112: The Link Between Muscle Loss, Aging and Obesity: Anabolic Resistance Explained w/Dr. Ben Bikman

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-dig... 📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com and/or 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Ben explores the concept of anabolic resistance—the body’s reduced ability to build and maintain muscle in response to stimuli like protein intake and resistance training. This phenomenon, often associated with aging, also affects individuals with obesity or a sedentary lifestyle. Because muscle health is directly tied to longevity, strength, insulin sensitivity, and independence, understanding and reversing anabolic resistance is critical for long-term metabolic health. Dr. Bikman explains the key drivers of anabolic resistance: reduced anabolic hormone levels, impaired amino acid delivery, inflammation, and cellular changes such as insulin resistance and intramuscular lipid buildup. He emphasizes the central role of the mTOR signaling pathway in muscle protein synthesis, and how factors like age, obesity, and inactivity blunt this response—even when adequate nutrients and exercise are present. The lecture ends with practical strategies to overcome anabolic resistance, including resistance training, high-leucine animal protein intake, creatine, omega-3s, vitamin D3, and even peptides. Ben stresses that building muscle isn’t just about looking good—it’s about preventing frailty, insulin resistance, and loss of independence. Resistance training is non-negotiable, and diet alone will never be enough to restore optimal muscle health. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, and online, live Office Hours access with Dr Bikman. It also includes Ben’s Research Review Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com Translation Notes: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose Polish.) In addition, our channel has first access to YouTube’s new, innovative “auto-dubbing” feature. The process currently supports translations from English into many languages, with more to come. Click on the gear icon, then choose “Audio track” to access. #MuscleHealth #AnabolicResistance #BenBikman #MetabolicHealth #Sarcopenia #BuildMuscle #AntiAging #ResistanceTraining #ProteinSynthesis #mTOR #HealthyAging #ObesityAndMuscleLoss #InsulinResistance #HighLeucineProtein #Creatine #VitaminD #Inflammation #FatLoss #Longevity #MetabolicClassroom Timestamps (approximate): 01:09 – The Importance of Muscle Mass for Longevity 03:42 – What Is Anabolic Resistance? 06:24 – Causes of Anabolic Resistance 09:01 – Role of mTOR in Muscle Protein Synthesis 11:39 – The Muscle-Fat Tug-of-War: Obesity's Role 13:50 – Aging and Muscle: Why Resistance Training Matters 16:15 – Protein Intake and Leucine Threshold 18:42 – Nutritional Tools to Combat Anabolic Resistance 21:06 – Lifestyle and Supplement Strategies 24:17 – Closing Thoughts: A Hopeful Perspective Ben’s favorite yerba mate and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd