In this episode of The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, Dr. Benjamin Bikman delves into the science behind insulin and insulin resistance. He explains how excess insulin stemming from factors like diet, inactivity, and stress contributes to chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and fertility problems.
Bikman highlights dietary strategies for managing insulin resistance, emphasizing the benefits of low-carb and ketogenic diets. He discusses the role of exercise, particularly strength training, in improving insulin sensitivity. The episode also touches on weight loss interventions, with Bikman cautioning against over-reliance on medication without lifestyle changes.
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[restricted term] helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream, regulating blood sugar levels, Bikman explains. Too much [restricted term] leads to [restricted term] resistance, where cells become less responsive to [restricted term]'s effects.
[restricted term] resistance is a driving force behind type 2 diabetes and linked to heart disease, Alzheimer's, hypertension, and infertility issues like PCOS and erectile dysfunction, according to Bikman. Persistent high [restricted term] prevents cellular processes like autophagy.
Bikman cites diet, inactivity, and stress as key contributors to [restricted term] resistance. Frequent carb intake maintains high [restricted term]. Stress hormones counteract [restricted term]'s efforts to lower blood sugar.
Lowering carb intake improves [restricted term] sensitivity, Bikman notes. Protein and healthy fats support [restricted term] sensitivity better than carbs. Low-carb/keto diets shift the body's fuel from glucose to fat-derived ketones, enhancing metabolism and cognition, per Bikman and Bartlett.
Strength training increases [restricted term] sensitivity by building muscle mass, which enhances glucose uptake independent of [restricted term], Bikman states. Greater overall physical activity improves metabolic health.
Glp-1 agonist drugs aid weight loss by reducing appetite and carb cravings, but may cause muscle and bone loss, Bikman warns. He emphasizes lifestyle changes like diet and exercise for sustainable metabolic improvements.
1-Page Summary
Benjamin Bikman and Cynthia Kenyon delve into the functions of [restricted term] and how [restricted term] resistance can lead to numerous health problems.
[restricted term], a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by helping cells absorb glucose, acting much like a taxi transporting glucose to various parts of the body, including muscles and fat tissue, where it's required for glucose entry. Bikman explains that [restricted term]'s overarching impact is on energy management, influencing how the body handles various energy forms. Furthermore, [restricted term] instructs blood vessels to dilate, showcasing its varied functions beyond glucose regulation.
[restricted term] is fundamental in maintaining a cellular balance of construction and deconstruction, which falls under metabolism. Autophagy, part of this cellular breaking down process, and essential for cell cleanliness and longevity, is hindered when [restricted term] levels are continually high.
According to Bikman, [restricted term] resistance is a complex condition with "fast" and "slow" pathways. Stress is a key catalyst for fast [restricted term] resistance; stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine elevate blood glucose levels, counteracting [restricted term]'s objective to lower these levels. Persistent stress can therefore make [restricted term] work harder, leading to [restricted term] resistance. Inflammation also plays a role in [restricted term] resistance since conditions like infections and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis exhibit elevated blood glucose levels during their active phases.
A diet rich in carbohydrates and frequent eating lead to sustained elevated [restricted term] levels. This pattern, exemplified by consuming a very starchy, sugary breakfast that spikes blood sugar and [restricted term] levels, if repeated throughout the day, prevents [restricted term] levels from normalizing, contributing to slow onset [restricted term] resistance.
[restricted term] resistance occurs as cells or tissues become insensible to [restricted term]'s commands, particularly in terms of reducing blood sugar. It is characterized by a loss of cellular responsiveness to [restricted term] and a simultaneous increase in [restricted term] levels in the blood. Prolonged [restricted term] resistance can result in fat tissue growth, releasing pro-inflammatory proteins, further aggravating [restricted term] resistance and spreading chronic disease. This condition is not only a driving force behind type 2 diabetes but also underlies many ...
The Science of Insulin and Insulin Resistance
The discussion offers an in-depth examination of [restricted term] resistance and its profound impact on numerous health conditions, emphasizing its role in the onset of chronic diseases and conditions affecting millions worldwide.
Experts highlight the critical role [restricted term] resistance plays in the rise and complexity of various chronic diseases prevalent in today's society.
[restricted term] resistance is a significant factor in the development of type 2 diabetes due to its impact on blood sugar regulation. Benjamin Bikman points out that [restricted term]-resistant individuals have trouble decreasing their blood sugar levels due to the inadequate response of their body's [restricted term]. This relationship is further illustrated by the release of pro-inflammatory proteins as fat tissue grows, emphasizing the close link between [restricted term] resistance and type 2 diabetes.
[restricted term] resistance substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases via multiple pathways, including inflammation, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Bikman describes how [restricted term] resistance prompts the body to retain sodium, leading to constricted blood vessels and higher blood pressure—a substantial risk factor for heart diseases. He mentions that [restricted term] resistance is the primary cause of hypertension and draws attention to triglycerides as a more significant predictor of heart attacks than cholesterol.
[restricted term] resistance's implications extend to neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer's, with Steven Bartlett and Benjamin Bikman discussing the concept of Alzheimer's as type three diabetes. This term suggests a parallel between [restricted term] resistance's detrimental effects on glucose metabolism in the brain and its impaired neuronal functions. Research shows a high percentage of individuals with Alzheimer's also exhibit [restricted term] resistance, which can range from 40% to as high as 80%, according to differing studies.
The Health Consequences of Insulin Resistance
Kaya Henderson details how dietary changes might be a critical part of managing [restricted term] resistance, an increasingly common condition associated with type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
Benjamin Bikman underscores the importance of [restricted term] in regulating energy storage, implying that managing carbohydrate intake is crucial for improving [restricted term] sensitivity. He suggests focusing on controlling carbohydrates, particularly those from processed foods in bags and boxes with barcodes, to lower [restricted term] levels. Bikman reveals that globally, the majority of calories come from carbohydrates, which have the most significant effect on [restricted term] levels. Lowering carbohydrate consumption may lead to decreased [restricted term] resistance and a metabolic rate increase.
While there is no direct mention of unprocessed foods reducing [restricted term] resistance, Bikman's assertion to avoid processed carbohydrates and focus on whole fruits and vegetables hints at the benefits of choosing unprocessed foods. The avoidance of products like chips, crackers, cereal, or bread, which spike glucose and [restricted term], also points towards the benefits of unprocessed foods for [restricted term] sensitivity.
Bikman advocates for a focus on essential nutrients like fats and proteins, which are crucial for good health. He emphasizes essential fatty acids and essential amino acids, suggesting a diet higher in fats and proteins to meet nutritional needs. Bikman notes that protein, especially from animal sources, should be prioritized for its complete amino acid profile. Combined with fats, protein can lead to greater muscle growth, digestion, and satiety compared to protein alone. This approach implies that a diet lower in carbohydrates and higher in fats and proteins may be beneficial for [restricted term] sensitivity.
Eating a combination of fat and protein helps individuals feel full and provides all the necessary nutrients, potentially enhancing satiety and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Bikman's advice suggests that focusing on essential nutrients over carbohydrates may support better [restricted term] sensitivity, although this implication is not spelled out in the provided transcript chunk.
Bikman explains that the body burns much fat on a ketogenic or low-carb diet that it starts making ketones, which have a caloric load roughly similar to glucose. He notes that an increased metabolic rate and waste of calories in the form of ketones occur when [restricted term] levels are low. This metabolic process indicates a shift from glucose burning ...
Dietary Approaches To Managing Insulin Resistance
Exercise plays a significant role in managing [restricted term] sensitivity, with specific types of physical activity being particularly effective in improving metabolic health.
There’s a strong connection between muscle mass and metabolic health, specifically involving [restricted term] sensitivity. Bikman speaks to the importance of muscle for metabolic health, especially as one ages.
When a muscle is exercised, it has the ability to increase glucose uptake independently of [restricted term], a process important for regulating blood glucose. This ability of muscle tissue to "open doors" to glucose without waiting for [restricted term] means that exercise directly helps control blood sugar levels.
The effectiveness of this [restricted term]-independent pathway is one reason that muscle-building work, such as strength training, is more effective minute for minute at improving [restricted term] sensitivity compared to aerobic activity. This is because muscle is a significant consumer of glucose.
Role of Exercise in Insulin Sensitivity
The discussion explores the attributes of long-living humans and emphasizes the importance of [restricted term] sensitivity, which suggests that managing [restricted term] resistance is a factor in longevity.
GLP-1 is a hormone that, when stimulated, leads to increased satiety and reduced hunger. Lean and obese individuals both have a similar GLP-1 response when consuming fat. However, with carbohydrates, lean individuals experience fullness, while obese individuals may not. Bikman explains that these responses are why Glp-1 agonist drugs are used for weight loss; they affect the brain by reducing hunger and subsequently food intake. He specifically notes that these drugs can significantly reduce sweet cravings within six months of use, helping individuals better control their carbohydrate addiction.
Despite these benefits, Bikman warns of potential side effects, such as muscle and bone loss. Bartlett expresses concerns similar to those for rapid weight loss strategies that could apply to weight loss drugs. For every six pounds of fat lost using Glp-1 agonist drugs, there may be a loss of four pounds of fat-free mass, including muscle and bone. This loss of lean mass might be permanent, especially in older individuals. Bikman highlights cases of young women who developed osteoporosis after using such drugs, and he stresses that 40% of weight loss from these drugs can come from lean mass. Although there's no direct evidence linking Glp-1 agonists to bone density reduction, rapid weight loss itself can sometimes affect bone health. As a precaution, Bikman recommends prioritizing protein and fat in one's diet and resistance training to preserve muscle and bone. He is cautious about malnutrition and reduced physical activity as factors contributing to lean mass loss.
Bikman does not discuss the integration of weight loss drugs with lifestyle changes for managing [restricted term] resistance in the transcript. However, he suggests that upon discontinuing drugs like Glp-1 agonists, fat mass may return ...
Weight Loss Drugs and Interventions: Pros and Cons
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