The Energy Balance Podcast

BV#3: Georgi Dinkov Responds To Estrogen Criticism, Serotonin Confusion, & Low Thyroid On Carnivore

In this episode we discuss:

• The criticism of Georgi regarding estrogen and cancer
• The major point that Siim Land is missing when it comes to increasing NAD+
• Why we think Dr. Berg is completely wrong on serotonin
• Nutrition With Judy’s suggestion that thyroid issues on a carnivore diet are not caused by the lack of carbohydrates, and why we think this isn’t the case
• Dave Asprey’s recommendation to drink orange juice and whether it’s for the right reasons

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

1:10 – whether estrogen is a carcinogen 

6:13 – estrogen’s role in driving weight gain and chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Type 2 Diabetes 

8:03 – the dangers of synthetic progesterone (progestin) use 

10:14 – the difference between estrone and estradiol and the problems with estrogen testing 

16:14 – whether estrogen therapy should be used in post-menopausal women 

17:17 – the difference between oral and transdermal estrogen use 

24:44 – the connection between inflammation and estrogen production 

27:57 – why estrogen levels are not actually low in post-menopausal women 

37:59 – our take on Siim Land's post on NAD+ and mitochondrial uncoupling 

48:25 – why intentionally seeking hormetic responses, like the activation of heat-shock proteins, should be avoided 

50:37 – which form of CoQ10 is better: ubiquinone or ubiquinol 

53:34 – what Siim Land and many others get wrong when it comes to raising NAD+  

55:44 – does fasting and AMPK upregulation cause cancer? 

1:00:29 – fat fuels cancer and why not to restrict sugar for cancer 

1:09:56 – Dr Berg’s take that serotonin is the “happy hormone” – why we disagree 

1:19:06 – serotonin’s role in driving chronic diseases and conditions including depression, anxiety, IBS, and cancer 

1:27:24 – Nutrition with Judy claims that the low thyroid levels generally seen on the carnivore diet have nothing to do with a lack of carbohydrates 

1:39:01 – how the rate of living theory changed mainstream medicine’s view that thyroid health is important 

1:45:37 – how excessive exercise raises stress hormones, setting you up for weight regain 

1:51:30 – why the combination of fasting and exercise is detrimental to our health 

1:53:44 – how estrogen is used to fatten animals  

2:02:42 – why Dave Asprey is talking about endotoxin and orange juice 

2:07:00 – whether the sugar in orange juice feeds bacteria and increases endotoxin 

2:09:40 – why the low-carb trend keeps resurfacing, despite the growing evidence against it 

2:14:41 – where to find Georgi and IdeaLabs 

Ep. 124: Forget About CICO: A Smarter Approach to Fat Loss

In this episode we discuss:

• An alternative framework to CICO for conceptualizing fat loss
  
• Why eating less and exercising more is not the best solution for fat loss
• Why excess energy does not cause fat gain and instead leads to fat loss
  
• How you can get stuck in a cycle of weight gain, undereating, and constant hunger, and how to get out of that cycle

 

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-124-forget-about-cico-a-smarter-approach-to-fat-loss/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:06 – recapping the problems with CICO

5:02 – the Energy Balance approach as an alternative to CICO for fat loss

12:12 – why calories do not equal energy and considering the possible fates of the food we consume

17:39 – efficient mitochondrial function as a central piece that determines whether substrate will be stored as body fat

19:39 – the amount of food you eat does matter

21:46 – conceptualizing Energy Balance with numerical units

24:00 – fat gain as a consequence of impaired mitochondrial function

29:01 – how you can lose fat while eating more

33:12 – the effects of energy availability on hunger and stress hormones

36:41 – how stress hormones, along with energy deficits, cause the body to break down muscle, bone, and skin for energy

43:16 – the benefits of having an energy surplus: improved sleep, immune function, digestion, cognitive function, and more

46:20 – comparing the Energy Balance approach with CICO and the major cost of the advice to “eat less and exercise more

BV #2: Morley Robbins on the Adrenals vs Thyroid, Seed Oil Myths, and Coconut Oil & Endotoxin

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

0:36 – catching up: fruit quality in the Philippines and Ecuador, and the effects of mold toxicity

5:28 – Kiran Krishnan and Nutrition with Judy discuss why they believe coconut oil should not be consumed

9:55 – whether coconut oil causes greater release and absorption of endotoxin (LPS)

12:11 – should you eat coconut oil even if your ancestors didn't?

21:08 – how MCT oil compares to coconut oil as it relates to the microbiome

32:28 – concerns with adopting dietary ideologies

36:21 – Morley Robbins on why the thyroid doesn’t run the body and we shouldn’t ignore the adrenals

47:05 – adrenal fatigue as a systemic issue and whether the thyroid or adrenals run the body

56:45 – our take on Real Food Gangsta’s (Josh & Jeanne Rubin) view that the adrenal glands regulate the body’s mineral and fuel availability

1:07:02 – the importance of optimal gut motility and how to alleviate gut motility issues such as constipation and loose stools

1:19:54 – which lab tests provide the most valuable information

1:25:14 – the benefits of spending time without stimulation (letting your mind wander) during the day

1:27:20 – simple mindset strategies to help you reach your goals

1:32:55 – Alan Aragon’s argument that not all seed oils are harmful

1:40:56 – why the claim that seed oils lower cholesterol does not mean they are healthy

1:42:25 – whether animal studies are valuable for understanding the effects of seed oils on human health

Ep. 123: Debunking the CICO Myth: Calorie Deficits Are NOT Required For Fat Loss

In this episode we discuss:

• Whether “calories in, calories out” is physiologically accurate
• The many misconceptions related to “calories in, calories out”
• Why a calorie deficit is NOT required for fat loss
• Why “calories in, calories out” does not mean that eating less and exercising more is good advice for fat loss
• What most people miss when it comes to “calories in, calories out”

 

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-123-debunking-the-cico-myth-calorie-deficits-are-not-required-for-fat-loss/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:07 – questions about the calories-in, calories-out (CICO) model of weight loss that I’ll be answering 

7:18 – what is (and isn’t) a calorie? 

11:49 – misapplications of CICO and why CICO is not physiologically accurate in the ways most people use it 

19:46 – why the idea that “a calorie is a calorie” is misleading 

29:11 – how energy in food is measured and the inaccuracy of food labels 

36:16 – the impact of behavioral compensation and metabolic adaptation on energy expenditure 

42:07 – how cutting calories lowers metabolism, reduces thyroid function, and increases stress hormones, appetite, and weight regain 

48:26 – Herman Pontzer’s Constrained Model of Energy Expenditure and the adverse effects of energy deficits 

52:21 – whether CICO can accurately represent physiology 

1:00:04 – a simplified version of CICO 

1:05:41 –why calories do not equal usable energy or weight 

1:13:27 – examples demonstrating the issues with common CICO misconceptions 

1:21:09 – summarizing the central issues with CICO and how you can lose body fat without a caloric deficit 

1:28:13 – whether there’s value to CICO

BV #1: Bryan Johnson’s Longevity Diet, How Stress Affects Our Cells, & Whether Glucagon is Evil

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

0:33 – why we started this podcast

6:25 – our take on Bryan Johnson’s Longevity Blueprint and problems with biohacking

12:13 – whether we should adopt any of the strategies from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint to achieve optimal health

14:50 – the cost of continually being in a caloric deficit and why this does not increase longevity

21:06 – issues with eating hard-to-digest foods and whether supplements can make up for missing nutrients in the diet

22:13 – the importance of avoiding reductionistic thinking around supplements touted for weight loss benefits

28:00 – potential pros and cons of Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint and how to measure health

32:39 – Bryan Johnson’s supplement protocol

41:09 – how low-carb diets negatively affect NAD+ to NADH ratios and estrogen status

46:20 – whether body fat percentage and cholesterol levels can be too low

52:20 – what is stress?

1:03:20 – issues with hormesis and the idea that stress is beneficial

1:07:34 – whether avoiding stress is possible and how to develop resilience to stress

1:13:17 – addressing Marty Kendall’s response to our take on glucagon and insulin

1:24:17 – glucagon’s short-term and long-term effects on metabolic function

1:26:46 – glucagon’s role in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

1:37:16 – metabolic dysfunction as a driver of insulin resistance

1:41:06 – whether we need to be concerned about wasting energy on hormone production

1:44:50 – whether we should always try to avoid gluconeogenesis

1:51:45 – how to use carbohydrates to stabilize your blood sugar

1:56:11 – habit stacking, simplifying supplementation, and adopting a long-term mindset when it comes to health

Ep. 122: Weight Loss with Berberine & Urolithin A, Blood Sugar Spikes, & Pairing Protein with Carbs (Q&A)

In this episode we discuss:

• Whether Berberine and Urolithin A are good options for weight loss
• How Berberine lowers your blood sugar and whether this is really a good thing
• The effects of Berberine and Urolithin A on your gut
• Whether you always need to avoid blood sugar spikes
• Whether you always need to have protein with your carbohydrates

 

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/

 

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

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-122-weight-loss-with-berberine-and-urolithin-a-blood-sugar-spikes-and-pairing-protein-with-carbs-qa/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:10 – what are berberine and urolithin A?

2:26 – the benefits of berberine on gut health

9:06 – berberine as a mitochondrial poison and the mechanisms of berberine’s toxicity and blood-sugar-lowering effects

13:13 – of the effects urolithin A on mitochondria and the gut

18:15 – whether urolithin A is beneficial for weight loss and increases brown adipose tissue activity

22:13 – the importance of avoiding reductionistic thinking around supplements touted for weight loss benefits

26:31 – powerful weight loss strategies that are simple and effective, without supplementation

31:02 – whether we always need to avoid blood sugar spikes and dips

35:30 – when having protein alongside carbs is necessary and why increasing carbohydrate intake improves insulin sensitivity, even in people with type 2 diabetes

40:49 – how fat, fiber, and protein help slow the absorption of carbohydrates and improve blood sugar management

46:20 – issues with grain-based carbs and the importance of finding carb sources that work for you

Ep. 121: How To Address Adrenal Fatigue, GAPS Diet Concerns, and Gallbladder Health (Q&A)

In this episode we discuss:

• How to fix adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency and whether these are really adrenal problems
• Whether it makes sense to use desiccated adrenal products or hydrocortisone for adrenal fatigue
• How the GAPS diet can resolve autoimmune issues and whether you should consider trying it
• How to improve fat digestion and bile flow
• How to improve digestion without a gallbladder

 

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/

 

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

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-121-how-to-address-adrenal-fatigue-gaps-diet-concerns-and-gallbladder-health/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:13 – what is adrenal insufficiency and what causes it?

7:02 – what is adrenal fatigue and how can we reverse it?

11:54 – the drivers of adrenal fatigue and issues with typical treatments

18:51 – the importance of establishing solid diet and lifestyle foundations before adding supplements for adrenal support

24:42 – whether our bodies lose the ability to produce hormones as we age

27:20 – concerns with the use of natural supplements like desiccated adrenal glandulars, licorice, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

36:07 – whether the GAPS diet is ideal for healing autoimmune conditions

40:01 – problems with the GAPS diet and other elimination diets

47:37 – the importance of individualizing your gut protocol and the problems with a cookie-cutter approach

52:09 – the connection between gut health, stress hormones, mental health, and autoimmunity

55:40 – how to improve digestion without a gallbladder

59:13 – common issues seen in those without a gallbladder

1:02:08 – long-term consequences of gallbladder removal and how to heal gallbladder issues

1:05:30 – when to use ox bile, TUDCA, taurine, glycine, or vitamin C

1:09:16 – how much fat to include in your diet to stimulate bile flow, and what types of fats are optimal

1:12:55 – strategies for preventing and resolving bile dumping and reflux

1:15:44 – additional consequences of gallbladder removal

1:17:36 – gallbladder issues in relation to hypothyroidism and estrogen dominance

Ep. 120: Vitamin A Toxicity: Retinoic Acid Toxicity, Accutane, and Whether Hypervitaminosis A Exists

In this episode we discuss:

• The research behind vitamin A toxicity and whether vitamin A is really a poison
• Whether you need to be concerned about the use of Accutane
• Whether retinoic acid is toxic because it’s used as a chemotherapeutic agent
• Whether Grant Genereux’s claims about vitamin A toxicity are valid

 

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/

 

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

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-120-vitamin-a-toxicity-retinoic-acid-toxicity-accutane-and-whether-hypervitaminosis-a-exists

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:15 – why we're examining Grant Genereux's take on vitamin A toxicity and the evidence behind his claims

4:50 – conceptualizing the amount of vitamin A needed for toxicity

7:07 – is hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity) real?

9:27 – cautioning against the idea of "detox" as an excuse for negative effects and vitamin A toxicity as an unfalsifiable hypothesis

12:36 – is there a conspiracy to poison the masses with vitamin A?

18:36 – how likely is it that you have vitamin A toxicity?

22:30 – problems with the first in vivo study that Grant uses to support vitamin A toxicity

35:14 – vitamin A toxicity in the studies Grant cited require massive doses of vitamin A that would be impossible to obtain from diet

42:44 – Grant’s cited research actually supports the safety of vitamin A

50:52 – more of Grant’s cited research supporting vitamin A safety

58:25 – further research supporting that extremely high doses are required to cause vitamin A toxicity

1:07:57 – whether vitamin A toxicity is driving autoimmunity

1:09:54 – whether retinoic acid is toxic based on concerns regarding the use of Accutane 

1:15:40 – how conflating Accutane with retinoic acid is misleading 

1:22:12 – whether retinoic acid is toxic because Accutane is used as a chemotherapeutic agent 

1:29:37 – evaluating Grant’s claim that retinol automatically becomes “toxic” retinoic acid 

1:35:05 – our concluding thoughts on Grant’s arguments regarding vitamin A toxicity

Ep. 119: Vitamin A Toxicity: Examining the Evidence for Vitamin A Deficiency

In this episode we discuss:

• Whether vitamin A toxicity exists and is something you need to be worried about
• Whether Grant Genereux’s claims about vitamin A deficiency are valid
• Whether vitamin A is actually a poison rather than a vitamin
• What we think about the current state of the Ray Peat forum
• The research on vitamin A deficiencies and whether vitamin A deficiencies exist

 

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/

 

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

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-119-vitamin-a-toxicity-examining-the-evidence-for-vitamin-a-deficiency

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:09 – why we’re discussing vitamin A toxicity and Grant Genereux’s perspective

4:53 – closedmindedness within the “low vitamin A” sphere and how it compares to Ray Peat’s work

7:33 – how a low vitamin A diet can have benefits

9:27 – cautioning against the idea of "detox" as an excuse for negative effects and vitamin A toxicity as an unfalsifiable hypothesis

12:33 – the importance of evaluating information objectively while avoiding censorship, tribalism, fearmongering, and religiosity

21:17 – concerns with the current state of the Ray Peat Forum and how to recognize unsubstantiated claims

26:45 – Grant's initial critiques of the original studies on vitamin A deficiency are extremely weak and unsubstantiated

41:48 – introducing Wolbach’s 1925 study on vitamin A deficiency

45:47 – refuting Grant's argument that the retinoic acid in the vitamin-free casein would have caused toxicity

52:35 – refuting Grant's argument regarding confounding variables in lard and butter

1:02:53 – research on vitamin A deficiency and whether vitamin A deficiencies exist

1:20:32 – the necessity of vitamin A for pregnancy, fetal growth, and development

Ep. 118: The TRUTH About Serotonin & SSRIs: Why Serotonin is NOT the Happy Hormone

In this episode we discuss:

• Why serotonin is NOT the “happy hormone” and you may not want to increase it
  
• How serotonin and depression relate to stress and energy balance
• Whether SSRIs are effective for depression
• How SSRIs actually work, their impact on metabolism, and whether they’re the best treatment option for depression
• The real drivers of depression and anxiety

 

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/

 

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

 

Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-118-the-truth-about-serotonin-and-ssris-why-serotonin-is-not-the-happy-hormone

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:58 – the research showing that serotonin is not the “happy hormone”

4:56 – serotonin’s role in driving the stress state that leads to depression

8:26 – the overlap between anxiety and depression and why they are both characterized by elevated serotonin levels

10:27 – the origins of the idea that serotonin is the “happy hormone” and how serotonin became a marketing tool for pharmaceutical companies

14:49 – serotonin is increased during fasting and starvation and why increasing serotonin should not be our goal

20:16 – serotonin is increased during stress, shock, and infection and leads to learned helplessness

29:04 –SSRIs use in neonates causes depression in adulthood

31:35 – the serotonergic system as an adaptive stress response to a lack of energy

39:09 – serotonin’s role in energy redistribution under stress

43:15 – how SSRIs inhibit mitochondrial respiration, glucose metabolism, and energy production in the brain and liver

47:13 – how SSRIs can reduce symptoms and how the brain responds to SSRIs

52:42 – the true drivers of depression and anxiety

1:01:30 – how serotonin relates to stress hormones, including cortisol, and energy balance