Today we have Dr. Benjamin Bikman on the Keto Kamp Podcast. Dr. Bikman is a biomedical scientist, professor, and expert on insulin resistance.

Dr. Benjamin Bikman studies diabetes and obesity, and much of what he focuses on is a seemingly obscure condition called insulin resistance. But it’s, in fact, not very obscure at all. Half of all adults in the U.S. have insulin resistance. That means you could have it too, and you don’t know it.

What is insulin resistance? Why did Dr. Benjamin Bikman devote his career to studying something like this? Well, insulin resistance is essentially two things. First of all, some cells in your body aren’t responding very well to the hormone insulin. Second, you have more insulin than you did before, a condition called hyperinsulinemia.

Insulin resistance is at the root of virtually every chronic disease. If we go through the chronic diseases that are killing us today, things like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and certain cancers, what they all have in common is insulin resistance. To varying degrees, insulin resistance is either causing the problem or making it worse.

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Who Can You Trust When It Comes To Experts In The Health Space?

If the person we're seeking to learn from uses derogatory language when speaking about those with whom they disagree, that is the sign of a petty person. Experts should have discussions politely and respectfully and acknowledge that there is room for disagreement. There ought to be a degree of skepticism that we apply to every authority. We should challenge that authority to some degree. There are people with Ph.D. degrees who we shouldn’t trust. Overall, we should always be on our own journey to understand what is accurate and true.

A Basic Understanding of Ketosis

Ketosis is the state where blood ketones are elevated, but pH is normal. Every human has some amount of ketones, even if it's below the detection level on commonly used devices. When you’re in ketosis, you will have a detectable level of ketones on a moderately used device and yet pH is not changing. Ketones have the potential to make the body more acidic. When someone's in ketosis, the amount of hydrogens coming off the ketone is relatively modest. Within the blood, there are numerous buffering mechanisms. That way, your body will defend its pH range. Overall, ketones are fat-burning products; when insulin is low, the body will burn fat at a high rate.

Ketones Are Energetic Molecules; Plus, Ketones Are Signaling Molecules

Ketones are energetic molecules roughly similar to the calories you get from glucose. Plus, ketones are signaling molecules. If a ketone is being used as a fuel, it will come to a cell. Then the ketone will get shuttled into the cell through an MCT (monocarboxylate transporter). When the mitochondria have a lot of pressure to be burning molecules, they get the signal that they need more mitochondria. Fatty acids can have the same effect. When a cell is burning a lot of fatty acids for fuel, it will start stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis.

Why The Laws of Thermodynamics Are Misleading Regarding Weight Loss

People are producing ketones and breathing out ketones, and urinating them out. Remember, ketones have a caloric value. Calories matter, but don’t worry about them. Let the calories take care of themselves. Invoking the laws of thermodynamics in nutrition and human metabolism was one of the greatest tragedies in the history of human-relevant science. It absolutely misled us and made us demonize fat and embrace carbohydrates. Hormones matter at least as much as calories because hormones tell the body's cells what to do with the available calories.

The Problems With Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance

Metabolic syndrome used to be called insulin resistance syndrome. Insulin resistance is the single most common problem in the US and abroad. Plus, insulin resistance is relevant to virtually every chronic disease. Covid has only made metabolic problems worse. Luckily, keto and intermittent fasting can help lower insulin. Remember, there is no insulin resistance without elevated insulin. Lowering insulin is a perfect way to help the body become more sensitive to it. If no nutrients are coming into the blood, insulin starts running out of nutrients in the blood that it can store away. So, insulin comes down when nutrients aren’t coming into the blood. Fasting is the best way to lower your insulin and reverse metabolic syndrome.

What We Talked About:

[23:55] Who can you trust when it comes to experts in the health space?

[26:30] A basic understanding of ketosis

[34:40] Ketones are energetic molecules; plus, ketones are signaling molecules

[44:00] Why the laws of thermodynamics are misleading regarding weight loss

[49:00] The problems with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

[1:06:15] Question and Answers

[1:18:15] Tip of The Day From Alina

[1:23:15] The biggest takeaways from Dr. Ben Bikman

[1:26:15] Homework assignment for session 3

Resources From This Episode:

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast including Ben Azadi disclaim responsibility from any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not accept responsibility of statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or non-direct interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.

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