jet

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[–] jet@hackertalks.com 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Notes:

most common endocrine disorder in women in the reproductive age, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 6 to 15%

Common signs of PCOS not included in diagnostic cri-teria are represented by insulin resistance, reversal of the FSH/LH ratio and obesity, which is an important clinical feature of PCOS.

it is important to remark that these metabolic abnormalities may also be present in non-obese patients

96% of westerners have impaired metabolic health, its not just the visibly obese!

The ovaries of PCOS patients usually maintain a normal response to insulin.

It's tragic, people with impaired metabolism have elevated insulin levels, but their ovaries are still very insulin sensitive - so the signal is just too strong!

PCOS women present a peculiar dietary pattern, characterised by reduced use of extra-virgin olive oil, legumes, seafood and nuts, a lower amount of complex carbohydrate, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and higher simple carbo- hydrates, total fat and saturated fatty acid, compared to normal women.

it is controversial whether diet composition per se has an effect on reproductive and metabolic outcomes. Blood glucose levels are affected by carbohydrate intake and regulate insulin secretion from the pancreas, so very-low carbohydrates diets may be superior to standard hypocaloric diets in terms of improving fertility, endocrine/metabolic parameters, weight loss and satiety in women with PCOS

That is a UNDERSTATEMENT!

This was a 12 weeks, single-arm study. The outcome measures were body weight, BMI, FBM, LBM, FBM percentage, LBM percentage, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total testosterone, free testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, DHEAS, LH/FSH ratio, SHBG and Ferriman Gallwey Score.

Anthropometric and body composition measurements revealed an

  • average weight loss of 9.43 kg (pre 81.19 ± 8.44 kg vs post 71.76± 6.66 kg; p < 0.0001)
  • significant reductions (− 3.35) of BMI (pre 28.84 ± 2.10 vspost 25.49 ± 1.69; p < 0.0001)
  • FBM (− 8.29 kg) (pre 27.96 ± 5.11 kg vs post 19.67 ± 3.72 kg; p < 0.0001).
  • LBM absolute value showed a slightly significant decrease (pre53.23 ± 5.02 kg vs post 52.09± 4.60 kg), but its percent- age value was slightly increased (pre 65.74 ± 3.75% vspost 72.71 ± 3.55%; p < 0.0001)
  • VAT showed a very signifi-cant (pre 1750 ± 181.58 grams vs. post 1110,36 ± 189.23;p < 0.0001) decrease
  • waist circumference decreased in a significant manner (pre 100.7 ± 4.81 vs post 96.69 ± 3.82; p = 0.0015)

Not bad for a 3 month study!

Not bad at all!

KDs could be considered, as a nutraceutical therapy aimed to increase insulin sensitivity. The data available in the literature [26, 30–32], although few, confirm the assumption that a KD, correcting hyperinsulinemia and improving body composition, can contribute to the normalization of the clinical picture in PCOS. During fasting or a carbohydrate restriction such as a KD, blood insulin concentration decreases, while glucagon increases to maintain the normal blood glucose level, first through glycogen stores, then through the β-oxidation of fatty acids stored in fat depots. Approximately 3–5 days after a very low carbohydrate diet, when the concentration of KBs begins to grow, hunger considerably decreases, but maintaining a state of well-being [51]

we can be assumed that 12 weeks were not sufficient to observe a decrease in hirsutism scores: the hair cycle, in fact, depending on the body area can last for some months and it is known that pharmacological therapy based on antiandrogens takes from 6 to 12 months to obtain a good reduction of the score.

This is a very important point, hormonal interventions (which a KD is), will take months if not years to fully correct. If it took 30 years to get into a biological state, it might take longer then a 12 week study to correct it.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

There is a established link between elevated insulin levels and PCOS

i.e. Ketogenic - Chapter 3 - Endocrine

3.7.3.3 Polycystic ovarian syndrome and infertility / The insulin connection

“is that the three defining features of PCOS (hyperandrogenism causing masculine features, polycystic ovaries and anovulatory cycles) all reflect the same pathophysiology: too much testosterone, ultimately caused by too much insulin. In other words, too much insulin causes PCOS. Like obesity, PCOS is best understood as a disease of hyperinsulinemia. Although obesity and PCOS do not always occur together, they are both manifestations of an underlying hyperinsulinemia.

The eponymous criterion of PCOS is the presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries, which are derived from the multitude of small follicles. Many women have a few cysts on their ovary, but the sheer number of cysts distinguishes this syndrome from virtually all others. Almost no other much insulin and too much testosterone human disease causes polycystic ovaries. Ultimately, these polycystic ovaries are caused by too.

Both the cysts on the ovaries and the hyperandrogenism are caused by the same underlying problem: too much insulin.

The full book is available on the normal free literature places, but the TLDR is that a diet that reduces insulin levels can be used to treat and reverse PCOS

This is also another more direct (and open) article on the issue: Effects of a ketogenic diet in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome - My notes from reading the paper can be found here - https://hackertalks.com/post/13750353

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 2 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

It's actually really nice to see Bart Kay speaking like a normal human instead of a outrage machine.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Sure, a energy deficit means you body needs to be in fat burning mode. If you don't spike your glucose throughout the day you spend more of the day in fat burning mode.

‘carbs = bad’ witch I do disagree with

Not bad so much as unnecessary. Like Alcohol isn't bad by itself if enjoyed occasionally, but some people don't tolerate it well and form chemical dependencies that can impact their health.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just checked, it's working for me. Goes to a saidit wiki

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Nothing worse then losing power and having to walk around your factory, the scale! It really sneaks up on you.

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 3 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

https://rentry.co/NSFW-Checkpoint

Not deleted, just they put up a speed bump

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I can't speak to soap, but rendering tallow for food purposes, the impurities can smell a bit wiffy. If I'm trying to render all the cow smell away I have to do the render and filter cycle 3ish times

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I always thought it was a choice for tdw and heat concerns. Intel tends to run a bit cooler (used to)

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Is this about memes?

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

How the hell did the medical community go so sideways since then?

From what i've read the doctors who were uncovering the hormonal model of health in the 1930s were German and publishing in German based literature. After the world unpaused in the 1940s there wasn't much enthusiasm in the west for German publications.

Dr. Barry Sears (Biochem PhD, not MD) wrote about all this in the early 90’s in “The Zone” (with references).

Would you recommend reading that book?

 

Dr Chaffee presents his paradigm-altering thesis that autoimmune diseases are the result of the body's attack on plant compounds. He presents evidence that removal, as in a carnivore diet, leads to remission of a wide range of autoimmune diseases.

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Summary

In this presentation at the Regenerate Conference, the speaker challenges the conventional understanding of autoimmune diseases—the idea that these conditions result from the body mistakenly attacking itself due to molecular mimicry or immune dysregulation. Traditionally, autoimmunity is thought to arise when the immune system is sensitized to self-antigens following an environmental trigger, such as a pathogen or toxin, often influenced by genetic predisposition. However, the speaker asserts that this model does not hold up well against clinical and immunological observations. Instead, they propose an alternative explanation focusing on environmental toxins, particularly plant lectins and glyphosate, as causative agents eliciting immune responses. The immune system is not attacking the body indiscriminately but responding appropriately to foreign toxins bound to bodily tissues, which results in collateral tissue damage.

Using celiac disease as a prime example, they explain how gluten, a plant lectin, binds to intestinal lining cells, causing damage that triggers an immune response not against the self but against the offending lectin. Removal of gluten allows intestinal repair despite persistent antibodies, suggesting this is not true autoimmunity. The talk highlights evidence from scientific literature dating back to the early 1990s that supports lectins as major contributors to inflammatory and “autoimmune” diseases, offering a coherent mechanism that accounts for the complex patterns observed in these conditions.

The speaker also discusses how certain populations, like individuals with Down syndrome, show higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases, indicating a genetic susceptibility but emphasizing that genetics alone does not explain the phenomenon. Immunological development processes should prevent self-reactive immune cells from surviving, and if they do not, the immune attack on self-antigens would be severe and relentless, contrary to the typical flare-remission pattern seen clinically.

A critical practical takeaway is that dietary management—specifically removing plant lectins and other toxins—can dramatically improve or even put autoimmune conditions into remission. The carnivore ketogenic diet focused on ruminant meat is highlighted due to its lower lectin and toxin content, and clinical case studies are cited where patients with conditions such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis experienced significant recovery and symptom remission with this approach. The talk encourages a shift from immune suppression—currently the mainstay of autoimmune disease management and fraught with side effects—to a strategy that removes environmental triggers allowing the immune system to normalize and tissue healing to occur.

Highlights

  • 🌱 Autoimmunity may not be the body attacking itself but an immune response to environmental toxins like plant lectins.
  • 🧬 Genetic predisposition plays a role but cannot fully explain autoimmune disease patterns.
  • 🥩 Diet, especially eliminating plant lectins and consuming ruminant meat, can dramatically improve autoimmune conditions.
  • 🌾 Celiac disease exemplifies how immune response targets toxins stuck to tissues, not the tissues themselves.
  • 🔬 Traditional immunology models suggest true autoimmune cells would mount an unrelenting attack, unlike observed flare-remission patterns.
  • 🧠 Lectins and toxins can cross biological barriers, including the placenta and blood-brain barrier, potentially causing diverse systemic effects.
  • 📉 Case studies show remarkable reversals in diseases like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis through dietary interventions.

Key Insights

  • 🌿 Environmental toxins as primary drivers: The key insight is that many autoimmune-like conditions are possibly triggered by plant lectins and other environmental toxins bound to bodily tissues. This explains why removing offending foods relieves symptoms and why immune response patterns differ from classic infections. Unlike molecular mimicry models, this explanation accounts for the remission-flare cycles and tissue damage observed clinically without attributing the cause to the immune system malfunctioning or attacking self-antigens inherently.

  • 🧠 Immunological central tolerance challenges the autoimmunity theory: During immune cell development in the thymus, autoreactive T cells are generally eliminated to prevent self-attack. For autoimmunity to be genuine, this central tolerance would have to fail catastrophically, which the speaker argues is highly unlikely. Real autoimmune destruction would present as continuous and severe, not remitting. Therefore, the presence of self-reactive antibodies or T cells does not prove the immune system’s intention to attack self, rather it may be responding to foreign substances adhering to self-structures.

  • 🍽️ Dietary intervention as a powerful therapeutic tool: Removing lectins and other toxic exposures via strict dietary controls—exemplified by a carnivore ketogenic diet emphasizing ruminant meat—demonstrates striking clinical improvements. The fermentation process in ruminants reduces toxin levels in their meat, making it safer for consumption. Patients show reductions in symptoms, inflammation, and even tissue healing, as seen in autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, Hashimoto’s, and type 1 diabetes. This represents a paradigm shift from symptom management by immunosuppression to root-cause elimination.

  • 🧬 Genetics as susceptibility, not sole cause: People with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome have higher rates of autoimmune diseases, confirming some genetic component. However, shared familial environment and diet, as well as other factors, complicate genetics-only explanations. Thus, genetics may predispose but environmental exposures and dietary factors are likely necessary triggers for disease manifestation.

  • 🧪 Lectins damage physiological barriers promoting systemic effects: Lectins’ ability to degrade intestinal microvilli causing leaky gut, and to breach the placental and blood-brain barriers, implicates them in systemic inflammatory and autoimmune-like diseases. This also explains observations such as Parkinson’s disease reduction following vagus nerve removal (a potential entry route for lectins to the brain), reinforcing environmental toxin involvement in disease etiology beyond classical autoimmunity.

  • 📉 Immune suppression insufficient and problematic: Current immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune diseases treat symptoms but suppress overall immunity, increasing risk for infections and cancers without addressing underlying causes. Identifying and eliminating environmental triggers could avoid these pitfalls, representing a safer, more effective long-term strategy.

  • 🩺 Clinical case evidence supporting reinterpretation: The speaker cites real-world cases where dietary changes led to normalization of immune function and tissue healing, including insulin production restoration in type 1 diabetes patients and multiple sclerosis lesion reduction. These outcomes challenge the prevailing dogma of irreversible autoimmune tissue destruction and encourage further research into diet and toxin-related mechanisms.

Summary Conclusion

This talk advocates for a fundamental rethink of autoimmune diseases, moving away from the entrenched idea of the immune system attacking self. Instead, it promotes the theory that environmental triggers such as lectins and toxins cause tissue-bound antigens that the immune system responds to appropriately. This new understanding better fits observed clinical patterns and opens avenues for safer, causal treatments focusing on dietary and environmental modifications. While genetic predisposition matters, addressing external triggers is key to management and remission of these conditions, suggesting the potential to revolutionize autoimmune disease therapies.

 

Up until about 15 years ago lectins were thought of as laboratory tools, useful for histochemistry and blood transfusion work. The fact that many common foods are rich sources of lectin was not considered by most biomedical scientists. In the last decade, however, there has been a flowering of knowledge about the interactions of lectins with body organs and tissues, and it has become clear that many lectins are resistant to cooking and digestion and are distributed to distant parts of the body after ingestion. There is now abundant evidence that dietary lectins can cause disease in Man and animals. This review will adduce evidence that such hitherto mysterious diseases as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephri-tis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, retinitis and cataracts in the eye, are all explicable in terms of a lectin aetiology, as are congenital malformations, infertility, IgE-mediated allergies and autoimmune states. Complete proof is still lacking in most cases, but the new hypothesis, if true, offers scope for rational therapy in these hitherto intractable diseases

Paper: https://doi.org/10.3109/13590849109084100

Full Paper on zlibrary

 

In any health intervention there can be the proponents who become zealous and unreasonable, holding people to too high a standard.

In the Keto/Carnivore space there is such excitement from finding a tool that works so well that advocates can become a bit annoying when they overshare with their friends and family.

Addictive personalities probably see quite a benefit in following a eating pattern strictly. These are the people who can not "moderate" temptation and must abstain to maintain their health goals. These are exactly the people who see the proper approach requiring strictness.

Not everyone is going to see the same benefits from the same intervention, and if someone is starting off relatively healthy their tolerances mean the tradeoff of strictness vs benefit isn't worth it.

For myself I've found that I can't hold people around me to the same standard I'm trying to keep myself at - I need the accountability for good outcomes, but that doesn't translate to other people.

At the end of the day all of these interventions are options, a menu of choices, that people can take or leave - I'm happy if I make that decision a informed one even if I wouldn't make the same choice.

 

Discover the life-changing potential of the carnivore lifestyle with tips from Bella, the Steak & Butter Gal. In this episode we dive into how your cravings usually mean something, they are not to be ignored. But also how a meat-based lifestyle, enriched with nutrient-dense butter, as well as other fat components such as Kefir and more can help you shed body fat, combat chronic illness, end obesity, stop food cravings, end anxiety and more.

Bella gets real on her history and shares her expert insights on why butter and animal fats crush food cravings and reduce anxiety, paving the way for mental clarity and high energy. Whether you’re seeking to reverse health challenges or create the vibrant life you’ve always wanted, this conversation offers actionable strategies and science-backed wisdom to thrive in a carnivore lifestyle.

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Summary

This video transcript features an in-depth conversation between two advocates of the carnivore lifestyle, focusing primarily on the experiences, benefits, challenges, and nuances of adhering to a carnivore diet, especially for women. Bella, known as the "Steak and Butter Gal," shares her six-year journey on the carnivore diet after prior veganism and discusses how it transformed her health, particularly in healing autoimmune skin issues, stabilizing hormones, and ending disordered eating patterns related to binge eating. Both speakers explore the gender-specific needs within carnivore, emphasizing that women typically require a higher fat intake compared to men due to physiological and hormonal differences.

The dialogue also extends to the psychological and social implications of such a restrictive diet, addressing the challenges of strict adherence, social life impact, and the fear and misconceptions around eating large amounts of animal fat (e.g., butter and beef fat). They discuss "filler" foods that complement a carnivore diet—such as fermented dairy products (kefir), bone broth, raw egg yolks, and fermented meats—to support gut health and digestion.

Further, the speakers touch on circadian health, the importance of natural light exposure, hormone regulation, and the broader lifestyle changes that accompany the carnivore diet, including toxin reduction and holistic wellness. They also debate the role of carbohydrates, concluding that carbs are not necessary for survival and that strict carnivore is best suited for individuals with significant health issues rather than everyone.

The video concludes with reflections on culture, family acceptance, and the need for flexibility and personalization in diet and lifestyle choices. Bella shares practical tips and resources for those interested in the carnivore lifestyle through her social media channels and community.

Highlights

  • 🔥 Bella has been strictly carnivore for six years after a prior vegan lifestyle, never cheating.
  • 🍖 Women typically thrive on higher fat intake in carnivore diets, unlike men.
  • 🍫 Cravings for carb-heavy, sugary foods often mask the body’s real demand for fat, especially in women pre-menstruation.
  • 🥩 Beef fat trimmings and raw consumption are prized for their healing and easy digestion benefits.
  • 🕶️ Circadian health and light exposure significantly impact hormone regulation and overall wellness.
  • 🍶 Fermented foods like raw kefir and bone broth act as essential "fillers" supporting gut health on carnivore.
  • 🌍 Cultural and social aspects pose challenges to strict carnivore adherence but also opportunities for respectful personal choice.

Key Insights

  • 🔥 Strict Carnivore Can Heal Chronic Conditions: Bella’s experience shows that adhering to a carnivore diet strictly and consistently can resolve autoimmune skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, and cystic acne, as well as stabilize overall hormonal health. This highlights the therapeutic potential of eliminating plant fiber and processed foods to reduce systemic inflammation.

  • 🍳 Fat Intake is Crucial for Female Success on Carnivore: Women often need significantly higher fat levels to maintain hormonal balance and satiety. Hormonal fluctuations, especially related to the menstrual cycle, increase fat craving, which underscores the importance of personalized macronutrient tuning depending on gender and individual physiology.

  • 🚫 Disordered Eating Patterns Improve with Carnivore: Both speakers struggled with disordered eating involving sugar binges. Carnivore’s high satiety and fat content helped them overcome compulsive eating behaviors. Allowing unrestricted intake (e.g., large amounts of butter) for a time helped restore hormonal function and mental control over food, illustrating that rigid restriction is not always ideal in recovery from eating disorders.

  • 🌗 Circadian Rhythm and Light Exposure Influence Hormones: Beyond food, lifestyle factors like waking before sunrise and getting adequate natural light are pivotal for hormone regulation (melatonin, leptin) and metabolic health. Carnivore’s benefits are maximized when combined with circadian-friendly habits, reinforcing that diet alone isn’t the full picture of health.

  • 💡 Fermented and "Filler" Foods Enhance Carnivore Sustainability: Adding fermented dairy (kefir), fermented meats (high meat), raw eggs, bone broth, and even dry-aged meat creates variety, aids digestion with acids and probiotics, and prevents diet fatigue. This challenges the notion that carnivore is only about steak and ground beef, highlighting important dietary adjuncts for gut health.

  • 🤝 Cultural and Social Contexts Affect Diet Viability: Food is deeply tied to culture and social life, so strict carnivore diets require navigating family expectations, cultural traditions (especially carbohydrate-rich cuisines), and social interactions. The speakers emphasize leading by example rather than dogmatic persuasion, balancing personal health needs with relationship dynamics.

  • 🌟 Carnivore as a Healing Tool, Not a Dogmatic Diet for Everyone: Carnivore’s strict version is mainly suitable for individuals with metabolic or autoimmune issues needing deep healing. For metabolically healthy people, a less strict animal-based or low-carb diet may be sufficient and more sustainable. This pragmatic approach helps prevent unnecessary suffering and supports individualized nutrition.

Additional In-Depth Themes

  • The Psychological Battle with Food: The conversation surfaces how the overconsumption of processed, addictive foods leads to a loss of self-control and disordered habits. The carnivore diet, by simplifying food choices and reducing variety, minimizes these triggers for many, promoting natural satiety and hormonal balance. The speakers’ honest sharing about their extremes—“all or nothing” tendencies—provides validation for listeners facing similar struggles.

  • Importance of Animal Fat Quality and Consumption Method: The preference for raw beef fat trimmings over rendered fat or hot melted fat is rooted in digestive comfort and nutrient absorption. Raw fat contains beneficial stearic acid and doesn’t induce digestive distress as rendered fat might. This practical nuance demonstrates that how fats are consumed matters greatly in diet efficacy.

  • Impact on Social and Friend Circles: Shifting dietary paradigms often lead to shifts in social dynamics. Bella notes distancing from friends who engage in nightlife and drinking late at night, aligning instead with a sleep- and light-driven lifestyle. This real-life cost of carnivore adherence highlights the broader implications extending beyond food choices.

  • Controversy over "Healthy" Plant Foods: Both speakers challenge the modern health hype around certain plant-based foods such as chia seeds, oatmeal, green juices, and flax seeds, labeling them as overrated or misleading “superfoods.” This reflects a growing skeptical movement toward marketed foods not necessarily yielding expected health benefits.

  • Realistic Approach to Transitioning Diets: Bella advises gradual transitions into carnivore or animal-based diets rather than abrupt changes, recognizing personal tolerance and mental/emotional readiness. She stresses that strict carnivore is not a one-size-fits-all, and emphasizing flexibility encourages sustainability and reduced relapse.

  • Role of Testing and Lab Work: Instead of relying heavily on hormone panels or lab tests to track progress, the speakers advocate observing body cues such as period regularity, skin condition, mood stability, and hunger as practical, zero-cost signals of progress—especially relevant for carnivore dieters aiming for hormonal normalization.

  • Connection Between Food and Environment: The discussion links the carnivore diet with a toxin-free lifestyle, promoting non-toxic household products, reducing chemical exposures, and embracing holistic wellness. This points to carnivore as an entry point into deeper health consciousness rather than simply a method of eating.

Conclusion

This video offers rich perspectives on the carnivore lifestyle, blending personal narrative and coaching insights to illuminate how the diet can be profoundly healing but also demanding socially and mentally. It advocates for personalized approaches, especially acknowledging gender differences and mental health factors surrounding food addiction. Beyond nutrition, it elevates circadian rhythm, fermented "fillers," and lifestyle adjustments as essential pillars. Most importantly, it calls for realistic, compassionate, and sustainable implementation tailored to individual needs, dispelling dogma and encouraging mindful evolution in eating habits and health.

 

What really happens when you stop eating carbs? In this intense video, Dr. Eric Westman responds to bold claims from Dr. Paul Saladino — once a leading carnivore voice — about the dark side of keto: cortisol spikes, thyroid dysfunction, and falling testosterone. Are these concerns valid or just fear-based interpretations of short-term studies? With clinical insight and years of experience, Dr. Westman untangles fact from hype. Stick around for his final verdict — the real story may surprise you.

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Summary

In this video, Dr. Eric Westman critically examines the claims made by an influencer physician, Dr. Saladino, who moved from an enthusiastic carnivore and ketogenic diet advocate to a critic of low-carb and ketogenic diets. Dr. Westman explores the physiological impacts of carbohydrate restriction, particularly focusing on stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine, glucagon, and thyroid hormone changes. He underscores that while ketogenic diets induce elevated stress hormones initially, this may normalize over time with adaptation. More importantly, he emphasizes the distinction between the classical ketogenic diet used for treating epilepsy—often severe and medically supervised—and the more flexible ketogenic diets employed for metabolic health, diabetes reversal, and obesity treatment.

Dr. Westman points out that many of the cited studies—often short-term and involving small or specific populations such as epileptic children—are not directly transferable to the broader adult population using ketogenic diets for health improvement. He highlights that blood markers like thyroid hormones and cortisol may fluctuate on ketogenic diets, but these changes do not necessarily reflect negative health outcomes or cellular dysfunction. Instead, certain physiological adaptations occur as part of the body’s metabolic recalibration.

He also discusses how carbohydrate intake positively affects exercise recovery, cortisol reduction, testosterone levels, and immune function, acknowledging that these benefits may be significant for athletes or those engaging in intensive training. However, he challenges the notion that these findings universally condemn ketogenic diets, especially for non-athlete populations. Dr. Westman stresses individualized approaches to nutrition and the importance of interpreting biochemical markers in the appropriate clinical context rather than relying solely on blood values or short-term studies.

Ultimately, Dr. Westman calls for more nuanced, long-term research and cautions against broad, fear-based generalizations about ketogenic diets. He encourages those interested to monitor their own health markers with professional guidance and recognizes that multiple dietary paths can support health and vitality.

Highlights

  • 🔬 Elevated cortisol and glucagon are physiological responses to low-carb diets but may normalize with adaptation.
  • 🩺 Short-term ketogenic diet studies, especially in epilepsy patients, may not apply to adult keto dieters for metabolic health.
  • ⚖️ Blood thyroid hormone variations on keto don’t always equal clinical hypothyroidism or poor metabolic function.
  • 🏋️ Carbohydrate intake improves exercise recovery, testosterone, and reduces cortisol after intensive workouts.
  • 🔄 Keto adaptation can take months; early adverse markers may reflect transition rather than harm.
  • 📊 Different ketogenic diets vary widely; findings on one variation shouldn’t be generalized to all.
  • 🧬 Individual metabolic responses require personalized monitoring rather than fear-based blanket dietary advice.

Key Insights

  • 🧪 Adaptive Stress Hormone Response: The increase in cortisol, epinephrine, and especially glucagon during carbohydrate restriction is a well-documented physiological mechanism to maintain glucose homeostasis. While cortisol and adrenaline levels may diminish over time with metabolic adaptation, glucagon remains elevated on low carb diets as a primary regulator of blood sugar. This highlights that elevated stress hormones do not necessarily indicate pathological stress but rather a fundamental metabolic shift. Awareness of this is crucial to avoid misclassification of normal metabolic adaptation as a harmful stress state.

  • Short-Term vs. Long-Term Evidence: Many negative conclusions about ketogenic diets stem from short-term studies (e.g., three to six weeks) or highly specialized populations such as children with intractable epilepsy. These early time points often capture the “keto flu” or transition period before full adaptation. Long-term studies and clinical experience suggest many of these initial negative markers (bone remodeling markers, thyroid hormones) stabilize once adaptation occurs. Thus, premature conclusions about keto’s safety and efficacy based on transient data are unreliable.

  • 🩸 Thyroid Hormone Complexity in Keto: Keto diets may reduce circulating T3 levels, but interpreting these blood values requires clinical context. Decreased circulating thyroid hormones during weight loss, regardless of diet type, can reflect a normal adaptation to reduce metabolic rate rather than true thyroid dysfunction. Moreover, symptoms and cellular hormone activity need to be assessed, not just serum levels. Overreliance on blood tests without clinical correlation can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary alarm.

  • Carbohydrates and Exercise Performance: Carbohydrate consumption improves key exercise-related outcomes such as cortisol attenuation, immune function, and free testosterone. For athletes or highly active individuals, carbs can be a valuable performance and recovery tool. However, since ketogenic dieters typically experience a metabolic shift prioritizing fat utilization, their “normal” ranges and performance baselines differ markedly. Therefore, benefits of carbs in exercise might not translate into a clear detriment in non-athletic keto followers.

  • 🔬 Metabolic Diversity of Keto Diets: There is no monolithic “keto diet.” Variants range from extreme ketogenic protocols used in seizure management to more liberal carbohydrate restriction plans aimed at diabetes reversal or weight loss. Studies and critiques often conflate these, leading to misinterpretation. Evaluations of keto must specify the diet type, population, and medical context. This diversity necessitates cautious generalizations about keto’s benefits or risks.

  • 👩‍⚕️ Importance of Individualized Monitoring: Rather than accepting broad, universal statements about the dangers or benefits of ketogenic diets, Dr. Westman advocates for personalized health monitoring. Key labs—thyroid panels, cortisol, glucose, lipid profiles—should be interpreted by experienced clinicians who consider symptoms and context. This approach recognizes metabolic individuality and the fact that biochemical markers have nuanced meaning depending on dietary pattern and adaptation status.

  • 📚 Critical Evaluation of Online Influence: Dr. Westman reminds viewers of the importance of scrutinizing influencer information, particularly from medical professionals with self-reported anecdotal experiences that may not generalize. Professional training, rigorous clinical practice, and comprehensive understanding of physiology and biochemistry matter in interpreting diet-related claims. Blindly adopting one person’s experience as universal truth risks overlooking the complex mosaic of human metabolism.

This video thus offers a balanced, evidence-informed perspective on ketogenic diets, advocating for reasoned analysis, patience during adaptation, and personalized nutritional strategies rather than blanket condemnations or endorsements.

13
How To Walk Downhill (www.youtube.com)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by jet@hackertalks.com to c/interesting@hackertalks.com
 

Walking downhill is different than going up – obviously. Coming down, the main concerns are controlling your speed and getting to the bottom without injuring yourself.

In this video, I share a few tips that should help you come down safely and in control. OK, your instinct might be to walk sideways — but please don’t. It won’t help, and it could actually do harm. From ankle strain to knee pain, a lot can go wrong if you’re not using good technique.

We’ll go through: – Why walking sideways is riskier than it feels – How to position your feet for grip and control – A simple trick to save your knees – Why your boots (and muscles) need to work together

Whether you’re hiking in the hills or just heading down a steep path, these small changes make a big difference. As always, it’s your choice — but give it a go next time and see what works for you.

 

I talk about what you can do to be happy. At least, as it pertains to video games.

Videos I reference: Giving Good Feedback: youtube.com/watch?v=-72btgrwKzA Sequels: youtube.com/watch?v=FFjjn8hBjJw&pp=0gcJCR0AztywvtLA Data On My Games: youtube.com/watch?v=fyu2DJBWPOc

summerizerSummary

In this video, Tim reflects on the concept of happiness, especially through the lens of enjoying video games and personal fulfillment. He opens by acknowledging Pride Month and briefly touches on being gay, emphasizing the importance of finding one’s own community and sources of joy rather than expecting happiness to be handed over on a silver platter. Tim highlights the detrimental effects of “rage watching” and “rage playing”—engaging with content or games that one dislikes just to vent frustration online—and encourages viewers to instead seek out games they genuinely enjoy. He assures the availability of diverse content, particularly on platforms like Steam, and emphasizes the empowerment of choosing what makes you happy. Tim also addresses common misconceptions about game quality and sales, clarifying that sales don’t necessarily reflect quality, and stresses the value of constructive rather than destructive engagement. He further discusses the toxic behavior of people who take pleasure in making others unhappy and points to this as a road to personal unhappiness. His central advice is simple but powerful: find what brings you joy, pursue it actively, and avoid the negativity that drags you down. He shares personal insights from his decades-long career in game development and his motivation to inspire others to create and enjoy games. The video ends on a hopeful note, encouraging viewers to cultivate their own happiness consciously.

Highlights

  • 🎮 Stop “rage playing” and instead seek out video games you truly enjoy to boost your happiness.
  • 🌈 Pride Month reminder: finding your own community and joy is essential, especially for marginalized groups.
  • ❌ Engaging with negativity like rage watching or rage commenting harms your well-being; avoid it.
  • 📉 High sales don’t equal high quality: quality and popularity are often unrelated in gaming.
  • 💬 Tim reads all comments and responds selectively but warns against trolling and negativity.
  • 🔍 Happiness requires active searching for what you like—nothing will be served on a silver platter.
  • 🎯 Tim’s goal is to inspire others to develop games, expanding the landscape of enjoyable games for everyone.

Key Insights

  • 🎯 Intentional choice is key to happiness: Tim stresses that happiness isn’t a command (“be happy”) but rather a process of actively choosing what brings you joy. This insight encourages agency and responsibility in managing emotional well-being. People often fall into passive traps of consuming negativity instead of actively curating positive experiences.
  • 🎮 Rage playing and rage watching are self-destructive behaviors: People engaging in these activities often do so to vent frustration or bait others online. Tim points out how this cycle only drags individuals down and doesn’t contribute to happiness or personal growth. Letting go of this habit can significantly improve mental health.
  • 🌈 Marginalized communities (like LGBTQ+) often learn early to seek their own “happiness niches”: Tim relates his discussion on happiness to being gay, explaining how marginalized groups must find their own support systems and activities to thrive in environments that might not cater to their needs by default. This speaks to the broader concept of proactive community-building as part of well-being.
  • 📉 Quality ≠ commercial success: Tim challenges the common assumption that better quality games sell better. He uses an analogy about McDonald’s hamburgers—consistent but not the best quality—to illustrate that commercial success doesn’t always reflect artistic or experiential value. This insight is relevant beyond gaming, highlighting market dynamics in media and entertainment.
  • 💬 Negativity online often stems from a desire to provoke or maintain conflict: Tim’s colleague calls this “rage posting,” where negativity feeds social interaction by stirring up reactions. Recognizing this pattern can help viewers disengage from unproductive online drama and focus on healthier interactions.
  • 🔎 Active discovery leads to greater satisfaction: Tim encourages viewers to explore and experiment—trying out new games, taking advantage of return policies, and finding what resonates with them personally—to increase happiness. This suggests that curiosity and exploration are foundational to personal fulfillment.
  • 🎮 Creativity and sharing knowledge amplify joy: Tim is motivated by the joy of making games and helping others make games, creating a feedback loop that benefits both creators and players. This emphasizes the power of community and mentorship in creative industries as a source of collective happiness and innovation.

This analysis captures Tim’s main message about happiness through constructive engagement, personal agency, and community, providing viewers with practical mindset shifts to improve their well-being and enjoyment in life and gaming.

 

For fat loss the single most important thing you can do is reduce your insulin levels, which means keeping your sugar and carbohydrate intake to a minimum. If your not ready to give up carbohydrates entirely, try to keep all your carbs to one meal and the rest of your day protein and fat only.

If you have the budget for it I highly, highly, highly recommend getting a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) - It gives you immediate feedback on your blood glucose levels all day (insulin follows glucose). Keep the glucose line flat and you will lose amazing amounts of fat.

Have a look at the carbohydrate insulin model of obesity TLDR - Don't worry about CICO, food restriction, even exercise - the only thing you have to do is keep your insulin levels flat and carbohydrate levels low.


Don't lose weight to get healthy. Get healthy to lose weight.


The intuitive explanation:

Insulin is a super hormone -it drives anabolism (gaining fat), and prevents adipose catabolism (burning fat). When insulin levels are high, you cannot burn fat. Insulin also drives glucose out of the blood into adipose tissue (this is why you can't burn fat when insulin is high) - elevated glucose levels are really damaging to the body- it is a priority to get them out of the blood.

Every time you eat carbohydrates your blood glucose goes up, and then your insulin levels go up... hitting the pause button on any fat loss until you burn through all that glucose. If your goal is to burn fat, you need to keep those insulin levels low as much as possible - which means limit your carbohydrate consumption as much as possible.


That's it, the big secret to fat loss - keep insulin low by limiting carbohydrates to a small (or zero) window every day.

 

The FEM pan is kinda silly, they really should have compared against a induction pan. It's hard to beat induction.

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Summary

The video explores how advanced heat transfer technologies, commonly used in computers, can be applied to cooking to speed up the process and improve efficiency. The presenter experiments with heat pipes—devices that utilize phase change to transfer heat rapidly—to cook steaks faster. By inserting heat pipes into a steak, the internal temperature rises more quickly, resulting in a 32% faster cooking time compared to a traditional steak. However, the results were somewhat limited because the heat pipes were less effective at transferring heat from the grill air, functioning more like metal fins instead. This insight led to further experimentation with fins, which maximize heat transfer surface area. The presenter introduces the FEM pan, a cooking pan equipped with fins at the bottom designed to capture more heat from a gas stove’s flame, which notoriously wastes over 70% of its heat. Tests comparing the FEM pan to a regular pan revealed the FEM pan boiled water over twice as fast (237% faster), providing rapid and even heating with minimal heat loss. The pan has gained popularity even among Michelin Star chefs due to its efficiency and even cooking. The video concludes by praising the practical application of computer cooling technologies in cooking, highlighting their potential to save energy and improve cooking speed.

Highlights

  • 🔥 Heat pipes transfer heat rapidly by utilizing phase changes inside a sealed, vapor-filled tube.
  • 🥩 Inserting heat pipes directly into steak speeds cooking time by 32%.
  • ⏱️ Heat pipes performed less effectively in the grilling environment than expected, acting more like metal fins.
  • ♨️ Gas stoves waste over 70% of heat due to flame and pan design inefficiencies.
  • 🍳 FEM pan features fins on its base to capture and transfer more heat to the food.
  • ⚡ FEM pan boils water 237% faster than a conventional pan, providing faster and more even cooking.
  • 👨‍🍳 Innovative heat transfer technology is gaining traction with professional chefs for its performance and efficiency. Key Insights
  • 🌡️ Phase Change Heat Transfer Significantly Enhances Heat Flow: Heat pipes exploit vapor condensation and evaporation cycles to move heat faster than conduction alone, demonstrating how leveraging physics beyond simple conduction can improve thermal management for cooking.
  • 🥩 Direct Heat Transfer Through Heat Pipes Accelerates Cooking: By transferring heat into the steak’s center rather than relying on slow conduction from the surface inward, cooking times drop substantially, signifying that internal heating methods could innovate culinary techniques.
  • 🔄 Limitations of Heat Pipe Efficiency in Open Air Environments: The heat pipes were not as effective when exposed to the grill air’s temperature, indicating environmental factors greatly affect heat pipe performance and that phase change mechanisms require controlled conditions for peak operation.
  • 🔥 Fins Maximize Heat Transfer by Increasing Surface Area Contact: Adding fins to cookware optimizes heat capture from flames, showcasing how simple mechanical design can reduce heat wastage in common cooking appliances, thereby improving energy efficiency.
  • ⏲️ Rapid and Even Heating in Thick Cookware is Possible with Finned Designs: The FEM pan’s fin design allows it to heat faster while maintaining the benefits of a thicker pan that minimizes hot spots and ensures consistent cooking—a blend rarely achieved with traditional pans.
  • 💡 Adoption by Professional Chefs Signals Practical Value: The FEM pan’s popularity among Michelin Star chefs highlights how technological innovation transcends novelty to become a valuable tool in professional kitchens, underlining the importance of efficiency and performance in gastronomy.
  • 🌍 Energy Efficiency in Cooking Has Broad Environmental and Economic Implications: Reducing heat waste (e.g., on gas stoves) with designs like fins or heat pipes not only saves time but also conserves energy, contributing to sustainability goals and lowering cooking costs.

The video effectively connects cutting-edge heat transfer technology to everyday cooking challenges, demonstrating that advancements first developed for computers can significantly improve culinary efficiency and energy use.

 

Camille and Scott talk about their journey on the carnivore diet.

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Scott and Camille’s journey to health began with Scott weighing over 550 pounds and suffering severe health issues, including congestive heart failure and COPD. Facing a grim prognosis and denied bariatric surgery due to his weight, Scott embarked on a health transformation that started unexpectedly with fasting, inspired by spiritual impressions and later supported by the teachings of Dr. Jason Fung. Integrating intermittent fasting and adopting a keto and later predominantly carnivore diet, Scott lost significant weight, regained mobility, and improved his overall health dramatically. Camille, also battling severe diabetes and other autoimmune conditions, joined this lifestyle change; her diabetes reversed to the point of no longer needing medication.

Their story highlights the power of dietary transformation combined with consistent physical activity—daily six-mile walks—and mindset shifts. Both faced skepticism and resistance from medical professionals but found a supportive new physician and community validation through social media and shared experiences. Their carnivore approach is flexible, adapted to their individual preferences and circumstances, rejecting the idea of rigid dogma. Together, they have lost nearly 450 pounds, reversed multiple chronic conditions including diabetes, COPD, fibromyalgia, and even improved mental health, allowing Scott to wean off decades-long antidepressant use.

They stress individualized, sustainable, and gradual lifestyle changes and warn of the long-term harm of carbohydrates for many people. Their consistency in diet and daily exercise brought not only physical health improvements but also significant psychological and emotional benefits. They advocate for taking personal ownership of health, learning what works best individually, and moving beyond conventional medical paradigms that often fail to support lifestyle-based healing.

Highlights

  • 🥩 Scott lost over 300 lbs, transforming his health from life-threatening to thriving.
  • 🩺 Camille reversed severe diabetes and heart issues to medication-free health.
  • 🕒 Fasting, especially 36-hour fasts, played a foundational role in weight loss and metabolic health.
  • 🚶 Daily six-mile walks have been key to sustained physical and mental wellbeing.
  • 💊 Both overcame significant chronic illnesses, including COPD, heart failure, fibromyalgia, and depression.
  • 🥚 The carnivore diet is flexible and individualized, not rigid or dogmatic.
  • 🔬 Personal lab testing and self-management empowered healthier choices despite medical skepticism. Key Insights

🥩 Carnivore and Fasting Synergy: The combination of extended fasting and a low-carb, carnivore-based diet can revolutionize metabolic health, addressing insulin resistance, diabetes, and severe obesity, often undetected or underserved by standard medical practices. Scott’s initial unplanned fasting journey evolved into a cornerstone for sustainable fat loss and disease reversal.

🩺 Diabetes Reversal Without Medication: Camille’s experience exemplifies how targeted dietary changes can dramatically reduce A1C from mid-90s to near-normal levels, eliminating the need for insulin and oral drugs. It challenges the medical narrative that diabetes is inevitably progressive and medication-dependent.

🚶 Consistency Over Intensity: Their daily consistent exercise routine—walking 6 miles regardless of weather—illustrates that sustainable, moderate physical activity is more beneficial long term than sporadic intense workouts. It also improved mental health and endurance, enabling participation in events like the 12K Bloomsday race.

💪 Overcoming Medical Resistance: Persistent health improvements often encounter skepticism or resistance from healthcare providers, particularly regarding non-conventional diets and reduced medication reliance. Self-advocacy, seeking supportive doctors, and independent monitoring are critical for patients pioneering lifestyle-based healing.

💊 Mental Health Benefits of Metabolic Healing: Scott’s gradual withdrawal from long-term SSRI antidepressants, facilitated by metabolic improvements, underscores the emerging link between metabolic health and brain function. This raises awareness of dietary approaches as complementary tools for managing depression and anxiety.

🍳 Personalized Dietary Adaptation: The couple’s pragmatic approach—flexible carnivore with occasional plant matter and fish—affirms that strict dogma can be a barrier. Individual palates, preferences, and tolerance guide sustainable adherence, highlighting the importance of “what you can manage” over a one-size-fits-all plan.

🔬 Empowerment Through Self-Monitoring: Utilizing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and ordering comprehensive lab tests provided invaluable feedback, helping them fine-tune diet and lifestyle, and challenging medical assumptions. Patients equipped with data can better manage chronic conditions and advocate intelligently for their care.

This comprehensive testimony showcases how deep lifestyle commitment combining carnivore nutrition, intermittent fasting, and daily movement can yield profound, wide-ranging health transformations. It invites rethinking the role of traditional medicine and promotes empowering patients on their path to optimal health.

 

Scott talks about his journey on the carnivore diet.

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Scott Wilson shares his remarkable journey of overcoming severe kidney disease (FSGS nephrotic syndrome) and other health challenges through dietary changes, specifically adopting a ketogenic and then a strict carnivore diet. Initially diagnosed with a grave condition showing just 20% kidney function and battling weight gain, swelling, and immune system issues, Scott faced bleak medical advice that emphasized steroids and immunosuppressants with serious side effects. However, after watching inspirational content about carnivore diets and encouraged by a longtime friend, Scott shifted his approach from medication reliance to a focus on nutrition, eliminating processed foods, carbs, and eventually adopting a zero-carb carnivore regimen.

Within months of changing his diet, Scott witnessed a dramatic improvement in kidney function (increasing GFR from 20% to 45%), significant weight loss (41+ pounds), reduced protein loss in urine, improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels, better mental clarity, energy, and even partial relief from shoulder inflammation. His experience also illuminated the dangers of prolonged NSAID use (which contributed to his kidney damage), the limitations of conventional medicine’s approach, and the potential for dietary intervention to replace certain medications. Scott’s story stands as a testimony to the power of food as medicine, and he is passionate about sharing his experience with others to inspire hope and practical change for those struggling with kidney issues or chronic illness.

Highlights

  • 🥩 Scott’s kidney function improved from 20% to 45% within months after adopting a keto-to-carnivore diet.
  • 💧 He lost over 40 pounds, mostly fluid related to kidney swelling, improving mobility and comfort.
  • 🔬 Traditional medicine offered steroids and immunosuppressants with serious side effects; Scott chose diet over these drugs.
  • 🍳 His daily eating includes eggs, uncured bacon and sausage, and ribeye steak, emphasizing simplicity and quality.
  • 🧠 Mental clarity and energy levels significantly improved, contrasting previous brain fog.
  • ⚠️ Long-term NSAID use contributed heavily to his kidney damage—a cautionary tale for others.
  • 🤝 Scott advocates for spreading awareness of dietary healing to kidney patients worldwide. Key Insights

🥩 Dietary intervention can profoundly impact chronic kidney disease: Scott’s move from a standard diet to keto, then carnivore, directly correlated with improved kidney function (GFR rising from 20% to 45%), demonstrating that nutritional changes can support kidney health beyond pharmacological approaches — something often overlooked in conventional nephrology.

💧 Rapid and substantial fluid loss is a key benefit: Scott shed 77 pounds of excess fluid, alleviating anosarca edema—a life-threatening condition. This illustrates how diet can affect kidney-related fluid balance and reduce burdensome swelling without hospital interventions.

⚠️ Long-term NSAID use can irreversibly harm kidneys: His kidney condition was linked to prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs, a warning about the hidden risks of common over-the-counter medications and the need to explore alternative pain management strategies.

🧬 Immune suppression isn’t always necessary if underlying causes are addressed: Scott’s WBC count normalized without immunosuppressant drugs, suggesting that diet-induced healing might reduce autoimmune kidney attacks without toxic drugs, challenging current treatment paradigms.

🥚 Simplicity in diet promotes adherence: Eating straightforward, unprocessed animal products with low-carb intake helped Scott bypass the keto flu gradually, underscoring the importance of easy-to-follow dietary steps for long-term compliance, especially in chronic illness.

🧠 Improved cognitive function and energy highlight holistic benefits: Beyond kidney metrics, Scott’s improved mental clarity and physical stamina reveal how diet influences systemic health, mood, and quality of life.

🌍 Barriers exist in medical communities to adopting and promoting dietary approaches: Scott’s nephrologist was skeptical initially but later supportive, acknowledging political and systemic challenges that keep nutritional treatments from wider acceptance, highlighting a need for further education and advocacy.

Scott’s story is a compelling case demonstrating that serious health crises like kidney failure can sometimes be turned around by focusing on food quality and macronutrients rather than solely relying on medications. He urges caution with NSAIDs and highlights how incremental dietary changes eased his transition. Despite initial medical discouragement, his improved labs and quality of life affirm that patients can reclaim control through nutrition, offering hope to others facing chronic diseases.

 

250th Anniversary of the U.S. Merchant Marine June 12, 2025

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolution and the founding of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

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