The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

Explore how declining estradiol during menopause impacts brain function, muscle health, and inflammation. Learn about the protective role of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in enhancing cognitive health and reducing muscle loss. Discover the benefits of ketones for mitochondrial function and energy production, combating the adverse effects of hormonal changes. Plus, get insights on various ketone supplements like MCTs and their potential in managing menopause-related metabolic challenges.

Discover how the MTHFR gene affects your metabolic health and the crucial role it plays in methylation. Learn about the impact of genetic variants on homocysteine levels and their links to oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Uncover the connection between MTHFR, fat metabolism, and liver health, and how elevated insulin can disrupt fat burning. Get practical tips for optimizing folate intake from various sources and cooking methods to boost nutrient availability. Empower yourself with knowledge to navigate genetic vulnerabilities!

Explore the multifaceted benefits of creatine, a powerhouse for both muscles and the brain. Discover how it boosts ATP production and supports physical performance, recovery, and cognitive function. Learn about its role in enhancing glucose metabolism, particularly for those with insulin resistance. Dr. Bikman debunks myths around kidney health, clarifying that creatinine level increases are normal and safe in healthy individuals. Plus, get insights on optimal dosing and choosing the right form of creatine for effective supplementation.

In a deep dive into nattokinase, an enzyme from fermented soybeans, fascinating cardiovascular benefits emerge. It effectively dissolves blood clots, potentially outperforming traditional blood thinners with fewer risks. Studies reveal its ability to reduce plaque and improve cholesterol levels, while hinting at benefits for metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. The enzyme could transform our understanding of fat metabolism, making it a promising avenue for heart health. Yet, further research is essential to confirm these exciting findings.

Dive into a critical analysis of the claims made in a popular study promoting a plant-based diet. Hear about the misleading conclusions linking animal protein to diseases, and how higher meat consumption can actually coincide with lower cancer rates. Discover how dairy fats might protect against cancer while isolated protein studies distort health realities. Explore the mTOR pathway and learn why insulin is a better metabolic marker than previously thought. Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about diet and health!

Delve into the controversial HCG diet, which pairs hormone injections with severe calorie restriction. Discover how its historical claims of fat loss and appetite suppression have been debunked by science. The discussion reveals that any weight loss may result from extreme dieting rather than the hormone itself. Learn about the hormone's legitimate medical uses and why its supposed weight-loss benefits lack evidence. Finally, explore healthier weight loss strategies that prioritize metabolism over quick fixes.

Discover the intriguing world of lectins, harmful proteins found in common carbohydrates like legumes and grains. Learn how these pesky molecules disrupt gut health and insulin signaling, contributing to a range of health issues from obesity to autoimmune disorders. Dr. Bikman reveals how lectins can create leaky gut, leading to inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. He provides insights into dietary strategies and cooking methods that can help mitigate these risks, urging listeners to stay informed and proactive about their health.

Discover how lipoprotein lipase (LPL) acts as a metabolic gatekeeper that determines whether fat is burned or stored. Learn about its tissue-specific roles and hormonal influences, like how insulin promotes fat storage. Explore why low-carb diets and exercise can shift LPL activity towards fat burning. Delve into the differences in fat distribution linked to hormones, explaining why men and women store fat differently. This fascinating discussion reveals the intricate connection between diet, hormones, and metabolic health.

Fluoride isn’t just for strong teeth; it may disrupt our metabolic health too. Chronic exposure can impair fat cell function and insulin sensitivity, leading to insulin resistance and potential obesity. Evidence shows fluoride affects mitochondrial function, damaging energy production in fat and liver cells. There’s even a link between fluoride levels and cognitive development, thyroid health, and fertility. Explore how to mitigate these risks while understanding the complex effects of this common substance.

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the critical yet often overlooked role of fat tissue as an endocrine organ, not just a passive energy storage site.Fat secretes dozens of bioactive hormones, collectively called adipokines, that influence everything from appetite and insulin sensitivity to inflammation and cardiovascular risk. He focuses primarily on leptin, adiponectin, and PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), detailing how each one affects whole-body metabolism and health.Leptin, produced by fat cells, signals the brain about the body’s energy stores, affecting long-term appetite and fertility more than immediate satiety. Paradoxically, individuals with obesity often have high leptin levels but suffer from leptin resistance, leading to persistent hunger and metabolic dysfunction. In contrast, adiponectin levels decrease as fat mass increases. Adiponectin plays a powerful protective role by enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and promoting fat metabolism, making it a key marker of good metabolic health.Ben also highlights PAI-1, a lesser-known adipokine secreted mainly by visceral fat, which inhibits the breakdown of blood clots, thereby raising cardiovascular disease risk. He further discusses other adipokines such as resistin, TNF-alpha, and angiotensinogen, which link excess fat mass to insulin resistance, inflammation, and hypertension.Finally, he contrasts subcutaneous fat (more benign) with visceral fat (more harmful) and explains how brown fat offers unique metabolic benefits by promoting thermogenesis and thyroid hormone activation. The location and health of fat tissue matter just as much as its quantity.Show Notes/References:For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become a Ben Bikman Insider subscriber. As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A after the lecture with Ben, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, Ben’s Research Reviews Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com#FatHormones #Leptin #Adiponectin #PAI1 #MetabolicHealth #FatLoss #InsulinResistance #Endocrinology #ObesityScience #SubcutaneousFat #VisceralFat #BrownFat #CardiovascularHealth #Inflammation #GlucoseControl #Ceramides #HormoneHealth #FatStorage #DrBenBikman #KetoScience Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10)Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15)Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20)Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://www.americanketone.com (discount: BEN10)Ben’s favorite dress shirts and pants: https://toughapparel.com/?ref=40 (use BEN10 for 10% off)Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.