LEVELS – A Whole New Level

Latest Episodes:

#253 - What is insulin resistance and why does it matter? | Dr. Rob Lustig & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino - (Replay) May 09, 2024

Show notes

Insulin resistance is when cells stop responding to insulin’s signal to uptake glucose. It’s a hallmark of prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and other forms of metabolic dysfunction, and it manifests as several chronic disease, ranging from Alzheimer’s to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Dr. Rob Lustig and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss the importance of monitoring insulin levels, why a high or increasing insulin level is a problem, and how insulin resistance hinders weight management.

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Rob Lustig, MD, & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, discuss:

(00:00) — Intro

(01:44) — What is insulin?

(04:43) — What is insulin resistance?

(15:50) — There are three types of insulin resistance

(36:03) — Weight management is not about calories in and calories out

(44:00) — Adding more insulin to the equation of Type 2 diabetes isn’t necessarily the answer

(49:31) — Insulin is a crucial biomarker to measure for metabolic health

(52:11) — Insulin resistance is a hindrance to weight management

(54:42) — The intake of too much leucine can lead to insulin resistance

(1:00:22) — Fiber feeds the gut microbiome and is crucial for metabolic health

(1:11:27) — Is intermittent fasting necessary?

⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: ⁠https://youtu.be/dFOaBrujDHo⁠

#252 - Why nutrition matters for brain health and how to modify your diet | Dr. Georgia Ede & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino - (Replay) Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has proven benefits for brain health. Research shows that the keto diet helps ease symptoms of some mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder. But no diet, even keto, is one-size-fits all. Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss how diet and brain health are connected, how diet and gut health affect brain health, and how a ketogenic or other low-carbohydrate diets can be tailored to people’s specific needs.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 WhatGeorgia Ede, MD& Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, discuss:

(00:00) — Intro

(03:56) — Dr. Georgia Ede describes her interest in nutritional science for mental health

(13:50) — Metabolic health is tied to brain health

(21:57) — A ketogenic diet vs medications for mental health

(25:55) — A ketogenic diet can be tailored to prevent side effects

(32:13) — Gut health and mental health are connected

(37:37) — Diet is highly individual

(40:41) — CGM can teach people how foods and diet strategies affect their health

(43:36) — Following a low-carbohydrate diet will generally reduce insulin levels and triglycerides

(46:16) — Some psychiatric symptoms have links to higher C-reactive protein levels

(47:21) — Dr. D’Agostino summarizes one of Dr. Ede’s studies on the ketogenic diet and mental health

(55:30) — A ketogenic diet may also help ease some menopause symptoms

Transcripts & Show notes⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/kBjBEjV0vqU⁠

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

#251 - How to track your macros for fat loss and muscle gain | Josh Clemente & Dominic D'Agostino Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Not all calories are equal. Tracking your macronutrient intake, using AI capabilities, can help you improve your body composition, facilitate weight loss, and boost exercise performance. The three macronutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates, with fiber a subset of carbs. Josh Clemente & Dr. Dominic D'Agostino discuss the new macros-tracking feature in the Levels app, the purpose and importance of each macronutrient, how to use macros-tracking in conjunction with biomarker data to improve health and fitness, and how easy the app’s AI functionality is to use.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 WhatJosh Clemente & Dominic D'Agostino, PhD, discuss:

(09:03) — The importance of prioritizing protein intake

(17:03) — Why is tracking macros beneficial?

(21:11) — Each macronutrient has a different role in the body

(39:36) — The different functions of macros

(48:32) — Is excess protein a concern?

(54:55) — The problem with excess carbohydrates

(1:00:37) — Tracking macros can help you improve metabolic flexibility

(1:02:41) — The issue with overconsumption of carbohydrates

(1:17:18) — Is fiber a macronutrient?

(1:46:21) — Macros tracking in the Levels app

(1:49:50) — Tracking macros can help improve body composition and performance

Transcripts & Show notes

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/wg76Q25Ngd4

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

#250 - Is fructose a driver of Alzheimer’s disease? | Dr. Richard Johnson & Dr. Rob Lustig - (Replay) Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Fructose and its byproduct uric acid may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, thanks to an evolutionary adaptation hijacked by the modern diet. Fructose can be directly consumed, or the body can convert high-glycemic carbohydrates and other foods to fructose. Fructose suppresses some cognitive functions. Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Rob Lustig discuss a new study, of which Johnson was an author, on how fructose may be a potential driver in Alzheimer’s, and they hypothesize about fructose’s potential connection to the development of other conditions.

🎙 What Richard Johnson, MD, & Rob Lustig, MD, discuss:

(00:00) — Intro

(10:17) — Fructose is the driver of some diseases that are on the rise in kids

(12:16) — Fructose is a driver of obesity and metabolic syndrome

(15:56) — Pharmaceutical treatments for Alzheimer’s disease aren’t as effective as researchers had hoped

(17:40)— The research focus of Alzheimer’s is slowly shifting to understanding insulin resistance in the brain

(21:45) — Is fructose a root cause of Alzheimer’s?

(26:27) — New research suggests fructose induces a foraging response

(28:20) — Fructose inhibits areas of the brain to encourage successful foraging

(46:36) — We need more research on fructose

(1:02:51) —Is fructose a factor in violence?

⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

👋 WHO WE ARE:

Levels helps you see how food affects your health. With real-time, personalized data gathered through biosensors like continuous glucose monitors (CGM), you learn which diet and lifestyle choices improve your metabolic health so you can live a longer, fuller, healthier life.

🔗 LINKS:

Could Alzheimer’s disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism?: ⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002916523000047?dgcid=author⁠

Subscribe here on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠

#249 - The links between gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, and fertility | Dr. Robin Rose & Ben Grynol - (Replay) Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, and fertility are all linked. The gut microbiome impacts other microbiomes in the body, which can then impact the ability to conceive. Our gut microbiomes are becoming less diverse through modern farming practices and the consumption of processed foods. Dr. Robin Rose and Ben Grynol discuss how gut microbiome testing can determine underlying factors of gastrointestinal distress and the lifestyle changes that can help address symptoms and even aid fertility.

🎙 WhatRobin Rose, MD, & Ben Grynol discuss:

(00:00) — Intro

(05:30) — Gastrointestinal issues are associated with metabolic health issues

(06:25) — Many people lack gut microbiome diversity

(12:45) — Infertility in some people has links to the gut microbiome

(27:55) — PCOS and gut dysbiosis share a connection that’s still being researched

(29:25) — Restoring gut and metabolic health may help alleviate PCOS symptoms

(31:37) — Metagenomic testing assesses gut health

(41:33) — Gut health often requires balanced macronutrient intake

(45:42) — Regenerative farming practices could help us get more quality nutrients

(51:07) — Eliminating dairy and gluten may ease gastrointestinal symptoms

(52:35) — Sleep quality and quantity also inform gut health

⁠Transcript & Show Notes⁠

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: ⁠https://youtu.be/SpW9znY3fkI⁠

Find us on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠

#248 - A low-carb diet may boost exercise performance and health | Professor Tim Noakes & Josh Clemente - (Replay) Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

High-carbohydrate diets and carbohydrate loading have been long-standing tenets of athletic training and competition, but newer research indicates a low-carbohydrate diet may be more beneficial for performance and overall health. Professor Tim Noakes and Josh Clemente discuss how a fat-adapted body can rely on fat as a fuel source at all exercise intensity levels, rather than burning mostly carbohydrates, and how such adaptation and dietary focus may reduce one’s risk of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Tim Noakes, MD, PhD, & Josh Clemente discuss:

(00:00) — Intro

(02:50) — Dr. Tim Noakes explains his career trajectory

(17:36) — An adapted body can rely on fat for all exercise intensities

(21:04) — The body will never get to a state of no glucose circulation

(22:03) — A delicate balance of macronutrients is likely necessary

(27:49) — Before the high-carbohydrate craze, elite athletes were fat adapted

(32:32) — Fat oxidation in muscle may have a protective effect against Type 2 diabetes

(35:51) — Exercise does not cancel out the risk for metabolic disease if diet isn’t accounted for

(46:21) — The body can cope with fasting

(53:41) — The high-carb training trend has been perpetuated by the carbohydrate industry

Transcripts & Show notes⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Find us on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠

#247 - Why sleep is one of the key aspects of your metabolic health | Mike Haney & Ben Grynol - (Replay) Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Your sleep routine is one of the most important aspects of your metabolic health. Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Ben Grynol and Mike Haney discuss:

(02:36) - A study about sleep and metabolic health

(03:26) - The benefits of sleep for metabolic health

(05:24) - Sleeping at home

(05:24) - Standardized meals

(07:20) - How glucose levels affect sleep quality and duration

(12:50) - What you eat matters

(14:37) - Sleep quality and glucose

(18:06) - Sleep is the most important thing you control

(18:55) - Don’t sacrifice sleep

(20:08) - The importance of consistency

(25:29) - Compounding effects work both ways

⁠Transcripts and Show Notes⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

How does sleep affect blood sugar?: ⁠https://levelshealth.com/blog/how-sleep-impacts-metabolic-health-glucose-levels-cgm⁠

Find us on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠

#246 - How to keep your blood sugar more stable and why it matters for weight loss and overall health – Tips from Glucose Goddess | Jessie Inchauspé & Dr. Casey Means Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Stable glucose levels are a foundation of feeling and looking your best at any age. When glucose levels are more erratic—with spikes and crashes—cravings, weight gain, low energy, health issues, and more can ensue. Jessie Inchauspé and Dr. Casey Means, thought leaders on the topic of blood sugar, discuss simple hacks for keeping glucose levels more stable without resorting to restrictive diets, and they share why stable levels inform health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Jessie Inchauspé & Casey Means, MD, discuss:

(12:59) — Are type 2 diabetes and obesity genetic, dictated by lifestyle factors, or both?

(15:53) — Hacks for keeping blood sugar more stable

(24:22) — People want to be healthy, but the food industry complicates matters

(28:29) — Nutritional choices can impact mental health

(35:56) — The premise behind Inchauspé’s ‘Glucose Goddess Method’

(39:59) — Tracking biomarkers provides insight to your metabolic health

(42:08) — A siloed approach to healthcare misses the big picture

(45:06) — Can supplements really help with metabolic health?

(57:37) — We need systemic change in the food industry

(1:05:52) — The science behind food cravings

⁠⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

Jessie Inchauspé on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glucosegoddess/

Jessie Inchauspé: https://www.antispike.com

Casey Means, MD: https://www.caseymeans.com/goodenergy

Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health: https://www.caseymeans.com/goodenergy

#245 - Autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, holistic protocols, & metabolic health | Dr. Terry Wahls & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay) Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Can a holistic protocol address the root cause of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS)? We explore how metabolic health is tightly linked to autoimmune diseases and how understanding blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity is key. Dr. Terry Wahls developed The Wahls Protocol, which helped Dr. Wahls reverse her disease process and helped her get back on her feet. The Wahls Protocol is one of the most influential lifestyle programs that helps people address their autoimmune diseases.Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Dr. Terry Wahls and Dr. Casey Means discuss:

(00:00) - Intro

(03:16) - A new framework for thinking about autoimmune disease

(07:14) - A supplement cocktail

(15:17) - The creation of health

(18:26) - Humans are metabolically complex

(27:52) - What is mitochondrial dysfunction?

(41:19) - The connection between type-1 diabetes and mitochondrial dysfunction

(53:03) - Addressing the root cause of autoimmune issues

(01:01:31) - How to support mitochondrial health

(01:03:21) - Improving metabolic health can improve autoimmune disease

⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

#243 - Why sugary drinks can cause weight gain and low energy | Dr. Richard Johnson & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Traditional soft drinks, juice boxes, and energy and sports drinks are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, an ingredient also found in many processed foods. The body processes fructose differently than other sugars, and fructose can lead to weight gain by encouraging the body to store energy. Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss the issues with fructose, sucralose (found in PRIME energy drinks), and other artificial sweeteners. They explore how fructose can drive food cravings and overeating, its potential role as an Alzheimer’s contributor, and the benefits of a different sugar that might promote the release of GLP-1, the hormone that Ozempic and Wegovy help increase.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 WhatRichard Johnson, MD, & Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, discuss:

(1:59) — Richard Johnson, MD, is a prolific researcher regarding sugar’s effects

(6:38) — Soft drinks are a major source of added sugar, which has negative effects on metabolic health

(8:31) — Fructose lowers energy in the body, driving hunger

(14:16) — Fructose can drive insulin resistance and increase fat

(21:44) — A small amount of fructose can be beneficial to the body

(29:11) — Fructose consumption may be a culprit of Alzheimer’s disease

(48:21) — Low-calorie sugars can still make you crave more sugar

(53:59) — A low-calorie sugar called allulose has potential health benefits

(55:59) — Allulose may stimulate GLP-1

(59:39) — A low-carb diet helps reduce sugar cravings