The Misunderstood Science of Metabolism with Herman Pontzer

Dr Herman Pontzer is an internationally recognised researcher in human energetics and evolution. He has conducted pathbreaking studies across a range of settings, including fieldwork with Hadza hunter-gatherers in Northern Tanzania, chimpanzee ecology in the rainforests of Uganda, and metabolic measurements of great apes in zoos and sanctuaries around the globe. He recently released the book, Burn: The Misunderstood Science of Metabolism, a fascinating must-read.

Nathan sat down with Herman and discussed major theories and research relating to metabolism, including the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity, the role of the hypothalamus in energy expenditure and lesson learned from the Hadza tribe.

*Highlights *

• The metabolic revolution (3:30)
• The additive model (14:00)
• How your brain controls energy expenditure (19:00)
• We eat what we can get our hands on (30:00)
• Re-examining the carbohydrate insulin model (36:00)
• Exercise helps you maintain weight loss (41:00)
• Studying Hudza life (50:00)

Useful links and resources: e.g:

Follow Metagenics on Instagram - @metagenics_anz

Dr Herman Pontzer’s book - https://www.amazon.com.au/Burn-Misunderstood-Metabolism-Herman-Pontzer/dp/0241388422/ref=asc_df_0241388422/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463870498773&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=539011197377358903&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9068941&hvtargid=pla-1093754365871&psc=1

The Hadza Fund - https://www.hadzafund.org/

Study by Hall and colleagues “Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake
and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake” - https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/pdf/S1550-4131(19)30248-7.pdf