Dr. Layne Norton: Tools for Nutrition & Fitness

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Layne Norton, Ph.D., one of the world’s top experts in nutrition and training for physical fitness. We discuss how to evaluate scientific evidence and the validity of different practices aimed at achieving fat loss, muscle strength and hypertrophy, microbiome health, vitality, and longevity.

We explore many hotly debated topics, including fasting, seed oils, saturated fats, sugar, red meat, artificial/low-calorie sweeteners, and GLP-1 agonists (e.g., Ozempic). Additionally, we delve into the timing of protein and carbohydrate intake relative to fasting and exercise, fat loss and sleep, and the benefits of dietary protein and fiber on overall health.

We also discuss how to accelerate hypertrophy and fat loss, improve strength, whether we need to train to “failure,” how to enhance exercise recovery, and how to manage pain. We cover training before versus after age 50, whether metabolism changes with age, and the connection between muscle health and longevity. We also address why certain behaviors and supplements might work for some people but not others.

Listeners to this episode will benefit greatly from Layne’s science-based expertise on a wide range of topics, including health, nutrition, and fitness.

Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Dr. Layne Norton

00:01:49 Sponsors: Mateina, Eight Sleep, Maui Nui

00:06:39 Science-Based Evidence, Mechanism vs. Outcome

00:14:31 Meta-analysis, Methods, Evidence Quality

00:22:45 Evidence Hierarchy, Randomized Controlled Trials, Cohort Data

00:33:53 Sponsor: AG1

00:35:05 “Don’t Turn Your Brain Off”; Protein Synthesis

00:42:01 Protein Synthesis, Refractory Response; Resistance Training  

00:46:05 Protein Intake, Intermittent Fasting & Training

00:54:52 Tool: Total Protein Intake, Distribution & Protein Synthesis

01:00:25 Muscle Quality, Protein Remodeling, Muscle Growth

01:05:34 Sponsor: LMNT

01:06:46 Early vs. Late Time-Restricted Eating; Fasting Blood Glucose & HbA1c

01:10:30 Carbohydrate Timing, Individual Response, Placebo; Tool: Tracking Diet

01:19:50 “The Norton Method”; Tool: Consistency

01:25:16 Resistance & Cardiovascular Training; Competition; Immune System & Rest

01:33:50 Mind & Body Effects, Stress; Belief Effects

01:41:30 Training to Failure, Reps in Reserve, Hypertrophy & Strength Training

01:50:24 Fatigue & Training to Failure, Speed, Strength Training

01:59:06 Tool: Training After 50, Consistency

02:09:12 Fat Cells, Diabetes, Exercise

02:16:50 Metabolism & Age-Related Changes?, Appetite

02:23:17 Ozempic, Mounjaro, GLP-1 Agonists, Lean Mass, “Food Noise”

02:33:42 GLP-1 Agonists, Judgement & Obesity

02:40:19 Sugar, Excess Calories, Body Weight

02:49:16 Satiety, Sugar & Calorie Budget

02:54:56 Tool: Individualization, Context & Diet Psychology

02:57:22 Seed Oils, Butter, Olive Oil

03:06:56 Red Meat, Carcinogenic?; Simple Diet; Fiber Benefits

03:13:43 Saturated Fat, Cholesterol; Seed Oils

03:18:41 Artificial & Low-Calorie Sweeteners, Insulin, Appetite