Low Carb MD Podcast

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The Hunger Code | Dr. Jason Fung - E427

Jan 26, 2026

Guest

Jason Fung

Dr. Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist known for making fasting and insulin-resistance science practical. He explores why calories-only advice fails. He breaks hunger into homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned forms. He explains how hormones, ultra-processed foods, digestion, and environment drive overeating and outlines practical rules like fasting and avoiding processed foods.

01:12:48

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insights

INSIGHT

Calories Are True But Shallow

Calories-in/calories-out is a true but shallow explanation that doesn't explain why people overeat.
Jason Fung argues hunger (driven by hormones) is the deeper root cause to address.

insights

INSIGHT

Three Types Of Hunger

Hunger splits into three types: homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned hunger.
Each type has different mechanisms and requires different strategies to manage.

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ADVICE

Break Conditioned Eating Cues

Identify and remove conditioned eating cues (TV, car, set meal-times) that trigger hunger.
Change your environment to break learned stimulus–response eating patterns.

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Gratitude and Fung's impact

00:21 • 3min

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Why medical training missed metabolic truth

03:26 • 2min

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Dietary guidelines and the inverted pyramid

05:39 • 58sec

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Gaslighting and the hunger problem

06:36 • 2min

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Hunger rises when calories drop

08:10 • 1min

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Calories restriction fails: interventions don't fix hunger

09:24 • 58sec

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Drugs work by reducing hunger

10:21 • 3min

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Hunger is the root cause to probe

13:10 • 2min

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Three types of hunger defined

15:20 • 2min

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Hormonal control of homeostatic hunger

17:46 • 15sec

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Hedonic hunger and ultra-processed foods

18:01 • 1min

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Conditioned hunger and environmental cues

19:05 • 2min

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Environment vs individual blame

21:34 • 4min

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Energy balance analogy and thermostat

25:47 • 2min

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Insulin blocks fat-burning

28:09 • 4min

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Digestion, absorption and processing matter

32:25 • 3min

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Processing changes satiety and insulin

35:13 • 4min

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Ultra-processed foods create vanishing satiety

38:53 • 2min

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Blaming patients is convenient but wrong

40:35 • 33sec

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Food addiction and treating like addiction

41:08 • 7min

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Three golden rules for weight loss

47:40 • 2min

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Hunger Code book and masterclass offer

49:28 • 3min

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Flavor variety and hedonic drivers

52:54 • 4min

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Fasting reduces hunger and breaks habits

57:18 • 1min

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Why hunger is rarely discussed clinically

58:30 • 3min

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Insulin as root cause in clinical examples

01:01:40 • 2min

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Medical hubris and change resistance

01:04:00 • 6min

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Fung's broader causal approach

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

The Cancer Code

Jason Fung

In "The Cancer Code," Jason Fung delves into the intricate relationship between diet, metabolism, and cancer. He challenges conventional cancer treatments, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying metabolic dysfunction. The book explores how insulin resistance and chronic inflammation can contribute to cancer development and progression. Fung proposes a metabolic approach to cancer prevention and treatment, focusing on dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. He argues that optimizing metabolic health can significantly impact cancer risk and outcomes.

#2033

• Mentioned in 22 episodes

The obesity code

Jason Fung

In this highly readable and provocative book, Dr. Jason Fung sets out an original theory of obesity that emphasizes the role of hormones, particularly insulin and insulin resistance, in weight gain. He argues that traditional weight-loss methods focusing on calorie counting and excessive exercise are ineffective and instead advocates for intermittent fasting and a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet to achieve lasting weight loss and improve overall health. The book provides practical, science-based advice on controlling insulin levels and breaking the cycle of insulin resistance.

#4563

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

The diabetes code

Jason Fung

In 'The Diabetes Code', Dr. Jason Fung argues that type 2 diabetes is primarily a dietary disease caused by excessive sugar consumption, leading to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. The book challenges conventional medical treatments that only address symptoms and instead proposes a solution based on a low-carbohydrate diet and intermittent fasting. It explains how these methods can prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes by addressing the root causes of the disease. The book is divided into five parts, covering the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes, the role of sugar and insulin, and effective strategies for treatment. It also includes practical meal plans and guidance on adopting a lifestyle that promotes health and reduces the risk of diabetes.

#13628

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Hunger Code

Jason Fung

Dr. Jason Fung is a Canadian nephrologist and leading voice in metabolic health, best known for making the science of fasting and insulin resistance simple, practical, and empowering. Through his books, lectures, and clinical work, he's helped thousands rethink weight loss, type 2 diabetes, and long-term health by focusing on hormones, not just calories. Dr. Fung is the co-founder of The Fasting Method and a sought-after educator on metabolic health.

In this episode, Drs. Brian, Tro, and Jason talk about…

(00:00) Intro
(05:46) The new dietary guidelines and food pyramid
(08:02) The Huger Code and understanding hunger
(13:19) Why the calories-in/calories-out model for weight-loss is ineffective
(17:44) Hedonic hunger
(19:06) Conditioned hunger
(24:41) Hormones and calories
(28:15) Insulin and fat-burning
(31:47) The process of digestion and how every step of the process impacts hormones and weight
(38:08) While ultra-processed foods are SO much more obesogenic than whole foods
(39:53) Food addiction and effective treatment
(46:19) The 3 Golden Rules of Weight Loss
(49:25) Dr. Fung's new book and masterclass! (Links below)
(51:55) Human biology and flavor variety
(57:09) Fasting and satiety
(01:04:43) Hubris, pride, and ignorance in medicine
(01:09:15) Outro

For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!

Links:

Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/

Dr. Jason Fung:

The Fasting Method: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01BT8K6FK
Website/Books: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/
iG: https://www.instagram.com/drjasonfung/
X: https://x.com/drjasonfung
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoyL4iGArWn5Hu0V_sAhK2w
The Hunger Code Pre-Order/Masterclass: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

Dr. Brian Lenzkes:

Website: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianLenzkes?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Dr. Tro Kalayjian:

Website: https://toward.health
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorTro
IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/

Toward Health App

Join a growing community of individuals who are improving their metabolic health; together.

Get started at your own pace with a self-guided curriculum developed by Dr. Tro and his care team, community chat, weekly meetings, courses, challenges, message boards and more.

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/doctor-tro/id1588693888

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.disciplemedia.doctortro&hl=en_US&gl=US

Learn more: https://toward.health/community/

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