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In this episode of the Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Ben Bikman explores a surprising and controversial dietary trend: the “sugar diet.”

Despite its name, this diet isn’t built around candy and soda. Instead, it promotes a very high intake of simple carbohydrates—primarily from natural sources like fruit, honey, and juices—while restricting both protein and fat to below 10% of total calories. This unusual approach has been gaining popularity, especially among lean, athletic men, some of whom report improved energy, body composition, and insulin sensitivity.

Ben traces the diet's philosophical roots back to the 1930s rice diet used for managing kidney and heart disease, noting how both rely heavily on low-protein, high-carbohydrate intake. He reviews studies in both animals and humans showing that the key metabolic shifts—such as increased mitochondrial uncoupling, fat loss, and improved glucose control—may not be due to the sugar itself, but rather to the restriction of protein. This triggers a spike in FGF21, a liver hormone that enhances energy expenditure and metabolic health.

The lecture also examines the limitations of this approach. Dr. Bikman points out that the diet appears to work only under very specific conditions: in metabolically healthy individuals, especially men, with high physical activity levels. For others, particularly those prone to insulin resistance, food addiction, or poor satiety control, such a high-sugar diet could be problematic. He emphasizes that, as with all dietary interventions, context matters.

Ultimately, this lecture doesn’t promote the sugar diet but uses it as a lens to highlight the underestimated power of protein restriction in driving hormonal and mitochondrial adaptations. Dr. Bikman urges caution and encourages further exploration of how individual physiology responds to dietary extremes.

Show Notes/References:

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In this lecture, Ben challenges the conventional insulin-centric model of type 1 diabetes by introducing the “bi-hormonal hypothesis” proposed by Dr. Roger Unger.

While insulin deficiency is a defining feature of T1DM, Dr. Bikman emphasizes the overlooked role of glucagon in driving hyperglycemia, ketone production, and muscle wasting. In normal physiology, insulin from beta cells locally suppresses glucagon from alpha cells. But in type 1 diabetes, this local regulation is lost, allowing glucagon to run unchecked—even when blood glucose is high.

Ben explains how injected insulin, although lifesaving, can’t mimic the precise intra-islet insulin levels needed to suppress glucagon secretion. This mismatch helps explain why blood sugar control can remain elusive despite appropriate insulin use. Excess glucagon ramps up liver glucose output and ketogenesis, creating a more complex hormonal storm than insulin alone can calm.

The lecture also explores new therapeutic strategies—including glucagon receptor blockers and GLP-1 agonists—that may help suppress glucagon more effectively. Dr. Bikman urges a shift in perspective: instead of seeing diabetes as just a disease of insulin, it’s time to recognize its bi-hormonal nature and tailor treatment accordingly.

For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, online Office Hours access, Ben’s Research Review Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com

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

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and/or

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com

This Metabolic Classroom lecture explores the often misunderstood world of nitrates and nitrites—compounds historically feared due to their association with processed meats.

Dr. Bikman presents a balanced examination of their biological role, historical use, and potential risks and benefits. While concerns remain over their conversion into carcinogenic nitrosamines (mainly in animal studies), the real-world human data is inconsistent and largely correlational. In fact, vegetables are the largest dietary source of nitrates—not processed meats.

Far from being mere preservatives, nitrates and nitrites play a key role in converting to nitric oxide in the body, which supports vascular health, mitochondrial function, and even insulin sensitivity. Human and animal studies suggest nitrates can improve mitochondrial efficiency, promote blood flow, and enhance insulin signaling via cyclic GMP and PKG pathways. They may also encourage the browning of fat tissue, supporting metabolic flexibility.

Despite the correlation-based cancer fears often cited in media and observational studies, Dr. Bikman emphasizes the importance of context, dose, and confounding variables. He argues that nitrates and nitrites are bioactive compounds with legitimate metabolic benefits—far from the health villains they’re often made out to be.

Show Notes/References:

For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, online Office Hours access, Ben’s Research Review Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com

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