Mind & Matter

Michael Levin, a biologist and director at Tufts University, dives into the fascinating intersection of biology and mathematics. He discusses how bioelectric patterns guide tissue development, encoding anatomical information like memory. Levin explores the regeneration differences among species, attributing them to both genetic and bioelectric factors. He intriguingly posits that biology operates within a structured mathematical space, sparking a conversation on the implications for neuroscience and our understanding of intelligence.

Send us a textCellular clean up by immune cells and how early-life fructose exposure leads to neurodevelopmental problems.Episode Summary: Dr. Justin Perry talks about the body's constant cellular turnover—about 3 million cells die per second in adults (double in children and women)—handled by phagocytes like macrophages that engulf and digest debris to prevent diseases like lupus. They explore phagocytosis steps, macrophage adaptations in tissues like the brain (microglia), and how high fructose intake impairs microglial function in developing mice, leading to uncleared brain cells and anxiety-like behaviors, with implications for human neurodevelopmental disorders amid rising fructose consumption.About the guest: Justin Perry, PhD is an immunologist and clinical psychologist who leads a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center focusing on how the body clears dead cells and debris to maintain homeostasis.Discussion Points:The body turns over 1-2% of its 30 trillion cells daily, mostly blood cells, but neurons in kids and endometrium in women turnover at ~2x this ratePhagocytosis involves "find me," "eat me," and digestion signals; failures can cause autoimmunity.Microglia are brain macrophages that uptake fructose via GLUT5 transporter.Early high fructose exposure (comparable to one soda daily) impairs the pruning of synapses and dead neurons.In mice, prenatal or postnatal fructose causes phagocytosis deficits in the prefrontal cortex, leading to heightened fear responses and poor fear extinction, mimicking anxiety disorders.Fructose correlates with rising neurodevelopmental issues like autism and anxiety; it's passed via breast milk, and liquid forms (e.g., sodas) overwhelm metabolic shields more than solid fruits.Macrophages may hold keys to diseases from atherosclerosis to cancer; deleting GLUT5 in microglia reverses fructose's effects, hinting at evolutionary roles in aging or low-oxygen states.Related content:M&M 215: Cancer Metabolism: Sugar, Fructose, Lipids & Fasting | Gary PattiArticle | Dietary Fructose & Metabolic Health: An Evolutionary PerspectiveReference Paper:Study | Early life high fructose impairs microglial phagocytosis and neurodevelopmentSupport the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textThe potential link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and autism, with a surprise phone call from RFK partway through.Episode Summary: Dr. William Parker talks about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its rising prevalence since the 1980s, and the controversial hypothesis that acetaminophen exposure in susceptible infants and children triggers most cases via oxidative stress. They discuss ASD's clinical definition; historical misconceptions like the "refrigerator mother" theory; genetic susceptibilities; acetaminophen's metabolism, which produces toxic byproducts in underdeveloped livers, leading to brain effects.About the guest: William Parker, PhD spent nearly 30 years as a professor at Duke University researching underlying causes of chronic conditions, including discovering the immune function of the human appendix and pioneering studies on immune systems in wild animals.Discussion Points:Autism is a spectrum disorder with core symptoms like social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and aversion to new stimuli.Parker argues overwhelming evidence points to acetaminophen as the primary trigger in susceptible individuals, causing oxidative stress via toxic metabolite NAPQI.Acetaminophen, marketed as Tylenol or paracetamol, was not tested for neurodevelopmental effects in neonatal animals until 2014, despite widespread use since 1886; it's metabolized differently in babies, whose livers lack mature detox pathways.Susceptibility factors include low glutathione (an antioxidant), poor sulfation/glucuronidation metabolism, folate receptor autoantibodies, and events like immune reactions that prompt acetaminophen use during oxidative stress.Regressive autism, where children lose milestones after seeming normal, often follows acetaminophen given for fevers or illnesses, explaining parental vaccine suspicions (as shots coincide with drug use).Adult acetaminophen is generally safe but causes liver toxicity in overdoses or with alcohol; antidote is NAC to boost glutathione.Parker has suggested to policymakers that we should avoid acetaminophen during pregnancy, birth, and early childhood (under age 3-5); parents should plan ahead for fevers/pain without it, but seek medical help for unusual symptoms.*Not medical advice.Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Dr. Uffe Ravnskov, a pioneering physician and independent researcher, challenges the long-held belief that high cholesterol is harmful. He reveals how LDL cholesterol actually aids the immune system by binding to bacteria and protecting against infections. Ravnskov discusses research biases in statins, the benefits of high cholesterol for the elderly, and critiques common misconceptions surrounding familial hypercholesterolemia. With over 200 papers to his name, his insights question the foundations of modern cholesterol management.

Dr. William Parker, a former Duke University immunologist and current scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, discusses the surprising benefits of the appendix and the role of 'good' parasites like helminths in immune health. He argues that modern hygiene practices may lead to hypersensitive immune systems, resulting in allergies and autoimmune disorders. Dr. Parker also explores self-therapy using helminths for conditions like MS and depression, unveiling a possible link between parasitic infections and milder COVID-19 impacts in low-income regions.

Giovanni Marsicano, a neuroscientist leading research on the endocannabinoid system in Bordeaux, shares fascinating insights into the complexities of the CB1 receptor. He explains how the endocannabinoid system helps regulate energy storage and influences appetite, highlighting its evolutionary role in fat accumulation during uncertain times. Marsicano discusses the biphasic effects of cannabinoids on various cell types and the powerful impact of diet, particularly omega-6 fatty acids, on endocannabinoid production and health.

Tucker Goodrich, an engineer and independent researcher dedicated to nutrition and metabolic health, dives deep into the controversial impacts of seed oils and polyunsaturated fats. He critiques the traditional view linking high LDL cholesterol to heart disease, arguing that oxidized LDL from seed oils drives plaque formation and inflammation instead. The conversation touches on the flawed reliance on animal studies and highlights how reducing seed oil intake can be more beneficial than merely lowering cholesterol. Historical dietary patterns and their health impacts are also key topics in this insightful discussion.

Herman Pontzer, a professor at Duke University and author of 'Burn' and 'Adaptable,' discusses the fascinating evolution of human metabolism. He explains how humans burn 20% more energy than other primates, allowing for larger brains and longer lives. The conversation covers how our diet has shifted over time, the impact of ultra-processed foods on obesity, and the intriguing metabolic dynamics of hunter-gatherers versus sedentary lifestyles. Pontzer also addresses the role of exercise in weight management and the potential of new weight loss drugs.

In this discussion, Robert Fosbury, a retired astrophysicist from the European Space Agency, delves into the deep connection between sunlight and life. He explains how near-infrared light affects mitochondrial function and metabolism, emphasizing the negative health impacts of modern artificial lighting. Fosbury draws fascinating parallels between stellar phenomena and biological processes, advocating for natural light environments to enhance well-being. His insights challenge conventional views, urging a return to the sun as a critical resource for health and design.

Send us a textHow brain synapses work and fuel themselves with fat.Episode Summary: Dr. Timothy Ryan talks about the high energy costs of synapses, the role of mitochondria and glycolysis, and challenge the long-held view that the brain relies solely on glucose by discussing new evidence that neurons burn fats from lipid droplets for fuel, especially during activity. The talk touches on metabolic flexibility, links to epilepsy treatments like ketogenic diets, neurodegenerative diseases, and future research on brain energy sources.About the guest: Timothy Ryan, PhD is a professor of biochemistry at Cornell University. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission, particularly vesicle recycling and the bioenergetics that power neural communication. Discussion Points:Synapses are tiny structures with ~100 vesicles per site (on average), converting electrical signals to chemical ones.Brain tissue is energy-hungry due to trillions of synapses (in humans), relying on local mitochondria (present in only ~half of synapses) and glycolysis.Vesicles use proton pumps and transporters to concentrate neurotransmitters, requiring ATP to maintain gradients.Neurons are metabolically fragile; cutting fuel supply quickly impairs synapses.Dogma held brains don't burn fats, but new work shows neurons form lipid droplets (fat stores) that are invisible because constantly used for energy via beta-oxidation.Silencing neurons builds lipid droplets like resting muscle; activity speeds their breakdown, indicating demand-driven fat use.Inhibiting neuron-specific fat-processing enzymes accumulates droplets and induces torpor (hibernation-like state) in animals, signaling metabolic stress.Ketogenic diets aid epilepsy by shifting to ketones; fats may explain this, with potential ties to aging and neurodegeneration like Alzheimer's.Brain may be a "hybrid" fuel user (glucose + fats), with open questions on fat sources and roles in cognition or disease protection.Related episode:M&M 158: Ketosis & Ketogenic Diet: Brain & Mental Health, Metabolism, Diet & Exercise, Cancer, Diabetes | Dominic D'Agostino*Not medical advice.Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts