How are metabolism, cognition, mood, and overall health connected - and do these interactions differ between women and men across the lifespan?

In this episode, Franziska talks to Prof. Manfred Hallschmid from the University of Tübingen, where he researches the links between brain function, metabolic processes, and sleep.

Manfred explains how our brain and body communicate when it comes to food intake and mental well-being - and how these processes shift during major hormonal transition phases such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. What role do sex hormones play in these changes?

In the outlook, Manfred shares the key questions he believes the field needs to tackle next and what’s the one thing he wishes more people understood about metabolism and well-being.

The topic of metabolism has never been this fascinating - join us as Manfred connects the dots of food intake, hormones, and mental health across the lifespan.

If you would like to get in touch with Manfred, you can find him here: https://www.medizin.uni-tuebingen.de/de/das-klinikum/mitarbeiter/profil/1965

... or reach him at: manfred.hallschmid@uni-tuebingen.de

Timestamps:

00:25: Introduction of our guest Manfred Hallschmid and his field of research

01:17: What is metabolism?

02:25: Which systems in the body and the brain are involved in food intake?

06:25: Top-down and bottom-up pathways linking metabolism with cognitive function, mental health, and mood

14:44: Key sex differences in metabolism and their onset

21:03: Influence of sex hormones on metabolism

27:10: How do the hormonal fluctuations across the female life span impact metabolism?

42:42: Summary

45:00: Future directions in research

48:05: Take home message

49:55: Closing remarks

Outline & questions: Nina Goll & Franziska Weinmar

Sound recording: Nina Goll with the equipment of the IRTG2804

Editing: Franziska Weinmar

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