The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

Insulin IQ

Welcome to The Metabolic Classroom, a nutrition and lifestyle podcast focused on metabolism, which is how our bodies use energy, and the truth behind why we get sick and fat. Every week, Dr. Ben Bikman shares valuable insights that you can apply in your own life and share with friends and loved ones. The Metabolic Classroom is brought to you by BenBikman.com and InsulinIQ.com.

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158 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes158

Newest first

Sep 14, 2025 · 18 min
Honey & Maple Syrup vs. Sugar: What’s Better for Metabolic Health?
More knowledge. Better health.
Sep 7, 2025 · 24 min
The Truth About Statins & Women’s Health: Can They Harm More Than They Help?
More knowledge. Better health.
Aug 30, 2025 · 26 min
Can You Build Muscle on a Low-Carb Ketogenic Diet? What the Science Says
More knowledge. Better health.
Aug 25, 2025 · 27 min
What Migraine Sufferers Need to Know About Metabolism & Insulin Resistance
More knowledge. Better health.
Aug 18, 2025 · 25 min
The Real Cause of Fat Gain: Genetics, Hormones, and Insulin
📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman explains how rare genetic forms of obesity—known as monogenic obesity—reveal deep insights into how the body stores fat and why the “calories in, calories out” model falls short. He introduces three genetic conditions—leptin deficiency, POMC deficiency, and MC4R mutations—that disrupt appetite control and fat storage, all while keeping calorie intake the same. These disorders highlight how hormonal imbalances, especially chronically elevated insulin, play the decisive role in whether energy is stored or burned. Ben walks through the hypothalamic POMC pathway, a brain circuit central to hunger and metabolism. Disruptions in this pathway don’t just make people feel constantly hungry; they reprogram the entire body to hoard calories as fat, even when calorie intake is strictly controlled. Animal and human studies consistently show that these conditions drive dramatic fat gain without an increase in food consumption, clearly separating energy intake from energy storage. In all three conditions, the common endpoint is hyperinsulinemia—chronically elevated insulin levels—which drives fat storage and insulin resistance. Whether leptin is missing, POMC signals are silenced, or MC4R is defective, insulin surges as the body shifts into extreme conservation mode. This reinforces the idea that obesity is often less about willpower and more about hormonal signaling. Understanding these rare conditions sheds light on more common forms of obesity and reveals that insulin—not just calories—is the gatekeeper of fat storage. 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, and online, live Office Hours access with Dr Bikman. It also includes 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.
Aug 7, 2025 · 27 min
Yerba Mate and Metabolism: What the Science Says
More knowledge. Better health.
Jul 30, 2025 · 32 min
The Link Between Muscle Loss, Aging and Obesity: Anabolic Resistance Explained w/Dr. Ben Bikman
More knowledge. Better health.
Jul 17, 2025 · 37 min
The Sugar Diet: What the Science Really Says
More knowledge. Better health.
Jul 13, 2025 · 30 min
An Alternative View of T1DM
More knowledge. Better health.
Jul 5, 2025 · 23 min
Nitrates and Nitrites: Villain or Metabolic Hero?
More knowledge, better health.
Jun 29, 2025 · 28 min
Menopause, Ketones, and Metabolism: A Strategy Explained
More knowledge, better health.
Jun 23, 2025 · 23 min
How the MTHFR Gene Affects Our Metabolic Health
More knowledge, better health.
Jun 15, 2025 · 26 min
Creatine Demystified: Brain, Muscle & Metabolic Benefits
More knowledge. Better health.
Jun 9, 2025 · 24 min
Can Nattokinase Improve Heart & Metabolic Health?
More knowledge. Better health.
Jun 2, 2025 · 20 min
The China Study Revisited - Science vs. Storytelling
More knowledge, better health.
May 27, 2025 · 27 min
Does the HCG Diet Actually Work? What the Studies Really Say
More knowledge, better health.
May 18, 2025 · 24 min
How Lectins Disrupt Insulin, Gut Health, and Immunity
More knowledge, better health.
May 12, 2025 · 22 min
How Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Determines Where Your Body Stores Fat
More knowledge, better health.
May 5, 2025 · 19 min
The Metabolic Effects of Fluoride
More knowledge, better health.
Apr 28, 2025 · 28 min
How Fat Hormones Affect Appetite, Inflammation, and Heart Health
More knowledge, better health.

The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

Honey & Maple Syrup vs. Sugar: What’s Better for Metabolic Health?

The Truth About Statins & Women’s Health: Can They Harm More Than They Help?

Can You Build Muscle on a Low-Carb Ketogenic Diet? What the Science Says

What Migraine Sufferers Need to Know About Metabolism & Insulin Resistance

The Real Cause of Fat Gain: Genetics, Hormones, and Insulin

Yerba Mate and Metabolism: What the Science Says

The Link Between Muscle Loss, Aging and Obesity: Anabolic Resistance Explained w/Dr. Ben Bikman

The Sugar Diet: What the Science Really Says

An Alternative View of T1DM

Nitrates and Nitrites: Villain or Metabolic Hero?

Menopause, Ketones, and Metabolism: A Strategy Explained

How the MTHFR Gene Affects Our Metabolic Health

Creatine Demystified: Brain, Muscle & Metabolic Benefits

Can Nattokinase Improve Heart & Metabolic Health?

The China Study Revisited - Science vs. Storytelling

Does the HCG Diet Actually Work? What the Studies Really Say

How Lectins Disrupt Insulin, Gut Health, and Immunity

How Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Determines Where Your Body Stores Fat

The Metabolic Effects of Fluoride

How Fat Hormones Affect Appetite, Inflammation, and Heart Health