EPI 228: Andrew Koutnik, PhD - Why Improving Your Metabolic Health With Evidence Based Solutions Is The Most Important Thing You Can Do. Plus How To Manage & Avoid Getting Both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes.
Release Date: 12/02/2025
EPI 250: Ty Beal, PhD - Top Nutrition Scientist & Food Researcher That Advises Nations On Food Policy Ranks Top Foods By "Nutritional Value Score".
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:56) Ty Beal’s personal path into nutrition (1:51) His core food philosophy (5:59) Eating out, seed oils, and fried foods (10:04) How the nutritional value score works (14:31) Animal vs. plant protein quality (16:39) How much protein most people need (23:33) Top nutrient-dense foods (29:58) Soy, hormones, and health myths (35:30) Simple steps to improve your diet (44:25) Diet soda, sweeteners, and better drink choices (47:11) Where to find and learn more about Ty (48:02) Outro Who is Ty Beal, PhD? Ty Beal, PhD, is a nutrition scientist, Senior Technical...
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EPI 249: Ben Rein, PhD - Author of "Why Brains Need Friends - The Neuroscience Of Social Connection". Strategies For Improving Your Social Life To Maximize Benefits To Your Health.
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:09) Ben Rein’s path into neuroscience, autism, and empathy research (6:46) A science-based take on manifestation, belief, and action (11:45) Why social connection matters for happiness and long-term health (17:32) Loneliness, stress, and the serious health risks of isolation (24:20) Why older adults may face a major loneliness crisis (28:17) How phones, video calls, and texting change human connection (34:58) Easy ways to upgrade everyday interactions (41:30) Why helping other people can improve your own well-being (45:49) Mental health, behavior change, therapy,...
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EPI 248: Dr. William Li - Author of "Eat To Beat Disease - The New Science Of How Your Body Can Heal Itself". How Specific Foods May Help Maintain Good Health & Support The Body's Ability To Protect Itself
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:0) Intro (1:15) Dr. Li’s background and why he studies food as medicine (4:58) How food may help fight cancer (7:05) Heart disease, gut health, and inflammation (10:22) Black tea and dark chocolate benefits (14:54) What chronic inflammation really is (18:59) Best food sources of fiber and polyphenols (24:00) Blood sugar fears, oats, and whole foods (29:27) Sugar myths and ultra-processed foods (39:05) Keto diet and where it may help (44:51) What Dr. Li eats and his Mediterranean-Asian approach (49:39) Where to find Dr. Li (50:55) Outro Who is Dr. William Li? Dr....
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EPI 247: Overcoming Anxiety Without Medication & Living Your Best Life. With Psychiatrist Dr. Ellen Vora
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:27) Background and functional psychiatry (5:28) False anxiety vs. true anxiety (10:09) Blood sugar, food, and sleep support (23:08) Nutrient gaps, fats, gluten, and processed foods (32:07) Caffeine, light, and better sleep habits (37:54) Community, purpose, grief, and spirituality (41:29) Therapy and antidepressants (47:59) Where to find Dr. Vora and learn more (49:08) Outro Who is Dr. Ellen Vora? Dr. Ellen Vora, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She earned her BA from Yale University and her MD from Columbia University...
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EPI 246: Living To 100 & Beyond With Longevity & Performance Medicine Expert Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos. Full Body Scans, Tests Your Doctor Isn't Running, & What Full Head To Toe Testing Really Looks Like
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:34) Dr. Voss’s background and personal health story (3:48) What Longevity Health Clinic tests and why it is different (10:48) CCTA heart scans, AI plaque analysis, and deeper cholesterol testing (18:31) Full-body MRI benefits, limits, and what to watch for (30:17) Commonly missed tests, plaque reversal, and Repatha (40:14) Food, low-carb diets, red meat, fasting, and longevity (50:16) Where to find Dr. Vass and his resources (51:31) Outro Who is Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos? Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos, M.D., also known as Dr. Vass, is the Co-Founder and Chief...
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EPI 245: What They Don't Tell You About ANTIDEPRESSANT Drugs. With Psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Moncrieff
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:05) Dr. Joanna Moncrieff and the serotonin myth (2:45) How SSRIs were marketed and what the research found (8:58) What may really cause depression (13:16) Trials, placebo, and emotional numbing (19:46) Withdrawal, dependence, and long-term risks (27:50) Concerns about teens on SSRIs (29:53) Better ways to help people with depression (37:43) Final takeaway (39:42) Where to find Dr. Moncrieff Who is Dr. Joanna Moncrieff? Dr. Joanna Moncrieff is a psychiatrist, academic, and author. She is a Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College...
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EPI 244: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist On Foods & Habits That Fight Depression & Anxiety Without Medication. With Dr. Uma Naidoo
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:04) Dr. Naidoo’s background and why she joined nutrition psychiatry (4:27) Real patient story on anxiety, travel, and gut imbalance (9:17) Foods that harm gut and mental health (13:47) CALMS foods that support anxiety and mood (16:39) Lifestyle habits that improve mental health (26:16) Her honest view on SSRIs and safe deprescribing (31:08) The S.A.W. method for feeling better every day (35:38) Going extremely low carb (42:04) Where to find Dr. Uma (42:39) Outro Who is Dr. Uma Naidoo? Dr. Uma Naidoo is a trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and...
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EPI 243: MEDITATION Made Easy + The Quickest Path To Changing Your Life For The Better. With Light Watkins
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:15) From modeling success to discovering inner happiness (5:47) Why meditation feels hard and what it really does (8:29) Creating “spaciousness” between reaction and response (12:20) Why most people struggle to stay consistent with meditation (15:16) Different types of meditation explained simply (20:35) The tortoise approach to building lasting habits (25:01) Inside The Year You Transform and its life challenges (31:30) Examples of challenges: addiction-free, forgiveness, and more (38:09) How stress affects the brain and body (41:11) Why meditation could be the...
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EPI 242: FIBER - Why It's The Most Underrated Piece Of Nutrition. Different Types + Other Foods For Gut Health. Plus What The Largest UK Twin Study Revealed. With Tim Spector
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:19) Tim Spector and the Twins Study (3:11) Discovering the gut microbiome’s role in health (8:56) The study showing huge differences in food responses (17:37) Practical steps to improve gut health (19:12) Why eating 30 different plants a week matters (21:43) The power of fermented foods (22:41) Protein vs fiber and what most people miss (30:33) Beans, legumes, and gut health explained (34:41) Why there is no single “superfood” (45:08) How the ZOE gut health test and app work (49:55) Outro Who is Tim Spector? Tim Spector is a British epidemiologist, medical...
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EPI 241: Clinically Proven Plan To AGE-PROOF YOUR BRAIN & Stay Sharp For Life. This LITERALLY Grows Your Brain! With Dr. Majid Fotuhi
Peak Performance Life Podcast
Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:39) Why Alzheimer’s is often overdiagnosed (3:25) The breakthrough discovery (8:39) 40-factor checklist (11:47) The impact of social engagement (15:52) The Five Pillars of Brain Health (18:53) What is brain training? (24:39) The best exercise for brain health (27:39) The “silent killer” of the brain (36:14) Mediterranean diet and brain inflammation (41:20) Reducing amyloid plaques (44:40) Most powerful brain foods (48:19) How to become a “Brain Super Ager.” (51:44) Outro Who is Dr. Majid Fotuhi? Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist, neuroscientist,...
info_outlineShow notes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:17) Dr. Andrew Koutnik’s background & obesity struggles
(5:00) Lifestyle’s surprising role in autoimmune disease risk
(7:47) The rise of metabolic dysfunction in kids and adults
(13:17) Key health markers to watch
(18:55) Can a ketogenic diet reverse metabolic dysfunction?
(30:04) 10-year ketogenic case study results
(42:30) Advice for the “average” person looking to feel better
(51:10) How to reduce carbs without giving up your favorite foods
(57:50) Why short-term cravings can cost your long-term health
(1:01:10) Why current diabetes guidelines may not reflect the latest science
(1:08:36) Final thoughts and where to find Dr. Koutnik’s resources
(1:09:21) Outro
Who is Dr. Andrew Koutnik?
Dr. Andrew Koutnik, PhD, is a biomedical researcher with expertise in metabolism, nutrition, and disease. He earned his PhD at Florida State University in Biomedical Sciences, studying how metabolism-based therapies like the ketogenic diet impact health and performance. He has worked with leading institutions, including NASA, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the Department of Defense, translating cutting-edge research into practical tools for improving metabolic health, managing chronic disease, and optimizing physical and cognitive performance.
As someone living with type 1 diabetes, Dr. Koutnik combines deep scientific knowledge with personal experience. He has published extensively on topics such as metabolic therapy, insulin resistance, and the ketogenic diet’s role in chronic disease. He is also an advocate for evidence-based lifestyle interventions and works directly with elite athletes, military professionals, and everyday individuals to help them thrive through science-backed nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
Connect with Dr. Koutnik:
Website: http://andrewkoutnik.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkoutnikphd/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@AKoutnik
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