Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

Episode #243. It’s time to face the facts on saturated fat. Dr Gil Carvalho returns to examine a bold new study on this controversial topic, breaking down whether you need to reconsider your food choices in the wake of this study’s release. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Saturated fat misunderstandings: Is saturated fat bad? (17:20) Principle 1: Dose matters? — How much saturated fat is too much? (22:07) Is no saturated fat the goal? (30:12) Principle 2: Replacement nutrient matters (31:54) Principle 3: Source matters (45:53) Mechanisms: Saturated fat and heart disease (50:48) Saturated fats and genetics (55:47) Target ApoB level (59:40) Importance of lifetime exposure (1:03:02) Statins and heart disease risk: Are statins bad for you? (1:08:53) Mendelian randomization studies (1:10:52) The totality of evidence (1:15:59) Saturated fats and total mortality (1:17:46) Saturated fat and liver health (1:19:51) Gaps in the research (1:20:43) Common arguments against lowering saturated fat (1:23:52) Out

Last week we featured Part 1 of the best moments from The Proof in 2022, and this week we bring you part 2. Episode #242 is a compilation that mostly focuses on sleep, exercise and planetary health featuring a range of guests from across the year. Guests featured include Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, Dr Alan Flanagan, Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr David Jenkins, Dr Kieron Rooney, Paul Taylor, Fritz Horstmann, Drew Harrisberg and Nicholas Carter. Specifically, we cover: Intro (00:00) Sleep and weight gain with Drew Harrisberg (01:28) Tips for better sleep with Dr. Andrew Huberman (13:00) Manage Craving with Fritz Horstman (15:49) Carnivore Crazy with Drew Harrisberg (39:42) Big Pharma and Big Food with Dr. Alan Flanagan and Drew Harrisberg (49:32) Good stress with Dr. Paul Taylor (59:48) Mitochondria and Longevity with Dr. Kieron Rooney and Drew Harrisberg (1:12:14) Mitochondria and Longevity with Dr. Paul Taylor (1:17:46) Fermented foods (1:24:27) Developing an exercise program with Drew Harrisberg (1:25:

To bring in the new year I thought it would be good to take a moment and consolidate some of the memorable moments, and key takeaways, from 2022.  In Episode #241, part 1 of a 2 part year in review, we traverse how to think about nutrition, so we can better make sense of claims online, diet, and cardiometabolic health, how you can flip the switch on your microbiome so the trillions of gut bugs in your large intestine reward you with better health, and the benefits up for grabs through consuming our food over less hours - otherwise known as time restricted eating or fasting. Guests featured include Dr Gil Carvhalo, Dr Richard Johnson, Dr Alan Flanagan, Danny Lennon, Dr David Jenkins, Dr Justin Sonnenburg, Dr Erica Sonnenburg, Dr Christopher Gardner, Dr Tim Spector, Dr Don Layman, Dr Valter Longo, Dr Stuart Phillips, Dr Satchin Panda and Dr Courtney Peterson. Specifically, we cover: Intro (00:00) Circadian Disruption is a Problem with Dr. Satchin Panda (01:59) Fasting & weight loss with Dr. Courtney Peterso

Episode #240. There’s a lot of noise about cardiometabolic health: claims that certain diets will work miracles, and hype that specific foods must be avoided at all costs. Research dietitian Dr Andrea Glenn joins me today to get to the core of which dietary patterns will actually improve your cardiometabolic health outcomes. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Andrea Glenn on dietary patterns (07:31) Which country has the best dietary guidelines today? (11:35) What is cardiometabolic health? (13:15) Similarities and differences between the DASH, Nordic, Mediterranean, and Portfolio Diets (16:31) Can the Portfolio diet lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke? (21:29) The compositions of plant predominant diets and the demonization of carbohydrates (37:05) Are DASH, Nordic, Mediterranean, and Portfolio diets good for preventing and managing diabetes? (44:32) The worst and the best sources of fat (50:27) Is the pro-metabolic diet legitimate? (54:19) Is canola oil healthy? And is it better than olive

Episode #239. Looking for simple, practical ways to improve your exercise regime and eat for better health? Coach Fritz Horstmann understands the difficulties of balancing health with a busy life, and joins me today to offer guidance on how you can do just that. We discuss: Intro (0:00) Fritz’s Vegan Fitness Transformation (12:48) Combining Intuitive & Educated Eating (30:52) Fritz’s Coaching with Calorie Counting (42:04) Plant-Based Protein Sources (46:55) Bloating (55:32) Results in Fritz’s Program (57:43) Getting your steps in (1:09:08) Develop Habits for Success (1:11:01) How to get Motivated (1:19:18) Fritz’s Training Structure (1:24:38) Principles for Progress (1:30:04) Is Your Gym Program Working? (1:35:48) Protein Powder (1:38:03) Heart Disease & Animal Protein (1:52:30) IGF1 & Lactate Testing (1:58:21) Fritz’s Vegan Hat (2:07:50) Nutrient Supplements (2:11:44) Is Juicing Good for You? (2:17:37) Manage Cravings (2:21:46) Meal Prep vs Eating Out (2:30:59) Overrated / Underrated C

Episode #238. Left with questions after last week’s conversation with Dr Valter Longo? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr Longo returns to answer some of the queries I had in the wake of our last episode, tying off some loose ends and clarifying his stance on protein consumption and longevity. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Reduce Cancer Risk with IGF1 (1:47) Biological Age Test (4:11) Laron Syndrome & Longevity (6:24) Does Everyone with High IGF1 get cancer? (13:06) Pressure for Longevity (20:30) Does Exercise Reduce Risk? (22:15) Average IGF1 (26:19) Conclusion (31:03) Make sure to listen to the last episode of The Proof, where Dr Valter Longo and I examine protein consumption in detail. To connect with Dr Valter Longo, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more about Dr Longo’s research on his website, https://www.valterlongo.com/, where you will also be able to view and purchase his book, The Longevity Diet. Dr Longo first appeared on The Proof in Episode #106, which you

Episode #237. Dr Valter Longo introduces intriguing questions to the show: could protein consumption actually be harmful to our health? How important is muscle tissue? Can fasting be used as an adjunct cancer treatment? We investigate these questions and many more, diving into the research on IGF-1, mTOR, and the fasting-mimicking diet. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Ideal diets for longevity (2:58) Important Pathways for aging (9:15) IGF1 Elevation (16:24) Actue vs Chronic elevation of IGF1 (19:46) Danger of Protein Over Consumption (25:11) Impact of exercise on IGF1 (32:52) Muscle Mass and Longevity (38:35) Study on High Protein Later in Life (41:59) How to get IGF1 tested (48:03) Low IGF1 & Cognitive Decline (49:54) Resistance to IGF1 (53:00) Mendelian Randomization Studies (54:38) Fasting Mimicking Diet (59:21) Fasting and Cancer (1:16:03) Ketogenic Diet & Cancer (1:27:51) Outro (1:32:15) To connect with Dr Valter Longo, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more ab

Episode #236. Dr Donald Layman is an expert in protein synthesis and metabolism. With endless online dialogue on protein, Dr Layman offers clarity and answers pressing questions in this episode: how does protein interact with skeletal and metabolic health? Is aging dependent on our DNA? How much protein should I consume, and when? These questions, and many more, are answered in this week’s episode. We cover: Intro (0:00) Muscle & Metabolic Health (5:00) Moderate vs HIIT Training (14:00) Are Aging Outcomes Genetic? (16:29) Longevity vs Vitality (19:15) Muscle Protein Synthesis (24:40) Is the Protein RDA Sufficient? (43:03) Protein Intake for Aging (56:05) Why Leucine (59:48) Longevity and Protein (1:03:33) Cardiovascular Disease (1:16:08) Protein Distribution (1:25:30) Questionable Industry Funding (1:29:17) Meal Timing (1:34:09) Protein Threshold (1:39:33) Danger of Cold Therapy (1:43:26) Important Supplements (1:46:20) Chronic Kidney Disease (1:49:20) Outro (1:52:41) To connect with Don

Episode #235. Cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong shares a different approach to skincare – one you're probably not used to seeing on your Instagram feed. In an age of extensive skincare routines and misleading marketing, how do we navigate our skin’s natural state and optimise its appearance and wellness? We cover this question and many more in this week’s episode. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Defining ‘Clean Beauty’ (2:17) ‘Natural’ vs synthetic (7:14) EWG’s Skin Deep Database (8:26) What to Avoid (10:17) Is the Risk worth the Reward? (15:32) PFAs (20:25) “Free From” Claims (22:59) Risk During Pregnancy (30:08) Effective Ingredients (32:56) Addressing the Root Cause of skin issues (35:05) Skin’s ability to Heal (36:11) Danger in Combining Ingredients (38:06) Aging & Collagen (40:21) Combining Multiple Products (52:02) Does Price Indicate Effectiveness? (54:16) Participants in Studies (59:31) Preventative Aging (collagen vs retinol) (1:01:57) Hyaluronic Acid (1:07:49) Exfoliation (1:

Episode #234. We all know that sunscreen is important, but what are the consequences of using (or not using) certain products? Cosmetic chemist Dr Michelle Wong joins me to examine sun damage and aging, chemical vs mineral sunscreens, “reef safe” sunscreens, and scary-sounding ingredients. Learn all you need to know about choosing and applying a sunscreen to offer you the best protection of your largest organ. We discuss: Intro (0:00) Michelle's Story (2:20) Defining Cosmetics (4:56) Understanding the Skin’s Physiology (7:44) Misinformation with Products (11:20) What to Look For (19:00) Sunscreen & Skin cancer (22:50) “Reef-safe” Sunscreen (41:45) Regulation & Absorption (50:41) “Contains SPF” vs Sunscreen (1:04:35) Lotion vs Aerosol (1:06:04) How to Apply (1:07:07) How high of SPF? (1:13:01) Kids Sunscreens (1:16:04) Seed Oils & Sunburn (1:17:11) Benzene (1:19:15) Bringing it all together (1:21:18) Outro (1:24:45) Dr Michelle Wong’s online presence offers a wealth of information on skin c

Episode #233. Dive deeper into how saturated fats and sugar affect metabolism and the liver in this conversation with Dr Richard Johnson. The Proof community had many questions after Dr Johnson’s appearance on Episode #215, and we return today to answer them: What does human outcome data say? What are the risks of the keto diet and high blood sugar? Do our opinions align? We answer these questions and more, addressing: Intro (0:00) Dr. Johnson’s Thesis on Fructose (3:27) Gaps in Current Studies (11:28) Saturated Fat Versus Sugar (20:20) Long-term risk of Keto Diet (33:09) Fructose Effect on Saturated Fat (36:28) Survival Mechanisms (40:40) Type of Fat (46:37) Metabolic Health & Fructose (53:00) Role of the Liver (1:02:20) Problem with High Blood Sugar (1:09:15) Triglycerides & Uric Acid (1:17:22) When Fatty Liver Happens (1:27:52) Ceramides (1:31:45) Outro (1:33:30) To connect with Dr Richard Johnson, you can find him on Instagram and Twitter, or learn more on his website. For a more compreh

Episode #232. Time-restricted eating seems like a holy grail for those looking to lose weight and improve their health. Dr Peterson joins me in this episode to answer some pressing questions on TRE: does it help you lose weight and shred fat? Will it curb my appetite? What times should shift workers eat? These questions and much more are covered in Episode #232. We discuss: Intro (0:00) New Study: TRE & Weight Loss (1:47) Subjects of study (6:35) Outcomes of Interest (10:06) Significant Results (13:56) Mindset (18:43) Early TRE (20:13) Appetite (27:27) Blood Pressure (29:44) Adverse effects (34:30) Mental Health Effects (35:58) Making it Your Own (36:42) Night Shift Workers (43:41) Cancer (48:33) Rejuvenation & Longevity (56:46) Outro (58:53) You can learn more about Dr Courtney Peterson here. Dr Peterson is currently recruiting for a new study on intermittent fasting and aging, which you can check out here. Make sure to listen to Episode #204 of The Proof, where Dr Peterson is joined by Dr

In Episode #231, I sit down with Dr Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon to examine cholesterol, statins, the ketogenic diet, and longevity. Dr Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon address whether cholesterol matters if you’re metabolically healthy, why our veins don’t get atherosclerosis, and why our body makes cholesterol if it’s “bad for us”. They also offer advice on dietary adjustments you can make regardless of your dietary pattern, claims by social media “health gurus”, and much more. LDL cholesterol has been making waves on social media in recent years. With some diet camps making bold claims about its relevance and the apparently open-ended nature of the evidence, many folks are no doubt left unsure of how important cholesterol levels really are. In this episode, I’m joined by Danny Lennon and Dr Alan Flanagan to consider the role and importance of LDL cholesterol as we recap what the literature says. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Basics of Cardiovascular Health (4:29) ApoB for Predicting Disease (12

In Episode #230, I’m joined by ecologist Nicholas Carter to examine the role of dairy and other animal foods on the environment. We discuss the implications of our food choices, detailing the impact of dairy specifically. Nicholas Carter breaks down the ways we measure environmental impact, and the strengths and shortfalls of these systems. We also cover “carbon neutral” dairy, regenerative grazing, biodiversity loss, and much more. Over the course of recent episodes, we’ve worked towards building a more comprehensive picture of the topics covered. Alongside some incredible guests, we’ve covered the theory, mechanisms, and implementation of exercise, and this episode we continue building out this broader view with dairy. In Episode #225, Dr Alan Flanagan honed in on the health implications of dairy. Today, I sit down with Nicholas Carter to examine the planetary effects of dairy production and consumption, helping you make more informed decisions in support of sustainability. Specifically, we discuss: Intro

In Episode #229, I’m joined by Paul Taylor to discuss how to exercise to live better for longer. We cover the importance of intermittent stressors, the relative impact of nutrition and exercise, and the significance of biological evolution in health. Paul also breaks down exactly how to build an exercise regimen, with considerations for age and gender. Over the past month, The Proof has increasingly explored the role of exercise in relation to long-term health outcomes. In today’s episode, we build on previous conversations with an overarching goal: to consolidate our learning so far, giving you practical and tangible information to implement into your own lifestyle. Paul Taylor offers his advice on how to better your personal exercise routine through realistic recommendations, setting you up for a long health span. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Paul’s Navy Experience (4:32) Good Stress (9:28) Paul’s Boxing (21:22) Exercise vs Nutrition - What Matters More? (25:56) Cardiovascular Fitness (34:5

In Episode #228, I sit down with Dr Stuart Phillips and Dr Christopher Gardner for a discourse on how much protein we really need. We discuss nitrogen balance, lack of protein vs lack of exercise, and protein restriction. We also cover protein quality, satiety, and environmental considerations. Recommended daily intake (RDA) is a key factor in this conversation, with discussion points including its definition, the studies used to inform it, and whether you should eat above it. There is ongoing conversation about protein requirements across all eating patterns, with this contentious topic often sparking debate on social media. With protein regularly used as a marketing tool or to push an agenda, many online sources are diluted and separated from the evidence. Dr Gardner and Dr Phillips – both from different fields – have recently taken varying stances on protein, engaging in a Twitter dialogue. In this episode, we bring both of their informed perspectives to the table, and ask: how much do their opinions reall

In Episode #227, I sit down with Alan Flanagan, PhD and Drew Harrisberg to discuss the carnivore diet and veganism, assessing many of the popular claims made by health and nutrition “influencers”. We discuss Big Pharma, social media censorship, and vegan protein intake. We also zoom in on the ethics of veganism, spotting a legitimate academic, and why socioeconomic and environmental factors impact nutrition decisions. In the current social media climate, it is crucial that we develop the skills necessary to analyse the validity of nutritional claims. During this week’s episode, The Proof welcomes two fan favourites to the show to cover a broad scope of topics in a well-rounded discussion, uncovering the reasoning behind a number of these claims and informing listeners on how to assess them. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Training Injuries (7:40) Climate Change (14:44) Misinformation & Liver King (18:54) Should Platforms Censor? (30:25) Mark Zuckerberg on Rogan (35:30) Paul Saladino & Trusting Sc

In Episode #226, I’m joined by Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai to examine how exercise impacts brain health. We focus on two main considerations: what we know about the relationship between exercise and cognition, and how we can explain this relationship from an evolutionary lens. We discuss how movement impacts cognition, engaging your brain while exercising, and aging and brain health. We also cover neurogenesis, brain trauma, exercise and mood disorders, and motivation versus discipline. Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai are no strangers to The Proof Podcast. As community favourites, we’ve previously covered topics focusing predominantly on the relationship between nutrition, neurodegenerative disease, aging, and other factors of brain health. In today’s episode, we step away from food to focus on the way exercise can impact our brain’s functioning and health. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Defining Exercise & Cognition (7:51) Studies on Exercise/ Brain Power (13:16) Normal vs Pathological Aging (16:34)

In Episode #225 I sit down with Alan Flanagan, PhD to discuss the health implications of consuming dairy. We have a broader conversation about misinformation and public health before specifically examining the health outcomes of dairy consumption. We also cover whether you can trust industry-funded studies, the representation of dairy on social media, and how much information we actually have. Misinformation is an ongoing occurrence in online nutrition conversations. The capacity to spread misinformation to huge audiences is only a few clicks away, and many laypeople aren’t equipped to accurately evaluate these claims. Similarly, there are many instances where ideology may influence people to ignore the evidence. Dr Alan Flanagan joins me today to discuss this in the context of dairy. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Why we’re discussing Dairy (2:32) Social Media & Industry Funding (13:22) Cardiovascular Disease (23:40) Dairy Compared to What? (35:58) The PURE Study (52:48) Metabolic Health (1:02:3

In Episode #224, I sit down with Dr Tim Spector to address the significance of eating for your specific biology. We discuss research on twins, exploring nature versus nurture; the role of the microbiome in health outcomes; and whether conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes are genetic. Dr Spector also offers advice on adapting your diet to your specific needs. When we place so much focus on population-level data for health outcomes, it can be easy to lose sight of the unique biology that defines the way each person interacts with food. Dr Tim Spector joins me today to discuss how personalised nutrition may be the key to unlocking the healthiest version of ourselves. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) The Twin Study (2:33) How Medicine Has Changed (7:24) Obesity: Genetics & The Microbiome (13:30) How much Genetics plays a role (23:36) Zooming in on the Microbiome (32:36) Big Picture (54:37) Artificial Sweeteners (1:05:30) Changing the Microbiome (1:14:58) Blood Glucose (1:18:18) Blood Li