#48 - Metabolism Mentor (Austin McGuffie & Tom Griffin)

Your gut microbiome affects everything from your mental health and cognitive function to your immune system and metabolic health. Gut health symptoms, such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, could be a sign that you have low species diversity. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Mike Haney discuss how the gut and brain communicate, how the gut microbiome affects the gut barrier and therefore your immune system, what to eat to improve the gut microbiome, and what microbiome testing can tell you.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl 🎙 What Will Bulsiewicz, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:9:14 — Gut health takes time to improve14:49 — Your gut microbiome informs your gut and overall health18:42 — Lifestyle choices help shape an individual’s gut microbiome24:20 — A compromised gut barrier affects the immune system30:51 — Nutritional strategies can improve the gut microbiome and reduce disease flares 32:46 — The gut and the brain communicate52:27 — A diverse gut microbiome is a sign of good health56:45 — Your gut microbiome informs your bowel movements1:01:46 — When to see a doctor for gastrointestinal symptoms1:05:32 — Increasing fiber helps the gut microbiome1:11:41 — The beneficial byproducts of gut microbes are postbiotics1:14:59 — Eat a wide variety of plant foods to get optimal fiberLevels 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/iAHOycufGn8Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1Will Bulsieweicz, MD, https://theplantfedgut.com/about/Fiber Fueled: https://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Fueled-Plant-Based-Optimizing-Microbiome/dp/059308456XThe Plant Fed Gut: https://theplantfedgut.com/Connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/?hl=en

24 Juli 1h 35min

The pancreas is a complex organ, but some key biomarkers can assess its health. The pancreas is both an exocrine organ (meaning it produces enzymes) and an exocrine organ (meaning it secretes hormones). It’s a key component of your metabolic health and therefore your overall health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Mike Haney discuss key pancreatic blood work to get checked, the differences between diabetes types and what causes them, what insulin resistance is, how to restore mitochondrial function through diet and lifestyle changes, and more.Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: ⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠Levels 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 Robert Lustig, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:(01:33) — The pancreas is a complex organ(13:20) — Three emergency mechanisms to prevent low blood sugar(18:28) — Why insulin is a crucial biomarker(19:57) — Understanding type 1 diabetes(27:11) — Understanding type 2 diabetes(30:03) — What mitochondrial dysfunction does to the pancreas(31:45) — The links between Alzheimer’s disease and type diabetes(33:07) — Obesity is about mitochondrial dysfunction(36:14) — Testing proinsulin and C-peptide(40:24) — Reversing mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 diabetes(44:03) — Testing key pancreatic enzymes⁠⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠⁠🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: ⁠https://youtu.be/5RnEdiTRYfI?si=GXeqvaXtyDLaXjUHFind us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

10 Juli 1h 5min

Lab testing for female reproductive hormones offers insight into menstrual cycle irregularities, fertility concerns, and understanding where you are on the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause trajectory. Dr. Natalie Crawford and Mike Haney discuss how the brain and ovaries communicate during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, when to test female hormones, how oral contraception affects hormone levels, and how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office.Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: ⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠Levels 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 Natalie Crawford, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:(08:03) — Women’s reproductive health concerns sometimes get dismissed(09:08) — The intersection of fertility and functional medicine(14:17) — The reason to check anti-Mullerian hormone(24:19) — The brain communicates with the ovaries(26:17) — Inflammation can disrupt the menstrual cycle(30:44) — Data from biomarker testing can be motivating(32:05) — When to do baseline testing for female hormones(37:47) — Menstrual cycle history and the big picture are important(40:12) — Menstrual cycle irregularities should be investigated(42:55) — The role of hormonal birth control and how it affects hormone levels(55:14) — The importance of fiber for hormonal support(59:44) — The importance of eating whole foods and avoiding toxins⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/Xeq4TxRJ5YkFind us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

26 Juni 1h 5min

Proper nutrition supports healthy aging and longevity—that much is clear. But nutritional advice online can be confusing, so what does the science say about healthy eating? It’s less about your macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—and more about your micronutrients, which are vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Mike Haney discuss micronutrient testing, supplements, plant-based diets, and what to eat to stave of disease, reverse disease processes, and live a longer, healthier life.Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: https://levels.link/wnlLevels 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 Joel Fuhrman, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:(06:59) — Using food as medicine(15:00) —Gaining a better understanding of how to use nutrition for longevity(18:45) — Why we must look at nutrition science comprehensively(23:26) — The benefits of a plant-based diet(25:56) —  The importance of micronutrients(32:31) — The role of healthy fats(37:44) — Micronutrient testing can help guide decisions about diet and any needed supplements(40:33) — Vitamin D from sunshine takes time to penetrate(43:18) — Focus on the GBOMBS to up your micronutrient intake and support longevity(57:41) — Finding a doctor who is certified in lifestyle medicine(59:06) — Changing your health through diet takes time⁠⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/jWk55UxvX34⁠Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

12 Juni 1h 11min

Levels offers biomarker testing to give you more insight into your health status so you can understand the root causes of your symptoms, take a preventive approach to disease, and see if your lifestyle changes or other interventions are reducing your risk factors and improving your health. Dr. Anjali Dsouza and Mike Haney discuss why biomarker testing can be beneficial, how to understand your levels, factors that affect your levels, and which biomarkers are no-brainers to get tested.Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: https://levels.link/wnlLevels 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 Anjali Dsouza, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:(02:21) — Conventional medicine does not allow for enough time with patients(09:05) — Why test biomarkers beyond the basics?(12:10) — Lifestyle factors are about consistency, not perfection(16:48) — Biomarkers should be analyzed with additional context(24:24) — A normal biomarker range isn’t always optimal(28:06) — AI tools and internet searches generally don’t provide nuanced health information(32:01) — Potential reasons people get biomarker testing beyond the basics(33:45) — When is repeat testing important?(36:52) — Biomarker testing and understanding is complex, especially in preventive health(37:53) — Some biomarkers respond swiftly to lifestyle changes(38:47) — The importance of fasted insulin as a biomarker⁠⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/lN6TNn6jpTg⁠⁠Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

30 Maj 46min

Not all calories are equal. Tracking your macronutrient intake, using AI capabilities, can help you improve your body composition, facilitate weight loss, and boost exercise performance. The three macronutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates, with fiber a subset of carbs. Josh Clemente & Dr. Dominic D'Agostino discuss the new macros-tracking feature in the Levels app, the purpose and importance of each macronutrient, how to use macros-tracking in conjunction with biomarker data to improve health and fitness, and how easy the app’s AI functionality is to use.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Levels 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 Josh Clemente & Dominic D'Agostino, PhD, discuss:(00:00) — Intro(04:28) — The importance of prioritizing protein intake(11:59) — Why is tracking macros beneficial?(15:53) — Each macronutrient has a different role in the body(33:22) — The different functions of macros(41:48) — Is excess protein a concern?(47:20) — The problem with excess carbohydrates(52:49) — Tracking macros can help you improve metabolic flexibility(54:50) — The issue with overconsumption of carbohydrates(1:09:04) — Is fiber a macronutrient?(1:37:25) — Macros tracking in the Levels app(1:41:18) — Tracking macros can help improve body composition and performance⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: ⁠https://youtu.be/wg76Q25Ngd4⁠Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

24 Apr 1h 43min

What diet should you follow? Metabolic health experts say it doesn’t matter whether you’re keto, vegan, or otherwise if you focus on three simple principles, which will help reduce your risk for cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dr. Swaranjit Bhasin and Dr. Casey Means discuss the biomarkers to ask your doctor about, why they matter, how to improve those biomarkers with accessible tips, and why liver health is a big key to overall health.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠⁠🎙 What Swaranjit Bhasin, MD, & Casey Means, MD, discuss:(00:00) — Intro(03:45) — A radiologist raises a red flag about increased diagnoses in younger patients(11:03) — Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a silent but serious problem(15:01) — The importance of the liver(18:38) — What are your most important biomarkers?(32:30) — Casey Means, MD, summarizes Dr. Bhasin’s three rules for diet(34:18) — Processed vegetable and seed oils are toxic to the body(42:20) — Insulin resistance can drive cancer(52:26) — The importance of autophagy in helping to prevent cancer(55:14) — Who should not engage in intermittent fasting?⁠⁠⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠⁠⁠Levels 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/1pkhDOPsXb4⁠Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

20 Mars 1h 1min

Stable glucose levels are a foundation of feeling and looking your best at any age. When glucose levels are more erratic—with spikes and crashes—cravings, weight gain, low energy, health issues, and more can ensue. Jessie Inchauspé and Dr. Casey Means, thought leaders on the topic of blood sugar, discuss simple hacks for keeping glucose levels more stable without resorting to restrictive diets, and they share why stable levels inform health.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠⁠⁠Levels 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 Jessie Inchauspé & Casey Means, MD, discuss:(00:00) — Intro(05:52) — Are type 2 diabetes and obesity genetic, dictated by lifestyle factors, or both?(10:21) — Hacks for keeping blood sugar more stable(18:42) — People want to be healthy, but the food industry complicates matters(22:46) — Nutritional choices can impact mental health(28:42) — The premise behind Inchauspé’s ‘Glucose Goddess Method’(31:21) — Tracking biomarkers provides insight to your metabolic health(33:29) — A siloed approach to healthcare misses the big picture(36:21) — Can supplements really help with metabolic health?(48:38) — We need systemic change in the food industry(56:41) — The science behind food cravings⁠⁠⁠Transcripts & Show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🔗 Helpful links:Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NfmRORU1HIA?si=PecFHUL6ZTC8bu1N

20 Feb 1h 12min