Dr. Richard Johnson is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, and is a clinician, educator, and researcher. For more than 20 years, he has led research on the cause of obesity and diabetes, with special interest in the role of sugar (especially fructose) and uric acid. His latest book, Nature Wants Us to Be Fat: The Surprising Science Behind Why We Gain Weight and How We Can Prevent—and Reverse—It, is out now.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why fructose appears to be a central pathway in causing Alzheimer’s disease, how to avoid making extra fructose by eating a low-glycemic diet composed of whole foods—especially avoiding soft drinks, alcohol, and french fries.
The role of ATP and stored energy in fat production and how fructose can negatively impact ATP levels, leading to inflammation and insulin resistance, and why you should avoid excess salt and alcohol, which can increase the conversion of glucose into fructose.
How to counteract oxidative stress by taking up to 1 gram of vitamin C per day—more than that is associated with a higher risk for developing kidney stones.
Why you should eat your spinach—all about dietary oxalates, why they are not a concern for the average person, and the test you can order if you are concerned.
How to keep your mitochondria healthy with zone 2 exercise (think walking briskly enough that finishing a sentence is difficult but possible,) and consuming a square of 70% cocoa dark chocolate a day.
And much more!
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Resources from this episode:
Dr. Richard Johnson | Instagram
Diet-Induced Obesity in Animal Models: Points to Consider and Influence on Metabolic Markers | PMC
Fructose Is Generated in the Human Brain | YaleNews
Cerebral Fructose Metabolism as a Potential Mechanism Driving Alzheimer’s Disease | PMC
Alzheimer’s Disease: Does Fructose Play a Role, and if So, How? | Medicalnews Today
Role of Nrf2 in Oxidative Stress and Toxicity | PMC
Preventive Effects of Dairy Products on Dementia and the Underlying Mechanisms | PMC
Does High Glutamate Intake Cause Obesity? | PubMed
What Is Antagonistic Pleiotropy? | PubMed
Zone 2 Training: Why Long, Easy Workouts Became the Biggest Thing in Fitness | GQ
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