Stubborn belly fat won't budge despite diet and exercise? Your kidneys may be the hidden culprit.

Your kidneys clear over 50% of circulating insulin. When visceral fat compresses them, insulin stays elevated and your body gets locked in fat storage mode. This episode breaks down the kidney-belly fat connection most doctors miss — and exactly how to break the cycle.

In this episode:

• The role of perirenal fat in kidney compression

• Why your kidneys control insulin clearance (and fat burning)

• How the RAAS system triggers fluid retention and bloating

• The vicious cycle keeping you stuck in fat storage mode

• The SELF Principle approach: Sleep, Exercise, Love, Food

• A 14-day sodium reset to release kidney bloat

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References:1. Hall JE, et al. Obesity-induced hypertension: role of sympathetic nervous system, leptin, and melanocortins. Circ Res. 2021.2. Hall JE, et al. Obesity, kidney dysfunction and hypertension: mechanistic links. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2019.3. Gholami P, et al. Insulin resistance and insulin handling in chronic kidney disease. Front Endocrinol. 2024.4. Covassin N, et al. Effects of experimental sleep restriction on visceral obesity. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022.5. Carlström M, et al. Nitric oxide signalling in kidney regulation and cardiometabolic health. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2021.

This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes.

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Dr. Sean HashmiBoard-Certified Nephrologist and Obesity Medicine Specialistselfprinciple.org

Nearly 600 million people worldwide have diabetes. Could your morning coffee actually help protect you?

In this episode, I break down what decades of research reveal about coffee and metabolic health. A meta-analysis of over 1 million people found that each daily cup of coffee was linked to about 6% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People drinking 2-4 cups per day showed 20-30% lower risk compared to non-drinkers.

But here's what most people miss: the benefits only apply if you drink it the right way.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

• How coffee affects insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, and fat metabolism
• The mechanisms behind coffee's protective effects, including AMPK activation and GLP-1
• Why your genetics determine how you respond to caffeine
• What that CGM spike after coffee actually means
• The one mistake that completely negates coffee's metabolic benefits
• A practical coffee protocol you can start using today

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YOUR ACTION PLAN:

• 2-3 cups per day is the sweet spot
• Never exceed 400mg caffeine total
• Stop caffeine 8-10 hours before bed
• Keep it mostly black — sugar bombs negate the benefits

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CONNECT:

Full video with timestamps: youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD

Newsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletter

Instagram: @seanhashmimd

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Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. The views expressed are Dr. Hashmi's personal professional opinions and do not represent any employer or affiliated organization.

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Coffee and Kidney Disease: What 2025 Research Actually Shows

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What if everything you thought about coffee and kidney health was wrong?

Four years ago, I covered this topic in a video that hit over 2 million views. Since then, several major studies have emerged — bigger data sets, genetic insights, even research on the timing of consumption — and they paint a much clearer picture.

In this episode, I break down:

• The 2020 meta-analysis of 500,000+ people followed for 24 years
• New 2025 data showing 24% lower CKD odds with moderate intake
• Why coffee may actually slow kidney function decline over time
• The biological mechanisms behind coffee's protective effects
• A complete protocol based on your CKD stage
• What can go wrong, and who should be cautious

The bottom line: moderate coffee intake — about two to three cups daily — is consistently associated with lower risk of chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and kidney stone formation. But the key word is moderate.

If coffee causes anxiety, raises your blood pressure, or keeps you up at night, it's not healthy for you. That's the SELF Principle in action — Sleep, Exercise, Love, and Food. Coffee fits under food, but never at the expense of sleep or peace of mind.

Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

Connect with me:YouTube: youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMDNewsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletterInstagram: @seanhashmimd

Stay kind, stay grateful.