess carbohydrate intake is identified as a significant contributor to various health issues, particularly insulin resistance. This condition, which arises when insulin becomes ineffective at managing sugar levels, can lead to a cascade of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The discussion highlights how carbohydrates are rapidly converted into sugars, leading to metabolic disturbances that affect the entire body. Ultimately, reducing sugar and carbohydrate consumption can potentially reverse numerous health problems linked to metabolic dysfunction.
Insulin Resistance and Associated Diseases
Insulin resistance is described as a common metabolic disorder associated with serious health complications such as heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and reproductive issues. When insulin levels are chronically elevated due to excessive carbohydrate consumption, cells become desensitized, impairing their ability to respond effectively. This results in conditions like hypertension and fatty liver disease, emphasizing the interconnectedness of metabolic health with overall well-being. The insight suggests that targeting insulin resistance through dietary changes can have profound effects on reducing these health risks.
The Role of Diet in Preventing Chronic Illness
A diet low in carbohydrates is presented as a primary strategy to combat insulin resistance and related health issues. Shifting dietary habits away from high-sugar and processed foods can not only improve insulin sensitivity but can also support weight management and overall health. The conversation includes examples of individuals experiencing significant improvements in their health by reducing their carbohydrate intake. This approach advocates for a fundamental change in how society views diet and nutrition concerning chronic illnesses.
The Consequences of Government Dietary Guidelines
Critique of past dietary guidelines, particularly the food pyramid, reveals how government recommendations have contributed to the obesity and diabetes epidemics. The original guidelines emphasized high carbohydrate intake while demonizing fats and proteins, fundamentally misguiding public health. This flawed approach has resulted in widespread misinformation about nutrition, prompting detrimental consequences for individual and societal health. The discussion stresses the need for a reevaluation of dietary guidelines to align with contemporary understandings of nutrition and metabolic health.
The Connection Between Insulin and Mental Health
Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are increasingly linked to metabolic health, particularly insulin resistance. Increased inflammation and metabolic dysfunction can contribute to the development of mood disorders, suggesting a biological basis for these conditions. A ketogenic or low-carb diet has shown promise in alleviating some symptoms associated with mental health disorders due to the stabilizing effect it has on insulin levels. This connection underscores the importance of dietary interventions not just for physical health but for mental well-being as well.
Long-term Health and Nutritional Independence
Emphasizing a sustainable approach to health, the conversation highlights the importance of nutrition in maintaining overall well-being and longevity. The need for an educational shift that empowers individuals to take control of their health through dietary choices is a recurring theme. By focusing on macros rather than just calories and avoiding processed foods, individuals can improve their metabolic health and reduce reliance on medications. This perspective advocates for a proactive approach to health that prioritizes dietary quality over quantity.
Jordan Peterson sits down with bestselling author and bioenergetics Ph.D., Dr. Benjamin Bikman. They discuss the epidemic of insulin resistance in America and its profound effects on health, the sugar addiction crisis, how dopamine hijacks your brain, how to navigate the American diet, and the potential to fix it invitationally from the top down over the next four years.
Benjamin Bikman earned a Ph.D. in bioenergetics at East Carolina University with a focus on the adaptations to metabolic surgeries in obesity. He continued to explore metabolic disorders, with a particular focus on insulin resistance, as a postdoctoral fellow at the Duke-National University of Singapore. As a professor at Brigham Young University and the director of its Diabetes Research Lab, Dr. Bikman has continued to study insulin, including its role as a regulator of human metabolism, as well as insulin’s relevance in chronic disease. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Bikman actively serves as a research mentor to undergraduate and graduate students. He and his students frequently present and publish their findings.
This episode was filmed on January 27th, 2025.
| Links |
For Dr. Benjamin Bikman:
Website https://www.benbikman.com/
On X https://x.com/BenBikmanPhD?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benbikmanphd/?hl=en
On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@benbikman
Read Dr. Bikman’s most recent book, “How Not to Get Sick: A Cookbook and Guide to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance, Lose Weight, and Fight Chronic Disease” https://a.co/d/iPrxgTE
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