LEVELS – A Whole New Level

According to investigative science journalist Gary Taubes, much of what we “know” about nutrition is built on weak evidence, bad assumptions, and decades of groupthink. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Taubes joins Mike Haney to examine how nutrition science went off the rails—and why he remains convinced the carbohydrate–insulin model still offers the most coherent explanation for obesity.Taubes explains how observational studies became policy, why randomized trials are often ignored, and why questioning the calorie-balance model remains controversial despite mounting contradictions. The conversation is less about winning an argument and more about how science should actually work—especially when public health is at stake.⁠Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠⁠🎙 What Gary Taubes & Mike Haney discuss:[4:10] — How Gary Taubes became interested in “bad science.”[9:45] — Why nutrition science relies too heavily on epidemiology[15:30] — Correlation vs. causation in diet research[22:10] — The problem with the calorie-balance model[29:40] — Introducing the carbohydrate–insulin model[36:55] — Why insulin resistance changes everything[44:20] — Why low-fat advice dominated for decades[52:10] — What randomized trials actually show[1:00:05] — Why dissent is treated as heresy in nutrition[1:08:30] — How bad science survives criticism[1:16:45] — What good nutrition science would require[1:23:20] — Why this debate still mattersLevels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/74WAhHgEk_0⁠Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠📲 Connect with Gary Taubes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-taubes-942a6459/https://garytaubes.com/

Hormones influence far more than reproduction—they shape energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, and long-term health. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Anjali D’Souza joins Mike Haney to explain how women’s hormones actually work, why so many symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” and how to interpret labs in a way that reflects real physiology.They discuss why standard hormone panels often miss functional problems, how nutrient status and lifestyle affect hormone signaling, and how symptoms like PMS, fatigue, and brain fog provide meaningful data—not noise.They discuss:Why hormones affect how you feel day to day, not just fertilityThe difference between “normal” lab ranges and optimal functionHow progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol interactWhy PMS is often a signal—not a mysteryHow nutrition, stress, and sleep influence hormone effectivenessSign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠🎙 What Dr. Anjali Dsouza & Mike Haney discuss:[3:45] — Why hormones influence energy, mood, and vitality[7:30] — “Normal” labs vs. how you actually feel[11:40] — Why hormone symptoms are often dismissed[15:05] — Hormones as a lever to move from “fine” to “amazing.”[18:20] — Progesterone, estrogen, and the menstrual cycle[22:10] — Why PMS isn’t random—it’s data[27:35] — Cortisol, stress, and hormone disruption[33:10] — Nutrient status and hormone effectiveness[38:45] — Why labs don’t show tissue-level hormone function[44:30] — Lifestyle changes that support hormone balance[50:15] — Rethinking how we assess women’s hormone healthLevels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/MweLkjvNimoFind us on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠https://dcimedicine.com/dr-anjali-dsouza/⁠⁠https://www.levels.com/blog/dr-anjali-dsouza-wants-to-help-women-level-up-their-health⁠📲 Connect with Dr. Anjali Dsouza: https://www.instagram.com/anjalidsouzamd

In this episode, Dr. Jesse Mills, Director of the UCLA Men’s Clinic, joins Mike Haney to explain what’s driving that shift and what today’s data-driven approach to men’s health looks like.He breaks down the testosterone “revolution,” what’s really happening in low-T diagnoses, and how lifestyle, sleep, and stress management can influence hormones as much as prescriptions can.They discuss: - How men’s health became its own medical discipline- What testosterone really does—and how to know if it’s low- Primary vs. secondary hypogonadism and how to tell the difference- When testosterone replacement is appropriate (and when it’s not)- Why younger men are now embracing prevention and optimizationAnd listen to Dr. Mills’ new podcast, The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills, wherever you get your podcasts.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: ⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠🎙 What Dr. Jesse Mills & Mike Haney discuss:[2:10] — How men’s health became its own field[8:05] — The generational shift in openness[10:40] — The difference between real medicine and ‘men’s clinics’[12:00] — Testosterone 101[18:45] — When low testosterone is reversible[26:50] — Why we need ‘forensic endocrinology’Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/Zs2CZC2GueAFind us on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠📲 Connect with Dr. Jesse Mills: https://x.com/grurology?lang=en

Your annual labs can reveal far more than most people realize—if you know how to interpret them. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Rich Joseph walks through how to read basic blood work like the CBC, electrolytes, and urinalysis, and how to use those numbers as feedback loops, not pass/fail judgments.He explains which values matter most, what trends reveal over time, and how to connect lab data to sleep, training, nutrition, and stress.What the Complete Blood Count (CBC) actually measuresHow to identify early signs of iron or B-vitamin deficiencyWhat white blood cell patterns reveal about immunity and stressHow electrolytes reflect cellular energy, hydration, and training loadWhy urinalysis is underrated (and how to read it quickly)How to use lab trends—not single snapshots—to guide health decisionsSign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl🎙 What Dr. Rich Joesph & Mike Haney discuss:[03:12] — Why basic labs still matter[07:58] — How to read the CBC: Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets[18:45] — MCV and what it tells us about iron vs. B-vitamin deficiency[24:40] — White blood cells as a window into stress and recovery[44:10] — Electrolytes and cellular energy[1:01:22] — Urinalysis: the overlooked lab with real value[1:09:55] — Using labs as feedback over timeLevels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/cpwB4-_7o-wFind us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1📲 Connect with Dr. Rich Joseph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-joseph-md-mba-61448b33a/

Your immune system isn’t just about fighting infections—it’s a mirror of your overall metabolic health.In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Sharon Bergquist, physician and Director of Emory’s Healthy Aging and Resilient Aging Center, joins Mike Haney to unpack the science of immune resilience—how chronic inflammation, white blood cell patterns, and metabolism intertwine to shape long-term health.Dr. Bergquist explains why inflammation isn’t always bad, how the immune system ages, and what you can do daily to build resilience.They discuss:The link between metabolic dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammationHow white blood cell counts reveal immune status and stress levelsWhy gut and liver health are central to immune balancePractical habits that calm inflammation and support immune recoveryWhat it really means to have a “resilient” immune systemSign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl🎙 What Dr. Sharon Bergquist & Mike Haney discuss:[3:24] — How inflammation protects—and harms—your body[10:11] — Why immune health depends on metabolism[17:42] — White blood cells as a window into immune function[24:38] — How the gut and liver shape immunity[32:27] — Why modern lifestyles fuel inflammation[40:55] — How to measure your own inflammation[48:33] — The science of immune aging (inflammaging)[56:22] — Building immune resilience through daily habits[1:03:44] — Why immune balance is better than immune ‘boosting’[1:11:08] — The hopeful message: immunity is adaptableLevels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.🔗 Helpful links:Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/k1XpdFGVx1oFind us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1📲 Connect with Dr. Sharon Bergquist on LinkedIn: Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist Dr. Sharon Bergquist: https://drsharonbergquist.com/