
The Energy Balance Podcast
Discover how you can live without constant hunger and fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, and other low-energy symptoms. The Energy Balance Podcast will teach you how to maximize your cellular energy so you can take back your health and finally experience clear-headed focus, restful sleep, and all-day energy you didn’t think was possible.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 17min
BV #11: High-Carb Diet Misconceptions, Gabrielle Lyon on Gluconeogenesis, & Cold Plunging Concerns
In this episode we discuss:
Gabrielle Lyon’s claims about carbohydrate disposal, “earning our carbs”, and balancing carbs with muscle
Whether the body’s ability to make glucose through gluconeogenesis means that we don’t need to consume carbohydrates
How cold plunging may calm the nervous system by first triggering excessive stress, and whether that’s worth it
Whether the benefits of cold exposure outweigh the costs, and how to gauge when stressors like exercise become too much
Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide
The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/
Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
0:45 – Gabrielle Lyon on the amount of carbohydrates we can “dispose of” in a meal
8:52 – whether Gabrielle Lyon’s claim that excess carbohydrates turn into fat is valid
12:39 – do we need to “earn our carbs” with exercise?
18:32 – how upregulating gluconeogenesis by not consuming carbohydrates drives insulin resistance
21:27 – do low-carb high-protein diets support skeletal muscle health?
22:56 – strategies for adjusting macronutrients to fit your individual needs
29:24 – how to shift away from low-carb diets, focusing on what’s optimal rather than minimum requirements
31:44 – optimal carb intake for muscles and general health
34:57 – applying Ray Peat’s “perceive, think, act” process to optimize our diets
39:29 – the difference between parroting information and thinking critically
43:20 – cold plunging calms the nervous system by first driving excessive stress
48:36 – the cumulative effects of stressors like cold plunging and the risks associated with them
53:41 – whether the benefits of cold exposure outweigh the costs and how much stress is too much
56:28 – how hormesis works and whether the dose makes the poison
1:01:34 – what is stress and how do we prevent it?
1:05:09 – how to get the same benefits without using hormetics like fasting, Wim Hof breathing, and cold exposure
1:10:35 – does reaching a goal have to be difficult or stressful?

12 snips
May 27, 2025 • 1h 8min
EB. 134: The Sugar Diet: Lose Fat and Increase Your Metabolism WITHOUT Losing Muscle Mass
Explore the mechanics of sugar and honey diets, revealing their surprising ability to aid weight loss without sacrificing health. Discover how FGF21 plays a role in metabolism and the implications of low protein intake on muscle retention. The podcast also discusses the potential health risks linked to extreme sugar diets, including concerns about bone health and reproductive hormones. Learn about the need for a balanced approach to nutrition rather than relying on quick-fix diets for sustainable health.

May 22, 2025 • 30min
[Mini Episode] Sugar Diet & FGF21 Simplified: Muscle Loss, Stress, and Weight Regain
Download the free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/
Sign up for a free call for help with weight loss and other health issues: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/call/
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
1:20 – overview of FGF21 and how it gets triggered
6:40 – FGF21 works via stress, turning down metabolism and leading to weight regain
11:30 – will the sugar diet cause negative effects if only used short-term?
21:44 – does eating protein at night prevent the negative effects?
27:18 – the negative effects only occur in the research after long-term FGF21 upregulation

May 20, 2025 • 1h 33min
EB. 133: The Sugar Diet/Honey Diet and FGF21: The Research
In this episode we discuss:
What are the sugar diet and other related diets like the honey diet, fairy princess diet, and fruit till noon diets
Whether FGF21 is responsible for the weight loss seen on these diets
The effects of the sugar diet on muscle mass
Whether FGF21 really extends lifespan
How to increase FGF21 levels and whether it’s really good for your health
Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/
Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/eb-133-the-sugar-diet-honey-diet-and-fgf21-the-research/
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
1:00 – the sugar diet, honey diet, fairy princess diet, and fruit-till-noon diets as discussed by Cole Robinson, Mark Bell, Anabology, Noah Ryan, celestialbe1ng, and others
6:35 – my experience on a high-sugar diet and what the sugar diet means for the health world
11:17 – what is FGF21?
15:54 – how low-protein diets trigger the release of FGF21
20:00 – the context of FGF21 on low-protein diets and the reasons for its effects: is this really beneficial?
26:15 – the long-term effects of FGF21 on body fat, muscle mass, and metabolic health
33:16 – how the sugar diet compares to low-carb diets
35:55 – high-carb low-protein diets vs. high-fat low-protein diets on FGF21
37:34 – low-protein diets increase your metabolism due to stress: brown fat, uncoupling, and energy expenditure
43:59 – FGF21’s role in stress, energy conservation, and hibernation
49:56 – FGF21 and cortisol: is FGF21 a stress hormone?
54:09 – FGF21 and hormesis: is FGF21 hormetic?
56:10 – FGF21 and liver fat production go hand-in-hand
59:11 – carb-induced increase in FGF21 is activated by reductive stress
1:05:04 – the role of FGF21 in de novo lipogenesis as an adaptive response to stress
1:10:47 – carb-induced FGF21 causes fat gain and sympathetic activity
1:14:29 – does FGF21 cause metabolic syndrome, diabetes, NAFLD, cardiovascular disease, and obesity?
1:21:08 – does FGF21 extend lifespan? if so, is it worth it?
1:27:03 – can you lose weight and extend lifespan without a protein-deficient diet?

May 13, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ep. 132: You've Been Lied to About Fructose
Dive into the debate around fructose as a potential poison. Unpack claims by Robert Lustig and discover what's really behind the metabolic impacts of fructose compared to glucose and alcohol. Explore whether a high-carb diet leads to fatty liver and learn about the true effects of fruit juice and honey on health. The hosts challenge popular misconceptions, advocate for a balanced view of sugars, and suggest that critical factors like existing liver conditions often influence outcomes more than fructose itself.

8 snips
May 6, 2025 • 56min
BV #10: The Truth About Sugar Addiction & What the Holistic Psychologist Gets Right (and Wrong)
Explore the intriguing connection between mental health and metabolic dysfunction, as hosts debate whether anxiety and depression stem from chemical imbalances. Discover the addictive qualities of sugar compared to drugs and the differences between refined and natural sugars. The discussion also challenges the notion of living healthily without starch and offers insights into stabilizing blood sugar. With personal experiences on overcoming sugar cravings, the conversation promotes a balanced, individualized approach to nutrition.

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 17min
BV #9: Anthony Chaffee’s Claim That Ketosis Is Our Natural State & Whether LMNT is a Scam
Delve into the intriguing claim that ketosis may be the natural state for both humans and animals. The discussion challenges misconceptions surrounding ketosis and its benefits, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence. The critique of LMNT raises questions about electrolyte supplementation in a low-carb lifestyle. Listeners will also learn about the crucial role of vitamin D, its sources, and the importance of balancing it with other nutrients like magnesium and K2. Alongside emotional health factors, this conversation inspires a holistic view of wellness.

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 15min
Ep. 131: Should You Be Avoiding High Oxalate Foods? How To Fix Oxalate Issues
In this episode we discuss:
The impact of sugar consumption on oxalate production
Whether you really need to avoid all high oxalate foods
Different cooking and preparation methods to reduce oxalate exposure
Which supplements can make oxalate issues worse
Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/
The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/
Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-131-whether-to-avoid-high-oxalate-foods-and-how-to-fix-oxalate-issues/
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
0:53 – whether fructose contributes to increased oxalate production
3:42 – is sugar the culprit behind oxalate issues?
9:14 – the problems with the research demonizing fructose
14:45 – the optimal amount of dietary oxalate and how to determine whether oxalates are an issue for you
17:57 – the importance of testing, experimentation, and listening to your symptoms
25:10 – how to reduce your exposure to high-oxalate foods
32:02 – the best cooking methods to reduce oxalates in food
37:05 – foods highest in oxalates and whether salads are OK to eat
40:17 – oxalate content in raw cacao vs chocolate
45:26 – whether you need to avoid soybeans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, beets, and carrots due to their oxalate content
49:05 – examples of bioenergetic diets with varying oxalate content
57:01 – other dietary considerations for oxalate issues (PUFA, collagen, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, carbohydrates, protein, and fat intake)
1:06:22 – the best supplements to fix your oxalate issues
1:11:45 – which supplements can make oxalate issues worse and whether to take probiotics for oxalate issues
1:14:58 – the long-term impact of carnivore diets on liver and gut health

4 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 23min
Ep. 130: Low Carb Diets & Oxalates: The Surprising Connection
Dive into the surprising links between low-carb diets and oxalate levels. Discover if your kidneys really have a limit on oxalate processing and how citrate and baking soda could play a role in clearing them. The podcast challenges the myth of oxalate dumping and discusses the effects of high protein on metabolism. It highlights the importance of potassium citrate in preventing kidney stones and examines how dietary choices impact oxalate production. Perfect for those navigating dietary health and kidney management!

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 4min
BV #8: Intermittent Fasting, Healthy Body Image, And Weight Loss vs Willpower with Kitty Blomfield
In this episode we discuss:
The appeal of intermittent fasting and restrictive diets and why they often do more harm than good
Why most women are underfed, under-muscled, and struggling with body composition
The extreme things people do in the name of health and the importance of the basics
The impact of stress on our health and the connection between emotional and physical health
Whether drinking a few glasses of water first thing in the morning is optimal for our metabolism
Kitty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittyblomfield/?hl=en
Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide
The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/
Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
0:38– how Kitty got introduced to Ray Peat
3:59 – whether intermittent fasting is beneficial for women
9:07 – the appeal of intermittent fasting and other restrictive diets, and why they do more harm than good
14:41 – the truth about body recomposition: women are underfed and lack muscle
17:29 – why low-carb diets like keto and carnivore are not sustainable
19:36 – how mainstream health advice has ruined our diets and why we should eat like our grandparents
25:21 – the role of stress in digestive health and the problem with jumping to supplements
31:12 – when it makes sense to move on to more advanced health strategies such as lab testing, hormone replacement therapy, or gut protocols
38:30 – Is Being Fat a Choice? Middle Ground by Jubilee
41:23 – the relationship between emotional trauma, body image issues, and physical healing
44:16 – what really influences body weight?
53:30 – the importance of enjoying the food you eat daily and how it helps prevent binge eating
55:25 – whether we should drink tons of water first thing in the morning
57:35 – how much water do we really need?