The Metabolic Link

When veterinarian Dr. Loren Nations lost his wife to aggressive cancer despite the best conventional treatments, he didn't just grieve—he revolutionized his entire approach to medicine. In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Nations reveals how tragedy led him to discover that our pets are experiencing metabolic disease at rates even higher than humans, with 61% of cats and 59% of dogs now obese.Dr. Loren Nations is a board-certified veterinarian with over 30 years of experience. He's the founder of Veterinary Healthcare Associates, Ascend Vets, and Neoteric, pioneering the integration of ketogenic nutrition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and metabolic medicine into veterinary care.Questions Answered in This Episode:What metabolic-based therapies are you using alongside standard care, and which have proven most effective?Can dogs and cats safely eat ketogenic diets without developing pancreatitis?How do you approach gut healing in pets, and what specific strategies or supplements do you use beyond nutrition?What happens when you treat pet cancer with metabolic therapies instead of just conventional oncology?What can veterinary medicine teach us about human metabolic health?This conversation bridges two worlds we rarely see connected—showing how the metabolic principles transforming human health apply equally to our animal companions, and how healing our pets might just teach us to heal ourselves.Join us on November 12th for a live Q&A with Dr. Nations on The Metabolic Initiative.Neoterric: Find Dr. Nations' online education for pet parents here.Veterinary Healthcare Associates: Learn about Dr. Nations' animal hospital here.KetoPet: Read scientific articles on the ketogenic diet for pets here.Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode:✅Genova Connect – Get 15% off any test kit with code METABOLICLINK here!✅ iRestore - Get a huge discount on the iRestore Illumina Face Mask when you use the code METABOLICLINK here✅Piquelife.com - Get the Pu'er Bundle for 20% off here.In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

What if the food you eat could change the way you breathe at night? In this episode, recorded live at The Metabolic Health Summit, Dr. Jonathan Jun reveals how metabolism and sleep-disordered breathing are deeply connected, and why shifting from carbs to fat might improve more than just your waistline.Dr. Jonathan Jun, a leading researcher on obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), walks us through the groundbreaking KETOHS trial, where a ketogenic diet was tested for its effects on carbon dioxide retention, sleep apnea severity, and metabolic health. The findings suggest ketosis may do more than promote weight loss - it could directly enhance respiratory efficiency and sleep quality in patients with OHS and OSA.From a long-forgotten 1976 fasting study to modern clinical data, this lecture reframes the connection between diet, breathing, and metabolism, revealing how nutritional ketosis might transform respiratory and metabolic medicine.Questions Answered in This Episode:Why does fuel choice (carbs vs. fat) matter for breathing in people with sleep-disordered breathing?What exactly happens in obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), and why is it more dangerous than OSA alone?Why did a 1976 starvation ketosis study inspire modern trials on ketogenic diets for OSA/OHS?How was the KETOHS trial designed to isolate the effects of ketosis itself (not just weight loss)?Can a ketogenic diet improve sleep apnea severity even without CPAP therapy?Is the improvement in CO₂ clearance explained only by weight loss, or something else?What metabolic changes accompany ketogenic therapy in this context?This episode will change the way you see the link between diet and breathing, and may open new doors for treating some of the toughest sleep and metabolic disorders.Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode:✅Genova Connect – Get 15% off any test kit with code METABOLICLINK here. ✅ ZocDoc - Find and instantly book a top-rated doctor here.✅ Fatty15 – Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit with code METABOLICLINK here.In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a board-certified internist and obesity medicine specialist, discusses revolutionary ideas about food addiction. He delves into whether food addiction should be classified as a true addiction and shares insights from his TOWARD intervention, revealing that nearly half of participants saw reduced addiction symptoms. The conversation covers the compelling links between dopamine signaling, ultra-processed foods, and the difficulties of treatment. Tro also highlights the importance of scalable, real-world solutions for overcoming food-related compulsions.

Dr. Andy Galpin, a human performance scientist with a PhD in Human Bioenergetics, dives into the vital role of muscle as metabolic armor. He discusses the synergy between muscle mass, cardio fitness, and bone density in promoting longevity. Listeners learn when fasted training benefits women, how kids can safely engage in resistance training, and myths about strength training. Galpin also shares personalized strategies for recovery and emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches for women, particularly concerning hormonal influences and metabolic health.

Dr. Cameron Chesnut, a facial plastic surgeon known for his innovative approach, discusses how he revolutionizes recovery in plastic surgery through metabolic science. He reveals the benefits of ketones and hyperbaric oxygen for faster healing and emphasizes the elimination of opioids post-surgery. Chesnut also shares insights on optimizing recovery with nutrition, advanced anesthetic techniques, and regenerative therapies like red light and fat grafting enhancements. This approach not only prioritizes natural results but also transforms the entire surgical experience.

Dr. Dale Bredesen, a leading neurologist and researcher, reveals groundbreaking insights into Alzheimer’s disease. He challenges the notion of a single-cause approach, emphasizing the need for a systems-based strategy. Bredesen discusses his ReCODE Protocol, which has shown promise in reversing cognitive decline. He highlights the importance of early detection, the role of diet and toxins, and calls for a holistic approach to treatment. His insights offer hope and a proactive path forward in the fight against dementia.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Erin Bellamy, a Chartered Psychologist and Metabolic Psychiatry Practitioner, shares insights into ketogenic metabolic therapy for mental illness. She explains how KMT addresses brain hypometabolism and neuroinflammation, offering hope for conditions like PTSD and ADHD. Dr. Bellamy discusses a transformative case study showcasing the impact of tailored nutritional protocols. With a focus on personalized health approaches, she emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment and community support in enhancing mental well-being.

In this insightful discussion, Andrew Koutnik, a research scientist at the Sansom Diabetes Research Institute, sheds light on the surprising stagnation in blood sugar control for Type 1 diabetes despite technological advancements. He reveals groundbreaking findings on carbohydrate intake and its effects on glycemic management. Dr. Koutnik also explores the long-term safety of low-carb diets through a unique decade-long case study, emphasizing nutrition as a crucial, yet underutilized, tool in diabetes care and its impact on cardiovascular health.

Discover groundbreaking research on prenatal sugar exposure and its long-term effects on health, including reduced risks of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Learn about the historical context of sugar rationing and its impact on childhood health. The discussion also highlights challenges parents face in managing sugar consumption and the need for systemic policy changes. Additionally, explore innovative ketogenic metabolic therapies for glioblastoma and the importance of collaborative approaches in cancer treatment, emphasizing the integration of diet and exercise.

In this engaging debate, Dr. Richard Johnson, an expert on the impact of fructose in obesity, and Dr. Layne Norton, a nutrition scientist and bodybuilder, clash over the root causes of America’s obesity crisis. They explore the roles of sugar-sweetened beverages, leptin resistance, and the intricacies of energy balance versus fructose consumption. Both agree on one point: our food environment significantly contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Their lively discussion challenges common perceptions surrounding diet and weight management.