
#209 - What is insulin resistance and why does it matter? | Dr. Rob Lustig & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
Insulin resistance is when cells stop responding to insulin’s signal to uptake glucose. It’s a hallmark of prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and other forms of metabolic dysfunction, and it manifests as several chronic disease, ranging from Alzheimer’s to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Dr. Rob Lustig and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss the importance of monitoring insulin levels, why a high or increasing insulin level is a problem, and how insulin resistance hinders weight management. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🎙 What Rob Lustig, MD, & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, discuss: (03:57) — What is insulin? (06:55) — What is insulin resistance? (18:00) — There are three types of insulin resistance (38:00) — Weight management is not about calories in and calories out (45:53) — Adding more insulin to the equation of Type 2 diabetes isn’t necessarily the answer (51:20) — Insulin is a crucial biomarker to measure for metabolic health (53:58) — Insulin resistance is a hinderance to weight management (57:07) — The intake of too much leucine can lead to insulin resistance (1:02:04) — Fiber feeds the gut microbiome and is crucial for metabolic health (1:13:11) — Is intermittent fasting necessary? Transcripts & Show notes 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/dFOaBrujDHo Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Connect: Connect with Robert Lustig, MD, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertlustigmd/ Connect with Robert Lustig, MD, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertLustigMD Connect with Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominic.dagostino.kt/ Connect with Dominic D’Agostino, PhD on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicDAgosti2
20 Apr 20231h 21min

#208 - A low-carb diet may boost exercise performance and health | Professor Tim Noakes & Josh Clemente
High-carbohydrate diets and carbohydrate loading have been long-standing tenets of athletic training and competition, but newer research indicates a low-carbohydrate diet may be more beneficial for performance and overall health. Professor Tim Noakes and Josh Clemente discuss how a fat-adapted body can rely on fat as a fuel source at all exercise intensity levels, rather than burning mostly carbohydrates, and how such adaptation and dietary focus may reduce one’s risk of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🎙 What Tim Noakes, MD, PhD, & Josh Clemente discuss: (04:28) — Dr. Tim Noakes explains his career trajectory (19:04) — An adapted body can rely on fat for all exercise intensities (22:30) — The body will never get to a state of no glucose circulation (23:28) — A delicate balance of macronutrients is likely necessary (29:11) — Before the high-carbohydrate craze, elite athletes were fat adapted (33:46) — Fat oxidation in muscle may have a protective effect against Type 2 diabetes (36:39) — Exercise does not cancel out the risk for metabolic disease if diet isn’t accounted for (47:25) — The body can cope with fasting (54:32) — The high-carb training trend has been perpetuated by the carbohydrate industry Transcripts & Show notes 🔗 Helpful links: Learn about metabolic health: https://levelshealth.com/blog Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Connect: Connect with Dr. Tim Noakes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/proftimnoakes
13 Apr 20231h 4min

#207 - The importance of flow states and how to reclaim focus | Johann Hari & Ben Grynol
Society champions multitasking, but we can’t truly multitask. Multitasking in fact impedes our focus and productivity. And 12 main factors tend to steal our attention. Johann Hari and Ben Grynol discuss why flow states are important for goal achievement, the things that distract us, and how we can reclaim our focus. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🎙 What Ben Grynol & Johann Hari discuss: (04:18) — Twelve factors can steal our focus (06:02) — Multitasking is a myth (10:49) —We need to be able to focus to achieve our goals (14:07) — Prioritizing deep focus is both a personal and social responsibility (16:50) — Interruptions steal your time and impede focus (27:21) — Three factors help you get into a flow state (30:12) — Mind wandering ultimately benefits your focus (37:00) — The four-day workweek is linked to better productivity (40:08) — Free play is crucial for kids’ brains (43:43) —Childhood looks different now Transcript & show notes 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/4CD3lmg0XmA Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Connect: Connect with Johann Hari on Twitter: https://twitter.com/johannhari101 Connect with Johann Hari on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johann.hari/
6 Apr 202346min

#206 - Regenerative farming benefits the planet and our bodies | Molly Chester & Dr. Casey Means
Regenerative farming harnesses a farm’s entire ecosystem to grow and raise food via natural processes. In turn, foods raised on regenerative farms benefit our bodies more so than those raised conventionally. Molly Chester of Apricot Lane Farms and Dr. Casey Means discuss the philosophies of regenerative farming, how the practice has parallels with functional medicine, and how regenerative farming is a merging of the tried-and-true methods of our ancestors with scientific knowledge. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl 🎙 What Molly Chester & Casey Means, MD, discuss: (05:28) — Polycystic ovarian syndrome has links to metabolic health (06:58) — Diet impacts inflammatory pathways that can drive symptoms (10:27) – Farming practices exist on a spectrum (18:24) — Regenerative farming merges historical ways with progress (26:05) — What we do to the land affects our health (28:12) — Regenerative farming takes the cosmos into consideration (34:17) — A healthy ecosystem has limits on what it can produce, but that can be beneficial (37:44) — Cover crops are crucial for maintaining a healthy farming ecosystem (42:37) — A return to farming has become a trend (53:45) — A regenerative farm can be educational for children (56:38) — Regenerative farming can foster a fresh perspective Transcripts & Show notes Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/jd4D7Qvt5BM Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1
23 Mars 202358min

#205 - The links between gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, and fertility | Dr. Robin Rose & Ben Grynol
Gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, and fertility are all linked. The gut microbiome impacts other microbiomes in the body, which can then impact the ability to conceive. Our gut microbiomes are becoming less diverse through modern farming practices and the consumption of processed foods. Dr. Robin Rose and Ben Grynol discuss how gut microbiome testing can determine underlying factors of gastrointestinal distress and the lifestyle changes that can help address symptoms and even aid fertility. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl 🎙 What Robin Rose, MD, & Ben Grynol discuss: (08:05) — Gastrointestinal issues are associated with metabolic health issues (08:56) — Many people lack gut microbiome diversity (15:24) — Infertility in some people has links to the gut microbiome (30:56) — PCOS and gut dysbiosis share a connection that’s still being researched (32:26) — Restoring gut and metabolic health may help alleviate PCOS symptoms (34:44) — Metagenomic testing assesses gut health (39:47) — Gut health often requires balanced macronutrient intake (49:14) — Regenerative farming practices could help us get more quality nutrients (54:57) — Eliminating dairy and gluten may ease gastrointestinal symptoms (56:29) — Sleep quality and quantity also inform gut health Transcript & Show Notes Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/SpW9znY3fkI Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 Connect with us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@levelshealth
9 Mars 202357min

#203 - Metabolic health strategies for women | Dr. Stephanie Estima & Dr. Lauren Kelley-Chew
The ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and other nutritional strategies for metabolic health are unique when it comes to the female body. Hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle trajectory matter. Dr. Stephanie Estima and Dr. Lauren Kelley-Chew discuss women’s metabolic health, how to time nutritional strategies with the menstrual cycle, and why strength training is key. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl 🎙 What Dr. Stephanie Estima & Lauren Kelley-Chew, MD, discuss: (01:32) — A pitfall of the New Year’s resolution is the all-or-nothing goal (06:21) — Setting smaller goals generates momentum (21:37) — A ketogenic diet shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, especially for women (24:38) — Women can be more sensitive to caloric restriction (33:14) — Nutrient timing can help mitigate a glucose spike from carbohydrates (46:29) — The menstrual cycle may matter when it comes to intermittent fasting (48:23) —A caloric liquid fast is an alternative to intermittent fasting (54:45) — Strength training is crucial, even more so as we age (56: 45) — Resistance training can also have cardiovascular benefits (59:01) — The benefits of strength training can go beyond the physical Transcript & Show notes Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry. 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/75x8AyDOYF0 Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 Connect with us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@levelshealth
23 Feb 20231h 3min

#202 - Enhancing longevity via functional medicine | Dr. Mark Hyman & Dr. Casey Means
The hallmarks of aging are various biomarkers that indicate advancing biological age, which leads to a decline in health and eventually to death. But we can boost longevity by understanding aging biomarkers and then taking actionable steps with nutrition, physical activity, and environment. Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Casey Means discuss the hallmarks of aging and the factors that are within our control to not only live longer but also to thrive. Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health. Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health. 🎙 What Mark Hyman, MD, & Casey Means, MD, discuss: (3:57) — The current healthcare system does not address root causes of conditions (5:23) — We can look at aging as a pro rather than a con (9:27) – Abnormal aging is a disease, not a consequence of getting older (12:18) — We can influence our gene control system to counteract biological aging (14:57) — The foods we eat affect longevity (21:52) — Consumption of ultra-processed food drives aging processes (33:51) — Functional medicine is a framework (50:11) — Traditional healthcare doesn’t empower people regarding their health and longevity (58:16) — A fasting insulin test is a helpful biomarker (1:01:26) — Fixing our food systems will take time, but progress is on the horizon Transcript & Show Notes 🔗 Helpful links: Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/0Cm-SDZXO5s Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1 Connect with us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@levelshealth
16 Feb 20231h 9min




















