Metabolic Classrooms

Omega-3s do far more than support heart health. Research shows that the long-chain forms—EPA and DHA—enhance fat burning, improve mitochondrial function, and amplify muscle growth and recovery. Here’s how these powerful fatty acids influence metabolism and body composition.

Ketones are often seen as backup fuel, but the heart tells a different story. In this article and full lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explains how ketones support the cardiovascular system as high-octane fuel, reduce the heart’s workload, calm inflammation, protect against oxidative stress, and improve vascular function. When we look at the biochemistry and physiology—not the diet debates—ketones emerge as powerful allies for heart health.

Plant and animal proteins behave very differently inside the body. From amino acid profiles and digestibility to antinutrients and heavy metals, their metabolic impact is not interchangeable. Here’s what the science shows.

Men and women display distinct patterns in fat metabolism and ketone production, driven by hormonal, enzymatic, and adipose-tissue differences. Estrogen enhances fat mobilization and hepatic ketogenesis, while testosterone favors glycolytic pathways. Recognizing these sex-based distinctions refines how we interpret metabolic data and design nutrition strategies in research and clinical settings.

A concussion triggers a metabolic storm inside the brain—disrupting glucose use, impairing mitochondria, and creating oxidative stress. But ketones offer a powerful metabolic alternative: they supply energy efficiently, reduce inflammation, and support recovery at the cellular level. This post explores the mechanisms behind concussion-related energy failure and the emerging evidence on how ketogenic metabolism enhances neuroprotection and healing.

Below is the full lecture from The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Benjamin Bikman. In this episode, Ben explores the emerging science of plasmalogens — ether phospholipids with structural and functional

The glycocalyx is a dynamic cellular interface linking vascular health and metabolic regulation — essential for insulin sensitivity and endothelial function.

Below is the full lecture from The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Benjamin Bikman. In this episode, Ben explains how the pancreas performs two powerful jobs — managing blood sugar through

Below is the full lecture from The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Benjamin Bikman. In this episode, Ben explains the autonomic nervous system (ANS) — the hidden control center that quietly

Below is the full lecture from The Metabolic Classroom with Dr. Benjamin Bikman. In this episode, Ben explores honey and maple syrup — two natural sweeteners with long histories and

In this lecture of The Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Benjamin Bikman explores an important question: Are statins really helping women’s hearts, or could they be making things worse? Watch the full

The answer is “yes!”, and ketones may even help you protect it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CBH-R7DJ0o&t=486s Prefer to listen without the ads? Become a Ben Bikman Insider. For years, people believed that carbs were essential