Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast DR. ERIC TREXLER: HOW YOUR METABOLISM ADJUSTS DURING WEIGHT LOSS & THE MOST EXTREME ACCOUNTS OF METABOLIC ADAPTATION EVER SEEN | EP. 169
Jul 2, 2025
Dr. Eric Trexler, a researcher and science communicator, dives into the fascinating world of metabolic adaptation. He dispels common myths about metabolism, such as the idea that a slow metabolism hinders fat loss. Trexler explains how our bodies adjust calories, hormones, and hunger during weight loss phases. He shares extreme case studies like the Minnesota starvation experiment and discusses how these insights can be applied to everyday weight loss journeys. This lively conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone facing weight management challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Adaptation Is Normal And Bidirectional
- Metabolic adaptation is a normal, adaptive response to changes in energy intake and bodyweight.
- The body downregulates expenditure in a deficit and upregulates it with increased intake or weight gain.
Research Sparked By A Brutal Prep
- Eric Trexler began researching metabolic adaptation after personally experiencing extreme hunger and low calories during a contest prep.
- His lived prep experience in 2013 sparked a decade-long research focus on dieting physiology.
NEAT Drives Most Adaptive Drops
- Total daily energy expenditure can drop over 25% during large weight loss efforts.
- Much of this drop is due to reductions in non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and increased movement efficiency.