The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

December 15, 2025 34 mins

📢 Become an Insider: https://benbikman.com


📢 Ben’s LPS/Leaky Gut Recommendations: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/insuliniq-leaky-gut-recommendations


📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind (multilingual):

https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind


📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com


In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben explains how lipopolysaccharides (LPS)—toxic molecu...

Mark as Played

📢 To listen ad-free, become an Insider: Ben’s website, https://www.benbikman.com


📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com


In this episode Dr. Bikman explores the concept of “male menopause,” more accurately termed andropause. While women experience a dramatic hormonal drop-off due to the depletion of ovarian follicles, men experience a gradual decline in testosterone, primarily because...

Mark as Played

📢 To listen ad-free, become an Insider: Ben’s website, https://www.benbikman.com


📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com


In this mini lecture, Dr. Bikman explains the powerful metabolic effects of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids—specifically EPA and DHA—on fat metabolism and muscle growth.


Ben starts by clarifying the difference between plant-based ALA and animal-based EPA/DHA, emph...

Mark as Played

Listen Ad-Free: https://benbikman.com


In this Metabolic Classroom mini lecture, Dr. Bikman explores the powerful effects of ketones—particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—on the cardiovascular system. While ketones are typically thought of as a backup fuel, Ben explains how they are, in fact, an adaptive and efficient energy source that can support heart function in both healthy and failing states.


Ben breaks down groundbrea...

Mark as Played

Listen Ad-Free: https://benbikman.com


In this mini-lecture, Ben explores the biochemical and physiological differences between plant and animal proteins—avoiding environmental or ethical debates and focusing strictly on metabolism and human health. He breaks down essential amino acids, emphasizing that animal proteins are "complete" sources, while most plant proteins fall short—particularly in leucine, which is vital for muscle ...

Mark as Played

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind (multilingual):

https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind


📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com


📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this lecture, Dr. Bikman explores how ketogenesis—our body's ability to produce ketones from fat—operates differently in men and women. While the foundational metabolic machinery is...

Mark as Played

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind


📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this mini lecture Dr. Bikman explores how concussions cause more than just structural damage to the brain—they create a serious metabolic energy crisis.


A concussion reduces the brain’s ability to...

Mark as Played

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind


📢 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 the crucial role of plasmalogens—a unique type of fat found in the membranes of cells, especially in metabolically active tissues like the br...

Mark as Played

visit: https://www.benbikman.com

visit: https://insuliniq.com


In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman explores the deep biochemical relationship between stress and ketone production, uncovering how the body interprets stress signals as cues to mobilize fat and create ketones.


He explains how stress hormones—like epinephrine, cortisol, glucagon, and growth hormone—aren’t just emergency signals but actually metabolic ad...

Mark as Played

📢 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 explores the often-overlooked but metabolically vital glycocalyx—a carbohydrate-rich layer coating nearly every cell in the human body. Far from being just a structural feature, the glycocalyx influences nutrient absorption, immune response,...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this episode of Metabolic Classroom, Ben Bikman takes a detailed look at the pancreas, a small but mighty organ with two major roles—endocrine and exocrine. The endocrine pancreas (just 1–2% of its mass) regulates metabolism by secreting hormones like insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, p...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this foundational Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman unpacks the vital role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in maintaining health and metabolic balance.


The ANS, a part of the peripheral nervous system, regulates involuntary processes such as heart rate, digestion, re...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this episode of the Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Ben Bikman explores whether natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup might be better metabolic alternatives to table sugar. He begins with a fascinating historical background, including honey’s use as a wound-healing agent in World War ...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this important Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman examines the use of statins in women, particularly for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.


While statins are widely prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol and ApoB levels, Ben highlights research showing that these marker...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


During this mini lecture, Dr. Bikman tackles the popular misconception that building muscle requires carbohydrates and insulin spikes. He begins by reframing insulin's role—not as a muscle-building hormone, but primarily as an anti-catabolic signal that helps prevent muscle breakdown.


...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


This week’s Metabolic Classroom lecture is a deep dive into the metabolic roots of migraines—a condition that affects millions but is rarely discussed through the lens of insulin resistance and energy dysregulation.


Dr. Bikman explains that migraines are more than just headaches; they’...

Mark as Played

📢 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, P...

Mark as Played

In this Metabolic Classroom, Ben explores the fascinating metabolic effects of yerba mate, a traditional South American tea that’s gaining attention in scientific circles. Yerba mate contains a synergistic mix of bioactive compounds, including xanthines (like caffeine), chlorogenic acid, and saponins—all of which contribute to its wide-ranging health benefits. Dr. Bikman explains how this unique brew supports fat loss, improves mit...

Mark as Played

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

and/or

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben explores the concept of anabolic resistance—the body’s reduced ability to build and maintain muscle in response to stimuli like protein intake and resistance training.


This phenomenon, often associated with aging, also affects individuals ...

Mark as Played

📢 Visit Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com

and/or

📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com


In this episode of the Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Ben Bikman explores a surprising and controversial dietary trend: the “sugar diet.”


Despite its name, this diet isn’t built around candy and soda. Instead, it promotes a very high intake of simple carbohydrates—primarily from ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Betrayal: Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.