The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman
Insulin IQ
Welcome to The Metabolic Classroom, a nutrition and lifestyle podcast focused on metabolism, which is how our bodies use energy, and the truth behind why we get sick and fat. Every week, Dr. Ben Bikman shares valuable insights that you can apply in your own life and share with friends and loved ones. The Metabolic Classroom is brought to you by BenBikman.com and InsulinIQ.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 26, 2026 • 22min
Why What You Eat Still Matters on GLP-1 Drugs
GLP-1 medications can curb appetite, but food quality still shapes metabolic health. This discussion explores pairing low-carbohydrate, protein-centered eating with low-dose semaglutide, including early study results, muscle preservation, side effects, gallbladder concerns, and why weight may return after treatment. It also examines building sustainable habits before tapering medication.
Oct 19, 2026 • 30min
Could Low Potassium Be Raising Your Blood Sugar?
Potassium and insulin are locked in a surprising metabolic dance. Explore how low potassium, aldosterone, diuretics, and blood pressure connect to blood sugar and diabetes risk. The discussion also dives into fasting, electrolyte shifts, and why breaking a prolonged fast with a carb-heavy meal can be dangerous, plus safer ways to refeed.
9 snips
Oct 12, 2026 • 27min
Why Your Body Fights to Regain Lost Weight
Why does the body resist keeping lost weight off? This discussion explores metabolic adaptation, the Biggest Loser effect, falling leptin, thyroid changes, reduced daily movement, and the role of insulin in fuel use. It also covers protecting muscle with protein and resistance training, plus how lower-carbohydrate eating may support long-term weight maintenance.
5 snips
Oct 5, 2026 • 25min
Why Micronized Progesterone Is Different
Why does micronized progesterone differ from synthetic progestins? This discussion explores their distinct receptor activity, effects on insulin sensitivity and cholesterol, and the role of progesterone in protecting the uterine lining during estrogen therapy. It also covers oral progesterone’s calming sleep-related metabolites, plus evidence on hot flashes, blood clots, breast health, and metabolic safety.
11 snips
Sep 21, 2026 • 27min
Can Your Body Make More GLP-1 Naturally?
Could insulin resistance silence the gut’s natural GLP-1 response? Explore the feedback loop linking sluggish digestion, blood sugar, and insulin. The discussion also examines using GLP-1 medication as a temporary tool for changing cravings and habits, interpreting apparent lean-mass loss, and creating a thoughtful path toward reducing treatment.
31 snips
Sep 14, 2026 • 31min
What Your Glucose Monitor Is Missing
A new wearable tracks glucose and ketones together, revealing metabolic signals a standard glucose monitor misses. Explore how ketones reflect insulin activity, fat burning, and metabolic flexibility, plus the potential to spot dangerous ketoacidosis earlier, even when glucose appears normal. The discussion also compares blood, urine, and breath testing and examines fasting versus post-meal patterns.
25 snips
Sep 8, 2026 • 26min
The New GLP-1 Pills & What You Need to Know
How do oral GLP-1 medications compare with injections? This mini-lecture explores why semaglutide needs strict fasting conditions, how orforglipron offers more flexible dosing, and the tradeoffs involving blood sugar, weight loss, and side effects. It also examines insulin’s role in fat storage and using reduced cravings to build lasting habits beyond medication.
48 snips
Aug 24, 2026 • 34min
Why Your Body Chooses Sugar Over Fat
A concise dive into how the body decides between burning sugar or fat. The Randle cycle and human clamp studies show fuels compete in muscle and heart. Insulin’s twin roles — blocking fat release and preventing fatty acids entering mitochondria — explain why carbs shift us toward glucose. Carbohydrate restriction and exercise studies reveal dramatic changes in fat oxidation and metabolic flexibility.
77 snips
Aug 17, 2026 • 39min
The Biggest Myth About Mitochondrial Health
A focused mini-lecture on why mitochondria are hyped and what science actually shows. Basics of how cells turn carbs, fats, and ketones into ATP are reviewed. The role of mitochondrial number, network shape, and fuel overload in insulin resistance is explored. Popular interventions like methylene blue, urolithin A, CoQ10, red light, cold, and exercise are compared.
11 snips
Aug 10, 2026 • 24min
Why Exercise Alone Won’t Help You Lose Weight
The conversation challenges the idea that exercise is mainly for weight loss. It explains how the body compensates by lowering background energy and sometimes increasing appetite. It highlights exercise as powerful insulin and glucose therapy that boosts muscle glucose uptake and mitochondrial health. It stresses strength, fitness and waist measures as better health markers than the scale.
