Evolutionary Anthropology (METABOLISM) with Dr. Herman Pontzer

Let’s debunk some “dieting” myths by exploring our human machinery. And talk about Brazilian butt lifts. Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and metabolism researcher Dr. Herman Pontzer gives us the data on mitochondrial backstories, muscle mass and hormones, our expanding brains, the flaws of the Body Mass Index, humans’ relationships with nutrition, why crash dieting can change your metabolism, perspectives on sticky medical terms, isotope magic, how much exercise hunter gatherers get, carnivore diets, scales, and what to do if you're grappling with sadness. Content warning: we discuss diet culture, calories, how the word “obesity” is used, medical conditions that may relate to body composition, and highlight listeners’ lived experiences.

Listen via Apple, Spotify, Google, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Visit the Pontzer Lab website

Browse Dr. Pontzer’s papers on ResearchGate and follow him on Instagram and X

Buy Dr. Pontzer’s book, Burn: New Research Blows the Lid Off How We Really Burn Calories, Stay Healthy, and Lose Weight

A donation went to Hadza Fund

Links to things we discussed:

Does Thinking Burn Calories? Here’s What the Science Says

Body mass index - Wikipedia

What Your BMI Doesn’t Tell You

Adipose Tissue (Body Fat): Anatomy & Function

Brazilian Butt Lifts Surge, Despite Risks

These Are the Biggest Risks of a Brazilian Butt Lift

Report on Mortality from Gluteal Fat Grafting: Recommendations from the ASERF Task Force

Effects of Exercise on Mitochondrial Content and Function in Aging Human Skeletal Muscle

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Reverse Diet as a Novel Weight Loss Maintenance Strategy for Weight-Reduced Adults With Overweight/Obesity

Can reverse dieting really trick your metabolism and prevent weight gain?

Ask the Expert: Reverse Dieting

The active grandparent hypothesis: Physical activity and the evolution of extended human healthspans and lifespans

Combination contraceptives: effects on weight

The reality of menopause weight gain

Vegan Diet Health Benefits in Metabolic Syndrome

Physical exercise for late-life major depression

The thrifty genotype in type 2 diabetes: an unfinished symphony moving to its finale?

Dinitrophenol (DNP) Fatality Associated with a Falsely Elevated Salicylate Level: a Case Report with Verification of Laboratory Cross Reactivity

Resistance Exercise Training Alters Mitochondrial Function in Human Skeletal Muscle

Doubly labeled water

Is the Comparison between Exercise and Pharmacologic Treatment of Depression in the Clinical Practice Guideline of the American College of Physicians Evidence-Based?

The thrifty genotype in type 2 diabetes: an unfinished symphony moving to its finale?

Other episodes you may enjoy:

Pyrotechnology (FIREMAKING)

Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING BUGS)

Kalology (BEAUTY STANDARDS)

Genicular Traumatology (BAD KNEES)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth 

Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn