Sigma Nutrition Radio

There have been many claims made about the benefits of a detoxification "protocol" or "plan", based on specific dietary and supplemental regimens. Many of the arguments propose that many things we come into contact with are toxins and they can accumulate and compound in effect over time, causing a range of issues. Therefore, by removing these toxins (via a "detoxification protocol"), we can have better health. And indeed it is well known that there are a large number of toxins in the environment, many of which can potentially be deleterious to health. And it also known that many nutrients are involed in processes of the body's detoxification pathways. However, is there any evidence that a detoxification diet, plan or "protocol" improves health? Is there any reason to suggest targeting certain nutrients or supplements leads to "better detoxification"? And do we need to avoid non-organic food, toothpaste and non-stick frying plans in avoid to avoid these toxins? This Quack Asylum episode evaluates these claims. Study notes available at sigmanutrition.com/detox/ Subscribe to Premium at sigmanutrition.com/premium/

Prof. David Jenkins, a leading expert in lipid-lowering diets, discusses innovative dietary strategies to manage LDL cholesterol. He introduces the Portfolio Diet, highlighting the benefits of soy protein, viscous fibers, nuts, and plant sterols. The conversation dives into the history of the glycemic index and its impact on nutrition. Jenkins also explores how viscous fibers help lower cholesterol and the significance of adopting a plant-based approach for health and sustainability. The potential of diet as an alternative to statins is a key takeaway in this enlightening dialogue.

Some cognitive decline is normal with age. However, more significant cognitive decline is primarily due to disease-induced dementias (such as Alzheimer's Disease). It also results from neurodegenerative disorders and chronic, prolonged degeneration of our neuronal pathways and functions. Drug discovery for dementias have been largely unsuccessful, leaving no good treatments for this collection of diseases. This had led to research examining areas that may aid in preventing (or more accurately, slowing) cognitive decline. In this episode the Sigma team look at the published data on a variety of nutrients, foods and dietary patterns, including: vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, caffeine, flavanoids, coffee and green leafy vegetables. Subscribe to Premium [00:02:01] Definitions [00:08:40] What causes cognitive decline? Dementia? Mechanisms of ND pathogenesis. [00:11:33] Why might nutrition play a role? [00:18:18] Dietary patterns [00:26:30] Diet interaction with APOE genotype [00:31:18] Alcohol [00:36:36] Polyphenols - mechanisms [00:43:05] Coffee & Caffeine [00:45:03] Flavanoids [00:51:04] Vitamin D [01:04:22] Omega 3 fatty acids [01:21:42] B vitamins & green leafy veg [01:30:35] Vitamin E [01:38:24] How to assess cognitive health in ageing intervention studies [01:45:28] Concluding thoughts Show notes to this episode Subscribe to Premium

The issue of genetic enginnering in the food system is one that is often charged with emotion and strong opinion. Indeed, there has been much concern voiced over the years about the potential harms to both human health and the environment of genetically-modified (or more accurately, genetically-engineered) crops. Some concern takes the form of outright hysteria, while other concerns are more nuanced and subtle. Among these concerns, which have good evidence to support them? What regulation is currently in place? Why are their differences between the US and the EU? On the opposite side, there are clear advantages to GE crops; including disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, and even enhanced nutritional content. But are these advantages possible without harm? Do the pros outweigh the cons? In this episode, Alan and Danny discuss the current evidence on genetically engineered crops (or GMOs) and their effect on human health, biodiversity, and the economy. 02:02 – Framing of the GMOs debate 13:52 – Key definitions 20:34 – Where do GMOs show up in the food supply? And jurisdiction differences 33:40 – Impacts on human health and nutritional differences 45:16 – Impact on biodiversity 1:01:57 – What's the deal with glyphosate herbicide? 1:05:34 – Concluding thoughts Access show notes for this episode Subscribe to Premium

Charlene Van Buiten, PhD, is a leading researcher in coeliac disease and its treatments. In this conversation, she delves into the intricate nature of coeliac disease, emphasizing it as an autoimmune disorder influenced by gluten. Her innovative research on plant bioactives, particularly polyphenols from green tea, reveals their potential to reduce inflammation and improve gut health. The discussion also highlights the challenges of maintaining a gluten-free diet and the hope for new therapeutic interventions on the horizon.

The podcast discusses the potential use of fasting to increase longevity and/or healthspan. They explore different types of fasting regimens, the relationship between fasting and longevity, and the effectiveness of fasting and other dietary patterns in relation to chronic disease prevention. They also examine the safety and efficacy of the Fasting Mimicking Diet in cancer patients. The hosts emphasize the need for more human data and imaginative approaches in fasting studies.

While dietary guidelines universally include fish as a food group that can be consumed regularly in a healthy dietary pattern, there are some potential risks of fish consumption that get raised. Some have some legitimacy, for example the frequency of consumption of high-mercury fish. However, other claims can go to extremes ("eating fish is bad for you") that are based in ideology rather than evidence. In this Quack Asylum episode, we use a video made by a medical doctor as an example of where quackery can raise its head on this topic. Specifically, there are four claims made in the video that we investigate and see if there is any basis to them. This is a Premium-exclusive episode. In order to listen to the full episode and access the show notes, you will need to subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium.

Many different diets have been put forward as solutions that treat type 2 diabetes. Some will claim the diet "reverses" diabetes, some say it puts it into "remission", while others more conservatively recommend a diet to manage diabetes symptoms in a healthy way. There has been some debate on the use of terms like reversal, cure or resolution. And recently more clarity has been found in defining each. One of the diets that has been recommended by some for the purposes of "reversing" or treating diabetes is a low-fat, whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet. Specifically, there is a claim that it is superior to other diets in treating diabetes. Some of these claims relate to popular online diet & lifestyle programs that use such a diet. While there is also a number of studies that are commonly cited in support of the claims. In this episode, we evaluate these claims by looking at the published research in this area, across epidemiology, human intervention trials and mechanistic rationale. We also ponder what it means for something to be the "best" diet to treat a chronic disease. Access show notes Attend Sigma event in Dublin, May 2022 Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium

In this conversation with Greg Potter, PhD, a researcher specializing in the links between sleep and diet, fascinating insights emerge about their bi-directional relationship. They discuss how sleep deprivation can alter food preferences and energy intake, as well as the effects of specific nutrients on sleep quality. Topics like chronotypes and the impact of melatonin, caffeine, and other supplements are explored. Listeners will learn effective dietary strategies to enhance sleep and the intricate mechanisms connecting our sleep patterns to what we eat.

Omega-3 fatty acids have long been associated with various health outcomes. A type of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in various plant foods such as flax seeds or chia seeds. Other omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found typically in marine food sources such as oily fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel) and algae. And while higher intakes of such foods have shown benefit, there has been some confusion over the benefit of such nutrients due to some large omega-3 supplementation trials reporting null findings. So what should we make of the current evidence base? Does supplementation lead to heart disease risk reduction or not? Do we need direct sources of EPA and DHA in the diet? Does ALA have unique benefits? What is an omega-3 index and why is it important? In this episode, fatty acid expert Dr. Bill Harris dives into each of these questions and clarifies what the current evidence tells us about the effect of these fatty acids on our health. Overview: 04:02 - Fatty acid definitions/subtypes 09:14 - Omega-3 status & the Omega-3 Index (O3I) 20:03 - Omega-3 supplementation trials for CVD 41:15 - DHA, brain health, cognition in later life, development, etc 49:45 - Should we be concerned about omega-6 fatty acids? Show note available at: sigmanutrition.com/episode432/ Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium here: sigmanutrition.com/premium/