The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

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.

This week, Dr. Bikman dives deep into the metabolic role of cortisol, the body’s primary glucocorticoid. He explains that while cortisol is essential for survival—mobilizing energy during fasting or stress—chronically elevated levels can wreak metabolic havoc.Cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex under direction from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Its main role is to ensure energy availability, stimulating glycogen breakdown, muscle catabolism, and fat breakdown in specific depots. However, long-term cortisol elevation, such as in Cushing’s disease, leads to fat redistribution, muscle loss, insulin resistance, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.Cortisol’s metabolic effects are driven by its action on glucocorticoid receptors inside cells, activating genes like PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase that stimulate gluconeogenesis and increase blood sugar. It also indirectly causes insulin resistance by increasing ceramide accumulation, which interferes with insulin signaling in cells like muscle and fat. This, combined with glucose overproduction and muscle loss (the major glucose sink), creates a perfect metabolic storm: high blood sugar, high insulin, and reduced glucose uptake.The hormone also affects fat storage patterns. Cortisol enhances fat accumulation in visceral (abdominal) fat while stimulating fat loss in subcutaneous regions like the limbs. It increases fat uptake by upregulating lipoprotein lipase and blocks fat breakdown by suppressing hormone-sensitive lipase, especially in the abdominal region. Yet cortisol alone isn’t enough to cause fat gain—insulin is still required. Ben illustrates this by showing how individuals with untreated type 1 diabetes have high cortisol and high appetite but still lose fat without insulin.Lastly, cortisol influences the brain’s hunger and reward systems, increasing carbohydrate cravings through neuropeptide Y and dopamine signaling. Chronic stress or medical conditions that elevate cortisol can drive overeating and central obesity. In short, while cortisol is necessary, its chronic elevation leads to insulin resistance, fat redistribution, and loss of metabolic control.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#Cortisol #InsulinResistance #ChronicStress #GlucoseControl #MetabolicHealth #CushingsDisease #HormonalBalance #FatStorage #Ceramides #DrBenBikman #VisceralFat #FatLoss #SubcutaneousFat #BloodSugar #AppetiteRegulation #Type2Diabetes #Mitochondria #HPAaxis #CortisolAndCravings #FatDistribution 📢 Learn more about becoming an Insider on Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the two distinct paths of insulin resistance: the fast and the slow. Fast insulin resistance can strike quickly due to high carbohydrate intake, stress, and inflammation, but can often be reversed swiftly. In contrast, slow insulin resistance develops gradually and stems from long-term lifestyle habits, leading to larger fat cells that further disrupt insulin signaling. The role of inflammation and ceramides in these processes is critical, emphasizing the need for effective lifestyle adjustments to combat metabolic dysfunction.

Discover the fascinating world of cold therapy and its impact on metabolism. Learn how cold exposure activates brown adipose tissue, helping to burn calories and transform white fat into metabolically active beige fat. Delve into the benefits of shivering, which promotes glucose uptake and boosts insulin sensitivity. Explore the influence of hormones, like FGF21 and adiponectin, on fat oxidation and mitochondrial health. Plus, compare various cold exposure methods to optimize your wellness journey.