Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

Dr. Howard, a clinician-scientist with expertise in bariatric surgery and metabolism, shares groundbreaking insights from her recent study on energy expenditure. She challenges the long-held belief that our bodies have a fixed calorie budget, revealing that total energy expenditure increases linearly with activity when properly fueled. The conversation highlights the importance of balanced nutrition for effective fat loss, debunks common metabolism myths, and emphasizes training smarter—not harder—paving the way for healthier habits.

Discover the latest research on creatine and collagen – two powerhouse supplements for women! Learn how creatine boosts fat loss, enhances muscle tone, and even benefits cognitive function. Collagen’s surprising impact on biological age reveals its potential for skin rejuvenation and joint health. Plus, stacking these supplements could be a game-changer for healthy aging. Vanessa shares practical dosing tips and insights on their combined effects on longevity and overall wellness, making this an enlightening listen for women seeking optimal health.

NEW! Support your strength and muscle goals with PUORI Creatine+ — a clean, effective creatine monohydrate supplement enhanced with taurine. Get 20% off at puori.com/VANESSA In this science-packed episode, Dr. Cas Fuchs breaks down the surprising ways intermittent fasting, under-fueling, cold plunges, and low glycogen can quietly sabotage your muscle, strength, and body recomposition goals. We uncover the truth about IF for active women, what really matters for protein timing and distribution, how carbs impact strength performance, and why ice baths may be blunting your gains. If you want evidence-based strategies for fat loss and muscle retention, this episode is essential listening. If you loved Friday's solo episode on Why I Quit Intermittent Fasting, this conversation is the perfect follow-up — because Dr. Fuchs repeatedly emphasizes something Vanessa has discussed in detail 👉 We must prioritize high-quality human research over rodent-based nutritional myths. Dr. Fuchs' work has directly shaped how we understand muscle growth, fat loss, glycogen replenishment, protein quality, cold exposure, heat therapy, and what actually matters when optimizing your body composition, not just your "healthspan." OneSkin is powered by the breakthrough peptide OS-01, the first ingredient proven to reduce skin's biological age. I use the OS-01 Face and Eye formulas daily—they've transformed my skin's smoothness, firmness, and glow. Visit oneskin.co/VANESSA and use code VANESSA for 15% off your first purchase. 🔥 In This Episode: • The truth about protein quality (and what actually matters for recomposition) • Intermittent fasting, meal timing & the real anabolic window • The truth about ice baths — and why they can blunt your gains • Heat therapy: helpful or hype? • Carbs, glycogen & why some workouts feel "flat" • How much carbohydrate women really need to train at their best • Aging, muscle loss & the inspiring 71-year-old lifter • Dr. Fuchs' simple, science-backed formula for fat loss + muscle retention 🔥 CYBER MONDAY IS HERE — LAST DAY TO SAVE 30% OFF SITEWIDE! My biggest sale of the year is live! Get 30% OFF all Tone Devices, red light panels, masks, and more at KetogenicGirl.com with code BF2025. 👉 Shop the sale HERE NEW! Free High-Protein Keto Guide Get delicious high protein meal recipes! Connect with Vanessa on Instagram @ketogenicgirl Get 20% off on the Tone Device breath ketone analyzer or the Tone LUX Crystal Red Light Therapy Mask or the at https://ketogenicgirl.com with the code VANESSA Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the Facebook group for the podcast The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

Discover why Vanessa ditched intermittent fasting after years and lost over 13 pounds! She highlights how common fasting benefits are misrepresented and shares new research on protein intake and muscle preservation. Learn about her Protein-Sparing Modified Fast approach that maximizes energy, reduces hunger, and supports ketones for enhanced fat loss. She also reflects on the lifestyle perks of her new routine, including more enjoyable meal times and less social stress. Tune in for an empowering perspective on fat loss and metabolic health!

Dr. Shawn Arent, an esteemed exercise scientist and body composition expert, dives deep into fat loss and muscle gain strategies. He reveals why muscle is vital for long-term metabolic health and how it acts as a metabolic sink. Learn how to effectively combine strength training and conditioning for optimal results. Arent also discusses the impact of cortisol on stubborn fat and highlights the benefits of creatine and protein timing. Plus, he addresses unique considerations for women in training and recovery.

Explore how perimenopause affects metabolism and protein needs, leading to changes in body composition. Discover strategies to combat midlife fat gain and muscle loss through higher protein intake and resistance training. Learn about the best diets for women during and after menopause, like Mediterranean options that enhance vascular health. Uncover the benefits of creatine, omega-3s, and essential micronutrients for maintaining energy and wellness. Tips on managing fatigue with hydration and sleep routines round out this insightful discussion.

Dr. Hannah Cabré, a postdoctoral fellow at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, dives into the hormonal shifts women face during perimenopause. She explains how decreasing estrogen affects protein metabolism and leads to muscle loss and belly fat. Discover the importance of protein intake—1.2 to 1.6 g/kg—to maintain muscle and why Mediterranean diets support health in midlife. Dr. Cabré also emphasizes the role of creatine for mood and cognition, solidifying strategies to enhance women's health during this transition.

Here it is 🖤 BIOptimizers Black Friday: Get 25% off + exclusive free gifts now through Dec 3 on favorites like Magnesium Breakthrough and MassZymes. 👉 bioptimizers.com/vanessa Code: VANESSA Don't miss the year's biggest savings! This is Part Two of our PSMF Ask Me Anything series! In this episode, Vanessa answers your most practical and frequently asked questions about how to implement a Protein-Sparing Modified Fast in real life — including how to adapt it around your family, your menstrual cycle, different body sizes, refeeds, supplements, ketone readings, and even how various PSMF philosophies compare. You'll hear evidence-based guidance grounded in human clinical research on very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD), high-protein fat-loss interventions, and metabolic studies, delivered in an easy, conversational format. Whether you're using PSMF for fat loss, metabolic health, or body recomposition, today's episode gives you the clarity and confidence to personalize the approach while protecting muscle, metabolism, and hormonal wellness. Timeline Mitopure Gummies — The #1 Urolithin A supplement for energy and healthy aging, now in delicious strawberry gummies. Get 20% off at timeline.com/vanessa 🧬 Topics Covered Today How to cook and meal plan for yourself and a family Exactly what Vanessa eats on a PSMF day (plus a non-PSMF day) Whether the traditional 800–1000 kcal PSMF applies to smaller, active women EAAs vs. creatine: what's worth taking on rest days How to approach refeeds when you struggle mentally with "letting go" Whether 5-day PSMF blocks are safe and effective PSMF bread without egg powder—what works and what doesn't Jockers vs. Emmerich: comparing two popular PSMF styles Vanessa's typical ketone readings throughout a PSMF day Ideal protein targets during PSMF Using rice and other carbs strategically in refeeds and maintenance 🧠 Mentioned in This Episode Get 20% off the Tone device HERE 📚 Studies Mentioned 1. Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diets for Fat Loss & Hormones Pandurevic et al. (2023), Endocrine Connections 2. VLCKD in Postmenopausal Women Pala et al. (2024) 3. Lean Mass Preservation During Rapid Weight Loss Merra et al. (2016) 4. Metabolic & Cardiovascular Benefits of VLCKD Guarnotta et al. (2022), Nutrients 5. Refeed Strategies & Metabolic Rate MATADOR Study: intermittent dieting (2 weeks on/2 weeks maintenance) preserved metabolic rate and improved fat loss compared to continuous dieting. Get my free NEW high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook Learn more about the TONE LUX Crystal red light therapy mask and the accessory the TONE LUX CONTOUR for the neck and décolleté and get 20% OFF with the code VANESSA Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook 👤 Connect with Vanessa: • Instagram: @ketogenicgirl • 🔗 Learn more about the TONE Breath Ketone Analyzer — 20% OFF with code VANESSA • Tone Collagen 📱 Follow @ketogenicgirl for the latest studies and strategies on fat loss and protein optimization 📸 Follow @optimalproteinpodcast for episode visuals and updates 💬 Join the Facebook group: Optimal Protein Podcast Community 🎙 The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and not nutritional or medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary or lifestyle changes.

Dive into the world of Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting (PSMF) as Vanessa tackles your burning questions! Discover how to calculate your macros for optimal fat loss and muscle preservation. Explore the best times for refeeds, especially around menstrual cycles and menopause. Learn how to track your fat-burning progress with breath ketones. Plus, find out how a high-protein, very-low-carb diet can boost metabolic health. Get practical meal ideas and gain insights into safely integrating PSMF into your routine!

Beat BLOAT & unlock better protein absorption and digestion with MassZymes by BiOptimizers. NOW GET 15% off your order with the code VANESSA at bioptimizers.com/vanessa In this solo episode, Vanessa Spina breaks down the science and strategy behind one of the most effective tools for rapid fat loss and muscle preservation — the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF). Following her in-depth interview with Dr. David Jockers, Vanessa explains exactly how this approach works, why it's so powerful for resetting metabolism, and how to implement it safely for optimal results. If you've ever wondered how to burn fat quickly without losing muscle, how to overcome plateaus, or how to use short, strategic fasting phases for body recomposition, this episode is your ultimate guide. Timeline Mitopure Gummies — The #1 Urolithin A supplement for energy and healthy aging, now in delicious strawberry gummies. Get 20% off at timeline.com/vanessa 💪 Key Takeaways You can burn fat without losing muscle by keeping protein high and calories low. Autophagy occurs from calorie restriction — not protein restriction. Ketones created during PSMF provide mental clarity, calm, and focus. Strategic refeeds help lock in fat loss and prevent rebound weight gain. When combined with strength training, PSMF becomes a powerful metabolic reset tool. 🧠 IQBAR – Seasonal flavors + Ultimate Sampler Pack: IQBARs, IQMIX, and IQJOE. Text VANESSA to 64000 for a 20% off discount code Mentioned in This Episode Effect of fasting-mimicking diets with low and high protein content on cardiometabolic health and autophagy (Burns et al., 2024) Dr. Eric Helms & Dr. Martin Rufalo meta-analysis on protein intake during energy restriction Dr. David Jockers, The Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition Podcast Historical PSMF research by Dr. George Blackburn Get my free NEW high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook Learn more about the TONE LUX Crystal red light therapy mask and the accessory the TONE LUX CONTOUR for the neck and décolleté and get 20% OFF with the code VANESSA Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook 👤 Connect with Vanessa: • Instagram: @ketogenicgirl • 🔗 Learn more about the TONE Breath Ketone Analyzer — 20% OFF with code VANESSA • Tone Collagen 📱 Follow @ketogenicgirl for the latest studies and strategies on fat loss and protein optimization 📸 Follow @optimalproteinpodcast for episode visuals and updates 💬 Join the Facebook group: Optimal Protein Podcast Community 🎙 The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and not nutritional or medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary or lifestyle changes.