EB. 135: Eric Westman Debate Follow-Up: The Research on Low-Carb Vs High-Carb Diets

In this episode we discuss:  

• The mitochondrial effects of low-carb diets, and whether they’re actually worse for energy production
• The downstream hormonal effects of low-carb diets
• Whether insulin resistance is a problem of excess glucose metabolism or excess fat metabolism
• Whether high-carb diets cause overeating and insulin resistance
• And much more

 

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Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/eric-westman-debate-follow-up-the-research-on-low-carb-vs-high-carb-diets/

 

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro 

1:05 – why I’m recording this debate follow-up 

3:38 – how the body responds to carbohydrate restriction and the broader biological context 

9:47 – the mitochondrial effects of low-carb diets: glycolysis vs beta-oxidation, NADH/FADH2 ratios, NAD+/NADH ratios, and effects at the electron transport chain 

15:16 – fat oxidation leads to slower rates of ATP production and higher rates of ROS production 

18:14 – how fat oxidation blocks glucose utilization, slows mitochondrial respiration, and reduces carbon dioxide production 

20:58 – ketone vs. glucose metabolism  

21:52 – glucose metabolism confusion, glycolysis, and whether ketones are beneficial  

24:25 – the hormonal effects of low-carb diets 

28:13 – how do we know that fat metabolism is less efficient than glucose metabolism? 

34:09 – whether research on fat metabolism in rodents applies to humans and other animals 

37:02 – the research showing that fat oxidation increases ROS production and reduces mitochondrial efficiency in various animals (including humans) 

40:31 – the research showing the mechanisms of increased ROS production and reduced efficiency of ATP production with fatty acid metabolism 

47:41 – mitochondrial uncoupling increases during fat metabolism due to increases in oxidative stress 

49:19 – are there adaptations on a keto diet that would prevent the harmful effects of fat metabolism? 

52:48 – are there biopsies done on long-term ketogenic diets showing that fat oxidation doesn’t lead to a decreased NAD+/NADH ratio and more ROS production? 

59:17 – whether increased fatty acid oxidation enzymes would reduce ROS production in the mitochondria as Dr. Westman suggested 

1:02:58 – low-carb and ketogenic diets in rodents cause increased oxidative stress and less efficient ATP production  

1:11:41 – do ketones protect against ROS? 

1:16:18 – do the potential positive effects of ketones outweigh the negative effects of ketogenic diets? 

1:27:47 –low-carb and ketogenic diets cause oxidative stress and insulin resistance in humans1:36:30 – the evidence that glucagon is a stress hormone 

1:39:45 – low-carb and ketogenic diets cause physiological stress in humans 

1:43:46 – the effects of low-carb and ketogenic diets on cortisol 

1:48:29 – low-carb and ketogenic diets decrease thyroid activity 

1:53:54 – effects of low-carb and ketogenic diets on reproductive hormones