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.

SPOTIFY TITLE

Coffee and Kidney Disease: What 2025 Research Actually Shows

(Same core keyword focus works for podcast search)

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.

In 2025, we crossed a historic threshold. Multiple humans survived more than six months with gene-edited pig kidneys functioning inside them, in both the United States and China.

For the 100,000 Americans waiting for a kidney right now, this matters.

In this episode, I break down:

• What actually happened with the Massachusetts General Hospital patient who lived 271 days with a pig kidney
• Why is six months the critical survival benchmark in transplantation
• The 69 gene edits that made these kidneys human-compatible
• What the 2024 animal studies predicted — and how human data confirmed it
• The formal clinical trials now underway
• What still stands in the way: rejection, infection risk, and limited access

This is not a cure. Pig kidneys still require lifelong immunosuppression. But for patients who have run out of options — older dialysis patients, highly sensitized patients, those without living donors — this is the first real alternative we have seen in decades.

I give you my honest assessment of where xenotransplantation stands today.

Dr. Sean Hashmi is a board-certified Nephrologist and Obesity Medicine Specialist.

Subscribe to the newsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletterYouTube: youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD

Practice kindness and gratitude.

Every IgA Nephropathy patient asks the same question: What do I do right now to stop my kidneys from failing?

In this episode, I break down the exact 5-step action plan I give every patient in my clinical practice — based on the latest KDIGO guidelines and clinical trials like DAPA-CKD, NefIgArd, and PROTECT.

You'll learn:

- The 3 numbers you must track and the targets to hit

- Why most IgA Nephropathy patients are undertreated (and how to fix it)

- When to ask about newer therapies like Nefecon or Sparsentan

- The lifestyle changes that reduce kidney failure risk by 30-40%

- How to talk to your doctor about escalating treatment

This is the final episode of the IgA Nephropathy Masterclass series. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing this condition for years, this roadmap gives you a clear path forward.

Resources mentioned:

- IgA Nephropathy Prediction Tool: qxmd.com/calculate/calculator_499

- IgA Nephropathy Foundation

- NephCure Kidney International

Get the full show notes and scientific references at selfprinciple.org

Questions? Connect with me on Instagram @seanhashmimd

The right diet can cut proteinuria by 30%—without any medication changes. Most IgA nephropathy patients don't know what to eat.

In this episode, I share the exact eating plan I give every patient in my practice. Simple, sustainable, and kidney-friendly. This isn't a restrictive diet where you starve—it's a sustainable approach based on the latest kidney nutrition research.

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WE DISCUSS:

- Why sodium restriction is the #1 dietary change for IgAN (and how to hit your 2-gram target)

- The kidney-friendly plate: a simple framework for every meal

- Supplements for IgA nephropathy: what works, what's hype

- Two things that aggressively accelerate kidney damage

- The 80/20 rule: why consistency beats perfection

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SUPPORT THE SHOW:

youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD/join

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CONNECT:

Instagram: @seanhashmimd

Newsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletter

YouTube: @SeanHashmiMD

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New episodes weekly on kidney health, metabolic health, longevity, and disease prevention.

Educational content only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider.

#KidneyHealth #IgANephropathy #SELFPrinciple #HealthPodcast

IgA nephropathy treatment has changed dramatically since 2021—steroids are no longer your only option.

In this episode, I break down the complete treatment roadmap based on the 2021 KDIGO guidelines and the latest clinical trials. This is the same tiered approach I use with my IgA nephropathy patients every day.

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WE DISCUSS:

- Tier 1 foundation therapy: RAS inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, blood pressure control

- Tier 2 targeted therapies: Nefecon and Sparsentan explained

- When systemic steroids are still used (and why they're a last resort)

- Pipeline treatments: complement inhibitors and B-cell therapies

- How to talk to your nephrologist about newer treatments

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SUPPORT THE SHOW:

youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD/join

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CONNECT:

Instagram: @seanhashmimd

Newsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletter

YouTube: @SeanHashmiMD

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New episodes weekly on kidney health, metabolic health, longevity, and disease prevention.

Educational content only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider.

#IgANephropathy #KidneyHealth #SELFPrinciple #HealthPodcast

3 lab numbers can predict if you'll need dialysis in 10 years—and most IgA Nephropathy patients aren't tracking them correctly.

In this episode, I break down the exact labs my IgAN patients monitor to prevent kidney failure. I'll show you how to read your lab report, explain the MEST-C biopsy score, and walk you through a free prediction tool that calculates your personal 5-year risk.

These numbers separate stable IgA Nephropathy from progressive disease. Once you understand them, you shift from passive patient to the CEO of your own kidney health.

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WE DISCUSS:

- The 3 lab values every IgAN patient must track for life

- Proteinuria targets: why less than 1 g/day isn't good enough

- How to find and interpret eGFR on your lab report

- The MEST-C biopsy score and what each letter means

- The free IgAN Prediction Tool that calculates your 5-year risk

- How often to test based on your stability

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IgAN PREDICTION TOOL:

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/10533/international-iga-nephropathy-prediction-tool

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SUPPORT THE SHOW:

SELF Inner Circle ($14.99/mo) — Monthly live Q&A + early access + show notes

SELF Advocate ($6.99/mo) — Early access + complete show notes & references

Join here: youtube.com/@SeanHashmiMD/join

Prefer Patreon? patreon.com/SeanHashmiMD

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CONNECT:

Instagram: @seanhashmimd

Newsletter: selfprinciple.org/newsletter

YouTube: @SeanHashmiMD

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New episodes weekly on kidney health, metabolic health, longevity, and disease prevention.

Educational content only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider.

#IgANephropathy #KidneyHealth #SELFPrinciple #HealthPodcast