What if the root cause of severe mental illness isn't a chemical imbalance in the brain, but a metabolic disorder that can be addressed through diet? Matt Bazuki's remarkable recovery from debilitating bipolar disorder offers compelling evidence for this revolutionary approach.

At just 19 years old, Matt's life spiraled into chaos as bipolar disorder took hold. Despite coming from a supportive, educated family, he found himself cycling through psychiatric hospitalizations, taking multiple medications, and even experiencing homelessness during manic episodes. Conventional treatments failed him completely – he was officially labeled "treatment resistant" while taking five different psychiatric medications that left him barely functional.

The turning point came when Matt's mother discovered research on ketogenic diets for mental health. After implementing a strict ketogenic diet in 2021, Matt experienced what can only be described as a miracle – his symptoms completely resolved within months. Today, nearly four years later, he lives independently, works successfully, and has drastically reduced his medications.

Matt explains the science behind his recovery with remarkable clarity. Mental illnesses like bipolar disorder may fundamentally be disorders of brain energy metabolism. For some people, switching from glucose to ketones as the primary brain fuel source creates a metabolically favorable environment that allows the brain to function normally again. This challenges our understanding of these conditions as purely genetic or as simple "chemical imbalances."

Beyond diet alone, Matt follows a comprehensive metabolic health protocol that includes proper sleep hygiene, regular exercise, meditation, and circadian rhythm management. This holistic approach supports his brain's energy needs from multiple angles, creating sustainable mental wellness.

Now co-hosting the BipolarCast podcast, Matt shares the stories of others who've found similar healing through metabolic interventions. His family has established the Bazuki Foundation to fund research in this emerging field of metabolic psychiatry – work that may ultimately transform how we understand and treat mental illness.

Could changing what you eat change your mind? For those suffering from treatment-resistant mental health conditions, Matt's journey offers not just inspiration, but a practical pathway toward recovery that conventional psychiatry has overlooked. Listen now to discover how addressing the metabolism might be the key to mental health that millions have been searching for.

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Sugar isn't just empty calories – it's an active driver of disease through a fascinating biological mechanism that evolved to help mammals survive food scarcity. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Richard Johnson, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and author of "Why Nature Wants Us to Be Fat," we explore the unexpected ways fructose hijacks our metabolism.

Dr. Johnson, often described as the "Indiana Jones of nutrition science," reveals how fructose works by actually depleting cellular energy rather than increasing it. This creates a paradoxical situation where our bodies store more fat while simultaneously making us feel exhausted and constantly hungry. The biological pathway, designed to help animals like bears fatten up before hibernation, now works against us in our sugar-saturated world.

Most alarming are the connections between fructose metabolism and serious diseases. Cancer cells specifically seek out fructose to fuel their growth in low-oxygen environments, explaining why certain cancers are strongly associated with high sugar consumption. Even more compelling is the evidence linking fructose to dementia – from the earliest stages of cognitive decline showing the exact biological signature of fructose metabolism to animal studies demonstrating memory impairment after just two weeks of sugar exposure.

Perhaps most surprising is Dr. Johnson's revelation that our bodies can manufacture fructose internally, especially during mild dehydration or when consuming salty foods. This explains why the combination of salt and carbohydrates is particularly problematic for weight management – they signal our bodies to convert glucose to fructose and store fat.

The good news? Understanding this pathway opens doors to protection through specific nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin C, and explains why low-carbohydrate approaches can be so effective. Whether you're concerned about weight, cognitive health, or cancer prevention, this conversation offers practical insights into breaking free from sugar's powerful grip on your metabolism.

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What happens when eating "clean keto" or carnivore still isn't working for your metabolism? Why are some people gaining weight despite following popular low-carb advice? Nutritionist Maria Emmerich breaks down the science behind these frustrating scenarios and offers practical solutions that work even when everything else has failed.

Maria introduces us to the Protein Sparing Modified Fast method – a strategic approach that preserves precious muscle while creating the caloric deficit needed to burn stubborn body fat. Rather than a daily practice, this method serves as a powerful tool to deploy strategically when weight loss stalls or during periods of higher indulgence like holidays. With approximately 800 calories of primarily lean protein, this approach allows your body to tap into stored fat while maintaining metabolic health.

The conversation tackles a controversial truth in the low-carb world: calories still matter. Maria shares stories of clients who came to her after gaining significant weight on unlimited ribeye-and-butter approaches, explaining the science of why fat cells become "overstuffed" leading to worsening insulin resistance even on clean foods. She dismantles the myth that you can eat unlimited amounts of any food – even healthy animal products – without metabolic consequences.

Perhaps most encouraging is Maria's insight about taste adaptation: your taste buds completely regenerate every 15 days. This biological reality means that transitioning away from hyperpalatable processed foods becomes significantly easier after just two weeks of consistent clean eating. For those battling intense sugar cravings, this perspective offers hope that the struggle has a definitive endpoint if you can maintain consistency through the adaptation phase.

From sleep optimization strategies to the truth about protein needs (hint: you probably need more than you think), Maria's practical advice cuts through nutrition confusion with evidence-based clarity. Whether you're struggling with autoimmune issues, weight loss plateaus, or simply want to optimize your low-carb approach, this episode delivers actionable insights to transform your relationship with food and reclaim metabolic health.

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Dr. Susan Pierce Thompson delivers a powerful exploration into the complex reality of ultra-processed food addiction and the revolutionary approaches that enable sustainable recovery and weight loss. With her unique background as both a recovered drug addict and a brain scientist, Thompson brings extraordinary credibility to this conversation about why some foods trigger addictive patterns more powerfully than even cocaine or methamphetamine.

The podcast reveals exciting developments in how the scientific community is finally recognizing the legitimacy of ultra-processed food addiction. Thompson describes the recent consensus reached by 40 international experts working to have this condition recognized by the World Health Organization—a critical step toward better treatment protocols and policy changes. This recognition isn't just academic—it could transform how schools, healthcare systems, and governments approach our relationship with food.

Thompson's Bright Line Eating program demonstrates what's possible when we apply addiction medicine principles to our relationship with food. Their groundbreaking six-year follow-up research shows participants maintaining an average 14% weight loss—outperforming even the most celebrated weight loss medications without their side effects or costs. The "bright lines" approach creates clear boundaries around sugar, flour, meals, and quantities, helping participants develop automatic habits that remove the exhausting decision fatigue around eating.

Perhaps most compelling is Thompson's raw comparison between drug addiction and food addiction recovery. After 30 years of sobriety from substances, she shares why food addiction presented an even greater challenge: "There's nowhere safe to go in society when you're in recovery from food... your whole life is a cue to break your abstinence." Unlike recovering drug addicts who can avoid trigger environments, food addicts face constant exposure, making their recovery journey uniquely difficult but ultimately more rewarding.

Whether you're struggling with your relationship with food or simply curious about the science behind sustainable weight loss, this conversation offers profound insights that might forever change how you view ultra-processed foods and the possibility of true freedom from food obsession.

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Imagine finding peace with food after decades of struggle—not through willpower or rigid restrictions, but by understanding the profound connection between your nervous system and eating patterns.

In this episode of the Kick Sugar Coach Podcast, I sit down with Luis Mojica, somatic therapist and founder of Holistic Life Navigation, to explore how trauma, stress, and dysregulation drive disordered eating—and how somatic practices can help us heal at the root.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
✅ How trauma and stress get stored in the body—and show up as food cravings
✅ Why diets and willpower alone don’t work for long-term healing
✅ The connection between sugar addiction and nervous system dysregulation
✅ How to build true food freedom without strict rules or fear
✅ Practical somatic practices to help you heal beyond food

For so long, we’ve been told that if we just eat "clean," cut out sugar, or stick to a plan, we’ll finally feel in control. But what if the real key to healing is learning how to feel safe in our own bodies?

This conversation is eye-opening, deeply personal, and packed with insights that will shift the way you think about food, trauma, and recovery.

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Is obesity just about willpower, or is there something deeper going on? In this powerful interview, Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a board-certified physician specializing in obesity and metabolic health, reveals the critical connection between obesity and food addiction—and why most weight loss advice is failing us.

Dr. Tro isn’t just a doctor—he lived this struggle himself. From childhood obesity and food addiction to losing 150 pounds, he now helps others break free from the cycle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ The science of food addiction
✅ Why stress, emotions, and trauma trigger overeating and weight gain
✅ How low-carb nutrition outperforms traditional diets for weight loss and reversing type 2 diabetes
✅ The flaws in conventional weight loss advice—and what actually works
✅ Harm reduction vs. abstinence
✅ How Big Food and outdated medical guidelines keep us trapped in the cycle of obesity

Dr. Tro is on a mission to change the medical system and provide real, science-backed solutions for metabolic health. If you’ve ever struggled with uncontrollable cravings, emotional eating, or failed diets, this interview is for you!

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Florence's courses & coaching programs can be found at:
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What if everything you thought you knew about nutrition was wrong? 🤯

In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Ken Berry, a board-certified MD and YouTube sensation, reveals the biggest myths about food, metabolism, and chronic disease. After struggling with his own health—morbid obesity, prediabetes, and metabolic issues—Dr. Berry made a dramatic shift in his diet and medical approach. Now, he's on a mission to help others break free from food addiction, sugar cravings, and diet misinformation.

🔥 In this episode, we cover:
✅ Why doctors get nutrition WRONG (and what they aren’t taught in med school)
✅ How sugar addiction is REAL—and why Big Food doesn’t want you to know
✅ The truth about keto, carnivore, and low-carb diets for reversing chronic disease
✅ Why mainstream diets fail and how a Proper Human Diet can transform your health
✅ How metabolic health impacts mood, mental resilience, and energy
✅ Steps to break free from processed foods and regain control over your cravings

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Florence's courses & coaching programs can be found at:
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Did you know that many so-called healthy foods can spike your blood sugar higher than a teaspoon of pure sugar? Or that seed oils—commonly found in everything from salad dressings to so-called “heart-healthy” snacks—are wreaking havoc on our health?

In this eye-opening episode of The Kick Sugar Coach Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Eric Berg to expose the hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods, misleading food labels, and the deceptive marketing tactics used by the food industry to keep us hooked. We also dive into the battle between big agriculture and small farmers—and why it’s more important than ever to support local, ethical food sources.

Episode Highlights:
✅ The truth about “complex carbohydrates” (they’re worse than sugar!)
✅ How seed oils are silently harming your health
✅ The food industry’s sneaky tactics to keep you addicted
✅ Why healthy keto is different from the mainstream version
✅ The grassroots movement fighting to protect small farmers
✅ Dr. Berg’s #1 tip for breaking free from food addiction

If you’ve ever struggled with food cravings, wondered why processed foods are so addictive, or felt overwhelmed trying to make sense of ingredient labels—this episode is a must-listen!

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Florence's courses & coaching programs can be found at:
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