Bart B. Van Bockstaele
@thamno.bsky.social
Medical translator, veteran computer programmer & author of several books on the subject.
I love science, language, snakes, nutrition.
Lost 65+ kg (143+ pounds) of weight & keeping them off. Not promoting any specific diet but very much in favour of APF.
I love science, language, snakes, nutrition.
Lost 65+ kg (143+ pounds) of weight & keeping them off. Not promoting any specific diet but very much in favour of APF.
Pinned
Just a reminder to people who are struggling with their weight that weight loss is *possible* at any age. I went from 127 kg in 2012 to 69 kg in 2022 and am currently hovering around 65 kg.
It took me 40 years to find a solution, I obviously found one that works. At least for me.
It took me 40 years to find a solution, I obviously found one that works. At least for me.
I am less than impressed with ChatGPT's accuracy, but I have to give it good marks in the humour department. It seems to be able to cater to my own sense of humour:
November 1, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I am less than impressed with ChatGPT's accuracy, but I have to give it good marks in the humour department. It seems to be able to cater to my own sense of humour:
Here is another magnificent result from Google's AI. 35 g contains approximately 4 g of fibre and 100 g contains approximately 1.5 g of fibre. How fantastic. I admit that my limited brain is unable to grasp such an exquisite calculation.
Artificial idiocy at its finest!
Artificial idiocy at its finest!
October 25, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Here is another magnificent result from Google's AI. 35 g contains approximately 4 g of fibre and 100 g contains approximately 1.5 g of fibre. How fantastic. I admit that my limited brain is unable to grasp such an exquisite calculation.
Artificial idiocy at its finest!
Artificial idiocy at its finest!
I saw this one yesterday as a recommendation on YouTube. Highly recommended!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8Q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8Q...
October 23, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I saw this one yesterday as a recommendation on YouTube. Highly recommended!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8Q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8Q...
It seems that @vanranstmarc.bsky.social has blocked me on Twitter. I do not know why, because I thought I agreed with most of his positions, but it is his right. So, I will no longer risk bothering him and will unfollow him here as well.
October 19, 2025 at 12:41 AM
It seems that @vanranstmarc.bsky.social has blocked me on Twitter. I do not know why, because I thought I agreed with most of his positions, but it is his right. So, I will no longer risk bothering him and will unfollow him here as well.
Excellent and hilarious-while-sad video about the dangers of 'alternative' health. Whether we like it or not, the only alternative to reality is fantasy, and that is not an impressively reliable basis for desirable results. We may not like that, but reality doesn't care about that either.
Scientist Reacts to the most Dangerous Internet Health Fads
Coffee enemas, raw meat/milk, Sun-staring or drinking urine. The craziest practices on the Internet reviewed with a scientific eye
https://youtu.be/BzIKJLvhrD0
Coffee enemas, raw meat/milk, Sun-staring or drinking urine. The craziest practices on the Internet reviewed with a scientific eye
https://youtu.be/BzIKJLvhrD0
October 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Excellent and hilarious-while-sad video about the dangers of 'alternative' health. Whether we like it or not, the only alternative to reality is fantasy, and that is not an impressively reliable basis for desirable results. We may not like that, but reality doesn't care about that either.
Wonderful talk by @kevinh-phd.bsky.social that is well worth the time for anybody even remotely interested in weight gain, loss and maintenance.
Fantastic evening at @oxmartinschool.bsky.social last night with @kevinh-phd.bsky.social giving a talk on "The Calculus of Calories". Really great, nuanced and evidence-based approach to why it it so hard to lose weight, the obesogenic environment and UPFs.
Video below in case you missed it!
Video below in case you missed it!
'The calculus of calories: food environments and body weight regulation' with Dr Kevin Hall
YouTube video by Oxford Martin School
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Wonderful talk by @kevinh-phd.bsky.social that is well worth the time for anybody even remotely interested in weight gain, loss and maintenance.
When time is short, this is a lifesaver: sprouts/microgreens taken from a drawer next to my desk with TVP, psyllium-spice mix and water. The salt mill does not contain salt but citric acid.
October 2, 2025 at 6:42 PM
When time is short, this is a lifesaver: sprouts/microgreens taken from a drawer next to my desk with TVP, psyllium-spice mix and water. The salt mill does not contain salt but citric acid.
Here👇is the little blurb about "Food Intelligence", the remarkably enjoyable and intelligent book on food written by @kevinh-phd.bsky.social and @juliabelluz.bsky.social I wrote on Google. I think it deserves many more and better reviews.
October 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Here👇is the little blurb about "Food Intelligence", the remarkably enjoyable and intelligent book on food written by @kevinh-phd.bsky.social and @juliabelluz.bsky.social I wrote on Google. I think it deserves many more and better reviews.
For people who believe that everything should be "organic", which is said to mean "containing no human-made chemicals": petroleum is perfectly organic. It was created at a time there weren't even any humans around to "contaminate" it with those hated human-made chemicals.
September 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
For people who believe that everything should be "organic", which is said to mean "containing no human-made chemicals": petroleum is perfectly organic. It was created at a time there weren't even any humans around to "contaminate" it with those hated human-made chemicals.
Here is my current number one favourite meal. I have to be careful with it, because it is prone to massive overeating:
Sprouts/microgreens, crushed tomatoes and psyllium with nattou. Insanely delicious.
Sprouts/microgreens, crushed tomatoes and psyllium with nattou. Insanely delicious.
September 25, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Here is my current number one favourite meal. I have to be careful with it, because it is prone to massive overeating:
Sprouts/microgreens, crushed tomatoes and psyllium with nattou. Insanely delicious.
Sprouts/microgreens, crushed tomatoes and psyllium with nattou. Insanely delicious.
I think that this lovely conversation is a great example of how policy decisions will always make people unhappy. I also think that people's unhappiness is not as important as population's safety. Personal freedoms are wonderful, but they should stop where they start hurting other people and this is
The very first shot a baby gets is now under review.
Should the Hep B “birth dose” stay the starting point of America’s vaccine schedule, or be delayed to rebuild trust?
We asked @pauloffit.bsky.social & @michaelmina.bsky.social, take a listen here:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Should the Hep B “birth dose” stay the starting point of America’s vaccine schedule, or be delayed to rebuild trust?
We asked @pauloffit.bsky.social & @michaelmina.bsky.social, take a listen here:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccine: Do We Need It? An Honest Conversation w Dr. Paul Offit & Dr. Michael Mina
Podcast Episode · Why Should I Trust You? · 09/18/2025 · 1h 22m
podcasts.apple.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:47 AM
I think that this lovely conversation is a great example of how policy decisions will always make people unhappy. I also think that people's unhappiness is not as important as population's safety. Personal freedoms are wonderful, but they should stop where they start hurting other people and this is
People sometimes wonder why I am not impressed by the abilities of current programmers and associated "ITers". Here is but one minor example. As far as I know, time travel is not available yet.
September 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
People sometimes wonder why I am not impressed by the abilities of current programmers and associated "ITers". Here is but one minor example. As far as I know, time travel is not available yet.
Reposted by Bart B. Van Bockstaele
I was honored to participate in this webinar discussing ultra-processed foods with @meganranney.bsky.social, @cgardnerphd.bsky.social, Susan Mayne, and Fatima Cody Stanford hosted by @nam.edu. If you missed it, a recording is now available in the link below!
nam.edu/event/what-s...
nam.edu/event/what-s...
What Should Kids Eat? Ultra-Processed Foods & Children's Health - NAM
Don't miss the next event in the Health in the Headlines series! Regulating a "Miracle Drug": GLP-1 Costs, Access, & Safety takes place October 8.
nam.edu
September 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I was honored to participate in this webinar discussing ultra-processed foods with @meganranney.bsky.social, @cgardnerphd.bsky.social, Susan Mayne, and Fatima Cody Stanford hosted by @nam.edu. If you missed it, a recording is now available in the link below!
nam.edu/event/what-s...
nam.edu/event/what-s...
Fantastic interview with @cgardnerphd.bsky.social by @vivalongevity.bsky.social:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LDe...
There is so much to love here, one could write a book about it, and as a sprout enthusiast, the snippet about Henrietta Chick stood out: I grow over a kg of sprouts a day in my office.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LDe...
There is so much to love here, one could write a book about it, and as a sprout enthusiast, the snippet about Henrietta Chick stood out: I grow over a kg of sprouts a day in my office.
America's Protein Obsession Is Making Us Fat. Here's Why.
YouTube video by Viva Longevity!
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Fantastic interview with @cgardnerphd.bsky.social by @vivalongevity.bsky.social:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LDe...
There is so much to love here, one could write a book about it, and as a sprout enthusiast, the snippet about Henrietta Chick stood out: I grow over a kg of sprouts a day in my office.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LDe...
There is so much to love here, one could write a book about it, and as a sprout enthusiast, the snippet about Henrietta Chick stood out: I grow over a kg of sprouts a day in my office.
Fascinating interview and analysis by @vivalongevity.bsky.social on (un)healthful diets. My own diet (no animal products) didn't come out on top, but very close to it, so I am guessing I could do worse than I am.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXW...
Harvard says Red Meat is WORSE than Junk Food
YouTube video by Viva Longevity!
www.youtube.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Fascinating interview and analysis by @vivalongevity.bsky.social on (un)healthful diets. My own diet (no animal products) didn't come out on top, but very close to it, so I am guessing I could do worse than I am.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXW...
Reposted by Bart B. Van Bockstaele
“It’s frustrating to see the enormous political capital of the MAHA movement expended on actions like the proposed product formulation changes that have little chance of reducing prominent diet-related chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes,” Hall said.
Getting Coca-Cola to use cane sugar rather and ice cream manufacturers to stop their use of synthetic dyes are the latest achievements trumpeted by the Make America Healthy Again movement.
www.statnews.com/2025/07/17/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/17/c...
Why MAHA’s push on Coca-Cola and ice cream is 'nutritionally hilarious'
Getting Coca-Cola to use cane sugar rather and ice cream manufacturers to stop their use of synthetic dyes are the latest achievements trumpeted by the Make America Healthy Again movement.
www.statnews.com
July 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
“It’s frustrating to see the enormous political capital of the MAHA movement expended on actions like the proposed product formulation changes that have little chance of reducing prominent diet-related chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes,” Hall said.
I just discovered that @kevinh-phd.bsky.social 's new book is available for preorder on Google play and that there is/will be an audio version. Given that my job consists of sitting, I ordered the audiobook. I can listen to it while walking to the grocery store, killing three birds with 1 stone.
July 20, 2025 at 4:09 AM
I just discovered that @kevinh-phd.bsky.social 's new book is available for preorder on Google play and that there is/will be an audio version. Given that my job consists of sitting, I ordered the audiobook. I can listen to it while walking to the grocery store, killing three birds with 1 stone.
Anyone who thinks MAHA is about health should consider that MAHA also stands for make America hungry again, because by making food more expensive, that is what will happen.
On top of that, maybe we should think hard about how a few milligrams (if that) of colouring agent will lead to fat storage.
On top of that, maybe we should think hard about how a few milligrams (if that) of colouring agent will lead to fat storage.
“It’s frustrating to see the enormous political capital of the MAHA movement expended on actions like the proposed product formulation changes that have little chance of reducing prominent diet-related chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes,” Hall said.
Getting Coca-Cola to use cane sugar rather and ice cream manufacturers to stop their use of synthetic dyes are the latest achievements trumpeted by the Make America Healthy Again movement.
www.statnews.com/2025/07/17/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/17/c...
July 19, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Anyone who thinks MAHA is about health should consider that MAHA also stands for make America hungry again, because by making food more expensive, that is what will happen.
On top of that, maybe we should think hard about how a few milligrams (if that) of colouring agent will lead to fat storage.
On top of that, maybe we should think hard about how a few milligrams (if that) of colouring agent will lead to fat storage.
Here is my latest attempt at telling ChatGPT to be less of a yes-man. Trump may like that, but I don't. I am not convinced that I am getting through.
July 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Here is my latest attempt at telling ChatGPT to be less of a yes-man. Trump may like that, but I don't. I am not convinced that I am getting through.
Chat GPT is as helpful as ever. What repsonse do you prefer?
July 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Chat GPT is as helpful as ever. What repsonse do you prefer?
One of the best documentaries on obesity I have seen. Features
@HermanPontzer
of "Burn" and "Adaptable", two books that are on the top of my reading list and that I highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubn8...
@HermanPontzer
of "Burn" and "Adaptable", two books that are on the top of my reading list and that I highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubn8...
The Truth About Fat (2020) | Full Documentary | NOVA
YouTube video by PBS America
www.youtube.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:07 AM
One of the best documentaries on obesity I have seen. Features
@HermanPontzer
of "Burn" and "Adaptable", two books that are on the top of my reading list and that I highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubn8...
@HermanPontzer
of "Burn" and "Adaptable", two books that are on the top of my reading list and that I highly recommend.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubn8...
Nice documentary on the horrors of seed oils. Obviously, this is why the Japanese died out so long ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYB...
www.youtube.com
July 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Nice documentary on the horrors of seed oils. Obviously, this is why the Japanese died out so long ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TYB...
While this isn't my cup of tea because I feel no need of imitating other foods, but that does not mean I think this is not interesting. I think it is fascinating: food tech.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxN5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxN5...
www.youtube.com
July 6, 2025 at 8:35 PM
While this isn't my cup of tea because I feel no need of imitating other foods, but that does not mean I think this is not interesting. I think it is fascinating: food tech.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxN5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxN5...
Here is another example of the intelligence of AI, separated by mere seconds and a question in which one word has changed.
I do not know how other people think, but this type of difference does not inspire confidence. Not for me, anyway.
I do not know how other people think, but this type of difference does not inspire confidence. Not for me, anyway.
June 18, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Here is another example of the intelligence of AI, separated by mere seconds and a question in which one word has changed.
I do not know how other people think, but this type of difference does not inspire confidence. Not for me, anyway.
I do not know how other people think, but this type of difference does not inspire confidence. Not for me, anyway.
This is an excellent interview with a great scientist and doctor. Highly recommended. I listened twice so far.
It's incredible that one component of food can have such a profound impact on human health.
youtu.be/wNXGg98qbLI
youtu.be/wNXGg98qbLI
Stanford Rheumatologist Reveals Surprising Causes of Joint Pain
YouTube video by Viva Longevity!
youtu.be
June 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM
This is an excellent interview with a great scientist and doctor. Highly recommended. I listened twice so far.