Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationAndy Morgan Andy Morgan is the founder of RippedBody.com and an online coach. He co-authored the Muscle & Strength Pyramids books along with Dr. Eric Helms and Andrea Valdez. He has published a host of excellent nutrition and training resources in the form of ebooks, articles and podcasts, which can be found on the Ripped Body website. He recently released the third edition of the Diet Adjustments Manual.In this episode we discuss: Constantly refining content and coaching practices Assessing/screening if someone is ready for a diet Setting expectations Periodization of cutting, gaining and maintenance Weight …
#381: Prof. Chris Packard – LDL Cholesterol, ApoB & Atherosclerosis
Guest InformationProfessor Chris Packard Prof. Chris Packard holds an Honorary Professorship of Vascular Biochemistry at the University of Glasgow. Over his career, Professor Packard has focussed on two aspects of atherosclerosis research, lipoprotein metabolism and how it is affected by diets and drugs, and large-scale clinical trials of lipid lowering agents. He is acknowledged as one of the leading researchers in the world in this field. Prof Packard has published widely on the kinetics of apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A metabolism. Key contributions include evaluation of the role of the LDL receptor in vivo, the discovery of metabolic channelling in the …
#380: Prof. Barry Popkin – The Nutrition Transition & Using Policy Actions to Create Healthier Diets
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Barry Popkin, PhD Prof. Barry Popkin is the W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a nutrition and obesity researcher at the Carolina Population Center and is the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Obesity at UNC. He developed the concept of the Nutrition Transition, the study of the dynamic shifts in dietary intake and physical activity patterns and trends around obesity and other nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Prof. Popkin is involved now in work on program and policy design at the national …
#379: Obesity & Chronic Disease Risk with Dr. Spencer Nadolsky
Guest InformationSpencer Nadolsky, DO Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is a board-certified obesity specialist, lipidologist, and family physician. Dr. Spencer uses lifestyle as medicine to treat and prevent chronic disease via telemedicine. He speaks all around the world about weight loss and health and is also the author of The Fat Loss Prescription and The Natural Way to Beat Diabetes.In this episode we discuss: BMI: strengths and limitations Adipose tissue type and relevance to risk Central/visceral adiposity has a different risk profile Hypertrophic vs. hyperplastic adipocytes Endocrine and inflammatory effects of different adipose tissue depots ‘Metabolically Healthy Obesity’ Weight bias and stigma Obesity …
#378: Nutritional Epidemiology
Danny & Alan discuss the nuances of nutritional epidemiology, how it’s used most effectively, and why common criticisms are misguided.
#377: Herman Pontzer, PhD – Metabolism, Mitochondria & Evolutionary Biology
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationHerman Pontzer,PhD Herman Pontzer, PhD is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University and Associate Research Professor of Global Health at the Duke Global Health Institute. He is an internationally recognized researcher in human energetics and evolution. Over two decades of research in the field and laboratory, Dr. Pontzer has conducted pathbreaking studies across a range of settings, including fieldwork with Hadza hunter-gatherers in northern Tanzania, fieldwork on chimpanzee ecology in the rainforests of Uganda, and metabolic measurements of great apes in zoos and sanctuaries around the globe. Dr. Pontzer’s work has been …
#376: Kevin Hall, PhD – Plant-based Diet vs. Ketogenic Diet: Impact on Calorie Intake
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationKevin Hall, PhD Dr. Kevin Hall, PhD is Senior Chief of the Integrative Physiology Section of the Laboratory of Biological Modeling at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). His laboratory investigates how metabolism and the brain adapt in response to a variety of interventions to diet and physical activity. They carry out studies to better understand the complex mechanisms regulating macronutrient metabolism, body composition, and energy expenditure. Recently Dr. Hall was lead author on a study titled ‘Effect of a plant-based, low-fat diet versus an animal-based, ketogenic diet on ad …
#375: Salt, Sodium & Health
We discuss the current evidence on sodium intake and cardiovascular disease. Particularly the claim that the sodium-CVD risk relationship exhibits a “J-shaped curve”.
#374: How to Plan a Fighter’s Diet
Buy the book: Making Weight – The Ultimate Science Based Guide to Cutting Weight for Combat SportsEpisode InformationIn this episode Danny becomes the interviewee, as he is interviewed by sports dietitian and owner of The Fight Dietitian, Jordan Sullivan RD. Jordan oversees the diet of several UFC athletes, including champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. Danny and Jordan have an in-depth chat about all aspects of nutrition and weight cutting for combat sport athletes, including the concept of the “52 week fight camp” and Danny’s five-phase model of combat sport nutrition. This discussion first appeared on the Fight Science Podcast. …
#373: Alcohol & Health: Is Zero Better Than Some?
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsToday’s Topic in Focus: [03:40] In this episode Danny and Alan discuss the health impacts of alcohol and take a look at the research to answer whether alcohol should be viewed as having a J-shaped curve of risk or zero alcohol being better than any amount. Referenced Material: WHO Statistics – Harmful Use of Alcohol Wood et al., 2018 – Risk thresholds for alcohol consumption: combined analysis of individual-participant data for 599,912 current drinkers in 83 prospective studies Egolf et al., 1992 – The Roseto effect: a 50-year comparison of mortality rates “I Have a Question!” …
#372: Mike Israetel, PhD – Bodybuilding, Avoiding Suffering & Lessons for Life
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationMike Israetel, PhD Dr. Mike Israetel is the cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Currently a professor in the strength and hypertrophy masters program at Lehman College, Mike has taught several courses at multiple universities, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior. Originally from Moscow, Russia, he has worked as a consultant on sports nutrition to the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, TN, and has been an invited speaker at numerous scientific and performance/health conferences worldwide. Mike …
#371: Dietary Cholesterol – Are Eggs & Cholesterol-rich Foods a Cause for Concern?
Today’s Topic in Focus: [00:51] In this episode Danny and Alan discuss the debate over the impact of dietary cholesterol on LDL-C levels and heart disease risk. Are eggs & cholesterol-rich foods a problem? Let’s dive into the research to find out! Referenced Material: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 – 2025 Hegsted et al., 1993 – Dietary fat and serum lipids: an evaluation of the experimental data Human Atherosclerosis and the Diet – Ancel Keys Keys et al., 1965 – Serum cholesterol response to changes in the diet: II. The effect of cholesterol in the diet Nakamura et al., 2013 …
#370: Jake Mey, PhD, RD – Dietetics, Evidence-based Practice & Translating Science into Advice
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationJacob Mey, PhD, RD Dr. Jake Mey is a registered dietitan and a human nutrition researcher. He is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. His work focuses on diet, muscle & metabolism. Dr. Mey has a PhD in human nutrition and kinesology.In this episode we discuss: Are the dietary guidelines “wrong”? How can we translate findings from nutritional science into actionable, food-based advice? Barriers to being an evidence-based practitioner The right and wrong way to view dietetic training How increased diversity can improve the dietetic field Problems with making a RD …
#369: Prof. Jason Gill – Population Cardiometabolic Disease Risk: Impact of Strength, Fitness & Activity
Guest InformationProf. Jason Gill, PhD Professor Jason Gill is a Professor of Cardiometabolic Health in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow. He leads an active multi-disciplinary research group investigating the effects of exercise and diet on the prevention and management of vascular and metabolic diseases from the molecular to the whole-body level. He is a past Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Division of Physical Activity for Health and a member of the development groups for the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines for the prevention and treatment of …
#368: Shannon Beer – Intentional Eating, Flourishing Health & Behavioural Psychology
Guest InformationShannon Beer Shannon Beer is a nutritionist, working with people via online coaching and mentoring, with the goal of helping people improve their health through facilitating lasting behaviour change. In collaboration with Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro, she has developed a coaching framework that applies motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral coaching, and acceptance and commitment therapy-aligned processes in a client-centered alliance toward their own values-based goals. This ‘Comprehensive Coaching’ model facilitates long-term behavior change and flourishing health in clients. Before becoming a nutrition professional, Shannon graduated with a Law degree from King’s College London. Since then she has travelled the world whilst …
#367: Gabrielle Fundaro, PhD – Mindful Eating, Facilitating Health Behaviour Change & Client-centred Coaching
Guest InformationGabrielle Fundaro, PhD Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro is a nutrition/health coach who focuses on facilitating behavior change, embodying a positive relationship with food, cultivating positive body image, and improving sport performance. Dr. Fundaro is a former Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at Georgia Gwinnett College and holds a PhD in Human Nutrition and Exercise. She is currently a board member of both the Nutrition Coaching Global Mastermind (NCGM) and the Sports Nutrition Association (SNA). In collaboration with Shannon Beer, she has developed a coaching framework that applies motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral coaching, and acceptance and commitment therapy-aligned processes in a …
#366: Listener Q&A
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsIn this episode Danny and Alan answer some listener questions, covering a range of topics, including hunger cues, weight-neutral appraoches, body fat distribution, and breakfast and cognition, among others. The guys also discuss the most interesting thing they’ve learned this year and resources on critical thinking. Questions Answered: [08:40] What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt this year? [16:30] Is the cliche “hacks to survive the holiday period” a damaging narrative? [18:32] Is the notion that weight loss attempts typically produce more harm than benefit, evidence-based? [21:28] What’s your opinion on intuitive eating? Both the official …
#365: David Robert Grimes, PhD – Conspiracy Theories & Bad Information: Why Are We Susceptible?
Guest InformationDavid Robert Grimes, PhD Dr. David Robert Grimes is a physicist, cancer researcher and a science journalist. In addition to his cancer research, he has also published peer-reviewed work on conspiracy theories, meta-research and health modelling. Dr. Grimes is the author of the fantastic book The Irrational Ape: Why We Fall for Disinformation, Conspiracy Theory and Propaganda. And given his keen interest in advancing the public understanding of science, he contributes to several media outlets discussing science, politics and society. He appears frequently on news media to discuss and debate topics as diverse as vaccination to climate-change, and gives …
#364: Jake Linardon, PhD – Disordered Eating: Impact of Macro Tracking & Social Media
Guest InformationJake Linardon, PhD Dr. Jake Linardon is a Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. His research focuses on eating disorders, with a primary focus on testing and evaluating a broad range of treatment approaches for eating disorders. Dr. Linardon is particularly interested in understanding how modern information technology can be used to help those most in need.In this episode we discuss: Psychological vs behavioural patterns of disordered eating Disordered eating vs. eating disorders Relationship between tracking macros & eating disorders Disordered eating & body image Disordered eating as subjective rather than objective Social comparison Internalisation of …
#363: Public Health Policy vs. Personal Responsibility: Evidence vs. Ideology
Today’s Topic in Focus: Public Health Policy vs. Individual Responsibility [07:29] In this episode Danny and Alan discuss the evidence for public health nutrition interventions, how health inequalities are driven by socioeconomic factors, and how ideology and simplistic rhetoric about “personal responsibility” can get in the way. References: Rose, 2001 – Sick individuals and sick populations Marmot, 2020 – Society and the slow burn of inequality Mozaffarian et al., 2018 – Role of government policy in nutrition—barriers to and opportunities for healthier eating Wright et al., 2017 – Policy lessons from health taxes: a systematic review of empirical studies Vallgarda, …
#362: Alistair Monteyne – Impact of Mycoprotein & Vegan Diets on Muscle Protein Synthesis
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationAlistair Monteyne Alistair Monteyne is the lead author on some recent RCTs examining the impact of mycoprotein on muscle protein synthesis. Alistair is currently a PhD student at the University of Exeter, and has a MSc. in Sport and Exercise Nutrition from Loughborough University.In this episode we discuss: What is mycoprotein? Nutritional profile of mycoprotein Are there safety concerns? Muscle protein synthesis as the target of protein-based meals to build/repair muscle Typical comparisons of animal-based vs. plant-based protein sources Why animal-sources typically outperform plant sources Role of leucine and EAA content Impact of mycoprotein on …
#361: Sarah Berry, PhD – The PREDICT Study, Postprandial Metabolism & Personalised Nutrition
Guest InformationSarah Berry, PhD Dr Sarah Berry is a researcher and senior lecturer in nutritional science at King’s College London. Her research interests relate to the influence of dietary components on markers of cardiovascular disease risk; with a particular focus on the influence of food and fat structure on postprandial metabolism. Dr. Berry has been the academic leader for more than 30 human nutrition studies in cardio-metabolic health. Her research also focuses on the influence of manipulation of food structure and subsequent effects on lipid and carbohydrate bioaccessibility and changes in postprandial metabolism. Ongoing research involves human and mechanistic studies …
#360: Nick Hiebert – Micronutrients, Anti-nutrients and Non-essential Nutrients
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationNick Hiebert Nick Hiebert writes about nutrition science on his site The Nutrivore, as well as exclusive, comprehnsive posts on his Patreon page. He is the creator of the “Nutrient Density Cheat Sheet”, a nutrition ranking tool for hundreds of whole foods. Nick has a deep interest in a host of nutrition science topics, from nutrient density to saturated fat & cardiovascular disease. He does a lot of deep analysis of raw data and has published some independent meta-analyses on his site.In this episode we discuss: Best and worse ways to calculate the nutrient density …
#359: Calorie Confusion – (Mis)Understanding Energy Balance
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsToday’s Topic in Focus: Calories In, Calories Out [02:15] In this episode Danny and Alan discuss the common misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the energy balance equation, leading to problematic debates over the validity of ‘calories in, calories out’. Sigma Statement: The “Calories In, Calories Out” Confusion: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Energy Balance “I Have a Question!” [60:17] Today’s question: “Can you explain what a dose-response relationship is?” Quack Asylum [70:20] Claims by Gary Taubes – Why We Get Fat Random Recommendations [76:20] Alan’s Recommendation: V2 – by Robert Harris Danny’s Recommendation: The Social Dilemma Joe …
#358: Coffee & Health
Danny & Alan discuss the impacts of coffee consumption on health; from acute effects and mechanistic actions to epidemiology of disease risk.
#357: Nicky Keay, MB BChir – Female Athletes: Hormones, Energy Availability & the Menstrual Cycle
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationNicky Keay MB BChir, MRCP Dr Nicky Keay is a medical doctor (MB BChir, MRCP) with specific training in endocrinology. She has published related to female athlete hormone profiling, energy availability, and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). As a Research Fellow at St Thomas’ Hospital, she was part of the international medical team which developed an anti-doping test for growth hormone. Dr. Keay studied medicine at Cambridge University, gained membership of the Royal College of Physicians, and trained in endocrinology. Dr. Keay is currently an Honoray Fellow at Durham Universty in the Department of …
#356: Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD – Plant-based Diets, Meal Timing & Meal Frequency
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationHana Kahleova, MD, PhD Dr. Hana Kahleova is the director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee and directs research testing the effect a plant-based diet has on metabolism, insulin function, fitness, and mental health, as well as studying the impact meal timing and meal frequency have on metabolism and body weight. Dr. Kahleova earned her doctorate in nutrition and diabetes and her medical degree from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. As a postdoctoral research fellow at Loma Linda University in California, Dr. Kahleova analyzed data from 50,000 Adventist Health Study-2 participants. She analyzed …
#355: Is Time-restricted Eating Dead?: A Closer Look
Today’s Topic in Focus: Time-Restricted Eating [05:14] Lowe et al., 2020 – TREAT RCT Sutton et al., 2018 – Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes Hutchinson et al., 2019 – Time‐Restricted Feeding Improves Glucose Tolerance in Men at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Trial Gabel et al., 2018 – Effects of 8-hour time restricted feeding on body weight and metabolic disease risk factors in obese adults Antoni et al., 2018 – A pilot feasibility study exploring the effects of a moderate time-restricted feeding intervention …
#354: Problems with the Meta-Analysis in Nutrition
Today’s Topic in Focus: Problems with Meta-analyses in Nutrition Science [08:50] Chowdhury et al., 2014 – Association of dietary, circulating, and supplement fatty acids with coronary risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis Kang et al., 2020 – Dietary saturated fat intake and risk of stroke: Systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies Siri-Tarino et al., 2010 – Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease Barnard, Willet & Ding, 2017 – The Misuse of Meta-analysis in Nutrition Research Stroup et al., 2000 – Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology: A Proposal for …
#353: James Hébert, ScD – Dietary Inflammatory Index
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationJames Hébert, ScD Dr. James Hébert is a nutritional and cancer epidemiologist, currently a distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Hébert’s professional focus for the past several years has been on developing and refining the Dietary Inflammatory Index™ (DII®), which has now been established as an effective research tool. Dr. Hébert is also a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, a Professor of Epidemiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, a Professor of Community Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of South Carolina, School of Medicine, and the Director …
#352: Do Diets Even Work in the Long-term? – A Look at Weight Loss Maintenance
Today’s Topic in Focus: Weight Regain vs Weight Loss Maintenance [02:56] Pownall et al., 2015 – Changes in Body Composition over Eight Years in a Randomized Trial of a Lifestyle Intervention: The Look AHEAD Study Purcell et al., 2014 – The effect of rate of weight loss on long-term weight management: a randomised controlled trial Thomas et al., 2014 – Weight-loss maintenance for 10 years in the National Weight Control Registry “I Have a Question!” [58:56] Today’s listener question: “How does the ApoE4 allele affect lipid metabolism? And how should someone structure their diet around having one or both alleles …
#351: Prof. Glenn Gibson – Human Gut Bacteriology, Prebiotics & Probiotics
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Glenn Gibson, PhD Glenn Gibson is Professor of Food Microbiology at University of Reading. He has been researching bacteria in the gut for over 30 years. Together with his colleague Marcel B. Roberfroid, both researchers coined the term prebiotics in their 1995 paper. He has published over 450 research papers and 8 books. He currently researches acute and chronic gut disease, with specific projects on probiotics and prebiotics, gas production, gut microbiota development, gastroenteritis, obsesity and colonic homeostasis.In this episode we discuss: Prof. Gibson’s role in coining the term “prebiotic” Is there any reason …
#350: Peter Olusoga, PhD & Hugh Gilmore – Coaching Burnout: The Research & Applied Psychology
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationPeter Olusoga, PhD Dr Peter Olusoga is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University. His current research focuses on stress, burnout and wellbeing in sports, with a particular interest in high-performance environments and elite coaching. In addition to research, Peter is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is an active sport psychology consultant, working with athletes and teams in a variety of sports.Hugh Gilmore Hugh is an accredited sport psychologist with experience working in elite sport in the UK. Hugh has worked with elite athletes across a number of …
#349: Prof. Naomi Allen – How the UK Biobank is Powering Chronic Disease Research
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationName Professor Naomi Allen was appointed Chief Scientist for UK Biobank in 2019, having joined UK Biobank in November 2011 as Senior Epidemiologist. She is Professor of Epidemiology at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, with a keen research interest in cancer epidemiology. At UK Biobank she is responsible for following-up participants both through linkage with routine health-related datasets, and through web-based questionnaires. She is also involved in developing the scientific strategy for future enhancements for the study. Her research interest is largely in the role of diet, obesity and circulating biomarkers …
#348: Omega-3 Supplementation & Heart Disease
Does omega-3 supplementation reduce heart disease risk? Are some analyses missing the point? We discuss in this episode.
#347: Alex Thomas – Advancing the Sports Nutritionist Profession
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationAlex Thomas Alex Thomas is the founder of Sports Nutrition Association (SNA), which is global association that contains Sports Nutrition Australia, Sports Nutrition NewZealand, Sports Nutrition Asia, and Sports Nutrition USA. Alex is an experienced Clinical Accredited Sports Nutritionist. He is the Australasian Ambassador of the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition). He is co-creator of the Metabolic Health Screen (A health risk and contraindication identification and triage system – now imbedded in the MyPocketcoach platform). His passion is in providing legitimate education, qualifications and insurance pathways to ensure the successful and sustainable career pathways …
#346: Kathryn Bradbury, PhD – Diet & Colorectal Cancer Risk
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationKathryn Bradbury, PhD Dr. Kathryn Bradbury, PhD is a researcher at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her research has focused on examining the role of diet in the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases. Dr. Bradbury spent 5 years in the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at the University of Oxford. There, she worked as a nutritional epidemiologist on large cohort studies, including the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), and the UK Biobank. She also has expertise in traditional and web-based dietary assessment methods, nutritional epidmiology (including prospective analyses of large …
#345: Rebecca Leech, PhD – Impact of Meal Patterning on Diet Quality & Health
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationRebecca Leech, PhD Dr. Rebecca Leech is a Registered Nutritionist and Nutritional Epidemiologist, based at Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Rebecca has a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology, and in 2018, was awarded an Alfred Deakin Medal for her doctoral thesis, which examined adults’ eating patterns and their associations with diet quality and obesity. Her postdoctoral research, extends on this, and applies novel analytic approaches to understand determinants of food intake at eating occasions and the role of eating patterns in cardiometabolic health in adults. Dr. Leech is funded by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral …
#344: Prof. Martin Caraher – Food Poverty & Food Aid Provision
Guest InformationProfessor Martin Caraher, PhD Prof. Martin Caraher is Emeritus Professor of food and health policy at Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London. He has worked for and acted as a consultant to the UK Department of Health, the World Bank and the World Health Organisation. He was a member of the original London Food Board which developed the food strategy for London. He is a member of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) scientific committee. He also sits on the Safefood Irl scientific committee.In this episode we discuss: How food poverty extends beyond simply access to …
#343: Understanding Causality in Nutrition Science
Today’s Topic in Focus: Understanding Causality in Nutrition Science Inferring causality vs demonstrating causality Hierarchy of evidence vs. standards of proof The need for correlation, time precedence and non-spuriousness Reductionism and erroneous application of the biomedical model to nutrition The false causality dichotomy: RCTs vs. epidemiology Understanding what the “highest quality evidence available” is How nutritional epidemiology can infer causality Links: Deaton & Cartwright, 2018 – Understanding and misunderstanding randomized controlled trials Dawson-Hughes & Harris, 2002 – Calcium intake influences the association of protein intake with rates of bone loss in elderly men and women Blumberg et al., 2010 – …
#342: Are Vegan Diets Superior for Health?
In this episode we discuss:Today’s Topic in Focus: Vegan Diets & Human Health Defining “plant-based” diets Examination of various intervention trials comparing diets Is veganism suitable across the lifestage? Benefits of a vegan diet Are there benefits to excluding animal products? Can the benefits of a vegan diet be gleaned whilst including animal foods? Nutrient considerations if deciding to eat vegan: a well-forumulated vegan diet Should athletes consider: creatine, carnosine, carnitine, leucine, etc.? Links: Research Referenced in this Episode: The BROAD study – Wright et al., 2017 Barnard et al., 2006 Barnard et al., 2009 “An Important Part of Who …
#340: Ethics of Veganism & Omnivorism (Part 4) – Diana Rodgers, RD & Robb Wolf
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationDiana Rodgers and Robb Wolf are the co-authors of Sacred Cow, a book exploring the important role of animals in our food system.Diana Rodgers, RD Diana is a Registered Dietitian living on a working organic farm in New England, where she runs an active nutrition practice. She speaks at universities and conferences internationally about nutrition and sustainability, social justice, animal welfare and food policy issues. She’s just completed work on the new book and film project, Sacred CowRobb Wolf Robb Wolf is a former research biochemist and a New York Times/WSJ Best Selling author (for …
#339: Prof. Corinna Hawkes – Food Policy, Food Systems & Public Health
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Corinna Hawkes Professor Corinna Hawkes has been working for the past 20 years with UN agencies, governments, NGOs and academia at the local, national and international level to support the design of more effective policies throughout the food system to improve diets and prevent malnutrition in all its forms. She is currently Director of the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, UK, a Centre dedicated to shaping a more effective food system through education, research and engagement with the world of food policy. In 2018 she was appointed Vice Chair of …
#338: Ethics of Veganism & Omnivorism (Part 3) – Alex O’ Connor
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationAlex J. O’Connor Alex J. O’Connor is founder of the Cosmic Skeptic YouTube channel, podcast and blog; platforms dedicated to the publication of philosophical ideas and debates in an accessible format. He is currently reading for a degree in philosophy and theology at St John’s College, Oxford University. Alex is an impassioned animal rights advocate and religious critic, regularly discussing these topics on his online platforms. He has spoken at conferences internationally and has engaged in debates on ethics and philosophy.In this episode we discuss: How Alex evaluates the ethics of food choices Moral vs. …
#337: Ethics of Veganism & Omnivorism (Part 2) – Prof. Paul Thompson
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Paul Thompson, PhD Professor Paul B. Thompson holds the W.K. Kellogg Chair in Agricultural, Food and Community Ethics at Michigan State University, where he serves on the faculty in the departments of Philosophy, Community Sustainability and Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and has held posts at Texas A&M University and Purdue University. Thompson’s research and teaching has focused on ethical and philosophical topics in food and agriculture. He is the author or co-author of over two hundred articles …
#336: Ethics of Veganism & Omnivorism (Part 1) – Andrew Chignell, PhD
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Andrew Chignell Andrew Chignell is a professor at Princeton, with appointments in Religion, Philosophy, and the University Center for Human Values. He was previously an associate professor at Cornell and a professor at University of Pennsylvania. He received his PhD from Yale. Chignell’s work to date focuses on Immanuel Kant and other modern European philosophers, philosophy of religion, the moral psychology of hope and despair, and the ethics of belief. He also has an interest in food ethics, and recently co-produced (with Will Starr at Cornell) a Massive Open Online Course on “The Ethics …
#335: Kyra Bobinet, MD – Systems, Dietary Behaviour Change & the Iterative Mindset
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationKyra Bobinet, MD, MPH Dr. Bobinet received her Masters in Public Health at Harvard University, specializing in Healthcare Management, Technology-enabled Behavior Change, and Population Health Management. She received her medical degree from the UCSF School of Medicine. She has also studied in Dr. BJ Fogg’s Persuasive Tech Lab at Stanford. Kyra has founded several healthcare start-ups, spanning behavior health, population health, and mobile health. She has designed behavior change programs, big data algorithms, billion dollar products, mobile health apps, and evidence-based studies in metabolic medicine.In this episode we discuss: The Iterative Mindset Behaviour change techniques …
#334: Austin Baraki, MD – Potential Harms of Screening, Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment
Guest InformationAustin Baraki, MD Dr. Austin Baraki is an Internal Medicine Physician, based in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his doctorate in medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He also works as a strength coach and puts out information via Barbell Medicine.In this episode we discuss: What do we want from a screening test? What criteria should it meet? Understanding test sensitivity, specificity and predictive value Harms of inappropriate screening or too much screening Overdiagnosis and overtreatment Lead time bias and length time bias Deliberate …
#333: Diet & Immunity
Get Sigma Synopsis EmailsIn this episode we discuss:Today’s Topic in Focus: Immune Function & Diet Innate and adaptive immune response How does body composition impact immune function? Will a calorie deficit or fasting decrease immunity? Vitamins A, C, D. Supplementation with zinc: yes or no? Eating “to support the immune system” Exercise and immunity Environmental factors in infancy Links: Sigma Statement: Nutrition & Immune Function I Have a Question! Today’s Member Question: “The immune appears malleable in infancy. Growing up with pets appears to be beneficial. Exposure to peanuts decreases chance to developing peanut allergy. Are there other nutritional interventions …
#332: Prof. Sam McConkey – COVID-19: Public Health Response, Clinical Presentation & Socioeconomics
Listen on these AppsPodcast TranscriptsGuest InformationProf. Samuel McConkey, Prof. Sam McConkey is a doctor and researcher specializing in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Currently he is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of International Health and Tropical Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He is also a Consultant in General Medicine, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Beaumont Hospital Dublin. Previously Prof. McConkey was a Research Fellow in Infectious Disease at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and an Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Oxford Radcliffe Trust.In this episode we …
#331: Prof. Roy Taylor – Diabetes Remission, Very-low Calorie Diets & the Twin Cycle Hypothesis
Guest InformationProf. Roy Taylor, MB ChB, MD Roy Taylor is Professor of Medicine and Metabolism at the University of Newcastle in the UK. There he is also director of the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre. Prof. Taylor is an Honorary Consultant Physician at Newcastle Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Since publishing his “twin cycle” hypothesis of type 2 diabetes in 2008, Prof. Taylor and colleagues have published several fascinating studies with potentially large implications for the potential to put diabetes into remission. Three of the most important trials were the Counterpoint Study, the Counterbalance study and the DiRECT study. All of which …
#330: Eric Trexler, PhD – Antioxidants, Oxidative Stress & Exercise Adaptations
Guest InformationEric Trexler, PhD Eric Trexler is Director of Education at Stronger By Science, where he co-hosts the SBS podcast. He also is one of the four contributors to the MASS Research Review. Eric has a prolific background in exercise science research, with more than 30 publications to his name by the time he completed his PhD at UNC-Chapel Hill.In this episode we discuss: Antioxidants, free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). When our antioxidant systems are overwhelmed by the production of reactive species it leads to a state of oxidative stress Bi-directional relationship between oxidative …
#329: Diet & Inflammation
Get Sigma Synopsis EmailsIn this episode we discuss:Today’s Topic in Focus: Inflammation & Diet Defining inflammation Acute vs. chronic inflammation Local vs. systemic inflammation Does inflammation “cause” chronic disease? Does a poor diet cause chronic inflammation? Are some diets “anti-inflammatory”? Specific nutrients and claims of causing inflammation: PUFA, sugar, dairy, wheat, etc. Links: The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) Sydney Diet Heart Study Commentary on: Minnesota Coronary Experiment I Have a Question! Today’s Member Question: “Is the carcinogenic risk of this high enough that I should be throwing them away and starting again? International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) EFSA: …
#328: Meeta Singh, MD – Sleep, Immunity & Mental Health
Find the podcast on your app of choice hereGuest InformationMeeta Singh, MD Dr. Meeta Singh is a board-certified sleep medicine doctor and is currently the service chief of the sleep medicine at the Henry Ford sleep laboratory in Michigan. She did her training in psychiatry at the Mayo clinic and a sleep fellowship at the Henry Ford hospital. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as a psychiatrist and sleep medicine sub-specialist.In this episode we discuss: What sleep actually does that makes it so crucial Impact of sleep on immune function Impact of sleep on psychological …
#327: David Dunne – Behavioural Science in Nutrition
Find the podcast on your app of choice hereGuest InformationDavid Dunne David’s a Performance Nutritionist with a track record in developing and delivering nutrition programmes to elite athletes, teams, Olympians and sports legends – all over the globe. He has worked in elite sport with PGA Tour golfers and various teams including Harlequins (rugby union), Bradford Bulls (rugby league) and Queens Park Rangers (soccer). David is currently completing PhD out of Liverpool Johns Moores University in the UK, doing research on digital media & behaviour change interventions in sports nutrition. David is the CEO of Hexis.In this episode we discuss: …
#326: Krista Scott-Dixon, PhD – Adaptability & Autonomy in the Nutrition Coaching Process
Find the podcast on your app of choice hereGuest InformationKrista Scott-Dixon, PhD Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon is a former university professor and researcher who now designs curriculum for Precision Nutrition. She focuses on helping people make meaningful change through the Precision Nutrition Coaching and coaching Certification programs. Krista is also the author or co-author of several books, with the latest being Why Me Want Eat: Fixing Your Food Fuckedupitude.In this episode we discuss: Not mistaking the metrics for the goals The value of client autonomy in the coaching process Challenges for nutritionists and coaches in adapting to new situations Krista’s work …
#325: Kirk Parsley, MD – Stress, Sleep & Anxiety During a Pandemic
Find the podcast on your app of choice hereGuest InformationDr. Kirk Parsley Doc Parsley is a former SEAL, and received his Medical Degree from Bethesda, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in 2004. He served as an Undersea Medical Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group One from 2009 – 2013. While there, he led the development and supervised the group’s first Sports Medicine Rehabilitation center. Doc Parsley has been a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine since 2006 and has served as Naval Special Warfare’s expert on Sleep Medicine. After leaving the Navy he went into concierge …
#324: Fatima Cody Stanford, MD – Obesity Treatment & Weight Bias
Find the podcast on your app of choice hereGuest InformationFatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford is an obesity medicine physician, scientist, educator, and policy maker at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a national and international sought after expert in obesity medicine who bridges the intersection of medicine, public health, policy, and disparities. She completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS after completing her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of South Carolina. She has served as a health communications fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …
#323: COVID-19 & SARS-CoV-2 with Rizwan Sohail, MD
Find the podcast on your app of choice Guest BioM. Rizwan Sohail, MD Dr. Rizwan Sohail is an infectious disease specialist based at the Mayo Clinic, where he holds a joint appointment with the divisions of Infectious Diseases and Cardiovascular Diseases. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and then a Fellowship in infectious diseases at the Mayo Clinic. In This Episode We Discuss Distinguishing between COVID-19 (disease) and the actual novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) What is different about this specific coronavirus compared to others This coronavirus has a respiratory droplet transmission The difference …
#321: Dave Feldman & Alan Flanagan – Debating LDL Causality & the “Lipid Triad”
Find the podcast on your app of choice Guest BioDave Feldman Dave Feldman is a software engineer and runs the Cholesterol Code website. In 2015 Dave adopted a low-carb high-fat diet, which improved his overall health. However, upon seeing his LDL-cholesterol skyrocket, he set out learn all he could about blood lipids and health. Dave has gained prominence as a “LDL-skeptic” and promoter of his “lipid triad” hypothesis. This lipid triad relates to a situation where one sees high LDL-C, high HDL-C and low triglycerides. Dave hypothesises that in such a context, the high LDL-C does not confer high risk of …
#317: Understanding Diet & Heart Disease Risk
In This Episode We DiscussThis episode is a supplemental/follow-up episode to the ‘Diet & Cardiovascular Disease’ Series of Sigma Statements. If you have not read those statements, you can find them here: Cholesterol, Lipoproteins & Lipids: Understanding CVD Risk The Impact of Diet on Blood Lipids How Diet Influences Heart Disease Risk In this podcast Danny and Alan will be re-capping the main important points from each statement, in addition to addressing follow-up questions or potential conflicting points. We’ll cover issues such as: Does ApoB testing make LDL-C irrelevant? “I heard PUFA/omega-6 increases inflammation and therefore should be restricted. Is …
#315: Samia Mora, MD – Lipids, Lipoproteins & Atherosclerosis
Guest BioSamia Mora, MD, MHS Dr. Samia Mora is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. She is a cardiovascular medicine specialist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she is the Director of the Center for Lipid Metabolomics. Dr. Mora’s research focuses on risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Mora received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University, and her medical degree from Harvard Medical School. She completed an internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she also obtained a Masters in Health …
#313: Fergus Connolly, PhD – Authenticity, Elite Human Performance & Getting the Best From Others
Find the podcast on your app of choice Guest BioFergus Connolly, PhD Dr. Fergus Connolly is one of the world’s foremost human performance thought leaders and influencers, and has applied performance science with leading sports, military, and business teams. He is the only coach to have full times roles in every major sport. Fergus has served as Director of Elite Performance for the San Francisco 49ers, Sports Science Director with the Welsh Rugby Union, and Performance Director for University of Michigan Football. He has guided coaches, support staff and players in the NBA, Australian Rules Football and international cricket. Fergus has …
#300: The Random Episode
Find the podcast on your app of choice Sigma Nutrition Radio has reached the 300th episode! To mark the occassion, Patreon supporters of the podcast and subscribers to the Sigma Synopsis email were able to submit questions about anything they wished. In this episode, Gar Benn joins me to go through some of the questions submitted. This episode focuses on all the random questions submitted about a range of things, from my schedule to religion to career highlights to living in Ireland, and everything in between! Any nutrition-related questions will be covered in a separate episode.Questions Answered: Which one of your …
#296: Circadian Entrainment, Chronotypes & Chrononutrition
Guest BioAlan Flanagan, PhD Alan Flanagan is currently a researcher at the University of Surrey, UK. His research is in the general field of chrononutrition, with a specific focus on how calorie distribution and timing may impact health & energy balance. Alan has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine and a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey. In This Episode We Discuss Alan’s current research study Chronotypes: genetic vs. trained How feeding can entrain circadian clocks Circadian alignment vs misalignment Light exposure, light history & inter-individual variation in response to light Current evidence linking nutrition & circadian biology Impacts …
#294: Nicola Guess, PhD, RD – Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes Nutrition
Guest BioNicola Guess, PhD, RD Nicola Guess is a Registered Dietitian with a PhD in the dietary management of prediabetes from Imperial College London. She is currently Head of the Nutrition Unit at Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) in Kuwait. Nicola is a research fellow at King’s College London where her research focuses on the role of diet in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. She has a particular interest in the use of low-carbohydrate diets in the management of type 2 diabetes, and leads a research programme investigating dietary modification – including increasing protein or the use of …