The Energy Balance Podcast

Ep. 130: Low Carb Diets & Oxalates: The Surprising Connection

In this episode we discuss:

 

• Whether the claim that your kidneys can only clear 50mg of oxalate per day has any validity
• Whether citrate is effective for clearing oxalates
• The impact of low-carb and high protein diets on oxalate production and clearance
• How glucose, fructose, and insulin effect oxalate production

 

Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/

 

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

 

Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-130-low-carb-diets-oxalates-the-surprising-connection/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

1:06 – is there a daily limit to how much oxalate the kidneys can process? 

9:26 – whether we automatically store oxalates if they aren’t cleared through the kidneys 

13:40 – why mitochondrial function in the kidney is crucial for calcium oxalate crystal clearance 

17:30 – the benefits of citrate and whether it’s effective for clearing oxalates 

23:30 – whether baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) support the clearance of oxalates 

27:05 – how pH balance relates to oxalate clearance 

32:19 – is “oxalate dumping” real? 

43:06 – how low-carb diets increase oxalate absorption 

47:19 – whether having a small amount of oxalates helps prevent oxalate dumping 

50:02 – how low-carb diets increase oxalate absorption (cont.) 

52:19 – why low-carb diets like keto and carnivore may increase oxalate production relative to high-carb diets 

1:00:42 – how high-protein diets lead to increased endogenous oxalate production 

1:07:41 – how carbohydrates and insulin reduce oxidative stress and oxalate production 

1:11:40 – why glucose does not cause the formation of advanced glycation end products 

1:13:18 – how low-carb diets reduce oxalate clearance – stressed kidneys, lack of citrate intake, and more acidic blood & urine

BV #8: Intermittent Fasting, Healthy Body Image, And Weight Loss vs Willpower with Kitty Blomfield

In this episode we discuss:

 

• The appeal of intermittent fasting and restrictive diets and why they often do more harm than good
• Why most women are underfed, under-muscled, and struggling with body composition
  
• The extreme things people do in the name of health and the importance of the basics
  
• The impact of stress on our health and the connection between emotional and physical health
  
• Whether drinking a few glasses of water first thing in the morning is optimal for our metabolism

 

Kitty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittyblomfield/?hl=en

 

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:38– how Kitty got introduced to Ray Peat 

3:59 – whether intermittent fasting is beneficial for women 

9:07 – the appeal of intermittent fasting and other restrictive diets, and why they do more harm than good 

14:41 – the truth about body recomposition: women are underfed and lack muscle 

17:29 – why low-carb diets like keto and carnivore are not sustainable 

19:36 – how mainstream health advice has ruined our diets and why we should eat like our grandparents 

25:21 – the role of stress in digestive health and the problem with jumping to supplements 

31:12 – when it makes sense to move on to more advanced health strategies such as lab testing, hormone replacement therapy, or gut protocols 

38:30 – Is Being Fat a Choice? Middle Ground by Jubilee 

41:23 – the relationship between emotional trauma, body image issues, and physical healing 

44:16 – what really influences body weight? 

53:30 – the importance of enjoying the food you eat daily and how it helps prevent binge eating 

55:25 – whether we should drink tons of water first thing in the morning 

57:35 – how much water do we really need? 

Ep. 129: The Forgotten Source of Oxalates: Your Body’s OWN Production

In this episode we discuss:

 

• How much oxalate your body produces and how it compares to the amount you consume in your diet
• Whether you need to be concerned about vitamin C, hydroxyproline, and glycine converting to oxalates
• How you can reduce the amount of oxalates your body produces
• Which nutrients decrease oxalate production
• How metabolic dysfunction affects oxalate production

 

Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/

 

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

 

Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-129-the-forgotten-source-of-oxalates-your-bodys-own-production/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

1:12 – overview of endogenous vs. exogenous oxalates 

5:46 – how much oxalate comes from endogenous production vs. diet 

9:14 – when endogenous oxalate production matters more than dietary oxalate 

15:03 – rare genetic disorders that cause excessive oxalate production: primary hyperoxaluria 

22:36 – the pathways in the liver that lead to oxalate production 

32:41 – other biochemical pathways involved in endogenous oxalate production 

41:19 – deranged metabolic function as a primary driver of glyoxal production and lipid peroxidation 

45:14 – the extent to which glycine and vitamin C contribute to endogenous oxalate formation 

48:00 – how much does hydroxyproline contribute to oxalate production? 

52:06 – the primary precursor to oxalate that’s often ignored (glyoxal) 

55:08 – how oxidative stress drives oxalate production and how antioxidants help 

1:01:20 – what causes the high oxalate levels seen in type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)? 

1:11:16 – the protective effects of glycine in states of excess oxalate production 

1:15:54 – elevated stress hormones and gluconeogenesis increase oxalate production 

1:22:43 – nutrient deficiencies that contribute to oxalate issues (vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and zinc)

BV 7: Peter Attia Drops Fasting, Anthony Chaffee’s Fructose Claims & Hidden Seed Oils in Restaurants

In this episode we discuss:

• Peter Attia’s admission that he was wrong about fasting and that it caused him to lose muscle mass
• Whether fasting is optimal just because our ancestors went through periods of scarcity
• Whether fructose is as damaging as alcohol like Anthony Chaffee and Robert Lustig suggest
• Whether methionine restriction is a good idea for increasing lifespan and what alternative may be a better approach
• Tips for optimizing gut health and avoiding seed oils while eating out at restaurants

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:48 – Peter Attia admits he was wrong about fasting after 10 years of muscle loss 

4:00 – the importance of critical thinking and whether it's okay to change your mind 

11:46 – why experimentation should be guided by sound logic 

18:06 – whether supplementing with BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) while fasting prevents muscle loss 

20:58 – the long-term cost of fasting and relying on adrenaline for energy and focus: impaired cognition, thyroid, testosterone, digestion, and more 

30:19 – Peter Attia says there’s no benefit to fasting beyond calorie restriction – is reduced protein intake the only drawback? 

38:34 – the problems with traditional education, where memorization replaces true learning 

41:03 – whether fasting is optimal because our ancestors fasted 

45:32 – whether evolution is purely random and whether we should mimic our ancestors 

51:58 – the cumulative effects of fasting and high stress hormones (anxiety, insomnia, low body temperature, weakened immune function) 

54:09 – whether methionine restriction is recommended to increase lifespan 

1:03:08 – the importance of consuming more gelatinous, collagen rich cuts of meats  

1:06:03 – the benefits and possible drawbacks of supplementing with glycine and taurine 

1: 10:53 – how to properly use taurine for bile acid stimulation 

1:16:33 – Anthony Chaffee disagrees with Paul Saladino on fructose – is fructose just alcohol without the buzz? 

1:23:11 – whether fructose is broken down into the same byproducts as alcohol 

1:30:01 – the difference between fructose and alcohol metabolism in the liver 

1:35:10 – whether fructose increases de novo lipogenesis and contributes to fatty liver disease 

1:44:43 – the problems with trusting medical advice based on appearance and authoritative stance, and how to discern credible sources 

1:51:04 – critiquing Paul Saladino’s take on the benefits of nitric oxide 

1:55:43 – the cost of organ transplants 

1:57:32 – optimizing gut motility, relieving constipation, and how fiber can help with protein and fat digestion 

2:04:03 – how dining out at restaurants can hinder progress and impede healing 

2:08:30 – how even high-end restaurants use toxic cooking oils and reasons to avoid aged meat 

2:12:44 – strategies for avoiding toxic foods in social settings and while traveling 

 

Ep. 128: Are Oxalates the Problem, or Is It Your Gut?

In this episode we discuss:

• Whether the harmful effects of oxalates are legitimate or overblown

• How your gut health impacts your susceptibility to oxalate issues

• Which nutrients help decrease oxalate absorption

• How fat digestion relates to oxalate absorption

• Whether a candida overgrowth may be at the root of your oxalate issues

 

Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/

 

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-128-are-oxalates-the-problem-or-is-it-your-gut/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

1:08 – common misconceptions about oxalates and whether oxalate concerns are justified

5:21 – symptoms often attributed to oxalates and whether they are truly responsible for most health problems

12:48 – what are oxalates? 

16:18 – oxalates cause kidney damage and reduce mineral bioavailability

21:34 – oxalates and cardiovascular disease

24:43 – oxalates as a driver of gut dysbiosis and decreased bile acid production

29:16 – metabolic damage caused by oxalates

37:06 – how a low-PUFA diet and vitamin E can protect against oxalate damage

43:19 – high oxalate foods and factors that impact oxalate absorption

53:29 – soluble vs. insoluble oxalates

57:04 – how calcium affects oxalate absorption and the impact of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D

1:07:41 – the effects of magnesium on oxalate absorption

1:12:44 – how deficiencies in vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B6 can increase oxalate levels

1:14:44 – how gut health relates to oxalate issues (fat digestion, intestinal permeability, and oxalate degrading bacteria)

1:22:23 – “oxalate dumping” on low-carb diets and carnivore diets may be due to poor gut health

1:26:15 – whether candida infections or other fungal infections cause excess oxalate production

BV #6: Glucose Goddess, Gabrielle Lyon, & Dr. Boz: The Truth About Blood Sugar and Macros

In this episode we discuss:

• Gabrielle Lyon’s protein recommendations, the problems with high-protein diets, and the major cost to her 1:1 protein-to-carb ratio suggestion
• Dr. Boz's take on the drivers of high fasting blood glucose on the carnivore diet
• Why Dr. Berg's view of serotonin as the "happy hormone" is unsubstantiated and our thoughts on his recommendations for raising serotonin
• How the Glucose Goddess's strategies for blood sugar regulation demonstrate a poor understanding of glucose and insulin
• Whether obesity is truly caused by genetics and if eating less and exercising more can influence obesity outcomes
• The benefits of sunlight and red-light exposure

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:46 – Gabrielle Lyon promotes bro science: 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight 

7:15 – problems with high-protein diets – stress hormones, low testosterone, slowed metabolism, and gut toxins

15:21 – whether studies on Eskimo and Inuit populations support a high-protein diet

16:59 – the problems with Gabrielle Lyon’s recommendation of a 1:1 protein to carbohydrate ratio

23:48 – the minimum amount of carbs we need daily and the consequences of not getting enough

26:56 – Gabrielle Lyon is confused about fats

35:43 – types of fats commonly used in bodybuilding and whether they’re truly optimal

37:37 – Dr Boz’s recommendations for high blood sugar on carnivore and OMAD (one-meal-a-day)

45:59 – the drivers of high fasting blood glucose on low-carb diets

49:38 – whether overeating is really an issue on the carnivore diet and why increased appetite signals improved health

57:28 – whether Dr. Boz's recommendation to shift the eating window earlier has any validity

1:01:33 – Sean Baker’s shift away from the carnivore diet

1:03:31 –Dr Boz denies that the carnivore diet caused increased fasting blood sugar

1:11:16 – why Dr Berg is wrong – serotonin is not the “happy hormone”

1:20:40 – the idea that low serotonin causes depression and high serotonin reverses it is unsupported

1:23:05 – our thoughts on Dr. Berg's recommendations for raising serotonin: exercise, fasting, and tryptophan

1:28:46 – whether vitamin D increases serotonin

1:30:56 – the benefits of sunlight and red-light exposure

1:39:39 –the problems with Glucose Goddess’s strategies to prevent blood glucose spikes

1:49:22 – insulin and blood sugar spikes are misunderstood

1:54:46 – how an excessive focus on blood glucose and insulin misses the underlying issues

1:55:59 – is obesity primarily caused by genetics?

2:01:49 – whether diet and exercise impact obesity rates

2:09:26 – the vital importance of finding fulfillment in life, following our passions, and escaping the grind of the rat race

2:15:12 – what it really takes to be healthy and whether it's possible to improve your health without expensive interventions

Ep. 127: Lipolysis and Fat Loss: Lose Body Fat Without Increasing Fat Burning

In this episode we discuss:

• Why increasing lipolysis through low-carb diets, cold plunges, fasting, and excess exercise is not necessary for fat loss
• How less lipolysis can lead to more fat loss
  
• The role of fat release and free fatty acids in diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity
• What to focus on instead of lipolysis to support healthy fat loss

 

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

 

Free Energy Balance Mini-Course: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

 

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/ep-127-lipolysis-and-fat-loss-lose-body-fat-without-increasing-fat-burning/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:08 – the fat loss narrative: release more fat from your fat stores through intense exercise, fasting, cold plunges, and low-carb diets

4:08 – how fat gets released from our fat stores

8:40 – the baseline rate of fat release from our fat stores and the impact of degenerative states like cancer on lipolysis

12:09 – how fat is released from our fat stores in response to stressors like exercise

15:34 – the connection between lipolysis, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease

23:29 – the research showing that decreasing lipolysis leads to less body fat (not more)

33:47 – whether we want to block hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity

37:47 – the research showing that increasing fat burning and lipolysis does not increase fat loss

44:25 – how to lose body fat without relying on stress-driven fat oxidation

49:56 – strategies for fat loss without increased lipolysis: are exercise, fasting, and cold plunges the solution?

BV #5: Robert Lustig on Fructose, Dave Asprey’s Criticism of Ray Peat, & Jordan Peterson on Serotonin

In this episode we discuss:

• How Jack & Dalton from Analyze & Optimize were introduced to the work of RayPeat
• Robert Lustig's claims that fructose is as harmful to the liver as alcohol 
• Whether Jordan Peterson’s Serotonin Hierarchy has any merit 
• The negative effects of the carnivore diet, especially on gut health 
• The link between birth control and cancer and the protective effects of progesterone 
• What we think of Dave Asprey’s thoughts on the “Ray Peat diet”

 

 

Analyze & Optimize's Website: https://www.analyzeandoptimize.io/

 

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy

 

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:38 – how Analyze & Optimize (Jack & Dalton) got introduced to work of Ray Peat 

6:32 – how Analyze & Optimize create their videos 

10:40 – refuting Robert Lustig's claims – is fructose as harmful to the liver as alcohol? 

17:40 – whether Analyze & Optimize are paid by “big sugar”  

20:30 – Robert Lustig’s fructose claims are unsupported 

28:06 – is white sugar safe to consume? 

33:04 – Serotonin & Hierarchy by Jordan Peterson 

34:33 – SSRI use and serotonin’s role in promoting learned helplessness and anhedonia 

40:46 – how the perceived benefits of serotonin could be attributed to other factors 

45:45 – whether serotonin is the “dominance” hormone 

47:17 – Analyze & Optimize respond to Shawn Baker on sugar cravings being a sign of health and youth 

51:04 – declining health on the carnivore diet, whether it’s sustainable, and why your immune system needs carbohydrates 

54:04 – carnivore diet effects on gut health – quorum sensing, biofilms, high stress hormones, and damage to thyroid health 

1:01:30 – why chronic low-calorie intake turns down metabolic function and leads to obesity 

1:07:00 – the harm caused by conflating progesterone and synthetic progestins 

1:14:57 – the link between birth control and cancer and the protective effects of progesterone 

1:18:20 – the negative effects of synthetic progestins and estrogen, especially unchecked by natural progesterone 

1:24:45 – Why Is the Right So Obsessed with Seed Oils? by Ej Dickson 

1:31:15 – Dave Asprey argues with Paul Saladino on supplements vs orange juice 

1:39:10 – whether Ray Peat’s ideas and principles promote orthorexia 

1:44:22 – using precision medicine vs. listening to your body 

1:51:09 – where to find more of Jack & Dalton’s work 

Ep. 126: High Triglycerides on a High-Carb Diet: Should You Be Worried?

In this episode we discuss:

• What causes increased triglycerides on a high-carb diet
• Whether the small, dense LDL particles are really the culprits behind cardiovascular disease 
• How lipid values on a high-carb diet compared to a low-carb diet, including lean mass hyper responders
• Whether low HDL levels will increase your risk of heart disease
• Whether high triglyceride levels cause heart disease

 

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

 

Free Energy Balance Mini-Course: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

 

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/ep-126-high-triglycerides-on-a-high-carb-diet-should-you-be-worried/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:10 – whether elevated triglycerides on a high-carbohydrate diet warrant concern 

3:21 – the association between LDL, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome 

5:52 – the lipid energy model and what accounts for the lipid values seen in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHR)  

9:26 – what causes higher triglycerides seen on higher-carb, lower-fat diets in someone who is insulin sensitive 

11:39 - what causes high triglycerides in insulin resistance 

18:08 – are elevated triglyceride levels on a high-carb diet concerning, and do they drive cardiovascular disease? 

24:08 – whether small, dense LDL and low HDL levels drive heart disease 

28:25 – native cultures showing high triglycerides on a high-carb diet with no signs of cardiovascular disease:Tarahumaras, Tukisenta, and the Kitavans 

34:10 – high-carb diets support insulin sensitivity and don’t increase uric acid levels in the Tukisenta  

37:23 –high-carb diets support insulin sensitivity without increased activity levels in the Kitavans 

43:43 – when elevated triglycerides might become a concern after increasing carbohydrate intake 

BV #4: Responding To Thomas Delauer, Ben Bikman on Insulin Resistance, and Layne Norton on Seed Oils

In this episode we discuss:

• What Layne Norton is missing regarding seed oils
  
• What we think of Liver King’s steroid use and how this relates to fitness culture and unhealthy body image
  
• Ben Bikman’s complete misapplication of a study regarding blood sugar and insulin resistance
  
• Jay’s response to Thomas DeLauer regarding omega-3s and cod liver oil
  

 

 

Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Danny's Telegram: https://t.me/dannyroddy

 

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:28 – Andrew Huberman and Layne Norton on whether seed oils are inherently harmful

4:18 – why Layne Norton's "calories-only" view is flawed, as it ignores how the type of food actually affects our bodies

9:58 – whether animal studies are useful in nutritional research, or if only human randomized control trials (RTC) should be considered

15:57 – problematic assumptions and biases in nutritional research and how they can shape research outcomes

20:59 – why the reported health benefits of polyunsaturated fats in research are misleading and harmful

26:54 – the connection between chronic disease and polyunsaturated fats, and how focusing solely on calories relieves the food industry of responsibility for health outcomes

31:43 – Liver King's self-esteem, body image struggles, steroid use, health risks, and why his apology was commendable

41:36 – why cultural standards for physical appearances are unrealistic, unhealthy, and can lead to conflating steroid-enhanced bodies for genuine health

51:12 – health risks associated with steroid-use and having too much muscle mass

1:00:34 – Thomas Delauer and Derek from moreplatesmoredates discuss omega-3s

1:06:21 – whether the antioxidants in fish oil are worth the damage caused by lipid peroxidation

1:10:54 – whether cod liver oil is any better than fish oil

1:17:11 – how to effectively hydrate your cells and the importance of getting enough salt

1:24:44 – why consuming a lot of plain water without electrolytes actually impairs hydration, contributing to increased swelling, increased stress, and impaired energy production

1:32:38 – the importance of getting adequate potassium in addition to salt intake

1:38:03 – factors that may increase your need for water

1:40:02 – what Ben Bikman misses when it comes to blood glucose and insulin resistance

1:48:15 – the true relationship between insulin and blood sugar regulation

1:54:30 – Ben Bikman misapplies this study: it does not support that carbohydrates cause insulin resistance

2:00:38 – creating content in the health sphere, choosing high quality foods, and the benefits of tracking food (using Cronometer or another similar app)