The Meta Health podcast simplifies the science of health, nutrition and metabolism by sparking your imagination through creative storytelling and visualization. You'll gain a deep understanding of your body to help you make informed and personalized lifestyle choices. The host, Dr.Ronesh Sinha, is a physician, author, speaker, and teacher who runs a lifestyle clinic focused on reversing insulin resistance in diverse ethnic groups, and designs wellness programs for top Silicon Valley companies.
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Our body has become an obsession that many of us are consumed by day and night. Hollywood and the fashion industry started the movement of creating unrealistic body standards, but now the growing number of celebrity and health influencers have taken this movement and put it on steroids. In this episode I discuss the following: Reframing the human b…
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#34 - Are We Taking Higher Protein Diets Too Far?
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Eating more protein is currently the mantra being shared by many health leaders and big food has caught on. Are we missing any potential risks in the midst of the high protein movement? This episode covers some of the following topics: Lessons learned from the low fat, low carb, and fasting movements How higher protein diets are being misused by ma…
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Much of our emotional unrest results from the act of splitting our identity into multiple roles and different personas. In this episode I explore: What's the split? Why we split? Using imagery to visualize the split? My personal practices to quiet the mind Shifting towards unificationBy Ronesh Sinha, MD
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I'm feeling an urge to shift my content in a new direction. I'm not giving up on discussing metabolism since that's a topic that is still very close to my heart, but at the age of 52 and after digging deep into insulin resistance for well over a decade, I'm sensing a different pull. In this episode I discuss my internal transformation and how you t…
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#31 - 3 Fundamental Root Causes of Insulin Resistance
23:46
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This episode takes a fresh look at the 3 fundamental molecular root causes of insulin resistance using some familiar storylines from prior episodes combined with some new story hooks to help you understand the science of insulin resistance. We cover the following: Quick review of insulin mechanism of action Summarizing the 3 root causes or what I c…
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#30 - Protein, Fasting, Ketosis, and Insulin Resistance
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This episode digs deep into protein and more specifically amino acids (protein building blocks) and their role in metabolism, weight control, insulin resistance, and overall health. We cover some of the following: Quick overview of mitochondrial metabolism Introducing protein and amino acids The role of amino acids in energy production Fasting and …
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#29 - Acetyl CoA, Citrate, and the Metabolic Merry-Go-Round
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I've selected 2 key metabolic ingredients, Acetyl CoA and Citrate, to explain nutrition metabolism in further detail. I've also selected a different storyline, the mitochondrial amusement park and the Kreb's merry-go-round, to help you visualize some of the most fundamental steps of metabolism. In this episode we cover: Acetyl CoA's role as a key m…
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#28 - Mental and Metabolic Effects of Work from Home
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The mental and metabolic impact of human beings predominantly or exclusively working from home has been profound. I've noticed significant increases in insulin resistant conditions including premature heart disease and a deterioration in mental health. All of these risks existed pre-pandemic, reflecting our modern digital lifestyles, but post-pande…
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#27 - Targeting Visceral and Subcutaneous Fat Loss
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I see lots of patients in my clinic who aim to lose body fat and have become well versed in the different types of body fat, specifically subcutaneous adipose tissue (aka SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (aka VAT). Although VAT and SAT are both fat, they represent different health risks and there are some differences in terms of which strategies ar…
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#26 - The Science of GLP-1 Drugs and Natural Weight Loss
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GLP-1 drugs have been all over the headlines and the global demand for using these drugs for weight loss has been significant. GLP-1 belongs to a family of gut-based hormones called incretins. In this episode I'll teach you about the fascinating incretin system and how you can influence it naturally to promote weight loss. I cover the following: Un…
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#25 - The Critical Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Erythritol
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The pentose phosphate pathway, which I refer to as P3, is one of my favorite metabolic pathways and one that gets far less attention than glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and Krebs, yet plays such a key role in our body. In this episode we go over the following: Brief refresher on glycolysis and coenzymes using James Bond storytelling Deeper dive into …
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In this Metabyte (shorter episode), I review the interaction of the insulin hormone and its receptor on the surface of the muscle cells using a slice of chocolate cake, a lock and key, and a reference to Indiana Jones.By Ronesh Sinha, MD
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#23 - Holistic Hypocrisy and Supplement Scams
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Call it holistic, functional, metabolic, integrative, longevity, or whatever, but this episode expresses some of my concerns about the direction of what I refer to as the rising "alt health" movement. Interestingly, I'm part of both alt health and mainstream medicine, so I'll share my take from both sides. I'll discuss: The story of "Dr.Bob," a fic…
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#22 - Lipids Part 2: Cholesterol Numbers and Heart Disease Risk
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34:24
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In this episode we will tie together cholesterol metabolism using the boat vehicular model from Part 1, and understanding your own cholesterol results in greater depth. My free cholesterol e-book here summarizes key numbers and concepts discussed in this episode. We'll discuss the following: Review of lipid boats and cholesterol metabolism Understa…
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# 21 - Lipids Part 1: Metabolic Trafficking using Cars and Boats
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Lipid (cholesterol) physiology is complicated, but essential for you to understand as part of metabolism, health, and longevity. Let's simplify lipids (and glucose) using cars, boats, and traffic. This sets the foundation for future episodes where I discuss the practical implications of lipids and heart disease risk. We'll discuss the following: Th…
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#20 - Glucose Variability: An Essential Metabolic Metric
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Glucose variability (GV) is an important metric that expands upon the current limited application of fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C. In this episode we'll discuss: The limitations of A1C and fasting blood glucose What is GV and why it matters? How GV is related to inflammation and chronic disease Glucose dipping and its connection to weig…
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#19 - Rethinking Hemoglobin A1C and Are You Truly Prediabetic?
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The hemoglobin A1C is a useful, yet imperfect glycemic marker which we'll explore further in this episode where we discuss: The origins of the glycohemoglobin test (aka A1C) The flaws of A1C testing and why you may not be prediabetic Insulin resistant markers that should accompany A1C testing The impact of ethnicity on A1C testing An exciting new m…
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#18 - Multiethnic Metabolism and Heart Disease Risk
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There are significant ethnicity-specific differences in metabolism and heart disease risk that are not often discussed. In this episode we cover: A brief overview of insulin resistance (IR) and the renin angiotensin system (aka RAS) How IR and RAS present in major ethnic groups like African Americans, Asians (including South Asians), Hispanics, etc…
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#17 - Blood Pressure, Body Fat, and Sodium
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I'm going to explain the interaction between blood pressure, body fat, and sodium by explaining the all important RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system). Understanding this system can help you optimize blood pressure, heart, and overall vascular health. We'll discuss the following: Understanding how RAAS works How body fat interacts with RAAS …
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Understanding the mechanism behind how your body stores and burns fat (aka lipolysis) will help you incorporate lifestyle strategies to help you lose excess body fat. In this episode we discuss: The science of burning body fat Different types of body fat based on color and location Teaching your body to burn excess fat through thermogenesis Multipl…
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#15 - Science of Muscle Growth and Optimal Protein Intake
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Muscles are a key organ for longevity, yet the majority of patients I see in my clinic suffer metabolically, physically, and even mentally from a lack of optimal muscle strength. Most individuals are also consuming insufficient protein to activate muscle growth. In this episode I discuss: The science of muscle growth (aka muscle protein synthesis) …
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#14 - Why Everyone Should Experience Ketosis Regardless of their Diet
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Ketogenic diets are commonly associated with meat-based diets, but this misconception isolates individuals from accessing this precious metabolic state. In this episode I discuss the following: Ketosis explained using an ox-powered waterwheel Fat burning/oxidation explained using box cutters Why ketones are an incredible energy source The health be…
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#13 - Exploring Envy, The Forbidden Emotion
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18:16
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Envy is an emotion very few people like to talk about, but that simmers inside so many of us. I talk about envy openly in this episode and discuss the following: Why people avoid discussing envy The impact of envy on our emotional health My personal experience with envy The parenting impact of envy on children Toxic competitiveness fueled by envy P…
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#12 - How Your Body Turns Food Into Energy
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In this episode I use 4 key coenzymes along with storytelling and visualization to help you understand energy metabolism. We'll weave in James Bond's Casino Royale and introduce a "RAP" to help you become a metabolic whiz. Topics include: Mitochondria refresher Introducing the 4 key coenzymes Major metabolic processes that produce energy The role o…
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#11 - Molecular Basis for Why Plant and Paleo Diets Can Work
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In this episode I do my best to provide an objective, science-based mechanism for how plant-based and paleo-type diets can be effective in reversing insulin resistance. I cover the following: Molecular overview of insulin resistance Case descriptions of how plant-based and paleo-type diets can reverse insulin resistance Critical role of mitochondri…
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#10 - The Liver’s Key Role in Metabolism and Insulin Resistance
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29:50
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It's time to introduce the liver into our metabolic framework and understand how it interacts with fat and muscle. We'll discuss: The metabolic triad of glucose, fat and muscle How the liver regulates glucose with extraordinary precision Understanding metabolism when fed, fasted, and in ketosis Insulin resistance in the liver and how it's linked to…
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#9 - Fat Metabolism: How We Store, Move, and Burn Body Fat
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34:17
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This episode introduces fat metabolism through signature storytelling that involves ships, TSA agents, and a visit to a pub. We'll cover the following: Overlaps in fat and glucose metabolism The essence of fat mobilization and storage Key hormones for fat storage and burning Deeper understanding of insulin resistance and fat gain Lifestyle changes …
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#8 - Intro to Mitochondria and Energy Production
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In prior episodes we discussed how glucose gets into cells from the bloodstream, but now it's time to dig deeper and understand how glucose and nutrients actually get into the mitochondria to produce energy. Optimal mitochondrial function is essential for energy, weight control, and disease prevention, so understanding its function is key. Brief ov…
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Fasting continues to be one of the top health and nutrition trends in the world. Why wouldn't it be? Weight loss, disease prevention and reversal, longevity benefits, and the list goes on. As someone who has practiced fasting and prescribes it in the clinic, there is a dark side to fasting that is not being discussed. I discuss some of the followin…
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#6 - Molecular Root Cause for Insulin Resistance
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We laid the groundwork for understanding the root cause of insulin resistance in prior episodes, and now we have reached a major climax in this saga where we discuss one of the molecular root causes for this condition. There will be some James Bond references and an explanation of insulin resistance using a kitchen power outage as an example. We’ll…
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#5 - Insulin Lock and Key Model of Metabolism
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This episode will explain the important interaction between insulin, insulin receptor, and a key protein called IRS (insulin receptor substrate). I'll use a simple lock and key model to simplify how these molecules interact and serve as an important doorway to metabolism. Understanding the information in this episode will move you closer to gaining…
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#4 - Rumination as a Gateway to Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
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Find out why I call rumination pre-depression/pre-anxiety. Identifying and solving for rumination can have a significant impact on reducing much of the suffering we experience on a daily basis. In this episode I describe the science of rumination, common rumination movies that play inside our head, and tactics for terminating rumination before it s…
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#3 - Beta Cell Batteries, Fasting, and Ketosis
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23:28
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Beta cells are the insulin-producing cells in our pancreas and their durability is a key factor in promoting longevity and optimal health. In this episode I use the battery analogy to explain how beta cells work and what actions you can take to preserve your beta cell battery life which helps prevent/reverse diabetes and other chronic health condit…
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#2 - Deep Dive Into Glut Subtypes and Exercise
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Glucose transporters (aka Glut) are a key protein that shuttles glucose into cells. Understanding Glut helps you understand how your body transports and utilizes sugar, and how you can impact your glucose metabolism through lifestyle changes like exercise. We'll use some clever mnemonics to keep the different Glut subtypes straight.…
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#1 - Using Mangos to Explain Insulin and Glut4
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This is the first of a series of episodes that digs deep into insulin's actions and uses what I call the "mango cell model" so you understand the key components of cell structure. I'm also going to introduce a key glucose transporter called GLUT and end with my opinion about mangos and fruits in general when it comes to metabolic health.…
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Your time is precious and there are a ton of health podcasts out there already. In my trailer I discuss how this show might add some unique value and give you a totally different angle on learning about metabolism and health science.By Ronesh Sinha, MD
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