The Obesity Doctor Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Neil Naik and I unpack a foundational question—is obesity actually linked to cancer, and what’s really driving that connection? We explore the underlying biology, from chronic inflammation and insulin resistance to the hormonal activity of adipose tissue, and why visceral fat may matter more than we think.

We then move beyond risk and into what happens after a diagnosis—how obesity can influence treatment response, toxicity, dosing, and outcomes across chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. The conversation also highlights the often-overlooked phase of survivorship, including the role of metabolic health in recurrence risk and long-term prognosis.

We close by discussing where emerging therapies like GLP-1 medications fit, how clinicians can move beyond BMI toward more individualized care, and how to talk about the obesity–cancer connection in a way that informs without adding shame.

My Guest Dr. Neil Naik

Dr. Neil Naik, a family physician, educator, and innovator based in Waterloo, Ontario. Trained at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, he completed residencies in Newfoundland and Nunavut and holds an Executive MBA from Ivey, where he focused on technology-driven healthcare innovation.

He runs a Family Practice and an obesity medicine clinic in Waterloo, along with an AI-enabled skin cancer screening program, while teaching medical students at both McMaster University and the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Naik advises startups, leads regional primary care and cancer prevention initiatives, and champions universal healthcare, leveraging AI to make safe, high-quality care accessible to everyone, everywhere.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-naik/

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are changing the conversation around obesity and weight loss — but there’s one major problem: most people are starting these medications with little to no guidance on how to properly nourish their body while taking them.

And that matters.

Because while GLP-1s can be incredibly effective tools for weight loss, they can also lead to muscle loss, under-eating, fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and long-term metabolic issues when nutrition is neglected.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the biggest nutrition mistakes people make on GLP-1 medications — and exactly how to protect your metabolism, preserve muscle, maintain energy, and build sustainable habits while losing weight.

We’ll cover:
- Why protein becomes non-negotiable on GLP-1 medications
- How much protein you actually need
- The hidden dangers of under-eating
- Why rapid weight loss can harm your metabolism
- How to preserve muscle while losing fat
- The critical role of strength training
- What to do if you have no appetite
- Tips for nausea and food aversions
- How to create sustainable eating habits while on GLP-1s
- Rebuilding a healthier relationship with food

This episode is especially important if you’ve ever thought:
“I’m barely eating… so why do I feel exhausted?”
“Why am I losing muscle instead of just fat?”
“How do I hit my protein goals when I’m never hungry?”

GLP-1 medications are not magic — but when combined with proper nutrition and lifestyle support, they can become powerful tools for long-term health.

If you’re currently taking a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.

And if you’re looking for support along your journey, Dr. Sasha High and I would love to welcome you into our women’s coaching program, Best Weight, where we openly discuss treatment options like GLP-1 medications and help women build sustainable, healthy weight loss habits together.

WORK WITH US:
O​​ntario-Wide Virtual Obesity Management Clinic
https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating
https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

Taking the first step toward weight loss can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve created a curated list of my podcast episodes to gently guide you as you begin your journey. https://www.sashahighmd.com/podcast-guide

FOLLOW SASHA
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sashahighmd/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
BMI Calculator
Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator(BMR)

REFERENCES:
Carbone, J. W., & Pasiakos, S. M. (2019). Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit. Nutrients, 11(5), 1136. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051136

McCarthy, D., & Berg, A. (2021). Weight Loss Strategies and the Risk of Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss. Nutrients, 13(7), 2473. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072473

Scott Butsch, W., Sulo, S., Chang, A. T., Kim, J. A., Kerr, K. W., Williams, D. R., Hegazi, R., Panchalingam, T., Goates, S., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2025). Nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss in adults with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists: A retrospective observational study. Obesity pillars, 15, 100186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100186

Brian Baumal lost 100 pounds, and more importantly, he’s kept it off for over 14 years.

But what he really understands is this: it’s not a lack of knowledge that keeps people stuck, it’s the psychology. The urgency that drives all-or-nothing thinking.

Brian works as a Toronto-based psychotherapist and is the guest on today’s episode of THE OBESITY DOCTOR PODCAST. We break down why urgency isn’t discipline, and what actually works if you want change to last.

Work with Brian:
https://alivapsychotherapy.com/

WORK WITH ME
O​​ntario-Wide Virtual Obesity Management Clinic
https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating
https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

Taking the first step toward weight loss can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve created a curated list of my podcast episodes to gently guide you as you begin your journey. https://www.sashahighmd.com/podcast-guide

FOLLOW SASHA
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sashahighmd/

In today’s episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges during a weight loss journey — balancing social eating while still making progress.

With summer approaching, there are naturally more opportunities for eating out, patio dinners, vacations, parties, and weekend plans. Many people feel confident and consistent during the week, but struggle when social events come up and feel like their progress gets completely derailed.

In this episode, Tedi Glik, RD will cover:

- Why there is no such thing as a “cheat meal”
- How to build balanced meals even when eating out
- The importance of protein and veggies at social meals
- Why skipping meals before dinner outings backfires
- How restriction leads to overeating Letting go of the “good” vs. “bad” food mentality
- How scarcity around food increases cravings and binge eating
- Tips for navigating pizza nights, desserts, restaurant meals, and alcohol
- How to enjoy flexibility without guilt while still supporting your goals

The goal is learning how to make healthy eating sustainable in real life — not just during perfect weeks at home.

WORK WITH US:

Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating
https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

O​​ntario-Wide Virtual Obesity Management Clinic
https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Taking the first step toward weight loss can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve created a curated list of my podcast episodes to gently guide you as you begin your journey. https://www.sashahighmd.com/podcast-guide

FOLLOW SASHA
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/sashahighmd/

Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective tools we have in obesity medicine—and also one of the most misunderstood.

In this episode, I’m diving into where surgery truly fits in the treatment of obesity and metabolic health. While we often focus on medical therapies like GLP-1s, it’s important to understand the role bariatric surgery can play—and why it continues to be underutilized or dismissed by many patients.

I’m joined by Toronto-based bariatric surgeon Dr. Lazar Klein, who shares his expertise on what bariatric surgery actually involves, who it’s for, and how it fits into a comprehensive, long-term approach to care. We walk through the most common procedures available — including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch variations — and clarify why older procedures like gastric banding are no longer recommended.

Dr. Klein addresses common fears around surgery, including concerns about surgical complications, dumping syndrome and lifelong changes, while offering a realistic and balanced perspective on risk.

We explore the long-term outcomes as well—how surgery impacts conditions like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and cancer and even mortality, and what the evidence shows about weight maintenance years down the road.

If bariatric surgery has ever felt confusing, intimidating, or “not for you,” this episode will help bring clarity to the conversation.

Resources & Links
Ontario Bariatric Network
https://www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca/

High Metabolic Clinic
https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com/