This week, during the Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman examines the metabolic consequences of medications used for mental health, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. Ben highlights the close connection between mental health disorders like depression and anxiety with metabolic issues, particularly insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. These medications, while effective for managing mental health symptoms, often lead to metabolic side effects such as weight gain and insulin resistance, complicating the relationship between mental and metabolic health.

Dr. Bikman reviews key neurotransmitters—serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—that influence both mental and metabolic functions. Serotonin helps regulate mood and appetite but can promote fat accumulation and inhibit fat breakdown. Dopamine is associated with pleasure and reward systems but also plays a role in regulating energy expenditure and fat metabolism. Norepinephrine, closely related to adrenaline, is involved in the body’s stress response and can stimulate fat breakdown and thermogenesis.

The lecture then shifts to the metabolic effects of common mental health medications, such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and antipsychotics. While these drugs can stabilize mood, they are often linked to significant metabolic disturbances, including weight gain, insulin resistance, and cravings for carbohydrate-heavy foods. Ben notes that these medications may exacerbate underlying metabolic issues, potentially worsening the mental health conditions they are meant to treat.

Dr. Bikman concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing metabolic health when treating mental health disorders. He highlights the role of brain glucose hypometabolism, where insulin resistance in the brain may contribute to anxiety and depression. He suggests that improving metabolic health through approaches like ketogenic diets could potentially enhance mental health outcomes by better nourishing the brain and restoring neurotransmitter balance.

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Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10)

Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15)

Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20)

Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)

Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)

References:

Due to character length constraints, references are not posted here. However, for a complete list, we respond quickly. Please email: support@insuliniq.com with your request, and be sure to mention which Metabolic Classroom episode you are referring to.

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In this lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explores liposuction, highlighting its popularity and effects on body fat. While body fat serves important functions like energy storage and hormone regulation, liposuction only removes subcutaneous fat, leaving visceral fat untouched. Dr. Bikman emphasizes that fat cell size, not total fat, is key to metabolic health, and larger fat cells can lead to insulin resistance.

Liposuction, though effective for quick fat removal, does not improve metabolic health or insulin sensitivity. Without lifestyle changes, patients often regain fat in different areas. He suggests that liposuction should be seen as a body contouring tool, not a health solution, but it may offer benefits for those with lipedema, improving pain and quality of life.

https://www.insuliniq.com

Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10)

Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15)

Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20)

Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)

Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)

Due to character length constraints, references are not posted here. However, for a complete list, we respond quickly. Please email: support@insuliniq.com with your request, and be sure to mention which Metabolic Classroom episode you are referring to.

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In this week’s episode of The Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Ben Bikman clarifies misconceptions about lactate metabolism, emphasizing that there is no lactic acid in the human body—only lactate.

He explains that lactate is the end product of non-oxidative glycolysis, produced when cells, particularly muscles and red blood cells, require quick ATP energy. Dr. Bikman highlights that lactate production occurs during high-intensity activities where energy demand exceeds the capacity of mitochondria to generate ATP efficiently.

Contrary to popular belief, lactate is not responsible for muscle soreness or fatigue.

Ben delves into the history of lactate research, mentioning key contributors like Otto Meyerhoff, who identified lactate as a product of anaerobic metabolism, and Carl and Gerty Cori, who discovered the Cori cycle. This cycle demonstrates how lactate is recycled by the liver into glucose, which can then be used by muscles for energy. Lactate, once considered a waste product, is now understood to be an essential substrate for gluconeogenesis.

Dr. Bikman introduces George Brooks' lactate shuttle theory, which reveals that lactate is a viable energy source that can be directly utilized by mitochondria for fuel. He explains that this discovery revolutionized the understanding of lactate, showing it can be oxidized within cells for energy production rather than merely being excreted as a waste product.

Dr. Bikman also discusses lactate’s potential in clinical contexts, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery, where lactate can serve as an alternative energy source for the brain when glucose metabolism is impaired. Moreover, he touches on how lactate influences fat cells, promoting mitochondrial uncoupling and aiding in fat burning, contributing to metabolic health. Ben suggests that continuous lactate monitoring could help identify mitochondrial dysfunction and predict type 2 diabetes risk.

https://www.insuliniq.com

00:00 - Introduction to Lactate Metabolism

01:09 - Lactic Acid vs. Lactate: Debunking the Myth

02:16 - Glycolysis and Lactate Production

04:23 - How Lactate is Produced in Muscles

06:23 - Red Blood Cells and Lactate

07:18 - History of Lactate Research: Otto Meyerhoff

09:40 - The Cori Cycle: Lactate Recycled into Glucose

13:54 - Lactate as a Viable Energy Source

15:55 - George Brooks' Lactate Shuttle Theory

18:44 - Lactate and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

20:55 - Lactate’s Role in Fat Burning and Mitochondria

23:58 - Lactate in Clinical Contexts: Metabolic Health

25:09 - Continuous Lactate Monitoring and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

28:59 - Lactate as a Predictor of Type 2 Diabetes

29:59 - Conclusion: Lactate’s Critical Role in Health and Energy

Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10)

Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15)

Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20)

References:

Due to character length constraints, references are not posted here. However, for a complete list, we respond quickly. Please email: support@insuliniq.com with your request, and be sure to mention which Metabolic Classroom episode you are referring to.

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