Dr. Jason Fung Explains Why You Are Always Hungry

Dr. Jason Fung Explains Why You Are Always Hungry

Author: JJ Virgin April 15, 2026 Duration: 49:17
Are you tired of being told that your weight gain is simply a result of a lack of willpower? In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend and world-renowned kidney specialist, Dr. Jason Fung, to dive deep into the real science of why we feel hungry. We break down why the traditional "eat less, move more" advice is a total lie and how your hormones—not your willpower—are the true drivers of weight gain. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to reclaim control over your appetite and age more powerfully than ever before. What you’ll learn: (05:21) Dr. Fung reveals the biggest lie we’ve been told about why we feel hungry. (06:00) Learn about the three distinct types of hunger and how they drive your eating behaviors. (09:57) Discover why the "calories in, calories out" model is a spectacular failure for long-term health. (12:38) Understand why perimenopause is one of the highest risk periods for weight gain due to hormonal shifts. (16:48) Explore how ultra-processed foods are designed to biologically manipulate your brain's reward centers. (21:44) See how your social environment and the people around you significantly impact your risk of obesity. (31:16) Find out how regular fasting can act as a powerful tool to reset your hunger signals and metabolic flexibility. (35:25) Get practical advice on redesigning your physical environment to avoid hedonic and conditioned hunger traps Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/thehungercode Visit timeline.com/jjvirgin to get 20% off your order of Mitopure. For an exclusive offer, go to https://bioptimizers.com/jjvirgin and use promo code JJVIRGIN during checkout to save 15%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midlife isn't a crisis; it's a catalyst. On Well Beyond 40, JJ Virgin guides a conversation about rewriting the narrative of aging for women, moving from simply coping to truly thriving. This isn't about chasing youth, but about building a foundation of strength and vitality that makes the coming decades the most rewarding yet. Each episode feels like a direct, practical talk with a trusted expert who cuts through the noise. You'll hear actionable strategies rooted in science, focusing on how nutrition, movement, and mindset intersect uniquely during this life stage. JJ translates complex research into clear steps for refueling your body, managing energy, and cultivating a sense of purpose that goes far beyond the scale. The Well Beyond 40 podcast operates on the principle that knowing *why* something works is just as important as knowing *what* to do. Listeners are invited into a space where questions about metabolic shifts, hormonal balance, sustainable fitness, and intentional beauty are met with evidence-based answers and genuine empathy. It’s a resource for any woman ready to move past generic advice and discover what it means to age with power, confidence, and joy on her own terms. Tune in to reframe your approach and build a life that feels truly well-lived.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Well Beyond 40
Podcast Episodes
Heal Your Gut and Master Menopause with Cynthia Thurlow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
What if the key to a better night's sleep isn't just a pill, but better gut health? I am so thrilled to welcome my dear friend Cynthia Thurlow, a brilliant nurse practitioner and expert in intermittent fasting, back to t…
Fitness Expert On Most Powerful Predictors on Healthspan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
Are you focusing on your healthspan while completely neglecting your "strength span"? I have seen so many women hit midlife and feel like their strength and recovery disappeared overnight, but it is often a decline in ce…
Dr. Scott Sherr on Mitochondria, Stress, and Midlife Fatigue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
What early signs could indicate your metabolism is breaking down? I sat down with Dr. Scott Sherr, a physician focused on health optimization and mitochondrial function, to unpack why so many women feel exhausted despite…
Cravings After 40 Are Not a Discipline Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:22
What if your cravings have nothing to do with discipline? I want you to stop blaming a lack of discipline for your midlife cravings and understand that your body runs on chemistry, not willpower. In this episode, I break…
Mastering Your Internal Symphony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:41
Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist and functional medicine expert who specializes in how food, light, and lifestyle impact whole-body health. She’s known for blending science with practical strategies to help people…
Why Lifting Weights is the Secret to Fat Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
Are you losing muscle instead of fat by over-prioritizing cardio? I'm here to tell you that the common advice to lose weight before lifting is biologically backwards and keeping you frustrated and stuck. In this episode,…
Why Coffee is a Health Superfood with Andrew Salisbury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:09
Could your "guilty pleasure" actually be the best thing for your liver health? I’m diving deep into my favorite food group today with Andrew Salisbury, the founder of Purity Coffee, to reveal why your morning brew is act…
What Collagen Actually Does After 30 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:24
Are you using collagen incorrectly as a protein replacement? Collagen is one of the most misunderstood supplements in the health world, and I’m breaking down the real science behind it. I explain what collagen actually d…
Dr. Scott Sherr Reveals the Biohacking Power of Methylene Blue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
Could a low dose of methylene blue be the missing "bridge" to help you overcome chronic brain fog and fatigue? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Sherr, a leading expert in health optimization and hyperbaric medi…