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Kidneys, Marathons and Metabolic Truths
Manage episode 484482089 series 3556480
🎙️ NEW EPISODE DROP: Metabolic Wellbeing Without the BS | Episode 66
🧠💥 What do marathons, metabolism, kidney disease, and carb gels have in common?
They all feature in my latest conversation with Dr Karen Dwyer — Professor and Director of Nephrology & Kidney Care at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, lifestyle medicine advocate, and one of Australia’s most inspiring clinician-scientists.
From performing the first hand transplant in Australia to helping patients reverse disease through lifestyle-first approaches, Karen brings unmatched insight and refreshing clarity.
🔎 In this episode:
🩺 Why metabolic health is the foundation of all health
💊 Why medications should support — not replace — lifestyle change
🧂 How ultra-processed foods, salt, and insulin resistance are connected
🏃♀️ The truth about carb-loading, fasting for performance & breaking the fast
❤️ Why kidney health is everyone's business
🗣️ The myth of saying: “You don’t have type 2 diabetes... yet.”
👩⚕️ Advice for healthcare practitioners: Be curious. Be holistic. Be human.
Dr Dwyer also shares what drives her: being a mum of four, a marathon runner, and a fierce advocate for gender equity and patient empowerment.
🎧 Whether you're a clinician, athlete, or someone navigating their own health journey — this is one episode not to miss.
👉 Listen now to Episode 66:
Who is Karen Dwyer
Karen was the lead physician in Australia’s first and only hand transplant procedure in 2011. Her clinical passion is partnering with patients to support self-management practices through holistic models of care.
Karen completed a PhD in xenotransplantation through St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne and a post-doc in Transplant Immunology at Harvard University Boston, MA, USA. Karen recently completed a Fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine. Karen has previously worked in the education sector as the Deputy Head and Acting Dean of the School of Medicine at Deakin University as well as Clinical Director at Kidney Health Australia.
Join the Global Movement for Metabolic Wellbeing! 🌍✨
In just 12 months, we’ve launched over 50 powerful weekly podcasts, sparking conversations on health, wellness, and longevity in 70+ countries and 700+ locations worldwide! Featuring insights from world-renowned thought leaders—including Rob Lufkin, Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, Stephen Sideroff, Dominic D'Agostino, Professor Thomas Seyfried, Dr. Erin Bellamy, Nicole Laurent, John Hagel, and many more—we uncover real stories and science-backed strategies to help you reclaim your most valuable asset: your health.
🚀 What’s Next?
We’re taking things to the next level with the launch of our groundbreaking books:
📖 Metabolic Wellbeing Without the BS – It Starts with YOU
📖 Breaking the Myths of Metabolic Wellbeing from Z - A
These must-read titles will challenge conventional wisdom, bust common health myths, and empower YOU to take control of your metabolic health, insulin resistance, gut health, mental clarity, and weight management.
🎧 Join the Conversation & Take Action!
✅ Listen & Transform Your Health 👉 Podcast Link
✅ Support & Subscribe 👉 Buzzsprout Subscription
Be part of the global movement for metabolic wellbeing...
Chapters
1. Kidneys, Marathons and Metabolic Truths (00:00:00)
2. I am a Kidney Specialist at Royal Melbourne Hospital (00:00:40)
3. I care for people with kidney issues, but in the past few years my outlook has changed (00:02:00)
4. Why Metabolic Health is the foundation of health (00:04:00)
5. Medications can be used as an adjunct - let's look at lifestyle (00:05:00)
6. Highlights of my career - reversing ill health (00:06:00)
7. I am a mum of 4 kids, a marathon runner and love my time for craft (00:07:00)
8. The changes in marathons and endurance events - the myths of carb loading and using 'gels' (00:08:00)
9. Fasting for exercise, and some key differences (00:11:00)
10. Breaking the fast - real protein (00:12:30)
11. Why kidney health is vital (00:13:40)
12. Salt / Kidneys and Blood Pressure (00:15:10)
13. Salt, Ultra processed Foods and insulin Resistance (00:18:30)
14. Personal admiration for others such as fellow nephrologist Jason Fung, Sports medics such as Tim Noakes and Peter Bruckner (00:20:00)
15. The presentations of patients and first case (00:22:10)
16. Clinical consults now are lifestyle first - Common things are common (00:24:00)
17. The Dr says to patients - You don't have type 2 diabetes - YET' (00:25:00)
18. Metabolic syndrome - the importance of hope and support (00:26:25)
19. Self care - Why it matters to me! (00:27:30)
20. Advice for health practitioners - be curious, be holistic, lifestyle focus (00:32:00)
66 episodes
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