The Energy Balance Podcast

BV #26: Carnivore Doctors Don’t Get Insulin, Stress Hormones, and the True Cause of Fat Gain

In this episode we discuss:


-Shawn Baker claims gluconeogenesis is fine – is he right?
-Dr Rob Cywes on carb addiction, insulin resistance, and bariatric surger

 

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

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

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/
 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:47 – Shawn Baker compares gluconeogenesis to cholesterol synthesis – is the comparison valid? 

2:47 – is increasing gluconeogenesis through low-carb diets optimal? 

6:54 – problems with upregulating gluconeogenesis: stress hormones, ammonia, muscle breakdown, and insulin resistance 

10:15 – Shawn Baker’s claim that breathing too much isn’t stressful – is that true? 

12:28 – gluconeogenesis as the result of elevated stress hormones – is there a long-term cost? 

14:24 – Shawn Baker’s social media post reveals flawed reasoning and a lack of critical thinking  

17:47 – what “stress” really means and whether cortisol is always harmful 

23:45 – the cost of upregulated gluconeogenesis, elevated glucagon, and low t3 on low-carb diets 

25:15 – Dr Rob Cywes’ claim that carbs do no harm, it’s our relationship with them that’s the problem 

29:09 – Dr Cywes’ claim that glucagon is more important than insulin 

33:33 – you're not addicted to carbohydrates, your body just needs fuel 

38:13 – Dr Cywes contradicts himself on carbs and obesity 

40:37 – native cultures on high-carb diets don’t have obesity or insulin resistance 

43:05 – whether high insulin levels drive fat gain and why low-carb diets don’t prevent insulin excursions 

44:51 – is diet properly considered before bariatric surgery? 

48:08 – many “high-carb foods” are actually high-fat foods 

49:01 – bariatric surgeries ignore other possible root causes of metabolic dysfunction 

49:53 – Dr Cywes misunderstands glucagon, insulin, and cellular energy production 

56:48 – what Dr Cywes gets right: stress hormones increase in reaction to a cellular energy deficiency 

58:57 – elevated glucagon drives insulin resistance and whether glucagon resistance exists 

1:03:41 – reversing keto damage: weight loss, gut, and brain health on a bioenergetic approach

BV #25: Carb Confusion: Blood Sugar Spikes, Fat Gain, and the True Cause of Alzheimer’s

In this episode we discuss:


-The calories in calories out model of obesity 
-Dr Boz’s take on fruit and blood glucose spikes
-Richard Smith on aging and the NAD+ to NADH ratio
 

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

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

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/
 

Timestamps:
0:00 – intro 

1:17 – Is fruit evil or is Dr Boz insulin resistant? 

5:00 – whether high blood glucose levels drive Alzheimer’s and dementia 

7:39 – does glucose automatically get converted to fructose and fat? 

10:58 – Dr Boz & Glucose Goddess’s fearmongering about fruit and glucose spikes  

14:12 – Dr Boz parrots Robert Lustig: they’re both wrong about fructose 

15:43 – concerns with blood sugar spikes when reintroducing carbs and whether using a CGM is worth it 

17:32 – less, not more, glucose uptake in the brain creates the conditions for Alzheimer’s disease 

20:15 – poor glucose utilization as a driver of Alzheimer’s and dementia 

22:48 – reducing carbohydrate intake causes insulin resistance and less metabolic flexibility 

26:27 – possible reasons for Dr Boz’s high blood sugar and our advice for Dr Boz 

30:31 – our experiences with “keto snacks” and how keto caused intense cravings and binging 

33:53 – Richard Smith on keto, NAD+ and aging 

35:23 – what Richard Smith misses about glucose and the NAD+ to NADH ratio 

41:00 – glucose metabolism leads to a higher NAD+ to NADH ratio than ketone metabolism 

44:15 – how low-carb diets can restore the NAD+ to NADH ratio through stress pathways 

47:02 – whether ketones are beneficial 

49:57 – fats vs carbs: which is the better fuel for the NAD+ to NADH ratio? 

55:17 – how to support healthy aging and NAD+ levels (hint: not low-carb) 

1:00:31 – what the NAD+/NADH ratio actually indicates 

1:05:02 – lower blood sugar with a bioenergetic approach

Low-Carb and Fasting Caused Bloating, Low Energy, and Constipation

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

 
Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:47 – Sean’s professional bodybuilding career and how excessive exercise harmed his health 

5:50 – Sean’s experience with various diets (keto, carnivore, fasting, low-carb, carb-cycling, low-fat, etc.) 

12:37 – issues with the low-fat craze of the 1980s and the cost of constant diet cycling 

18:09 – excess protein slowed Sean’s metabolism and caused major gut issues 

24:35 – how the sugar diet helped Sean recover from excess protein intake and low-carb diet stress

29:15 – using colon massage and myofascial release to support digestive health 

31:23 – sugar diet results and how it impacted Sean’s bodybuilding competition and sleep

34:36 – muscle loss, lower energy, and cravings on the sugar diet

36:33 – how Sean transitioned to a more balanced approach while listening to his cravings and hunger signals 

40:23 – when it comes to exercise, more is NOT always better 

42:26 – improved health and freedom from listening to your body with the bioenergetic approach 

46:27 – how to reverse autoimmune conditions like ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using a bioenergetic approach 

49:04 – Sean’s advice to young athletes on how to support long-term health 

50:43 – how Sean overcame health dogmatism

BV #24: Nick Norwitz Says Calories Don’t Cause Obesity. Is He Wrong?

In this episode we discuss:


-The calories in calories out model of obesity 
-What really causes fat storage 
-Whether there are any concerns with consuming organ meats 
 

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

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

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/
 

Timestamps:
0:00 – intro 
0:56 – Nick Norwitz’s claim that calories don’t cause obesity and whether we agree 
6:25 – the value and limitations of calories  
14:27 – the true cause of obesity 
19:40 – “excess calorie intake causes weight gain” is unhelpful and irresponsible 
23:28 – how and when measuring calorie intake can be valuable 
27:24 – do calories matter? 
32:28 – how “it’s just calories” often places blame on the individual 
34:26 – Nick Norwitz on when the calories-in-calories-out model “breaks” 
37:28 – hypothyroidism and weight gain resolved using a bioenergetic approach 
38:26 – thoughts on organ meats like liver, heart, kidney, stomach, and intestine 
42:41 – freeze-dried or desiccated vs fresh organ meat 
45:12 – Nutrition with Judy’s claim that “liver is not a superfood” 
47:11 – can you overdose micronutrients like vitamin A and copper from organ meats? 
49:43 – strategies for including more organ meats in your diet

Vitamin D Still Low Despite Supplementing? RED FLAG

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:25 – why your vitamin D levels are still low despite supplementing

3:17 – the dangers of low vitamin D for bone health & immune function

7:16 – essential nutrients and food sources to resolve low vitamin D

17:25 – top supplement recommendations for optimal vitamin D

BV #23: Keto Raises Stress, Sugar Lowers It (Ray Peat on Fasting & Blood Sugar).

In this episode we discuss:

 

• Ray Peat’s ideas about fasting and the stress response
• Why relying on fatty acid oxidation is inherently stressful

 

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

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

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

1:03 – Ray Peat’s view on fasting for 12–15 hours without triggering stress 

4:22 – the true definition of stress and how much stress is optimal 

9:18 – how the efficiency of glucose metabolism and glycogen storage impacts stress 

12:23 – whether we agree that fasting for 12–15 hours doesn’t cause stress in healthy people 

17:05 – do hunger signals mean the stress response has already started? 

21:08 – the short- and long-term costs of low carb diets 

22:22 – finding balance between eating frequently to reduce stress and spacing meals out strategically 

24:47 – why meditation, magnesium, and other tools don’t stop physiological stress 

27:04 – Ray Peat on what happens when stored glucose (glycogen) runs out 

28:53 – hypothyroidism as a driver of poor glucose utilization and liver glycogen storage 

31:50 – stress hormones and elevated fatty acid metabolism characterize the stress response 

34:50 – ketosis mimics starvation and lowers the metabolic rate 

36:50 – sugar is anti-stress and whether sugar is addictive 

41:46 – once you add in carbs you won’t go back 

44:12 – how your body adapts when you add in carbs following low-carb diets 

48:30 – Ray Peat on the harmful effects of fasting 

50:14 – the cost of stress and increased fat metabolism 

52:06 – the dangers of releasing PUFA from storage and how long it takes to deplete PUFA 

55:11 – strategies for protecting against PUFA 

1:01:50 – how long it takes to see benefits from lowering PUFA and setting expectations for progress 

1:06:00 – binge-eating and food addiction resolved with a bioenergetic approach 

1:10:48 – how low-carb and keto diets cause intense cravings and food obsession while a bioenergetic approach resolves them

BV #22: Justine Stenger's Glaring Hypocrisy & Doubling Down on Fat vs. Carbs

In this episode we discuss:

 

• Justine’s response to our critique of her arguments against Ray Peat’s work

 

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

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

Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:32 – recap of Justine Stenger’s claim covered in episode 19 

2:26 – Justine’s response to our critique of her post 

5:45 – why it’s crucial to separate personal feelings from intellectual discussions, especially when sharing information publicly 

10:48 – our goal as health educators is not to shame or discredit individuals 

13:33 – how today’s social media environment incentivizes low quality, thoughtless posts 

18:30 – why attention and clicks take priority over quality on social media 

21:34 – how to discern reliable information and whether we should outsource understanding to specialists 

26:49 – how to develop true discernment in a world full of self-proclaimed experts 

30:19 – Justine Stenger doubles down on her claim that fats are superior to carbohydrates32:47 –do carbs or fat better supports a compromised metabolic state? 

39:45 – Justine contradicts her earlier claim that fat is a cleaner-burning fuel than carbohydrates 

43:10 – Justine Stenger’s claim that glucose oxidation is only beneficial during hypoxia or the cell danger response 

49:55 – why carbohydrates are the superior fuel source 

55:17 – the difference between glucose oxidation and anaerobic glycolysis, and whether Justine is conflating the two 

57:28 – how Ray Peat’s metabolic framework drives growth and expansion in society as a whole 

1:01:53 – why having metabolic flexibility in a healthy state doesn’t refute our argument that carbohydrates are the superior fuel 

1:08:23 – the inherent cost of favoring fat metabolism over carb metabolism, and why restoring carbohydrate utilization is essential for restoring a healthy metabolism 

1:13:30 – Justine admits she hasn’t studied Ray Peat’s work 

1:19:17 – Justine’s claim that it’s optimal to switch between fuel sources 

1:20:55 – Justine’s claim that redox matter more than carbs vs fats 

1:25:11 – did we publicly dismantle Justine’s work, and is it okay to critique others? 

1:31:26 – Justine’s hypocritical shaming of us for addressing her incorrect claims about Ray Peat’s work and glucose vs. fat metabolism1:39:48 –there is no “Ray Peat Diet” 

1:40:20 – how to embrace criticism and whether debates are typically helpful 

1:45:04 – the responsibility that comes with being health educators 

1:48:33 – common problems with debates and why we aren’t interested in debating Bart Kay 

1:52:09 – how the nervous system impacts our ability to think critically 

1:52:56 – problems with debates cont’d – are debates truly valuable? 

1:57:24 – blood sugar improvements on a bioenergetic approach

He Reversed Sleep Issues, Poor Digestion, High Blood Sugar, and More with a Bioenergetic Approach

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

 
Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

0:57 – how Andrew was introduced to Ray Peat, the bioenergetic view of health, and Jay’s energy balance approach 

5:48 – why we structure our programs with teaching the “why” alongside clear action steps and strategies 

8:41 – increased energy and lower blood sugar levels while increasing carbohydrates 

15:09 – how the Energy Balance approach resolved nighttime binging, high blood pressure, gut issues, and improved sleep quality 

19:02 – how restricting carbohydrates leads to binging and “carbohydrate addiction” 

21:33 – setting health and weight expectations: how long does it really take to heal your metabolism? 

27:07 – refeeding, weight regain, and paying back metabolic debt: the process of losing weight without compromising your health 

31:20 – the importance of keeping a health journal and documenting symptoms and wins 

33:46 – weight loss as a result of improved health 

41:29 – the cost of losing body fat by cutting calories 

47:08 – how we work with clients using the Energy Balance approach 

49:57 – how extreme diets isolate, while Energy Balance reconnects us by removing food dogma and providing the energy for healthy connection 

55:31 – Andrew’s experience learning and applying the Energy Balance system 

59:23 – how we structure the Energy Balance programs to foster learning and create lasting health improvements 

1:07:02 – how the Energy Balance approach reshaped Andrew’s coaching style 

Prediabetes, Gut Issues, Brain Fog, High Blood Pressure, & Fatigue from Low-Carb & Fasting

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

 
Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 
1:03 – introducing Andrew Wallen 


1:50 – Andrew’s background in sports, powerlifting, bodybuilding, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 


6:20 – Andrew’s experience cycling through various dietary camps (CICO, paleo, ancestral, carnivore, fasting, low-carb, etc.) 


12:04 – whether we should shape our diets around what our ancestors did 
15:15 – how low-carb, keto, and fasting diets elevated stress and caused blood sugar issues for Andrew 


20:45 – “optimal” blood glucose, HRV, and resting heart rate despite crashing health 


23:50 – how stress-inducing (hormetic) health practices led to binging, self-blame, low brain energy, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function 


27:36 – low-carb, keto, carnivore, fasting, and fear about reintroducing carbs 


33:13 – Andrew’s breaking point with health and what led him to start questioning what being “healthy” really meant 


36:27 –exercise intolerance, fatigue, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, brain fog, gut issues, slow motility, and poor sleep: the product of years of low-carb and fasting 

How To Avoid Heavy Metals, Microplastics, PFAS, & Estrogenic Compounds in Your Home & Body

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/healthy/

 

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution here:

https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy-balance-solution/

Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/non-toxic-product-recommendations-for-your-home-body-cookware-skincare-clothing-emfs-more/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

2:29 – the hidden costs behind cheap products 


5:42 – health concerns with common cookware: Teflon, non-stick coatings, PFAS, and leaching 


9:34 – concerns with cast iron and carbon steel cookware 


12:14 – how stainless steel compares to cast iron and carbon steel and concerns with nickel 


15:20 – glass cookware and ceramic cookware 


16:56 – the best cookware options 


19:54 – recommendations for low-PUFA skincare 


21:58 – recommendations for vitamin D and UV light


24:54 – the negative effects of synthetic clothing materials 


27:46 – recommended brands for clothing, bedding, towels, and other fabrics 


29:08 – coffee brands I trust and what to look for when buying coffee beans 
30:30 – EMF protection and air tube headphones 


33:09 – recommendations for high-quality meat