Stanford Engineering
03 January 2025
Happy New Year! For many of us, a new year brings a renewed sense of motivation when it comes to health. Earlier this year, Russ sat down to speak with Jonathan Long, a Stanford biochemist who studies the chemicals produced during exercise. The conversation was one of our most popular during 2024 and today we’re re-sharing it. As many of us look to create healthy habits in 2025, we hope you’ll tune in to hear the exciting research Professor Long is doing to better understand the deep chemical connections between diet, exercise, and human health. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Jonathan Z. LongJohnathan’s Lab: LongLab@StanfordConnect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Host Russ Altman introduces guest Johnathan Long, a professor of pathology at Stanford University. (00:01:55) Effective Weight Loss Drugs The history and development of GLP-1 receptor agonists. (00:03:27) Understanding Metabolism and Exercise The role of metabolic chemicals released during physical activity. (00:05:02) Animal Models in Exercise Studies The use of animal models in exercise studies and the discovery of Lac-Phe. (00:06:40) Psychological Preparation for Exercise The psychology of exercise preparation and the involvement of endocannabinoids. (00:08:53) Lac-Phe's Role and Mechanism Lac-Phe’s role in suppressing appetite and its production in the gut. (00:11:46) Differences in Exercise Response Exercise response between trained athletes and untrained individuals. (00:12:50) Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases The relationship between diabetes, exercise, and metabolic diseases. (00:14:54) Lac-Phe as a Potential Therapeutic Lac-Phe’s potential and parallels to the early stages of GLP-1 drug development. (00:16:13) Importance of How Weight is Lost The importance of losing fat while preserving lean muscle mass. (00:19:04) Exercise as Medicine The need to define physical activity at the same resolution as modern medicines. (00:22:03) Metformin and Exercise Pathways The unexpected connection between metformin and the Lac-Phe pathway. (00:23:53) Prospects of an Exercise Pill The future of an exercise pill, and challenges associated with its development. (00:26:57) Conclusion Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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