

Mikkipedia
Mikki Williden
Mikkipedia is an exploration in all things health, well being, fitness, food and nutrition. I sit down with scientists, doctors, professors, practitioners and people who have a wealth of experience and have a conversation that takes a deep dive into their area of expertise. I love translating science into a language that people understand, so while some of the conversations will be pretty in-depth, you will come away with some practical tips that can be instigated into your everyday life. I hope you enjoy the show!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 5min
Building a Resilient Immune System with Erin O’Hara
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours This week on the podcast Mikki speaks to naturopath Erin O’Hara about a resilient immune system. Erin chats about her early years as a professional athlete before switching gears and diving into natural health and naturopathy. Mikki and Erin chat about signs of a robust versus struggling immune system, whether there is such a thing as ‘boosting’ your immune system and what foundational lifestyle and supplements exist to support immunity.https://www.erinohara.co.nz/Erin O’Hara combines her knowledge of Naturopathy and Science to provide an integrative and evidence-based approach to wellbeing. She has been involved in the Health and Wellbeing Industry for about 20 years through extensive University study (BSc and BNatMed), scientific research, and an intrinsic passion for health & wellbeing. Her functional medicine approach addresses the underlying causes of disease through extensive testing and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence your health and cause disease. She utilises the best Evidence-Based Complementary Therapies to work in conjunction with conventional treatments. Drawing from her clinical experience and knowledge she takes quality time with each patient to understand the root cause of the disease, analysing test results, and provides an integrative approach to wellbeing.Erin works with general naturopathy patients and is very experienced in complex hormonal issues, integrative oncology support, autoimmune conditions, digestive disorders, and mental health. There is no "one size fits all" wellness plan so her consultations are tailored to your individual and unique needs. Erin sees a wide range of patients, from children to elderly, who are seeking to improve their health, heal naturally, or support for an underlying health condition.
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Aug 31, 2025 • 21min
Mini Mikkipedia - Protecting Muscle During Hospitalization: Protein, Activity & Prehab
In this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki dives into new research from Dr. Fuchs and Professor Luc van Loon on the critical role of protein and activity in preserving muscle during hospitalization. She explains just how quickly muscle mass can decline with bed rest or critical illness, why standard hospital meals fall short nutritionally, and how inadequate protein and energy intake accelerate muscle loss. Mikki outlines practical strategies—from protein targets and essential amino acids to simple activity or electrical stimulation—to help mitigate muscle wasting. She also highlights the importance of “prehabilitation” before elective surgery. Whether you’re an athlete, a caregiver, or someone preparing for surgery, this episode offers valuable insights on protecting strength when it matters most.✨ Episode Highlights:Why muscle loss in hospital can reach 3% per day in ICU patientsThe role of protein intake (1.2–1.5 g/kg+) in slowing muscle atrophyHow energy balance influences anabolic resistance and recoveryPractical strategies: protein powders, amino acids, and even bedside activityThe case for prehabilitation before elective surgeryhttps://journals.lww.com/co-clinicalnutrition/fulltext/9900/muscle_preservation_during_hospitalization__energy.233.aspx
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h
Glucose-Guided Eating and Data-Driven Fasting with Marty Kendall
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comMikki catches up with returning guest Marty Kendall to dive into his latest research on data-driven fasting—now evolving into “glucose-guided eating.” Marty explains how using a simple glucometer can help people calibrate hunger, avoid overeating, and make smarter food choices without rigid calorie counting. They discuss what makes this approach effective, who benefits most, and why personal thresholds matter more than one-size-fits-all advice. The conversation also explores nuances around satiety, macronutrient balance, micronutrient density, and even the broader systems—like food costs and guidelines—that shape our eating. If you’re curious about practical, personalised strategies for improving blood sugar, weight, and long-term health, this episode is packed with insights.Marty Kendall is an engineer who seeks to optimise nutrition using a data-driven approach. Marty’s interest in nutrition began eighteen years ago to help his wife Monica better control her Type 1 Diabetes. Since then, he has developed a systematised approach to nutrition tailored for a wide range of goals, contexts and preferences. Over the past five years, Marty shared his research at OptimisingNutrition.com. He has developed Nutrient Optimiser and Data-Driven Fasting to guide thousands of people on their journey towards nutritional optimisation.Marty can be found here: https://optimisingnutrition.com/ Prev appearance https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/120https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/182
Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Aug 24, 2025 • 17min
Mini Mikkipedia - Glycemic Index vs Glycemic Response: What Really Matters
In this Mini-Mikkipedia Monday episode, Mikki unpacks the often-confusing concepts of glycemic index, glycemic load, and glycemic response — and why knowing the difference matters. While glycemic index tables are widely used, they don’t always translate into real-world eating, since lab conditions rarely reflect how we actually consume food. Mikki shares insights from her own postgraduate lab days, explains why portion size and food combinations change the picture, and highlights how individual responses can vary dramatically. With research from studies like PREDICT and practical strategies for self-testing, she makes the case that personal glycemic response — not the number on a label — is the most important measure for your health, energy, and satiety.Episode Highlights:The difference between glycemic index, load, and responseWhy lab-based GI values don’t reflect real-world eatingHow portion size, food prep, and meal composition change outcomesWhy individual responses vary (sleep, stress, microbiome, exercise)Practical tips for testing your own glycemic response
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 28min
Living the Bodybuilding Lifestyle with Eric Helms
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours This week on the podcast Mikki speaks to Dr Eric Helms on his last year leading into his return to stage for natural bodybuilding. As always, a great conversation with plenty of take homes for everyone interesting in living their best lives.Eric is a coach, athlete, author, and educator. A trainer since the early 2000’s, he’s worked in the US Air force, commercial gyms, private training studios, medical fitness and strength and conditioning facilities. As a part of 3DMJ he coaches drug free strength and physique competitors at all levels. Eric has competed since the mid 2000’s in natural bodybuilding, unequipped powerlifting and dabbled in Olympic lifting. He earned pro status as a natural bodybuilder with the PNBA in 2011 and competes with the IPF at international level events as an unequipped powerlifter.Eric has published multiple peer reviewed articles in exercise science and nutrition journals and writes for commercial fitness publications. He’s taught undergraduate and graduate level nutrition and exercise science and speaks internationally at academic and commercial conferences for fitness, nutrition and strength and conditioning. He has a BSc in fitness and wellness, an MSc in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. He is also co-founder for MASS monthly strength and conditioning review.Links:Eric Helms: https://3dmusclejourney.com/about/eric-helms/Iron Culture podcast: https://ironculture.libsyn.com/MASS monthly research review: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/Eric on IG https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/?hl=enEric on Mikkipedia https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/8Eric and Cliff on Mikkipedia https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/76 Eric round 3 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/244
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Aug 17, 2025 • 15min
Mini Mikkipedia - The Truth Behind the Sugar Diet Hype
Mikki dives into the bizarre and controversial “sugar diet” that’s been making waves on social media. Once dismissed as just another fad, it’s now gaining traction among high-profile influencers, including Mark Bell. Mikki unpacks what the sugar diet actually is, the science behind its surprising short-term results, and why its mechanism might have less to do with sugar itself and more to do with protein restriction and its effects on FGF21. She also discusses the research origins, potential risks, and why this approach may only be suited—if at all—for a very specific subset of people. If you’ve been curious about the hype, this episode delivers the context, caveats, and science you need before even thinking about giving it a go.Highlights:What the sugar diet actually involves and who’s promoting itThe role of protein restriction and FGF21 in increasing energy expenditureWhy short-term studies don’t tell the whole story on health impactsGenetic and metabolic factors that could make or break resultsLong-term risks, from nutrient deficiencies to liver stress
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h
The Science (and Myths) of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr Spencer Nadolsky — a board-certified obesity and lipid specialist known for his evidence-based, compassionate approach to helping people lose weight and improve metabolic health. Spencer has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between clinical medicine and the lived realities of people struggling with obesity, cutting through misinformation to focus on what actually works.With the arrival of Wegovy in New Zealand — and the explosion of interest in GLP-1 medications worldwide — their conversation couldn’t be more timely. They discuss how these drugs work, how they compare to diet, lifestyle, and older weight loss medications, and why the price tag varies so widely between countries. They also explore the controversies — from “microdosing” to long-term safety, tolerance, and muscle loss — and whether these drugs can genuinely shift someone’s metabolic set point or are simply managing symptoms. If you’ve been wondering whether GLP-1s are game-changing tools or just the latest fad, this episode will help separate the hype from the evidence. Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is an obesity and lipid specialist (DO, ABOM, ABCL) with over a decade of experience. Through practice innovation, digital education, and previous ventures like Sequence and the Docs Who Lift podcast, he’s become a trusted, engaging voice in metabolic health.His company, Vineyard, is a virtual obesity medicine clinic delivering personalized, science-backed, and compassionate care. Patients benefit from direct physician access, fast support, individualized plans, and ongoing research—all focused on long-term health, not quick solutions.https://drspencer.com/https://joinvineyard.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/docs-who-lift/id1611961208https://www.instagram.com/drnadolsky/?hl=en
Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Aug 10, 2025 • 11min
Mini Mikkipedia - Do Diet Drinks Cause Diabetes? Let’s Talk Evidence
In this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki breaks down a recent Australian headline claiming that diet sodas increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Spoiler: the science doesn’t support that claim. Mikki dives into the observational study at the centre of the controversy, teasing apart key limitations—like reverse causality, confounding behaviours, and reliance on a single food frequency questionnaire over 14 years. She explains why the idea that diet drinks are as harmful as sugary ones is not only misleading but potentially dangerous for public health messaging. If you’ve ever wondered whether your Diet Coke habit is sabotaging your health, this episode offers clarity backed by evidence.What You'll Learn:Why observational studies can't prove causationThe concept of reverse causality in nutrition researchLimitations of self-reported dietary data over long periodsHow bias and confounding can distort risk estimatesWhy focusing on overall lifestyle matters far more than zero-calorie drinks
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 17min
Rethinking Diabetes: What the System Gets Wrong - Dr. Glen Davies
Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours This week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr Glen Davies, one of New Zealand’s most vocal champions for reversing type 2 diabetes through therapeutic carbohydrate reduction.From rural general practice to a mission hospital in Papua New Guinea, Glen’s clinical journey has been anything but conventional—but it was discovering the power of low-carb and fasting that made him “feel like a healer” again. Since then, he’s helped over 115 patients in Taupō put type 2 diabetes into remission—an achievement that’s not only reshaped his practice, but challenged the conventional approach to chronic disease management. He was named General Practitioner of the Year in 2021.In this conversation, we explore what "remission" really means in clinical terms, the systems that help sustain it, and the biomarkers that shift most consistently. Glen also shares insights on the psychology of behaviour change, the risks and rewards of keto, and the real-world barriers to scaling this model across New Zealand. They also have a frank conversation of the level of knowledge that GPs have to prevent and treat the modern day health crisis that NZ (like most countries) is facing.Glen Davies: https://reversalnz.co.nz/team/dr-glen-davies/
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Aug 3, 2025 • 17min
Mini Mikkipedia - Creatine for Your Brain? Exploring Cognitive and Mental Health Benefits
Mikki dives into the evolving science behind creatine—not just for muscles, but for brain health. Long known as a powerhouse for strength and performance, creatine is now gaining traction as a potential tool for cognitive enhancement and mental health support. Miki explores recent research shared by Dr. Nicholas Fabiano on creatine’s potential role in improving outcomes in Alzheimer’s, depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). She explains how higher doses may be required to impact brain creatine levels and discusses key findings around mood, cognition, and neurological recovery. Whether you're already taking creatine or considering it, this episode will broaden your understanding of how it could support not just your workouts, but your mental clarity and emotional well-being too.Highlights:Why creatine may support brain energy metabolism and cognitive functionEvidence for creatine’s role in depression and SSRI-resistant casesHigh-dose creatine and its potential benefits in Alzheimer's and TBI recoveryDifferences in creatine needs between men and womenSafety considerations and dosing strategies for brain healthhttps://x.com/NTFabiano/status/1950155746034758119
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order


