522 episodes

Discussions about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health. The podcast that educates through nuanced conversations, exploring evidence and cultivating critical thinking. Hosted by Danny Lennon.

Sigma Nutrition Radio Danny Lennon

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 247 Ratings

Discussions about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health. The podcast that educates through nuanced conversations, exploring evidence and cultivating critical thinking. Hosted by Danny Lennon.

    #520: How Exercise Impacts Appetite, Food Intake and Adiposity – James Dorling, PhD

    #520: How Exercise Impacts Appetite, Food Intake and Adiposity – James Dorling, PhD

    Links:
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    Have you ever wondered how exercise affects our appetite and energy intake? While we know that single bouts of exercise can create a short-term energy deficit, do they also influence our hunger levels? And what about long-term exercise training? Could it modify our appetite in ways that help us better control our weight?
    Recent research suggests that exercise may indeed play a role in appetite regulation. Could exercise modify the subjective and homeostatic mediators of appetite in ways that enhance our feelings of fullness after a meal?
    One of the most fascinating aspects of this research is the variability in responses between individuals. Why do some people experience changes in appetite and energy intake after exercise, while others don’t? Could factors like adiposity, sex, or habitual physical activity levels play a role?
    In this episode, Dr. James Dorling of the University of Glasgow helps us delve into the evidence surrounding how factors like adiposity, sex, and habitual physical activity modulate our responses to exercise in terms of appetite, energy intake, and appetite-related hormone responses.
    About The Guest:
    Dr. James Dorling is a lecturer in Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow. Dr. Dorling’s research is broadly focused on three areas: (1) the impact of nutrition and physical activity interventions on obesity-related endpoints and biomarkers of aging; (2) the regulators of appetite and eating behaviours; and (3) the changes in appetite and eating behaviours in response to health interventions.
    During his PhD, he studied the effects of acute exercise and obesity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms on appetite and appetite-related hormones. Following this, Dr. Dorling joined Pennington Biomedical Research Center where he worked as a postdoctoral researcher. His postdoctoral research principally focussed on the influence of calorie restriction and physical activity on weight, markers of aging, and eating behaviours.

    • 49 min
    SNP28: How To Eat for Longevity

    SNP28: How To Eat for Longevity

    In a world flooded with claims, advice, and recommendations on how to extend our lifespan, the buzz around various diet approaches, supplement regimens, and lifestyle hacks is deafening. But amidst the noise, one must pause to ponder: Are these claims rooted in science? And perhaps more crucially, are we even asking the right questions or pursuing the correct goals in our quest for longevity?
    Join us in our upcoming podcast episode as Danny delves into these intriguing questions. Rather than getting lost in the sea of trends and fads, Danny offers his insights on the essential inquiries we should be making. Discover how to shift our focus towards the core factors that genuinely enhance our chances of leading longer, healthier lives. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking exploration into the science and philosophy behind longevity.
    Links:
    Subscribe to Premium Go to SigmaNutrition.com  

    • 10 min
    #519: Eating Disorders: Inpatient Treatment & Challenges – Helen West, RD

    #519: Eating Disorders: Inpatient Treatment & Challenges – Helen West, RD

    Acronyms & Terminology: NHS - National Health Service (UK) CAMHS eating disorder unit - Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service Tier 4 Services - CAMHS services are organized through a tiered system. Tier 4 is the highest on the hierarchy and relates to highly specialized or inpatient services. NG Feed - nasogastric (NG) tubes MDT decision - multidisciplinary team (MDT) decision-making CBT-E - Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - a “transdiagnostic” treatment for all forms of eating disorder including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other similar states​. ARFID - Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding or eating disorder in which people avoid eating certain foods, or restrict their diets to the point it ultimately results in nutritional deficiencies. SSCM - Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) is a psychotherapy comprising a clinical management focus addressing anorexia nervosa (AN) symptoms and a supportive therapy component. Links: Subscribe to Premium Go to episode page About This Episode: When exploring the landscape of eating disorder treatment and research, several crucial topics emerge, each shedding light on different aspects of this complex field.


    Firstly, the practice of nasogastric feeding under restraint raises ethical questions and considerations. How do healthcare professionals navigate the balance between ensuring adequate nutrition and respecting the autonomy and dignity of patients? What are the potential implications and risks associated with this practice?


    Progress in understanding and treating eating disorders has evolved significantly over the years, yet challenges persist in translating research findings into effective clinical practice. How can advancements in genetics, neurobiology, and psychology inform more personalized and holistic treatment approaches? What barriers hinder the implementation of evidence-based practices within healthcare settings?


    An essential aspect of eating disorder treatment is understanding what “recovery” truly means. Beyond weight restoration, what factors contribute to a meaningful and sustainable recovery journey? How can healthcare professionals support individuals in achieving their unique goals and aspirations for recovery?


    Improving services and introducing better treatment options requires a nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in eating disorders. How can healthcare systems prioritize patient-centered care and tailor interventions to meet the diverse needs of individuals affected by eating disorders? What strategies can be employed to address systemic challenges and foster positive change within healthcare settings?


    In addressing these questions and navigating the complexities of eating disorder treatment and research, expertise and insights from seasoned professionals are invaluable.


    In this episode Helen West, an Advanced Specialist Eating Disorders Dietitian with over 12 years of clinical experience, discusses her experience and understanding of these areas. With her extensive background and expertise, Helen offers valuable perspectives in tackling these critical topics within the realm of eating disorder treatment and research.

    • 47 min
    #518: Nutritional Geometry, Philosophy of Science & A Case for Reductionism – Prof. David Raubenheimer & Jonathan Sholl, PhD

    #518: Nutritional Geometry, Philosophy of Science & A Case for Reductionism – Prof. David Raubenheimer & Jonathan Sholl, PhD

    Links:
    Course: Applied Nutrition Literacy Subscribe to Premium Go to episode page (study links, bio, etc.) About This Episode:
    There has been much debate about the role of nutritional reductionism in research. This approach generally aims to study diet’s effects by breaking down the intricate web of dietary factors into smaller, more manageable components. But critics have asked does this approach truly capture the full picture of nutrition’s influence on our well-being?
    In an attempt to help answer research questions there has been a proposal for the use of “nutritional geometry”, a framework that delves into the multidimensional relationships between nutrients and their effects on organisms. Within this framework, the protein leverage hypothesis emerges, proposing that our bodies prioritize protein intake and adjust food consumption accordingly. But how does this theory fit into the broader spectrum of nutrition science, and what implications does it hold for understanding and managing our diets?
    Additionally, as aim to do better nutrition research, we are met with philosophical questions that challenge traditional reductionist views. Is it enough to simply dissect foods into their nutrient components, or do we need a more holistic understanding of dietary patterns and their impact on health?
    In this episode, Prof. David Raubenheimer and Dr. Jonathan Sholl discuss the need to have an approach where science meets philosophy, and where reductionism meets synthesis. And we dive into ideas they have proposed that make a defense of some aspects of reductionism.

    • 1 hr 20 min
    #517: Reflecting on Ten Years of Lessons

    #517: Reflecting on Ten Years of Lessons

    Links:
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    Sigma Nutrition is ten years old this week!
    Over this time, I’m grateful for a wealth of insights garnered from interviews with some of the brightest minds in the field of evidence-based nutrition science.
    Through these conversations, I’ve come to understand the critical underpinnings of scientific thinking, the importance of honing our critical appraisal skills, and the crucial distinction between accurate dissemination of information and misleading “half-truths”.

    • 38 min
    #516: How to Read Nutrition Studies (Become Confident in Critically Appraising Research)

    #516: How to Read Nutrition Studies (Become Confident in Critically Appraising Research)

    Links:
    COURSE: Applied Nutrition Literacy Episode page About This Episode:
    Navigating the vast landscape of research literature, particularly in the realm of nutrition science, presents numerous challenges for readers seeking to extract meaningful insights.
    Before diving into research papers, individuals should have a precise understanding of the specific questions they seek to address. Without this clarity, there is a risk of wasting time on irrelevant studies or misinterpreting findings.
    Furthermore, the selective approach to sourcing research is crucial. With countless studies available, employing heuristic strategies to filter out irrelevant ones and prioritize those aligned with research goals is essential.
    Effectively reading nutrition studies requires a nuanced understanding of statistical concepts and methodologies used in various studies. Developing this understanding can be challenging, especially for individuals without a background in statistics or research methodology.
    How can individuals effectively navigate the vast volume of research literature to find studies relevant to their interests or research objectives? What are some common pitfalls to avoid when reading and interpreting nutrition science research? What role do external influences, such as media coverage or recommendations from experts, play in shaping perceptions of research findings? Are there specific strategies or tools that people can use to streamline their research process and optimize their time spent reading research papers? In this episode, we discuss all these issues.
    Course syllabus: Applied Nutrition Literacy

    • 1 hr 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
247 Ratings

247 Ratings

limey1664 ,

Probably saved my life (for a few more years)

As someone who started their ‘functional life’ journey listening to and reading the guidance of the ‘quacks’, when came across Danny on ‘the proof’ (also good) with Alan, I was shouting at my earbuds! LDL is not a problem, it’s particle size!! But I persevered , started reading the science (after instruction how to) and realised what a D Head I’d been, especially with an LDL-c of 5.4 mmol.
Seriously, these guys should be celebrated, instead we give so called experts our time. The reality may not be sexy, after all telling someone that if you don’t have energy balance they will loose/ gain wait is no what people want to hear, they want to be told it’s not their fault and that broccoli is bad for them.
Open your eyes! I pay for premium as my life I believe owes this podcast.

Christabels1 ,

Nutrition information beyond the superficial

I’m late to this magnificent party - the bonus is that I have so much content to enjoy and absorb. Each episode sends me down a worm hole where I’m able to look up some of the contributors and their research. I acknowledge that a significant amount is above my head… but it’s good to extend and to have something to get your teeth into (pardon the pun).

Scrabbledemon ,

Nutrition science for people serious about evidence

This podcast tackles highly relevant questions about nutrition and the relationship between diet, food and health in a thorough, properly evidenced and nuanced way. Its guests are people engaged in relevant research who are willing to speak openly about the shortcomings in the evidence as well as translate current findings into recommendations about how to eat and live for a healthy life. Highly recommend.

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