Podcasts about bhb

What if there was an exogenous ketone that didn't go through the liver, didn't cause the GI distress of other ketones, and delivered bioidentical BHB directly to your cells? In this episode, Lisa sits down with Mike Chesne, founder of Tecton and retired US Army Special Forces combat medic, who spent 25 years in special operations before developing R3HBG — a patented ketone molecule that's categorically different from everything else on the market. Mike's journey from battlefield medicine to biotech is extraordinary. After suffering multiple traumatic brain injuries from IED blasts during nearly three years of combat, he went through brain injury rehabilitation and discovered the neuroprotective potential of ketones. He asked one question that changed everything: "If I had been in ketosis when I got blown up, how much better would my outcome have been?" That question led him to Oxford University, to Dr Kieran Clarke's lab, and eventually to designing his own molecule — drawing it on a napkin and spending over a decade turning it into a manufactured, FDA-reviewed product. In this deep-dive episode we cover: Mike's military career and the brain injuries that changed his path The DARPA project that spent $10 million searching for a supplement to boost performance and cognition by 30% Why the brain in Alzheimer's and TBI can't access glucose but can still take up ketones R3HBG explained: how lipase (not alcohol dehydrogenase) breaks it down, and why that matters The differences between BHB salts, R-1,3-butanediol, the original ketone ester, and R3HBG The NLRP3 inflammasome and how BHB blocks the inflammatory cascade driving neurodegeneration HDAC inhibition and how BHB switches on your body's own antioxidant and longevity genes NDI #1354 and what FDA New Dietary Ingredient acceptance means The GLP-1 agonist connection for weight management and metabolic health Therapeutic dosing for cognition, endurance, and recovery Mike's vision to license R3HBG to every ketone company willing to use it Lisa's experience using ketones with her mother's brain injury and cancer recovery This is the most comprehensive ketone science episode we've ever produced. TECTON KETONES: Use this link for a discount https://tectonketones.com/discount/TAMATI While you're optimising your brain and metabolic health, give your body foundational support with Re:juvenate Pro, my advanced cellular health and longevity formula (https://shop.lisatamati.com/pages/rejuvenate), and explore my full curated range of anti-aging and longevity supplements at shop.lisatamati.com. CONNECT WITH LISA Website: lisatamati.com Shop: shop.lisatamati.com Newsletter: www.lisatamati.com/lisa Podcast: https://www.lisatamati.com/ptl-podcast/ Books: https://shop.lisatamati.com/collections/books Pushing the Limits is brought to you by Lisa Tamati and the team at lisatamati.com.  

Send us Fan MailDeep-dive into a 2026 cardiology review paper claiming seed oils reduce inflammation, exposing misrepresentations of cited clinical trials, and detailing how oxidized Ω-6 fats trigger inflammation.Companion article: Click HERETOPICS DISCUSSED:Seed Oil Profiles: Typical seed oils like sunflower are high in linoleic acid (omega-6 PUFA), while canola is higher in monounsaturated fats and resembles olive oil.Review Paper Critique: The 2026 JACC review falsely claims sunflower oil reduce inflammation like olive oil, citing an RCT that showed benefits only for canola and olive.RCT Analysis: In Iranian women with metabolic issues, switching to canola or olive oil lowered CRP by increasing MUFA and decreasing PUFA intake; sunflower oil produced no change.CRP Biology: CRP responds to oxidized lipids and cellular damage patterns, rising with exercise or infection and marking oxidized Ω-6 metabolites in modern diets.Oxidized Lipids: Ω-6 fats in LDL and cardiolipin oxidize easily, generating 4-HNE, MDA, and other signals that trigger immune clearance, similar to bacterial threats.Sterile Inflammation: High dietary linoleic acid causes chronic immune activation without pathogens, potentially contributing to metabolic and cardiovascular issues.PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS:Prioritize monounsaturated fats from olive or avocado oil over high-linoleic seed oils like standard sunflower or soybean for lower oxidative stress potential.Check labels for high-oleic versions of sunflower oil, which shift the profile toward monounsaturated fats.Evaluate nutrition claims by examining original studies and fatty acid compositions rather than accepting review summaries at face value.Support the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHuman genetic variation in dietary fat metabolism and its implications for health & disease.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Linoleic Acid Rise: Linoleic acid now comprises 6-8% or more of energy in Western diets.Metabolic Pathways: Omega-6 linoleic acid converts to arachidonic acid and pro-inflammatory oxylipins; omega-3 ALA converts via shared enzymes to EPA/DHA with anti-inflammatory effects.FADS Genetic Variants: Ancestry-linked haplotypes in the FADS cluster create large “pipe” size differences, altering fatty acid by up to 40% between ancestral and derived versions.Population Differences: African ancestry populations often have high-conversion “big pipe” genotypes; Indigenous American ancestry populations have low-conversion “small pipe” genotypes; European ancestry comes with a mix of both.Omega-3 Deficiency: High linoleic intake suppresses EPA production, especially in small-pipe populations, contributing to hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver in Mexican cohorts.Clinical Evidence: Reanalysis of VITAL trial showed 83% reduction in myocardial infarction with omega-3 supplementation in African Americans; Mexican data link low EPA to unique diabetes forms.Methodological Issues: Compositional data (from GC-FID measurements) versus absolute concentration measurements can flip relationships between linoleic acid and key biomarkers.ABOUT THE GUEST: Floyd Chilton PhD is Professor and Director of the Center for Precision Nutrition and Wellness at the University of Arizona. His research focuses on functional genomics, fatty acid metabolism, and precision nutrition, particularly how genetic ancestry influences responses to dietary fats.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 291: Omega Polyunsaturated Fats & Inflammation | Philip CalderSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailPregnenolone, a neurosteroid derived from cholesterol, affects brain activity and shows promise for treating mood and substance abuse disorders.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Steroid Biosynthesis: Cholesterol converted to pregnenolone, the precursor for all steroid hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, and sex hormones.Corticosteroids: Synthetic versions like prednisone primarily target glucocorticoid receptors for anti-inflammatory uses but can impact mood and cognition.Pregnenolone Mechanisms: Positive allosteric modulator of NMDA receptors for cognition and negative allosteric modulator of CB1 cannabinoid receptors.Allopregnanolone: GABAergic derivative of pregnenolone; its IV form Brexanolone is FDA-approved for postpartum depression.Clinical Trials: Pregnenolone at 100-500 mg improved depressive symptoms in placebo-controlled studies of bipolar disorder patients.Cannabis Interaction: THC robustly induces brain pregnenolone production; supplementation may reduce cannabis and alcohol use.Corticosteroid Brain Impact: Prednisone use associated with smaller hippocampal volumes and memory deficits.ABOUT THE GUEST: Sherwood Brown, MD, PhD is Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. With a background in chemistry, his research focuses on steroids and comorbidities in people with mood disorders.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 124: Hormonal Contraception, Sex Hormones, Menstruation, Pregnancy, Puberty, Estrogens, Androgens, Effects of Birth Control on Cognition | Adriene BeltzSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHow omega-3 fats in human health, including dietary intake needs, supplements, & omega fat testing.TOPICS DISCUSSED:ω-3 chemistry: EPA and DHA differ from plant ALA in chain length and double-bond count, making them structurally and biologically distinct — and largely irreplaceable by ALA conversion.ALA-to-EPA/DHA conversion: A small percentage of dietary ALA converts to EPA, and conversion to DHA is even lower; vegans rely on this inefficient pathway for all long-chain omega-3s.Cardiovascular mechanisms: ω-3s lower triglycerides, reduce platelet stickiness, improve endothelial function, and slow resting heart rate, reducing cardiovascular risk.ω-3 Index: Defined as red blood cell EPA+DHA as a percent of total fatty acids; 8–12% is the target range, while most Americans sit around 4–5%.Brain & dementia risk: Higher DHA blood levels are associated with significantly lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's in large cohorts including the UK Biobank and Framingham.Linoleic acid nuance: Higher blood levels of dietary linoleic acid (omega-6) associate with lower dementia and cardiovascular risk; downstream omega-6 metabolites — not linoleic acid itself — associate with adverse outcomes.Supplementation practicalities: Most people need 1–2 g/day of EPA+DHA to reach an ω-3 Index >8%; oxidation concerns with fish oil supplements may be overstated.ABOUT THE GUEST: Bill Harris, PhD is founder of both OmegaQuant Laboratory and the Fatty Acid Research Institute (Sioux Falls, SD), where his work centers on blood fatty acid biomarkers as predictors of disease risk in large population cohort studies.KNOW YOURSELF:OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 134: Omega Fats, Vegetable & Seed Oils, Sugar, Processed Food, Metabolic Health & Dietary Origins of Chronic Inflammatory DiSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHow dietary fatty acids regulate the initiation, propagation, and resolution of inflammation.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Parenteral nutrition history: IV nutrition evolved from soybean oil alone in the 1960s to complex blends including fish oil as the biology of ω-3s became understood.Three phases of inflammation: Initiation, propagation (driven by ω-6–derived prostaglandins and leukotrienes), and active resolution (driven by ω-3-derived resolvins and protectins).Pro-resolving mediators: Resolution is an active biological process, not passive; EPA and DHA generate resolvins and protectins that actively terminate inflammation.Aspirin's ω-3 mechanism: Aspirin inhibits arachidonic acid metabolism but allows EPA/DHA to access COX-2, upregulating pro-resolution mediators — a likely underappreciated mechanism of action.Cell membrane competition: EPA and DHA physically displace arachidonic acid in membranes, shifting the balance of mediators produced and improving resolution capacity.Linoleic acid & EPA synthesis: High linoleic acid intake saturates shared desaturase enzymes, inhibiting the body's conversion of ALA to EPA — meaning reducing ω-6 can raise ω-3 levels without supplementation.Dose & timing of ω-3 incorporation: ~2g/day of EPA+DHA shifts the arachidonic acid-to-EPA ratio enough to measurably reduce prostaglandin E2 production; white blood cells reflect changes within a month.ABOUT THE GUEST: Philip Calder, PhD is Professor of Nutritional Immunology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. His research focuses on how dietary fatty acids — particularly omega-3s — modulate immune responses and inflammatory processes across clinical and healthy populations.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 200: Dietary Fats & Seed Oils in Inflammation, Colon Cancer & Chronic Disease | Tim Yeatman & Ganesh HaladeSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailA metabolic view of Alzheimer's disease & the recent discovery of compounds that reverse advanced disease symptoms in mouse models by restoring mitochondrial health.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Classic Alzheimer's pathology: amyloid plaques and tau tangles identified over 120 years ago, long assumed to drive irreversible neuron loss.Limitations of amyloid focus: plaques appear in some cognitively normal brains; antibody therapies have shown limited clinical benefit.Metabolic perspective: brain energy failure as a tipping point where repair mechanisms are overwhelmed, linking genetics, injury, and aging.Neuroprotection via P7C3 compounds: discovered through hippocampal neurogenesis screen; preserves mitochondrial function and normalizes NAD/NADH ratio without elevating NAD excessively.Recovery in models: treatment after symptom onset reversed cognitive deficits, blood-brain barrier damage, oxidative stress, and axon issues in amyloid and tau mouse models, despite persistent plaques.Broader implications: energy restoration enables surviving neurons to function; similar protective effects seen in TBI and other organs under stress.ABOUT THE GUEST: Andrew Pieper, MD, PhD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, professor at Case Western Reserve University, and director of the Brain Health Medicines Center at the Harrington Discovery Institute. He directs a research group focused on neuroprotection after brain injury and neurodegenerative disease.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 208: Glyphosate, Choline & Alzheimer's: Toxins & Nutrition to Prevent Neurodegeneration | Ramon VelazquezSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.OmegaQuant: At-home blood testing to see fatty acid profiles, including omega-3 fatty acids. Use link to see options and support M&M.SiPhox Health: Comprehensive, cost-effective bloodwork from the comfort of home. Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHow exercise in parents can improve the metabolic and cardiovascular health of their offspring through epigenetic mechanisms.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Parental exercise & offspring metabolic health: exercise before and during pregnancy improves glucose tolerance and reduces fat gain in offspring.Paternal effects via sperm: moderate voluntary wheel running alters small non-coding RNAs, especially tRNA fragments, in sperm and enhances glucose clearance, with stronger benefits in female offspring.Maternal exercise mechanisms: benefits arise from in utero environment, placental changes, and breast milk composition rather than major oocyte alterations.Human milk oligosaccharides: exercise increases 3'-sialyllactose in milk, linked to better offspring microbiome and metabolic outcomes.Sex-biased & intergenerational effects: maternal exercise impacts male offspring metabolism more; effects can transmit to F2 generation depending on the transmitting parent's sex.ABOUT THE GUEST: Kristin Stanford, PhD is an associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she serves as associate director of the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center. Her lab investigates molecular mechanisms by which exercise enhances metabolic and cardiovascular health, with a focus on intergenerational effects.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 145: Epigenetics, Endocrine Disruptors, Obesogens & Obesity, Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics | Bruce BlumbergSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHow the vagus nerve regulates inflammation; bioelectronic therapies to treat inflammatory conditions.Nick speaks with Dr. Kevin Tracey about inflammation as a major driver of modern diseases, the vagus nerve's role in balancing immune responses via reflexes, limitations of anti-cytokine drugs, and emerging bioelectronic medicine using targeted nerve stimulation.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Inflammation is related to diseases that contribute to most deaths today: heart disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer.Molecular signals involved in inflammation, such as cytokines.Homeostasis is maintained by push-pull mechanisms, with excitatory and inhibitory responses co-deployed in ways that maintains balance.The vagus nerve's anatomy, sensory/motor fibers, and the inflammatory reflex that suppresses cytokine production in the spleen via acetylcholine and norepinephrine.Vagus nerve stimulation devices delivering brief daily pulses to reduce inflammation without broad immunosuppression, now FDA-approved for refractory rheumatoid arthritis.Challenges in measuring inflammation and oversimplifications online about “stimulating” the vagus nerve.ABOUT THE GUEST: Kevin Tracey, MD is a neurosurgeon, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, and professor of molecular medicine and neurosurgery. He discovered the inflammatory reflex, showing how the vagus nerve controls immune responses, and co-founded SetPoint Medical to develop FDA-approved vagus nerve stimulation for rheumatoid arthritis.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 143: Gut-Brain Communication, Vagus Nerve, Fats & Sugars, Food Addiction, Gut Hormones & Weight Loss Drugs | Will de LartigueSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us Fan MailHow light regulate circadian rhythms, mitochondrial function, hormones, and appetite.Nick & Dr. Alexis Cowan discuss non-image-forming effects of light on the body, from melanopsin-driven circadian signaling in the eye to UV-stimulated pathways in skin and brain that influence melatonin, cortisol, melanin production, and energy balance.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Melanopsin & non-image-forming light: blue light signals daytime to the SCN master clock, suppressing melatonin and promoting alertness.UV light, POMC & peptide hormones: UVB exposure in skin and hypothalamus produces alpha-MSH (reduces appetite, boosts energy expenditure) and beta-endorphin (improves mood), independent of vitamin D.Mitochondrial effects of light: red/infrared supports function like a gas pedal; isolated blue light acts as brakes, impairing energy production and biophoton signaling.Artificial light: Evening blue light from screens inhibits melatonin, poisons mitochondria, and creates discordant timing signals versus balanced natural sunlight.Melanin beyond skin: produced via UVB, it harnesses energy, buffers oxidative stress, and links to dopamine pathways; low sun exposure ties to metabolic issues and conditions like Parkinson's.Vitamin D as biomarker: supplementation shows limited benefits because it reflects broader UVB-driven processes, not a standalone fix.ABOUT THE GUEST: Alexis Cowan, PhD earned her PhD in molecular biology at Princeton in the Rabinowitz lab, a leading metabolism research group, where she studied fasting, ketogenic diets, and exercise; she completed a postdoc at UPenn before shifting focus to circadian and quantum biology. She now educates on light, mitochondria, and quantum biology.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 221: Regenerative Energy & the Light Inside You | Jack KruseSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off.For all the ways you can support my efforts

Dr. Baumgard opens by explaining the origin of the “immune suppression” theory in transition cows. Research dating back to the late 1970s showed slower neutrophil infiltration into the mammary gland in early lactation, which led to the assumption that cows are immunosuppressed after calving. This idea has shaped industry thinking for more than 40 years. (10:43) He outlines two primary mechanisms traditionally blamed for immune suppression: the cortisol surge at calving, which may impair neutrophil migration, and the metabolic changes of early lactation—high NEFAs, ketones, and low calcium—which appear to reduce neutrophil function in laboratory settings. (13:16) Dr. Baumgard then challenges the central assumption: are cows truly immunosuppressed, or are they simply exposed to greater pathogen loads and stressors during a narrow window around calving? He argues that morbidity may reflect increased environmental and physiological challenges rather than a dysfunctional immune system. (15:25) Dr. Fry shares field data from three herds representing over 100,000 calvings. After implementing management changes—primarily building a well-designed transition barn with lower stocking density, improved hygiene, and better cow flow—metritis rates dropped from 21.3% to 9.7%. Nutrition and innate immunity remained unchanged, suggesting management and environment were key drivers. (21:29) The panel discusses the role of stress stacking during the transition period. Dr. Baumgard explains that multiple simultaneous stressors, such as overcrowding, heat stress, hygiene challenges, social stress, and nutritional shifts, may overwhelm cows. He emphasizes growing evidence that stress compromises gut integrity (“leaky gut”), potentially triggering systemic inflammation and increasing susceptibility in tissues like the mammary gland. (27:27) Heat stress provides another example. While mastitis rates often increase during humid Midwest summers, they decline in arid regions like Arizona and Israel despite severe heat stress. Dr. Baumgard suggests environmental pathogen load—not immune suppression—is the primary driver. (27:43) The conversation shifts to ketosis and hyperketonemia. Dr. Baumgard and Dr. Pralle discuss how elevated BHB and NEFAs may not always indicate disease but instead reflect normal metabolic adaptation to support milk production. The key distinction is productivity: cows milking well with high ketones may not require intervention, while cows with high ketones and poor milk production warrant deeper investigation into underlying causes such as metritis, mastitis, hypocalcemia, gut inflammation, or environmental stress. (37:13) Dr. Fry reinforces the importance of whole-cow and whole-environment evaluation rather than treating metabolic markers in isolation. Monitoring milk yield, rumination, activity, and cow demeanor—along with assessing stocking density, pen hygiene, hoof health, and stockmanship—are critical to identifying true problems. (44:00) The group emphasizes reducing pathogen load through simple, practical management: minimizing manure accumulation, maintaining clean and dry bedding, improving calving hygiene, and lowering stocking density—especially for close-up and fresh cows. (33:39) Looking ahead, Dr. Baumgard describes his lab's focus on modeling “stacked stressors” to better replicate the real-world transition period. Rather than studying stressors in isolation, his team is investigating how combined stressors influence physiology, particularly gut health. (47:11) In closing, the panel encourages industry professionals to reconsider the immune suppression paradigm. Instead of trying to “fix” the immune system at calving, the emphasis should shift toward removing stressors and minimizing environmental challenges that create excessive pathogen exposure. (53:01) Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.   If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.

Send us Fan MailIs the fundamental purpose of sleep to remove oxidized fats from the brain?Nick & Dr. Amita Sehgal talk about the latest science on why animals sleep. Using fruit flies, her lab shows that waking generates oxidized lipids in neurons that are shuttled to glia and then cleared by macrophage-like cells during sleep. This process protects mitochondria, supports memory, and links sleep to metabolic cleanup rather than just rest.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Drosophila as a model: Fruit flies sleep with immobility, reduced responsiveness, and homeostatic rebound; their genetics reveal conserved mechanisms found in humans.Circadian vs homeostatic sleep: Circadian timing sets when we sleep; homeostatic drive builds need from prolonged wakefulness independent of time of day.Metabolic waste during wake: Neuronal activity oxidizes lipids in mitochondria; these damaged lipids transfer to glial support cells via apolipoproteins.Immune cells clear brain trash: Macrophage-like hemocytes dock at the brain during sleep, phagocytose oxidized lipids, and remove them; blocking this docking reduces sleep and impairs memory.Peroxisomes & oxidative stress: These organelles handle specific fats and rise with wakefulness; disrupting them increases brain oxidation that can be partially rescued by antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine.Sickness sleep differs from normal sleep: Infection-induced sleep redirects energy to immune defense and depletes rather than restores brain energy stores.ABOUT THE GUEST: Amita Sehgal, PhD is the John Herr Musser Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, an HHMI Investigator, and director of the Chronobiology and Sleep Institute. She uses Drosophila genetics to uncover basic mechanisms of circadian rhythms and sleep.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 257: Sleep, Mitochondrial Metabolism & Oxidative Stress | Gero MiesenbockSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off.AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)For all the ways you can support my efforts

Dans cet épisode du podcast La Pause Fitness nous allons parler de sommeil et de relaxation pour mieux récupérer. NOUVEAU : Keto, jeûne, BHB : ce que ton cerveau préfère vraiment Au programme : Des horaires flexibles à l'école améliorent vraiment le sommeil Dans un lycée suisse, une expérimentation a offert aux élèves le choix de […] The post Améliorer sommeil sans médicament : horaires, repas du soir et musique expliqués appeared first on Fitnessmith.

Send us Fan MailThe science, hype, and unknowns surrounding popular peptides like BPC-157 & TB-500 ("Wolverine stack") for injury recovery & tissue repair.Nick & Dr. Flynn McGuire discuss the surge in peptide use for injury recovery. They cover peptide basics, the preclinical evidence for BPC-157 and TB-500, mechanisms like angiogenesis and tissue repair, the lack of robust human trials, sourcing risks, regulatory bans, and the gap between anecdotal reports and scientific certainty.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Peptide basics: Short amino acid chains (e.g., insulin, GLP-1 agonists); BPC-157 derived from gastric juice, TB-500 a fragment of thymosin beta-4.Rise in popularity: Driven by podcasts, social media, biohacking culture, and post-COVID distrust in institutions; “bro science” often precedes formal research.BPC-157 mechanisms: Pleiotropic effects including VEGF upregulation, nitric oxide pathways, angiogenesis, reduced fibrosis, and possible neuromuscular stabilization.TB-500 & “stacking”: Often combined with BPC-157 for presumed synergy; marketed as “Wolverine stack” for rapid healing.Evidence limitations: Strong rodent data for tendon/muscle repair, but almost no high-quality human trials; one small retrospective study and ongoing phase 2 trial in China.Safety and risks: Unknown long-term effects, potential cancer concerns via angiogenesis; no established dosing, potency, or administration route in humans.Sourcing & quality issues: Often obtained as “research chemicals” online; variable purity, stability concerns, no reliable regulation or third-party verification for most users.ABOUT THE GUEST: Flynn Mcguire, MD is a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident at the University of Utah; he conducts clinical work in neurologic recovery and musculoskeletal care and has authored a narrative reviews on peptides for musculoskeletal healing.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 252: Scarring, Fibrosis, Oxidative Stress, and Psilocybin & Aging | Louise HeckerReference Paper:Paper | Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for MusculoskeleSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners:SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off.Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off.AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models.Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app.KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send a textBiology of obesity resistance and factors influencing weight gain in humans and animals.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Historical views on obesity: In some cultures, like northern Africa or Stone Age societies, high body fat signaled status or attractiveness due to food scarcity, unlike today's focus on leanness amid calorie abundance.Energy balance components: Metabolizable energy (95% absorption on average, but varying 1-11%) and unabsorbed nutrients excreted as waste significantly influence weight.Obesity resistance in animals: Inbred mouse strains show wide variation in weight gain on high-fat diets, often somewhat uncoupled from overeating, suggesting roles for feed efficiency, energy expenditure, or waste rather than intake alone.Genetic & twin studies: Monozygotic twins overfed 1,000 extra calories daily vary widely in weight gain (4-13 kg), indicating genetic influences, while mouse litter size affects lifelong obesity propensity via early-life programming.Bloodborne factors & hormones: Parabiosis studies led to leptin's discovery for defending against weight loss, but evolutionary logic suggests systems also prevent excess gain, though modern environments may weaken this.Human thinness research: Constitutionally thin people snack more, move less, yet have better cardiometabolic health, but we don't yet understand why.GLP-1 drugs & future directions: These slow gut transit and suppress appetite, but obesity's root causes remain unclear; emerging thinness studies could inform prevention beyond drugs.ABOUT THE GUEST: Jens Lund, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen's Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 132 | Obesity Epidemic, Diet, Metabolism, Saturated Fat vs. PUFAs, Energy Expenditure, Weight Gain & Feeding Behavior | John SpeakmanSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Únete a la Comunidad de mujeres Keto Real y aprovecha ahora los 7 días gratis para probarla en https://www.skool.com/ketoreal/about : encontrarás apoyo, charlas, contenidos y un ambiente que motiva cuando la salud se hace cuesta arriba. En este post resumimos el episodio donde Cintia Morillas explica por qué el sistema inmune puede “confundirse” y atacarnos, destacando dos claves: el intestino permeable (cuando la barrera intestinal se rompe por azúcar, ultraprocesados, aceites de semillas y estrés) y el mimetismo molecular (proteínas como el gluten que se parecen a tejidos del cuerpo). También se detalla cómo una keto bien formulada puede actuar como extintor antiinflamatorio: menos patógenos, acción del BHB y estabilidad de la insulina. Para casos más activos, se propone la combinación con protocolo AIP y, como acelerador, el ayuno intermitente y la autofagia. Si quieres ayuda profesional para una keto mediterránea, entra en ketoreal.com.

Guest: Scott Mitchell | Bible Mysteries Podcast

Send a textMitochondria in human evolution, climate adaptation, maternal genetics, aging, and disease.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Endosymbiotic theory: Mitochondria arose from oxidative bacteria engulfed by archaea-like hosts, confirmed by phylogenetic analysis.Maternal mtDNA inheritance: Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother, not the father. There are adaptive reasons for this.Haplogroups & adaptation: Tropical lineages tightly couple energy production for efficiency; northern ones uncouple to generate heat.Heteroplasmy & aging: Mixed mutant and normal mitochondria accumulate in cells, eroding energy in high-demand tissues like brain and heart.Bioenergetics in disease: Many common conditions, from Parkinson's to cancer, stem from mitochondrial-nuclear interactions rather than nuclear genes alone.Ketogenic diets: High-fat intake fuels mitochondrial beta-oxidation, which may compensate for brain energy deficits in epilepsy and bipolar disorder.Warburg effect: Cancer cells shift to glycolysis to prioritize biosynthetic building blocks over maximal ATP production.Modern mismatches: Global travel pairs ancestral mtDNA with mismatched diets and climates, raising risks for metabolic dysfunction.ABOUT THE GUEST: Douglas Wallace, PhD is a geneticist and evolutionary biologist who has studied mitochondria for over 50 years. He currently directs the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 260 | Energy Resistance Principle in Life, Healing & Disease | Martin Picard & Nirosha MuruganSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send a textRole of bile acids in cholesterol regulation, digestion & metabolic diseases like diabetes.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Bile acids basics: They enable cholesterol excretion, with about half of bodily cholesterol eliminated this way, and also aid digestion by emulsifying fats to increase enzyme access.Bile production & pathway: Synthesized in liver hepatocytes, bile flows via ducts to the gallbladder for storage or directly to the small intestine; post-meal, cholecystokinin triggers gallbladder contraction for fat emulsification.Regulation of bile acids: Self-regulated to prevent cytotoxicity, as excess can damage cell membranes; insulin and bile acids themselves influence synthesis and transport, with defects in insulin-resistant states.Bile acids in metabolic diseases: Increased synthesis, especially 12-hydroxylated types, occurs in type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, potentially as an adaptation for better nutrient absorption during perceived scarcity.Gallbladder removal & gallstones: Common due to cholesterol supersaturation forming stones; removal eliminates concentration but preserves bile flow, reducing tolerance for high-fat meals.Bariatric surgery impacts: Procedures like gastric bypass increase circulating bile acids without major synthesis changes, while more extreme ones boost synthesis due to impaired intestinal sensing.Cholesterol homeostasis: Cells tightly regulate membrane cholesterol for fluidity and signaling; most bodily cholesterol is synthesized internally, with LDL receptors key to blood levels.Ongoing research: Haeusler's lab explores manganese's role in metabolism, bile acids in liver inflammation, and insulin's effects on lipoproteins.ABOUT THE GUEST: Rebecca Haeusler, PhD is an associate professor at Columbia University in the departments of medicine and pathology and cell biology, affiliated with the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and the Digestive and Liver Diseases Research Center.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 269 | Soybean Oil: Obesity, Fatty Liver Disease, Gut Health, IBS & Colitis | Frances SladekSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send a text“Our school system went from 3rd in the nation to 30-something, yet we spend 29% more. It's a giant Ponzi scheme, and I have the plan to end it." ~ Mike LindellThe Business of Leadership: Mike Lindell's 2026 Vision for MinnesotaIn this high-stakes episode, Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and 2026 candidate for Governor of Minnesota, joins David Pasqualone to discuss the radical transparency needed to save a state in crisis. From exposing a $20 billion welfare fraud “smoking gun” to his plan for dismantling the property tax “Ponzi scheme” in schools, Mike applies his reverse-engineering business mind to government. Problem-Solution Leadership: From MyPillow to the State HouseMike breaks down how his experience building a massive American-owned company prepared him to tackle Minnesota's most complex issues. He reveals his “First Day” plan, including banning Sharia law, removing satanic statues from the capital, and enforcing stringent protest laws to bring safety back to the streets of Minneapolis. Breaking News: MyPillow Factory Move & New Health InnovationBeyond politics, Mike shares exclusive updates on the “sleep game-changer” that is MyPillow.Factory Relocation: Why MyPillow is moving into a brand-new facility and clearing out overstock.Rev 7 Innovation: The launch of the Rev 7 “anti-tired” health bar and energy shots using patented BHB ketones.Exclusive Promo Code: How listeners can use code REMARKABLE for up to 80% off and verified free shipping.KEY TIMESTAMPS & MOMENTS OF GOLD00:00:36 – The Top 3 changes Minnesotans want right now.00:01:16 – The $20 Billion Smoking Gun: Welfare fraud exposed.00:03:19 – Analyzing the race: Mike Lindell vs. Amy Klobuchar.00:10:04 – The School Bond “Ponzi Scheme”: Why property taxes are soaring.00:11:57 – Day One Plan: Banning Sharia law and satanic statues.00:15:30 – Restoring Law: Enforcing protest laws in Minneapolis.00:32:02 – BREAKING: MyPillow Factory move and clothing line closeout.00:34:06 – World Premiere: Introducing Rev 7 “Anti-Tired” health bars.00:38:08 – The Art of Reverse Engineering: How Mike develops world-class products.Support the showTHE NOT-SO-FINE-PRINT DISCLAIMER: While we are very thankful for all of our guests, please understand that we do not necessarily share or endorse the same beliefs, worldviews, or positions that they may hold. We respectfully agree to disagree in some areas, and thank God for the blessing and privilege of free will. For more Remarkable Episodes, Inspiration, and Motivation, please visit https://davidpasqualone.com/remarkable-people-podcast/ now!

Send a textHow the body's internal circadian clocks regulate metabolism, energy balance, and health.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Master circadian clock in the brain: Light detection via retina entrains the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which coordinates body-wide rhythms; intrinsic period slightly deviates from 24 hours, allowing seasonal flexibility.Peripheral clocks in organs: Nearly all cells have autonomous clocks; liver and fat clocks rapidly adjust to feeding time, while brain clock aligns more tightly to light.Clock mutations and metabolism: Disrupting core clock genes (e.g., CLOCK, BMAL1) causes obesity, liver fat accumulation, and impaired insulin secretion without hyperinsulinemia.Timing of food intake: Eating the same high-fat calories during rest phase causes more weight gain than during active phase due to differences in energy dissipation.Modern disruptions (jet lag, shift work, blue light): Create desynchrony between brain and peripheral clocks, contributing to metabolic issues; late-night eating impairs glucose handling.Critical illness & feeding: Tube feeding at night (opposite natural cycle) induces rapid insulin resistance, highlighting mismatch costs.Hormone rhythms: Testosterone, glucocorticoids, and others peak at specific times; misalignment affects stress, reproduction, and metabolism.Weight loss drugs & maintenance: GLP-1 drugs reduce intake effectively, but regain involves neuroendocrine adaptations tied to brain clock pathways.ABOUT THE GUEST: Joseph Bass, MD, PhD is Chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Director of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolism, and a leading researcher who pioneered the link between circadian clock genes and metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 237 | Circadian Biology: Genetics, Behavior, Metabolism, Light, Oxygen & Melatonin | Joseph TakahashiSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send a textGene regulation through RNAs, the neurobiology of opioid addiction, and how psychedelics affect drug-seeking by modulating inflammation and plasticity. Not medical advice.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Gene regulation basics: DNA transcribes to RNAs, including non-coding types like microRNAs that inhibit mRNA translation into proteins, influencing up to 60% of the proteome.Non-coding RNAs in neuroplasticity: MicroRNAs and circular RNAs regulate synaptic changes, with activity-induced ones like miR-485-5p linked to rapid responses in drug cue memory and addiction reinforcement.Opioid addiction models: Rats self-administer heroin or fentanyl via levers, showing compulsive seeking; fentanyl's higher potency drives faster learning but similar long-term effects to heroin when doses are equated.Differences between opioids: Heroin and fentanyl both activate mu-opioid receptors for euphoria and dopamine release, but fentanyl lingers longer; no major behavioral differences in seeking once potency is matched.Psilocybin's effects on addiction: A single psilocybin dose post-abstinence reduces heroin-seeking in rats by dampening neuroinflammation in brain regions like the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex.Brain Inflammation: Opioids induce pro-inflammatory changes via cytokines like IL-17A and pathways like TNF-alpha, leading to glial activation and blood-brain barrier leaks; psilocybin counters this.MicroRNA biomarkers: Blood microRNAs reflect gene expression patterns tied to disease states, with potential to predict opioid relapse risk, treatment response, or neonatal withdrawal severity non-invasively.Future research: Ongoing work links psilocybin's serotonin 2A activation to anti-inflammatory gene changes, plus human studies on microRNAs for personalized addiction treatments.ABOUT THE GUEST: Stephanie Daws, PhD is an associate professor at Temple University in the Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neurosciences, where she researches mechanisms of drug-seeking behavior with a focus on opioids and psychedelics.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 2 | Psilocybin, LSD, Ketamine, InflamSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

In This Episode Guest:Chris Van DusenMarketing & Sales | Private Equity | Corporate StrategyChris Van Dusen is a marketing and growth professional with extensive early-stage and capitalization experience. He is the founder of Parcon Media (now Parcon LLC), former Chief Growth Officer of Balanced Health Botanicals, and a key growth partner behind Surf City Still Works.About Chris Van DusenChris launched Parcon Media and scaled it to $1.5M in top-line revenue in under two years before merging into what is now Parcon LLC. The agency worked with brands including Travis Mathew, Experian, University of California Irvine, University of California Office of the President, and Maglite.As Chief Growth Officer of Balanced Health Botanicals (BHB) in Denver, CO, Chris allocated and deployed a ~$20 million marketing budget to democratize CBD and scale BHB into the largest supplier of hemp-derived CBD globally. His strategy fueled massive DTC and brick-and-mortar growth through 2019 and navigated the shifting COVID-19 landscape in 2020—culminating in a $75M sale to Village Farms (NASDAQ: VFF) in August 2021.Simultaneously, Chris helped scale Surf City Still Works in Orange County, CA. He expanded marketing, retained Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (the largest spirits distributor in the U.S.), raised $3.7M in capital, and moved operations into a 25,000 sq ft manufacturing facility—the first of its kind in Orange County. He also built a world-class advisory board including Bob McKnight (Founder of Quiksilver) and Travis Brasher (Founder of Travis Mathew), leading to a merger with Kimo Sabe, a Los Angeles-based mezcal company.Chris holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary. He has served on boards including the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF). He is a member of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), Young Executive Council (YEC), a National Board member of Alder, and has previously been a member of PTTOW!. Chris frequently speaks on marketing, growth, product-market fit, and brand building.What you'll learn in this episode:● Why truly understanding your customer is the foundation of scalable growth● How conversion rate optimization can 5X your ROI without increasing ad spend● The difference between lifestyle businesses and venture-scale companies● What venture capital investors actually look for before writing a check● Why focus beats chasing every opportunity● How discipline, grit, and “doing hard things” build elite entrepreneurs● The balance between confidence and coachability in leadershipConnect with Chris Van DusenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismvandusen/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisvandusenYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialcvdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/christophervandusenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismvandusen/ To find out more about Dan Rochon and the CPI Community, you can check these links:Website: No Broke MonthsPodcast: No Broke Months for Salespeople PodcastInstagram: @donrochonxFacebook: Dan RochonLinkedIn: Dan RochonTeach to Sell Preorder: Teach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell – And What They Do Instead

Send a textThe biology of fat tissue, estrogen's role in metabolism and health, and how exercise interacts with these processes, especially during menopause.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Adipose tissue basics: White fat primarily stores energy in large lipid droplets, while brown fat burns fatty acids for heat via high mitochondrial density; white fat can “brown” with exercise or certain foods like capsaicin.Fat distribution & health: Subcutaneous fat (under skin) is more insulin-sensitive and less problematic than visceral fat (around organs), which links to metabolic issues; females store more subcutaneously pre-menopause, shifting to visceral post-menopause.Estrogen signaling: Estradiol binds nuclear and membrane receptors to regulate gene expression and mitochondrial function; it enhances insulin sensitivity and browning in fat cells, with receptors like ER-alpha feminizing fat distribution.Fat storage: Fat cells enlarge (hypertrophy) more than multiply in obesity, leading to hypoxia, inflammation, and insulin resistance; excess fatty acids spill to liver and muscle, worsening metabolic dysfunction.Menopause effects: Estrogen drop causes visceral fat gain, reduced energy expenditure, insulin resistance, and higher metabolic disease risk; symptoms include hot flashes and reduced exercise motivation, modeled in rodents via ovary removal.Exercise & estrogen links: Exercise boosts estrogen receptor expression and mitochondrial density in fat, mimicking estrogen's browning effects; synergism may explain reduced exercise responsiveness post-menopause.Brain-fat connections: Estrogen in the nucleus accumbens influences exercise motivation and fat browning; manipulations there alter running behavior and adipose metabolism in rodents.ABOUT THE GUEST: Victoria Vieira-Potter, PhD leads a lab at the University of Missouri, studying how estrogen and exercise influence adipose cells.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 174 | Adipose Tissue & Body Fat: Obesity, Insulin, Leptin, Fertility, Weight Loss & GLP-1 Drugs | Sean HartigSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textThe brain's mysterious claustrum region, its role in cognitive flexibility, and how substances like alcohol and psychedelics affect neural circuits and behavior. Not medical advice.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Cerebral cortex structure: Described as a six-layered structure with pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons; information flows between layers and regions to process sensory input and enable complex behaviors.Claustrum anatomy & connectivity: A sheet-like subcortical structure embedded in white matter, bidirectionally connected to cortical areas, especially prefrontal regions in rodents, with broader connections in primates and humans suggesting an integrative role.Claustrum function in cognition: Experiments show claustrum activation during task switches from easy to demanding modes, synchronizing cortical networks via inhibition and rebound excitation, potentially enabling flexible behavior.Mouse models in neuroscience: Mice are used for genetic tractability to manipulate and monitor specific circuits, revealing claustrum's role in vigilance tasks but not simple ones.Alcohol's effects on brain circuits: Chronic alcohol promotes inflexible behaviors by altering striatal interneurons and inhibitory inputs, leading to compulsive drinking despite aversive consequences.Psychedelics & brain networks: Psilocybin disrupts default mode and other networks, inhibits claustrum via serotonin 1B receptors, with effects persisting 24 hours, possibly contributing to therapeutic benefits.Evolution of claustrum: Connectivity expands from rodents to humans, shifting from cognitive-specific to broader network control, including anti-correlated states like default mode versus task-engaged.Integration of claustrum & basal ganglia: Claustrum funnels prefrontal signals to basal ganglia for action selection; alcohol may impair this, exacerbating inflexibility in addiction.ABOUT THE GUEST: Brian, PhD is a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he leads a neuroscience lab studying brain circuits underlying flexible and inflexible behaviors using mouse models, with a focus on alcohol use disorder.Support the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textPharmacology & neurobiology of psychedelics & MDMA, focusing on isomers, sex-specific effects, and mechanisms in animal models. Not medical advice.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Biased agonism: Different drugs activate the same receptor (e.g., 5-HT2A) but trigger varied intracellular pathways, explaining why LSD is psychedelic while similar lisuride is not.Enantiomers & isomers: Mirror-image versions of drugs like MDMA (S and R forms) and LSD (four isomers) often produce distinct effects; only one LSD isomer is psychedelic, for example.MDMA isomer effects: S-MDMA induces stronger head twitches (psychedelic proxy) via serotonin release, and increases dendritic spines in male mice but not females; R-MDMA has somewhat different effects.Sex-specific drug responses: In mice, females show stronger psychedelic effects (head twitches) from psilocybin and DOI at the same dose, but males exhibit greater post-acute benefits like reduced opioid withdrawal.Psilocybin in opioid addiction models: A single dose reduces place preference for oxycodone and withdrawal symptoms in male mice more than females, with opposite spine density effects in reward-related brain areas.Mechanisms beyond 5-HT2A: Psychedelics involve other receptors like metabotropic glutamate receptors, forming dimers with 5-HT2A to enable dual signaling pathways; effects in subcortical regions like nucleus accumbens are 5-HT2A-independent.Clinical implications: Street MDMA may vary in S/R ratios, affecting experiences; clinical trials often use racemic mixtures without weight-adjusted dosing, potentially missing sex differences.ABOUT THE GUEST: Javier Gonzalez-Maeso, PhD is a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a PhD in medicine from Spain focused on G-protein coupled receptors and human brain studies in depression and addiction.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 230 | Psilocybin & MDMA: Inflammation, Stress & Brain-Body Communication | Michael WheelerSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code 'nickjikomes' for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textThe AMP kinase pathway's role in cellular energy sensing, nutrient allocation, and its connections to health practices like fasting, exercise, and diet.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Cellular energy basics: ATP/ADP/AMP as energy currencies; AMP kinase activates on low ATP to conserve and redirect resources, like a budget manager.AMP kinase mechanics: Heterotrimeric enzyme phosphorylating 100+ substrates; localizes dynamically in cytosol, mitochondria, nucleus to integrate signals.Nutrient detection: Senses fatty acids in fasting/ketogenic states, boosting fat oxidation and mitochondria independent of energy drops.Fasting/exercise impacts: Elevate AMP kinase for mitophagy, better fuel switching; mimic historical scarcity absent under modern constant feeding.mTOR relationship: AMP kinase inhibits mTOR to stop growth in low energy states; feedback loop disrupted by abundance, promoting tissue buildup.Disease links: Low AMP kinase in obesity/diabetes reduces flexibility; activation prevents cancer but may aid tumor survival in therapy.Drugs/diets: Metformin and GLP-1s like Ozempic activate AMP kinase for glucose control/weight loss; ketogenic diets activate at intermediate levels for fat efficiency.ABOUT THE GUEST: Gregory Steinberg, PhD is a Professor of Medicine at McMaster University and co-directs the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity, and Diabetes Research, focusing on cellular energy sensors like AMP kinase.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 260 | Energy Resistance Principle in Life, Healing & Disease | Martin Picard & Nirosha MuruganSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textHow industrial farming, seed oils, soy, and pesticides impact food nutrition and health. Not medical advice.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Soy's rise in farming: Originating from paint uses and wartime chemicals, soy became dominant due to subsidies and large-scale farming practices, but introduces high PUFAs, phytoestrogens, and pesticides into animal feeds.Feed's impact on eggs: Chicken feeds high in soy and corn raise linoleic acid levels in eggs compared to low-soy alternatives; low-PUFA eggs improve digestibility for many.PUFAs & health effects: Feeding PUFAs fattens animals faster and disrupts human gut lining and metabolism; body fat composition changes take time, linking to chronic issues like low energy.Phytoestrogens in soy: These compounds pass into animal products, affecting estrogen signaling and gut health; mainstream nutrition often overlooks their risks despite historical low exposure.Dairy variations: Raw milk retains lactoferrin for iron regulation and gut support, plus enzymes and probiotics destroyed in pasteurization; it may resolve dairy intolerances for some.Regenerative farming model: Armstrong's cooperative emphasizes traditional feeds to “resaturate” foods, reducing PUFAs; supports small farms amid declining farm numbers.Ancestral diets insight: Traditional diets vary but share low PUFA levels, avoiding modern chronic illnesses tied to industrial fats.ABOUT THE GUEST: Ashley Armstrong, PhD co-founded Angel Acres Farm in Michigan and now runs Nourish Food Club, a cooperative of small farms producing low-PUFA, soy-free animal foods.RELATED EPISODE:M&M 273: Nutrition Content of Animal & Plant Foods: Beef, Plant-Based Meat, Raw vs. Processed MilkSupport the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

A 2013 Science paper claimed beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the primary ketone body produced during ketosis, was a potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with powerful epigenetic benefits — this claim became the foundation of the keto movement's health narrative A devastating 2019 head-to-head comparison in Scientific Reports found that BHB shows no detectable HDAC inhibition in vitro or in vivo, while butyrate (a different molecule produced by gut bacteria) demonstrates robust HDAC-inhibiting activity The bitter irony: ketogenic diets actually reduce colonic butyrate production by depleting fiber intake and diminishing butyrate-producing gut bacteria — the very diet designed to boost the "HDAC-inhibiting ketone" may be depleting the actual HDAC inhibitor While BHB has legitimate benefits as an alternative fuel source and GPR109A receptor activator, the widespread claim that ketosis provides "epigenetic therapy" through HDAC inhibition appears to be scientifically unfounded

Send us a textHow individuals vary in responses to carbs, fibers, and fats.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Personalized health profiling: Snyder's lab sequences genomes and measures molecules from blood, urine, and microbiomes to detect diseases early, emphasizing data-driven discovery over assumptions.Fiber variations and effects: Responses to dietary fibers vary individually, with microbiome playing a key role.Glycemic responses to carbs: People spike differently to foods like rice, potatoes, or bread; tied to insulin resistance subtypes in muscles, liver, or pancreas.Type 2 diabetes heterogeneity: 90% of diabetes cases are type 2 with subtypes like muscle or hepatic resistance; triggers include genetics and infections, with prediabetes often undetected.Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs): Affordable tools measure glucose every five minutes, revealing personal food triggers; spikes link to risks like cardiovascular disease and cancer.Lipidomics: Lipids are diverse, serving as energy sources, structural components, and signaling molecules; understudied but key in metabolism and gene expression.Maternal health & pregnancy: Metabolomics shows thousands of changes, including hormone shifts; cord blood analysis reveals fetal nutrient use and drug transfers, with markers for preterm birth or healthy outcomes.Future research: Exploring epigenetic changes in diabetes, personalized nutrition mitigation, and digital markers from wearables for mental health tied to diet and gut-brain axis.ABOUT THE GUEST: Michael Snyder, PhD is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Genetics and former chair of the Department of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he directs the Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine.Support the showHealth Products by M&M Partners: SporesMD: Premium mushrooms products (gourmet mushrooms, nootropics, research). Use code TRIKOMES for 20% off. Lumen device: Optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Send us a textHow agricultural practices influence the nutrient density of foods, particularly meat, and the importance of hidden compounds beyond standard nutrition labels.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Nutrient density profiling: Labs analyze thousands of compounds beyond macros and vitamins; this “dark matter” includes phytonutrients that may support health despite not being essential.Phytonutrients in foods: Plant secondary metabolites like polyphenols act as antioxidants and influence pathways like mTOR; animals convert plant compounds into bioactives humans access via meat.Red meat definition: Refers to meats high in myoglobin, including beef and lamb; most meats are red in wild forms, but human intervention affects color and classification.Ruminant animals: Animals like cows that have multi-chambered stomachs to digest plants; this metabolism differs from non-ruminants (e.g. chickens), affecting nutrient profiles in their meat.Grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef: Grass-fed has higher omega-3 fats and phytonutrients from diverse plants; studies show it improves human omega-6:3 ratios and biomarkers from grass-fed, pastured-raised animals.Farming practices & variations: Plant diversity boosts beef nutrients.Upcoming research: Long-term trials on effects of pasture-raised foods on human health; interactive dashboards for farmers to profile nutrients and inform policy.ABOUT THE GUEST: Stephan Van Vliet, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences at Utah State University, where he directs the Center for Human Nutrition Studies, focusing on linking food production systems to nutrient profiles and conducting clinical trials on health impacts.Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they're hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Dom D'Agostino is a neuroscientist and professor at the forefront of metabolic therapies, including ketogenic diets, exogenous ketones, and hyperbaric oxygen. In this episode, Dom breaks down nutritional versus supplemental ketosis, defines meaningful ketone thresholds, and outlines practical ways to achieve ketosis. He explains how a ketogenic diet can support metabolic health and weight loss, and advises on how to maintain adequate protein and avoid common mistakes. Dom surveys the growing landscape of exogenous ketones—from salts and esters to 1,3-butanediol—and effective pairings like caffeine, MCT oil, and alpha-GPC. He highlights the role of ketogenic therapy in cancer (particularly glioblastoma) and its promise for neurodegenerative diseases. The conversation also covers recommended hyperbaric oxygen protocols for brain injuries and cognitive function, situations where fasting or ketones offer cognitive and anti-inflammatory benefits, and touches on the carnivore diet as a ketogenic variant with potential relevance for autoimmune and metabolic conditions. We discuss: Dom and Peter's shared interest in ketosis, and Dom's scientific journey [2:30]; Dom's work for the Navy on oxygen toxicity [7:00]; Nutritional ketosis defined: physiology, biomarkers, and how fasting and diet generate therapeutic ketones [15:00]; The historical roots of ketogenic diets in epilepsy treatment, and evidence showing ketones reduce seizure activity and strengthen brain resilience [19:00]; Dom's personal experience on the ketogenic diet: tracking macros, getting enough protein, and monitoring ketone levels [24:15]; Using a ketogenic diet for weight loss: Dom's guidance on protein, fiber, calorie tracking, lipid monitoring, and more [31:00]; Protein on ketogenic diets: Dom's rationale for higher intake and muscle preservation [38:00]; Incorporating carbohydrates into keto: timing, high-fiber foods, and other considerations [41:30]; The carnivore diet: whether this diet induces ketosis, how it functions metabolically, and why it may help individuals with autoimmune conditions [44:15]; Early exogenous ketones: how 1,3-butanediol works, its liver toxicity risk, and why ketone esters replaced it [48:15]; The progression of exogenous ketones: why BHB monoesters and ketone salts emerged as better alternatives to 1,3-butanediol for ketone supplementation [59:30]; Ketone salts: easing the transition into ketosis, dosing, and how they compare to ketone esters [1:04:00]; The differences between D- and L-β-hydroxybutyrate, and how racemic mixtures may elevate ketones longer and offer unique biological effects [1:09:30]; How ketosis may boost NAD, and why NAD supplements have fallen short so far [1:16:30]; Emerging evidence for using a ketogenic diet to treat anorexia and other psychiatric disorders [1:20:30]; Potential cognitive and performance benefits of ketone supplementation, and why pushing ketones too high can be dangerous [1:23:45]; Applications for ketone esters, and why ketone salts or MCT-blended formulations may be safer and more practical for most people [1:29:15]; The role of a ketogenic diet in treating cancer [1:34:45]; The potential of a ketogenic diet for treating Alzheimer's disease [1:45:45]; Tools for cognitive enhancement: ketones, alpha-GPC, MCT, caffeine, strategic fasting, and more [1:53:45]; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for concussion, TBI, PTSD, and cognitive function, including protocols and dosing approaches [1:55:30]; Peter's takeaways, recommended products, and additional resources to learn more [2:03:00]; and More. Connect With Peter on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube