[Mini Episode] Sugar Diet & FGF21 Simplified: Muscle Loss, Stress, and Weight Regain

In this episode we discuss:   Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that humans would historically only eat sweet foods (like fruit and honey) 1-2 weeks out of the year Whether we should always do what our ancestors did to optimize our diets Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that fructose causes glycation Whether we can trust AI to provide accurate information     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  0:38 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that humans historically ate fruit and honey to gain weight like bears for the winter  3:45 – whether fructose and fruit are responsible for weight gain in bears and whether this applies to humans  8:53 – whether humans evolved eating a high-carb diet  11:30 – what about carbohydrate consumption in native human cultures and ancestral environments?  17:27 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that fructose is 10x more glycating than glucose  20:51 – whether sugar and carb consumption cause high blood sugar and AGEs (advanced glycation end products)  27:05 – how low-carb diets can increase glycation and AGEs  32:22 – blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C are often higher on low-carb diets than on diets that include healthy carbohydrates  33:41 – how keto diets cause glycation and increase AGEs  37:41 – what really influences hemoglobin A1C levels  44:32 – the importance of finding optimal carb sources – why candy is not the same as fruit  45:43 – problems with hyper-focusing on one single lab value   48:18 – Dr. Ken Berry’s claim that there is no way to test whether fructose is causing glycation  54:05 – regulating blood sugar for type 1 diabetes  59:01 – is glycation happening in the background on a high-carb diet even if your health is improving?  1:00:17 – can we trust AI like Grok and ChatGPT to provide accurate health information?  1:07:42 – debunking Grok’s logic on carb vs. fat efficiency as a fuel source  1:13:16 – how to properly use AI – DON’T use it to replace your own thinking  1:18:01 – Grok is wrong about fat being a more efficient fuel source than carbs  1:22:33 – strategies for understanding complex research papers  1:24:14 – using personal experience and logic as a guide toward optimizing health  1:32:35 – the gratification that comes with the process of true learning 

In this episode we discuss:   Gary Brecka’s misrepresentation of thyroid function – are thyroid hormones methylated? How thyroid hormone conversion actually works and the factors that can inhibit it Whether taking thyroid hormone replacement suppresses or harms your thyroid gland Seed oils vs. unprocessed PUFA from nuts and seeds – is there a difference? Whether PUFA are “essential” and if there are actually any benefits to consuming them     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  1:21 – Gary Brecka’s claim that methylation is responsible for T4 to T3 conversion  5:43 – how T4 to T3 conversion really happens and factors that inhibit it  10:17 – whether a lack of T3 is the primary problem in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis  12:53 – whether taking exogenous thyroid medications harms the thyroid gland  18:19 – Gary Brecka’s advice on how to fix Hashimoto’s and why we disagree  24:14 – be careful of quick fixes and magic pills   26:38 – pros and cons of using thyroid hormone replacement therapy  30:17 – issues with thyroid supplementation recommendations within the Bioenergetic sphere  37:38 – whether you can reverse hypothyroidism without using thyroid supplementation  41:31 – Joe Rogan and Gary Brecka discuss why the processing of seed oils is responsible for their harm   47:30 – whether processed foods are inherently bad  49:23 – are there any benefits to eating PUFA and are they “essential”?  52:28 – the toxic effects of PUFA, including from nuts & seeds  55:19 – potential benefits from nuts & seeds are not due to PUFA content 

In this episode we discuss:   Gabrielle Lyon’s claims about carbohydrate disposal, “earning our carbs”, and balancing carbs with muscle Whether the body’s ability to make glucose through gluconeogenesis means that we don’t need to consume carbohydrates How cold plunging may calm the nervous system by first triggering excessive stress, and whether that’s worth it Whether the benefits of cold exposure outweigh the costs, and how to gauge when stressors like exercise become too much     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  0:45 – Gabrielle Lyon on the amount of carbohydrates we can “dispose of” in a meal  8:52 – whether Gabrielle Lyon’s claim that excess carbohydrates turn into fat is valid  12:39 – do we need to “earn our carbs” with exercise?  18:32 – how upregulating gluconeogenesis by not consuming carbohydrates drives insulin resistance  21:27 – do low-carb high-protein diets support skeletal muscle health?  22:56 – strategies for adjusting macronutrients to fit your individual needs  29:24 – how to shift away from low-carb diets, focusing on what’s optimal rather than minimum requirements  31:44 – optimal carb intake for muscles and general health   34:57 – applying Ray Peat’s “perceive, think, act” process to optimize our diets  39:29 – the difference between parroting information and thinking critically  43:20 – cold plunging calms the nervous system by first driving excessive stress  48:36 – the cumulative effects of stressors like cold plunging and the risks associated with them  53:41 – whether the benefits of cold exposure outweigh the costs and how much stress is too much  56:28 – how hormesis works and whether the dose makes the poison   1:01:34 – what is stress and how do we prevent it?  1:05:09 – how to get the same benefits without using hormetics like fasting, Wim Hof breathing, and cold exposure  1:10:35 – does reaching a goal have to be difficult or stressful? 

In this episode we discuss:   How the sugar diet, honey diet, and other similar diets actually work and whether FGF21 is really responsible for their benefits How you can lose weight while eating sugar and without sacrificing your health The side-effects of the sugar diet and how to modify the diet to prevent those effects The surprising effects of the sugar diet on testosterone, digestion, and bone health  Whether you’ll lose muscle on a low protein diet like the sugar diet Whether you shouldn’t be eating carbs and fats together due to the Randle cycle   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/eb-134-the-sugar-diet-lose-fat-and-increase-your-metabolism-without-losing-muscle-mass   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro  1:08 – FGF21 summary: increasing metabolism at a cost  4:06 – how the sugar diet, honey diet, and other similar diets actually work  10:03 – low-fat diets improve insulin sensitivity, even without protein restriction or FGF21 upregulation  17:50 – whether very low protein diets are ever beneficial and whether they always lead to muscle loss  25:54 – protein recommendations for insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and kidney function  29:07 – using the sugar diet for rapid weight loss or “getting shredded”  32:13 – sugar diet concerns: bone loss, infertility, stunted growth, muscle loss, metabolic suppression, weight regain, and nutrient deficiencies  35:53 – will eating protein with dinner prevent the negative effects?  36:28 – blood sugar instability, sleep issues, and excess glucagon on the honey diet and sugar diet  40:17 – Randle Cycle misconceptions: do you need to separate carbs and fats  44:50 – how low-fat diets work to improve glucose metabolism and misapplications of the Randle cycle  48:17 – low-fat diets and hormones: low testosterone and DHT levels in men  49:22 – the sugar diet and digestion: SIBO, impaired liver detoxification, low bile flow, and endotoxin  53:52 – is the sugar diet too restrictive? Is it sustainable?  59:57 – how to modify the sugar diet to reduce the negative effects  1:02:23 – how to achieve lasting weight loss while improving long-term health 

Download the free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/      Sign up for a free call for help with weight loss and other health issues: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/call/      Timestamps: 0:00 – intro  1:20 – overview of FGF21 and how it gets triggered  6:40 – FGF21 works via stress, turning down metabolism and leading to weight regain  11:30 – will the sugar diet cause negative effects if only used short-term? 21:44 – does eating protein at night prevent the negative effects?  27:18 – the negative effects only occur in the research after long-term FGF21 upregulation  

In this episode we discuss:   What are the sugar diet and other related diets like the honey diet, fairy princess diet, and fruit till noon diets Whether FGF21 is responsible for the weight loss seen on these diets The effects of the sugar diet on muscle mass Whether FGF21 really extends lifespan How to increase FGF21 levels and whether it’s really good for your health   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/eb-133-the-sugar-diet-honey-diet-and-fgf21-the-research/   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro  1:00 – the sugar diet, honey diet, fairy princess diet, and fruit-till-noon diets as discussed by Cole Robinson, Mark Bell, Anabology, Noah Ryan, celestialbe1ng, and others  6:35 – my experience on a high-sugar diet and what the sugar diet means for the health world  11:17 – what is FGF21?  15:54 – how low-protein diets trigger the release of FGF21  20:00 – the context of FGF21 on low-protein diets and the reasons for its effects: is this really beneficial?  26:15 – the long-term effects of FGF21 on body fat, muscle mass, and metabolic health  33:16 – how the sugar diet compares to low-carb diets  35:55 – high-carb low-protein diets vs. high-fat low-protein diets on FGF21  37:34 – low-protein diets increase your metabolism due to stress: brown fat, uncoupling, and energy expenditure  43:59 – FGF21’s role in stress, energy conservation, and hibernation  49:56 – FGF21 and cortisol: is FGF21 a stress hormone?  54:09 – FGF21 and hormesis: is FGF21 hormetic?  56:10 – FGF21 and liver fat production go hand-in-hand  59:11 – carb-induced increase in FGF21 is activated by reductive stress  1:05:04 – the role of FGF21 in de novo lipogenesis as an adaptive response to stress  1:10:47 – carb-induced FGF21 causes fat gain and sympathetic activity  1:14:29 – does FGF21 cause metabolic syndrome, diabetes, NAFLD, cardiovascular disease, and obesity?  1:21:08 – does FGF21 extend lifespan? if so, is it worth it?  1:27:03 – can you lose weight and extend lifespan without a protein-deficient diet?

In this episode we discuss:   Whether Robert Lustig is right about fructose being a poison What Robert Lustig completely misses when comparing the biochemistry of glucose, fructose, and alcohol Whether a low-fat, high-carb diet actually causes fatty liver The research on fructose and it’s toxicity Whether you should be minimizing fruit juice intake in the form of fruit, fruit juice, and honey   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-132-youve-been-lied-to-about-fructose/   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro  1:01 – Robert Lustig’s claims that fructose is a poison 5:50 – what Robert Lustig misses when it comes to glucose, the “good carbohydrate” 12:05 – what’s really responsible for the toxic effects of alcohol 16:53 – Robert Lustig's claim that fructose can’t be converted to glycogen is false [Robert Lustig’s fructose lies begin] 20:50 – whether fructose is inherently toxic in the liver 24:22 – the research showing that Robert Lustig is wrong about fructose 32:40 – whether fructose is really different from glucose in terms of its effects at the liver 35:51 – key factors missing in fructose research – endotoxin, PUFA, and rat research 41:22 – average fructose intakes are far below the amounts that are typically used in research 43:41 – whether Robert Lustig is right that fructose causes more fat production than glucose 49:35 – whether fructose (or carbs in general) cause fatty liver disease 52:15 –low-carb, high-fat diets trigger the exact mechanisms Dr. Lustig blames on fructose 1:00:59 – what really causes fatty liver disease 1:04:20 – should we avoid fructose-containing foods to fix fatty liver disease? Is soda and candy the answer?

In this episode we discuss:   The Holistic Psychologist’s claim that psychiatric disorders stem from metabolic dysfunction and whether we agree with her solutions Whether Layla Al-Naif is right that sugar is as addictive as a drug The difference between table sugar and natural sugar sources Whether it’s possible to live a healthy life without starch   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  0:44 – the brain's high energy demands and how metabolic dysfunction drives poor brain health 4:19 – are anxiety and depression caused by chemical imbalances in the brain? 7:05 – recognizing insulin resistance as an inability convert glucose to energy 9:42 – whether blood sugar spikes and crashes cause fatigue, brain fog, and psychiatric disorders 11:53 – our take on the Holistic Psychologist’s recommendations for stabilizing blood sugar 18:01 – what really interferes with brain energy metabolism – is it just sugar? 24:57 – refined sugar vs natural sugars such as honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and date syrup 30:55 – whether sugar is addictive 33:50 –fat triggers the same reward centers in the brain as carbohydrates 36:34 – how Jay & Mike fixed their sugar cravings from keto and low-carb 39:56 – whether eliminating starch is healthy long-term 44:34 – the negative impact of carnivore diets on gut health 50:16 – tips for recovering from the stress of carnivore and the importance of experimentation 53:46 – how much sugar and starch Jay, Mike, and Theresa eat

In this episode we discuss:   Anthony Chaffee’s view that ketosis is the natural state for animals and humans Whether LMNT is a scam Whether we should be getting vitamin D from our food and how that fits with a low-PUFA diet   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  0:22 – meet Theresa Piela  4:20 – emotional health as an underappreciated Bioenergetic factor  11:03 – is Anthony Chaffee right about ketosis being our natural state?  13:12 – is ketosis is the natural state for humans?  18:57 – is ketosis is the natural state for animals?  24:22 – whether bacteria can serve as a protein source in animals  28:04 – whether ketosis is a natural healthy state rather than a starvation state  32:11 – the potential benefits of ketones are misinterpreted as evidence that ketosis is ideal   34:24 – the appeal of “naturalism” – just because something is natural, does that make it healthy?  36:44 – is LMNT a scam?  44:37 – whether we should always add electrolytes to our drinking water  45:45 – Robb Wolf’s claim that insulin drives aldosterone production   51:08 – stevia and allulose vs. sugar  55:42 – whether we should be getting vitamin D from our food  1:00:04 – how to properly supplement with vitamin D and the importance of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K2  1:04:18 – how vitamins E, K2, and A relate to vitamin D  1:08:56 – the benefits of UVB and red light, and what to do to prevent aging skin  1:14:19 – can applying cholesterol topically boost sun benefits?

In this episode we discuss:   The impact of sugar consumption on oxalate production Whether you really need to avoid all high oxalate foods Different cooking and preparation methods to reduce oxalate exposure Which supplements can make oxalate issues worse   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-131-whether-to-avoid-high-oxalate-foods-and-how-to-fix-oxalate-issues/   Timestamps: 0:00 – intro  0:53 – whether fructose contributes to increased oxalate production  3:42 – is sugar the culprit behind oxalate issues?  9:14 – the problems with the research demonizing fructose  14:45 – the optimal amount of dietary oxalate and how to determine whether oxalates are an issue for you  17:57 – the importance of testing, experimentation, and listening to your symptoms  25:10 – how to reduce your exposure to high-oxalate foods  32:02 – the best cooking methods to reduce oxalates in food  37:05 – foods highest in oxalates and whether salads are OK to eat  40:17 – oxalate content in raw cacao vs chocolate  45:26 – whether you need to avoid soybeans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, beets, and carrots due to their oxalate content  49:05 – examples of bioenergetic diets with varying oxalate content  57:01 – other dietary considerations for oxalate issues (PUFA, collagen, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, carbohydrates, protein, and fat intake)  1:06:22 – the best supplements to fix your oxalate issues   1:11:45 – which supplements can make oxalate issues worse and whether to take probiotics for oxalate issues  1:14:58 – the long-term impact of carnivore diets on liver and gut health