
Alan Flanagan
Nutrition researcher and educator who provides domain-specific analysis on nutrition science, critical appraisal of evidence, and commentary on expertise in the field.
Top 10 podcasts with Alan Flanagan
Ranked by the Snipd community

29 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 21min
#562: How to Detoxify Yourself – Quack Asylum Special
In this discussion, nutritional scientist Alan Flanagan critically examines detoxification protocols often marketed for better health. He uncovers whether these diets are founded in science or blown out of proportion by fear. Flanagan emphasizes the misconception that the body can't detoxify itself naturally and explores the role of the liver and nutrients in this process. He also debunks myths surrounding mold exposure and its alleged health impacts, advocating for evidence-based approaches to health and the importance of critical thinking in nutrition.

25 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 59min
#585: Why We Think Poorly: Reason, Emotion, and Evidence-Based Reasoning
Dr. David Nunan, a senior researcher at Oxford, discusses the triad of evidence-based medicine, emphasizing the need to evaluate research quality. Dr. John Kiely explores the intersection of research and real-world practice, advocating for humility and curiosity in critical thinking. Dr. Alan Flanagan highlights the importance of domain expertise in interpreting nutrition research, warning against overgeneralization. The conversation delves into cognitive biases, emotional reasoning, and how identities can shape our beliefs, underscoring the complexity of making evidence-based decisions.

11 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 18min
Multivitamin Nihilism: Is it Actually Worthless to Supplement? (SNP37)
Alan Flanagan, an expert in nutrition science, debunks the myths surrounding multivitamin supplementation. He dives into the contentious debate: Are these supplements essential for health, or merely expensive placebos? Flanagan discusses the nuances of nutrient deficiencies, the role of multivitamins in specific populations like pregnant women, and the complexities of achieving dietary adequacy. He emphasizes the importance of context, urging listeners to consider individual dietary needs over blanket recommendations.

9 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 59min
#579: Is Your Chronotype Hard-Wired or Modifiable? And What Does It Mean for Health?
Alan Flanagan, a researcher in nutrition and chronobiology, delves into the fascinating world of chronotypes – our biological sleep-wake preferences. He explains how these are distinct from simple lifestyle choices and discusses various measurement methods, from lab tests to questionnaires. The conversation explores genetic and environmental influences on chronotypes and their significant health implications, particularly concerning meal timing and metabolic health. Alan also addresses the challenges for late chronotypes in a society structured around early schedules.

9 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 13min
#554: Crucial Ideas for Understanding Nutrition Science
Alan Flanagan, co-developer of the Applied Nutrition Literacy course, dives deep into the complexities of nutrition science. He sheds light on the challenges of studying diet-disease relationships, emphasizing the importance of rigorous study designs. The conversation highlights how absolute and relative risks play crucial roles in interpreting health outcomes. Flanagan also discusses the nuances of saturated fat research and the significance of cumulative exposure in understanding long-term dietary patterns. Listeners gain valuable insights on critically assessing nutrition studies.

4 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 7min
#586: The Manufactured Collapse of Expertise
Alan Flanagan, a nutrition researcher and educator, joins the discussion to explore the troubling trend of expertise devaluation in nutrition and health. He highlights how the easy access to information allows many to claim expertise without qualifications. Cultural factors celebrate ignorance and promote unverified opinions, often leading to misinformation. Alan explains the importance of domain-specific knowledge and the risks of cross-domain assertions. They also delve into the psychological drivers behind misinformation and the growing distrust of established institutions.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 16min
#569: The History of Fat, Cholesterol & Heart Disease
In this insightful discussion, Alan Flanagan, a seasoned nutritionist from Alinea Nutrition Education Hub, delves into the complexities surrounding saturated fat and heart disease. He debunks common myths, clarifying how saturated fat influences LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular health. Alan examines historical studies, like the controversial Seven Countries Study, revealing how lifestyle factors impact heart disease risk. The conversation emphasizes the need for personalized dietary approaches and the critical evaluation of research to navigate prevailing dietary misconceptions.

Oct 8, 2024 • 55min
#538: Can Fish Oil Supplementation Increase Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythms?
Alan Flanagan, an expert in chronobiology and chrononutrition, dives into the complexities surrounding omega-3 supplementation and its potential link to atrial fibrillation. He discusses how recent studies, including the controversial REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials, have raised concerns about the safety of omega-3s for heart health. Flanagan also emphasizes the importance of study design and methodology in interpreting these results, urging a cautious approach. The conversation navigates the fine line between benefits and risks of these popular supplements.

Nov 18, 2025 • 59min
#584: EAT-Lancet: Does the Planetary Health Diet Improve Human Health?
Alan Flanagan, a nutrition researcher and clinician, dives into the 2025 EAT-Lancet update, scrutinizing the balance between human health and environmental sustainability. He discusses the flexibility and practicality of the Planetary Health Diet, which emphasizes plant-based eating with specific nutrient targets. Alan highlights research linking adherence to this diet with reduced mortality and decreased diabetes risk. He advocates for pragmatic dietary changes while stressing the need for policy-driven guidance rather than strict personal limitations.

Jan 8, 2025 • 22min
IGF-1 and Diet: Cause For Concern? (SNP36)
Alan Flanagan, an expert in chronobiology and nutrition, dives into the intricate relationship between IGF-1 and diet. They discuss how IGF-1 impacts growth, metabolic health, and its controversial links to cancer and cognitive decline. Listen in as they explore the challenges of using IGF-1 as a biomarker and the complexities of dietary influences on its levels. Flanagan also unpacks the nuances between total and free IGF-1, and what this means for diet and longevity.


