LEVELS – A Whole New Level
This podcast from the health technology company Levels explores metabolic health, using personalized data and expert guidance to show how daily choices affect the body. Episodes cover topics like food, exercise, sleep, and long-term health strategies. The goal is to help listeners make better decisions backed by measurable insights.
Episodes
#315 - Can We Treat Disease Through the Nervous System? | Dr. Kevin Tracey & Mike Haney
Most of NextLevel starts with a measurement problem: we can see more biology than ever, but we still have to figure out what to do with it. Bioelectronic medicine flips that sequence. We already know how to send electrical signals into the nervous system to change biology, including an FDA-approved vagus nerve treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, even though we still can’t map or read most of the i
#314 - How to Make Health Decisions When the Science Is Unclear | Dr. Anupam Jena & Mike Haney
Most health decisions happen before the science is settled. A study points one way, another points somewhere else, experts disagree about what matters, and even strong population-level evidence may not tell you what will happen to you.In this episode, Mike Haney talks with physician and economist Dr. Anupam Jena about how to make decisions under that kind of uncertainty. The goal isn’t to find a s
#313 - What Happens When We Start Imaging Healthy People? | Dr. Daniel Durand & Mike Haney
Most medical imaging happens after a symptom, injury, or abnormal test gives a clinician a reason to look. But what changes if imaging becomes a more routine measurement, creating a record of the body before something goes wrong?In this episode of Next Level, Mike Haney talks with Dr. Daniel Durand, chief medical officer at Prenuvo, about whole-body MRI as a test case for a broader shift from epis
#312 - Is Moderate Drinking Actually Healthy? | Dr. Tim Naimi & Mike Haney
Alcohol has spent the last 40 years bouncing between two health narratives: a little is good for your heart, or any amount is dangerous. The science doesn’t really support either slogan.Dr. Tim Naimi has spent decades studying the health effects of alcohol and, just as importantly, why the research is so difficult to interpret. His read of the evidence is less dramatic but more useful: there’s no
#311 - Can Your Blood Predict Your Future Health? | Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray & Mike Haney
From a single blood sample, new proteomic tools can now measure thousands of proteins at once. Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray’s lab is using that flood of data, together with machine learning, to build a much higher-resolution picture of what’s happening throughout the body and where someone’s health may be headed.The early signals are striking. In one analysis of people who appeared healthy by conventional
#310 - Can We Measure Aging Well Enough to Treat It? | Dr. Nir Barzilai & Mike Haney
Aging science has gotten much better at describing who appears to be aging faster or slower. What medicine still lacks is a reliable feedback loop: a way to tell whether something we do is actually changing the biology that drives age-related disease.Dr. Nir Barzilai argues that solving that measurement problem could turn geroscience from an interesting field of research into something doctors can
#309 - What AI Sees That Doctors Can’t | Dr. Ziad Obermeyer & Mike Haney
Medical AI is already getting good at doing things doctors do. Dr. Ziad Obermeyer thinks the bigger opportunity is using AI to discover things medicine doesn’t yet know.His work shows both sides of that future: algorithms can amplify bad assumptions when trained on the wrong targets, but they can also uncover signals in medical data that humans miss. Obermeyer argues that as more health data is co
#308 - Why Some Foods Are So Hard to Stop Eating | Dr. Dana Small & Mike Haney
Why do we crave some foods the more often we eat them? Are we addicted?Dr. Dana Small’s research suggests that food craving reaches far beyond taste or willpower, and that “addiction” isn’t a helpful descriptor. Every time we eat, unconscious signals from the body teach the brain which foods deliver useful nutrients, and train us to want more of those. In other words, we don’t eat crave foods beca
#307 - It Took Months to Interpret His Genome. Claude Did It in 30 Minutes. | Dr. Euan Ashley + Mike Haney
Twenty-five years ago, sequencing the human genome seemed poised to usher in an era of personalized medicine. Dr. Euan Ashley helped turn that promise into an actual clinical experiment, leading one of the first efforts to interpret an entire human genome in the context of a real patient’s health. The challenge quickly became apparent: medicine could suddenly generate billions of data points about
#306 - Does Intermittent Fasting Actually Work? | Dr. Courtney Peterson & Mike Haney
Is intermittent fasting biohacker wellness hype or legit health intervention? Some studies show real benefits, others find nothing, and the occasional headline calls it bad for your heart.Dr. Courtney Peterson has spent nearly two decades running some of the field's most tightly controlled feeding trials, and her data points to a clear pattern: there is a real effect to a restricted eating win
#305 - What You Can Learn from Measuring Everything | Dr. Michael Snyder & Mike Haney
What if we could measure the human body the way engineers monitor a jet engine?For nearly two decades, Stanford geneticist Dr. Michael Snyder has been trying exactly that. By continuously tracking everything he could possibly track in his body—genome sequencing, metabolites, wearable data, whole-body imaging—he has turned himself (and ~100 study subjects) into one of the world's largest experi
#304 - Did Low-Fat Diets Drive the Obesity Epidemic? | Dr. Arne Astrup & Mike Haney
For decades, we've been told that eating less fat is one of the healthiest things we can do. That advice reshaped the foods we buy, the way we think about weight loss, and even how parents feed their children.But what if we misunderstood fat in the first place?In this episode, nutrition researcher Dr. Arne Astrup traces how the war on fat began, why many of its core assumptions haven't hel
#303 - Why Healthcare Needs an Intelligence Layer | Dr. Robert Wachter & Mike Haney
Almost everything your doctor knows about you comes from a snapshot: a blood pressure reading, an annual lab, a handful of numbers meant to represent a constantly changing human body.That's beginning to change. New sensors promise far more continuous health data, and AI may finally give us the ability to interpret it. But medicine has been through a data revolution before, and almost none of w
Coming Soon: NextLevel
Healthcare is entering a new era.AI is improving faster than our ability to measure the human body, while a new generation of sensors promises to change that. Together, they’ll reshape how we understand health, disease, and medicine itself.NextLevel is our new series inside the podcast where we try to make sense of that future through conversations with the people building it.Our first episode, fe
#302 - Social Connection, Longevity, and the Hidden Health Risks of Isolation | Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad & Mike Haney
You probably spend more time thinking about protein than friendships.According to today's guest, you’ve got it backward.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Mike Haney sits down with Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, one of the world's leading researchers on social connection and health. She explains how data now unequivocally show that social isolation drives early mortality. And why simply not
#301 - What Actually Moves the Needle on Cardiovascular Risk | Dr. Kevin Maki & Mike Haney
High cholesterol. Elevated ApoB. A positive CAC score. Now what?Most people quickly find themselves trapped between two extremes: simplistic advice to “cut saturated fat” and online influencers insisting cholesterol doesn’t matter at all.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Mike Haney sits down with clinical research scientist Dr. Kevin Maki to cut through the confusion.Drawing on more than 35 ye
#300 - Who Should Take GLP-1s? The Science of Obesity, Appetite & Weight Loss | Dr. Robert Kushner & Mike Haney
What are GLP-1 drugs actually doing in the body, who are they for, and why might some people want to think twice before treating them like a six-month shortcut?For years, obesity treatment focused largely on behavior: eat less, move more, stay motivated. Yet many people lost weight only to regain it. According to obesity medicine pioneer Dr. Robert Kushner, that wasn’t a failure of willpower. It w
#299 - Do Athletes Really Need More Carbs? | Dr. Andrew Koutnik & Mike Haney
Most athletes are told the same basic rule: the harder you train, the more carbs you need. But Dr. Andrew Koutnik argues the science is more complicated.In this episode, Mike Haney talks with Dr. Koutnik about how the body fuels exercise, why muscle glycogen may not explain “hitting the wall” as neatly as many people think, and why blood glucose, brain energy, insulin, and metabolic flexibility ma
#298 - Why AI Won’t Replace Doctors—But Will Change Everything Else | Dr. Ami Bhatt + Mike Haney
We can measure more about our health than ever before. Wearables track everything from heart rhythms to glucose trends, and AI can now identify patterns clinicians might miss. But more data does not automatically mean better health outcomes.In this episode, cardiologist and digital health expert Dr. Ami Bhatt joins Mike Haney to explore why medicine still struggles with prevention, how continuous
#297 - Does Most Chronic Disease Come Down to “Energy Flow?” | Greg Mushen and Josh Clemente
Metabolic health is often simplified to a matter of blood sugar, but at its root, it is a complex system of energy substrate signaling. While many view chronic disease as an inevitable part of aging, a systems-thinking approach reveals that maintaining high "flux"—the capacity to efficiently move and clear energy through the body—is the primary lever for longevity. Without the stimulus o
#296 - The Truth About Protein: Why Exercise is the Secret to Muscle Growth and Longevity | Dr. Stuart Phillips & Mike Haney
Protein is often hailed as the ultimate nutrient for health and longevity, but the science suggests it is only half of the equation. While social media influencers debate the minutiae of protein grams, researchers have found that the vast majority of protein's benefits are "baked in" only when combined with physical activity. Without the stimulus of exercise, even the most optimized
#295 - The Science of Preconception: Measuring Fertility, Toxins, and Generational Health | Dr. Ann Shippy & Josh Clemente
Preconception health is one of the most powerful—yet overlooked—windows for influencing a child’s lifelong wellness. While fertility is often discussed in the context of age or medical intervention, emerging research suggests that the months leading up to conception are a critical "time capsule" for epigenetic health.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Levels Founder and CEO Josh Clemente sits d
#294 - Cholesterol Science Explained: Why Your LDL Score Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story | Dr. Ronald Krauss + Mike Haney
High cholesterol is one of the most widely discussed—and established—risk factors in medicine. But reams of research now show that while it is key to cardiovascular risk, it is not the whole story.In this episode of A Whole New Level, editorial director Mike Haney sits down with Dr. Ronald Krauss, one of the world’s leading lipid researchers and a pioneer in understanding how different forms of LD
#293 - Why You Can’t Exercise Your Way to Weight Loss: The Constrained Energy Model | Dr. Herman Pontzer + Mike Haney
You can’t outrun a bad diet—but it turns out you might not even be able to outrun a good one. In this episode of A Whole New Level, evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Herman Pontzer joins Mike Haney to dismantle the "armchair view" of metabolism and explain why more exercise doesn't necessarily mean more calories burned.Drawing on his groundbreaking research with the Hadza hunter-gather
#292 - Cardiac Imaging Explained: Why You Need a Calcium Score to Know Your Real Heart Risk | Dr. Matthew Budoff & Mike Haney
Heart disease risk isn’t just about cholesterol. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Matthew Budoff explains why coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring may be the most important test most people aren’t getting—and why imaging your arteries directly can reveal risk that blood tests alone can miss.Drawing on decades of research and data from the landmark MESA study, Dr. Budoff explains how calc
#291 - Why No Diet Wins (and What 40 Years of Nutrition Research Actually Shows) | Christopher Gardner, PhD, & Mike Haney
In this episode of A Whole New Level, Christopher Gardner, PhD, joins Mike to discuss his decades in nutrition research, the challenges of conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on diet, and how to communicate complex science to the public. Gardner has led some of the most rigorous research ever comparing dietary approaches in real-world conditions, so his insights about what works (cuttin
#290 - Why Weight Loss Is So Hard to Maintain—Metabolic Adaptation Explained | Dr. Eric Ravussin + Mike Haney
In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Eric Ravussin, PhD, explains the physiology of energy expenditure, metabolic adaptation, and why the body strongly defends its prior weight. Drawing on decades of research, including the Biggest Loser study, CALERIE, and work with metabolic chambers, Ravussin walks through what actually happens when we lose weight—and why willpower alone isn’t enough.Sign
#289 - Why Nutrition Science Got It WRONG (and the Case for the Carb-Insulin Model) | Gary Taubes & Mike Haney
According to investigative science journalist Gary Taubes, much of what we “know” about nutrition is built on weak evidence, bad assumptions, and decades of groupthink. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Taubes joins Mike Haney to examine how nutrition science went off the rails—and why he remains convinced the carbohydrate–insulin model still offers the most coherent explanation for obesity.Ta
#288 - Women’s Hormones Explained: Energy, Mood, PMS, and Why “Normal” Labs Miss the Problem | Dr. Anjali D’Souza & Mike Haney
Hormones influence far more than reproduction—they shape energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, and long-term health. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Anjali D’Souza joins Mike Haney to explain how women’s hormones actually work, why so many symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” and how to interpret labs in a way that reflects real physiology.They discuss why standard hormone panels often miss fu
#287 - Male Hormones and Men’s Health | Dr. Jesse Mills + Mike Haney
In this episode, Dr. Jesse Mills, Director of the UCLA Men’s Clinic, joins Mike Haney to explain what’s driving that shift and what today’s data-driven approach to men’s health looks like.He breaks down the testosterone “revolution,” what’s really happening in low-T diagnoses, and how lifestyle, sleep, and stress management can influence hormones as much as prescriptions can.They discuss: - How me
#286 - Understanding electrolytes: Decoding blood & urine tests and focusing on the right things | Dr. Rich Joseph + Mike Haney
Your annual labs can reveal far more than most people realize—if you know how to interpret them. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Rich Joseph walks through how to read basic blood work like the CBC, electrolytes, and urinalysis, and how to use those numbers as feedback loops, not pass/fail judgments.He explains which values matter most, what trends reveal over time, and how to connect lab
#285 - Immune health explained: Inflammation, white blood cells, and resilience | Dr. Sharon Bergquist & Mike Haney
Your immune system isn’t just about fighting infections—it’s a mirror of your overall metabolic health.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Sharon Bergquist, physician and Director of Emory’s Healthy Aging and Resilient Aging Center, joins Mike Haney to unpack the science of immune resilience—how chronic inflammation, white blood cell patterns, and metabolism intertwine to shape long-term hea
#284 - Glucose metabolism explained: HbA1c, insulin resistance, and strategies for better energy | Dr. Ben Bikman & Mike Haney
If you want to improve your energy and long-term health, start by understanding how your body uses glucose.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Benjamin Bikman, scientist and author of Why We Get Sick, joins Mike Haney to unpack the science of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance—and why blood sugar isn’t the whole story.Dr. Bikman explains how insulin regulates energy balance, why HbA1c
#283 - Brain health explained: Insulin resistance, biomarkers, and Alzheimer’s risk | Dr. David Perlmutter & Mike Haney
Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t just a matter of age or genetics. Increasing evidence shows that metabolic health—particularly insulin resistance—plays a key role in cognitive decline.In this episode of A Whole New Level, neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter joins Mike Haney to explore the links between brain health and metabolism. They discuss the role of insulin resistance and
#282 - Longevity biomarkers for healthy aging and well-being | Dr. Matt Kaeberlein & Mike Haney
Longevity is a hot health topic, but what factors move the needle on not only how long you live but how long you experience relatively good health? Some lab and other tests can help assess how healthy you’re aging and provide context for what lifestyle and other changes to make. Dr. Matt Kaeberlein and Mike Haney discuss the tests that help assess healthy aging, how mental health and physical heal
#281 - Thyroid test results explained and how the gland shapes health | Dr. Angela Mazza & Mike Haney
Your thyroid test results explained: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that affects many facets of health. When it doesn’t function optimally, symptoms can ensue. That’s where testing comes in, but the results can be tricky to interpret (and treat if necessary) without a knowledgeable clinician. Dr. Angela Mazza and Mike Haney discuss thyroid function, thyroid hormone and relate
#280 - How biosensors offer greater accessibility for our mission to reverse the metabolic health crisis | Dom D’Agostino, PhD, and Ben Grynol
Greater accessibility to glucose biosensors has led to their use to improve metabolic health, prevent disease, and feel better. Historically, these biosensors for monitoring glucose were only available with a prescription, often reserved for people with diabetes, but now with brands like Stelo, they are available over the counter. Dom D’Agostino, PhD, and Ben Grynol discuss how biosensors can be a
#279 - Kidney function explained: Tests, risks, and habits that protect your health | Dr. Richard Johnson and Mike Haney
Our kidneys filter out waste while retaining substances the body needs, such as electrolytes. Kidney health, which can be assessed with blood and urine biomarker tests, is paramount to overall health. Yet lifestyle, such as the Western diet and other factors, can damage the kidneys, leading to either a slow progression of issues or acute injury. Dr. Rick Johnson and Mike Haney discuss the role of
#278 - How your gut microbiome affects gut and overall health | Dr. Will Bulsiewicz & Mike Haney
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 im
#277 - Key blood tests that tell you about your pancreas health | Dr. Robert Lustig & Mike Haney
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
#276 - Lab tests for female hormones: menopause and fertility | Dr. Natalie Crawford & Mike Haney
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
#275 - What labs for micronutrient levels tell you about your health | Dr. Joel Fuhrman & Mike Haney
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
#274 - Blood testing 101 and taking action on your lab results | Dr. Anjali Dsouza & Mike Haney
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 leve
#273 - How to track carbs, fat, and protein with AI and why | Josh Clemente & Dominic D'Agostino - (Replay)
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
#272 - Three diet rules for better liver health and fat loss | Dr. Swaranjit Bhasin & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
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,
#271 - How to keep your blood sugar more stable and why it matters for weight loss and overall health – Tips from Glucose Goddess | Jessie Inchauspé & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
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, an
#270 - Why you need to build and maintain muscle to lose weight and live longer | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
Diet and exercise culture tends to prioritize calorie restriction and calorie burning via cardio workouts. While fat loss is beneficial, building and maintaining healthy muscle mass is also crucial for metabolic health and longevity. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Casey Means discuss Lyon’s book “Forever Strong,” why strength-training should be a priority for workout routines, how muscle is the body’s
#269 - How Levels got its start as a company setting out to solve the metabolic health crisis via CGM access | Josh Clemente & Ben Grynol
Levels, aiming to fix the metabolic health crisis with the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) paired with an intuitive and educational app, was founded in 2019 by Josh Clemente, who eventually brought on several co-founders to help steer the startup’s ship. Josh Clemente and Ben Grynol discuss Clemente’s lightbulb moment for the concept, the networking process for gaining investor buy-in a
#268 - The truths about obesity, skinny fat, TOFI & why thin people can be unhealthy | Dr. Robert Lustig & Mike Haney
The obesity epidemic isn’t about calories-in-calories-out. Instead, chronic stress and high insulin levels from refined carbs and sugar are drivers of fat storage. And the type of fat stored matters, since visceral fat accumulation leads to worsening metabolic health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Mike Haney discuss the different types of fat and how they are stored and burned; what thin on the outside, f
#267 - How trauma can contribute to autoimmune disorders, and what you can do | Dr. Sara (Gottfried) Szal and Mike Haney
Trauma causes physiological changes to the nervous system. Over time, these impacts may place someone on a trajectory from health to a pre-disease state to a disease state, leading to autoimmunity or autoimmune disorders. Dr. Sara (Gottfried) Szal and Mike Haney discuss Szal’s new book “The Autoimmune Cure,” trauma and how it can contribute to autoimmunity, how personalized precision medicine may
#266 - How and why to eat an anti-inflammatory diet | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
Inflammation is an essential process in the body to help with healing and illness recovery. However, many people have chronic inflammation, which accelerates aging and drives disease processes. We can help control inflammation through diet. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss environmental and dietary sources of chronic inflammation as well as the foods that are anti-inflammatory.
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#265 - How do you know if you are healthy and what your labs tell you? | Dr. Robert Lustig & Mike Haney
Although not one single test can tell you whether you are healthy, some biomarkers and lab results can provide you a picture of your metabolic health, which can then inform you about your overall health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Mike Haney discuss why fasting insulin is one of the best metabolic health biomarkers, how you can use continuous glucose monitoring as a proxy for insulin sensitivity, how f
#264 - How aging and menopause drive muscle loss and fat gain | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
Both aging and menopause affect metabolism. Unless people build and preserve muscle mass, aging drives muscle loss and fat gain. While these changes affect everyone, the menopause transition can also worsen metabolic health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss aging’s effects on body composition, how menopause exacerbates these and other effects, and what you can do to protect your health.
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#263 - How do macronutrients affect your blood sugar and metabolic health? | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
Macronutrients include fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate. All four nutrients have different effects on glucose and metabolic health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss the metabolic health effects of each macronutrient, how to prevent age-related muscle loss, how to improve gut health, and more.
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#262 - How do lifestyle changes affect your metabolic health? | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
Exercising and changing your diet are both beneficial for metabolic health. But you may be wondering which one has more benefits for fat loss, increasing insulin sensitivity, and more. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss the answer to this burning question and more, including how exercise, saunas, stress, and sleep affect glucose levels.
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#261 - Uric acid-raising foods to avoid for metabolic, gut, and overall health | Dr. David Perlmutter & Dr. Casey Means
High uric acid can cause gout, but it’s also a marker for worsened metabolic health and gut health and a contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Consumption of purines can lead to high uric acid levels, but other ingredients in our food system are also culprits. Dr. David Perlmutter and Dr. Casey Means discuss the problems with high uric acid, the foods and drinks that can
#260 - Why high insulin levels drive fat storage and weight gain and what you can do | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
High insulin levels drive the growth of fat cells. In turn, fat gain can exacerbate insulin resistance, leading to a vicious cycle. Insulin is a hormone the pancreas releases in response to glucose rising in the bloodstream. A lower insulin level is required to lose fat, and dietary habits and lifestyle changes can help. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss insulin’s dual functions in the body
#259 - What being ‘postdiabetic,’ rather than prediabetic, means and how to get there | Eric Edmeades & Ben Grynol
Before someone develops type 2 diabetes, they go through a prediabetic stage. But if someone is reversing their diabetes and is trending toward better glucose levels or even optimal levels, they are postdiabetic. Eric Edmeades and Ben Grynol discuss Edmeades’s new book “Postdiabetic,” his company Wildfit, and how the program helps people reverse type 2 diabetes, change their relationship with food
#258 - What are glucose and insulin and why do they matter for health? | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
Excess glucose from food gets stored as fat. And our insulin response drives that fat storage. The goal is for the pancreas to release less insulin but for the body to have a healthy response to it. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss the interplay between glucose and insulin, healthy glucose numbers, and the problems with insulin resistance.
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#257 - Join the “Good Energy” Levels book club and take charge of your health | Dr. Casey Means & Dr. Robert Lustig
Why are we spending more on health care every year, yet people are getting sicker? “Good Energy,” a book by Casey Means, MD, details how you can take your health into your own hands with the power of food as medicine. Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Robert Lustig discuss the overarching themes of “Good Energy,” why we need changes in government and health care, and how people can overhaul their own health
#256 - How quickly can you change your metabolic health and how long does it last? | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol
About 93% of people in the United States are not metabolically healthy. But metabolic health can be improved quickly and over time with lifestyle changes. Dr. Robert Lustig and Ben Grynol discuss what metabolism is, how to determine metabolic health status, and how and why maintaining metabolic health is crucial.
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#255 - Why you might be a lean mass hyper-responder if you go keto but have high cholesterol | Dave Feldman, Dr. Nick Norwitz & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
A lean mass hyper-responder is someone with high LDL and HDL cholesterol and low triglycerides. They are often lean and healthy people who present with strange and alarming lipid numbers after going on the ketogenic diet. Dave Feldman, Dr. Nick Norwitz & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss the LMHR phenotype, whether it’s a concern, whether it’s rare, the Oreo vs statin study, how exercise levels m
#254 - The writing of ‘Good Energy,’ your guide to taking charge of your metabolic health | Dr. Casey Means & Mike Haney
Writing an evidence-based nonfiction book requires time, dedication, and a true passion for the content. Dr. Casey Means and her brother Calley Means joined forces to create their book “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health.” Casey Means, MD, and Mike Haney discuss the book-writing process, insights into creativity and inspiration, the steps to seeking an a
#253 - What is insulin resistance and why does it matter? | Dr. Rob Lustig & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino - (Replay)
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
#252 - Why nutrition matters for brain health and how to modify your diet | Dr. Georgia Ede & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino - (Replay)
The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has proven benefits for brain health. Research shows that the keto diet helps ease symptoms of some mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder. But no diet, even keto, is one-size-fits all. Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss how diet and brain health are connected, how diet and gut health affect b
#251 - How to track your macros for fat loss and muscle gain | Josh Clemente & Dominic D'Agostino
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
#250 - Is fructose a driver of Alzheimer’s disease? | Dr. Richard Johnson & Dr. Rob Lustig - (Replay)
Fructose and its byproduct uric acid may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, thanks to an evolutionary adaptation hijacked by the modern diet. Fructose can be directly consumed, or the body can convert high-glycemic carbohydrates and other foods to fructose. Fructose suppresses some cognitive functions. Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Rob Lustig discuss a new study, of which Johnson was an
#249 - The links between gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, and fertility | Dr. Robin Rose & Ben Grynol - (Replay)
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 ga
#248 - A low-carb diet may boost exercise performance and health | Professor Tim Noakes & Josh Clemente - (Replay)
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 carboh
#247 - Why sleep is one of the key aspects of your metabolic health | Mike Haney & Ben Grynol - (Replay)
Your sleep routine is one of the most important aspects of your metabolic health. Look for multiple new shows per week 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.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnlLev
#246 - How to keep your blood sugar more stable and why it matters for weight loss and overall health – Tips from Glucose Goddess | Jessie Inchauspé & Dr. Casey Means
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, an
#245 - Autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, holistic protocols, & metabolic health | Dr. Terry Wahls & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
Can a holistic protocol address the root cause of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS)? We explore how metabolic health is tightly linked to autoimmune diseases and how understanding blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity is key. Dr. Terry Wahls developed The Wahls Protocol, which helped Dr. Wahls reverse her disease process and helped her get back on her feet. The Wahls Protocol i
#243 - Why sugary drinks can cause weight gain and low energy | Dr. Richard Johnson & Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
Traditional soft drinks, juice boxes, and energy and sports drinks are loaded with high fructose corn syrup, an ingredient also found in many processed foods. The body processes fructose differently than other sugars, and fructose can lead to weight gain by encouraging the body to store energy. Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino discuss the issues with fructose, sucralose (found in PRI
#244 - Where metabolic health and culture converge | Dhru Purohit & Austin McGuffie - (Replay)
What are the unique metabolic health experiences of South Asian and Black communities? In this candid conversation between serial entrepreneur and health and wellness investor Dhru Purohit and content creator and metabolism mentor Austin McGuffie, they discuss how metabolic health affects their respective communities.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnlLeve
#242 - Healthy eating for kids | Austin McGuffie & Ben Grynol - (Replay)
Highly processed food is hard to avoid. It’s especially harder when you’re a parent. For Austin McGuffie and Ben Grynol, they both have 4 kids, and they talk about the challenges of parenting, feeding kids nutritious food, and educating them along the way.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnlLevels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you w
#241 - How environmental chemicals are making us sick and fat | Dr. Rob Lustig & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
Landmark new research published by Dr. Rob Lustig and dozens of other scientists shows us for the first time the intricate mechanisms of how environmental chemicals directly cause obesity, uncovering the latest research on this class of chemicals called obesogens. In this conversation between Dr. Rob Lustig and Dr. Casey Means, they discuss what products and environmental toxins we need to be awar
#240 - Follow three diet rules to improve health, lose weight, and prevent diseases | Dr. Swaranjit Bhasin & Dr. Casey Means
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,
#239 – Big Ag feeds into Big Pharma: Metabolic health benefits from regenerative farming | Dr. Robert Lustig & Ben Grynol - (Replay)
Since metabolic health is downstream of food production, we need regenerative farming, balanced ecosystems, and to lift the veil of Big Food’s marketing schemes in order to optimize the entire system. Look for multiple new shows per week 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
#238 - How regenerative farming boosts soil health and the nutrient content of the plants and animals we eat | Will Harris & Dr. Casey Means
Regenerative farming replenishes soil nutrients, which in turn, boosts the nutrient content of produce and animal products. It also focuses on animal and land stewardship. However, most farming today employs industrialized practices that deplete the soil, discount animal welfare, and harm humans. Will Harris and Dr. Casey Means discuss regenerative farming practices, the symbiotic relationships in
#237 - Erectile dysfunction may mean chronic disease & early death | Dr. Merrill Matschke & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
Erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of future cardiovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction, and early death. Learn more in this conversation between urologist and male reproductive specialist and surgeon Dr. Merrill Matschke and Levels Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Casey Means. Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations
