#1182 The Hidden Hormone Driving Belly Fat, Stress, and Metabolic Slowdown — And the 30-Day Protocol That Fixes It With Ben Azadi

In this episode, Ben exposes a hidden ingredient the FDA quietly approved that’s now damaging your gut, metabolism, hormones, and mitochondria: industrial seed oils. These oils are found in more than 80 percent of the U.S. food supply and create toxic compounds linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, fatty liver, cravings, and even altered gene expression. Ben breaks down:• The 8 seed oils to avoid and why they’re so harmful• How companies hide them under over 50 different names• The shocking 680-day half-life of these fats in your body• How they trigger metabolic slowdown, hormone disruption, and gut permeability• Healthier fats to use instead for energy, fat loss, and cellular healing• How to avoid seed oils at restaurants using Ben’s free allergy card• Why seed oils may be worse for insulin resistance than sugar• Clean product swaps and detox strategies to repair your metabolism faster You’ll also learn how to clean out your pantry, support your mitochondria, and rebuild your cell membranes using simple daily practices. This is one of the most important episodes for anyone dealing with stubborn weight, cravings, low energy, gut issues, or metabolic dysfunction. FREE GUIDE: 5 Vegetables You Must Avoid To Lose Weight & Belly Fat-  https://bit.ly/4oPJEIN  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 👉MASA Chips: https://benazadi.com/masa  use code BENAZADI 20% off 👉Fresh Pressed Olive Oil: https://Benazadi.com/oliveoil  👉Thrive Market: https://benazadi.com/ThriveMarket  👉Seed Oil Card: https://.seedoilcard.com  👉PC Oil: https://bodybio.com/?ref=KETOKAMP  🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben Azadi breaks down the 10 critical carnivore mistakes that keep people inflamed, tired, constipated, and stuck. After coaching more than 10,000 people through carnivore resets, Ben reveals why carnivore works beautifully for 30 to 90 days — but backfires when done incorrectly. You’ll learn: • Why long-term carnivore can lower thyroid function, reduce microbial diversity, raise stress hormones, and stall progress.• The proper metabolic preparation before starting carnivore (low carb → keto → carnivore).• The hidden inflammation caused by pasteurized dairy — and why goat, sheep, and raw A2 dairy are superior.• Exactly how to break carnivore without wrecking your gut, including the 72-hour reintroduction rule.• The difference between clean animal fats and inflammatory PUFA-heavy meats.• How to hit the right protein target to avoid muscle loss and metabolic slowdown.• The importance of nose-to-tail nutrition and where to source clean meats.• Why electrolytes are non-negotiable and the signs you’re depleted.• How stress, sleep, and cortisol determine whether carnivore works at all.• The reminder that carnivore is a tool — not the whole toolbox. Ben also answers listener questions about constipation, duration of carnivore, and why a minority of people truly thrive long-term. 🔥FREE GUIDE: Lose 10 Pounds in 7 Days - https://bit.ly/3KJEqAi  👉Magnesium: https://amzn.to/3Ux3AmY  👉Potassium:  👉Electrolytes: http://www.ketokampsalt.com  use code AZADI  👉Wild Pastures: http://benazadi.com/meat 👉Paleo Organ Meat Complex: https://paleovalley.com/store?pc=pvpartners&oid=25&affid=68  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben Azadi reveals the real reason stubborn belly fat won’t budge — and why calories, harder workouts, and longer fasts aren’t solving the problem.The culprit is cortisol, the stress hormone that tells your body to store fat — especially visceral fat around your organs, the most dangerous kind. Ben breaks down the science doctors rarely explain: how cortisol rhythms, circadian biology, and fat tissue hormone receptors determine where you store fat and how resistant your fat becomes. You’ll discover the 6-step cortisol fix that has helped thousands melt visceral fat naturally: Why fasted running increases belly fat — and what type of morning movement to do instead How to reset the cortisol awakening response with sunlight, delayed caffeine, and screen-free mornings How stress keeps fat cells inflamed — and how breathing, downtime, and “Vitamin G” lower cortisol instantly Why over-fasting backfires — and how protein-focused meals stabilize hormones The strength-training and sprint protocol that builds cortisol-resilient muscle Habits that reduce long-term stress load so your body finally feels safe to burn fat You’ll also get Ben’s 30-Day Cortisol & Belly Fat Reset Plan — the exact week-by-week blueprint he gives his private clients to shrink their waist, lower inflammation, stabilize mood, and reverse metabolic dysfunction. He closes with listener Q&A on testing cortisol, the truth about fasted cardio, alcohol’s impact on fat loss, TOFIs (thin outside, fat inside), and the best ways to track real progress. FREE GUIDE: The World’s Easiest Breakfast Diet HERE - https://bit.ly/3KLExLG  Lamp simulation: https://amzn.to/3Mwna23 📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben reveals the most researched, safest, and most effective supplement for lowering inflammation, shrinking visceral fat, boosting strength, and upgrading brain energy — and it isn’t a fat burner. It’s creatine monohydrate… but only the right kind. Ben breaks down how creatine protects your mitochondria, reduces inflammatory markers, increases lean muscle at any age, and improves memory, mood, and cognitive performance. You’ll learn why most store-bought creatine is contaminated or underdosed, what to look for instead, and why creatine deficiency — not aging — may be behind low energy, stiffness, and stubborn fat. He also shares his exact dosing protocol, travel hack for jet lag, how to take it without breaking a fast, and answers listener questions about timing, sleep, and supplement stacking. FREE GUIDE: Lose 10 Pounds in 7 Days HERE: https://bit.ly/4oFDfzO  🔥CLICK to Get Your Creatine (25% Off) HERE → https://bit.ly/48KVw8Y  coupon code is BEN 📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals ⁠⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

Most people blame posture for their neck and shoulder pain, but research shows the real root cause is often hormones, not mechanics. In this episode, Ben explains how cortisol, thyroid hormones, sex hormones, insulin, and even growth hormone can lock your muscles into chronic tension and why most doctors miss these connections. You’ll learn how stress hormones alter pain pathways, increase inflammation, and create tight traps, stiff necks, and burning shoulders. Ben breaks down a simple daily Cortisol Calm Protocol using breathwork, post-meal walking, a no-stimulation hour, and gratitude to quickly shift your body out of fight-or-flight. He then exposes the deep link between an underactive thyroid and muscle aches, frozen shoulder, fatigue, and chronic stiffness — plus which full thyroid panel to request from your doctor (not just TSH). Next, he explains why women 40–60 experience sharp increases in joint pain during perimenopause and menopause due to changes in estrogen that affect lubrication, cartilage, strength, and inflammation. You’ll also hear why people with insulin resistance or diabetes are five times more likely to develop frozen shoulder. High insulin creates stiff connective tissue and slows healing. Ben gives practical metabolic strategies: lower carbs, test fasting insulin, walk after meals, strength train, and use intermittent fasting. The episode closes with the overlooked role of deep sleep and growth hormone in tissue repair. Poor sleep dramatically reduces recovery, while fasting and strength training boost growth hormone naturally. FREE GUIDE: How To Lose 1 Pound Of Fat Per Day HERE -https://bit.ly/48AYCfC  🔥CLICK For Your Complete 30 Day Fat Loss Plan (Reignite Your Body & Life) HERE - https://bit.ly/48napPO  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals ⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

What if the key to better metabolism, faster fat loss, deeper detox, and emotional healing wasn’t a pill or protocol… but light? In this in-depth episode of the Metabolic Freedom Podcast, Ben Azadi sits down with Brian Richards, founder of SaunaSpace, for a powerful exploration of near-infrared light, red light therapy, and heat therapy as metabolic medicine. Brian breaks down the science behind how near-infrared light and sauna use can: Mobilize stubborn visceral fat Boost autophagy and mitochondrial function Increase melatonin and glutathione naturally Reduce inflammation at the cellular level Support testosterone and hormone balance Improve cardiovascular health Remove toxins, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, and even microplastics Ben and Brian also explore the emotional and spiritual side of sauna use, from trauma release to clarity and mental resilience. You’ll hear real testimonials, personal stories, and a special, limited-time SaunaSpace discount available ONLY to Metabolic Freedom listeners. If you’ve been curious about sauna therapy, peptides, longevity, detoxification, or natural hormone support, this episode is packed with insights you can apply today. 🔗 Products and Resources Mentioned 🔗 SaunaSpace Offer Exclusive 15 percent off for Metabolic Freedom listeners Valid December 8 through December 22, 2025 After December 22, the code still works but at a lower discount Shop here: 👉 https://www.benazadi.com/saunaspace Use coupon code: Freedom  📺 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BenAzadi  📘 Ben’s Book: Keto Flex https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736163711  📱 Follow Ben Azadi Website: https://www.benazadi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenazadiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/benazadi.coachLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benazadi  🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben breaks down why a simple 24-hour water fast can outperform Ozempic for fat loss, metabolic health, and longevity. While Ozempic forces weight loss through slowed digestion and appetite suppression, it also causes muscle loss, reduced metabolism, and hormonal disruption. Fasting, on the other hand, works with your biology to burn fat and heal your body at the deepest cellular level. Ben walks through the hour-by-hour changes that happen during a 24-hour fast — from insulin dropping within the first four hours, to visceral fat mobilizing at fourteen hours, to autophagy and growth hormone peaking at twenty-four hours. He explains how fasting naturally boosts metabolism, protects muscle, reduces inflammation, supports mitochondrial function, and repairs the gut and digestive system. You’ll learn the exact protocol for a safe 24-hour fast, what to drink, how to break it properly, and the common fasting mistakes to avoid. Ben also answers listener questions about stress, supplements, nausea, cold sensitivity, and the best time of day to start a fast for maximum results. The message is clear: Ozempic suppresses. Fasting heals.This episode shows you why fasting is one of the most powerful — and completely free — metabolic tools available. FREE GUIDE: Better Than Ozempic - https://bit.ly/48Z4OOT  30 Day Belly Fat Burning Plan - https://bit.ly/4pMaTVl  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today to receive immediate access to a FREE course on metabolism with exclusive interviews from Dr Daniel Pompa, Dr Jason Fung, Megan Ramos, Cynthia Thurlow & more. CLICK HERE: http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com ($997 Retail Value For FREE) ✨Pique Tea- https://amzn.to/4nGOgAV  ✨Tula Tea - https://tulatea.com?bg_ref=jlT71xQQ58  ✨Purity Coffee: https://puritycoffee.com/benazadi  use code BEN AZADI  🔎 Find all of the Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship deals and coupon codes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben Azadi reveals the 7-day coffee experiment that transformed his metabolism, lowered insulin, flattened belly fat, and eliminated cravings—without changing workouts or counting calories. You’ll learn how most people unknowingly drink coffee in a way that spikes cortisol, raises blood sugar, and leads to stubborn fat gain… and how a few simple changes can turn coffee into a powerful fat-burning tool. Ben breaks down:• The 3 biggest coffee mistakes ruining your metabolism• Why timing your caffeine is more important than you think• How chlorogenic acid (CGA) helps your body burn stored fat• What to add (and avoid) in your morning coffee• His exact 7-day step-by-step coffee and insulin reset• How to test your coffee’s effect on glucose like a scientist• The fat-burning coffee recipe he used daily• Advanced strategies like the “Triple Insulin Reset” You’ll also learn how to choose clean, mold-tested coffee beans, why sleep is a major insulin regulator, and how this simple morning shift can dramatically improve energy, cravings, and fat loss. Perfect for anyone wanting to fix their mornings, support metabolic health, and turn their daily coffee into a metabolic advantage. FREE GUIDE: https://bit.ly/3Y20AAG  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 👉purity coffee: www.puritycoffee.com/benazadi   coupon Ben Azadi 👉MCT Oil: https://amzn.to/3LC7LMV  🔎 Find all of the Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship deals and coupon codes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben reveals three stupid-simple movements that activate fat loss in under five minutes a day — no gym, no sweating, no burpees. These moves target the three systems that slow down after 40: Lymphatic flow (your body's drainage + detox system) Insulin sensitivity (your fat-storage switch) Mitochondrial activation (your metabolic engine) You’ll learn: • Why fat loss is harder after 40 (and what to do instead of “working harder”)• How cross-crawls stimulate lymph flow and full-body circulation• How a squat hold with mini pulses unlocks insulin sensitivity• How wall angels activate mitochondrial-rich postural muscles• Why hormones matter more than calories for sustainable fat loss• How to layer these movements with walking, breathwork, cold exposure, or your existing routine• Why doing them for 14 days straight can create visible changes• How to make the moves harder as your body adapts• Why these movements are especially powerful for those who are sedentary, insulin resistant, or over 40 🎁 Free 7-Day Fat-Burning Guide - https://bit.ly/4owXsYy 📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 🔎 Find all of the Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship deals and coupon codes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals

In this episode, Ben Azadi reveals the earliest warning signs of kidney decline—signals that appear years before traditional labs detect a problem. He explains why kidneys can lose up to 80% of their function with no pain, what subtle symptoms to watch for, and how insulin resistance, inflammation, uric acid, dehydration, and NSAIDs silently damage the kidneys. Ben shares the 7 major early symptoms most people miss: foamy urine, fatigue, puffy eyes, lower back discomfort, metallic taste, itchy skin, and frequent nighttime urination. He then guides listeners through the Metabolic Freedom Kidney Reset Protocol, a research-backed plan to regenerate kidney health naturally. This includes the renal reset morning drink, removing fructose and seed oils, kidney-support supplements, fasting strategies, mineral support, and the daily “Vitamin G” gratitude practice. Ben also answers audience questions on hydration, protein intake, keto, and kidney stress. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to protect their kidneys, reduce inflammation, support metabolic health, and catch problems early—before they become irreversible. FREE GUIDE: 5 Vegetables You Must Avoid To Lose Weight & Belly Fat - https://bit.ly/49PBbRX  📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE) 👉Redmon's Salt: https://ketokampsalt.com  Code AZADI 👉Olive Oil: https://Benazadi.com/oliveoil  👉Supplements: https://ketokampsupplements.com   👉Magnesium: https://revelationhealth.com/products/mg10x/?oid=22&affid=282  👉NAC: https://revelationhealth.com/products/n-acetyl-l-cysteine-nac?_pos=1&_sid=9d0783c5c&_ss=r/?oid=22&affid=282  👉K Kidney: https://revelationhealth.com/products/56-k-kidney?_pos=1&_sid=d508c880f&_ss=r/?oid=22&affid=282  👉D-Mannose: https://amzn.to/4pUpT3R  👉purity coffee: www.puritycoffee.com/benazadi   coupon Ben Azadi 👉Beam Minerals: https://Beamminerals.com/ketokamp  🔎 Find all of the Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship deals and coupon codes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals