Sigma Nutrition Radio

Our 200th episode is a special and unique one with an in-depth panel discussion on the topic of saturated fat. On the panel are Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, Stephen Guyenet PhD, Chris Masterjohn PhD and Brad Dieter PhD. The Panellists 1) Dr. Spencer Nadolsky Dr. Nadolsky is a a board certified family and obesity medicine physician. He is known for being extremely passionate about using exercise and lifestyle interventions as medicine, where possible. Dr. Nadolsky runs an online clinic, SteadyMD.com, where he can help patients all over America. He is also the author of The Fat Loss Prescription. 2) Stephan Guyenet, PhD Stephan is an obesity researcher, neurobiologist, and author. In addition to his research, he enjoys synthesizing and communicating science for a general audience over at his hugely successful blog. Stephan has a BS. in biochemistry (University of Virginia) and a PhD in neurobiology (University of Washington). He recently published the fantastic book 'The Hungry Brain', which dives into the causes of obesity from the perspective of overeating and related brain chemistry. 3) Chris Masterjohn, PhD Chris has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut. He was formerly an Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College. Chris currently writes detailed nutritional science articles on his blog chrismasterjohnphd.com and hosts a podcast, Mastering Nutrition. 4) Brad Dieter, PhD Brad holds a PhD. in exercise physiology from the University of Idaho. Brad has also done research training as a fellow in biomedical research, examining how nutrition and metabolism influence disease. Brad also runs Science Driven Nutrition, an online platform that aims to spread evidence-based nutrition information. In This Episode We Discuss: Differences between different SFA's (butyric vs. lauric vs. myristic, etc.) Benefits of consumption of SFA-containing foods? Effects at cellular level: ease of storage, oxidation proneness of different fatty acid types, role in cell membrane Effect of SFA on LDL-C & LDL-P (and hence CHD risk) Effect of SFA on blood lipids Effect of SFA (and/or total dietary fat) on food intake: effect on satiety? palatability? Reducing SFA: If lowering SFA intake, how much does the replacing nutrient make (MUFA vs. PUFA vs. CHO vs. PRO) Food sources/Delivery method: Isolated SFA intake (e.g. spoonfuls of coconut oil) vs. SFA packaged alongside other nutrients/fibre and phytonutrients (e.g. some oil drizzled on a salad) Practical Implications: Is there a best target intake range of SFA for health? Is there an "optimal" ratio of SFA:MUFA:PUFA? Are current nutritional guidelines for SFA intake suitable? (The American Heart Association recommends aiming for a dietary pattern that achieves 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat.) Sigma Seminar: http://sigmanutrition.com/seminar2017/

Ciaran Fairman, M.S. is currently working on his doctorate in the Kinesiology program at The Ohio State University. Ciaran received his M.S. in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University, working in the Human Performance laboratory, and holds several nationally accredited certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine (CPT, HFS, CET), and International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN). Ciaran's research interests focus on the effects of acute and chronic interventions on physiological and psychosocial outcomes in different populations. More recently, Ciaran has focused his interest on cancer survivors. He is the founder and chief exercise physiologist at REACH, a non- profit organization aimed at providing cancer patients and survivors with evidence based recommendations of physical activity and lifestyle behaviors to optimize survivorship. Ciaran has published over 15 peer-reviewed papers, book chapter, and abstracts on sports nutrition, supplementation, and training adaptations. Support the podcast: patreon.com/sigmanutrition

Richard Nikoley is the man behind the blog Free the Animal, which as of 2016, contains over 4,000 posts and 100,000 comments from readers. He has written about his learnings on health, diet, and lifestyle. In This Episode We Discuss: Discussions around ketosis Calorie-deficit induced ketogenic diet vs. nutritional ketosis at calorie balance Anti-lipolytic nature of ketones Inaccurate claims about ketosis and ketogenic diets Hierarchy of factors influencing body composition

Kyle J. Mamounis, has a doctoral degree in nutritional science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey USA. He is currently a researcher at University of Central Florida in Orlando. His primary research interest is investigating the effects of fatty acids on energy balance regulation. He maintains a science blog with posts on his research interests, reviews of science magazine articles and general cellular physiology at www.nutricrinology.com.

Researcher and registered dietitian Dr. Rob Wildman discusses the importance of viewing performance and recovery nutrition as a 24 hour process, rather than hyperfocusing on the workout "window". Dr. Rob Wildman, PhD, RD is Chief Science Officer for DYMATIZE Enterprizes in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Wildman is the author of four books including Sports & Fitness Nutrition and The Nutritionist: Food, Nutrition & Optimal Health. He has also written more than 75 referred journal articles, chapters and abstracts on nutrition, performance and health aspects. Dr. Wildman is an Advisory Board member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) and serves as adjunct research faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition at Kansas State University. He is the creator of TheNutritionDr.com and is currently penning his fifth book titled: BODequation. PN Course: get.pn/sigma

Brendan holds a position as Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University. His current research investigates the molecular regulation of skeletal muscle function and adaptation across the life course, with special interest in the synergy between nutrition and exercise interventions to optimise performance in athletes and elderly. He received his BSc Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Limerick in 2003, MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition from Loughborough University in 2004, and PhD from Dublin City University in 2008, before completing two years of post-doctoral training with Prof. Juleen Zierath's Integrative Physiology group at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. His doctoral studies focussed on skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise, and in particular the continuity between acute molecular responses to individual bouts of exercise and adaptations induced by exercise training, whereas his post-doctoral training utilised animal models and in vitro cell systems to investigate the transcriptional regulation of skeletal muscle development and mechanisms of insulin resistance. He joined the faculty in the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sport Science at University College Dublin in 2011, where he spent five years, and retains a position as Visiting Associate Professor. On the sporting front, he has played inter-county Gaelic football with Sligo since 2003, and consults as a performance nutritionist to elite team sport athletes.

Leinster Rugby performance nutritionist Daniel Davey discusses how to apply evidence-based nutrition practices with team sport athletes in elite-level sport. Daniel received his BSc in Science from University College Dublin and holds an MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health from the University of Bristol. Daniel is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S) with the NSCA, and has completed the national qualification in Exercise and Health Studies. Daniel has worked as a performance nutritionist with a host of elite athletes in a range of sports such as golf, athletics, rugby and GAA. In conjunction with his role with Leinster Rugby, Daniel also works as a performance nutritionist with the Dublin senior footballers. His primary focus is developing individualised nutrition strategies for achieving specific performance related goals. He also believes that enhancing athletes' understanding of appropriate nutrition practices is vitally important for long-term optimum health outside of sport. In order to achieve this, he believes in providing this information in an understandable, practical and enjoyable manner. Daniel is a committed athlete himself and has played Gaelic football at intercounty level for Sligo and won an All-Ireland club football medal in 2016 with Ballyboden St' Enda's in Dublin. His own playing and training experience allows him to understand the practical implications of applying the science of sports nutrition to achieve peak physical condition and performance in sport.

Lyle McDonald Lyle is the author of the Ketogenic Diet, the Rapid Fat Loss Handbook and the Guide to Flexible Dieting. He has been interested in all aspects of human performance physiology since becoming involved in competitive sports as a teenager. Pursuing a degree in Physiological Sciences from UCLA, he has spent almost 20 years of his life studying human physiology and the science, art and practice of human performance, muscle gain, fat loss and body recomposition. Over the years, in addition to working with the general public, Lyle has worked primarily with endurance athletes, a few powerlifters, and some bodybuilders. Through his books, articles and his forum, he has helped thousands lose fat, gain muscle and get stronger or perform better. In This Episode We Discuss: Fundamentals of calorie partitioning What actually influences the partitioning of fuel substrates and the fate of the calories we consume Genetic differences in how much our body composition proportionally changes when either in a hyper- or hypo- caloric diet Is there anything we can really do to modify this? Insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose tissue Blood glucose responses to meals: For healthy individuals, how much does it matter? Should you match carbohydrate intake to insulin sensitivity?

Dr. Shona Halson is the Senior Recovery Physiologist at the ‪Australian Institute of Sport and an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Her work involves providing athletes with advice and assistance to minimise fatigue and maximise recovery, she is responsible for conducting applied research to evaluate techniques to reduce fatigue and increase recovery. Shona has worked closely with the Australian Dolphins and their specific preparation for the Rio Olympics. Shona has a wealth of experience in the area of fatigue and recovery and she spent a number of years working as the Recovery Centre Director for the Australian Olympic Committee. In This Episode We Discuss: Periodization of recovery Cold water immersion and constrast water therapy for recovery Do recovery strategies have the potential to negatively impact adaptive responses to training? Athlete perception and "belief" in recovery modalities The importance of hydrostatic pressure: implications for hydrotherapy practice Effectively monitoring fatigue in athletes to assess training load and recovery

How to Build a Career in Nutrition Coaching For some reason enough people have seemingly deemed me to be "successful" enough to ask me for advice about starting a career in nutrition, usually via some version of one of the following questions: What nutrition course do you suggest I do? What qualifications do I need to work as a nutritionist? I'm a personal trainer/coach, what is the best way to improve my nutrition knowledge and/or my reputation as a nutrition coach? I currently work in a different field but want to transition to a career in nutrition. How should I go about this? Is it possible? I'd like to work in sports nutrition. How do I go about this? So the plan is to address these questions comprehensively in this guide. Which should hopefully help those of you who have similar questions. So let's get started!

Mike Israetel, PhD discusses the relative importance of carbohydrates for strength athletes, planning nutrition periodization for strength athletes and how to structure mesocycles for strength gain. Mike Israetel is currently a professor of Exercise Science at Temple University in Philadelphia, as well consulting nutritional and training for elite strength and combat athletes around the world. Mike is the head science consultant for Renaissance Periodization, where he has authored and co-authored a number for books. He has a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University, and on the sporting side has experience as a competitive powerlifter, grappler and bodybuilder. In This Episode We Discuss: Do strength athletes (powerlifters, weightlifters) need full glycogen stores? What roles do carbohydrates serve for such athletes? Nutrition considerations when making weight for a meet Nutritional periodization for the strength athlete: diet early and maintain lower bodyweight, or maintain higher weight before dieting close to the meet? Do the volume landmarks for planning training (MRV, MEV, MAV) still apply for the strength athlete? Are volume increases as important?

Katy joined the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Sciences at UCD as a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science in 2017. Katy holds a BSc and MSc in Sport and Exercise Science, both from the University of Limerick, and a PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She subsequently completed postdoctoral studies in childhood obesity and physical activity at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, USA and more recently in the Nutrition, Biomarkers and Health Research Group at UCD as part of Food for Health Ireland. Her research draws on this interdisciplinary background, particularly in terms of trying to make connections across exercise physiology, metabolism and nutrition science. She has published articles on appetite control, gut and exercise physiology in a range of journals across the fields of sports medicine, exercise science, metabolism, obesity and nutrition. Her interest in applied sport and exercise science centres on nutritional advice and exercise prescription for both athletes to optimise performance and to a wide range of other individuals to optimise wellbeing and metabolic health. Katy is also a trained phlebotomist and registered nutritionist (with specialisms in nutrition science and sport/exercise), and currently works with the Ad Astra elite athlete support team at UCD. In This Episode We Discuss: What you should know about gut peptide hormones (GLP-1, ghrelin, peptide YY) Does the dysregulation of appetite hormones drive excess caloric intake and hence excess bodyfat accumulation, or is it excess bodyfat accumulation that drives hormonal dsyregulation? The effects of exercise interventions on these appetite-related gut peptides Active and inactive men differ in processes of food reward Habitual exercise could contribute to weight management by altering processes of food reward via the gut-brain axis What is gastic emptying and how do we measure it? Do people who exercise compensate for the increase in energy expenditure via compensatory increases in hunger and food intake? Implications of gastric emptying on exercise performance

Barbara Oakley is a Professor of Engineering at Oakland University. She is involved in multiple areas of research, ranging from STEM education, to Engineering education, to learning practices. Most recently, Professor Oakley has co-created and taught Learning How To Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects, the world's most popular online course. She also has written a number of books, including: 'A Mind For Numbers' and 'Mindshift'. In This Episode We Discuss: Focused mode vs. diffuse mode for thinking, problem solving and working Environments for productive learning: distractions, timelines and procrastination "Neural chunking" and creating patterns for developing skills Preventing regression of knowledge and skill acquisition Advice for improving scientific literacy/proficiency and confidence in reading/understanding science How to soak up (and retain) more information from podcasts

Katie Anne started her initial athletic endeavors in high school; running track and cross country before transitioning into bodybuilding while attending college at The Ohio State University. Her first contest prep and powerlifting meet both took place in 2014. In her first season of competing, she came away with two first place wins in figure, a powerlifting meet win, and her IFPA figure pro card. Katie Anne is currently an elite USAPL 72kg powerlifter, IFPA Natural Figure Pro, and coach. She was the 2015 USAPL Raw Nationals 72kg Junior National Champion. In This Episode We Discuss: Katie Anne's background in athletics and her transition to bodybuilding and powerlifting The trap for athletes of putting all their self-worth into their athletic acheivement Gaining perspective and focusing on the process when chasing goals Advice on how to women can deal with scale weight increases when building muscle How attitude and positivity are a skill, and like any skill need to be practised

Dr. Jake Kushner is leading the efforts in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Kushner is a McNair Medical Institute Scholar at the Baylor College of Medicine. As the Chief of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology at Baylor College of Medicine, he is a major thought leader in type 1 diabetes care and research. His overarching career goal is to help children and young adults with diabetes and other endocrine disorders live long, healthy lives. His administrative priorities focus upon developing and promoting innovative new models of patient-centered care, education, and cutting edge research. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Dr. Kushner earned his medical doctorate from Albany Medical College in New York. He completed a residency in pediatrics at Brown University. He then completed a clinical fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, followed by a 5-year research fellowship at the Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School. Prior to arriving at the Baylor College of Medicine Dr. Kushner was at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. Kushner has received national awards, including elected membership to the prestigious American Society of Clinical Investigation. He currently serves as the president of the Society for Pediatric Research. Dr. Kushner's research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the March of Dimes, amongst other sources. His clinical interests include the care of children with type 1 diabetes. Dr. Kushner's research is focused upon of the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. A major theme of the Kushner lab includes studies to understand the origins of adult beta cell growth and regeneration. Until recently it was not clear exactly where adult beta cells came from during postnatal life. Dr. Kushner and colleagues have carried out studies in adult mice with a variety of advanced tools. In contrast to the dominant views, they do not observe any contribution to beta cell growth in adult mice from "tissue stem cells". Instead, they find that beta cells expand by simple division "self-renewal". Dr. Kushner and colleagues are currently extending this work, with the goal of studying beta cell regeneration under a variety of normal and disease conditions. In This Episode We Discuss: The intricacies of type 1 diabetes Beta cell dysfunction Nutritional approaches to type 1 diabetes: standard care and carbohydrate restriction Issues with low-carb for T1D: hypoglycaemic episodes? ketones? long-term safety unknown? "Low carb is not for everyone with T1D. Frankly, there is so much that we don't know. But, low carb management of T1D can be quite advantageous for those who choose it." - Jake Kushner, MD

Trent is an applied sport physiologist with a specialization in the area of performance nutrition. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Cornell University and he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in Exercise and Skeletal Muscle Physiology. In his current role he focuses on providing his physiology and nutrition expertise to Canada's national rowing, track and field and triathlon teams, as well as leading Canadian Sport Institute's Innovation and Research division. Trent previously worked as the senior leading scientist in Performance Nutrition for Power Bar at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. An experienced researcher, Trent has more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is currently on the editorial board for the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance and International Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. He has co-authored six book chapters focusing on the role that nutrition can play in supporting elite athlete performance, including a chapter on 'Nutrition for the Endurance Athlete', for the newest version of the 2013 IOC Sports Nutrition Encyclopaedia. His expertise is paired with his ability to deliver complex scientific concepts in an informative and applicable way. He co-supervises a number of master and PhD student collaborative research projects at UBC, UVIC and Guelph. Trent has attended many World Championships and Olympic Games as part of Team Canada's Integrated Support Team and consults several Olympic athletes from around the world, including his wife Hilary, who competed for Canada in the 1500m at the 2012 Games.

We take a deeper look at artificial/non-caloric sweeteners; effects on bodyweight, glucose tolerance, gut flora and health. What does the evidence say about safety and health concerns? All references are linked to in the show notes page at sigmanutrition.com/episode184

Sigma coach Arthur Lynch interviews sport psychology PhD researcher Eoghan McNeill of the University of Limerick on applying evidence-based sports psychology techniques to improve performance, particularly in powerlifting and other self-paced/closed skill sports. Eoghan is a PhD researcher in the PESS department at the Univeristy of Limerick. Eoghan's research examines improving performance in self-paced sports (focusing on golf) through psychology techniques and mental preparation. Eoghan has a MSc. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Ulster University, Jordanstown (UUJ). Eoghan can be contacted at [email protected] In This Episode We Discuss: Pre-performance routine and the importance of conscious thought Use of first-person and third-person imagery for performance and skill acquisition Effective self-talk Thought replacement strategy and reframing negative thoughts

Book: 'Making Weight' - The Ultimate Science Based Guide to Cutting Weight for Combat Sports Reid Reale completed a PhD, focusing on weight cutting techniques and body composition of combat sport athletes. This work was carried out in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport, where research is combined with helping elite level Olympic athletes. Reid has a master's degree in dietetics and holds Accredited Sports Dietitian and Accredited Practising Dietitian status with Sports Dietitians Australia and the Dietitians Association of Australia respectively. He won first prize in the "Young investigator award" at the 2016 European College of Sports Science annual congress in Vienna, for his presentation 'Rapid weight loss in Olympic combat sports'. In This Episode We Discuss: Why cut weight? Methods used to cut weight The mechanisms by which water loading can potentially be useful in weight cutting Low residue diets and acute weight loss Deciding how much to cut for each sport

Jeff Nippard is a WNBF Pro Drug-Free Bodybuilder and internationally qualified IPF/CPU Powerlifter in the 74 kg class. He earned the title of Mr. Junior Canada for natural bodybuilding in 2012 under the guidance of Dr. Layne Norton. Prior to earning the Canadian national title, Jeff was a two-time Mr. Junior Newfoundland title-holder for 2009 and 2010. As a powerlifter, Jeff has claimed a 227.5 kg (502 lb) squat, 152.5 kg (336 lb) bench press (2014 Canadian national record) and a 235 kg (518 lb) deadlift with an all time best Wilks score of 446. With a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, Jeff has gathered the requisite scientific knowledge to compliment his practical experience acquired through training and coaching. Jeff worked as a coach with esteemed online coaching group The Strength Guys through 2014 and 2015 before branching out with STRCNG. Jeff has coached women's bikini and men's bodybuilding national and provincial champions, professional natural bodybuilders and nationally and IPF Worlds qualified raw powerlifters. In This Episode We Discuss: Intuitive eating vs. ad libitum eating Accurately defining intuitive eating Using intuitive eating whilst making physique progress Factors that influence whether intuitive eating or control-based eating is the best tool Long-term planning for body recomposition

Dr Jason Gill is a Reader in Exercise and Metabolic 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. Major research interests include: why certain population groups (particularly South Asians) appear to be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of a `Westernised' lifestyle, and how lifestyle interventions can modulate this excess risk; the interactions between physical activity, energy balance, adiposity and disease risk; and the mechanisms by which exercise regulates lipoprotein metabolism. 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 obesity and for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Jason is Director of the MSc programme in Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine, and also plays an active role in communicating the science of physical activity, diet, obesity and cardio-metabolic risk to the widest possible audience including a number of appearances on TV documentaries and organisation of Understanding of Science events for the general public. In This Episode We Discuss: Modifiable factors that influence cardio-metabolic disease risk Differences in diabetes and cardio-metabolic disease risk between different ethnic groups Is this increased disease risk a function of ethnicity alone or a mismatch between the environment and that populations evolutionary past? How different BMI values correspond to different levels of risk between ethnic groups Differences in cardiorespiratory fitness levels and capacity for fat oxidation potentially contribute to ethnic differences in the cardio-metabolic risk profile Do we need ethnicity-specific physical activity guidelines? Research questions that remain unanswered

Episode 179: Patterns that I've recognised and traits that are common to the best people in evidence-based nutrition and fitness.

Episode 178: I need your input as a valued listener! I talk through some exciting new plans, ideas and where we as a community should aim to bring this podcast. sigmanutrition.com/input

Chris and Eric Martinez are the founders of Dynamic Duo Training. The twin brothers have the knowledge, the credibility, the passion, the "in the trenches" experience training themselves and clients, and have been mentored under some of the most prestigious coaches in the industry such as Layne Norton, Eric Helms, and Dr. Joe Klemczewski. Chris and Eric are constantly striving to innovate, learn to be better in all areas of life, evolve, and most importantly execute and serve to their clients. They recently authored the book 'The New Era of Fitness'. In This Episode We Discuss: The components that comprise the "new era of fitness" Forming new habits with clients Mentality towards fitness goals Why personal development is important How to improve yourself Lessons learned through experience and education

Eric Trexler is a PhD student at UNC Chapel Hill, under Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. He has a research focus on how exercise and nutrition affect metabolism, performance, and body composition. Eric comes from a background in natural bodybuilding, powerlifting, and strength coaching, and currently holds certifications in sports nutrition (CISSN) and strength and conditioning (CSCS). Eric completed his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University, and his master's degree at UNC Chapel Hill. In This Episode We Discuss: Proposed mechanisms of action of citrulline Citrulline malate vs. L-citrulline Nitric oxide "boosters" Why arginine is ineffective Dietary nitrates and nitrate supplementation via beetroot/pomegranate What athletes might this work for? Research on cordyceps supplementation for exercise performance

Klaas Westerterp is Professor of Human Energetics at Maastricht University. His field of expertise is energy metabolism, physical activity, food intake and body composition, and energy balance under controlled conditions and in daily life. He is member of the Editorial Board of the journal Nutrition and Metabolism (London), the European Journal of Applied Physiology, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and Editor-in-Chief of the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.

Episode 174: Researcher from Maastrict University, Jorn Trommelen is on the show to discuss his research on the effect of glucose/fructose on carbohydrate oxidation during exercise and the effect of pre-sleep protein on muscle protein balance. Jorn earned his MSc in Nutrition and Health with top honors at Wageningen University & Research Centre. He is now pursuing a PhD in Muscle Metabolism at Maastricht University, at one of the leading laboratories in that field. His research focusses on protein ingestion to optimize post-exercise muscle protein synthesis. In addition, he investigates carbohydrate metabolism during and after exercise. Jorn won several awards for his research including: A Young Investigator Award at the European College of Sport Science Congress in 2015 The GSSI Sport Nutrition Award at the American College of Sports Medicine in 2016 The Gail E. Butterfield Nutrition Travel Award at the American College of Sports Medicine in 2016 A GSSI Nutrition Award at the European College of Sport Science Congress in 2016

Episode 173: Performance coach PJ Nestler discusses training approaches for combat sport athletes to increase their strength, speed and power so that it actually translates to improved performance in the ring/cage. PJ is a human performance specialist with over a decade of experience preparing top athletes for competition, and a life mission to help athletes and coaches realize their true potential. Over the past ten years, PJ has trained dozens of athletes from the UFC, NFL, NHL and MLB. His passion for combat sports and commitment to excellence, has driven him to become a leader in combat sports performance training. He has worked extensively with over 100 fighters, including multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions and Top 10 ranked UFC fighters Outside of training top athletes, PJ is devoted to sharing his knowledge and experience, with the purpose of elevating the fitness profession.

Episode 172: Ben Esgro returns to give more philosophical thoughts on training, powerlifting, achievement and much more. Ben is the founder and COO of De Novo Nutrition. The company has both consulting and supplement branches, based on objective science and ethical practice. Ben is a registered dietitian (RD), as well as having a Masters in Nutrition and Exercise Science (MS) from Marywood University. He has over 6 years experience of coaching and programming for individuals all the way from general population folks all the way up to elite competitors, such as IPF Worlds 2015 93kg silver medalist Layne Norton. In addition to being a highly-regarded coach, he is also an accomplished competitor as both a USBF Pro Qualified Natural Bodybuilder and an internationally qualified IPF powerlifter.

Episode 171: Corey Peacock, PhD discusses how he implements science-based practices in the physical preparation of the elite MMA athletes he works with, including Anthony Johnson, Michael Chandler, Matt Mitrione and Rashad Evans. Dr. Corey Peacock is currently serving a dual role as the Head Exercise Physiologist and Performance Coach for MMA's the Blackzilians fight camp. In this role, he is responsible for contributing physiological evaluations, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention methodologies. His experience as both a Strength Coach and Sports Performance Researcher have allowed him to implement state of the art injury prevention technology and coaching techniques within the team. A former collegiate football player and coach, Corey graduated from Kent State University with a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, focusing his application on human performance. He works closely with many Strength & Conditioning professionals from the NFL, NHL, MMA and NCAAF and is regarded as one of the top Performance Coaches and Sports Scientists in South Florida. Along with coaching, Dr. Peacock also works as a professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Nova Southeastern University. As a researcher, he has contributed multiple peer-reviewed publications integrating the fields of exercise physiology, athletic performance, and supplementation.

Episode 170: Aadam Ali of Physiquinomics is on to discuss his personal diet experiements, what he learnt and some philosophies on nutrition and training. Aadam writes fitness-related content over at his site Physiqonomics. He writes about his philosophies on nutrition, training and all things physique related. He also self-experiments with different approaches and reports the results. These have included periods of time eating various iterations of a ketogenic diet, employing extended fasts, using time-restricted feeding and more. He has also written content for various other reputable sites including Strengtheory. Aadam also works one-to-one with coaching clients who want to improve their physique.

Episode 169: Molecular physiologist Chad Macias, of the Institute for Human Kinetics, discusses some limitations of research, issues of misinterpretation and/or inaccurate communication related to research on cancer, nutritional ketosis and the press-pulse method. Chad is currently pursuing post-graduate research in Molecular Oncology. Chad has spent over 19 years conducting research and developing protocols in cellular and molecular physiology. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of San Diego, and has developed some of the most advanced blood lactate testing and intermittent hypoxia protocols in the world. He founded the Institute for Human Kinetics in 2011, where he works with many of the world's top athletes. In addition, he was a two sport Olympic athlete. He also serves as the Human Performance Specialist at Navy Special Warfare developing programs to prepare Navy Seals for combat deployment though their Tactical Athlete Program. Chad also heads OPI's Research Team and has the knowledge base to conduct medical and exercise physiology research in both humans and rodents.

Episode 168: The Sigma coaching team sit down to discuss issues related to selecting a powerlifting weight class, progression over the long-term and the pros and cons of cutting weight.

Episode 167: Dominic D'Agostino, PhD returns to the show to discuss issues related to traumatic brain injury (including CTE) and associations with contact sports such as boxing, MMA and American football. Dominic D'Agostino, Ph.D. Dr. D'agostino is an Assistant Professor at the College Of Medicine Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology at the University of South Florida. The primary focus of his laboratory is developing and testing metabolic-based therapies, including ketogenic diets, ketone esters, ketone supplements and metabolic-based drugs. His research also explores the use of these metabolic therapies for a broad range of disorders linked pathophysiologically to metabolic dysregulation, including seizures, neurological disorders, wound healing, muscle wasting and cancer. The laboratory uses in vivo and in vitro techniques to understand the physiological, cellular and molecular mechanism of metabolic therapies. In This Episode We Discuss: Development of chronic TBI Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and association with combat sports and American football Potential risk reduction strategies for combat sport athletes What's going on in the brain after injury? - GABA, glutamate, elctrolytes, etc. Substrate metabolism in the brain and neuro-inflammatory response after injury

Episode 166: Stephan Guyenet, PhD discusses what drives us to overeat, factors affecting appetite regulation and calorie balance. Stephan is an obesity researcher, neurobiologist, and author. In addition to his research, he enjoys synthesizing and communicating science for a general audience over at his hugely successful blog. Stephan has a BS. in biochemistry (University of Virginia) and a PhD in neurobiology (University of Washington). He recently published the fantastic book 'The Hungry Brain', which dives into the causes of obesity from the perspective of overeating and related brain chemistry.

Episode 165: Kevin Hall, PhD of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is on the podcast to discuss his work examining the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity and responds to recent comments on the issue by Gary Taubes. Dr. Hall is a Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Biological Modeling at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Kevin's laboratory investigates how metabolism and the brain adapt in response to a variety of interventions to diet and physical actvity. They perform experiments in both humans and rodents to better understand the complex mechanisms regulating macronutrient metabolism, body composition, and energy expenditure. A unique aspect of the laboratory involves the development of mathematical models to quantitatively describe, explain, integrate, and predict our experimental results. Over the past couple of years, Kevin has been the principal investigator on a couple of high-profile metabolic ward studies looking to examine: 1) the effect of restricting calories from fat vs. from carbohydrates, and 2) the hypothesis that ketogenic diets offer a metabolic advantage. In This Episode We Discuss: Defining the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity Scientific models and the principle of experimental falsification Main predictions of the carbohydrate-insulin model Examining the idea that ketogenic diets confer a metabolic advantage Response to recent comments from Gary Taubes The effect of weight loss on appetite

Episode 164: Dominic D'Agostino, PhD of the University of South Florida discusses his lab's research onto various treatment therapies for cancer including nutritional ketosis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and metabolic drugs. Dr. D'agostino is an Assistant Professor at the College Of Medicine Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology at the University of South Florida. The primary focus of his laboratory is developing and testing metabolic-based therapies, including ketogenic diets, ketone esters, ketone supplements and metabolic-based drugs. His research also explores the use of these metabolic therapies for a broad range of disorders linked pathophysiologically to metabolic dysregulation, including seizures, neurological disorders, wound healing, muscle wasting and cancer. The laboratory uses in vivo and in vitro techniques to understand the physiological, cellular and molecular mechanism of metabolic therapies. In This Episode We Discuss: Cancer as a metabolic disease Potential mechanisms of action for ketosis being a beneficial metabolic state in cancer patients Ketosis, calorie restriction, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and metabolic drugs as adjunct therapies in cancer treatment Possible future avenues of research What research needs to be done for this research to become seen more in front-line clinical practice Barriers to implementation

Episode 163: Danny discusses some mental limitations to making progress. Namely they are: being unwilling to embrace the mundanely uncomfortable, an inability to invest in the long-term process and being unwilling to "do the work" without constant validation.

Episode 162: Andrew Chappell, PhD of Sheffield Hallam University is on the show to discuss preliminary data looking into different nutritional strategies followed by natural bodybuilders. Dietary Strategies Of Elite Natural Bodybuilders - Chappell AJ & Simper T., The popularity of natural bodybuilding is increasing rapidly. Within the United Kingdom (UK) the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation (BNBF) runs seven regional qualifiers culminating in a UK finals. This cohort provides an excellent opportunity to study the dietary and training practices of an elite group of natural bodybuilders. In order to achieve the optimal physique for competition the athlete typically undertakes in a fat loss regime whilst attempting to maintain muscle mass normally accrued prior to the weight loss period. A combination of resistance training, cardiovascular exercise, calorie reduction, supplement regimes and peaking strategies are employed in order to obtain this physique. Although recommendations exist, these recommendations are not always based on bodybuilding populations and there is a paucity of applied research in this area. Here we report the results of a recent cross-sectional study investigating the preparation techniques of natural bodybuilding participant's competing at the BNBF finals. There was a tendency for successful bodybuilders to have a different macronutrient composition than unsuccessful bodybuilders. Specifically carbohydrate intake was higher over the duration of a pre-contest diet in successful bodybuilders. Implications for this will be discussed.

Episode 161: Dublin-based coach and fitness entrepreneur Rob Lipsett is on the show to discuss his journey, philosophies and work with clients. Rob Lipsett is a personal trainer, physique competitor and fitness entrepreneur. Rob has built a loyal following based on giving insights into his own training and lifestyle, blended with handing out solid evidence-based information. In This Episode We Discuss: Lessons learned from competing in natural physique competition Advice for those looking to build a physique naturally Reasons why people don't achieve their body composition goals How to determine whether you should bulk or cut Keeping on track with training and dieting whilst travelling

Episode 160: Danny discusses tools that have been invaluable to him in life across 5 categories: non-nutrition books, tracking, creation, living life and asking yourself questions.

Episode 159: Author of the Diabetic Muscle and Fitness Guide, Phil Graham, returns to the show to discuss how diabetics should eat and exercise if they want to gain muscle, lose fat or be healthy, without having their condition hold them back.

Episode 158: Alex Ritson dives into the metabolic adaptations that occur with dieting (and overfeeding), the implications of this for the dieter and how this can explain the differences between individuals in their response to a diet.

Episode 157: We kick off 2017 with details of the Sigma Weight Cutting System for MMA & Boxing. http://sigmanutrition.com/weightcut

Episode 156: We end 2016 with a review of some of my favourite philosophical lessons that I have taken from a number of podcast guests this year. These are key ideas or lessons that I think can be powerful to bear in mind. Mindset Over Tools and Knowledge vs. Doing - Dan Pardi (ep. 131) Why Real Science Matters - Kevin Folta, PhD (ep. 120) Re-framing Failure & Self-Responsibility - Ryan Doris (ep. 114) Obsession is Good - Brett Gibbs (ep. 122) Evidence-Based Practice Blends Science, Experience & Pragmatism - Brad Schoenfeld, PhD (ep. 104) The Human Body is Capable of Amazing Physical Output (and Needs It!) - Brent Ruby, PhD (ep. 124) Fake Science, Critical Thinking & "Science Celebrities" - Ben Esgro, RD (ep. 109)

Episode 155: Researcher Dr. Kimber Stanhope of UC Davis discusses the scientific research that exists on sugar consumption and it's effect on health and body composition. Kimber Stanhope, PhD, RD, is an associate research nutritional biologist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at UC Davis. Her work focuses on investigating the effects of sugar consumption on the development of metabolic disease, utilizing well-controlled diet intervention studies in human subjects. She has more than 20 years of nutrition research experience, focused on contributing significantly to the clinical research that will define the optimally healthy diet and delineate the mechanisms involved. She also has a decade of experience as a public health educator, working as a registered dietitian with health clubs and health management organizations, and is the author of a children's book on nutrition. In this episode we discuss: The differing metabolic effects of consuming different types of sugars (e.g. fructose, glucose, sucrose) The dosages that negative consequences start appearing at Misplaced concerns about fructose content in fruit Do negative effects still occur in the absence of a calorie surplus and excessive body fat gain? Fat accumulation at the liver How do artificial sweeteners compare? Effects of sugar consumption on hormones like leptin and adiponectin

Episode 154: Jeff Rothschild discusses the science and application of fasting protocols, meal timing, time-restricted feeding and their effects on circadian rhythms and health. Jeff Rothschild is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with a Master's degree in Nutritional Science. He works with a variety of clients including elite ATP and NCAA tennis players, endurance athletes, boxers, swimmers, and a number of touring musicians at TriFit in Santa Monica, CA. Jeff is also a writer for the Examine.com monthly research digest, and teaches college sports nutrition at CSU Los Angeles. Jeff follows a methodical and steadfast approach to nutrition, prioritizing the questions of 'who are you and what are your goals' during the decision-making and counselling process to achieve quality results. This includes an evidence-based approach to nutrition, practising concepts developed over time instead of using untested or unproven ideas. This allows everyone from elite athletes to sedentary individuals to get the most out of sessions, optimize nutrition plans to fit their own needs, and create the greatest and longest-lasting positive changes. Jeff's main areas of interest are sports nutrition, meal timing, intermittent fasting, and circadian rhythms. He has co-authored multiple scientific research papers that have been published in peer-reviewed nutrition and food science journals, served as a reviewer in the peer-review process for journals, and has presented his research at national nutrition conferences. He is also an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and has spent five years as the assistant tennis coach at CSU Los Angeles. Jeff helped the Golden Eagles earn national Top-25 rankings each of those years, and was a two-time winner of Assistant Coach of the Year for the West Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Beyond nutrition and coaching, Jeff has competed as a cyclist and continues to play competitive tennis. Classification of the different types of fasting methods What is research showing us might be the main benefits How to structure a fasting protocol in the real-world and within a normal schedule Time-restricted feeding research Does the timing of the feeding window matter? How feeding can entrain the peripheral circadian clocks Concordance and discordance between light/dark cycles and feeding windows Using longer fasts (multiple days) sporadically to enhance health

Episode 153: Dan Garner discusses hydration status, electrolyte supplementation and performance nutrition for athletes. Dan Garner is the owner and founder of Team Garner and is the head strength coach and nutrition specialist for hockeytraining.com. Specializing and delivering consistent world class results in physique transformation and athletic performance, Dan has worked with many athletes from the youth leagues right up to the NHL, NFL, MLB and UFC. He is an international lecturer on sports nutrition and has been featured in several major media outlets. In addition to his coaching services, he has created many online products available for purchase and is a bestselling author on Amazon, as well as being a contributor to Alan Aragon's Research Review.

Episode 152: Lyle McDonald is back on the show to discuss glycaemic load, trigger foods, behavioural eating, hyperpalatability and the difference between giving practical recommendations and what is correct from a physiological perspective.

Episode 151: How to periodize nutrition for a combat sport athlete through understanding the 4 phases of nutrition they transition through.