The Stronger By Science Podcast
Reading Research, the Placebo Diet, Muscle Memory, and Alex Kolliari-Turner
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The placebo effect of believing you're on a diet may not have a significant impact on weight loss.
- It's crucial to critically evaluate research findings and consider study limitations and biases.
- Well-controlled studies with meticulous monitoring provide more accurate insights into the effects of dieting.
- More research is needed to explore the psychological factors influencing weight loss and the placebo effect.
- Myonuclei play a vital role in muscle growth and can be influenced by anabolic steroid use.
- The study on muscle memory aims to examine the long-term effects of steroid use on muscle growth and contribute to doping control in sports.
Deep dives
Study shows placebo effect of dieting may not be as significant as initially thought
A recent study that explored the placebo effect of dieting found that the weight loss experienced by participants who believed they were on a diet was not as significant as initially suggested. The study compared two groups of participants, one of which was told they were on a weight loss diet and the other was told they were on a weight maintenance diet. Surprisingly, there was only a slight difference in weight loss between the two groups. The study brings into question the true impact of the placebo effect on dieting and highlights the need for more comprehensive research in this area.
Importance of critically evaluating research findings
The discussion surrounding the placebo effect of dieting highlights the importance of critically evaluating research findings. While initial interpretations of the study suggested a significant placebo effect on weight loss, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced and complex picture. The study's limitations, such as the lack of detailed information on participants' adherence to the diet and the absence of quantifiable measurements, raise questions about the validity of the results. It serves as a reminder to approach research with a discerning eye, considering the study design, methodology, and potential biases.
The value of well-controlled studies
The study on the placebo effect of dieting underscores the value of well-controlled studies in understanding complex phenomena. While the observed weight loss in the placebo group appeared significant, a thorough examination reveals potential confounding factors that were not adequately controlled for. Well-controlled studies, with meticulous monitoring of variables and adherence, provide more accurate insights into the effects of dieting. By approaching research with this level of scrutiny, we can gain a more nuanced and reliable understanding of the factors that influence weight loss and the placebo effect in dieting.
Further research needed to explore psychological factors in weight loss
The study on the placebo effect of dieting highlights the need for more research to explore the psychological factors that influence weight loss. While the initial findings suggested an impact of the placebo effect, the study's limitations prevent definitive conclusions. Future studies should delve deeper into the psychological aspects of weight loss, considering variables such as motivation, adherence, and self-perception. By incorporating a comprehensive understanding of the psychological factors at play, researchers can contribute to a more accurate understanding of the placebo effect in weight loss.
The Role of Myonuclei in Muscle Growth
Myonuclei are essential for muscle growth as they are responsible for protein synthesis. Muscle fibers can only grow to a certain size based on the number of myonuclei they contain. Satellite cells play a crucial role in adding new myonuclei to muscle fibers, allowing them to grow larger. This mechanism is known as muscle memory.
The Impact of Anabolic Steroids on Myonuclei
Anabolic steroids, specifically androgenic steroids, can bind to and activate satellite cells, leading to the addition of new myonuclei in muscle fibers. This can increase muscle protein synthesis and contribute to muscle growth. Studies have shown that myonuclei numbers can remain elevated even after a person discontinues steroid use.
Investigating Myonuclei Retention in Steroid Users
The current study aims to recruit male participants between the ages of 20 and 40 who are either current or past anabolic steroid users. The goal is to examine the retention of myonuclei in steroid users and their impact on muscle growth. Participants will undergo muscle biopsies to measure myonuclei numbers and gene expression. The study will shed light on the long-term effects of steroid use on muscle memory and contribute to our understanding of doping control in sports.
Participating in the Study
The research team is actively seeking participants for the study, both current and past anabolic steroid users. Those interested can contact the team for more information and to discuss their involvement. Sampling dates are available in October 2019, and the study will continue into 2020. All participant information will remain anonymous, ensuring confidentiality throughout the research.
Researching Muscle Memory and Anabolic Steroids
The podcast episode delves into a research study being conducted on muscle memory and the use of anabolic steroids. The study aims to investigate the mechanisms behind muscle memory and whether anabolic steroids have a lasting effect on muscle growth. It is mentioned that the study is unique and interesting since conducting this type of research is difficult in countries where possessing anabolic steroids is against the law. The potential implications of the study on anti-doping policy and the ban duration for athletes caught using steroids are discussed as well.
The Role of Satellite Cells and Myonuclei in Muscle Growth
The podcast explores the role of satellite cells and myonuclei in muscle growth. While older studies focused on satellite cells, more recent research indicates that myonuclei are retained even during muscle atrophy, challenging previous conclusions. The activation and proliferation of satellite cells are key to their transition into myonuclei, and the timing and rate of this transition are still not fully understood. Additionally, the potential significance of ribosomes, genetic differences, and epigenetic changes in muscle growth are touched upon.
Limitations of Muscle Growth and Future Research Directions
The podcast episode discusses the potential limitations of muscle growth and areas for future research. Energetics, including the cost of maintaining larger muscle mass, are suggested as a possible limiting factor. The idea of a surface area to volume ratio, where the diffusion distance for oxygen and nutrients becomes limiting, is also explored. The role of mitochondrial density, capillary density, and protein synthesis pathways in muscle growth are considered. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the need for further research, including administration studies, to better understand the mechanisms behind muscle growth limitations.
In this episode, college football makes its first ever appearance in the “Feats of Strength” segment. Then, Greg and Eric share some practical tips for evaluating and interpreting exercise and nutrition research, Eric shares a Read of the Week segment about the placebo effect of believing you’re on a diet, and Greg discusses training lift variations that are different than your competition lifts. Finally, Greg shares his onion jam recipe, followed by an interview with Alex Kolliari-Turner, who tells us about his exciting new research on “muscle memory” and the effects of steroid use on muscle myonuclei.
As we mention in this episode, Alex Kolliari-Turner is currently recruiting participants for his study on how muscle myonuclei numbers change during and after steroid use. For 2019 data collection, October 26th, 27th, 28th are the last opportunities for current and past steroid users living within Europe to get involved. They will be doing sampling in 2020, so even if you can't make the October dates, you should still get in touch with Alex using the following email address: A.Kolliari-Turner@brighton.ac.uk
TIME STAMPS
0:01:17 Feats of Strength
0:07:05 Discussion on how to read and interpret research
0:08:21 Going beyond the abstract
0:13:51 Misleading referencing
0:14:48 Author bias
0:20:45 “Generous” statistical interpretation
0:28:56 Conclusions about things that weren’t actually measured
0:35:07 Radical ideas about what introduction and discussion sections should look like
0:42:18 Read of the Week: “Studying a Possible Placebo Effect of an Imaginary Low-Calorie Diet”
Study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00550/full
0:43:41 Methods
0:45:57 Results and discussion
1:01:33 Coach’s Corner: Training lifts vs. competition lifts. Sometimes it makes sense to focus on non-competition lifts, or train a competition lift with altered technique that you don’t compete with
1:13:00 To play us out: recipe time (onion jam)
1:28:23 Interview with Alex Kolliari-Turner
1:28:36 Alex’s background
1:31:06 Why are satellite cells and myonuclei important for muscle physiology?
1:33:34 Why do so many studies measure satellite cells instead of myonuclei?
1:34:24 The concept of “muscle memory”
1:42:37 How do anabolic steroids affect myonuclei? Do myonuclear changes revert back to normal when people stop using steroids?
1:54:22 An overview of Alex’s current study on myonuclei numbers in current and former steroid users (note: recruitment is ongoing. Please contact Alex if interested in participating)
2:02:53 Steroid policies differ from country to country
2:06:31 When Alex’s current study is done, what effects could it have on anti-doping policy in the future?
2:10:12 How long should someone be banned from sport when they’re caught using steroids?
2:15:31 To what degree is satellite cell activation predictive of the accumulation of myonuclei? What are the mechanisms that contribute to myonuclear accretion? Are there important physiological roles of satellite cells that do not become activated?
2:29:52 Why do muscles eventually stop growing?
2:46:59 How can people stay in touch with Alex Kolliari-Turner, or contact him about participating in his study?
Email: A.Kolliari-Turner@brighton.ac.uk
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