The Ben Azadi Show

Your blood sugar can look perfectly normal for up to 14 years while insulin resistance quietly builds underneath.

Dave Asprey and I get into why most doctors never test for it, why the restaurant "tallow fries" you ordered may not be what you think, and what happened to my cholesterol, gut bacteria, and inflammation markers after 90 straight days of carnivore.

93% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. In 2018, that number was 88%. It's getting worse, not better.

And most people won't find out until years after the damage starts, because the test that could catch it early usually isn't ordered.

There's no medication for high insulin, so why check?

In this conversation, Dave Asprey and I go after the things that keep people stuck as sugar burners: high insulin, seed oils hiding in "healthy" menu items, oxalates in so-called superfoods, and the idea that your metabolism slows down just because you got older.

Spoiler: a 6,800-person study says otherwise.

What if your labs look fine and you're still years into a metabolic problem?

In this episode, I sit down with biohacker Dave Asprey to talk about why so many people are stuck burning sugar, and what it takes to get your metabolic flexibility back.

We start with insulin, the marker most doctors skip, and why a fasting insulin over 6 may be a warning sign even when your glucose and A1C look normal.

Dave and I also break down why high insulin, not salt, may be what's pushing your blood pressure up.

From there, we get into seed oils and why "high smoke point" doesn't mean what most people think. A study on cooking oils found that the oils with the highest smoke points produced the most harmful polar compounds, while one oil most people are told not to cook with produced the least.

Dave and I don't fully agree on this one, and that's part of the fun.

I also share the results of my 90-day carnivore experiment, including full blood work, stool tests, and a review from a heart surgeon.

My total cholesterol went from 300 to 450. What the rest of my markers showed may surprise you. Dave shares his own carnivore experiment, which went very differently, and we talk about where the upper limit should be.

Plus: how Dave gave himself gout in three days, why almond flour gave me recurring styes, the right way to think about gut diversity, and why your metabolism isn't fast or slow, it's efficient or inefficient.

If you care about insulin resistance, seed oils, keto, carnivore, fasting, gut health, or longevity, this one's for you.

About Dave Asprey

Dave Asprey is a biohacker, entrepreneur, and host of The Human Upgrade podcast.

He founded Bulletproof and wrote The Bulletproof Diet, one of the first major books to bring intermittent fasting and keto to a mainstream audience. He's also the author of Heavily Meditated and the founder of Danger Coffee, and he's involved with Upgrade Labs.

After losing 50 pounds in three months on keto, Dave spent the next decade experimenting to lose the last 50. That journey shaped his data-driven approach to metabolic flexibility, longevity, and biohacking.

Health Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, supplements, or health routine.

FOLLOW DAVE ASPREY

Website: Dave Asprey | Official Website

About Dave Asprey: Biohacking, Longevity & Human Performance

Instagram: Dave Asprey (@dave.asprey)

YouTube: Dave Asprey

FOLLOW BEN AZADI
Instagram: Ben Azadi (@thebenazadi) • Instagram profile
Facebook: Ben Azadi, FDN-P
TikTok: Ben Azadi - Metabolic Freedom on TikTok
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenAzadi
Website: Ben Azadi

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS:
Metabolic Freedom: Metabolic Freedom
Keto Flex: Get KetoFlex + Bonuses

What if the goal of keto isn't to stay in ketosis forever, but to become flexible enough to move in and out of it?

What if your metabolism isn't simply “fast” or “slow,” but adaptable or inflexible?

Dylan Gemelli joins Ben Azadi to challenge the idea that metabolic health requires following one rigid diet forever.

They break down ketosis, fasting, protein, meal timing, sleep, and the “kitchen closed” rule, while explaining why becoming metabolically flexible may matter more than staying in ketosis year-round.

Keto doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle.

In this episode, Dylan Gemelli joins Ben Azadi to explore metabolic flexibility and why the ability to switch between different fuel sources may be more important than constantly chasing ketosis.

Dylan shares how his approach to keto, fasting, protein, and metabolic health has evolved over the years, including why he no longer believes everyone should remain in ketosis continuously.

The conversation dives into the role of insulin, fasting, protein intake, carbohydrates, meal timing, and sleep, including Dylan's “kitchen closed” rule: finishing food at least three hours before bed.

Ben and Dylan also discuss why late-night eating may affect metabolic health differently than eating earlier in the day, why protein can influence hunger and nighttime cravings, and how better sleep can support the body's ability to recover and regulate appetite.

The bigger message is simple: instead of becoming attached to one protocol, learn how to make your metabolism more adaptable.

Health Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, fasting, exercise, or health routine.

🎧 Listen or watch the full episode:

Metabolic Flexibility: How To Burn Fat, Improve Energy, And Break Free From Metabolic Dysfunction | The Ben Azadi Show #1383

Dylan Gemelli is a health and fitness educator focused on metabolic health, nutrition, ketosis, fasting, and lifestyle strategies. His approach has evolved beyond rigid keto protocols toward a more flexible model that emphasizes metabolic adaptability and individualized nutrition.

To learn more about Dylan Gemelli and his work: 

Website: ⁠www.dylangemelli.com⁠ 

Podcast: ⁠The Dylan Gemelli Podcast⁠

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Website: ⁠www.BenAzadi.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠

Facebook: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠

TikTok: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠@BenAzadi⁠

YouTube: ⁠Ben Azadi⁠

BEN AZADI'S BOOKS

Keto Flex: ⁠Get Keto Flex + Bonuses⁠

Metabolic Freedom: ⁠Get Metabolic Freedom

What if the next step in your health journey isn't another complicated protocol, but understanding how your body responds to light, energy, and the right environment?

Red light therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) have become increasingly popular in conversations around longevity and regenerative health. But how do these technologies actually work, and what should you look for when evaluating them?

In this episode, Ben Azadi sits down with filmmaker and researcher Jonathan Otto to explore the ideas and research surrounding red light, PEMF, mitochondria, ATP, inflammation, cellular signaling, and the body's regenerative processes.

Jonathan shares how he evaluates different devices, including the measurements and testing methods he uses to better understand what a device is actually producing.

The conversation also explores different wavelengths and frequencies, how these technologies may be combined, and why foundational health habits still matter alongside emerging technologies.

Ben and Jonathan also discuss the potential applications of red light and PEMF in areas such as eyesight, mitochondrial function, circulation, and recovery, while exploring a broader question: how much regenerative potential does the human body already have?

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health, diet, or medication.

🎧 Listen or watch the full episode:
Jumper Cables for Your Mitochondria: How PEMF & Red Light Tackle Inflammation, Hashimoto's, Poor Sleep & Stubborn Belly Fat | Jonathan Otto #1382

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS: 

Metabolic Freedom: ⁠⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get KetoFlex + Bonuses

FOLLOW JONATHAN OTTO

Website: Jonathan Otto | Official Website

About Jonathan Otto: Filmmaker, Journalist & Humanitarian

Instagram: Jonathan Otto (@jonno.otto)

Linktree: Jonathan Otto | Official Links

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Instagram: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi (@thebenazadi) • Instagram profile⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi, FDN-P⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi - Metabolic Freedom on TikTok⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BenAzadi⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi⁠⁠

What if the life you’re living isn’t wrong, but simply no longer fits who you’re becoming?

Sometimes transformation isn’t about fixing a broken life. It’s about recognizing when your habits, routines, relationships, or expectations no longer align with the person you’re becoming.

In this episode, Ben Azadi shares five signs that you may have outgrown an older version of yourself, from chronic complaining and waking up with dread to feeling uninspired, living for the weekend, and relying on routines that numb rather than fulfill you.

Ben also explores why waiting for “things to settle down” can keep you stuck, how other people’s expectations can influence the life you choose, and why giving yourself permission to change may be the first step toward living more intentionally.

Health Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health, diet, or medication.

Ben's Upcoming Keynotes: ⁠https://benazadi.com/events/⁠

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS:

Metabolic Freedom: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠⁠⁠⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get KetoFlex + Bonuses

FOLLOW BEN AZADI
Website: ⁠⁠www.BenAzadi.com⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠@‌TheBenAzadi⁠⁠
Facebook: ⁠⁠@‌TheBenAzadi⁠⁠

Youtube: ⁠Ben Azadi

Your morning doesn't need to be complicated to make a difference.

In this Transformation Tuesday episode, Ben Azadi breaks down three simple habits to prioritize after waking:

light before screens, water before coffee, and protein before carbs.

Ben explains why the order of your morning routine matters and how small, consistent changes can influence your energy, cravings, eating decisions, and overall daily routine.

He also addresses three common mistakes: reaching for your phone immediately, drinking caffeine before hydrating, and starting your first meal with carbohydrates without enough protein.

The goal isn't perfection. Ben encourages listeners to choose one habit, practice it consistently for seven days, and then build on it with the next.

Health Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health, diet, or medication.

Ben's Upcoming Keynotes: https://benazadi.com/events/

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS: Metabolic Freedom: ⁠⁠⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠⁠⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠⁠⁠
Ben Azadi introduces the revised edition of Keto Flex⁠⁠

FOLLOW BEN AZADI
Website: ⁠www.BenAzadi.com⁠
Instagram: ⁠@‌TheBenAzadi⁠
Facebook: ⁠@‌TheBenAzadi⁠

Youtube: Ben Azadi

After decades of food addiction, extreme diets, and constantly chasing weight loss, Robin Switzer discovered that the real breakthrough wasn’t another diet. It was understanding what was happening inside her body.

In this episode, Robin shares her journey from Atkins and low-carb dieting to keto, and how that path eventually led her to KetoCon and Hack Your Health. She also explains why different health tools can work for different people, and why the goal should be better health, not simply a lower number on the scale.

🎧 Listen the full episode:
40 Years of Food Addiction: What Finally Changed | Robin Switzer #1379

I’ll see you at Hack Your Health! 🥑

Get your tickets here and use code FREEDOM for $100 off: https://bit.ly/3TBp3OK

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS: Metabolic Freedom: ⁠⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi introduces the revised edition of Keto Flex⁠

FOLLOW ROBIN SWITZER

Website: Hack Your Health https://hackyourhealth.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About Robin Switzer | Hack Your Health Coaching https://hackyourhealthcoaching.com/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Instagram: Robin Switzer (@therobinswitzer) • https://www.instagram.com/therobinswitzer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

FOLLOW BEN AZADI
Website: www.BenAzadi.com
Instagram: @‌TheBenAzadi
Facebook: @‌TheBenAzadi

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ketokamp

How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll start Monday”?

Ben Azadi challenges the idea that you need the perfect plan, the perfect timing, or the perfect version of yourself before you can make a change. In this episode, he breaks down why waiting to feel ready can keep you stuck and why imperfect action is often the fastest path forward.

Using the story of two ship captains, Ben explains the difference between planning endlessly and actually moving. The captain who starts imperfectly can see when he’s off course and make adjustments along the way. The lesson is simple: you can’t course-correct a ship that never leaves the harbor.

Ben also explores the “what the hell effect” and how one setback can turn into an entire week, month, or even years of abandoning your goals. The setback itself may be small. It’s the story you tell yourself afterward that creates the real damage.

Instead of waiting until Monday, Ben encourages you to start right now, focus on one or two changes at a time, stop protecting fragile streaks, and count your comebacks instead.

Because it’s not about the setback. It’s about the get back.

🎧 Listen or watch the full episode:
It’s Not Too Late: Stop Waiting for Perfect and Start Changing Your Life | #1378

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS: **Metabolic Freedom: ⁠⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi introduces the revised edition of Keto Flex⁠⁠

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Instagram: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi (@thebenazadi) • Instagram profile⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi, FDN-P⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠Ben Azadi - Metabolic Freedom on TikTok⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@KetoKamp

Website: ⁠⁠Home - Ben Azadi⁠⁠

Walking might be one of the most underrated tools for improving your health, longevity, and quality of life.

In this episode of The Ben Azadi Show, Ben breaks down why walking is far more powerful than most people give it credit for, from supporting metabolic health and fitness to helping maintain independence as we age.

He also shares six simple ways to make walking a bigger part of your daily routine, including walking after meals, trying Japanese walking intervals, adding resistance, getting outside early in the day, moving throughout the day instead of obsessing over 10,000 steps, and occasionally walking without headphones.

You don't need a complicated workout or expensive equipment to start moving more. Sometimes, the simplest habits can have the biggest impact.

🎧 Listen or watch the full episode:
The Life-Changing Power of Walking: Live Longer, Feel Healthier & Be Happier | #1377

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS: Metabolic Freedom: ⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠

Keto Flex: ⁠Ben Azadi introduces the revised edition of Keto Flex⁠

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Instagram: ⁠Ben Azadi (@thebenazadi) • Instagram profile⁠

Facebook: ⁠Ben Azadi, FDN-P⁠

TikTok: ⁠Ben Azadi - Metabolic Freedom on TikTok⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BenAzadi⁠

Website: ⁠Home - Ben Azadi⁠

What if the stem cell treatment you’re paying thousands of dollars for doesn’t actually contain the viable, functional stem cells you think it does?

In this episode of The Ben Azadi Show, Ben sits down with Dr. Rafael Gonzalez, who has spent more than 20 years manufacturing cell therapies, holds patents in the field, and has been involved in FDA clinical trials.

Dr. Gonzalez shares a surprising estimate based on the cell samples he has tested: only about 5% may contain viable, functional stem cells.

He explains why sourcing the cells is only the beginning. The processing, freezing, thawing, storage, and administration of stem cells can dramatically affect their viability. He also breaks down what can happen when cells die and why proper handling matters when these therapies are administered to patients.

The conversation explores what consumers may actually be receiving when they purchase stem cell treatments, the importance of cell viability, and why the science and manufacturing process behind these therapies deserves far more attention.

Dr. Gonzalez also explains how his team approaches cell preservation and clinical testing, including why even their own clinical studies typically achieve around 88–89% viability.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the science of cell therapy and raises an important question: Do you really know what’s inside the stem cell treatment you’re paying for?

🎧 Listen the full episode:
The Hidden Problem With Stem Cell Therapy Nobody Is Talking About | Rafael Gonzalez #1376

GET YOUR TICKETS
Get your ticket to hear Ben speak at this year's ISSCA 126 Regenerative Medicine Global Summit here: benazadi.com/events

FOLLOW DR. RAFAEL GONZALES

Website: ⁠RESTEM | Regenerative Medicine & Cell-Based Therapeutics https://www.restem.com/about

⁠About Dr. Rafael Gonzales https://www.a4m.com/rafael-gonzalez.html

Instagram: ⁠Dr. Rafael Gonzales (@drgonzalezphd) • https://www.instagram.com/drgonzalezphd/

📚 GET BEN'S BOOKS:Metabolic Freedom: ⁠Metabolic Freedom⁠Keto Flex: ⁠Ben Azadi introduces the revised edition of Keto Flex⁠

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Instagram: ⁠Ben Azadi (@thebenazadi) • Instagram profile⁠

Facebook: ⁠Ben Azadi, FDN-P⁠

TikTok: ⁠Ben Azadi - Metabolic Freedom on TikTok⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@KetoKamp

Website: ⁠Home - Ben Azadi

Most people plan for how long they’ll live. Far fewer think about how long they’ll actually be healthy, mobile, sharp, and able to enjoy it.

In this episode, Ben Azadi and Alex Montalenti break down the gap between lifespan and healthspan, and reveal how much usable time can disappear into sleep, work, chores, driving, screens, and everyday obligations.

They uncover the seven biggest “thieves” stealing your time and explain why retirement shouldn’t be about waiting until later to finally enjoy your life. The goal is to build a life worth continuing to live, while you still have the energy and vitality to enjoy it.

This episode is a powerful reminder that time isn’t just something to manage. It’s something to consciously spend.

FOLLOW BEN AZADI

Website: ⁠www.BenAzadi.com⁠ 

Instagram: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠

TikTok: ⁠@TheBenAzadi⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠@BenAzadi⁠ 

YouTube: ⁠Ben Azadi⁠

BEN AZADI'S BOOKS

Keto Flex: ⁠Get Keto Flex + Bonuses⁠

Metabolic Freedom: ⁠Get Metabolic Freedom