The Dr. Berg Show LIVE - September 25, 2026
In a Nutshell
Dr. Berg's Q&A emphasizes that health improvements come from environmental changes rather than willpower, with key recommendations including maintaining vitamin D levels above 50, addressing sodium deficiency for hydration issues, and recognizing that belly fat is the last to go due to survival mechanisms favoring fat retention. The session covers practical protocols for conditions like osteoarthritis as a metabolic disease, neurogenic bladder potentially linked to B1 deficiency, and managing insulin resistance through carnivore diet approaches. Core takeaways include testing fasting insulin rather than just glucose, using dry fasting as hormetic stress, and avoiding isolated synthetic antioxidants like beta carotene due to cancer risk.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Dr. Berg begins the Q&A session by clarifying that all advice provided is not intended to bypass the doctor-patient relationship. Viewers should consult their physicians before implementing any recommendations.
Gary from YouTube asked why people resist following health advice. Dr. Berg responded that most people do follow recommendations. The primary barrier is the misconception that health changes rely solely on willpower. This understanding led to the creation of the book "Change Your Environments," which emphasizes making one-time environmental modifications rather than relying on continuous willpower. When junk food is removed from the household, healthy options become the only available choices.
React with Sam from YouTube inquired about the physiological effects of daily white rice consumption. White rice is a starch that functions as a carbohydrate and raises blood sugar levels. Although not classified as sugar, rice consists of glucose molecules linked together in chains. The primary concern is the blood sugar elevation caused by rice consumption.
Kenneth from YouTube asked how to determine active D3 levels. Blood tests measure inactive vitamin D, not the active form or cellular concentrations. Vitamin D requires multiple conversion steps and helper nutrients including magnesium, zinc, and K2 to become active. Genetic and other barriers can impede vitamin D cellular entry. Dr. Berg recommends maintaining blood levels above 50. For individuals with severe vitamin D resistance, such as those with autoimmune conditions, higher doses up to 100,000 IUs daily may be necessary to achieve therapeutic levels.
Zoe Anna from Rumble reported feeling unwell with stomach wooziness and dizziness, asking if fle and excess sinus drainage can cause vertigo. Dr. Berg confirmed this connection through the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat to the inner ear and can become blocked with mucus, resulting in dizziness. Recommendations include supporting the body through the infection with vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C, getting adequate rest, and allowing the immune system to develop natural immunity rather than immediately suppressing symptoms.
Triven from YouTube reported constant fingertip pain. Dr. Berg suggested this may indicate peripheral neuropathy, which can manifest in both fingers and toes with symptoms including abnormal sensations, tingling, or burning. This condition is commonly associated with pre-diabetic or diabetic states, and can also result from B12 deficiency, particularly in individuals taking metformin.
Jeff, aged 63, shared his 60-pound weight loss through intermittent fasting and inquired about dry fasting. Dr. Berg explained that dry fasting represents another hormetic stress that activates survival proteins, similar to intermittent fasting, exercise, heat therapy, and cold therapy. Human physiology developed in environments where both food and water were periodically scarce. During dry fasting, metabolic water is produced from fat metabolism, with one pound of fat generating slightly more than one pound of water through oxygen extraction from air. Dry fasting increases autophagy beyond standard fasting. Dr. Berg completed a 36-hour dry fast but does not recommend it for everyone.
Halo 1234 from Rumble reported blood D3 levels above 150 and asked about toxicity concerns. The primary side effect of excessive vitamin D is hypercalcemia, which typically requires hundreds of thousands of IUs over months to develop. Monitoring involves blood and urine calcium testing, parathyroid function, and kidney function assessment. Dr. Quamre reported autoimmune patients achieving levels over 200 while monitoring calcium levels. Dr. Berg referenced over 1,000 case studies by Dr. Columb's associates showing before-and-after results for autoimmune and skin disorders.
The first quiz question addressed why belly fat is the most stubborn during weight loss. Dr. Berg explained this is a survival mechanism involving two types of receptors in the midsection with a 1:9 ratio favoring fat retention. Successful weight loss drugs work by overwhelming the system with adrenaline, but this approach carries risks including heart attacks and high blood pressure. A specific exercise approach will be detailed in an upcoming video to address both visceral and superficial belly fat.
Sabo from Facebook asked why asthma symptoms worsen during rainy days. The altered barometric pressure stresses lung tissue that is already compromised in asthma. The recommended intervention is increased sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation.
Raina and her mother Farah joined the session. Farah has had Hashimoto's and diabetes for nine years, experiencing low energy, poor sleep, and heart palpitations despite medications, supplements, intermittent fasting, and keto diet. Her fasting glucose is 166 and A1C is 6.9. Dr. Berg emphasized the importance of fasting insulin testing, noting it should be below 5. Most blood sugar production in insulin-resistant individuals comes from liver gluconeogenesis rather than dietary sources. He recommended a carnivore diet approach to reset insulin receptors, working closely with a physician to avoid hypoglycemia from medications.
Gary from Rumble asked about implementing healthy keto with unspecified liver and kidney damage. Dr. Berg noted that ketones would be particularly beneficial for liver support, and high carbohydrate intake is among the most damaging factors for both liver and kidney function. He advised seeking specific medical reasoning if a physician recommends against this approach.
Joe from Rumble reported midsection bloating from grass-fed organic milk. Dr. Berg explained that milk is biologically designed for infant mammals, and adult consumption presents several physiological challenges. He recommended fermented dairy products including high-quality cheese, yogurt, or kefir as alternatives.
The host discussed Dr. Berg's book, noting it contains 250 pages with chapter-specific quizzes to identify priority areas for lifestyle intervention. The book helps identify gaps between ancestral and modern environments, focusing on high-impact changes rather than attempting comprehensive lifestyle overhaul simultaneously.
The second quiz question addressed persistent dehydration despite water intake. The answer centers on sodium deficiency, as the body cannot retain water without adequate sodium. Symptoms include dizziness upon standing quickly, muscle weakness, and low energy during exercise. Low-carb dieters need approximately one teaspoon of salt daily. Adding salt to the diet can improve energy, exercise performance, and sleep quality.
The third quiz question asked whether taking beta carotene increases cancer risk, with the answer confirmed as true.
A viewer reported their doctor advised stopping vitamin D3 and K2 due to blood clot concerns. Dr. Berg suggested the physician may be confusing K1 with K2 and recommended clarification. Another viewer asked about proven methods to reduce arterial plaque, with Dr. Berg indicating this stems from arterial inflammation often caused by high carbohydrate intake, junk food, or seed oils, with dedicated videos addressing this topic. A third viewer asked about fasting during menopause, with Dr. Berg confirming it is safe.
During menopause, fasting should not be done too long or chronically due to higher amounts of stress hormones and increased atrophy. The recommended approach is two meals, a lunch and a dinner with sufficient protein combined with more exercise.
Gum disease has direct connections to heart health, gut health, and arthritis. When there is gum infection and microbes enter the bloodstream, blood clots, heart problems, and plaquing can develop. Recommendations include finding a good dentist who can take x-rays underneath the teeth to check for infections or abscesses. In severe cases, pulling teeth with infection may be necessary. Some data shows restoration of jaw bone loss using hyperbaric therapy, which pushes oxygen deep into affected areas.
Blood tests are not always the best way to determine supplement needs. Watch videos to identify signs and symptoms, and assess diet for sufficiency. The RDAs represent bare survival amounts, not optimum amounts. Key vitamins that are difficult to obtain from the current food system include vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and other trace minerals.
For fungal overgrowth, reduce sugar intake. Low vitamin D levels increase susceptibility to fungal infections. Candida is particularly associated with sugar consumption. For toenail fungus, specific protocols are covered in recent videos on that topic.
When experiencing excessive weight loss on keto, increase fat in the diet, increase overall calories, and perform more weight training with heavier weights to build muscle.
Randomized control trials demonstrate that niacin can lower cholesterol and increase HDL. Significant research funding was invested attempting to develop a drug version of niacin.
An overactive detrusor muscle causing neurogenic bladder may be related to B1 deficiency. The nervous system and brain can overreact to B1 deficiency, causing autonomic hyperactivity. Recommended forms include allithiamine as a natural B1 source, or benfotiamine which delivers more B1 into tissues. Benfotiamine does not penetrate deeply into the brain, so a combination of benfotiamine and natural B1 may be needed to address both brain and bladder nerve issues. Higher amounts of B1 may be needed for a period of time to resolve the overactive nerve problem.
A $45 million to $100 million research project found that a cheap synthetic version of beta carotene increased cancer risk. In nature, antioxidants never exist in isolation but come in groups and networks that support each other. When an isolated antioxidant donates an electron to stabilize a free radical, it becomes a free radical itself, creating damage. Synthetic isolated antioxidants are not recommended.
Osteoarthritis is not simply a wear-and-tear disease. Evidence against the wear-and-tear theory includes cases where one hip completely wears out while the other does not, and osteoarthritis occurring in non-weight-bearing joints like fingers. The cartilage lacks blood supply but other joint parts are susceptible to glucose/fuel issues. Recent findings classify osteoarthritis as a metabolic disease, with visceral fat significantly increasing risk factors even in hands. High blood glucose with insulin resistance starves tissues of glucose despite abundance. Exercise provides cartilage nutrition through compression and decompression.
The best way to prevent hypoglycemic incidents is not frequent small meals. People fasting for 72 hours do not develop hypoglycemia. The underlying problem is high insulin from high carbohydrate diets, causing blood sugar to drop 1-2 hours after eating. Snacking and sugar pills worsen the condition. The solution is switching to low carb, less frequent eating.
For a 10-year-old with ADHD where traditional approaches worsen symptoms, fix the diet first by going low carb to feed the brain ketones. Add natural B1 to the protocol. Restrict screen time, as the average teenager gets 9 hours daily, which disrupts focus and concentration through social media notifications and digital interruptions.
A 59-year-old woman experienced confusion, dizziness, and headaches lasting months after falling backward on stairs and hitting the lower back of her head and neck. Current supplements include creatine, ginkgo, omega-3, B1, D3, and magnesium glycinate. Additional approaches include chewing cloves, adding cloves to coffee, applying peppermint oil to the back of the head, and receiving osteopath fascia treatment. This appears to be a physical injury rather than a nutritional problem, potentially addressable through myofascial stretching and acupressure techniques.
Beef liver concentrates nutrients like B12 and vitamin A. Excessive consumption, such as polar bear or grizzly bear liver, can be toxic. A few times a week is sufficient. Natural vitamin A is preferable to synthetic versions.
The lymphatic system does have a muscular component. Movement helps lymphatic function. Low carb diet combined with more motion improves the lymphatic system more effectively than other approaches. The lymphatic system serves as backup to venous and arterial systems and contains significant immune system components including the spleen and lymph nodes.
There are no drawbacks or side effects from taking multiple food-based supplements. Dosage experimentation can help determine optimal intake by stopping some supplements and comparing effects.
For gallstones and fatty liver, address one issue at a time. Ox bile after meals may help break down stones. TUDCA on an empty stomach keeps ducts open and flowing, preventing stone formation by increasing bile availability.
A German eye doctor treated glaucoma with high vitamin D protocols. The specific name and book reference will be posted in video descriptions.
Research on garlic for cleaning arteries was conducted on black garlic extract, making this the preferred form based on available evidence.
For osteopenia, Japanese women with osteoporosis took 45 milligrams of vitamin K2 with significant results. Trace minerals containing boron are important, along with magnesium. Weight-bearing exercises like deadlifts at appropriate pace help preserve and strengthen bones through loading stress.
Watch videos in order of most recent first because those are the most relevant. Things have changed over the years, so original videos may be outdated.
It is hard to get vitamin D unless you get sufficient sun. You cannot get it from food. The RDAs are a joke. You need sufficient amounts. There are two different systems of vitamin D: one for the bone and one for everything else. There are a lot of barriers to absorption.
Vitamin D benefits include immune system support, preventing achiness and pain especially in the lower back, and mood elevation. Because vitamin D is involved in 10% of all genes, its effects are widespread throughout the body.
With the immune system, vitamin D prevents your immune system from going rogue and attacking itself. It prevents a war, such as a cytokine storm where you have a huge inflammatory condition. It works to prevent this runaway war of the immune system. If you don't have enough vitamin D, you are more susceptible to having a lot of different other issues.
One interesting symptom is if you sweat on your head unusually easily, such as sweating on your head or face. That is a classic vitamin D deficiency.
B1 will only work if you have sufficient magnesium. Increase magnesium intake. You can take a little bit more B1 to see what happens. It wouldn't hurt to take vitamin D3 because that's another recommendation.
Don't do all those at one time. Do one thing at a time. Focus on the magnesium and B1 first.
Another mistake people make is not giving it enough time to work. Sometimes it could take weeks or even a few months to work. It is not going to be overnight. Even with other things like leg cramps with calcium, giving enough time is going to be important.
New videos will be coming out next week on topics of interest.
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