Robert Lustig, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist, sits down with Mike Giardina of CrossFit Health to discuss neuroregulation of food intake.
Dr. Lustig describes how hunger regulation is affected by leptin, a hormone made in the fat cells, which tells the brain there is enough energy on board for survival. Obese individuals are high in leptin, but it doesn’t function properly — a phenomenon referred to as leptin resistance.
Insulin is the hormone that blocks leptin signaling. Blocking leptin signaling is an advantage during puberty and pregnancy, when the body needs to take in more calories for growth, but leptin resistance wreaks havoc on the general population.
Unfortunately, the majority of the general public is now hyperinsulinemic due to diets high in sugar and ultra-processed foods. Dr. Lustig explains how these foods cause insulin resistance, which means insulin levels are high and blocking leptin signaling.
Sugary and ultra-processed foods also stimulate the reward pathway. Though reward is good, too much reward can cause dopamine-receptor downregulation, leading to tolerance. When stress is added to the equation, food intake is further disinhibited, which means you feel inclined to eat more and more.
So, leptin, insulin, and cortisol are the hormonal culprits behind obesity, and sugar is in the driver’s seat.
With this backdrop in mind, Dr. Lustig provides insight into the concept of calories in versus calories out. He explains how a calorie is not the same across all foods while also defining the differences between nutrition, food science, and metabolic health. The processes that lead to metabolic disease all happen within the cell, so he recommends focusing on metabolic health more than food science.
You can now watch all Metabolic Health Summit 2022 presentations, panels, and special events on-demand now through October 31st of 2022. Use code CROSSFITHEALTH for 15% discount and sign up here.
Comments on Hunger, Reward, Stress, and Food Intake Regulation
Lustig? Really? Who's next; Saladino and the Liver King?
Interesting content, love to see Mike G conducting so many great interviews!
It saddens me that CrossFit are using the buffoon - Robert Lustig, M.D for their information. His theories have been proven to be wrong time and time again. He constantly refuses to have a face to face debate with anyone who knows what they are talking about. Weight loss or gain comes down to energy balance. Hormones are affected by weight loss or gain, they don't cause it. The only exception to this is in the case of medical conditions.
I haven't watched this video because I cant bring myself to listen to anything he has to say.
Please do your own research or use someone like Dr Layne Norton or Martin MacDonald who do know their stuff and see Lustig's arguments blown out of the water by actual "Evidence based" facts.
Suddenly CrossFit Health has high quality scientific content again.
It seemed to be wandering (wondering) in the weeds for a couple of years,
but now is hopefully back on track. IDK, but it seems that Mike Giardina and
Karen Thomson have had something to do with this transformation. Keep up the great work.
Mike Does MHS: Hunger, Reward, Stress, and Food Intake Regulation
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