
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Discussions about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health. The podcast that educates through nuanced conversations, exploring evidence and cultivating critical thinking. Hosted by Danny Lennon.
Latest episodes

6 snips
Aug 10, 2021 • 45min
#399: Prof. James Betts – Does Fasting Have Benefits Beyond Those Caused By Calorie Restriction?
James Betts is Professor of Metabolic Physiology at the University of Bath, where he is Co-Director of the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise & Metabolism. His research employs randomised controlled trials to study the effects of nutrition on metabolic regulation. His group recently published a trial aiming to separate out the effects of fasting from those of calorie restriction. Show notes at sigmanutrition.com/episode399/

Aug 3, 2021 • 47min
#398: Carole Hooven, PhD – Testosterone: Behavioural Endocrinology & Sex Differences
Carole Hooven, PhD, is lecturer and codirector of undergraduate studies in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. She earned her PhD at Harvard, studying behavioral endocrinology and evolution of sex differences in humans (physiology, behavior and cognition). She has recently written a book on how testosterone influences behaviour and explains many sex differences. The book is titled 'T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us'. Show notes available at sigmanutrition.com/episode398/

Jul 27, 2021 • 59min
#397: Dietary Nitrates & Nitrites
In this episode Danny & Alan discuss the impacts of nitrates and nitrites on health. They look at the beneficial impacts of dietary nitrate, as well as issues around nitrites in processed meat. Show notes available at sigmanutrition.com/episode397/

Jul 20, 2021 • 36min
#396: Leigh Frame, PhD – Nutrient Trials: RCT Design, Ethics and Placebo Groups
Dr. Leigh Frame, PhD is Director of Integrative Medicine at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington DC. Dr. Frame received her PhD in Human Nutrition, as well as a Master of Health Science degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In this episode we discuss a range of topics including: the role of placebo groups and the different types we see in nutrient supplementation trials, potential ethical issues, and the development of research ethics. Show notes available at sigmanutrition.com/epsiode396/

Jul 14, 2021 • 31min
#395: Prof. Carel le Roux – Current Thinking in Obesity Treatment
Professor le Roux is an expert in metabolic medicine and is currently a Professor of Experimental Pathology, University College Dublin. He is recognised as a world leader in metabolism and obesity. Professor le Roux’s clinical focus is in the management of Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular risk and other metabolic disorders. Professor Carel le Roux has been published extensively and currently holds a number of editorial roles for journals in his field including, Clinical Obesity and Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. Show notes are available at: sigmanutrition.com/episode395

Jul 9, 2021 • 49min
#394: Gar Benn – Nutrition Coaching Q&A
Gar Benn, Head of Coaching at Sigma Nutrition, answers nutrition coaching questions, discussing motivational interviewing, psychology in coaching, benefits of personal chefs, client screening, managing cravings while working from home, and mindful food choices.

Jun 29, 2021 • 1h 23min
#393: Vitamin D: Does Supplementation Actually Improve Health?
The podcast explores the impact of vitamin D supplementation on health outcomes and discusses the debate surrounding its effectiveness. It also delves into the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density and the potential role of vitamin D in inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, the link between vitamin D status and depression is examined, along with a critique of questionable claims in functional medicine. The hosts also have a casual conversation about a TV series and share their love for language learning and music recommendations.

Jun 22, 2021 • 48min
#392: Clare Pettinger, PhD, RD – Environmentally Sustainable Diets & Food Access
Dr. Clare Pettinger is a Registered Dietitian, Public Health Nutritionist and experienced educator. Dr. Pettinger publishes research in the public health nutrition field, and lectures at the Universtity of Plymouth, UK. Dr. Pettinger is actively engaged in community-focussed research around food systems, poverty and social justice. She is an enthusiastic 'sustainability advocate' involved in promoting environmentally sustainable diets for nutrition professionals and Allied Health Professioinals. Show notes available at sigmanutrition.com/episode392

10 snips
Jun 15, 2021 • 1h 6min
#391: Is There a Body Weight Set Point?: Models of Body Mass Regulation
The podcast discusses models of body mass regulation, including the Set Point Model, Settling Point Model, and Dual Intervention Model. They explore the role of genetics, environment, and behavior in body weight regulation. They also touch on the concept of a body weight set point and genetic adaptations. The hosts discuss intervention points in body weight regulation and the lack of consensus in obesity research. They delve into models of adiposity and obesity, highlighting the importance of considering multiple models within an energy balance framework.

Jun 9, 2021 • 51min
#390: Gil Carvalho MD, PhD – Dairy, Olive Oil & Diet Debates: Understanding Evidence
Gil Carvalho, MD PhD is a medical doctor, research scientist, science communicator. Dr. Carvalho trained as a medical doctor in the University of Lisbon, in his native Portugal, and later obtained a PhD in Biology from Caltech (California Institute of Technology). He has published peer-reviewed medical research spanning the fields of genetics, molecular biology, nutrition, behaviour, aging and neuroscience. In this episode we discuss: Dairy: is it over-emphasized in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans? Dairy tolerance Critical importance of substitution effects Differences between difference types of dairy on health Claims by some WFPB advocates that olive oil can negatively impact endothethial function Distinguishing between acute and chronic effects Gil's work with Antonio Damasio on feelings Show notes: https://sigmanutrition.com/episode190