Podcasts > The Mel Robbins Podcast > Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

By Stitcher

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Dr. William Li discusses the crucial role of body fat as an active, hormone-producing organ and its impact on metabolism and overall health. He explains the significance of visceral fat accumulation and its risks, while offering insights on foods and habits that can stimulate brown fat and improve metabolic efficiency.

Li provides practical strategies for boosting metabolism, including consuming certain foods like tomatoes and dark chocolate, practicing intermittent fasting, and mindful eating habits. He also cautions against potential harmful factors, such as processed meats, microplastics, and even beverages consumed on airplanes. This episode offers a comprehensive look at maintaining a healthy metabolism and preventing excessive fat accumulation through dietary choices and lifestyle practices.

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Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

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Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

1-Page Summary

The science of body fat, metabolism, and weight loss

Dr. William Lee shares insights on body fat's crucial role as an active hormone-producing organ, not just inert storage. For example, adiponectin from fat enables energy usage, but excess fat can cause inflammation and metabolic disruption.

Fat cells can expand enormously to store energy, creating "fuel tanks."

As Lee explains, fat cells expand up to 300% to accommodate excess calories. While helpful for storage, overeating and inactivity can cause harmful accumulation.

Visceral fat around organs is particularly harmful.

Visceral fat wrapping around internal organs and expanding the waistline can lead to conditions like fatty liver disease, now the leading cause of liver transplants per Lee.

Metabolism is about efficient fuel usage, not just weight.

Metabolism involves using food efficiently as "fuel," aided by exercise for "burning" it. Lee compares the body to a car needing proper filling and running to optimize performance.

Metabolism-boosting foods and habits

Lee advocates for metabolism-enhancing foods and practices:

Tomatoes, pomegranates, kiwis, matcha, and dark chocolate activate brown fat for improved metabolism.

These foods contain compounds like lycopene and polyphenols that can stimulate metabolism-boosting brown fat.

Intermittent fasting by eating within an 8-12 hour window allows fat-burning.

Not eating after dinner until breakfast the next day creates a natural fast that shifts the body from storing to burning fat.

Mindful eating and stopping at 80% fullness prevents overeating.

Savoring food slowly and halting at 80% full, per the "Hara Hachibunmi" practice, avoids the overeating that disrupts metabolism.

Potentially harmful foods and habits

Lee cautions against:

Processed meats and sodas with harmful additives

Processed meats containing nitrates, preservatives, and colors are deemed carcinogenic. Regular soda, even diet versions, can destroy gut bacteria and promote weight gain.

Ingesting microplastics from bottled water and heated plastics

People consume a credit card's worth of microplastics weekly, which can accumulate in the body and may disrupt hormones. Lee recommends glass over plastic containers.

Drinking coffee/tea on airplanes due to potentially contaminated water tanks

Lee avoids airline beverages due to seldom-cleaned water tanks, highlighting unseen sources of contamination that could impact metabolism.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that plays a key role in regulating energy metabolism. It enhances the body's ability to use glucose and fatty acids for energy production, which can help improve [restricted term] sensitivity and reduce inflammation. Adiponectin levels are often lower in individuals with obesity and [restricted term] resistance, highlighting its importance in metabolic health. By promoting energy utilization and [restricted term] sensitivity, adiponectin contributes to overall metabolic balance and may impact weight management.
  • Brown fat is a type of fat tissue that can burn calories to generate heat. Certain foods like tomatoes, pomegranates, kiwis, matcha, and dark chocolate contain compounds that can activate brown fat, potentially boosting metabolism. Activation of brown fat through these foods may help in increasing energy expenditure and promoting weight loss. This process involves stimulating brown fat to burn calories instead of storing them.
  • The "Hara Hachibunmi" practice is a traditional Japanese concept that encourages individuals to stop eating when they are about 80% full. This practice emphasizes mindful eating, savoring each bite, and being aware of one's body signals to prevent overeating. By stopping before feeling completely full, it allows the body time to register satiety, promoting better digestion and preventing excessive calorie intake. This practice is rooted in the idea of eating in moderation and listening to the body's natural cues for hunger and fullness.

Counterarguments

  • Fat cells can expand more than 300% in some cases, and the degree of expansion can vary widely among individuals.
  • Not all inflammation is harmful; acute inflammation is a necessary part of the immune response, and the relationship between fat, inflammation, and metabolic disruption is complex.
  • While visceral fat is associated with health risks, subcutaneous fat (fat stored under the skin) can have protective benefits, and the distribution of fat in the body can be influenced by genetics and hormones, not just lifestyle.
  • Metabolism is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, genetics, hormonal balance, and sleep patterns, in addition to diet and exercise.
  • The evidence for specific foods activating brown fat is still emerging, and the effects may not be significant enough to have a major impact on metabolism for everyone.
  • Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, and its benefits can vary; some individuals may experience negative effects such as increased stress, disrupted sleep, or disordered eating patterns.
  • The concept of stopping at 80% fullness can be subjective and difficult to measure, and it may not be an effective strategy for weight management for everyone.
  • While processed meats and sodas have been linked to health risks, they can be consumed in moderation without necessarily leading to carcinogenic effects or significant metabolic disruption.
  • The health impact of microplastics is still under investigation, and while reducing exposure may be prudent, the actual risk they pose to human health is not yet fully understood.
  • The risk from drinking coffee or tea on airplanes due to contaminated water tanks may be overstated, as airlines have protocols for cleaning and maintaining water tanks, and the actual incidence of health issues related to this is likely low.

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Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

The science of body fat, metabolism, and weight loss

Dr. William Lee shares insights on the science of body fat, metabolism, and weight loss, demonstrating the importance of managing body fat for overall health.

Body fat is an organ that produces important hormones, not just an inert storage system

Dr. William Li states that body fat is much more than a storage system; it is an active organ that produces hormones essential for the body’s energy use. One such hormone is adiponectin, which collaborates with [restricted term] to facilitate the uptake of glucose into muscles. This hormone is abundant, being 1000 times higher in amount than any other hormone in the body, according to Li. Fat helps use energy efficiently, but an excess can lead to inflammation, disrupting normal hormone function and metabolic health. Li emphasizes that fat cells act as "fuel tanks," with the capability of expanding up to 300% to store excess energy.

Fat cells can expand to 300% of their original size to store excess energy, creating "fuel tanks" in the body

When consuming food, the energy not used immediately is stored in fat cells, which expand significantly, similar to balloons, to accommodate excess food energy. This storage process is vital; however, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can cause fat cells to overfill, leading to harmful health repercussions.

Excess body fat, especially visceral fat around the organs, is linked to harmful health issues

Li explains that visceral fat, which wraps around internal organs, is particularly damaging when accumulated excessively. As the waistline expands, indicating visceral fat growth, health conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can emerge. NAFLD, a disease where liver cells are progressively replaced by fat, is now the leading cause of liver transplants, having surpassed alcohol and hepatitis. Reducing visceral fat, as shown in studies with people who ate beans frequently, can dramatically improve one's waistline and health.

Visceral fat wraps around internal organs and expands the waistline, leading to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Visceral fat often grows around organs in a manner that can strangle them if overaccumulated. Leaked fat from overfilled cells gets processed by the liver, contributing to NAFLD. Thus, understanding and managing body fat is crucial to preventing metabolic disorders.

Metabolism is about efficiently using the fuel (food) we consume, not just the number on the scale

Dr. Li compares the human body to a car when discussing metabolism; the body, like a car's fuel tank, n ...

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The science of body fat, metabolism, and weight loss

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Body fat is not just a passive storage system; it is an active organ that produces hormones essential for energy regulation and overall health. These hormones play crucial roles in processes like glucose uptake and metabolic function. Understanding body fat as an active organ highlights its significance beyond just its storage function in the body.
  • Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells that works with [restricted term] to regulate glucose uptake by muscles. It plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and [restricted term] sensitivity. Adiponectin levels are inversely related to body fat percentage, with lower levels associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. This hormone helps maintain metabolic balance and overall health by influencing how the body processes energy.
  • Visceral fat, which accumulates around internal organs, can lead to health issues like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) when it increases significantly. Excess visceral fat can release fatty acids that are processed by the liver, contributing to the development of NAFLD. NAFLD is a condition where fat accumulates in liver cells, potentially leading to liver damage and complications. Managing visceral fat through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can help reduce the risk of developing NAFLD.
  • Metabolism is compared to a car's fuel tank and engine to illustrate how our bodies process and utilize energy from food. Just like a car needs fuel to run efficiently, our bodies require food for energy. The comparison highlights th ...

Counterarguments

  • While body fat does produce hormones, it's important to note that not all hormones produced by fat are beneficial, and the balance of these hormones can be complex.
  • The role of adiponectin is significant, but it's not the only hormone involved in glucose uptake, and individual variations can affect its function.
  • The statement that fat cells can expand up to 300% is a generalization; the capacity for fat cell expansion can vary greatly among individuals.
  • The link between visceral fat and health issues is well-established, but it's also important to recognize that not all individuals with an increased waistline will develop health problems, and other factors such as genetics and lifestyle play a role.
  • While visceral fat is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, it's not the only factor; diet, genetics, and other lifestyle factors also contribute to the development of NAFLD.
  • Metabolism is a complex process influenced by many factors beyond food consumption and exercise, including hormonal balance, age, and genetic predisposition.
  • Comparing the body to a car's fuel tank oversimplifies the complexity of human metabolism and the regulatory mechanisms involved in hunger and satiety.
  • Exercise is important for metabolic health ...

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Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

Metabolism-boosting foods and dietary habits

Dr. William Li advocates for incorporating specific metabolism-boosting foods into one's diet and adopting dietary habits that enhance health and metabolic rate, emphasizing the need for combining an enjoyment for food with choices that can "light up your health."

Certain foods like tomatoes, pomegranates, kiwi, matcha, and dark chocolate can activate brown fat and improve metabolism

Brown fat, which burns white fat for energy, is unlike the inert white fat that stores energy in the body. Cold temperatures can trigger brown fat, and similarly, certain foods can stimulate this beneficial fat.

  • Lycopene found in tomatoes can activate brown fat, leading to the reduction of harmful body fat. For example, a study in Portugal showed that eating one tomato daily before lunch could result in a pound of weight loss without extra exercise or dieting.
  • Pomegranates contain ellagitannins which promote the growth of a gut bacterium beneficial for metabolism and immune function. Drinking pure pomegranate juice or eating the whole fruit can enhance these effects.
  • Kiwi is high in vitamin C and fiber, both of which can improve gut health and reduce inflammation. Eating a kiwi a day, including the fiber-rich skin, can have positive effects on gut bacteria within 24 hours.
  • Matcha, which contains catechins, and dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols like proanthocyanidin, are highlighted for their property to activate brown fat. High-cacao-content chocolate is recommended for its higher polyphenol content.

Eating within an 8-12 hour window each day (intermittent fasting) allows the body to shift from storing to burning fuel

Intermittent fasting involves not eating after dinner and delaying breakfast to foster the body's natural fat-burning mode.

  • By dining around 7 PM and not eating again until breakfast, one can naturally reach a 12-hour fasting period. Extending this by delaying breakfast for at least an hour after waking up can maximize the benefits.
  • Following intermittent fasting p ...

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Metabolism-boosting foods and dietary habits

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While tomatoes contain lycopene, the evidence for its effect on activating brown fat and aiding in significant weight loss is not conclusive; individual results may vary.
  • The health benefits of pomegranates and their impact on metabolism may not be as significant when consumed in typical dietary amounts, and individual gut microbiota responses can differ.
  • Kiwi's benefits for gut health and inflammation may not be universal, as some individuals may have allergies or intolerances to the fruit.
  • The activation of brown fat by matcha and dark chocolate may require consumption in quantities that are not practical or healthy for everyone, and the effects can vary from person to person.
  • Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, such as those with certain medical conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with a history of eating disorders.
  • The recommendation to eat dinner at 7 PM and delay breakfast may not align with everyone's lifestyle, work schedule, or circadian rhythms.
  • The "two-thirds rule" during intermittent fasting may not provide enough calories or nutrients for individuals with higher energy needs, such as athletes or those with physically demanding jobs.
  • The concept of "Hara Hachibun ...

Actionables

  • Create a "colorful plate" challenge where you aim to include a variety of colored fruits and vegetables in every meal to naturally incorporate foods like tomatoes, pomegranates, and kiwi. By doing this, you'll not only enjoy the health benefits mentioned but also increase your overall nutrient intake and make meals visually appealing, which can enhance satisfaction and potentially reduce the desire to overeat.
  • Use a meal timing app to track your eating window, ensuring you stick to the 8-12 hour timeframe for intermittent fasting. By setting reminders for when to start and stop eating, you can maintain consistency with your fasting schedule and avoid accidental breaks that could disrupt your metabolic goals.
  • Practice the "three-bite rule" with treats like dark chocolate and matcha- ...

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Eat THIS to Lose Fat, Prevent Disease, & Feel Better Now With Dr. William Li

Metabolic-disrupting foods and habits to avoid

Dr. William Li brings to light foods and habits that are disruptive to metabolism, implicating that our everyday choices may have more significant health effects than we realize.

Processed meats, sodas, and other highly processed foods contain chemicals that can harm health and metabolism

Li equates the consumption of processed meats to speeding on a highway, with occasional indulgence being potentially safe but regular consumption leading to health problems. He insists on cutting down on ultra-processed foods, which often contain synthetic ingredients harmful to our metabolism. Li singles out regular soda, with its excessive sugar content as a particular culprit for metabolic overload. He says that while occasional consumption of one or two cans may not be catastrophic, habitual overconsumption can be detrimental. Furthermore, Li points out that even sugar-free or zero versions of sodas are not a healthy alternative, as artificial sweeteners used in these beverages can destroy good gut bacteria and contribute to weight gain.

Processed meats have been declared carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. Dr. Li notes they contain synthetic additives like nitrates, preservatives, and colorings, and he presents an alarming anecdote about their corrosiveness. He urges cutting these out and likens them to "nuclear snack foods" and sodas in terms of their potential harm.

Bottled water and other plastics can leach microplastics that accumulate in the body and blood vessels, harming health

Li sheds light on the issue of microplastic ingestion through bottled water, stating that people ingest a significant amount of microplastics, comparable to a credit card's volume weekly. He advises using glass containers for water and other drinks to reduce this ingestion. Additionally, he extends this caution to food storage, suggesting that plastic containers, particularly when heated, are a source of microplastics and recommends glass or ceramic altern ...

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Metabolic-disrupting foods and habits to avoid

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Metabolic disruption involves factors like diet and lifestyle that can negatively affect how the body processes energy and nutrients, potentially leading to health issues. This disruption can be caused by consuming processed foods, sugary drinks, and exposure to harmful chemicals like microplastics. Understanding and avoiding these disruptors is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism and overall well-being. Dr. William Li highlights the impact of certain foods, habits, and environmental factors on metabolism, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices to support metabolic health.
  • Processed meats often contain synthetic additives like nitrates, preservatives, and colorings, which are known to be harmful to health. These additives have been linked to various health issues and have been classified as carcinogenic by organizations like the World Health Organization. Similarly, regular sodas can be harmful due to their excessive sugar content, and even sugar-free versions may contain artificial sweeteners that can negatively impact gut health and contribute to weight gain.
  • Synthetic additives like nitrates, preservatives, and colorings are commonly used in processed foods to enhance flavor, appearance, and shelf life. Nitrates are often used in processed meats to preserve color and prevent bacterial growth. Preservatives help extend the product's shelf life by inhibiting spoilage, while colorings are added to make the food more visually appealing. These additives have been linked to potential health risks when consumed in excess, such as an increased risk of certain health conditions.
  • Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be found in various products, including bottled water and plastic containers. When ingested, these microplastics can accumulate in the body and blood vessels, potentially leading to health issues. The presence of microplastics in our environment, especially from sources like bottled water and heated plastic containers, raises concerns about their impact on human health. Scientific research is ongoing to understand the full extent of the health risks associated with microplastic exposure.
  • Glass containers are recommended over plastic for water and food storage to reduce microplastic ingestion because plastic containers, especially ...

Counterarguments

  • While processed meats have been classified as carcinogenic by the WHO, the risk is dose-dependent, and moderate consumption may not pose a significant health risk for all individuals.
  • The impact of artificial sweeteners on gut bacteria and weight gain is still a subject of scientific debate, with some studies suggesting potential benefits for weight management when used as a replacement for sugar.
  • The health implications of microplastic ingestion are not yet fully understood, and current research has not conclusively proven that the levels typically ingested through food and water are harmful to human health.
  • Glass containers, while reducing the risk of microplastic ingestion, may not be practical for all uses due to their weight and fragility, and not all plastics release harmful levels of microplastics.
  • The link between microplastics and serious health issues such as heart attacks and strokes is not definitively established, and more r ...

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