Degrees of Health

How Ketones Boost Brain and Body Health | Dr Mark Mattson

Dr. Mark Madsen discusses the science behind intermittent fasting, ketosis, and their effects on health, aging, and brain function. He explores mechanisms like BDNF, autophagy, and evolutionary perspectives on stress responses. Key Topics - Mechanisms of fasting benefits: calorie restriction, glycation, inflammation - Role of ketones as signaling molecules and energy sources - BDNF and brain plasticity - Exogenous ketones and athletic performance - Evolutionary perspective on stress and adaptation Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 00:11 Ben's fasting experiments and Ori Hoffmeckler influence 01:13 Are fasting benefits due to calorie restriction or other mechanisms? 01:31 Experimental evidence on fasting and lifespan extension in mice 02:30 Human study on 5-2 fasting and metabolic health 05:27 Benefits of fasting beyond calorie restriction 07:11 Fasting, ketosis, and athletic performance 08:10 Second wind phenomenon and metabolic flexibility 09:16 Fasting and metabolic health in athletes like Matthew Pinson 10:25 Exogenous ketones and their role in health and performance 16:02 BDNF, brain health, and the effects of ketones 19:10 Evolutionary perspective on brain and body adaptation 20:23 Stress response, autophagy, and cellular health 25:47 Exercise, challenge, and brain resilience 27:50 Lifestyle, obesity, and cognitive health 28:34 The importance of stress and challenge in evolution 43:31 Impact of media and public awareness on fasting science 45:28 Clinical trials and health benefits of intermittent fasting 46:26 Healthcare system, prevention, and societal challenges 48:23 Barriers to healthy lifestyle and socioeconomic factors 49:10 Diet, supplements, and natural chemicals in health 53:22 Neuroendocrinology and brain development 54:30 Neurotransmitters, glutamate, and neural wiring 56:26 Excitotoxicity and neural damage in disease 58:00 Dietary chemicals and adaptive stress response 01:02:59 Evolutionary mechanisms of plant chemicals and human health 01:04:58 Dose, duration, and frequency of stressors 01:06:06 Optimal intermittent fasting patterns and research challenges 01:07:41 Connecting lifestyle, stress, and evolutionary biology Mark Madsen's Institute - https://matsonianinstitute.org Brain Ponderings Podcast - https://matsonianinstitute.org/podcast Website - https://matsonianinstitute.org Podcast - https://matsonianinstitute.org/podcast ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️ https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist). 🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have. 🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Catching Up with Dr Mary Newport | Ketosis, Cholesterol and Brain Health

In this episode, Dr. Mary Newport discusses the latest insights on cholesterol, the benefits of coconut oil, and the role of ketones in brain health and metabolic diseases. Discover how dietary fats influence health and the potential of ketogenic strategies for longevity and disease management. KEY TOPICS * Cholesterol controversy and the cholesterol code documentary * Impact of statins on brain cholesterol and confusion in elderly * Types of LDL particles and their role in artery invasion * Coconut oil studies and its effects on cholesterol levels * The role of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in ketosis * Breast milk's MCT content and implications for infant health * Ketone production from coconut oil and exogenous sources * The relationship between insulin levels, ketosis, and aging * Potential of ketogenic diets in managing Alzheimer's and diabetes * Future directions in metabolic health and disease prevention Chapters 00:00 Introduction and weather update 00:25 The cholesterol code documentary and its implications 00:39 Controversies around statins and brain cholesterol 02:06 Cholesterol in the brain and neuronal function 03:04 Types of LDL particles and cardiovascular risk 04:14 Coconut oil studies and myth-busting 05:10 Effects of coconut oil on lipid profiles 06:36 Long-term coconut oil research in Asia 07:30 Study on coconut oil vs sunflower oil in heart disease patients 08:29 Most viewed article in Nutrients journal 2025 09:04 Fats, ketosis, and brain health 10:08 Why coconut oil enhances brain boost with ketones 12:01 Ketone levels from coconut oil and self-measurement 14:37 Medium-chain triglycerides and brain energy 16:31 Sustaining ketones with MCTs and exogenous supplements 17:12 Ketones and reaction time in sports 19:35 Diet, ketosis, and natural biology 21:29 Dietary patterns, sugar, and chronic disease 23:25 Combining diet and exogenous ketones for health 27:25 Breast milk, ketosis, and infant development 30:48 Ketones as building blocks for brain fats 33:28 Ketones, insulin, and brain processing speed 35:11 Current projects and future research 37:35 Recipe: Greek salad with ketogenic oils 52:01 Closing remarks and contact info Coconut Ketones Website - https://coconutketones.com Dr. Mary Newport on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMaryNewport Website - https://coconutketones.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMaryNewport ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️ https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist). 🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self-selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have. 🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday! #MetabolicHealth #WomensHealth #PCOS #KetogenicDiet #Nutrition #Hormones #PostpartumDepression #Metabolism #Fasting #HealthPodcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Rethinking Biology: Energy and Information | Dr Nirosha Murugan

In this conversation, Dr Nirosha Murugan discusses the evolving understanding of biology through the lens of energy dynamics and information transfer. She emphasises the importance of viewing health and disease not just through chemical interactions but as a complex interplay of energetic signals. The discussion covers the implications of energy resistance in health, the role of light in cancer treatment, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach in scientific research. Dr Murugan also explores the concept of consciousness as an emergent property of energy interactions, advocating for a new perspective on how we understand life and health. Chapters 00:00 Exploring New Paradigms in Biology 05:31 Energy Dynamics and Human Health 11:12 Understanding the Energy Resistance Principle 16:30 The Role of Light in Cancer and Health 21:43 Consciousness and Energy: A New Perspective 27:03 The Intersection of Science and Multidisciplinary Approaches 32:25 Future Directions in Health Tech and Research Takeaways - Scientific theories are rough approximations of reality. - Energy is the capacity to do work in biological systems. - Homeostasis may not be the right term for biological stability. - Life can be viewed through the lens of energy dynamics. - Patterns in energy can communicate information within biological systems. - Cancer may arise from dysregulated energy resistance. - Light plays a crucial role in health and disease. - Consciousness may emerge from energetic interactions. - A multidisciplinary approach can enhance our understanding of health. - The future of health tech lies in understanding bioelectric and photonic signals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️ https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist). 🤝 Join the community - by subscribing, you are self selecting as a health nerd. We like you. We applaud you. You are shaping in real time the future of health information. As a thank you, we pledge to bring you the best we can, where we are, with the tools we have. 🎧 Listen to us on-the-go! Available wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. New episode every Wednesday! #MetabolicHealth #WomensHealth #PCOS #KetogenicDiet #Nutrition #Hormones #PostpartumDepression #Metabolism #Fasting #HealthPodcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Surprising Lack of Breakthroughs in Life Extension Science Over 40 Years | Siim Land

Uncover the surprising truths about longevity with Siim Land, a leading voice in the emerging world of life extension. Despite decades of research, the biggest breakthroughs in drastically extending lifespan remain elusive, with the strongest evidence pointing towards fundamental factors like calorie restriction and genetics. Siim reveals how current science shows us what not to do and why that matters more than ever if we're serious about living longer, healthier lives. This episode dives deep into the concept of longevity escape velocity, where science might one day enable us to outpace ageing itself and why genetics could be the key unlocking exponential lifespan growth. Siim discusses the latest insights on genetic traits from long-lived species like hydras and bowhead whales, and how future pharmaceuticals could make a 100-year-old feel as vibrant as someone fifty years younger. You'll discover the critical balance between gaining muscle and maintaining longevity, and how cyclic strategies of stimulating and resting mTOR pathways optimise health span. We also explore practical strategies Siim employs today: from personalised fasting routines to balancing resistance training, and how circadian rhythms influence ageing. Curious about the most undervalued supplements? Siim shares why omega-3s and glycine could be your secret weapons, and why some popular interventions, like NMN or NAD boosters, may be overhyped. Plus, get insights on how to interpret biological age clocks and use them as feedback tools to fine-tune your longevity plan. With the stakes higher than ever and the window to act narrowing, this episode is essential listening for anyone committed to healthspan, ageing gracefully, and pushing the boundaries of human potential. Whether you're a longevity enthusiast or just starting your health journey, Siim's evidence-based approach helps you understand the science's real potential and how to turn it into everyday practice. Siim Land is a longevity researcher and biohacker known for blending cutting-edge science with practical lifestyle strategies. His work bridges the gap between the lab and real life, helping you implement longevity principles today. This episode leaves you with compelling questions about the future of human lifespan and tangible actions to improve your health today. Are you ready to maximise your biological age and extend your healthspan? Hit play and start rewriting your ageing story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🌈 Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off the FlexBeam from Recharge Health via this link: ⬇️ https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn (learn more about the benefits of healing with light in our 'Light as Medicine' Playlist). ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Truth About Aging Clocks and Biomarkers | Dr. Matt Kaeberlein

In this episode, Ben Hopkins sits down with longevity scientist Professor Matt Kaeberlein to unpack the biggest questions in aging, health span, and the science of living longer. They cover the promise and pitfalls of biological age clocks, why resveratrol failed to live up to the hype, how to think about aging as entropy and resilience, and which interventions actually look promising today. Matt also explains where lifestyle, hormones, and medications like rapamycin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and more fit into a practical longevity strategy. If you’re interested in evidence-based longevity, proactive health, and the future of aging research, this conversation is packed with insights. 00:00 Intro 00:37 Are biological age clocks a breakthrough or a gimmick? 06:04 What is aging, really? 11:25 Resveratrol: signal or noise? 21:58 The biggest proven levers for health and lifespan 27:25 SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1s, and proactive medicine 38:28 Testosterone, hormones, and aging 51:01 Why rapamycin has been so misunderstood 55:13 Compound bets: what’s most promising? 60:50 What surprised Matt most in longevity science? 63:58 The Dog Aging Project and longevity research in dogs Learn more about Matt’s work on the Dog Aging Project and Dog Aging Institute, and check out his podcast and research updates for more on the science of longevity. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who would benefit from learning more about women's metabolic health. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.