The Energy Balance Podcast

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Alternative Health
**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:

EB. 135: Eric Westman Debate Follow-Up: The Research on Low-Carb Vs High-Carb Diets Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

The mitochondrial effects of low-carb diets, and whether they’re actually worse for energy production
The downstream hormonal effects of low-carb diets
Whether insulin resistance is a problem of excess glucose metabolism or excess fat metabolism
Whether high-carb diets cause overeating and insulin resistance
And much more

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.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://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/eric-westman-debate-follow-up-the-research-on-low-carb-vs-high-carb-diets/

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:05 – why I’m recording this debate follow-up

3:38 – how the body responds to carbohydrate restriction and the broader biological context

9:47 – the mitochondrial effects of low-carb diets: glycolysis vs beta-oxidation, NADH/FADH2 ratios, NAD+/NADH ratios, and effects at the electron transport chain

15:16 – fat oxidation leads to slower rates of ATP production and higher rates of ROS production

18:14 – how fat oxidation blocks glucose utilization, slows mitochondrial respiration, and reduces carbon dioxide production

20:58 – ketone vs. glucose metabolism

21:52 – glucose metabolism confusion, glycolysis, and whether ketones are beneficial

24:25 – the hormonal effects of low-carb diets

28:13 – how do we know that fat metabolism is less efficient than glucose metabolism?

34:09 – whether research on fat metabolism in rodents applies to humans and other animals

37:02 – the research showing that fat oxidation increases ROS production and reduces mitochondrial efficiency in various animals (including humans)

40:31 – the research showing the mechanisms of increased ROS production and reduced efficiency of ATP production with fatty acid metabolism

47:41 – mitochondrial uncoupling increases during fat metabolism due to increases in oxidative stress

49:19 – are there adaptations on a keto diet that would prevent the harmful effects of fat metabolism?

52:48 – are there biopsies done on long-term ketogenic diets showing that fat oxidation doesn’t lead to a decreased NAD+/NADH ratio and more ROS production?

59:17 – whether increased fatty acid oxidation enzymes would reduce ROS production in the mitochondria as Dr. Westman suggested

1:02:58 – low-carb and ketogenic diets in rodents cause increased oxidative stress and less efficient ATP production

1:11:41 – do ketones protect against ROS?

1:16:18 – do the potential positive effects of ketones outweigh the negative effects of ketogenic diets?

1:27:47 –low-carb and ketogenic diets cause oxidative stress and insulin resistance in humans1:36:30 – the evidence that glucagon is a stress hormone

1:39:45 – low-carb and ketogenic diets cause physiological stress in humans

1:43:46 – the effects of low-carb and ketogenic diets on cortisol

1:48:29 – low-carb and ketogenic diets decrease thyroid activity

1:53:54 – effects of low-carb and ketogenic diets on reproductive hormones

BV #18: Calorie Counting Nonsense, Weight vs. Health, & Fixing Lactose Intolerance Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Ryan Fischer’s claim that the body only changes weekly, not daily
Whether all calories are created equal
How to fix lactose intolerance

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

0:18 – why Ryan Fischer’s claim that the body only changes weekly is false

6:38 – major problems with the “calories in, calories out” model of weight loss

11:27 – Ryan Fischer’s claim that it takes 3,500 calories to gain one pound

15:07 – whether it’s possible to have more “freedom” on the weekends without wrecking your health

18:11 – Jesse James West & Jeff Nippard on apples vs Sour Patch Kids: are calories all that matter?

24:29 – what calories actually represent and their true role in health

29:03 – is sugar always bad for you?

32:25 – whether tracking calories has any real value

34:21 – problems with equating weight loss with health

38:15 – how to know if excess calories are actually an issue for you

45:33 – why high FODMAP fruits like apples may cause bloating and which fruits would be a better option

49:40 – strategies for reversing lactose intolerance

56:35 – what really drives lactose intolerance and how to tell if it’s affecting you

58:34 – factors that affect lactose intolerance and additional strategies to reverse lactose intolerance

1:04:18 – do leafy greens, digestive enzymes, or slippery elm help with lactose intolerance?

BV #17: Weight Regain On Sugar Diet & Metformin + Sugar Fasting = Disaster Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Jay Campbell, Hunter Williams, and Mark Bell’s supplement stacks for staying insulin sensitive on the sugar diet
Whether using Metformin while on the sugar diet helps improve insulin sensitivity
The major differences between the sugar diet and the bioenergetic approach
Real-life examples of weight regain and other negative experiences after the sugar diet

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

0:24 – the costs of metformin: mitochondrial toxicity, increased lactate, inefficient ATP production, and slowed metabolism

5:22 – is using Metformin a good idea on the sugar diet?

10:30 – the dangers of increasing FGF21 while on Metformin

13:53 – increasing FGF21 activity is counter to the bioenergetic view of health

20:23 – Hunter Williams’ supplement stack for insulin sensitivity: metformin, Jardiance, retatrutide, and dihydroberberine

21:42 – the negative effects of Jardiance

24:59 – whether retatrutide and other GLP-1 agonists are healthy from a bioenergetic perspective

27:30 – whether there are any benefits to using medications like metformin, Jardiance, retatrutide, and dihydroberberine

31:54 – how increasing FGF21 with the sugar diet could lead to heart problems such as arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation (AFIB)

38:58 – does the sugar diet boost metabolic rate the same way the bioenergetic approach does?

46:27 – examples of how the sugar diet downregulates metabolism through stress

50:51 – the cumulative effects of stress: how much stress can we handle?

55:15 – how to recover from the negative effects of the sugar diet

58:24 – is stress beneficial? is it possible to avoid stress altogether?

59:51 – problems with dropping fat too low, especially in lean individuals

1:03:50 – the risks of rapid weight loss and the importance of keeping long-term goals in mind

1:08:02 – why cutting out entire macronutrient groups can backfire and what to do instead

1:11:20 – how extreme diets prime our bodies for weight regain

1:14:54 – real-life examples of weight regain after the sugar diet and why it happens

1:20:18 – is there a smarter way to do the sugar diet?

1:24:01 – are there legitimate benefits to the sugar diet?

BV #16: Cole Robinson Flip-Flops on Sugar Diet Recommendations Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Cole Robinson’s different iterations of the sugar diet and whether it’s okay to change your mind

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

0:37 – Cole Robinson flip-flops his recommendations on the sugar diet

7:43 – problems with using weight loss as the primary determinant of health

12:43 – Cole Robinson’s early recommendations on sugar fasting

14:16 – the impact of the sugar diet on gut and dental health

16:40 – the importance of understanding how a diet works rather than focusing solely on the short-term results

20:26 – the benefits of eating fruit rather than white sugar sources like candy

21:58 – concerns with blood sugar stability on low-fat diets

23:49 – problems with taking a “1990s low-fat approach” as Cole Robinson recommends

26:18 – Cole Robinson’s flip flop on the sugar diet

31:48 – concerns with digestion and liver detoxification on a low-fat diet

34:46 – Cole Robinson’s history of changing dietary recommendations – from the Snake Diet to the Sugar Diet

36:13 – whether the sugar diet could be used as a short-term tool to lose body fat

38:30 – the many iterations of advice on the sugar diet from Cole Robinson

39:53 – the importance of losing body fat in a healthy way

42:32 – will the 1990s low-fat diet last?

45:29 – whether having enough carbohydrates protects against muscle loss while on the sugar diet

46:57 – caution for those trying the sugar diet for weight loss

51:50 – FGF21 requires a protein deficiency

53:48 – why Cole Robinson’s new low-fat diet may not lead to rapid weight loss like the sugar diet

57:54 – the sugar diet shows that sugar isn’t the cause of insulin resistance

1:03:41 – did Cole Robinson actually lie about what he his original sugar diet recommendations?

1:13:27 – the toxic nature of social media and its impact on learning

[Mini-Episode] Sugar Diet Cope from the Low-Carb "Experts" Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro
4:29 – Ben Bikman suggests the sugar diet only works for lean, active, healthy men

9:33 – Ben Bikman’s claim that satiety is lower on high-carb diets

14:37 – Ben Bikman parrots the argument that carbohydrates are not essential

19:40 – Thomas DeLauer on sugar fasting and insulin sensitivity

22:15 – Thomas Delauer says high-sugar diets cause glycation and AGEs 24:44 – Ken Berry and Anthony Chaffee fearmonger about glycation, glucose, and insulin

28:01 – the truth about glycation on high-carb diets

31:48 – how low-carb diets can cause glycation and increase AGEs

35:22 – Nick Norwitz says the sugar diet won't work for obese people due to FGF21 resistance

39:14 – Nick Norwitz claims that fructose harms the liver

44:24 – Nick Norwitz also parrots the argument that carbohydrates are not essential

BV #15: Kate Deering on Menopause & HRT, and Primal Bod Says Carbs Deplete Your Nutrients Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Whether post-menopausal women can benefit from the bioenergetic approach
Concerns with estrogen therapy and the harmful advice given to women in menopause and perimenopause
Primal Bod’s argument that you don't need to hit your RDAs if you are not eating carbohydrates

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/

Kate's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katedeeringfitness/

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:22 – Kate Deering’s experience in the Bioenergetic space and finding Ray Peat’s work

3:02 – Dr. Jolene Brighten says that HRT isn’t enough – is she right?

6:15 – common diet misconceptions for women in perimenopause and menopause

9:59 – concerns with using estrogen therapy

14:03 – how estrogen compares to progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, and testosterone

16:37 – harmful medical advice given to Mike’s mom

18:17 – whether using estrogen therapy is ever warranted

24:51 – how to tell if estrogen is causing harm in post-menopausal women

30:58 – strategies for reducing symptoms associated with menopause (hot flashes, weight gain, vaginal dryness, poor sleep)

37:16 – blood markers that indicate high estrogen levels and common pitfalls to be aware of

40:13 – the importance of eating enough carbohydrates to prevent cortisol spikes

47:14 – Primal Bod (Candi Frazier’s) argument that more insulin leads to a greater need for nutrients

51:47 – whether RDA targets for micronutrients should be ignored

57:45 – whether high-carb diets cause the wasting of nutrients as Primal Bod suggests

1:03:59 – nutrient deficiencies on the carnivore diet and the demonization of insulin

1:09:56 – is adding fiber the key to hormonal balance?

1:15:46 – the importance of understanding why removing fiber and other plant foods might produce benefits

1:18:36 – the bioenergetic approach still applies to post-menopausal women

BV #14: Carbs Are NOT Essential, Should You Eat Them? And Bill Burr on Fasting Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Max Lugavere and Jordan Peterson on the essentiality of carbohydrates and whether we should be as shocked as they are
Bill Burr’s fasting practices for fat loss and the psychological impact of fasting

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

0:32 – Max Lugavere and Jordan Peterson discuss the idea that carbohydrates are not essential

7:42 – carbs ARE essential to our physiology

15:24 – Bill Burr discusses his fasting practices with the goal of fat loss

23:18 – fasting concerns and the problem with using restriction and willpower for weight loss

27:10 – Bill Burr is an example of how food restriction and fasting causes food obsession

32:52 – why sugar cravings do NOT mean that you are a sugar addict

38:48 – what the Minnesota Starvation Experiment teaches us about restriction

40:16 – the psychological and emotional harm caused by fasting

50:31 – Bill Burr’s fear of spiking blood sugar levels

53:19 – if fasting makes you feel better, it's a sign your diet isn't working

BV #13: Ken Berry’s Fructose Fearmongering, Glycation Myths, & ChatGPT Says We’re Wrong Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that humans would historically only eat sweet foods (like fruit and honey) 1-2 weeks out of the year
Whether we should always do what our ancestors did to optimize our diets
Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that fructose causes glycation
Whether we can trust AI to provide accurate information

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

0:38 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that humans historically ate fruit and honey to gain weight like bears for the winter

3:45 – whether fructose and fruit are responsible for weight gain in bears and whether this applies to humans

8:53 – whether humans evolved eating a high-carb diet

11:30 – what about carbohydrate consumption in native human cultures and ancestral environments?

17:27 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that fructose is 10x more glycating than glucose

20:51 – whether sugar and carb consumption cause high blood sugar and AGEs (advanced glycation end products)

27:05 – how low-carb diets can increase glycation and AGEs

32:22 – blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C are often higher on low-carb diets than on diets that include healthy carbohydrates

33:41 – how keto diets cause glycation and increase AGEs

37:41 – what really influences hemoglobin A1C levels

44:32 – the importance of finding optimal carb sources – why candy is not the same as fruit

45:43 – problems with hyper-focusing on one single lab value

48:18 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that there is no way to test whether fructose is causing glycation

54:05 – regulating blood sugar for type 1 diabetes

59:01 – is glycation happening in the background on a high-carb diet even if your health is improving?

1:00:17 – can we trust AI like Grok and ChatGPT to provide accurate health information?

1:07:42 – debunking Grok’s logic on carb vs. fat efficiency as a fuel source

1:13:16 – how to properly use AI – DON’T use it to replace your own thinking

1:18:01 – Grok is wrong about fat being a more efficient fuel source than carbs

1:22:33 – strategies for understanding complex research papers

1:24:14 – using personal experience and logic as a guide toward optimizing health

1:32:35 – the gratification that comes with the process of true learning

BV #12: Gary Brecka Doesn’t Understand Thyroid & Natural PUFA vs. Seed Oils Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we discuss:

Gary Brecka’s misrepresentation of thyroid function – are thyroid hormones methylated?
How thyroid hormone conversion actually works and the factors that can inhibit it
Whether taking thyroid hormone replacement suppresses or harms your thyroid gland
Seed oils vs. unprocessed PUFA from nuts and seeds – is there a difference?
Whether PUFA are “essential” and if there are actually any benefits to consuming them

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

1:21 – Gary Brecka’s claim that methylation is responsible for T4 to T3 conversion

5:43 – how T4 to T3 conversion really happens and factors that inhibit it

10:17 – whether a lack of T3 is the primary problem in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

12:53 – whether taking exogenous thyroid medications harms the thyroid gland

18:19 – Gary Brecka’s advice on how to fix Hashimoto’s and why we disagree

24:14 – be careful of quick fixes and magic pills

26:38 – pros and cons of using thyroid hormone replacement therapy

30:17 – issues with thyroid supplementation recommendations within the Bioenergetic sphere

37:38 – whether you can reverse hypothyroidism without using thyroid supplementation

41:31 – Joe Rogan and Gary Brecka discuss why the processing of seed oils is responsible for their harm

47:30 – whether processed foods are inherently bad

49:23 – are there any benefits to eating PUFA and are they “essential”?

52:28 – the toxic effects of PUFA, including from nuts & seeds

55:19 – potential benefits from nuts & seeds are not due to PUFA content

BV #11: High-Carb Diet Misconceptions, Gabrielle Lyon on Gluconeogenesis, & Cold Plunging Concerns Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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?

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