Stephen Phinney is the former Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of Virta Health, the first clinically-proven treatment to safely and sustainably reverse type 2 diabetes without medications or surgery.
As a physician-scientist with 40 years of experience divided between academic internal medicine and industry, Dr. Phinney has studied nutritional biochemistry with a long-term focus on low carbohydrate research and its benefits for physical performance and insulin sensitivity. His career has emphasized the interaction between diet and exercise and their effects on obesity, body composition, physical performance, and cellular membrane structure.
A Professor of Medicine Emeritus at University of California, Davis, Dr. Phinney is an internationally recognized expert on obesity, carbohydrate-restricted and ketogenic diets, diet and performance, and essential fatty acid metabolism. He has held clinical faculty appointments at MIT and the Universities of Vermont, Minnesota, and California at Davis as well as leadership positions at Monsanto, Galileo Laboratories, and Efficas.
Dr. Phinney's clinical experience includes inpatient and outpatient clinical nutrition, directing multidisciplinary weight management programs in three locations, and he has designed, completed, and published data from more than 20 clinical protocols involving diets, exercise, oxidative stress, and inflammation. His extensive experience in the design of clinical nutrition trials in both academic and industrial settings has led to more than 87 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on clinical nutrition and biochemistry. He is the author of four books, including The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living and The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance, two foundational books on low carb nutrition science and nutritional ketosis that he co-authored with Jeff Volek, Ph.D, RD. Dr. Phinney also previously served on the editorial board of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Dr. Phinney received his medical degree from Stanford University, holds a Doctorate in nutritional biochemistry and metabolism from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed post-doctoral research at Harvard University.
summerizer
Dr. Steve Phinney - 'Inflammation: Its Role in Chronic Disease and Reversal by Nutritional Ketosis'
In this video, Dr. Stephen Phinney discusses the role of inflammation in chronic diseases and how nutritional ketosis can help reverse conditions like type 2 diabetes. Reflecting on his work with Dr. Sarah Halberg, he emphasizes the importance of commitment and connection in their research. He explains the mechanics of inflammation and reviews various studies linking diet to inflammatory response, particularly focusing on the benefits of a ketogenic diet over traditional low-fat diets.
Key Points
Legacy of Dr. Sarah Halberg
Dr. Phinney shares a tribute to Dr. Sarah Halberg, emphasizing her courage and impact on diabetes treatment through her work at Virta Health. Their collaboration led to significant research in reversing type 2 diabetes and showcased her dedication despite personal health struggles.
Role of Inflammation in Chronic Diseases
Dr. Phinney outlines how modern medicine often overlooks the complexity of inflammation, explaining that it plays a crucial role in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. He indicates that previous understandings were reductionist, focusing solely on insulin resistance, while also citing studies that position inflammation as a key factor.
Nutritional Ketosis as a Therapeutic Approach
The discussion includes the benefits of nutritional ketosis, where ketones are utilized as an efficient energy source that also assists in mediating inflammation. Dr. Phinney argues that such diets can potentially reduce inflammation markers and improve metabolic health.
Impact of Diet on Inflammation
Phinney highlights how different diets affect inflammation differently. He cites a study comparing ketogenic and low-fat diets, which showed a greater improvement in markers of inflammation and metabolic syndrome indicators in patients following a ketogenic diet.
Future of Research in Ketogenic Diets
Dr. Phinney expresses optimism about ongoing and future research into the effects of ketogenic diets on various inflammatory conditions beyond diabetes, envisioning it as a potent tool in metabolic health and chronic disease management.