Sigma Nutrition Radio

Dr. David Nolan, researching sex differences in exercise response, discusses the belief that women need different training guidelines than men due to their physiological differences. However, research indicates that when both sexes follow matched resistance training, the improvements in strength and hypertrophy are similar. The podcast explores the differences between male and female physiology and anatomy and emphasizes the importance of training the individual rather than their sex. It also delves into the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance and the need for personalized strategies. Dr. Nolan also explores the concept of nihilism and its influence on their work as an exercise scientist, highlighting the importance of finding satisfaction and attributing actions to incompetence rather than malice.

In this milestone episode, the hosts discuss outstanding questions in nutrition science like personalized nutrition and ultra-processed foods. They explore challenges in conducting research, the open questions on omega-3 fatty acids and sodium's relationship with cardiovascular disease. The hype around time-restricted eating is also examined, concluding that it lacks valuable information. The evolution of evidence-based practice in nutrition science and the importance of critical thinking are emphasized.

Prof. Ciarán Forde, researcher studying sensory cues on food preferences and liking, discusses the impact of sensory properties on food choices and consumption patterns, including the role of texture, taste intensity, and familiarity. They explore the relationship between meal size and energy intake, as well as the influence of food texture on eating behavior. The podcast also delves into hyper-palatability, taste-nutrient connections, and understanding eating behavior. An advertisement for Sigma Nutrition Premium subscription is included.

Discussion on the controversy and criticisms of the PREDIMED Trial, a landmark clinical trial in nutrition science. The trial showed a 30% reduction in cardiovascular events associated with a Mediterranean diet. However, it faced methodological issues, leading to a retraction and re-analysis of the original paper. Despite the controversy, the PREDIMED trial remains a valuable source of data. The podcast explores the origins of the Mediterranean diet, differences in fat composition, and the concept of risk in relation to population and baseline diet.

This podcast explores the PROPEL trial, a weight loss intervention program in primary care in Louisiana. It discusses cultural appropriation in recipe modification, the importance of combining lifestyle interventions and weight loss drugs for type 2 diabetics, and current research projects on food waste and stress. The significance of physical activity, positive outlook, and a healthy diet is also emphasized.

The podcast discusses the reliability of food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) in assessing dietary intake. Topics include the issues of measurement error, recall bias, and the validity and reproducibility of FFQs. The limitations and criticisms of using FFQs in nutritional epidemiology are explored, along with the reliability of FFQs and the use of correlation coefficients. The podcast also discusses the systematic errors and limitations of FFQs, and concludes with reflections on the episode and promotion of Sigma Nutrition Premium.

The hosts of Sigma Nutrition Radio discuss a seminal paper that introduced key concepts in public health and epidemiology. They explore the challenge of determining the impact of risk factors within populations, the distinction between individual-level and population-level risk, and the debate between whole population and targeted interventions. The chapter introduces the prevention paradox and emphasizes the need to modify exposures in the population to prevent health risks. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of population-wide approaches and the importance of combining them with targeted interventions for effective outcomes.

The podcast discusses the ATBC Cancer Prevention Study, a seminal research endeavor examining the potential protective effects of antioxidant nutrients against cancer. It covers the study's rigorous methodology, the unexpected finding of a higher risk of lung cancer in the beta-carotene supplementation group, and the challenges in designing clinical trials and drawing valid causal inferences.

Links: Episode page with extra resources Subscribe to PREMIUM Receive our free weekly emails Learn more about Sigma Nutrition Radio About this Episode: The field of circadian biology has long been associated with regulating diurnal physiological processes, notably the sleep-wake cycle. However, recent advances have unveiled a broader role for circadian clocks across various tissues, including skeletal muscle. Within this context, the investigation of circadian clocks within the skeletal muscle milieu has emerged as a frontier of scientific inquiry. These intrinsic timekeeping mechanisms exhibit multifaceted regulatory capacities beyond mere temporal synchronization. This episode delves into the implications of "circadian clocks" operating within skeletal muscle tissue, with the esteemed Prof. Karyn Esser as this week's guest. Her pioneering work has been instrumental in understanding the interplay between circadian rhythmicity and muscular physiology.

Links: Go to episode page (with study links & resources) Subscribe to PREMIUM Receive our weekly newsletter More episodes on cholesterol & heart disease About This Episode: The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) was a groundbreaking clinical trial conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. Its main objective was to investigate the relationship between various risk factors and the incidence of heart disease. The study aimed to determine whether modifying risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking, could lead to a reduction in cardiovascular events. The trial spanned several years, with participants being followed up for a period of approximately six years to assess the incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. The primary outcome measures included coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and overall mortality. The MRFIT trial yielded several important findings that have significantly influenced our understanding of cardiovascular health and prevention strategies. In this episode we take a look at why this is such seminal research, as well as the contribution of one of the greatest researchers ever in the field, Jeramiah Stamler.