The Dr. Layne Norton Podcast

Study Deep Dive: High Protein Diets and Ultra Processed Foods

21 snips
Jul 21, 2025
A fascinating analysis of a recent study explores the effects of high-protein, lower-carbohydrate ultra-processed foods on human energy balance. It educates listeners on interpreting scientific research and critiques self-reported dietary data. The discussion highlights the worrying link between ultra-processed foods and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing their appealing taste and affordability. Additionally, the episode dives into the vital role of protein in body composition and appetite regulation, challenging common perceptions about calorie consumption.
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INSIGHT

Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Obesity

  • Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are high in energy density, hyper-palatable, low in satiety, and cheap, driving increased calorie intake.
  • These factors, combined, contribute significantly to the obesity crisis, especially in low-income areas.
ADVICE

Limit Access to UPFs

  • Consider accessibility and convenience as major drivers of ultra-processed food consumption.
  • Reducing ultra-processed food availability through effort and cost barriers may help lower overconsumption.
INSIGHT

Protein Synthesis Boosts Energy Burn

  • High protein diets increase muscle protein synthesis, which is an energy-expensive process that raises daily calorie expenditure.
  • This increase in protein turnover may explain high protein diets' benefits for fat loss beyond digestion's thermic effect.
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