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The ketogenic diet has become a household term, often associated with rapid weight loss and an effective means of shedding stubborn fat. However, as my guest on this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, will explain, there is so much more to the ketogenic lifestyle than simply dropping a few pounds. We’re diving deep into the science of metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and how our lifestyle choices impact long-term health, particularly brain health.

While many people adopt a ketogenic diet for its well-documented benefits in weight management, its effects on metabolism reach far beyond simple fat burning. Nutritional ketosis helps the body transition from relying primarily on carbohydrates for energy to efficiently burning fat and producing ketones, an alternative fuel source for the brain and muscles.

As Dr. D’Agostino will discuss, one of the most crucial aspects of metabolic health is insulin sensitivity. When insulin function is compromised, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cognitive decline. By keeping insulin sensitivity in check through dietary choices, fasting, and exercise, we can enhance our metabolic health and lower the risk of chronic disease.

The brain is an energy-intensive organ, and its function is directly influenced by our metabolic state. Research has shown that ketones provide a more efficient and neuroprotective fuel source for the brain compared to glucose. This is particularly relevant for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and even traumatic brain injury.

By making intentional choices about what we eat, how we move, and how we recover, we can take control of our metabolic health and improve our longevity.

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00:00  Introduction 

02:21 How Dr. D’Agostino Went From Seizure Research To Nutrition Science

03:31 From Drug Failures To The Medical Power Of Ketosis

05:15 What Ketones Really Are And Why They’re A Metabolic Game-Changer

09:37 Why Ketogenic Therapy Is Now In 400+ Clinical Trials Worldwide

12:21 GLP-1 Drugs, Weight Loss, And Keto: What They Do To Your Metabolism

15:10 Inside A Ketogenic Body: Fat Burning, Fuel Switching, And More

17:25 How Lowering Insulin Turns On Fat Burning And Ketone Production

20:03 Why Ketones Keep The Brain Stable And Cravings Under Control

23:54 The Right Amount Of Protein For Muscle, Aging, And Staying In Ketosis

27:03 Do You Actually Need Fiber? The Carnivore Diet And Gut Health

30:00 How Ketosis Reduces Inflammation And Repairs The Gut Barrier

34:31 Genomics of Ketonics: Beta-Hydroxybutyrate’s Epigenetic Power

45:38 Allulose: The Sweetener That Lowers Blood Sugar And Boosts GLP-1

52:03 Why MCT Oil Might Be The Most Underrated Keto Hack Available

54:30 Conclusion

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Dominic D’Agostino, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. He teaches medical neuroscience, medical physiology, nutrition and neuropharmacology. He is also a Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) to assist with their efforts towards optimizing the safety, health and resilience of the warfighter and astronaut. His primary research focuses on developing and testing nutritional and metabolic-based therapies for a variety of disease states and advancing the use of metabolic-based therapies into human clinical applications.  

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