

Daily Value
Dr. William Wallace
Daily Value brings science out of the lab and into daily life. Hosted by Dr. William Wallace, each short, research-driven episode explores how nutrients, supplements, and metabolism influence how we think, move, and age. It’s evidence-based, concise, and designed to make you smarter about what fuels you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 15min
B12 Deficiency: Uncovering the Silent Threat to Neurological and Vascular Health
Explore the hidden dangers of vitamin B12 deficiency and its serious impact on neurological and vascular health. Discover the essential role B12 plays in nerve function and blood cell production. Learn about the various causes of deficiency, from dietary habits to genetic factors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and personalized treatment options like supplementation to avoid severe health complications.

Feb 3, 2025 • 8min
How Male Alcohol Consumption Can Shape Offspring Development
In this episode of Daily Value, we look at how paternal alcohol consumption before conception could influence offspring health, longevity, and even accelerate aging. Referencing studies from Andrology (PMID: 38044754) and Aging and Disease (PMID: 39122451), we examine how sperm RNA modifications and mitochondrial dysfunction may persist long after alcohol cessation—potentially programming offspring for metabolic disorders, reduced NAD+ levels, and faster cellular aging.Discussion Points:Sperm Epigenetics: what rodent data tells us baout alcohol exposure altering small RNAs in sperm, disrupting gene regulation in the developing embryo.Mitochondrial Dysfunction: newer rodent data showing lower SIRT1/SIRT3 levels, and lower NAD+ in offspring whose parents were exposed to alcohol.Practical Takeaways: How long should alcohol cessation be before conception could help restore sperm quality and reduce the risk of accelerated aging in children for people who drink regularly.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39122451/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38044754/

Jan 31, 2025 • 9min
Can Nutritional Psychiatry Offer New Solutions for Anxiety?
In this episode of Daily Value, we explore the potential of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, as an adjunctive therapy for reducing anxiety symptoms. A recent meta-analysis (PMID: 38890670) reviewed 23 randomized controlled trials involving over 2,100 participants, revealing that a certain amount of omega-3s per day can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms, especially when combined with traditional treatments like antidepressants.Talking points:Anxiety disorders: what are they and how many people have them?Fish oil benefits for anxiety disordersEffective dosage of omega-3 fatty acids for reducing anxiety symptoms.Mechanisms of action: Omega-3s may reduce anxiety through 4 proposed mechanisms.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38890670/

Jan 29, 2025 • 8min
Why 20 Grams of Olive Oil Could Be a Daily Health Habit
In this episode of Daily Value, we look at how extra virgin olive oil and its polyphenols—including hydroxytyrosol—could impact your health and longevity. Referencing evidence from the Moli-Sani Study and other meta-analyses (PMID: 38704428), we uncover how these bioactives are suggested to reduce risks for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality.Discussion Points:Bioactive Compounds: How hydroxytyrosol prevents LDL oxidation and reduces inflammation, key mechanisms for cardiovascular protection.Landmark Studies: The Moli-Sani cohort found a 28% reduction in cancer deaths with a certain threshold of olive oil, while meta-analyses confirm a 16% lower cardiovascular risk with similar amounts of olive oil.Practical Takeaways: Why cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is essential for these benefits and how just 3 tablespoons daily could support health outcomes.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38704428/

Jan 27, 2025 • 9min
Brewed for Benefits: Coffee’s Impact on Fat and Muscle
In this episode of Daily Value, we look at how the roasting style of coffee—light versus regular—might influence body composition. Examining evidence from a recent randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients (PMID: 39275165). Could your choice of coffee enhance fat loss and muscle mass?Discussion Points:Roasting and Polyphenols: How lightly roasted coffee, with higher chlorogenic acid content, outperformed regular roasts in reducing body fat (-1.4% vs. -1.0%) and increasing muscle mass (+0.8%).Mechanisms at Play: The role of chlorogenic acids and caffeine in body composition augmentation as outlined in mechanistic research.Practical Takeaways: Why choosing lightly roasted coffee and consuming it regularly may provide metabolic benefits over time (especially in sedentary/overweight populations).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39275165/

Jan 24, 2025 • 11min
The Surprising Gut Health Benefits of B-Vitamins
Dive into the fascinating world of gut health and discover how B-group vitamins, like riboflavin and niacin, can influence the gut microbiome. These vitamins are not just for metabolism; they may enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria. Explore how they interact with gut microbes, producing short-chain fatty acids essential for health. Plus, learn about the potential of high-dose, colon-targeted supplements to maximize these effects. This is a game-changer for anyone interested in nutrition and microbiome research!

Jan 22, 2025 • 10min
Your DNA on Caffeine
In this episode of Daily Value, we look at the relationship between genetics, habitual caffeine intake, and cognitive performance, using insights from a recent study (PMID: 39648354) in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Whether you’re a "fast" or "slow" caffeine metabolizer could significantly influence how caffeine impacts your brain.Discussion Points:Gene-Caffeine Interactions: how variants in CYP1A2 and ADORA2A genes modulate caffeine metabolism and sensitivity, leading to differential effects on executive function and social cognition.Cognitive Domains: Why slow metabolizers consuming high caffeine outperform fast metabolizers in emotion recognition tasks, and why moderate caffeine enhances executive function in fast metabolizers.Practical Applications: Tailoring caffeine intake based on genetic predisposition to optimize focus, decision-making, and cognitive flexibility.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39648354/

Jan 20, 2025 • 8min
Can Green Tea Preserve the Brain Better than Coffee?
Does green tea protect the aging brain better than coffee? In this episode of Daily Value, we look at the evidence behind green tea's impact on brain aging, focusing on cerebral white matter lesions, Alzheimer’s risk, and brain atrophy. Drawing on studies like Shibata et al.'s recent publication in Science of Food (PMID: 39774601), we discuss how a certain threshold of green tea, but not coffee is associated with less white matter lesions in aged individuals.Discussion Points:MRI findings on green tea’s association with reduced white matter lesion progression in older adults consuming a specific amount of cups daily.Past research observing a 5% reduction in hippocampal atrophy rate in green tea consumers (amounts discussed in episode).Brewing techniques and supplement tips to optimize EGCG content and/or minimize caffeine content of tea.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39774601/

Jan 17, 2025 • 8min
Building Brains: B12 During Pregnancy & Childhood IQ
In this episode of Daily Value, we look at the role of maternal Vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy and its impact on a child’s IQ. Drawing on findings from the ELSPAC study (PMID: 39674678), we discuss how Vitamin B12 supports critical neurodevelopmental processes and how deficiency may impact verbal IQ.Discussion Points:The role of Vitamin B12 in one-carbon metabolism, axon myelination, and DNA methylation, and their importance for fetal brain development.Findings from the ELSPAC study, where higher maternal Vitamin B12 intake was associated with improved language skills at 18 months and higher verbal IQ at 8 years.The importance of addressing elevated homocysteine levels during pregnancy to mitigate neurodevelopmental risks.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39674678/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A We identified consistent associations,particularly in speech and language.

Jan 15, 2025 • 9min
How Much Coffee Does It Take to Keep Your Brain Young?
How much coffee is too much? In this episode of Daily Value, we look at the link between coffee consumption and cognitive health. Drawing on a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (PMID: 39673298), we examine how bioactive compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids and trigonelline, may protect against cognitive decline and inflammation.Discussion Points:Insights from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort, showing enhanced processing speed and visuomotor coordination and attention in individuals drinking a certain threshold of coffee daily compared to non-coffee drinkersa predicted cognitive age nearly 7 years younger in high coffee consumers.Practical considerations for incorporating coffee into a healthy diet, including dosage, tolerance, and quality.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39673298/


