Andrew Huberman just had one of the world’s leading nutrition experts on his podcast.
Dr. Layne Norton revealed why most diets fail, and how your gut may be the real reason you can’t lose weight.
Here are his 8 insights that will transform your gut (and your metabolism):
1. Your body has more bacterial cells than human cells.
This means your cravings and weight might be controlled by trillions of microbes.
They literally outnumber you in your own body.
2. Different gut bacteria extract different calories from identical food.
Someone with "obese" microbiome pulls more energy from the same sandwich.
Your bacteria decide if that meal becomes fat or fuel.
3. GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) target your gut and your brain.
They suppress appetite in the brain and stimulate stretch sensors in the gut.
So you feel full with even no food.
That’s how they drive 15%+ weight loss.
4. Fibre is the closest thing we have to a longevity drug.
A meta-analysis of over 1 million people found:
Every 10g of fibre = 10% lower mortality risk
It feeds gut bacteria that produce butyrate (regulates appetite, insulin, and fat storage)
Aim for 15g per 1,000 calories.
Eating 2,000 calories daily means you need 30g minimum.
2 cups of broccoli provides only 5-6 grams, explaining why many "healthy eaters" still struggle.
Most people get less than half of what they need.
That’s a silent reason diets stall.
5. Pooping is the last reason to eat fibre.
Yes, it helps elimination but that’s not the point.
Fiber fuels your microbiome to produce fat-burning compounds like butyrate, which improve insulin sensitivity and curb weight gain.
Gut function = metabolic function.
6. Exercise doesn’t just burn calories, it reshapes your gut.
Exercise reshapes your gut and that reshapes your metabolism.
Regular movement increases microbial diversity and boosts bacteria
that support fat loss.
7. Saturated fat kills weight-regulating gut bacteria.
The issue isn’t the fat itself, but the bile byproducts it creates.
These compounds damage beneficial gut bacteria that help control hunger and blood sugar.
8. Most diets fail because they ignore gut regulation.
Your microbiome sends hunger and fullness signals to your brain.
When it’s dysregulated, no amount of willpower or calorie cutting works.
Fix the gut first or the cravings will always come back.
Here's an interesting insight:
We're still in the infancy of understanding gut health's role in weight.
Current knowledge represents maybe 5% of the full picture.
Even top researchers admit we'll look back in 20 years amazed at how little we knew.
I spent years researching gut health after my health crisis.
Tried every supplement, protocol, and “miracle” cure.
Most were expensive hype with little science behind them.
Then I found something that changed everything:
Natto
This fermented soybean food has been consumed for 1,000+ years in Japan.
It contains nattokinase, an enzyme with remarkable gut-healing properties that support weight regulation.
And its benefits extend far beyond digestion:
• Improves nutrient absorption
• Reduces harmful inflammation
• Contains vitamin K2 for bone health
• Supports heart health
• Enhances immune function
The science behind natto is impressive. But there's one problem:
Traditional natto has a stringy texture, strong smell, and a taste most Westerners find unbearable.
And it's a hassle to prepare.
So I partnered with Japan’s top manufacturer to create a better solution:
Freeze-dried vegetable natto capsules.
Living Alpha was born from this experience.
I wanted to make this powerful Japanese superfood available throughout Europe.
Something that delivers real results, not just another supplement with minimal impact.
Something I trust with my own health every day.
Want to optimise your gut health for peak performance?
Follow me @LivingAlpha1 and @LivingAlphaLife for science-backed insights on longevity, gut health, and living disease-free.
We're on a mission to help you maintain quality of life as you age.
At LivingAlpha.co, we're building a health hub for science-backed solutions.
Our Japanese Natto supplement is just the start.
Join the thousands who are improving their gut & heart health: livingalpha.co/pages/newslett…
Video/Image Credits:
How to Improve Gut Health for Weight Loss | Dr. Layne Norton & Dr. Andrew Huberman:
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