Summary
Professor Ben Bickman, a biomedical scientist, addresses the rising global issue of metabolic disorders, particularly focusing on insulin resistance and its link to obesity. He explains that insulin resistance is now the most common health disorder worldwide, affecting over half of adults. Bickman highlights the two primary ways the body gains fat: hypertrophy, where fat cells grow larger, and hyperplasia, where the number of fat cells increases. He emphasizes that hypertrophic fat cells become insulin resistant and pro-inflammatory, contributing to a cycle that exacerbates metabolic issues.
Bickman introduces GLP-1 drugs, which have gained attention for their role in managing weight and improving metabolic health. Originally developed as anti-diabetic medications, these drugs mimic the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood glucose levels and suppress appetite. He notes that while these medications can lead to weight loss, they may also result in the loss of lean mass and can cause gastrointestinal side effects that lead many patients to discontinue use. Bickman cautions that the long-term effects of these drugs, particularly at high doses, could potentially diminish their effectiveness and lead to increased insulin resistance.
To improve metabolic health naturally, Bickman advocates for dietary changes, specifically controlling carbohydrate intake and incorporating structured fasting. He suggests that increasing the consumption of natural fats and proteins can enhance the body's production of GLP-1, offering a potential alternative to pharmaceutical interventions. Overall, Bickman calls for a balanced approach to managing weight and metabolic health, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying biological mechanisms at play.
Show Notes
Dr. Benjamin Bikman earned his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and was a postdoctoral fellow with the Duke-National University of Singapore in metabolic disorders. He is currently a professor of pathophysiology and a biomedical scientist at Brigham Young University in Utah. Dr. Bikman's professional focus as a scientist and professor is to better understand chronic modern-day diseases, with a special emphasis on the origins and consequences of obesity and diabetes, with an increasing scrutiny of the pathogenicity of insulin and insulin resistance. He frequently publishes his research in peer-reviewed journals and presents at international science meetings.Dr. Bikman has long been an advocate of a ketogenic diet in light of the considerable evidence supporting its use as a therapy for reversing insulin resistance. His website InsulinIQ.com promotes dietary clarity, healing, and freedom through evidence-based science about insulin resistance. Employing cell-autonomous to whole-body systems, Dr. Bikman's recent efforts have focused on exploring the intimate associations between the metabolic and immune systems.Please consider supporting Low Carb Down Under via Patreon. A small monthly contribution will assist in the costs of filming and editing these presentations and will allow us to keep producing high quality content free from advertising. For further information visit; https://www.patreon.com/lowcarbdownunder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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