BV #26: Carnivore Doctors Don’t Get Insulin, Stress Hormones, and the True Cause of Fat Gain

Mar 25, 2026

Hosts dig into whether ramping up gluconeogenesis on low carb diets is harmless and the energetic and hormonal costs it may bring. They challenge claims that carbs only cause problems through behavior and interrogate glucagon versus insulin narratives. Surgery, cravings, stress hormones, and how energy mismatch drives metabolic dysfunction are also hotly debated.

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INSIGHT

Gluconeogenesis Signals Energy Stress Not Harmless Adaptation

Upregulating gluconeogenesis is energetically costly and often a sign of underlying cellular energy deficiency rather than a benign adaptive routine.
Mike Fave explains it consumes ATP, produces ammonia, raises stress hormones, and is less efficient than ketogenesis or exogenous carbs.

INSIGHT

Stress Hormone Cascade From Excess Gluconeogenesis Harms Metabolism

Chronic upregulation of gluconeogenesis drives hormonal shifts—elevated glucagon, cortisol, adrenaline—that promote muscle breakdown and insulin resistance.
Jay Feldman emphasizes these hormones lower T4→T3, force fatty acid oxidation, and worsen metabolic health long term.

ADVICE

Prefer Dietary Carbs Over Pushing Gluconeogenesis

Prefer consuming exogenous carbohydrate rather than forcing high gluconeogenesis when appropriate.
Mike Fave suggests adequate dietary carbs, protein, and fat avoid inefficient hepatic glucose production and ammonia burden.

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In this episode we discuss:

 -Shawn Baker claims gluconeogenesis is fine – is he right?
-Dr Rob Cywes on carb addiction, insulin resistance, and bariatric surger

 Free Energy Balance Food Guide: https://jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide
 The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/
 Theresa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootswellness/

 Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

0:47 – Shawn Baker compares gluconeogenesis to cholesterol synthesis – is the comparison valid?

2:47 – is increasing gluconeogenesis through low-carb diets optimal?

6:54 – problems with upregulating gluconeogenesis: stress hormones, ammonia, muscle breakdown, and insulin resistance

10:15 – Shawn Baker’s claim that breathing too much isn’t stressful – is that true?

12:28 – gluconeogenesis as the result of elevated stress hormones – is there a long-term cost?

14:24 – Shawn Baker’s social media post reveals flawed reasoning and a lack of critical thinking

17:47 – what “stress” really means and whether cortisol is always harmful

23:45 – the cost of upregulated gluconeogenesis, elevated glucagon, and low t3 on low-carb diets

25:15 – Dr Rob Cywes’ claim that carbs do no harm, it’s our relationship with them that’s the problem

29:09 – Dr Cywes’ claim that glucagon is more important than insulin

33:33 – you're not addicted to carbohydrates, your body just needs fuel

38:13 – Dr Cywes contradicts himself on carbs and obesity

40:37 – native cultures on high-carb diets don’t have obesity or insulin resistance

43:05 – whether high insulin levels drive fat gain and why low-carb diets don’t prevent insulin excursions

44:51 – is diet properly considered before bariatric surgery?

48:08 – many “high-carb foods” are actually high-fat foods

49:01 – bariatric surgeries ignore other possible root causes of metabolic dysfunction

49:53 – Dr Cywes misunderstands glucagon, insulin, and cellular energy production

56:48 – what Dr Cywes gets right: stress hormones increase in reaction to a cellular energy deficiency

58:57 – elevated glucagon drives insulin resistance and whether glucagon resistance exists

1:03:41 – reversing keto damage: weight loss, gut, and brain health on a bioenergetic approach