The Energy Balance Podcast

In this episode we discuss: Why serotonin is NOT the “happy hormone” and you may not want to increase it How serotonin and depression relate to stress and energy balance Whether SSRIs are effective for depression How SSRIs actually work, their impact on metabolism, and whether they’re the best treatment option for depression The real drivers of depression and anxiety   Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide   Free Energy Balance Mini-Course: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/   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-118-the-truth-about-serotonin-and-ssris-why-serotonin-is-not-the-happy-hormone   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro 0:58 – the research showing that serotonin is not the “happy hormone” 4:56 – serotonin’s role in driving the stress state that leads to depression 8:26 – the overlap between anxiety and depression and why they are both characterized by elevated serotonin levels 10:27 – the origins of the idea that serotonin is the “happy hormone” and how serotonin became a marketing tool for pharmaceutical companies 14:49 – serotonin is increased during fasting and starvation and why increasing serotonin should not be our goal 20:16 – serotonin is increased during stress, shock, and infection and leads to learned helplessness 29:04 –SSRIs use in neonates causes depression in adulthood 31:35 – the serotonergic system as an adaptive stress response to a lack of energy 39:09 – serotonin’s role in energy redistribution under stress 43:15 – how SSRIs inhibit mitochondrial respiration, glucose metabolism, and energy production in the brain and liver 47:13 – how SSRIs can reduce symptoms and how the brain responds to SSRIs 52:42 – the true drivers of depression and anxiety 1:01:30 – how serotonin relates to stress hormones, including cortisol, and energy balance

In this episode we discuss: Concerns surrounding fructose malabsorption and whether fructose is really a FODMAP Whether you need to be concerned about excess fructose in foods Whether you should avoid sugar and supplement with fish oil for brain inflammation Diet and supplement strategies for brain injuries The impacts of drinking alcohol from the Bioenergetic view   Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide   Free Energy Balance Mini-Course: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/   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-117-fructose-malabsorption-protecting-against-alcohol-and-brain-injuries-and-inflammation-q-and-a   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro 1:15 – how fructose gets absorbed in the small intestine 4:24 – the optimal fructose to glucose ratio and how to tell if you have fructose malabsorption 8:41 – the details of how glucose helps with fructose absorption 12:04 – which foods have a high fructose to glucose ratio 16:24 – issues with FODMAP categorization and whether fructose is really a FODMAP 21:23 – listening to your body and understanding individual context vs following rigid “food rules” 27:39 – anti-inflammatory diets and whether we should avoid sugar and supplement with fish oil to reduce brain inflammation 32:06 – dietary and supplement strategies to promote an anti-inflammatory state in the brain 39:15 – the effectiveness of red-light therapy, methylene blue, progesterone, exogenous ketones, and polyphenols in treating brain injuries 44:31 – why we don’t want to prioritize omega 3s in the diet and whether eating fish is any better than fish oil supplementation 47:21 – reducing inflammation with the use of aspirin 47:53 – the main concerns with drinking alcohol: intestinal permeability, endotoxin production, and liver health 52:32 – stress-relieving supplement alternatives to alcohol and the effects of alcohol on vitamins and minerals 54:37 – strategies to mitigate the effects of alcohol in the short-term 58:14 – whether it makes sense to drink alcohol, alcohol use as a coping mechanism, and the impact of culture 1:00:07 – more strategies for mitigating the effects of alcohol in the short and long term

The podcast discusses the validity of counterarguments against the Lipid Energy Model, the relationship between high LDL and cardiovascular disease risk, the impact of thyroid and metabolism on high LDL in low-carb diets, the Lean Mass Hyper-Responder phenotype, and whether low-carb diets are ideal for cardiovascular health.

Discussion on high LDL cholesterol on a low-carb diet, Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR) phenotype, and Lipid Energy Model. Challenging mainstream views on cholesterol and heart disease. Adapting to lack of carbohydrates and elevated cholesterol levels. Implications for metabolism, hormones, and cardiovascular health.

Topics discussed include the benefits of increasing carbohydrate intake on insulin sensitivity, the role of stress hormones in driving insulin resistance, and the impact of fatty acid oxidation on liver and cardiovascular health. Contrary to popular belief, strategies like intermittent fasting and cold plunges may not effectively improve insulin sensitivity.

The podcast challenges the belief that carbs cause insulin resistance, highlighting how fat burning and impaired glucose metabolism are the real culprits. It discusses research supporting the bioenergetic view of insulin resistance and diabetes, emphasizing the importance of increasing carbohydrate intake to improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Dig into the controversial role of resistant starch with insights on how it may affect blood sugar and gut health. Explore whether the benefits of resistant starch hold up against personal digestive experiences. Discover the delicate balance of calcium to phosphorus, its vital impact on bone health, and the pervasive myths surrounding calcium intake. Plus, find out why excess phosphorus from certain diets could be harmful. This lively discussion will challenge your dietary assumptions and empower you with practical tips!

Topics include the differences between spore-based and standard probiotics, ketogenic diets for epilepsy, concerns with low-calorie sweeteners, and whether stevia is better than artificial sweeteners.

Debunking myths about insulin resistance and diabetes, clarifying the role of fat burning and stress. Recommending specific diet, movement, and supplement strategies to reverse insulin resistance. Exploring the bioenergetic perspective on glucose metabolism and the adaptive nature of insulin resistance. Addressing the importance of hormonal balance, micronutrients, gut health, and sleep in managing insulin resistance.

In this episode we discuss: Our thoughts on Chris Palmer’s “Brain Energy” theory of mental health Why low carb diets are not the solution for anxiety and depression and what to do instead What most people miss when it comes to weight loss and why we shouldn’t focus on fat-burning Strategies to optimally manage blood sugar for Type 1 Diabetes Whether we should lower our fat intake to lose weight    Sign up for the Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide    Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/   Click here to check out the show notes: https:/jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-109-chris-palmers-brain-energy-type-1-diabetes-and-low-fat-diets-for-weight-loss-qa   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro 1:19 – our take on Chris Palmer's “Brain Energy” theory of mental health disorders 5:04 – challenging the misconception of a separation between the brain and body 8:03 – why low-carb, ketogenic, and carnivore diets can produce temporary mental health benefits 10:36 – how impaired energy production underlies poor brain health and how to fix it without using low-carb diets 14:05 – how fat burning can temporarily relieve symptoms of poor glucose utilization (with a major cost) 18:29 – why fatty acid oxidation is our default metabolic state under stress and underlies all chronic disease 22:20 – whether ketogenic diets promote metabolic flexibility 24:53 – poor glucose metabolism as a driver of Alzheimer’s disease and other mental health conditions 28:13 – the adaptive benefit of burning fat during stress 31:31 – blood sugar management for Type 1 Diabetes and whether a low-carb diet is optimal 38:13 – whether lowering fat intake is necessary for burning and losing fat 42:09 – whether improving metabolic function alone is enough to reduce stored fat and when a decrease in dietary fat intake may be necessary 47:32 – the difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat and their potential implications 50:34 – how to fix our hunger signals to prevent excessive eating 54:33 – weighing the costs of extreme diets and the need for more innovative thinking around health