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📢 Ben’s LPS/Leaky Gut Recommendations: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/insuliniq-leaky-gut-recommendations

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind (multilingual):

https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben explains how lipopolysaccharides (LPS)—toxic molecules from gram-negative gut bacteria—can escape into the bloodstream through a compromised intestinal lining, triggering chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance.

Dr. Bikman breaks down the roles of tight junction proteins like ZO-1, occludin, and claudins, and explains how the signaling molecule zonulin disrupts these junctions. Zonulin release is often triggered by dysbiosis and dietary components like gluten and fructose.

He also highlights how LPS-induced inflammation impairs insulin signaling and promotes ceramide production, contributing to liver fat accumulation and systemic insulin resistance.

Ben offers practical, evidence-based strategies to maintain gut barrier integrity and reduce LPS absorption—these include:

- apple cider vinegar

- spore-forming probiotics (especially Bacillus subtilis)

- prebiotic fibers (like FOS and XOS)

- and omega-3-rich foods or supplements

Dr. Bikman ends with dietary and lifestyle takeaways to protect gut health and metabolic function.

Show Notes/References:

For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber or member. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, unlimited access to Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, and online, live Office Hours access with Ben. It also includes Ben’s Weekly Research Review Podcast. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com

NOTE: The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Bikman is not a clinician—and, he is not your doctor. Always seek the advice of your own qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📢 To listen ad-free, become an Insider: Ben’s website, https://www.benbikman.com

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

In this episode Dr. Bikman explores the concept of “male menopause,” more accurately termed andropause. While women experience a dramatic hormonal drop-off due to the depletion of ovarian follicles, men experience a gradual decline in testosterone, primarily because their testosterone-producing Leydig cells become less efficient with age. This slow reduction begins in the 30s or 40s, and free testosterone (the biologically active form) declines even faster than total testosterone due to increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

The lecture delves into the cellular mechanisms behind this decline, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. Because testosterone synthesis starts with cholesterol being transported into the mitochondria, anything that impairs this transport—like declining STAR and TSPO proteins or mitochondrial fragmentation—can reduce testosterone production. Dr. Bikman emphasizes that insulin resistance plays a central role by impairing Leydig cell responsiveness and increasing ceramide production, which worsens mitochondrial fission and dysfunction.

Body fat also plays a major role in hormonal health, as it increases aromatase activity, converting testosterone into estradiol. This creates a damaging feedback loop—more fat leads to more estrogen, which suppresses testosterone production, which then leads to more fat gain.

Dr. Bikman outlines a set of interventions to break this cycle and support testosterone naturally, including:

- Weight loss, especially reducing visceral fat

- Resistance training, with caution to avoid overtraining

- Cold exposure, done strategically (before, not after exercise)

- Sleep hygiene and stress reduction

- Limiting alcohol intake

- And in some cases, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), with caveats about fertility

Show Notes/References:

For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber or member. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, unlimited access to Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, and online, live Office Hours access with Ben. It also includes Ben’s Weekly Research Review Podcast. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com

Also, Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind can interact with you in many languages: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Bikman is not a clinician—and, he is not your doctor. Always seek the advice of your own qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Ben’s favorite yerba mate: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📢 To listen ad-free, become an Insider: Ben’s website, https://www.benbikman.com

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

In this mini lecture, Dr. Bikman explains the powerful metabolic effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids—specifically EPA and DHA—on fat metabolism and muscle growth.

Ben starts by clarifying the difference between plant-based ALA and animal-based EPA/DHA, emphasizing that only the latter provide meaningful metabolic benefits. Plant-based ALA converts very poorly into EPA/DHA, making direct consumption of animal sources (like fatty fish or pasture-raised meats) crucial for those seeking metabolic improvement.

Dr. Bikman then explores how EPA and DHA enhance fat burning by stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis and improving mitochondrial efficiency. They increase the expression of CPT1 (the fat-shuttling enzyme) and promote mitochondrial uncoupling through UCP1 and UCP3, helping the body burn more fat—even at rest. He also describes how omega-3s literally become part of mitochondrial membranes, improving their fluidity, fuel processing, and ATP production without increasing oxidative stress.

Shifting to muscle, he explains how omega-3s amplify the muscle-building response to insulin and amino acids by enhancing mTOR signaling. Studies show omega-3s can significantly boost muscle protein synthesis and preserve muscle mass during injury or disuse. They improve membrane fluidity and cell signaling, making muscles more responsive to growth stimuli.

Ben concludes with a practical recommendation: daily intake of 2–4 grams of combined EPA and DHA from animal sources (like fish or high-quality supplements) is ideal. He reminds viewers that plant-based omega-3s will not deliver these same benefits and encourages consistent intake over time for best results.

Show Notes/References:

For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber or member. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, unlimited access to Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, and online, live Office Hours access with Ben. It also includes Ben’s Weekly Research Review Podcast. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com

Also, Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind can interact with you in many languages: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Bikman is not a clinician—and, he is not your doctor. Always seek the advice of your own qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Ben’s favorite yerba mate: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884

Exogenous ketones: A high-quality option is the NSF-certified goBHB from Clean Form Nutrition, where you can use the code BEN10 for a 10% discount: https://cleanformnutrition.com/products/go-bhb

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.