Sigma Nutrition Radio

Episode 137: Ketogains founder Luis Villasenor explains how to set-up a ketogenic diet correctly, discusses common mistakes and smashes misconceptions about all sorts of concepts related to ketogenic diets. Luis is the found of Ketogains, an online community that works to help people achieve their body composition and performance goals through a well-formulated ketogenic diet. They have a respected reputation due to their evidence-based thinking and non-dogmatic approach to nutrition. Luis has been personally using a ketogenic diet for ~ 15 years, whilst building substantial muscle mass, getting lean and training for powerlifting.

Episode 136: Answering a listener question: "If someone was to only use set sources of protein i.e. chicken and whey. Would they still see the same benefits as to someone who has a more varied approach? In terms of hypertrophy and when on a fat loss phase. With their protein intake calculated as it should be for both. Also would they see negative effects in terms of food intolerance?"

Episode 135: Nicola Rinaldi, PhD discusses the causes, treatment interventions and science of hypothalamic amenorrhea. Hypothalamic amenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation stops for several months (or more) due to a problem involving the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is in the center of the brain and controls reproduction.

Episode 134: Answering the question of whether branched-chain amino acid supplementation is a worthy consideration for gym trainees and athletes.

Episode 133: Performance dietitian Emma McCrudden of the University of British Columbia discusses important considerations for implementing evidence-based nutrition programs with vegan or vegetarian athletes. Emma trained as a Dietitian in the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. She completed her Masters at Loughborough University in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. She worked as an applied Performance Dietitian for the English Institute of Sport (EIS) with a variety of sports including, beach volleyball, England Netball and Bob Skeleton. In 2010 she split her time between England, continuing her work with the EIS and Dublin, working as the lead dietitian for Leinster Rugby. In 2013, she joined the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific in Vancouver and has worked with swimmers, Women's Soccer team, the Vancouver Whitecaps Youth teams, BMX, the Canucks and winter sports in Whistler. Her work focuses on the specialist application of the science of nutrition to performance enhancement in sport aiming to maximise training adaptation and performance, optimize body composition while minimizing risk of injury, over-training, illness and burnout. She is currently based at the University of British Columbia, where she splits her time between lecturing and being a practitioner with the elite athletes on campus.

Episode 132: Tony Gentilcore discusses his philosophy on coaching, what skills are vital to effective coaching, strategies to develop as a coach, mistakes that coaches can often make and how to help clients get the best results possible. Tony Gentilcore is one of the co-founders of Cressey Sports Performance and helped develop that brand and facility for many years. Now Tony is coaching out of Boston, MA where he is a much sought-after coach, as well as contributing to many of the most well-known fitness publications on the web. In this episode we discuss: Tony's coaching philosophy The skills that are vital to effective coaching Tweaks, progressions and regressions to tailor programs to client needs and circumstances Strategies that coaches can use to develop into the best coach they can be Mistakes that coaches can often make and how to learn from them Reasons why intermediate lifters fail to progress Helping clients get the best results possible in a manner that is right for that individual

Episode 131: Dan Pardi, PhD discusses all sorts of concepts related to the philosophy of health, including; using tech and tools to improve behaviuors, mindset over tools, research on PERMA and applying the "explore, expolit" concept to health. Dan is an entrepreneur and researcher whose life's work is centered on how to facilitate health behaviors in others. He is the developer of Loop Model to Sustain Health Behaviors to help people live a healthy lifestyle in a modern world. He does research with the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at Stanford University, and the Departments of Neurology and Endocrinology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. His current research looks at how sleep influences decision making

Warwick (UK) in that area. Menno's background in science and statistics helped him to develop Bayesian Bodybuilding. The Bayesian method goes beyond the scientific system. It is not just a method of collecting knowledge. Bayesian methods tell us how to form rational beliefs based on the available information. Menno's work is thus data driven and evidence based. Menno is a published academic author and has spoken at some of the world's biggest evidence-based training conferences and events. In this episode we discuss: Menno's recent contest prep: why, how and lessons learned How to structure ab-libitum dieting for fat loss phases The flawed, incorrect idea that "IIFYM is the only way"

Episode 129: Chris Masterjohn, PhD discusses the role of carbohydrates and insulin in endogenous antioxidant systems, oxidative stress and misconceptions on glycation. Chris is currently Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York. He has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut. His dissertation was about the role of glutathione, an antioxidant and detoxifying molecule that we make within our own bodies from dietary protein, in preventing the accumulation of methylglyoxal, a potentially toxic compound formed in small amounts during energy metabolism that is believed to play a role in diabetes and other degenerative diseases. He writes detailed nutritional science articles on his blog The Daily Lipid and hosts a podcast by the same name. In this episode we discuss: Why it's important people don't fall into the trap of demonizing sugar in the same way they argue other have done to dietary fat in the past. The realtionship between oxidative stress, glycation and diet. The role of glucose and insulin in our bodies' antioxidant systems Why restricting carbohydrates out of fear they increase glycation is erroneous

Episode 128: Martin MacDonald evaluates the latest protein research discussions, the concept of carbohydrate tolerance, and conservation of muscle mass with large calorie deficits. Martin is the founder of Mac-Nutrition, a thriving nutrition consultancy boasting sought after long-term internship and weekend mentorship programs. He has also developed Mac-Nutrition University, the UK's first ever evidence-based, nutrition course that can be completed online. Martin is a clinical performance nutritionist to British Weight Lifting, the governing body for both the GB olympic weightlifting and Paralympic powerlifting teams. He has also worked with Derby County Football Club, English swimming and other elite sport organizations. He has lectured at the University of Derby and has guest lectured on the prestigious MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition course at Loughborough University. In this episode we discuss: What drove Martin to create Mac-Nutrition University - the UK's only online evidence-based nutrition course What does the recent protein research discussions mean for practical recommendations? Muscle mass retention and large calorie deficits The trap of being 'too moderate' in evidence-based practice Carbohydrate tolerance - what are people referring to? Are low-carb diets compulsory for those with insulin resistance?