The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Ben Bikman

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com and/or 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman breaks down the true nature and benefits of creatine—a molecule often misunderstood as merely a muscle-building supplement. Creatine plays a critical role in cellular energy production by helping regenerate ATP, espec...

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com and/or 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman dives into the science behind nattokinase, an enzyme derived from natto—a fermented soybean staple in Japan. Nattokinase has gained attention for its cardiovascular benefits, especially its ability to dissolve blood c...

📢 Dr. Bikman’s 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. Bikman critically examines the claims made in The China Study, a popular book advocating for a plant-based diet based on correlational data from the China-Cornell-Oxford Project. While the book suggests that animal pr...

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com 📢 Become an Insider on Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com During this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman unpacks the history, claims, and science behind the controversial HCG diet. Originally popularized in the 1950s by Dr. Albert Simeons, the diet pairs daily HCG hormone injections with an extremely low-calorie diet (aro...

📢 Dr. Bikman’s Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com 📢 Become an Insider on Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this lecture, Dr. Bikman introduces lectins as harmful plant-derived proteins often found in carbohydrate-rich foods like legumes, grains, and nightshades. While these molecules serve as plant defense mechanisms, in humans they can bind to gut lining cells, disruptin...

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman dives into the central metabolic role of lipoprotein lipase (LPL)—a largely unsung but crucial enzyme that governs whether fat is burned or stored and even where it accumulates in the body. LPL is anchored to capillary walls in tissues like fat, muscle, heart, and lactating mammary glands. It acts as a metabolic gatekeeper, hydrolyzing triglycerides...

Dr. Ben Bikman opens this lecture with a comprehensive overview of fluoride’s history in public health, highlighting its original role in preventing dental cavities. However, he shifts the focus to its lesser-known systemic effects, particularly on metabolic health. Ben emphasizes emerging evidence that chronic exposure to fluoride—from water, toothpaste, and other products—can disrupt fat cell fu...

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the critical yet often overlooked role of fat tissue as an endocrine organ, not just a passive energy storage site. Fat secretes dozens of bioactive hormones, collectively called adipokines, that influence everything from appetite and insulin sensitivity to inflammation and cardiovascular risk. He focuses primarily on leptin, adiponectin...

This week, Dr. Bikman dives deep into the metabolic role of cortisol, the body’s primary glucocorticoid. He explains that while cortisol is essential for survival—mobilizing energy during fasting or stress—chronically elevated levels can wreak metabolic havoc. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex under direction from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Its main role is to ensure e...

In this lecture, Dr. Bikman presents a framework for understanding the two primary patterns of insulin resistance onset—what he terms “fast” and “slow” insulin resistance. “Fast” insulin resistance happens quickly and can often be reversed just as rapidly. It’s typically triggered by three major factors: elevated insulin (from frequent carb consumption), stress hormones like cortisol and epinephri...

During this week’s Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben explores the metabolic power of cold therapy, explaining how brief, controlled exposure to cold can significantly enhance metabolic function. He starts with a deep dive into brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is rich in mitochondria and burns calories to generate heat. Cold exposure activates BAT through norepinephrine, leading to mitochondrial un...

During this week’s Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the connection between seed oils—specifically linoleic acid—and insulin resistance, a growing area of interest and controversy in the metabolic health world. Ben begins by detailing the historical rise of seed oils like soybean, corn, sunflower, and canola oil in the human diet. Once used for industrial purposes, they have now...

(📢 NOTE: We apologize for the sound glitch starting at 2 minutes. Dr. Bikman’s lectures are recorded LIVE, and our production team didn’t want to interrupt him. 🙂 ) Dr. Ben Bikman’s Metabolic Classroom lecture this week explores fat metabolism and the differences between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. He begins by explaining that fat is more than just stored energy—it serv...

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman explores GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic and Mounjaro) and how to use them more effectively. Ben first explains how GLP-1 is naturally produced in the gut and helps regulate glucagon suppression, slows gastric emptying, and promotes satiety. However, he highlights research showing that individuals with obesity have a blunted GLP-1 response t...

For this week’s Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman focuses on natural ways to boost GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1), a powerful gut hormone involved in appetite control, blood sugar regulation, and metabolic health. Ben begins by explaining that GLP-1 is secreted in response to food intake, influencing glucagon suppression, slowing gastric emptying, and activating satiety centers in the brain...

Dr. Bikman’s lecture this week explores the metabolic roles of bilirubin, a molecule typically associated with liver disease and jaundice but now emerging as a key player in metabolism, oxidative stress, and fat regulation. Bilirubin is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells and is transported to the liver, where it undergoes conjugation to become water-soluble and is then excreted into bi...

Dr. Bikman’s Metabolic Classroom lecture this week explores peptides and their effects on metabolism, fat loss, muscle growth, and overall health. Ben begins by defining peptides as short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body. While some peptides occur naturally, others are synthetically developed for therapeutic purposes. He explains that peptides are gaining popularit...

Learn more about becoming an Insider: https://www.benbikman.com In this week’s lecture, Dr. Bikman explores the metabolic origins of acne, challenging the conventional view that acne is purely a skin issue. While acne is often attributed to excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation, Ben highlights how metabolic factors—especially insulin—play a significant role. Insulin dire...

Learn more about becoming an Insider: https://www.benbikman.com In this week’s episode of the Metabolic Classroom lectures, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the metabolic impact of ADHD medications and whether ADHD itself has metabolic roots. Ben explains how stimulant medications (like Adderall and Ritalin) primarily work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine, enhancing focus but also suppressing appe...

Learn more about becoming an Insider: https://www.benbikman.com Dr. Bikman’s Metabolic Classroom lecture this week explores the physiological role and implications of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and the GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs used for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss. Ben begins by explaining GLP-1 as a hormone produced in the intestines in response to food. It plays a vital ro...

Learn more about becoming an Insider: https://www.benbikman.com This week, Dr. Bikman’s lecture focuses on metabolic surgeries (also called bariatric surgeries), their mechanisms, and their impacts on weight loss and metabolic health. Ben begins by explaining the qualifications for these surgeries, which often serve as a last resort for individuals with severe obesity or comorbidities like type 2...

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Bikman delves into the fascinating metabolic process of autophagy, the body’s natural recycling system that maintains cellular health by breaking down and reusing damaged components. Ben explains how autophagy is essential for replacing malfunctioning organelles and proteins, thereby preventing diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular co...

Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com Dr. Benjamin Bikman delves into the profound relationship between sleep and metabolic health, emphasizing the critical role sleep plays in maintaining insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic function. Ben explains that deep sleep is a restorative phase during which the body repairs cells, regulates hormones, and impro...

We sincerely apologize! During the livestream recording, we experienced some technical difficulties between 07:15 to 08:50. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com During The Metabolic Classroom lecture this week, Dr. Bikman dives into the intricate relationship between salt- and water-regulating hormones and metabo...

Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com This week in The Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben focuses on the relationship between hypertension medications and metabolic health, providing a critical examination of their mechanisms and metabolic implications. He begins by highlighting the role of insulin resistance as a common root cause of both hypertension and me...