#104 Dr. Ben Bikman: How To Reverse Insulin Resistance Through Diet, Exercise, & Sleep
Get access to 130 episodes of my premium podcast, The Aliquot, as a FoundMyFitness Premium Member Insulin resistance silently shapes the trajectory of nearly every major chronic disease, yet it's often overlooked until blood sugar abnormalities become obvious. In this episode, Dr. Ben Bikman exposes the dietary culprits that drive metabolic dysfunction and highlights actionable, evidence-based tactics for improving metabolic health. Ben also addresses pressing questions about popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists: Are they groundbreaking solutions, or shortcuts with hidden metabolic consequences? Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (4:51) Can you be insulin resistant with normal glucose levels? (8:30) Can glucose monitors detect hidden insulin resistance? (10:01) What your skin reveals about insulin resistance (11:25) Why is insulin resistance behind so many chronic diseases? (15:46) Does obesity cause insulin resistance—or vice versa? (22:38) Insulin’s surprising roles beyond blood sugar control (23:36) What’s driving weight gain—insulin or calories? (30:30) Do saturated fats cause insulin resistance? (37:02) Why refined carbs amplify risks from saturated fat (40:04) Fructose vs. refined sugar—which spikes insulin more? (41:01) High-carb vs. keto—which diet controls hunger better? (45:27) Why low-carb diets might provide a metabolic advantage (47:36) Does exercise give you metabolic ‘wiggle room’? (52:00) Why strength training beats cardio for insulin sensitivity (54:03) Should you lower insulin before cutting calories? (57:12) Does meal frequency drive insulin resistance? (1:00:32) Is nighttime snacking giving you insomnia? (1:02:24) Can a sugary breakfast lead to overeating later? (1:07:19) Does late-night eating disrupt sleep more than blue light? (1:08:59) Can one bad night’s sleep trigger insulin resistance? (1:12:23) Can air pollution cause weight gain? (1:16:15) Vaping vs. smoking—which is worse for metabolic health? (1:17:40) Can statins and antidepressants trigger weight gain? (1:20:22) How to reverse insulin resistance in 90 days (1:26:59) Does apple cider vinegar really lower blood sugar? (1:30:54) Ketone supplements—are the metabolic benefits real? (1:36:34) Why some ethnicities get diabetes without obesity (1:44:28) How oversized fat cells trigger metabolic chaos (1:49:28) Do seed oils silently promote insulin resistance? (1:52:44) Seed oils—always harmful or only when heated? (1:58:35) Fat, muscle, or liver—where does insulin resistance start? (2:04:21) Do fat cells shrink or disappear with weight loss? (2:07:05) Are shrunken fat cells still insulin resistant? (2:08:15) Can exercise and cold therapy specifically shrink visceral fat? (2:09:40) Injecting insulin for muscle—are the risks worth it? (2:12:45) Are drugs like Ozempic a shortcut or solution for obesity? (2:19:12) Are current GLP-1 agonist doses too high? (2:20:02) Microdosing GLP-1 drugs—a solution for carb cravings? (2:26:01) Do these medications cause muscle loss—or is it poor nutrition? (2:28:30) Do GLP-1 agonist benefits extend beyond weight loss? (2:30:41) Could these treatments actually promote longevity? (2:36:12) The dark side of GLP-1 drugs—can they trigger depression? (2:39:31) Insulin vs. glucose—what really drives accelerated aging? (2:44:34) How high glucose levels damage cells—from glycolysis to sorbitol (2:46:40) How insulin shuts down your body’s stress defenses (2:51:15) Which biomarkers best predict biological aging? (2:55:05) One simple breakfast change to lower insulin (2:57:19) Does eating dinner early improve insulin sensitivity? Show notes, transcript, and summary are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube
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#103 A Deep Dive on Using Coffee For Health & Longevity (Full Guide & Research)
Get access to more than 120 episodes of my premium podcast, The Aliquot, as a FoundMyFitness Premium Member Coffee is one of the most powerful longevity tools we have, potentially reducing epigenetic age by up to one year in regular coffee drinkers, but its effectiveness hinges entirely on how you brew it. In this episode, I outline precisely how coffee reduces DNA damage, a key driver of cancer and cellular aging, and why choosing filtered coffee over methods like French press significantly lowers cholesterol risk. I’ll discuss exactly which beans and roasts pack the highest antioxidant punch, plus a practical tip on a specific supplement that amplifies coffee’s cognitive benefits. You’ll also learn the truth about mycotoxins in coffee and why adding dairy can blunt coffee’s immediate cognitive-boosting effects. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:24) Can coffee really slow biological aging? (04:42) Is coffee actually protective for your heart? (05:27) Why morning coffee is healthier than afternoon coffee (08:01) How coffee improves your metabolic health (09:52) Can coffee reduce cancer risk? (11:25) Does coffee protect DNA from damage? (13:38) Can coffee enhance your gut microbiome? (16:01) Can unfiltered coffee raise your cholesterol? (20:13) Which brewing method maximizes antioxidants? (20:40) Arabica or robusta—does bean type matter? (23:04) Dark vs. light roast—what’s richer in antioxidants? (23:28) Is cold brew coffee as healthy as hot coffee? (23:51) Practical tips to maximize antioxidants (24:38) Filtered vs. French press—what’s best for longevity? (26:48) Can espresso’s antioxidants offset its cholesterol risk? (27:18) Instant coffee—an overlooked longevity booster? (27:40) Why filtered coffee is the clear winner (28:20) Caffeinated vs. decaf—what’s better for your brain? (30:42) Can decaf coffee still enhance cognitive function? (33:38) How much caffeine is optimal for athletic performance? (36:31) How decaffeination methods affect coffee’s benefits (39:02) Are mold toxins in coffee really a concern? (41:45) Is adding dairy a mistake? (43:15) Does MCT powder boost cognition—or just cholesterol? (44:59) Does adding L-theanine reduce caffeine-induced anxiety? (47:04) The science-backed coffee routine for longevity Show notes, transcript, and summary are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube
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#102 Why Vitamin D Deficiency Accelerates Brain Aging
Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Vitamin D is far more than just a vitamin—it's a potent steroid hormone regulating nearly 5% of our genome. Yet, remarkably, up to 70% of Americans aren't getting enough, placing them at increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In this episode, I explore compelling new evidence from a study involving over 12,000 participants, demonstrating that vitamin D supplementation can reduce dementia risk by an impressive 40%, protecting even adults with genetic Alzheimer's risk (ApoE4 carriers). Timestamps: (00:00) Can vitamin D supplements reduce dementia risk? (00:46) How common is vitamin D deficiency? (03:31) What studies reveal about genes, vitamin D, and dementia (05:44) Does deficiency accelerate brain aging? (06:45) Can vitamin D supplementation enhance cognitive function? (08:15) Dementia risk reduction insights from 12,388 adults (09:58) Why women may benefit most (10:49) Normal vs. impaired cognition—who benefits more from vitamin D? (11:21) Do ApoE4 carriers get dementia protection from vitamin D? (13:00) How mild cognitive impairment affects dementia risk (13:41) Does the form of vitamin D matter? (14:11) What are the optimal vitamin D blood levels? (15:07) What dose corrects deficiency? (15:33) How vitamin D directly supports brain function Watch this episode on YouTube Show notes are available by clicking here The study discussed: Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status
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#101 Dr. Andy Galpin: The Optimal Diet, Supplement, & Recovery Protocol for Peak Performance
Download my “How to Train According to the Experts” guide Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Nutrition, supplementation, and recovery are foundational for enhancing exercise performance, but their full potential often remains untapped. In this episode, Dr. Andy Galpin, a renowned expert who has coached Olympians, world champions, and professional athletes across major sports, breaks down exactly how to leverage these critical elements to meaningfully enhance your results. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (05:01) Eating to perform vs. eating to live longer—do you have to choose? (08:20) Training fasted—are the mitochondrial benefits worth it? (14:53) What should you eat before early-morning strength training? (16:52) Why nutrient timing isn't critical for the average exerciser (18:44) Is intermittent fasting killing your gains? (29:24) Carbs before resistance training—fuel or fluff? (31:07) Endurance fueling strategies—what actually works? (36:02) When is post-exercise carb intake truly essential? (37:35) Game day fueling—how to get it right (40:25) Carb supplements vs. whole foods—what do elite athletes actually eat? (43:18) Rethinking fat intake for exercise performance (46:14) Metabolic flexibility—how the term got hijacked (50:39) The real test of metabolic health—why skipping a meal shouldn't break you (51:55) Are anaerobic and aerobic systems truly separate? (55:56) Does protein timing really matter? (58:27) Whole foods vs. protein powders (1:03:21) Fat timing—overlooked or irrelevant? (1:04:48) The truth about seed oils and saturated fat (1:09:43) Magnesium—who actually needs to supplement? (1:11:43) The problem with magnesium blood tests (1:13:01) Why the magnesium RDA might not be enough (1:13:54) Magnesium citrate, glycinate, or threonate—does it matter? (1:15:55) Do magnesium supplements really aid recovery? (1:18:35) Omega-3 supplementation—is the AFib risk real? (1:22:10) Can omega-3s prevent muscle loss during inactivity? (1:26:14) Why "performance anchors" matter more than supplements (1:30:47) Iron deficiency—the hidden performance killer? (1:33:42) Does caffeine before workouts increase fat burning? (1:35:29) Caffeine cycling—smart strategy or outdated myth? (1:38:45) Can music measurably enhance workout performance? (1:39:57) Rhodiola rosea—fatigue fighter or placebo? (1:44:38) Beetroot, citrulline, arginine—do nitric oxide boosters work? (1:55:07) Beta-alanine—why the tingles might be worth it (2:01:05) Is 5g of creatine really enough? (2:02:18) Sodium bicarbonate—effective fatigue buffer or GI nightmare? (2:04:36) Can you trust what's in your pre-workout supplement? (2:06:54) Is too much caffeine killing your performance gains? (2:07:41) Can antioxidants blunt exercise performance? (2:08:40) High-dose vitamin C—immune protection or adaptation killer? (2:15:12) Do anti-inflammatories sabotage your gains? (2:17:38) Tart cherry juice—recovery aid or overhyped? (2:21:04) Is glutamine the immune booster athletes need? (2:29:11) Can collagen actually strengthen tendons? (2:33:26) Does glucosamine chondroitin actually help joints? (2:34:28) What really happens during recovery—signaling vs. inflammation (2:37:25) The most important recovery metric (2:39:05) How increased blood flow accelerates muscle repair (2:43:55) Why persistent soreness might mean your fascia's at fault (2:47:02) Can compression boots genuinely speed recovery? (2:47:56) Can simply soaking in water accelerate recovery? (2:51:13) When is sauna a better choice than extra miles? (2:53:12) Can localized heat preserve muscle during downtime? (2:54:31) Cold immersion timing—muscle recovery vs. blunting gains (3:01:16) Why pre-bed cold exposure might improve sleep (3:04:31) Heart rate variability vs. resting heart rate (3:12:45) Why respiratory rate predicts stress better than resting heart rate (3:16:57) Are you overtrained—or just overreached? (3:21:41) Hormones and overtraining—what's the real link? (3:25:48) Does training harder mean you need more sleep? (3:27:54) How to know if you're getting enough sleep (3:31:17) Sleep trackers (3:33:10) Hydration timing—the key to uninterrupted sleep? (3:34:54) Why your wind-down index matters (3:36:02) Is your bedroom's CO₂ buildup sabotaging your sleep? (3:39:40) Are nasal allergies quietly wrecking your recovery? (3:41:23) Sleep hacks—what actually works? Watch this episode on YouTube Show notes are available by clicking here
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#100 The Optimal Creatine Protocol for Strength, Brain, and Longevity | Darren Candow, PhD
Download my “How to Train According to the Experts” guide Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Creatine is renowned for enhancing strength, but its benefits extend far beyond muscle power. In this episode, Dr. Darren Candow, a leading researcher with over 140 peer-reviewed publications, explores creatine’s diverse physiological impacts, from bolstering cognitive resilience under stress to mitigating symptoms of depression and protecting against cognitive decline caused by sleep deprivation. He explains why the conventional dosage of 5 grams per day might be insufficient, and how higher doses (10–25 grams) could unlock additional therapeutic effects. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:34) What makes creatine effective for exercise performance? (08:01) The loss of explosive power with aging (09:36) How creatine speeds up recovery between sets (12:13) Two ways creatine boosts muscle strength (14:12) Why creatine might not speed typical weight-training recovery (16:38) Anti-catabolic effects (17:16) Why do men and women respond differently? (18:50) Dietary creatine vs. supplementation (19:36) Is creatine supplementation necessary—or optional? (21:05) Why plant-based may benefit most (22:15) Should creatine dosage change with age? (23:01) Loading vs. daily dosing (25:57) Why 5 grams might not be enough—other tissues (27:48) Can creatine prevent bone loss—even without weight training? (28:10) How creatine supports osteoblast activity (29:51) Preventing hip fractures with creatine (32:33) Creatine vs. bisphosphonates (36:21) Why creatine isn’t just for weightlifters (38:52) Why stressed brains benefit most (40:57) Why brain aging accelerates demand (43:54) Why 10g per day might be the optimal dose (45:45) Why creatine counteracts sleep deprivation (48:53) Before vs. after concussion (51:17) Should dosage be adjusted by weight? (52:39) Does creatine improve sleep on training days? (55:34) Creatine for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s—does the science hold up? (57:08) Can creatine help with depression and anxiety? (1:00:24) The role of creatine and glutamine in preventing respiratory illness (1:02:40) Why creatine may enhance endothelial health and circulation (1:04:04) Creatine’s role in cardiometabolic health (1:05:45) When does loading actually make sense? (1:06:51) Creatine’s dual role—preserving muscle and enhancing recovery after injury (1:09:46) Is creatine effective without exercise? (1:12:01) Why creatine might improve male fertility (1:13:57) Is it safe for children? (1:17:21) Creatine supplementation during pregnancy (1:18:54) Could creatine boost motor skills in kids? (1:19:34) Creatine monohydrate vs. the rest (1:24:15) How to avoid digestive issues with creatine supplementation (1:26:56) Does timing matter—and should you cycle it? (1:28:32) Should you take creatine every day—or only workout days? (1:29:17) Why caffeine might blunt the effects (1:32:21) Does creatine increase body fat—or is that a myth? (1:33:08) Preventing cramps (the hydration myth) (1:34:33) Understanding the creatinine confusion—why creatine won’t damage your kidneys (1:36:59) Why creatine is linked (wrongly?) to baldness (1:40:22) Debunking myths—sleep, cancer, urination (1:43:39) How creatine affects homocysteine levels (1:46:32) Creatine and protein—the ideal post-workout pair? (1:49:26) How to pick the best creatine supplement (1:51:46) What to know about micronized creatine Watch this episode on YouTube Show notes are available by clicking here
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