Unlocking the Power of Metabolic Medicine with Nicholas Norwitz, PhD

04/05/23 • 54 min

In this episode, Dr. Brian interviews Dr. Nicholas Norwitz, who shares his fascinating journey with a low-carb ketogenic-style diet and its impact on his health. Dr. Nicholas, a Ph.D. holder from Oxford University and an incoming medical student at Harvard, talks about his personal health experiences and how they inspired him to start helping others.
He also explains how his research has revealed the benefits of a low-carb diet and discusses some nutrition myths. This insightful conversation is a must-listen for those interested in exploring the connection between diet and health.
Metabolic Medicine Is Key
Metabolic medicine is critical to understanding and preventing metabolic diseases. Metabolic diseases affect the body's ability to process and use energy. Examples include diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Metabolic medicine is an emerging field focusing on the underlying causes of metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, vitamin deficiencies, and hormone imbalances. By understanding the root causes of metabolic diseases, doctors can develop effective treatment plans to prevent and manage them.
One of the most critical aspects of metabolic medicine is understanding how lifestyle and genetics can interact to cause metabolic diseases. For example, a person's diet, activity level, and genetics can all play a role in their risk of developing metabolic diseases. By understanding the connections between lifestyle and genetics, doctors can develop personalized treatment plans to address each individual's unique needs.
How Can You Prevent Metabolic Diseases?
In addition to understanding the underlying causes of metabolic diseases, metabolic medicine also focuses on prevention. By eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest, we can reduce our risk of chronic diseases and live a healthier, happier life. Additionally, if we are suffering from metabolic diseases, it is vital to seek professional help. Doctors can help us develop personalized treatment plans to address our individual needs.
Finally, it is essential to be aware of the influence of big sugar on metabolic medicine. Companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi have been known to fund research and education to influence what dietitians learn and how they disseminate information. This can lead to the promotion of unhealthy diets and the perpetuation of metabolic diseases. Overall, it is essential to address metabolic health for prevention. By understanding the underlying causes of metabolic diseases and taking steps to prevent them, we can reduce our risk of many chronic diseases and live a healthier, happier life. Metabolic medicine is vital to understanding and preventing metabolic diseases, and it is crucial to be aware of the influence of big sugar on the field.
Industry Influences Nutrition Guidelines
Nutrition guidelines are often biased by industry. The industry significantly influences nutrition guidelines and how we view food. Companies like General Mills fund continuing education courses to promote the idea that packaged foods are just part of life and can benefit our health. This idea of "everything in moderation" is often used to excuse people from indulging in unhealthy foods, even though many are engineered to be addictive. For example, when looking up the nutritional information for dates, it was discovered that 340 grams of sugar were needed to get the recommended amount of potassium, the richest nutrient in dates. This is a tremendous amount of sugar, and it is not an accurate representation of the health benefits of dates.
In addition, many nutrition labels on ultra-processed foods are misleading and do not accurately reflect the nutrients available to our bodies. The word "fortified" is often used to make these foods seem healthier, b

Support the show

Support the show

Previous Episode

The Metabolic Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet with Dr. Dominic D'Agostino

In this episode of the Mastering Blood Sugar podcast, host Dr. Brian interviews Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, a scientist from the University of South Florida who studies ketogenic diets, metabolism, and brain health. Dr. Brian and Dr. Dominic discuss the growing popularity of ketogenic diets and their potential benefits for diabetes and metabolic health. Dr. Dominic shares his background, interest in nutrition and metabolism, and research on the neural control of autonomic regulation. Overall, this episode explores the science behind ketogenic diets and their potential impact on overall health.
Health Benefits of a High-Fat Diet
High-fat diets have been gaining a lot of attention in recent years as more and more research has been conducted on the potential health benefits of consuming a high-fat diet. In particular, the ketogenic diet has been studied extensively, and the results have been quite promising.
The research conducted by Dr. Dominic and others on the potential health benefits of a high-fat diet is optimistic. Not only has it been used to treat seizures, but it has also been studied for its potential to improve glycemic control, reduce inflammation, and even fight cancer. While more research is needed, the evidence suggests that a high-fat diet can benefit many people.
Ketones Provide Energy During Fasting
One of the most exciting aspects of a high-fat diet is the role of ketones in providing energy during fasting. Ketones are small water-soluble molecules produced by the liver, and they are released into the bloodstream when the body is in a fasted state. This allows the body to access a fuel source that it otherwise would not be able to use.
Ketones are an efficient fuel source for the heart and the brain, and they can replace glucose as the primary energy source after about 24 to 48 hours of fasting. This is why ketones are crucial for fasting people, as they provide the body with an alternative energy source to help prevent muscle breakdown and keep the brain functioning correctly.
Benefits of Ketosis: Health and Energy
One of the main benefits of the ketogenic diet is its ability to induce a state of ketosis, which converts fat into ketones for energy. This process of ketosis has several benefits, including improved energy, appetite suppression, and enhanced immunity.
One of the primary benefits of ketosis is improved energy. When the body is in a state of ketosis, it can burn fat for energy more efficiently than it would when in a state of glycolysis or burning carbohydrates for energy. This increased efficiency results in an increased energy level, allowing the body to perform at its peak. In addition, ketones may also provide an anti-hypoglycemic effect, benefiting those with diabetes or other conditions that cause hypoglycemia.
Website: https://ketonutrition.org
Blog: https://ketonutrition.org/blog-2-2/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keto.nutrition/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ketonutrition.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqVNHZUXqn1sFvgppi5Zpmg/videos
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicDAgosti2
Key Takeaways:
[00:01:12] How Dr. Dominic D'Agostino got interested in the study of ketogenic diets and metabolism.
[00:04:13] Ketogenic diet for epilepsy.
[00:09:01] Ketones as an energy source.
[00:12:22] Ketones and their therapeutic effects.
[00:16:26] Ketone bodies and energy production.
[00:21:13] Therapeutic fasting for seizures.
[00:25:47] Low-carb diets for weight loss.
[00:30:33] Continuous glucose monitor for diabetes.
[00:37:50] Ketones attenuate hypoglycemia effects.
[00:38:45] Ketogenic diet and immunity.
[00:45:30] Managing type two diabetes.
[00:46:43] Starvation diet.

Support the show

Next Episode

Mastering Blood Sugar Podcast: The Vegetable Myth with Paul Saladino, MD

In this episode, Dr. Brian interviews Dr. Paul Saladino, the Carnivore MD, on his unconventional approach to nutrition and health. Dr. Saladino challenges the common belief that vegetables are always good for humans and advocates for a carnivorous diet instead.
He discusses his book and the research behind his ideas, inviting listeners to consider new perspectives on health and nutrition. The conversation touches on the influence of parents and cultural programming and the importance of questioning our assumptions.
Vegetables Are Not Always Healthy
Vegetables are often considered one of the most essential and healthy foods a person can eat. We are taught to include them in our diet from a young age, and doctors and nutritionists often recommend them. However, recent research by Dr. Paul Saladino, the carnivore MD, has challenged this assumption.
Dr. Saladino suggests that not all vegetables are healthy for humans. He argues that some vegetables contain compounds that can harm our bodies. For example, Dr. Saladino points to the presence of lectins, proteins found in some plants that may lead to inflammation and other adverse health effects. He also suggests that some vegetables contain compounds that can be hard for our bodies to digest, such as oxalates and phytates, which can interfere with the absorption of specific vitamins and minerals.
Eliminate Seed Oils and Processed Sugar
Dr. Saladino emphasizes the importance of eliminating seed oils and processed sugar from our diets. Seed oils, such as corn, canola, safflower, sunflower, and grape seed oil, are often found in processed foods and can contribute to various health issues. Processed sugar also contributes significantly to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Eat Animals For Nutrients
Eating animals for their nutrients is a concept that has been around for centuries. In recent years, however, the idea has been met with skepticism because plants contain more vitamins and minerals than animals. However, this is not necessarily true. While plants contain some vitamins and minerals, they also contain defense chemicals that can harm humans. Additionally, animal foods are more bioavailable than plant foods, meaning that our bodies can more easily absorb and use the nutrients found in animal foods.
The Hadza, an indigenous people living in Tanzania, is an example of a culture that relies heavily on animal foods. The Hadza are hunter-gatherers, hunting and gathering their nutrition from the land. They consume various animals, including antelope, wildebeest, and other game, as well as honey, fruits, and nuts. Studies have found that the Hadza have an excellent nutrient intake, with adequate levels of vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. This is likely due to their diet, which is high in animal foods.
Key Takeaways
[00:01:25] Challenging beliefs about vegetables.
[00:03:44] Vegetables are potentially not healthy.
[00:09:11] Plant defense mechanisms.
[00:18:22] The benefits and detriments of vegetables.
[00:21:40] Molecular hormetics in plants.
[00:24:19] Why we should eat animals.
[00:27:20] Metabolic dysfunction and diet.
[00:33:04] Fructose and fruit vs. processed sugar.
[00:41:30] Seed oils and metabolic disease.
[00:44:41] Optimal human diet.
[00:56:43] Evolution of human vision.
Resources
Website: https://www.carnivoremd.com
The Carnivore Code: https://www.amazon.com/Carnivore-Code-Unlocking-Returning-Ancestral/dp/035846997X/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carnivoreMD/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carnivoremd2.0/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/paulsaladinomd
Heart&Soil: https://heartandsoil.co/