Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

Episode #263. Delve into the complex world of neurodegenerative diseases in this evidence-loaded episode with Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai. Unpack the current scientific understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, bust popular food myths related to brain health, and discover actionable lifestyle tips for long-term brain health. Join us on this evidence-based journey that blends science with practical, real-life advice. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Drs. Ayesha and Dean play True or False (04:11) Is amyloid plaque the primary cause of Alzheimer's? (05:47) Whole grains, gluten, and brain health (07:11) Artificial intelligence for Alzheimer's disease (14:11) Drs. Ayesha and Dean on Melbourne (17:11) Is olive oil good for brain health? (20:13) What's the beef with red meat? (24:32) Keeping the brain healthy with omega 3 fatty acids (35:25) APOE4 and omega 3 supplementation (48:27) Cognitive changes in midlife (54:47) Reaction to Dr. Michael Klapper's U-turn on omega 3 supplem

Episode #262. Discover the science of getting older without getting old in this conversation with Dr Andrew Steele. From understanding what impacts your lifespan to revealing potential future scientific breakthroughs, this episode is an intriguing journey into the world of aging science. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Andrew Steele on aging (01:38) Age-related diseases and lifespan extension (10:47) Genetic factors, lifestyle, and gene editing for longevity (19:18) Could gene editing help solve poor cholesterol? (27:52) Rapamycin vs metformin for longevity (34:21) The need for expert consensus on anti-aging interventions (39:47) Insights on Bryan Johnson's Project Blueprint (47:50) What are senolytic drugs? (51:24) Yamanaka factors: is aging reversible at a cellular level? (1:05:18) The rationale behind reversing aging and the future of interventions (1:17:42) Lifestyle changes that slow the clock (1:25:40) Calorie restriction and longevity (1:32:41) Air quality, smoking, and vapin

Episode #261. When it comes to cancer and nutrition, sorting fact from fiction is critical. Join me as I sit down with Dr Krystle Zuniga, an expert in this field, to debunk harmful myths, clarify the role of nutrition during cancer treatment, and empower listeners with reliable, science-based knowledge. Tune in to understand how to navigate dietary choices amidst a cancer diagnosis and to learn how to best support those on their cancer journey. Don't miss this essential conversation – it's time to let go of misinformation and understand the true power and limitations of nutrition. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Krystle Zuniga on cancer and nutritional sciences (01:33) Social media and cancer misinformation (04:35) Can food act as medicine? (07:56) The impact of anecdotes on cancer treatment choices (12:57) Survival rates and shifting trends (16:31) Nutrition priorities during cancer treatment (17:38) Cancer treatment and appetite (20:35) Protein recommendations (22:12) Weight loss and

Episode #260. Are you struggling to maintain a healthy weight and navigate the confusing world of diets and weight loss solutions? In this episode, join me as I dive into the science behind eating behaviours, obesity, and the challenges of losing weight with renowned researcher Dr Stephan Guyenet. Discover the different types of eating, the importance of controlling our food environment, and various evidence-based strategies for weight loss. With practical advice and insights from Dr Guyenet, you'll gain a better understanding of the complexities of weight management and how to make informed choices for your health. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation about the widespread issue of obesity and our brain's role in eating behaviours. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) From neurodegenerative disease to obesity neuroscience (01:36) The holiday weight gain (10:38) The problem with excess fat (14:37) 'Personal fat threshold' and diabetes (26:06) Main drivers of type 2 diabetes (31:26) The role of t

Episode #259. Have you ever put much thought into your hydration? If you think that drinking two litres of plain water a day meets your hydration needs, then this conversation is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Stacy Sims to explore the science behind optimal hydration and its impact on performance. You’ll learn how to determine proper hydration, the role of electrolytes and glucose, and which commonly held beliefs about hydration are myths. Dr Sims shares her research findings and provides practical tips to improve your hydration for better performance and overall well-being. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Stacy Sims on hydration (1:25) Nuances of hydration (3:35) Electrolytes (7:02) The problem with plain water (12:02) How much sodium do you need in a hot or cold environment? (15:00) Sodium and fluid intake during exercise (16:31) Dehydration and its effects on performance (20:07) Importance of slow and steady hydration (22:22) Distilled water and hydration (23:38) Is add

Episode #258. Join me as I sit down with renowned soy expert Dr Mark Messina to clear up misconceptions and address concerns about soy consumption. We dive deep into isoflavones, how much soy you can safely consume, and soy’s safety in relation to male feminisation, breast cancer, and thyroid function. If you’ve been hesitant about incorporating soy into your diet, this episode is packed with essential information you need to make an informed choice. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Soy throughout history (01:45) Dr. Mark Messina and the Soy Nutrition Institute (6:12) Industry affiliation in research (8:04) Debate surrounding soy and breast cancer (18:04) Isoflavones and estrogen (24:04) Isoflavones, breast tissue and cholesterol (32:12) Oversimplification of health information about the soy (40:39) Fermented soy and equol (48:11) How much isoflavones are in your soy foods? (53:16) Safe upper limit of soy isoflavones intake per day (58:50) Are blood tests necessary for high protein eaters?

Episode #257. Uncover the powerful strategies to transform your gym experience and unpack the blood lipids series in this captivating conversation with Drew Harrisberg. You’ll learn more about CGMs for people without diabetes, menopause and osteoporosis, our thoughts on stretching, and much more. Specifically, we discuss: Do CGMs have potential beyond diabetes management? (4:14) Blended fruit vs whole fruit for glycemic response (14:35) Effects of long-term stretching (24:02) Bone mineral density and menopause (33:40) Review on different modality exercises for bone density (38:18) Drew's new fitness program (59:22) Takeaways from the lipid series with Dr. Thomas Dayspring (1:06:54) The Proof's very first immersive experience (1:26:11) When good deeds happen (1:39:05) Outro (1:49:30) To connect with Drew, you can reach him via his Instagram or website, Drew’s Daily Dose. Drew will also be co-facilitating our upcoming immersive experience, which you can learn about here. Make sure to catch his 11 p

Episode #256. Professor Susan Davis, AO returns to answer your questions on menopause. We cover The Proof community’s most common questions, looking towards mental health and menopause, how other conditions such as PCOS impact menopause, common issues including weight gain, different drug treatment options, and much more. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Feedback from the Proof community (02:13) Concerns about misleading health information about menopause (05:57) Oral contraception and fertility (11:23) Summary of Part 1: Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions (14:26) Hormone therapy (HRT) for women over 50 and 60 (20:31) HRT and cognitive function (24:11) Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and early menopause (32:10) Amenorrhea, exercise, chronic stress and menstrual health (41:34) Health risks of early menopause (46:14) Muscle and bone health (51:21) Treatments for women with breast cancer and vasomotor symptoms (52:35) Exercises that benefit bone health (1:10:33) Could s

Episode #255. Have you ever wondered about the power of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions? Join me as I sit down with Professor Susan Rossell to examine what the research says on psilocybin and MDMA and whether these revolutionary interventions can assist in the treatment of depression, eating disorders, PTSD, and more. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Susan Rossell on mental health research (02:40) The history of psychedelics (11:53) Concerns over the safety of psilocybin and MDMA (18:31) Feasibility concerns for the rollout of psilocybin and MDMA (21:54) Effects of psilocybin (35:52) Psilocybin, SSRIs, and psychotherapy (44:35) Microdosing psilocybin (56:12) Ketamine vs psilocybin (58:00) MDMA for PTSD and recreational use (1:02:03) Future of psilocybin and MDMA and their decriminalization (1:11:00) Mental health advice (1:21:43) Outro (1:25:23) To learn more about Professor Susan Rossell, you can do so on her Swinburne University profile. Connect with Professor Ro

Episode #254. How does a plant-based diet weigh up against a ketogenic diet when it comes to cancer treatment and prevention? Discover the answer to this question and more in The Proof’s first episode dedicated to understanding cancer. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Urvi Shah and Dr Neil Iyengar to examine how cancer develops and the lifestyle measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of cancer, treat cancer, and prevent cancer recurrence. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Cancer and precancerous cells (06:51) Genetics and cancer risk (20:58) Obesity and cancer risk (24:30) Modifiable factors and reducing recurrence risk (36:44) The role of nutrition in cancer treatment (47:34) Plant-based diet vs ketogenic diet (51:50) Dr. Neil investigates the effects of plant-based diets and exercise on breast cancer (1:13:12) Soy, dairy, protein, and cancer risk (1:17:04) Unprocessed red meat and colorectal cancer (1:30:52) Organic foods vs conventional produce (1:37:10) Ultra-processed food an

Episode #253. In Part Three of the blood lipids series, we take a deep dive into interventions to lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While nutrition is the most powerful lifestyle tool we have to dramatically decrease ApoB, there certainly remains a need for pharmacological interventions – and in this episode, Dr Thomas Dayspring and I walk through four main drug classes, discussing their mechanism of action, effectiveness, and safety profile. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Evolution of cardiovascular disease treatments (03:42) Are we becoming a drug-dependent society? (07:30) Bile acid sequestrants, statins, and more (13:54) Cholesterol-lowering drugs and cognition (35:12) Is Bempedoic acid a good statin alternative? (47:39) Ezetimibe and nuances you should know (55:46) PCSK9 inhibitors (1:03:32) Do statins increase the risk of diabetes? (1:14:58) Gene therapy targeting PCSK9 (1:19:20) Pelacarsen for lowering Lp(a) (1:23:48) Can we take drugs that raise HDL to lower car

Episode #252. In Part One of the blood lipids series, you learned what lipids are and how they work. In Part Two, Dr Thomas Dayspring returns to talk about the individualised testing you can get to understand where your lipids are now. Discover the tests you need, the ones you don’t, and when to start testing to protect yourself against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We discuss: Intro (00:00) What is Lp(a), and why do you need it checked? (02:05) Does diet influence Lp(a)? (20:36) The oxidized phospholipid test (29:00) Early intervention and atherosclerosis screening for children (31:24) The tests are helpful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk (40:27) Discordance between ApoB and LDL-cholesterol (52:35) Normal range of ApoB levels for a healthy young person (1:03:14) Does atherosclerotic plaque ever disappear? (1:16:52) Triglyceride: HDL ratio vs ApoB test (1:22:15) Screening women in their 30s (1:29:31) Screening women in their 70s (1:37:23) What causes elevated ApoB (1:39:25)

Episode #251. Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest killers in the Western world, and it’s vital that we understand cardiovascular health in order to improve lifespan and healthspan. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Thomas Dayspring for Part One of a three-part deep dive into cardiovascular disease and blood lipids. In this introductory episode, we examine how our body absorbs lipids and transports them throughout the body – and what happens when it goes wrong. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Turning a family heartache into a mission (05:12) Atherosclerosis and the role of lipids (14:52) Lipoproteins & cholesterol transport and recycling (28:01) Cholesterol's role in lipoproteins (54:00) Is ApoB a more accurate marker of cardiovascular risk? (58:38) Endothelial transcytosis of lipoproteins (1:07:10) LDL aggregation (1:16:42) LDL particle retention and inflammation (1:23:15) Difference between veins and arteries (1:28:55) Atherosclerosis and genetics (1:30:22) High-fat diets and

Episode #250. Ice baths and other forms of cold water exposure have gained a huge amount of traction in the past few years. I’m joined by expert Dr Susanna Søberg to examine what the science says – is cold water exposure safe? What does the research say about the bold health claims? Is brown fat just a buzzword? How do you safely and effectively implement hot and cold exposure into your life? Dr Søberg answers these questions and many more in this three-hour deep dive into cold water immersion. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) The tradition of winter swimming (01:52) Cold water swimming and activating brown fat (09:44) Dr. Søburg's personal experience with cold water bathing (23:13) Funding hurdles and potential benefits of cold water immersion (25:34) Cold water immersion and the body's response (33:36) Brown fat activation and more physiological responses (40:45) What is brown fat? (45:54) Is brown fat genetic? (55:28) Benefits of activating brown fat (58:32) Winter swimming, sauna, and d

Episode #249. Have you ever wondered how long humans can healthily live for? Professor Matt Kaeberlain joins me in this episode to explain the biological processes of aging, explaining the significance of genetics vs lifestyle, protein restriction, polyphenols, and much more. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Aging and disease (03:42) Evolutionary conserved processes and human life span (17:41) Biological aging: Are epigenetic tests more accurate in telling how well you’re aging? (26:29) Aging process and the burden of senescence cells (34:06) Keys to a longer, healthier life (45:08) Sleep and exercise (55:38) Calorie restriction, longevity, and prolonged fasting (1:15:23) Protein restriction and its implications (1:32:14) Plant protein vs animal protein (1:43:31) Natural occurring polyphenols and supplements related to longevity (1:53:06) Rapamycin and rapamycin derivatives (2:13:53) Anti-aging compounds (2:29:38) Ethical implications of prolonging the life (2:51:08) Outro (2:57:23) T

Episode #248. There is a huge research and science communication gap when it comes to nutrition and exercise for women. Stacy Sims, MSc, PhD joins me today to address this inadequacy, providing guidance on how women can optimise training and nutrition at each stage of life. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Stacy Sims' academic journey (02:00) Female physiology (05:38) Implications of applying results of male-centric studies to women (09:12) Discerning the variances in physiological makeup between genders to customize training regimes (16:29) Physiological disparities between genders (20:53) Understanding the significance of a balanced diet and exercises tailored to accommodate the menstrual cycle (24:14) Ideal training programs tailored to the menstrual cycle of a 30-year-old woman (52:30) Exercise regimes during pregnancy (1:06:00) Achieving balance through nutrition, diet, and supplementation in your 30s (1:12:58) Female bodybuilding: androgenic compounds and hormones (1:27:55) The c

Episode #247. It's widely accepted that we are in a climate crisis. But what does that mean? Renowned author and journalist George Monbiot joins me in this episode to examine how our food systems are directly impacting our planet's health, and what we can do about it. What do soil and the human gut have in common? Why is food a political issue? What does radical change in the food system look like, and how do we get there? We cover these questions and more, discussing: Intro (00:00) George Monbiot on wildlife, farming, & global food systems (03:39) Plants & soil microbes: a remarkable connection (09:45) Soil bacterial diversity & the dangers of soil degradation (20:36) Profit over sustainability (26:32)  The role of citizens in shaping the food system (34:09)  Why is animal agriculture problematic? (45:38)  Are we the complacent and the silent majority? (57:35)  George Monbiot's alternative to farming animals (01:05:53)  Outro (01:10:16) You can find a comprehensive database of George Monbiot's w

Episode #246. Have you ever considered the way our current food system was shaped? Or the way it continues to impact modern dietary guidelines? This episode is for you. In this conversation with distinguished researcher Professor Dariush Mozaffarian, we analyse the past 120 years of nutrition science and assess how this research continues to impact the modern diet. We cover: Introduction (00:00) A Journey Through Nutrition Science History (03:49) The Food Industry's Contributions to Improving Vitamin and Calorie Deficiency and What Went Wrong (16:05) The Evolution of Dietary Guidelines (26:59) Are Food Rating Systems Accurate? (37:48) Is the Role of Saturated Fat in Nutrition Neutral? (44:22) Understanding the Algorithm Behind Tufts' Food Compass (46:57) Industry Funding and Scientific Research (52:03) Validating the Food Compass Scoring System (57:04) Are Breakfast Cereals Healthier? (01:04:45) The Food Compass System: A Work in Progress (01:08:04) Exploring the Uses of the Food Compass and the P

In Episode #245, I'm joined by endocrinologist and clinical researcher Professor Susan Davis, AO. In this detailed exchange – taking place over more than two hours – Professor Davis shares the best practice guidelines for managing menopause. You will learn from a world-leading expert about sex hormones, the physiological changes underpinning menopause, signs and symptoms of peri-menopause/menopause, the struggles of menopause, medical and lifestyle interventions for managing menopause (including hormone therapy), testosterone and sexual desire, the beautiful side of menopause, and plenty more. "One of the – dare I say – more sinister symptoms that women often do not relate to menopause is anxiety." Professor Susan R Davis AO*,* is Director, Monash University Women’s Health Research Program and an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow; Consultant Endocrinologist and Head, Women’s Endocrine Clinic, Alfred Hospital Melbourne; and consultant at Cabrini Medical Centre. Her research spans from basic science to clinical tria

In Episode #244, cardiologist Dr Mohammed Alo joins me to talk about cardiovascular disease myths, many of which he has been brilliantly covering on Tik Tok over the past year. Is it perfectly ok to eat a lot of saturated fat and red meat if your triglycerides and HDL are normal? Does a coronary artery scan of zero mean we won’t have a heart attack? What’s better - a coronary artery scan or a CT angiogram for measuring plaque in our coronary arteries. Are statins beneficial? Is too low cholesterol a problem? Does this affect brain health and hormone production? Eggs, fish and fish oil, cooking oils - the list goes on. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Fighting Misinformation on Cardiovascular Disease and Nutrition (03:49) TikTok and Cardiology: Reaching Diverse Audiences and Navigating Challenges (18:30) The Risks of the Carnivore Diet and False Claims on LDL Cholesterol (26:50) Atherosclerosis, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, and Treatment Options (36:30) The Importance of Non-HDL Cholesterol as