TMHS 825: How Your BRAIN and GUT Control Calories in Your Body
Sep 11, 2024
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In a compelling discussion with Dr. Michael Beckwith, a renowned health and wellness expert, the podcast challenges conventional calorie counting. They dive into how the brain-gut connection influences metabolism and highlight the importance of food quality over calorie quantity. Beckwith reveals fascinating insights on neuroinflammation, insulin resistance, and the power of belief. The conversation also touches on hydration, omega-3 benefits, and how perceptions affect dietary choices, paving the way for a holistic approach to health.
The podcast challenges the traditional approach of calorie counting by highlighting the importance of epicaloric controllers that affect metabolism and nutrient absorption.
It underscores the vital role of gut microbiomes in weight management, showing that individual variations can significantly influence how calories are processed.
The discussion on neuroinflammation reveals its detrimental effects on both obesity and mental health, emphasizing the need for lifestyle changes to mitigate these issues.
Deep dives
The Dynamic Nature of Caloric Absorption
The podcast emphasizes that the human body is not just a simple caloric calculator; rather, it operates like a complex chemistry lab. It highlights the idea that contrary to the traditional view of calorie counting, not all calories consumed are effectively absorbed or used by the body. A significant factor in this process is the presence of epicaloric controllers, which influence how calories are utilized based on various factors including food quality and gut health. For example, consuming highly processed foods can lead to reduced caloric expenditure, showing that the quality of calories matters as much as the quantity.
The Role of the Gut Microbiome
The podcast discusses the impact of gut bacteria on health and weight management, indicating that individuals with different gut microbiomes process food in distinct ways. It presents research showing that even identical twins, who have the same genetic makeup and diet, can experience varying rates of obesity based on their unique gut bacteria. The influence of gut microbiomes on caloric absorption underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced microbial community for optimal health. This highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how our gut health can affect weight and overall well-being.
Mental Health and Natural Alternatives
The podcast points out the alarming rise in mental health challenges and the importance of addressing root causes beyond just medication. It introduces saffron, a natural supplement that has been shown to be as effective as conventional antidepressants while having fewer side effects. This highlights the potential for alternative treatments in mental health management, suggesting that integrative approaches could provide significant benefits. The discussion reinforces the idea that awareness of natural options can empower individuals to improve their mental health.
Neuroinflammation and Its Consequences
The impact of neuroinflammation on obesity and mental health is addressed, revealing the cyclical relationship between brain health and obesity. Research indicates that inflammation in the brain can lead to increased visceral fat and insulin resistance, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates both conditions. By understanding this relationship, one can see the importance of reducing brain inflammation through lifestyle choices like nutrition and hydration. The podcast stresses that addressing neuroinflammation is crucial for preventing obesity-related health issues.
The Psychological Influence of Food Choices
The podcast highlights how our perceptions of food directly influence our physiological responses and, ultimately, our health. It introduces a study where the same milkshake was presented with different labels that affected participants' hormonal responses, showing that beliefs about food impact hunger and satisfaction levels. This suggests that a positive belief system surrounding food can lead to better health outcomes. It emphasizes the need for awareness of how food perceptions can drive our eating behaviors and overall mindset regarding health.
For decades, counting calories has been revered as the number one way to control your weight. But what’s missing from this conversation is all of the other important factors that can influence the way your metabolism assimilates nutrients and calories. On today’s show, you’re going to learn about some of these powerful epicaloric controllers and how they impact your health, metabolism, and weight.
This episode of The Model Health Show is my interview with friend of the show, Dr. Michael Beckwith, on his new podcast, Take Back Your Mind. You’re going to learn the truth about calories, what’s going on with the widespread epidemics of neuroinflammation and diabetes, and how your brain and your gut can directly impact the way your body processes calories.
This conversation also covers important topics like the top inputs for better brain health, the critical role your psychology and your perception play when it comes to diet, and the truth about saturated fat. So just click play to learn all of this, and more!
In this episode you’ll discover:
The truth about calories.
How metabolism can vary person to person
What epicaloric controllers are.
How the human body processes whole food vs. processed food.
Why the invention of calorie counting is tied to food morality.
The fascinating science behind the epidemic of neuroinflammation.
How insulin resistance is connected to inflammation in the brain.
The relationship between your microbiome and your metabolism.
How our psychology impacts our food choices.
What the fields of psychiatry and psychology are overlooking.
How your perception can affect your hormones and metabolism.
Why insulin resistance is tied to Alzheimer’s disease.
How your hydration levels impact your brain.
The #1 thing we can learn about the human diet from babies.
This episode of The Model Health Show is brought to you by Organifi and Pique.
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Go to Piquelife.com/model for exclusive savings on bundles & subscriptions on cutting-edge solutions for your head-to-toe health and beauty transformation.
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