The Metabolic Link

Latest Episodes:

Fat: Why it Matters and What to Do About It with Ben Bikman, PhD | The Metabolic Link Ep. 35 Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

This week's episode of The Metabolic Link features a full presentation from Metabolic Health Summit 2024. Dr. Ben Bikman, professor at Brigham Young University, dives deep into the intricacies of fat and its relationship to metabolic health.

This is the full presentation he delivered at Metabolic Health Summit 2024 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. In it he shares his expertise on the link between body fat, insulin resistance, and chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Throughout this talk, he covers:
💡 The role of insulin in regulating obesity and diabetes, and its direct correlation with maintaining fat mass.
💡 Understanding the concept of the personal fat threshold and how it differs among individuals, leading to insulin resistance when exceeded.
💡 Why studying weight gain provides crucial insights into the mechanisms of obesity, rather than merely focusing on weight loss.
💡 The paradox of hyperplasia and its unexpected role in improving insulin sensitivity.
💡 How exercise influences fat cell behavior through hormonal signals, particularly insulin.

If you enjoy this episode, it is just one of 30 fascinating presentations captured at Metabolic Health Summit 2024. You can still get on-demand access and watch all the action just like you were there in-person. But the doors close on February 29th! Go to metabolichealthsummit.com to get your virtual pass now.

In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!
You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!
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Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Health with Dr. Georgia Ede | The Metabolic Link Ep. 34 Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating sit-down interview with Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in nutrition science and brain metabolism. With over 25 years of clinical experience, including 12 years as a college psychiatrist and nutrition consultant at Smith College and Harvard University Health Services, Dr. Ede was the first to offer students nutrition-based approaches as an alternative to psychiatric medications. She speaks internationally about using dietary therapies for psychiatric disorders, co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for treatment-resistant mental illness, and developed the first accredited course on ketogenic diets for mental health practitioners. Her new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was published in January 2024.

In this wide-ranging interview, we cover:

Implementing a therapeutic ketogenic diet in Dr. Ede’s clinical practice and the mental health benefits observed
The critical role of ketones in alleviating cerebral glucose hypometabolism
Why metabolic health forms the foundation for optimal mental health
The lack of practical nutrition education in medical training and why it matters
Alzheimer’s disease as a metabolic disorder
The importance of insulin levels, not just glucose, for gauging metabolic health

Watch the full episode on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel and be sure to catch Dr. Ede on The Metabolic Psychiatry Panel featuring Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Iain Campbell, and Matt Baszucki. On-Demand access closes on Friday, February 16th so don't wait! Get your virtual pass at metabolichealthsummit.com.

Also be sure to catch Dr. Ede on March 6th where she'll be joining us for a live Q&A on The Metabolic Initiative. We’ll be exploring ketogenic therapy for mental health. Register to join us here.

Recapping Metabolic Health Summit 2024 with Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, Dr. Angela Poff, and Victoria Field Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Metabolic Link, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, Dr. Angela Poff, and Victoria Field recap Metabolic Health Summit 2024, the world’s leading medical and scientific conference on metabolic health. Listen to this episode to get an inside look at the top scientific highlights and surprising moments from the perspective of the hosts who made it happen.
Want to learn about all the cutting-edge research and scientific insights on metabolic health and therapy that you won’t find anywhere else? We recorded the entirety of Metabolic Health Summit 2024 and you can still watch the replay, but the window is closing very soon! Click here to secure your access before time runs out.

Understanding The Lean Mass Hyper Responder w/ Dr. Nick Norwitz and Dave Feldman | The Metabolic Link Ep. 32 Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

We’ve just launched an extra and exciting episode of The Metabolic Link podcast! It features an eye-opening conversation between our host Dominic D’Agostino PhD, and guests Dave Feldman and Dr. Nick Norwitz, two researchers and MHS 2024 speakers spearheading investigations into the lean mass hyperresponder (LMHR) phenotype.

Dave Feldman is a software engineer who became deeply interested in lipidology after seeing his cholesterol spike on a low-carb, high-fat diet. He has since performed self-experiments and published several papers on the possible mechanisms behind LMHR. He is currently conducting a clinical study out of UCLA through his newly formed public charity, the Citizen Science Foundation.
Nicholas Norwitz completed his PhD at the University of Oxford and his thesis focused on ketone metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases. He is currently a medical student at Harvard Medical School.
In this episode Dave, Dr. Norwitz, and Dr. D'Agostino dive into…

The debate around whether saturated fat drives increased LDL levels, especially in the LMHR phenotype.
The "Lipid Energy Model" hypothesizing a metabolic/physiological process underlying LMHR phenotype.
Concerns about erroneously grouping lean mass hyperresponders with familial hypercholesterolemia patients.
The importance of separating discussions of underlying mechanism from clinical recommendations.
Their vision for the future direction of LMHR research and public education on this topic.

Be sure to secure your spot at MHS 2024 in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where Dave and Nick will be presenting their latest research! Both virtual and in-person seats are still available at metabolichealthsummit.com.

Metabolic Consequences of Disrupted Sleep w/ Dr. Jonathan Jun | The Metabolic Link Ep. 31 Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating conversation between our host Dr. Dominic D’Agostino and Dr. Jonathan Jun, a pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine physician at Johns Hopkins.
He is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, and in the care of critically ill patients in the Medical ICU. He is a member of the Sleep Fellowship Program Evaluation and Clinical Competency Committee and provides teaching to medical students and residents at Johns Hopkins.
In this episode, we cover:
💡 Defining obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and its overlap with sleep apnea
💡 Assessing CO2 retention and implementing non-invasive ventilation
💡 The role of dramatic weight loss in treating OHS
💡 Using ketogenic diets to lower CO2 levels and improve sleep apnea
💡 Developing pharmacological options for OHS and sleep disordered breathing
💡 Studying the impacts of exogenous ketones ingestion prior to sleep
Be sure to secure your spot at MHS 2024 in Clearwater Beach, Florida as Dr. Jun will be joining us to present more of his research! CMEs and CPEUs available. Virtual registration is also an option for those who can’t join us in person! Go to metabolichealthsummit.com to learn more.

How Allulose Aids Metabolism & Fructose Fuels Cancer | Journal Club | The Metabolic Link Ep. 30 Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, our co-hosts Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, Dr. Angela Poff, and Victoria Field discuss two recent scientific papers on the metabolic effects of allulose and how blocking fructose intake may help fight cancer.

The first paper examines how allulose consumption influences metabolic factors like appetite, blood sugar, and insulin sensitivity through the release of key gut hormones and effects on carbohydrate digestion and metabolism.

The second paper reviews multiple lines of evidence linking fructose metabolism to driving cancer progression. High fructose intake may directly supply tumors with fuel and biomolecular building blocks to grow while also creating an obesity and diabetic state that triggers cancer development. The paper proposes dietary fructose restriction as a potential anti-cancer intervention.

Overall, the episode illuminates cutting-edge research on sugar, diet and disease. With that said, our hosts emphasize the need for further study.

Optimizing Metabolic Health After Cancer Diagnosis w/ Chad Vanags | The Metabolic Link Ep. 29 Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating conversation between our host Dr. Dom D’Agostino and Chad Vanags, a successful entrepreneur who is navigating a stage 4 cancer diagnosis with courage and purpose.
After being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2022 at just 39 years old, Chad has been documenting his journey to becoming “metabolically, physically, and mentally elite” to continue pursuing his life's vision.
In this wide-ranging discussion, we cover:
💪 Chad's backstory as a thriving entrepreneur before his "unlucky" diagnosis
💪 His shift in mindset after being told he has just months left to live
💪 Becoming "elite" across metabolic, physical, and mental health
💪 The stress-health connection and cancer as a "metabolic disease"
💪 The motivation gap - why many patients don't embrace lifestyle factors that could help outcomes
💪 Chad's advice for navigating a diagnosis with mental resilience
Be sure to claim your spot at MHS 2024 in Clearwater Beach, Florida as Chad Vanags will be joining us as a speaker share more of his journey!

Keys To Making The Ketogenic Diet Work In The Real World w/ Franziska Spritzler | The Metabolic Link Ep. 28 Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating conversation between our host Dominic D'Agostino, PhD, and Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE.

Franziska is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator who specializes in low-carb and ketogenic diets. She has been following a low-carb approach for over a decade.

In this episode, we cover:

💡 The essential tools Franziska uses when helping clients adhere to low-carb diets

💡 Managing and interpreting changes in blood work on low-carb diets

💡 Tips for navigating low-carb and ketogenic diets when traveling or eating out

💡 Franziska's stance on incorporating non-nutritive sweeteners and allulose

💡 Getting the whole family on board with dietary changes

💡 Franziska's excitement about the growth of metabolic health and her future plans

Watch the full episode on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel (link in bio), and be sure to register for MHS 2024 in Clearwater Beach, Florida as Franziska will be joining us as a speaker! You can join us in-person or virtually but spots are selling fast! Visit https://metabolichealthsummit.com to claim yours.

Mood + Mindfulness | Journal Club | The Metabolic Link Ep. 27 Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, our co-hosts Victoria Field, Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, and Dr. Angela Poff discuss two recent scientific papers on the potential metabolic connections to psychiatric disorders and mindfulness-based interventions.

The first paper is a systematic review on the efficacy of low-carb and ketogenic diets for treating mood and anxiety disorders. They discuss the importance in defining what constitutes a low-carb or ketogenic diet in research studies. Our hosts also discuss the limited data available, with only 12 studies meeting the criteria for inclusion. However, the review indicates some positive preliminary findings for the use of these diets for conditions like bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

The second paper is a meta-analysis examining mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders. It found mindfulness approaches were superior to non-evidence based treatments and comparable to standard therapies for conditions like anxiety and depression. Our hosts discuss the need for more research, but note the promising potential for simple lifestyle approaches like mindfulness, breathwork and nutrition to positively impact mental health.

Overall, the episode highlights emerging science linking metabolic function to brain health and psychiatric wellbeing. Our hosts emphasize the need to continue conducting rigorous clinical trials in this nascent field of metabolic psychiatry and share their perspectives on implementing lifestyle interventions for optimal mental health.

The Six Pillars of Health | Dr. Kyle Gillett | The Metabolic Link Ep. 26 Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating conversation between our host Dr. Dominic D'Agostino and Dr. Kyle Gillett, a board-certified physician in family and obesity medicine who provides holistic care to his patients.

He earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, practices at the Gillett Health Clinic in Olathe, Kansas, and is the host of The Gillett Health Podcast. His practice focuses on preventive, integrative, and precision medicine approaches, with expertise in hormone and metabolic optimization.

In this wide-ranging discussion, we cover:

Using genotyping and pharmacogenomics to guide personalized medicine
Assessing the impact of environmental contaminants versus diet on metabolic health
The lean mass hyper responder phenotype that some experience on ketogenic diets
Perspectives on non-nutritive sweeteners and emerging research on allulose
Tailoring exercise plans as medicine for each patient’s needs and goals
Optimizing sleep, sunlight, and stress - key for shift workers
The importance of cultivating emotional wellness for overall health

Don't miss Dr. Gillett's talk at Metabolic Health Summit 2024! Register now before spots sell out at MetabolicHealthSummit.com.

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