Dr. Richard Johnson is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, and is a clinician, educator, and researcher. For more than 20 years, he has led research on the cause of obesity and diabetes, with special interest in the role of sugar (especially fructose) and uric acid. His latest book, Nature Wants Us to Be Fat: The Surprising Science Behind Why We Gain Weight and How We Can Prevent—and Reverse—It, is out now.
What you'll learn from this episode:
The role of ATP in the body, and how fructose is the only nutrient that can decrease ATP levels—which increases hunger and causes the body to store more fat.
Fat, sugar, salt magic: how the glucose in simple carbohydrates is converted to fructose with the help of sodium, and why, when you have fat included as well, it’s just more energy being stored (this is why Dr. Johnson says French fries are the most obesogenic food).
How drinking more water (between six to eight glasses a day) can reduce your serum sodium levels and help minimize the amount of glucose converted into fructose. Being hydrated will also keep your vasopressin levels lower (high vasopressin is linked with obesity).
The role of exercise in keeping our mitochondria healthy and resistant to fructose, how body composition affects our ability to use and store energy, and why you should be lifting weights and prioritizing protein.
Why you shouldn’t be afraid of any single food eaten in its natural state, the healthiest fruits to eat, why dose and speed of consumption matter a lot, and some tips on reducing glucose spikes.
And much more!
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Resources from this episode:
Dr. Richard Johnson | Instagram
Diet-Induced Obesity in Animal Models: Points to Consider and Influence on Metabolic Markers | PMC
Fructose Is Generated in the Human Brain | YaleNews
Physical Exercise: A Novel Tool to Protect Mitochondrial Health | PMC
Is Fructose Bad for You? The Surprising Truth | Healthline
Overhydration: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments | Healthline
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