Summary
The discussion centers on the misconceptions surrounding weight loss, particularly the overemphasis on calorie counting. Dr. Jason Fung, a kidney specialist and author, argues that the focus should shift from merely counting calories to understanding the types of foods consumed and their hormonal impacts on the body. He explains that different foods trigger varying hormonal responses, which influence whether the body stores or burns calories. For instance, consuming processed foods high in sugar can lead to spikes in insulin, prompting the body to store fat and increasing hunger shortly after eating.
Fung emphasizes the importance of real, unprocessed foods in maintaining metabolic health and managing weight. He points out that modern diets, rich in ultra-processed foods, contribute to rising rates of obesity and metabolic diseases. He advocates for a return to traditional eating habits that prioritize whole foods, which provide essential nutrients and support hormonal balance. Additionally, he highlights the role of organ meats, such as liver, in providing vital nutrients that are often lacking in contemporary diets.
The conversation concludes with a call to focus on balancing hormones rather than fixating on calorie intake. Fung suggests that understanding the body's hormonal responses to food can lead to more effective weight management and improved overall health.
Show Notes
Learn more about Ancestral Supplements:Code: FUNGLink: https://ancestralsupplements.com/FUNG(Disclosure: This video was sponsored by Ancestral Supplements. Note that I use this brand personally at this moment because I believe in a whole food supplement)Most people still believe weight gain is simply about calories.But if calorie restriction alone worked long-term, why do so many people struggle?In this conversation, Dr. Jason Fung sits down with Julia from Ancestral Supplements to explore the hormonal model of weight gain, insulin, ultra-processed foods, and how modern eating patterns may influence metabolism.Topics discussed:• Why “calories in, calories out” may be incomplete• Insulin as a key metabolic hormone• How processed foods can affect hunger and satiety• The difference between whole foods and refined foods• Understanding insulin sensitivity• The role of nutrient density in traditional dietsWeight regulation is complex and involves more than simple math. This discussion explores how hormones, food quality, and dietary patterns may play a role.If you found this conversation helpful, consider sharing it with someone who may benefit from hearing it.—Learn more about Ancestral Supplements:https://www.AncestralSupplements.comFollow Ancestral Supplements on Instagram:https://instagram.com/AncestralSupplementsFollow Julia on Instagram:https://instagram.com/JuliaTheNutritionist—This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Jason Fung
Is salt bad for our health? Should we follow a low salt diet? An in-depth analysis of available data and the surprising conclusion. A low salt diet does not lead to less heart disease or stroke. Check out my blog at https://medium.com/@drjasonfungMore Information:BOOKS:The Obesity Code - Reviewing underlying physiology of weight loss and how low carb diets and fasting can help. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771641258?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Diabetes Code - Reviewing how type 2 diabetes is a reversible disease and dietary strategies. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795BLS8D?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Cancer Code - Scientific exploration of how cancer develops - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062894005?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dAmazon:USA - https://www.amazon.com/shop/jasonfungCanada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/jasonfung**Fasting Aids**Pique Fasting Tea (recommended)https://www.piquetea.com/drjasonfungFasting Community and Coaching:https://www.thefastingmethod.com/YouTube Medical Lectures (for specialist physicians):1. The Roots of the Obesity Epidemic - https://youtu.be/q8BGYhreaco2. Therapeutic Fasting - The Two Compartment Problem: https://youtu.be/ETkwZIi3R7w3. Does Calorie Counting work? https://youtu.be/5F5o0a4p_3U4. Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes - https://youtu.be/FcLoaVNQ3rc5. Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally - https://youtu.be/mAwgdX5VxGc6. Insulin Toxicity - https://youtu.be/4oZ4UqtbB_g7. Saturated Fat - Friend or Foe? https://youtu.be/QetsIU-3k7Y8. Diet and Disease - https://youtu.be/2yoOx_7MLn09. Dangers of Fructose - https://youtu.be/pG89j432w-Y10. Insulin Resistance - https://youtu.be/dimP7IdM2Og11. Role of Hormones in Weight Loss - https://youtu.be/ZbnshVO4PRM12. The Obesity Code Lecture 1 - https://youtu.be/YpllomiDMX0Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w/joinTimestamps0:00 Is salt bad for you?0:20 Official salt recommendations4:34 Funnel plots9:38 Causation versus association13:19 Salt intake differences between countries17:24 Salt and heart disease23:20 Dangers of salt restriction#jasonfung #drjasonfung #fasting #fastingbenefits #weightlosstips #intermittentfasting #drfung #fung #calories #weightlosstips #caloriesincaloriesout #weightloss #nutrition #diet #health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The first big lie is that Type 2 Diabetes is chronic and progressive. The second lie is that treatment of blood sugar is the primary target of therapy. Check out my blog at https://medium.com/@drjasonfungMore Information:BOOKS:The Obesity Code - Reviewing underlying physiology of weight loss and how low carb diets and fasting can help. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771641258?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Diabetes Code - Reviewing how type 2 diabetes is a reversible disease and dietary strategies. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795BLS8D?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Cancer Code - Scientific exploration of how cancer develops - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062894005?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dAmazon:USA - https://www.amazon.com/shop/jasonfungCanada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/jasonfung**Fasting Aids**Pique Fasting Tea (recommended)https://www.piquetea.com/drjasonfungFasting Community and Coaching:https://www.thefastingmethod.com/YouTube Medical Lectures (for specialist physicians):1. The Roots of the Obesity Epidemic - https://youtu.be/q8BGYhreaco2. Therapeutic Fasting - The Two Compartment Problem: https://youtu.be/ETkwZIi3R7w3. Does Calorie Counting work? https://youtu.be/5F5o0a4p_3U4. Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes - https://youtu.be/FcLoaVNQ3rc5. Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally - https://youtu.be/mAwgdX5VxGc6. Insulin Toxicity - https://youtu.be/4oZ4UqtbB_g7. Saturated Fat - Friend or Foe? https://youtu.be/QetsIU-3k7Y8. Diet and Disease - https://youtu.be/2yoOx_7MLn09. Dangers of Fructose - https://youtu.be/pG89j432w-Y10. Insulin Resistance - https://youtu.be/dimP7IdM2Og11. Role of Hormones in Weight Loss - https://youtu.be/ZbnshVO4PRM12. The Obesity Code Lecture 1 - https://youtu.be/YpllomiDMX0Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w/joinTimestamps0:00 Type 2 Diabetes8:49 Treatment of Type 2 diabetes14:55 Complications of type 2 diabetes22:02 Fatty Liver disease and type 2 diabetes29:00 Insulin Resistance explained37:07 Cure for type 2 diabetes?#jasonfung #drjasonfung #fasting #fastingbenefits #weightlosstips #intermittentfasting #drfung #fung #calories #weightlosstips #caloriesincaloriesout #weightloss #nutrition #diet #health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dr. Jason Fung provides a detailed description of the physiology of fasting, what happens to our body as we stop eating. Knowing this may help you lose weight. The body transitions by first using glucose from the food. In the second stage, it breaks down glycogen into glucose. In the third stage, it uses protein to make glucose, a phase called gluconeogenesis. After that, the body sustains itself mainly on stored fat. Check out my blog at https://medium.com/@drjasonfungMore Information:BOOKS:The Obesity Code - Reviewing underlying physiology of weight loss and how low carb diets and fasting can help. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771641258?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Diabetes Code - Reviewing how type 2 diabetes is a reversible disease and dietary strategies. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795BLS8D?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Cancer Code - Scientific exploration of how cancer develops - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062894005?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dAmazon:USA - https://www.amazon.com/shop/jasonfungCanada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/jasonfung**Fasting Aids**Pique Fasting Tea (recommended)https://www.piquetea.com/drjasonfungFasting Community and Coaching:https://www.thefastingmethod.com/YouTube Medical Lectures (for specialist physicians):1. The Roots of the Obesity Epidemic - https://youtu.be/q8BGYhreaco2. Therapeutic Fasting - The Two Compartment Problem: https://youtu.be/ETkwZIi3R7w3. Does Calorie Counting work? https://youtu.be/5F5o0a4p_3U4. Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes - https://youtu.be/FcLoaVNQ3rc5. Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally - https://youtu.be/mAwgdX5VxGc6. Insulin Toxicity - https://youtu.be/4oZ4UqtbB_g7. Saturated Fat - Friend or Foe? https://youtu.be/QetsIU-3k7Y8. Diet and Disease - https://youtu.be/2yoOx_7MLn09. Dangers of Fructose - https://youtu.be/pG89j432w-Y10. Insulin Resistance - https://youtu.be/dimP7IdM2Og11. Role of Hormones in Weight Loss - https://youtu.be/ZbnshVO4PRM12. The Obesity Code Lecture 1 - https://youtu.be/YpllomiDMX0Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w/join#jasonfung #drjasonfung #fasting #fastingbenefits #weightlosstips #intermittentfasting #drfung #fung #calories #weightlosstips #caloriesincaloriesout #weightloss #nutrition #diet #healthTime Stamps:0:00 Intro to intermittent fasting1:16 Physiology of fasting2:40 Changes during intermittent fasting4:08 Gluconeogenesis during fasting5:04 Growth hormone during intermittent fasting6:04 Sympathetic nervous system activation during fasting6:32 Electrolytes during fasting7:19 Fasting is the transition of fuel sources8:48 Fasting regimens for weight loss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most people are told that “weight loss = calorie deficit.” But the truth is, a caloriedeficit is a myth. Your body is not a simple calculator where you just subtractcalories and lose fat. In this video, Dr. Jason Fung explains the science behindwhy focusing only on calories fails, and why hormones, insulin, and fatmetabolism are the real keys to healthy and lasting weight loss.When people try extreme dieting or drug-induced appetite suppression, theyoften experience side effects like the dreaded “Ozempic face” — hollow cheeks,sagging skin, and an unhealthy look. This happens because subcutaneous fat(the fat under the skin) gets burned instead of visceral fat (the dangerous fataround your organs). The result: you may lose weight, but you don’t look or feelhealthy.Fasting works completely differently. Instead of just cutting calories, fastingchanges your hormones and metabolism:�� Insulin drops, allowing fat burning to start�� Growth hormone rises, protecting muscle and skin elasticity�� Autophagy activates, repairing tissues and preventing loose skin�� Visceral fat is targeted, which improves health and appearance�� Brown fat (through beiging) is activated, boosting metabolism naturallyThat’s why people who fast look healthier, stronger, and younger compared tothose who follow harsh calorie-restricted diets.In this video you’ll discover:✅ Why calorie restriction almost always fails✅ The science of subcutaneous vs. visceral fat✅ How fasting avoids the “Ozempic face” problem✅ The role of hormones in fat burning and aging✅ How fasting improves skin health, prevents sagging, and supports long-termfat loss�� If you’re serious about losing weight without losing your health or youthfulook, this video is a must-watch.�� Subscribe now for more science-backed videos on fasting, weight loss, anmetabolic health. And don’t forget to like ��, comment ��, and share this vidwith anyone who still believes in the calorie deficit myth!▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps0:00 – Introduction: Why “calorie deficit” is a myth1:10 – The calorie counting problem explained2:30 – How calorie restriction affects your body3:45 – Subcutaneous vs. visceral fat: which one really matters?5:20 – Why fasting is different from dieting6:40 – Hormonal impact: insulin, growth hormone & fat burning8:00 – Fasting and skin health (no sagging, no hollow cheeks)9:25 – Autophagy and natural skin tightening10:45 – White fat vs. brown fat (the beiging effect)11:50 – Key takeaway: Why calorie deficit cannot ever exist=============================�� BOOKS:�� The Obesity Code - Reviewing underlying physiology of weight loss anhow low carb diets and fasting can help.https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771641258?...�� The Diabetes Code - Reviewing how type 2 diabetes is a reversibldisease and dietary strategies. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795BLS8D?...�� The Cancer Code - Scientific exploration of how cancer developshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0062894005?...�� Amazon:�� USA - https://www.amazon.com/shop/jasonfung�� Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/jasonfung▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬�� Please visit our :-�� Website - https://www.doctorjasonfung.com�� Blog- / drjasonfung�� Community- https://www.thefastingmethod.com�� Facebook - / jason.fung.313�� Instagram - / drjasonfung�� Twitter - / drjasonfung▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬�� YouTube Medical Lectures (for specialist physicians)▶️ The Roots of the Obesity Epidemic: https: // • The Obesity Epidemic,Explained▶️ Therapeutic Fasting - The Two Compartment Problem:https: // •Fasting and Weight Loss - Solving the...▶️ Does Calorie Counting work?: • Why Calorie Counting rarely leads to...▶️ Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes: • Two Big Lies about Type 2Diabetes▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬If you liked the video, Please Do Subscribe My Channel ����Keep Supporting me So Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What breaks a fast? Does tea, or coffee or cream or sugar break the fast? How about diet soda? Dr Jason Fung discusses what you can take during a fast and how this affects weight loss. These fasting variations can still be very effective for weight loss. Check out my blog at https://medium.com/@drjasonfungMore Information:BOOKS:The Obesity Code - Reviewing underlying physiology of weight loss and how low carb diets and fasting can help. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771641258?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Diabetes Code - Reviewing how type 2 diabetes is a reversible disease and dietary strategies. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0795BLS8D?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dThe Cancer Code - Scientific exploration of how cancer develops - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062894005?ref=exp_jasonfung_dp_vv_dAmazon:USA - https://www.amazon.com/shop/jasonfungCanada - https://www.amazon.ca/shop/jasonfung**Fasting Aids**Pique Fasting Tea (recommended)https://www.piquetea.com/drjasonfungFasting Community and Coaching:https://www.thefastingmethod.com/YouTube Medical Lectures (for specialist physicians):1. The Roots of the Obesity Epidemic - https://youtu.be/q8BGYhreaco2. Therapeutic Fasting - The Two Compartment Problem: https://youtu.be/ETkwZIi3R7w3. Does Calorie Counting work? https://youtu.be/5F5o0a4p_3U4. Two Big Lies of Type 2 Diabetes - https://youtu.be/FcLoaVNQ3rc5. Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally - https://youtu.be/mAwgdX5VxGc6. Insulin Toxicity - https://youtu.be/4oZ4UqtbB_g7. Saturated Fat - Friend or Foe? https://youtu.be/QetsIU-3k7Y8. Diet and Disease - https://youtu.be/2yoOx_7MLn09. Dangers of Fructose - https://youtu.be/pG89j432w-Y10. Insulin Resistance - https://youtu.be/dimP7IdM2Og11. Role of Hormones in Weight Loss - https://youtu.be/ZbnshVO4PRM12. The Obesity Code Lecture 1 - https://youtu.be/YpllomiDMX0Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w/join#jasonfung #drjasonfung #fasting #fastingbenefits #weightlosstips #intermittentfasting #drfung #fung #calories #weightlosstips #caloriesincaloriesout #weightloss #nutrition #diet #health #weightlosssolutionTime Stamps:0:00 Intro1:23 Dry Fasting2:46 Water Only Fasting3:23 Green Tea helps fasting4:28 Coffee and Fasting5:30 Does a small snack stop weight loss?6:57 Diet soda and Fasting7:30 Supplements and Fasting8:55 Juice Fasting9:22 Case Study Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices