

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

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 12min
Ketones, Craft Beers, and Calling Out Nutrition Nonsense - with Cliff Harvey
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 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 Cliff Harvey, fan favourite, to talk about the ketogenic diet, diet trends, energy expenditure and calories and just… a whole lot related to this. As always, not to be missed.Cliff Harvey, PhD, is New Zealand’s expert on the effects of a ketogenic diet in a healthy population, but so much more than that. He has been helping people to live healthier, happier lives, and to perform better since starting in clinical practice (way back...) in the late 1990s. Over this time he has been privileged to work with many Olympic, professional, Commonwealth and other high performing athletes. He has also worked with many people to overcome the effects of chronic and debilitating health conditions. Along the way he has founded or co-founded many successful businesses in the health, fitness and wellness space, including the Nutrition Store Online and Holistic Performance Institute, NZ’s leading certification and diploma for health, nutrition, health coaching and performance that has many of the world experts teaching on the course, so students are learning from the best. Cliff has over 20 years experience as a strength and nutrition coach and, in addition to his PhD research, he is a Registered Clinical Nutritionist, qualified Naturopath (Dip.Nat – NCNZ) and holds a diploma in Fitness Training (AUT) and Health Coaching in Patient Care.You can find Cliff over at https://cliffharvey.com/Holistic Performance Institute: https://www.holisticperformance.institute/
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Apr 6, 2025 • 25min
Mini Mikkipedia - High Ferritin: Burnt Out or Ironed Up?
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterThink high ferritin just means you're iron-loaded? Not so fast. In this episode, I unpack what elevated ferritin really means, how to tell if it's iron overload or inflammation, and what steps to take next.We cover:What ferritin is (and isn’t)The difference between iron overload and inflammationKey lab markers to look at beyond ferritinLifestyle, dietary, and supplement strategies to bring levels down safelyWhether you're dealing with fatigue, metabolic issues, or puzzling lab results—this one’s for you.
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

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 4min
Why You Shouldn’t Trust the Dietary Guidelines – Nina Teicholz Reveals the Truth
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 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 Nina Teicholz, Ph.D.—science journalist, bestselling author of The Big Fat Surprise, and Executive Director of The Nutrition Coalition.In this conversation, Nina sheds light on one of the most under-acknowledged crises in public health: the fragile scientific foundation of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. In essence, nutrition science continues to shape national policy despite being built on weak, inconsistent, and sometimes fundamentally flawed evidence.They discuss a recent paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found the systematic reviews used to support the guidelines to be of “critically low quality”. Nina breaks down why this matters, how key types of research have been excluded, and why the process lacks transparency and rigour. They explore how industry influence, institutional bias, and intellectual legacy all contribute to a status quo that continues to recommend reductions in red meat and saturated fat—despite the absence of robust evidence to support these claims.Nina also explains how these guidelines, which legally shape everything from school lunches to military rations, may be doing more harm than good when it comes to public health—particularly in the face of rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.If you’ve ever wondered why nutrition policy seems out of sync with both emerging science and common sense—or what it would take to fix it—this is an episode not to miss.Nina Teicholz Ph.D. is a science journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise. She’s been a pioneer in challenging the conventional wisdom on saturated fats, vegetable (seed) oils, the health halo around the Mediterranean diet, and the reliability of the U.S. national dietary guidelines. Her work has been favorably reviewed by top medical journals, including the Lancet, and her own writing has been published in academic journals such as the BMJ, Nutrients and a journal of the National Academy of Sciences as well as media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic and Economist. Teicholz has also appeared on most major TV networks and many podcasts, from NPR to Joe Rogan. She is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities, and in 2024, she received a Ph.D. in nutrition focused on evidence-based nutrition policy. For years, she ran a non-profit called the Nutrition Coalition aimed at updating the US dietary guidelines with the current science. Her work can now be found in a column on Substack called “Unsettled Science.”Teicholz has no commercial ties and has never received support from any industry for her work.
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

Mar 30, 2025 • 28min
Mini Mikkipedia - Is a low ferritin level always a health risk?

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 32min
The Carb Debate: Endurance Fueling with Dr. Prins
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 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 tht podcast Mikki speaks to returning guest Dr Philip Prins on his latest study investigating the role of carbohydrate in endurance performance. They discuss the study, Mikki’s own experience in her recent stage run event and also what this means for endurance athletes out there.Dr. Philip Prins is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science. Dr. Prince earned a B.S. in Kinesiology as well as an M.S. in Exercise Science from Georgia Southern University, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on, among other things, the practical impact of lifestyle on metabolism and how metabolism impacts health, disease and performance outcomes. Among his many areas of expertise are nutritional ketosis, metabolic responses to exercise, and sports nutrition.Dr Prins can be found here: https://www.gcc.edu/Home/Academics/Faculty-Directory/Faculty-Detail/philip-prins Dr Prins Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Philip-PrinsStudy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39786965/Previous podcast https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/190
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Mar 23, 2025 • 20min
Mini Mikkipedia - Weight Loss Motivates Exercises, Exercise Motivates Weight Loss

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 20min
Omega-3s Unpacked with Greg Peoples
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 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 omega-3 expert Greg Peoples to unpack the science behind these essential fats and their impact on health and performance. They discuss the differences between DHA, EPA, and pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), the best dietary sources—including the surprising mention of tuna—and what an optimal Omega-3 Index looks like. Greg also explains whether we can reach ideal levels through diet alone, or if supplementation is necessary.They dive into omega-3s for athletes, covering their role in endurance performance, recovery, and even potential protection against atrial fibrillation in older endurance athletes. Greg breaks down their effects on muscle soreness, strength, and neuroprotection in contact sports, as well as the emerging link between omega-3s and sleep quality. Finally, they tackle supplement quality—how to choose a trustworthy brand in the wake of past industry scandals. A must-listen for anyone looking to optimise their omega-3 intake!Associate Professor Gregory Peoples is a distinguished cardiorespiratory physiologist with over two decades of experience in researching and communicating the physiological roles of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, in optimising heart, muscle, and brain performance and recovery.Based at the University of Wollongong, A/Prof Peoples has contributed significantly to understanding how dietary long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA, influence skeletal muscle physiology and function. He leads Ω3 Performance Physiology, a company dedicated to exploring the benefits of omega-3s in athletic performance and recovery.Throughout his career, A/Prof Peoples has authored numerous high-impact papers on omega-3s, and his research has been instrumental in translating bench-top science into practical applications for both the general population and specialised groups, including elite athletes and military personnel. His work continues to influence dietary recommendations and therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing physiological function and overall health.Greg: https://scholars.uow.edu.au/greg-peoples
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

Mar 16, 2025 • 20min
Mini Mikkipedia - Vitamin D and Fat Metabolism

Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Truth About Vaping: Science, Safety & Public Health with Dr. Paul Reynolds
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 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 Paul Reynolds about the effects of vaping on health, particularly its impact on inflammation, cancer risk, and pregnancy outcomes. Dr Reynolds, whose background is in lung development and disease, has been investigating how e-cigarettes influence inflammatory pathways, glycation, and long-term health risks.In this conversation, they discuss why breathing is more than just taking in oxygen and how air quality plays a critical role in overall health. Dr Reynolds explains glycation—how it damages the body—and how inflammation, often seen as a necessary defence mechanism, can sometimes do more harm than good.Mikki and Dr Reynolds delve into the chemicals found in e-cigarettes, comparing their inflammatory effects to traditional cigarettes. They explore whether vaping genuinely helps smokers quit or if it fosters new dependencies, as well as the risks of secondhand exposure and how vaping should be approached from a public health perspective.Dr Reynolds shares findings from his research on vaping during pregnancy, including its effects on foetal and placental weight, and the potential implications for conditions like intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia. They also discuss how e-cigarette flavours—such as Red Hot and Green Apple—can influence cancer cell invasion and inflammation, raising questions about whether some flavouring compounds should be restricted.With vaping still largely unregulated in many areas, Dr Reynolds offers insights into where research should focus next, what policymakers need to consider, and whether vaping should be treated with the same caution as smoking.This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the science behind vaping and its potential long-term health consequences. Enjoy the conversation!Dr Paul Reynolds is a professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at Brigham Young University, with a research focus on lung development, pulmonary disease, and the effects of environmental exposures such as tobacco and vaping aerosols on respiratory health. He holds a PhD in Developmental and Molecular Biology from the University of Cincinnati and has conducted extensive research on pulmonary injury, oxidative stress, and inflammatory pathways. His work examines how vaping impacts lung function, foetal development, and cancer progression, with recent studies exploring the role of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine in inflammation and disease risk. Dr Reynolds has received multiple awards for his research and teaching, including the Parker B. Francis Fellowship in Pulmonary Research, and is an active member of organisations such as the American Physiological Society and the American Thoracic Society.Dr Paul https://cell.byu.edu/directory/paul-reynolds
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Mar 9, 2025 • 24min


