<p>In this episode, Dr. Rudy Leibel, an expert in Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics at Columbia University, discusses his role in the remarkable scientific story of discovering leptin. He also gets into the genetics of obesity, as well as a broader discussion of the causes and effects of obesity, energy expenditure, and metabolism.</p> <p>We discuss:</p> <ul> <li>Rudy's background, interest in obesity, and trying to understand the role and impact of adipose tissue [4:15];</li> <li>Finding the first evidence of leptin by studying obese mice [23:30];</li> <li>Zucker rats, and the push/pull theories of obesity [34:45];</li> <li>A breakthrough in obesity research, and closing in on leptin [45:45];</li> <li>Understanding leptin in humans [1:03:30];</li> <li>What Prader–Willi syndrome teaches us about body weight regulation [1:09:45];</li> <li>Leptin and the broad condition of obesity, metabolic consequences of weight reduction, and Peter's self-experiments [1:18:00];</li> <li>How is appetite being regulated? [1:29:45];</li> <li>Are there epigenetic consequences of being obese? [1:37:00];</li> <li>What makes low-carb diets so effective at obesity reduction? [1:46:15];</li> <li>What did Rudy believe 10 years ago that he no longer believes to be true? [1:55:15];</li> <li>Rudy's dream study of the FTO gene [1:57:15];</li> <li>What the hell does insulin resistance actually mean? [2:08:30]; and</li> <li>More.</li> </ul> <p> <span> Learn more at <a href="http://www.peterattiamd.com/"><span><u>www.PeterAttiaMD.com</u></span></a></span></p> <p> <span>Connect with Peter on <a href=""> <span> <u>Facebook</u></span></a> | <a href=""> <span> <u>Twitter</u></span></a> | <a href=""> <span> <u>Instagram</u></span></a>.</span></p>
Actionable Insights
1. Achieve Negative Energy Balance
To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you expend, as there is no way to reduce body mass without being in a negative energy balance.
2. General Weight Management Advice
To manage obesity, try to restrict the number of calories eaten and increase physical activity, as this is considered unobjectionable advice in any circumstance.
3. Consider Low-Carbohydrate Diets
Low-carbohydrate diets can be effective for weight loss by influencing an individual’s desire to eat and promoting satiety, which makes sustaining a hypocaloric state more tolerable.
4. Understand Environmental Obesity Drivers
Recognize that the modern environment, with easy access to high-calorie foods (e.g., via cell phone delivery), is a major driver of obesity, as human biology was not designed for such novel conditions.
5. Accurate Leptin Level Interpretation
When measuring leptin levels, be aware that calorie restriction causes a significant drop (up to 50% within 12-18 hours), so a 24-hour fast is recommended for a more stable baseline.
6. Manage Prader-Willi with Scrutiny
For children with Prader-Willi syndrome, managing the disorder requires very high levels of parental attention and scrutiny of food access, alongside medical interventions like growth hormone administration.
7. Ketogenic Diet for Prader-Willi (Anecdotal)
Anecdotally, a ketogenic diet has been reported to correct the phenotype, including cognitive developmental aspects, in some children with Prader-Willi syndrome, though controlled data is lacking.
8. T3 for Weight Loss-Induced Reverse T3
In weight-reduced subjects experiencing a reverse T3 spike, administering T3 (triiodothyronine) rather than T4 (thyroxine) may help overcome the metabolic deficit.
9. Avoid Carb Restriction Before GTT
Do not restrict carbohydrates prior to a glucose tolerance test, as this can manipulate the system and affect the accuracy of the results.