In this episode, Dr. Nick Norwitz, a Harvard-trained metabolic health expert with a PhD from Oxford, joins Dave Asprey to expose the biggest myth in dieting: calorie counting. Together, they reveal why focusing on “calories in, calories out” is sabotaging your progress and how a deeper understanding of metabolism health can unlock lasting results.
Dr. Norwitz shares cutting-edge insights into fasting and its unexpected link to hair loss, the role of high testosterone levels in metabolic balance, and the benefits of keto cycling versus staying in continuous ketosis. You’ll also learn how fat cells hold onto oxidative stress, why hair growth is tied to gut health, and how to maintain your microbiome for better metabolic outcomes.
Discover the surprising connections between protein misfolding, Alzheimer’s prevention, and ketosis benefits. This episode also dives into cholesterol vs. inflammation, the power of blood markers for metabolic health, and why cold plunges, heat therapy, and other biohacking strategies are essential for fat loss, longevity, and overall performance.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why calorie counting fails—and what works instead
• The science behind ketosis, fasting, and gut health maintenance
• How oxidative stress impacts fat cells, hair growth, and aging
• Practical tips for managing food addiction and metabolic balance
• The benefits of cold plunges, heat therapy, and biohacking strategies
• New research on cholesterol, protein misfolding, and Alzheimer’s
SPONSORS:
Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.
fatty15 | Go to https://fatty15.com/dave and save an extra $15 when you subscribe with code DAVE.
Resources:
• 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
• Nick Norwitz’s YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzPhD
• Nick Norwitz’s Website – https://www.nicknorwitz.com/
• Follow Nick on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nicknorwitz/
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
• Dave Asprey’s Book – Smarter Not Harder: https://daveasprey.com/books
• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey
• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com
Timestamps:
• 00:00 Trailer
• 00:39 Meet Dr. Nick
• 04:44 Nick’s Health Journey
• 07:54 Keto Diets
• 09:37 Modern Medicine Challenges
• 13:31 Exercise vs. Diet
• 14:32 Obesity Memory
• 17:36 Keto Cycling
• 20:51 Microbiome Health
• 26:26 Fasting & Hair Loss
• 34:56 Alzheimer’s Insights
• 45:11 Cold Plunge Benefits
• 45:43 Dopamine Boosts
• 46:26 Cold Plunge & Inflammation
• 47:15 Best Time to Cold Plunge
• 48:18 Pain & Dopamine
• 49:31 Exercise & Stress
• 51:49 Cholesterol & Inflammation
• 01:05:42 Debunking Calories In/Out
• 01:07:09 Food Addiction
• 01:11:15 Metabolic Health Tips
• 01:24:13 Nick’s Mission
Connect with Dave Asprey!
Website: https://daveasprey.com
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