Lecture on Empirical Measurement, Diet, and Carnivore Approach
Introduction to Empirical Measurement
- Emphasis on measurement over opinion.
- Use of objective, empirical measurements to inform dietary decisions.
Dr. Ebbs' Journey to Carnivore Diet
- Began career in dentistry.
- Experience with patients showing lack of gum disease despite high plaque levels.
- Observations of patients improving gum health after adopting keto/carnivore diets.
- Inspired by Weston Price's research on indigenous diets.
Nutritional Insights and Understanding Obesity
- Nutrition deeply linked with dental health.
- Exploration of metabolism and mitochondria.
- Focus on mitochondrial function and its role in aging, diet, and chronic diseases.
Career in Longevity and Cosmetic Medicine
- Consulting in biotech research.
- Work with professional athletes on performance optimization.
- Teaching global conferences on biochemistry.
Optimal Diet Debate
- Questioning the optimum diet.
- Importance of objective measurements over subjective opinions.
- Use of stable isotope testing to analyze ancient diets.
- Ancestral diets primarily consisted of meat.
Metabolic Processes and Longevity
- Discussion on glucose, fatty acids, and their conversion to acetyl-CoA.
- Explanation of the Randall cycle and its link to inflammation.
- Importance of separating macronutrients in meals.
Debunking the Myth: Fat and Diabetes
- Argument against fat causing diabetes.
- Explanation of glucose being inherently damaging due to its glycative nature.
- Importance of clearing glucose first due to its potential harm.
Teaching and Spreading Knowledge
- Approach to teaching medical professionals.
- Use of logical sequence to lead to conclusion.
- Encouraging open-mindedness in medical field.
Working with Athletes
- Challenges due to existing nutritional dogma and sponsorships.
- Slow transition strategies for dietary changes.
- Growing acceptance of carnivore diets among elite athletes.
Practical Tips and Personal Dietary Practices
- One meal a day routine, focusing on hunger signals.
- Use of fatty acids and dried meats during long flights.
- Importance of being adaptable with diet during travel.
Gemini
Dr. Abbs' Journey and Insights: From Dentistry to Mitochondrial Function and Carnivore Diet
This conversation features Dr. Abbs, a consultant in biotech research specializing in mitochondrial function and proteomics. His journey began in dentistry, where he observed a link between diet and oral health, sparking an interest in nutrition, obesity, and eventually, mitochondrial function.
Key Highlights:
- Early Observations in Dentistry: Dr. Abbs noticed patients with poor oral hygiene who surprisingly lacked tooth decay and gum disease. This, coupled with Weston Price's research on indigenous tribes with excellent dental health on high-fat diets, led him to explore the connection between diet and health further.
- Weston Price's Influence: Weston Price, a dentist who studied indigenous tribes' diets and health, significantly impacted Dr. Abbs' understanding of nutrition. Price's findings revealed that tribes consuming diets high in animal products had superior dental and overall health compared to those consuming high-carbohydrate diets.
- Objective Measurements over Subjective Opinions: Dr. Abbs emphasizes the importance of objective measurements like stable isotope testing of ancient remains to determine optimal human diets. These tests revealed that our ancestors primarily consumed meat, suggesting that our genes are optimized for a carnivore-like diet.
- The Randle Cycle and Longevity: Dr. Abbs highlights the Randle Cycle, a biochemical process explaining how glucose and fatty acid metabolism interact. He argues that consuming both simultaneously triggers inflammation, potentially leading to insulin resistance and chronic diseases.
- Debunking the Fat-Diabetes Myth: Dr. Abbs refutes the claim that consuming fat causes diabetes, explaining that chronically elevated blood glucose from carbohydrate consumption is the primary driver. He uses an analogy of a chaotic waiting room to illustrate how glucose can be inherently damaging to cells compared to inert fatty acids.
- Reactions from Medical Professionals: When presenting these ideas to doctors and students, Dr. Abbs often encounters initial silence due to the paradigm shift it represents. However, he notes that many become more receptive as he explains the scientific evidence and answers their long-held questions.
- Working with Athletes: Dr. Abbs consults with professional athletes, guiding them towards optimal nutrition, often facing resistance due to existing dogma and sponsorship obligations. He advocates for a gradual transition towards a carnivore or ketogenic diet to minimize performance dips.
- Longevity and Basic Principles: Dr. Abbs stresses that longevity isn't about magic supplements but rather adhering to basic principles like a healthy diet. He believes that minimizing factors that contribute to disease, primarily through diet, is crucial for a long and healthy life.
- Dr. Abbs' Personal Approach: He typically eats one meal a day, consuming around 1.5 kilograms of meat when the hunger signal arises. He demonstrates the practicality of this diet during long flights, relying on supplements and dried meats.
How to Connect with Dr. Abbs:
Noteworthy Individuals Mentioned:
- Weston Price: Dentist and researcher who studied the diets and health of indigenous tribes.
- Professor Bart Kay: An expert in mitochondrial function and related fields.
- Eddie Ghougassian: A researcher and advocate for low-carbohydrate diets.
- Adam Hollioake: Former England cricket captain who adopted a carnivore diet.
This summary captures the main points and insights from the conversation with Dr. Abbs, providing a comprehensive overview of his perspective on diet, health, and longevity, based on his extensive research and clinical experience.