Episodes
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In this podcast episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo enter the impromptu-debate arena for the first SBS Battle Royale. Mental gymnastics, science, drama, and the signature SBS banter you all know and love are all packed into a pilot episode that will either be remembered forever or forgotten in a few weeks.
TIME STAMPS:
00:22:03 - Topic 01 - Are the "big 3" mandatory for strength and size?
00:37:24 - Topic 02 - Always training to failure to maximize hypertrophy
00:53:52 - Topic 03 - Sumo deadlifts for non-powerlifters
01:06:53 - Topic 04 - Old-skool "YOLO" bulking for maximum gains
01:19:42 - Topic 05 - Lifting weights for over 60 mins per week for health
01:37:51 - Battle Royale recap and Q&A
Episode page: https://strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-134Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
Greg, Pak, and Milo review the literature on lifting for mental health. Does exercising improve your mood? How long does this last? What about lifting? Can we improve our long-term mental health through physical activity and lifting weights?
TIME STAMPS
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here
00:10:02 - Impact of exercise on mood overview
00:38:55 - Best forms of exercise for mood improvement
00:47:00 - Long-term effects of exercise on mental health
01:26:04 - Lifting impacts on mental health
01:41:17 - Audience questions
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
Missing episodes?
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In this episode, Milo, Greg, and Pak sit down to discuss the concept of stretch-mediated hypertrophy, from the foundational animal studies, to human stretching studies, to present day hype around stretch-mediated hypertrophy and lengthened partials. They also discuss how they're currently implementing lengthened training into their workout routines.
TIME STAMPS
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-132 here
00:00:00 - Intro and Plugs
00:11:33 - Stretch-mediated hypertrophy and hyperplasia in animals
00:44:59 - Stretch-mediated hypertrophy in humans/how muscle fibers grow
00:56:08 - Impact of stretching interventions on hypertrophy in humans
01:44:28 - Results vs lengthened resistance training
02:11:08 - Recap/takeaways from resistance training literature
02:42:47 - Audience questions
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo delve into research on sleep's impact on lifting and sports performance, recount sleep-related anecdotes from their college days, and explore strategies to counteract poor sleep when enhancing sleep quality is not feasible.
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-131
TIME STAMPS:
00:06:34 - Effects of acute sleep loss on physical performance00:22:20 - Sleep anecdotes from our time at College
00:54:23 - Impact of sleep interventions on athletic performance
01:11:19 - Napping
01:25:42 - Mitigating some of the damage caused by poor sleep
01:40:37 - Sleep impact on protein synthesis
01:51:11 - Can exercise offset the cognitive impacts of sleep deprivation?
02:00:50 - QnA & closing thoughts
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo take a deep dive in the research around sleep and health, from sleep duration to the latest data on sleep regularity and shift work.
00:00:00 - Intro & Plugs
00:20:48 - Sleep duration and all-cause mortality
00:42:58 - Sleep regularity and all-cause mortality
01:15:13 - Shift work & sleeping irregular hours
01:26:40 - Chronotypes & health
01:41:47 - The effect of sleep on weight regulation
02:23:24 - Practical takeaways
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-130
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg, Pak, and Milo tackle the research around body fat spot reduction. First, they tackle the research on various ointments, creams, garments, and whole body vibration. Following this, they discuss the evidence for spot reduction as an adaptation to different exercise types such as endurance and resistance training.
TIME STAMPS
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here
00:00:00 - Intro & plugs
00:17:41 - Spot reduction history, whole body vibration, garments & ointments
00:46:04 - Training & spot reduction: the first studies
00:58:09 - Recent evidence on training and spot reduction
01:32:42 - Studies not supporting spot-reduction
01:52:52 - Practical takeaways
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In the second and final part of the extreme volume for hypertrophy series, Greg, Pak, and Milo delve into the research on volume for hypertrophy. They review the remainder of the evidence and practical concerns, then answer audience questions.
TIME STAMPS
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-128 here.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:11:13 - Evidence for high volumes
01:02:53 - Evidence with neutral outcomes
02:04:51 - Discussing other volume review papers
02:33:07 - Diminishing Returns of Volume for Hypertrophy
02:48:58 - Can you use high volumes for multiple muscles at once?
03:04:07 - Are participants really training hard in these studies?
03:18:27 - Hypertrophy vs. Muscle Swelling
03:35:25 - What role does rest time play?
03:46:01 - Practical Strategies to Increase Training Volume
04:24:35 - Audience Questions
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, the SBS team begins their deep dive into the data around really high training volumes and hypertrophy, going over the history of training volume practices and research while also taking an in-depth look at the latest high volume study by Enes et al.
Most of the research discussed in this episode can be found here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27433992/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37796222/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35291645/Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-127
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 - Intro
00:20:18 - Historical context: High Volume vs. High Intensity
00:48:53 - An overview of the volume research
01:14:11 - The recent study by Enes & Colleagues
01:39:15 - Interpretations of Study, Context Dependency, Applications and Criticism
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this Q&A episode of the podcast, Greg and Lyndsey answer questions about how to research a new subject, the effect of diabetes or insulin resistance on hypertrophy, how a pump might affect moment arms in movements, how much is too much isolation work, and more. They also give an update on the future of the podcast and announce that Dr Pak and Dr Milo Wolf are teaming up with Stronger By Science.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 – Podcast Updates
https://www.strongerbyscience.com/future/00:21:29 – Q&A Intro and "How do you go about researching a whole new subject?" (Q1 from Teo)
00:39:29 – "Does T2DM make hypertrophy impossible?" (Q2 from Jon)
https://www.strongerbyscience.com/p-ratios/https://www.strongerbyscience.com/p-ratios-rebuttal/https://www.strongerbyscience.com/p-ratios-rebuttal-2/For more direct data on diabetic populations: Beyond general resistance training. Hypertrophy versus muscular endurance training as therapeutic interventions in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acosta-Manzano et al. (2020)Another 2020 systematic review: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Resistance Training on Whole-Body Muscle Growth in Healthy Adult Males. Benito et al. Average increase of about 1.51kg.Metformin: optimism that it would help with hypertrophy: Metformin to Augment Strength Training Effective Response in Seniors (MASTERS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trialBut, that didn’t pan out. Didn’t stop hypertrophy altogether, but did seem to reduce it: Metformin blunts muscle hypertrophy in response to progressive resistance exercise training in older adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial: The MASTERS trial00:55:18 – "Does getting a pump increase strength?" (Q3 from Alexander)
https://www.strongerbyscience.com/size-vs-strength/https://peerj.com/articles/1462/01:05:20 – Stimulant metabolism (Q4 from Connor Smith)
01:17:40 – "How much can BMR vary between individuals?" (Q5 from Jon)
Do People Really Have “Fast Metabolisms” or “Slow Metabolisms”?01:29:35 – "Is it possible to taper down activity levels (steps) without reducing calories?" (Q6 from Angela)
Constrained energy expenditure01:41:10 – "How do you incorporate plyometrics and explosive training for jump height" (Q8 from trugor)
01:54:29 – "Is there any research showing damage to the blood vessels or whatnot in the longer term due to the blood pressure increase, because of bracing/Valsalva maneuver?" (Q9 from No_Performer_8133)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23231790/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33737330/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38142405/02:00:51 – "How much isolation work is too much?" (Q10 from tompa01)
02:10:05 – "Favorite and least favorite things I’ve cooked" (Q11 from Ali Shah)
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg sits down with Dr. Milo Wolf to discuss long muscle length training. Long-length partials are a hot topic, and Dr. Wolf is one of the folks doing research in this area, and popularizing long-length partials as a training method to increase muscle growth. Enjoy!
TIME STAMPS AND NOTES
Most of the research discussed in this episode can be found here:
https://journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/article/view/182https://www.strongerbyscience.com/rom/00:00:00 - Episode Intro - Einstein, Toothpaste, and Plugs
00:18:18 - Intro - Dr. Milo Wolf
00:31:03 - Research: Impact of Muscle Length and Range of Motion on Hypertrophic Response
00:54:49 - Mechanisms / Explanation of Research
01:24:23 - Implications for Different Muscle Groups and Exercises
01:40:39 - Long Muscle Length Training Myths
01:56:17 - Limits of Long Muscle Length Training/Effects Over Time/Novelty
02:33:16 - Analysis of Existing Studies / Conflicting Results / Criticism
02:47:20 - Application of Results in Training
02:53:45 - Audience Questions and Final Thoughts
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg is joined by Dr. Patroklos Androulakis-Korakakis (Dr. Pak) to discuss his research on minimum effective dose training, and his recent narrative review on optimizing exercise technique for muscle growth. While this episode does dig into the research, the lads tried to keep a clear focus on actionable takeaways to help you improve your training results.
TIME STAMPS
Intro and Plugs (00:00:00)
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.Send your Q&A questions to [email protected]Dr. Pak Intro, Bio and Projects (00:15:49)
Dr. Pak's Paper: Optimizing Resistance Training Technique to Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy (00:34:14)
Narrative review: https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/349/718Bench vs. incline study mentioned: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32922646/Technique: Tempo/Eccentric and Concentric Movement (00:59:14)
Minimum Effective Dose - Overview (01:16:14)
Dr. Pak's PhD Research - Implications for MED (01:24:51)
Pak’s meta: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31797219/Pak’s doctoral research: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.713655/fullWhy Should We Care about MED? (01:41:18)
How Does MED Change Over Time? (01:52:01)
Q&A (01:59:53)
Bickel study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21131862/Social Media Q&A (02:13:22)
Outro (02:30:47)
Follow Pak:
https://www.minimumdosetraining.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr__pakhttps://www.youtube.com/@Dr__PakMORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
Greg was recently on the Data Driven Strength Podcast to chat about their meta-regression on proximity to failure and hypertrophy. In the episode, Greg, Zac, and Josh discuss what we know about the mechanisms underpinning muscle growth and the weaknesses of the "effective reps" model. We think it's a conversation worth sharing, so we're re-releasing it in our feeds today as a special bonus episode.
TIME STAMPS AND NOTES
Intro (0:00:00)
Overview of New Proximity to Failure Meta-Regression (0:07:31)
Common Misinterpretations of the Results (0:19:41)
The Resurgence of the Effective Reps Model (0:22:41)
The Desire for a Proxy Metric of Hypertrophy (0:42:41)
The Mechanistic Rationale of Effective Reps (1:20:41)
Other Factors Influencing Muscle Growth (1:52:41)
Metabolic Stress as a Mediator (2:11:41)
Is Force on the Fiber Level High at the End of a Set? (3:07:41)
Practical Applications (3:42:41)
PAPERS MENTIONED
Exploring the Dose-Response Relationship Between Estimated Resistance Training Proximity to Failure, Strength Gain, and Muscle Hypertrophy : A Series of Meta-Regressions | SportRxiv
Stimuli and sensors that initiate skeletal muscle hypertrophy following resistance exercise
Can cardio (eventually) make you bigger?
Mechanisms of mechanical overload-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy: current understanding and future directions
Different load intensity transition schemes to avoid plateau and no-response in lean body mass gain in postmenopausal women | SpringerLink
A motor unit-based model of muscle fatigue | PLOS Computational Biology
Skeletal muscle models composed of motor units: A review - ScienceDirect
Neural Drive is Greater for a High-Intensity Contraction Tha... : The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Effects of fatiguing, submaximal high‐ versus low‐torque isometric exercise on motor unit recruitment and firing behavior
Surface electromyographic frequency characteristics of the quadriceps differ between continuous high- and low-torque isometric knee extension to momentary failure - ScienceDirect
Different neuromuscular recruitment patterns during eccentric, concentric and isometric contractions
(PDF) Neuromuscular responses to isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions of the knee extensors at the same torque-time integral
Neuromuscular fatigue development during maximal concentric and isometric knee extensions
Improvements in skeletal muscle fiber size with resistance training are age-dependent in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC
MORE ABOUT DDS
YouTube channel
Training Takeaway Newsletter — Data Driven Strength
IG: @datadrivenstrength @zac.datadrivenstrength @josh.datadrivenstrength @jake.datadrivenstrength @drake.datadrivenstrength
(Credit: Their intro music is by Joystock)
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey sit down for a discussion about cortisol with Beth Skwarecki, the senior health editor at Lifehacker. The dangers of high cortisol are a persistent topic of content on social media content, so the discussion focuses on the types of claims that are being made, the dubious methods of self-diagnosis and “treatment” being recommended, and the potential risks and dangers associated with letting social media convince you that you’re basically an endocrinologist.
You can read Beth’s article on this topic here: TikTok Myth of the Week: All Your Problems Are Due to High Cortisol
TIME STAMPS
What is cortisol? (00:02:52)
Epinephrine vs. AdrenalineBasic cortisol physiologyLow cortisol and adrenal crisis'Normal' cortisol levels (00:18:44)
Reference range for normal cortisolVariability in cortisol awakening responseCortisol awakening response poorly associated with total daily cortisol AUCEarly childhood stress (with family income as a proxy) associated with either elevated or depressed cortisol awakening responseCortisol discourse on TikTok (00:33:56)
Representative examples of TikTok cortisol content:
https://www.tiktok.com/@brittwd/video/7263934911432707374?_r=1&_t=8gQo2Q04An4https://www.tiktok.com/@mallorymh/video/7242431357446556970https://www.tiktok.com/@xomgitsbunnie/video/7272557452095376686https://www.tiktok.com/@liv.ingwell/video/7263106370696695083Cortisol vs other social media trends (00:47:48)
The Endocrine Society on adrenal fatigueRepresentative examples of TikTok adrenal fatigue content: https://www.tiktok.com/@clairethenutritionist/video/6964559576985308421?_r=1&_t=8gY2Pf0iBPnhttps://www.tiktok.com/@begreatwithnate/video/7191220532862356778?_r=1&_t=8gY2YIPYDDGhttps://www.tiktok.com/@ambitiousandcaffeinated/video/7201977016571202821?_r=1&_t=8gY2fS0vaRPhttps://www.tiktok.com/@ghallfitness/video/7190694428586151170?_r=1&_t=8gY2uaAaGvShttps://www.tiktok.com/@thewellnesswaylargo/video/7254966223329398058?_t=8gY34NUrjRO&_r=1Cortisol and menstruation (01:07:41)
Cortisol and trauma (01:11:32)
Representative example of movements claimed to reduce cortisol associated with traumaTapping: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/Cortisol and exercise (01:15:55)
Cortisol and overtraining (most notably, Figure 3)Impact of exercise intensity on cortisol responseCortisol levels return to normal very soon after exercise endsHackney review on exercise and cortisolSpecific claims about high cortisol (01:38:30)
Cortisol, caffeine and sleep (01:45:39)
Plenty of things cause you to wake up at nightSpiritual meaning of waking up at 3AMCaffeine and cortisolCaffeine’s effects on cortisol are attenuated within 5 days of consumptionCoffee intake is associated with plenty of positive health outcomes (hard to square with the idea that caffeine spikes cortisol in a manner that’s deleterious to your health)Real ways to regulate cortisol (01:55:49)
Self-diagnosis (02:03:08)
Cortisol disorders can cause real disease (story Beth referenced about woman with tumor)Other things that can cause Cushing-like symptomsTakeaways (02:08:13)
Where to find Beth
Check out Beth’s writing on LifehackerBeth’s 510 Dinnie DeadliftBeth’s books: Outbreak! and Genetics 101Follow Beth on TwitterMORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this Q&A episode, Greg and Lyndsey answer listener questions about how close you should be to your macro targets, the relationship between muscle size and muscle strength, advice for minimalistic workout routines, training to failure, and the benefits of CrossFit. To submit your question for a future episode, email a 30- to 60-second voice memo to [email protected].
TIME STAMPS
Intro (0:00)
Fat bear week champion reveal (0:23)
Recommended products and more from the SBS team (3:51)
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.Send your Q&A questions to [email protected]How close do you need to be to your macro targets? (11:15)
Episode 103: “Misapplications of Popular Weight Loss Advice”Do some people simply have muscles that are stronger per unit of size? And is that genetic, or trainable? (22:00)
First article on the topic: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/size-vs-strength/More recent article on the topic: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/muscle-strength-gains/Muscle growth IS important for strength gains: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-019-01107-8Muscle growth is NOT important for strength gains: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-019-01106-9Advice for minimalistic workout routines (37:03)
Hayden and Pak’s article: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/training-for-time-poor/Exercise quantity and longevity: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/exercise-longevity/Bickel paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21131862/Other relevant articles: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/detraining/Minimum effective dose meta: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31797219/Pak’s PhD research on the topic: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.713655/fullThoughts on training to failure (both hypertrophy and fatigue) (57:16)
Recent meta-regression: https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/295/590Prior article on “Effective Reps” (main point – distinction between studies on trained and untrained subjects): https://www.strongerbyscience.com/effective-reps/Martorelli study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5505097/MASS article on eccentric vs. concentric muscle damage over time: https://www.massmember.com/products/mass-subscription/categories/4304723/posts/14560693Study covered in the MASS article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33156414/Will CrossFit training help me continue to get stronger and improve endurance? (1:26:48)
CrossFit systematic review: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2165079916685568MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In the final episode of our micronutrient series, Greg and Lyndsey discuss which micronutrients are most worth monitoring and good food sources for the micronutrients you may be under-consuming. Then, we talk more broadly about why you shouldn’t allow a focus on micronutrients specifically to detract from the pursuit of a generally healthy diet.
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
TIME STAMPS
Introduction (0:00)
Recommendations and good vibes (0:20)
FAT BEAR WEEK806 Spring Cub Season HighlightsAdult Bracket Reveal StreamAnnouncement for next episode: get your questions in for an all-Q&A episode! (8:06)
Recommended products and more from the SBS team (9:35)
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.Send your Q&A questions to [email protected]Getting into the content; discussing the difference between insufficient intake and deficient intake/status. (13:40)
Episode 1 in the Micronutrient seriesEpisode 2 in the Micronutrients seriesLanding page for micronutrient articlesContent discussed in this episode:
Which Micronutrients Are Worth Monitoring?Micronutrients Are Important, But They Aren’t EverythingLanding page for micronutrient content in the KBNutrients that are often overconsumed (21:52)
Chart summarizing content in this sectionAdded sugar
USDA: Get the Facts: Added Sugars | Nutrition | CDCNHS: Sugar: the facts - NHSAHA: Dietary sugars intake and cardiovascular health: a scientific statement from the American Heart AssociationSaturated fat
Intake in the US: Saturated Fat and Food Intakes of Adults - FSRG Dietary Data Briefs - NCBI BookshelfIntake in the EU: Saturated fat intake across the EU, Norway and the United Kingdom | Knowledge for policyHigher intakes associated with more CVD: Saturated fat and trans-fat intakes and their replacement with other macronutrients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studiesSaturated fat increases LDL cholesterol: Effects of saturated fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins: a systematic review and regression analysisReducing LDL reduces CVD with a strong dose-response relationship, suggesting causation: Association Between Lowering LDL-C and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Among Different Therapeutic Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | Cardiology | JAMASodium
Sodium intake and stroke: Association of sodium intake and major cardiovascular outcomes: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studiesUpdate on research related to other diseases: The impact of excessive salt intake on human healthExcluded: Omega-6
Inflammation: Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammationHuman health outcomes: Omega‐6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease - Hooper, L - 2018 | Cochrane LibraryNutrivore article: A Comprehensive Rebuttal to Seed Oil SophistryExcluded: Trans Fats
Trans Fats | MacroFactorNutrients that are frequently under-consumed (44:14)
Most of the data related to under-consumed nutrients came from these sources:
Micronutrient Inadequacies in the US Population: an Overview | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State UniversityProjected prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes in EuropeOmega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact SheetShould I be eating more fiber? - Harvard HealthCholine - Health Professional Fact SheetMore on individual nutrients
Fiber: Dietary Fat | MacroFactorOmega 3s: Omega-3 EPA | MacroFactor, Omega-3 DHA | MacroFactorVitamin A: Vitamin A (Retinol) | MacroFactorVitamin B6: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | MacroFactorFolate: Folate (Vitamin B9) | MacroFactorVitamin C: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | MacroFactorVitamin D: Vitamin D (Calciferol) | MacroFactorVitamin E: Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | MacroFactorEFSA publication on Vitamin E: Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for vitamin E as α-tocopherolVitamin K: Vitamin K (Phylloquinone and Menaquinone)Choline: Choline | MacroFactorMagnesium: Magnesium | MacroFactorPotassium: Potassium | MacroFactorZinc: Zinc | MacroFactorNutrients vegans may want to pay more attention to (1:08:46)
Omega 3s: Omega-3 EPA | MacroFactor, Omega-3 DHA | MacroFactorIndividual Amino Acids (primarily lysine, methionine, and tryptophan):Lysine | MacroFactorMethionine | MacroFactorTryptophan | MacroFactorB12: Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | MacroFactorCalcium, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium:Iron Status of Vegetarian Adults: A Review of Literature - PMCIntake and adequacy of the vegan diet. A systematic review of the evidenceCalcium | MacroFactorIron | MacroFactorZinc | MacroFactorSelenium | MacroFactorBe sure to avoid “micronutrient reductionism” (1:21:58)
Polyphenols: The Role of Polyphenols in Human Health and Food Systems: A Mini-Review - PMCIsothiocyanates: Isothiocyanates | Linus Pauling InstituteQ&A (1:37:49)
Are multivitamins overrated? (1:38:37)
2013 meta: Multivitamin-multimineral supplementation and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsSubsequent metas: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force | Cardiology | JAMA, Association of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease | Circulation2020 BMJ narrative review: Health effects of vitamin and mineral supplements | The BMJCalcium + vitamin D for fractures: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and risk of fractures: an updated meta-analysis from the National Osteoporosis FoundationIs low blood vitamin D often the result of some other underlying problem? (1:57:33)
Barbell medicine episode: Episode #152: Vitamin D with Dr. Austin BarakiRelevant research/perspective papers:Real‐world evidence for the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reduction of total and cause‐specific mortalityLow vitamin D is a marker for poor health and increased risk for disease: But causality is still unclear in most cases | JIMVitamin D: health panacea or false prophet?Vitamin D deficiency 2.0: an update on the current status worldwide - PMCVitamin D: a negative acute phase reactant | Journal of Clinical PathologyVitamin D and Cancer | IARCSkeletal and Extraskeletal Actions of Vitamin D: Current Evidence and Outstanding QuestionsOptimal vitamin D status: a critical analysis on the basis of evidence-based medicineAre there any good proxy measurements to know if you’re meeting micronutrient targets without needing to track micronutrients? (2:09:19)
Folic acid supplementation when trying to get pregnant (2:12:38)
2011 review: Folic Acid Food Fortification—Its History, Effect, Concerns, and Future Directions - PMC2022 paper arguing for global folate fortification: Preventing birth defects, saving lives, and promoting health equity: an urgent call to action for universal mandatory food fortification with folic acidLetter to the editor calling for caution against universal fortification: Mandatory food fortification with folic acid - The Lancet Global HealthGeneral info on neural tube defects: Neural tube defects: a review of global prevalence, causes, and primary preventionEvidence of vitamin K along with vitamin D and Boron supplementation (2:21:04)
Vitamin K
Optimistic epidemiological research: Vitamin K Intake and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the Danish Diet Cancer and Health StudyLess clarity from interventions currently: Vitamin K Supplementation for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Where Is the Evidence? A Systematic Review of Controlled TrialsBoron
NIH factsheet: Boron - Health Professional Fact Sheet2015 cheerleading review: Nothing Boring About Boron | IMCJExamine.com page: Boron health benefits, dosage, safety, side effects, and supporting evidence. | Supplements | ExamineImportant note: at one point when answering the question related to boron, I referenced dosages of 2g and 500mg. I meant 2mg and 500mcg. Do not take 2g (or even 500mg) of boron.MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
In this episode (which is Part 2 of our micronutrient series), Greg and Lyndsey discuss nutrient targets: where they come from, what they mean, and how to think about them. They also talk about the relative imprecision of micronutrient tracking, why micronutrient content can differ so much within a single food, and why it can be challenging to track your micronutrient intake in the first place.
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
TIME STAMPS
Intro (0:00)
Recommendations and good vibes (0:20)
Lyndsey – Bottoms movieDavie High fight club news reportGreg – Telemarketers docu-seriesReply All “Long Distance” podcast episodesHousekeeping notes (8:45)
MacroFactor Annual ReportRecommended products and more from the SBS team (11:50)
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.Episode 1 in the Micronutrient Series
History of RDAs and Government Micronutrient Recommendations (14:53)
The 100-Year History of Vitamins - Supplement Facts - Better NutritionVitamins Come to Dinner | Science History InstituteAre We Well Fed?: A Report on the Diets of Families in the United States (Miscellaneous Publication No. 430)The History and Future of Dietary Guidance in America - PMCDietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025Dietary Reference Intakes Development | health.govHistory of Nutrition: The Long Road Leading to the Dietary Reference Intakes for the United States and CanadaDRI development retrospective
Ongoing DRV-related publications from the EFSA
Micronutrient series on the website
Micronutrient content in the MacroFactor knowledge base
Understanding Micronutrient Targets and the DRI Framework (37:13)
General frameworkHow ULs are determinedVitamin A toxicityHow EARs, RDAs, and LTIs are Determined (59:52)
EFSA publication on calcium, used as an exampleFigure showing data used to define calcium DRVs (from this article)General discussion of the implications of imprecise research and large inter-individual variability (1:21:21)
Note: I was right about magnesium, and wrong about calcium. Calcium carbonate is the more common version in supplements (not oxide). Chelated calcium is generally a bit better than calcium carbonate, but the difference between calcium carbonate and chelated calcium isn’t NEARLY as large as the difference between magnesium oxide and chelated magnesium.The relative imprecision of micronutrient tracking (and WHY micronutrient content can differ so much within a single food) (1:49:30)
Why labeling error generally doesn’t matter much for calorie (and macronutrient) tracking: SBS article – Nutrition Labels Are Inaccurate (and the Math Behind Why It Doesn’t Matter)Variable vitamin C content in spinachSlightly higher nutrient levels in similar foods in Germany than the NetherlandsSoil health and nutrient densityMany roles of vitamin C in plantsMacroFactor knowledge base content on seleniumSelenium uptake in plantsRegional selenium differences in the USRegional selenium differences in ChinaSelenium intake and diabetesSelenium and cancerGeneral selenium contentOmega-3 content in farmed vs fresh salmonGenerally high vitamin A levels in the livers of numerous arctic predatorsWhy it can be challenging to track your micronutrient intake in the first place (2:22:27)
Nutrient reporting frequencies in the UK graphic: (from this study, discussed in this article)Wrap-up and conclusions (2:28:39)
Considerably higher rates of vitamin D deficiencies with darker skin at higher latitudesDepressing final thought (2:35:49)
Learn more and donate to GAINCool, less depressing final thought (2:42:16)
Fun video about cod and the VikingsMORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
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Micronutrients deserve more attention. There's very little content about micronutrients, and the content that *is* out there is often full of fear-mongering or wild claims about wonder drugs and super foods. In this episode, we aim to provide a solid foundation for building a better understanding of micronutrients. Along the way, Greg also shares some fun facts that prove that micronutrients are way more interesting than you may have thought. This is the first part of a micronutrient series we'll be doing on the podcast.
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
TIME STAMPS
Intro (0:00)
What’s on your mind? (0:22)
Lyndsey – The Fifth Season and the Broken Earth TrilogyGreg – TrackmaniaRecommended products and more from the SBS team (8:16)
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.Introduction to the micronutrient discussion (11:25)
What are essential nutrients in the first place? What does it mean to call a nutrient essential? (21:28)
Creatine intake and depressionCreatine treatment for depressionFurther perspective on creatine potentially being conditionally essentialVitamins (45:43)
Long-term kinetics of vitamin DCasimir Funk/very brief history of vitamin researchMinerals (1:40:26)
Lithium and suicideEssential Fatty Acids (1:57:21)
Note: I Googled it, and Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. Apologies to the Greeks.Essential Amino Acids (2:01:57)
Choline (2:06:02)
Fiber (2:08:04)
Dietary fiber is NOT an essential nutrient“Fiber is an essential nutrient”Where did all the coal come fromCool video about resistant starchWater (2:27:24)
Q&A Question: What’s the best way to train for bone health? Are plyometrics safe and effective for people in their 60s? (2:28:56)
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
The industry for pre-sleep supplements, foods, and products is booming. But what actually works, and how much does our diet actually impact our sleep quality and quantity? Greg and Lyndsey talk about how pre-sleep products are marketed, break down the science behind popular sleep supplements (like melatonin, magnesium, lavender, and more), and discuss how macronutrient distributions influence sleep. They also answer a few listener questions about pre-sleep protein and about the impact of eating meals right before bedtime.
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
TIME STAMPS
Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-118/
Intro (0:00)What’s on your mind? (0:27)Plugs (10:03)Sweet Dreams cereal (13:53)Other pre-sleep food brands/claims – Nightfood and Sleepy Chocolate (36:06)Ingredients purported to improve sleep: Zinc, Folic Acid, B Vitamins, Lavender, Chamomile, Typrophan, Magnesium, Melatonin, and Valerian (44:33)Recommendations for pre-sleep meal/snacks (1:30:14)How macronutrient distributions influence sleep (1:37:06)Sugar/Carbohydrates (1:46:40)Protein (2:01:20)Fat (2:03:47)General wrap-up and final thoughts (2:07:20)Listener Questions:
Should you still eat protein before bed if doing so decreases sleep quality? (2:10:57)Do you need a slow-digesting protein before sleep? (2:15:09)Are there benefits of eating additional total calories (including carbs and carbohydrate) right before bed? (2:25:09)Note: The full list of sources and notes can be found on the episode page on strongerbyscience.com here: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-118/
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.
BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSMORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
Does creatine cause hair loss? What about bloating? In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey bust myths and misconceptions about creatine, one of the most popular supplements on the market. Greg also explains how creatine actually works to increase muscle growth and discusses myths related to creatine dosing (is 5g per day enough?). Then, they play a few listener calls about creatine and answer questions about creatine's impact on individual genetic potential for muscularity, different forms of creatine, and the interaction between caffeine and creatine.
Want to get your question answered on the show? Send a voice memo to [email protected]
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.
BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
TIME STAMPS, SOURCES, AND LINKSIntro (0:00)
What’s on your mind/bright spots: Love Island (3:23)
Recommendations and plugs (8:30)
Creatine Introduction (10:49)
Recent research spotlight on creatine and muscle growthHistory of Creatine (17:56)
1912 study establishing that dietary creatine increases muscle concentrations1926 frog study discovering phosphocreatine (origin of “phosphagen”)1927 study specifically identifying phosphocreatine for what it wasCreatine and hair loss introduction (38:39)
Background information on DHT (40:48)
DHT basicsDiscussion of the study everyone cites to support the idea that creatine causes hair loss (44:35)
The creatine/DHT studyDHT reference rangeIntraindividual variability in DHT levelsThe key thing everyone misses when discussing the creatine/DHT study: serum DHT is irrelevant to the physiology of androgenic alopecia (54:21)
General review article – Androgens and androgen receptor action in skin and hair folliclesPotential physiological explanations for increased scalp DHT production and hair loss (1:04:09)
Scalp blood flow with androgenic alopeciaInteresting (but probably wrong) gravity-related hypothesisDifferent effects of DHT in different hair follicles (specially, see the section heading “Hormones and Androgenetic Alopecia”)Hypothesis related to scalp tensionBotox as a treatment for androgenic alopeciaObesity/metabolic syndrome and androgenic alopecia: One, two, threeHeritability of androgenic alopeciaKnown effects of creatine on the actual causes of hair loss (1:29:40)
Creatine/free testosterone studies linked hereMore reading on systemic vs. local DHTSupplemental DHT and lack of prostate growthWhy do so many people think that creatine causes hair loss in the first place? (1:38:00)
Men’s Health articleWomen’s Health articleSports Illustrated articleHims articleNYTimes articleJose Antonio articleGeneral info about creatine intake and effectsHow creatine actually works to increase muscle growth (1:48:31)
Chilibeck reviewThe idea that creatine doesn’t actually cause bloating (and only causes fluid retention in the muscles) is probably incorrect (2:04:01)
Typical creatine concentrationsMyth related to creatine dosing: the typical recommendation of 5g/day is not enough creatine for serious lifters (2:15:34)
Hultman study on creatine dosingCreatinine excretion rangesStudy on super jacked peopleQuestion 1: does creatine raise the limits of muscularity that you can achieve, or does it just lead to slightly faster progress toward the same limit? (2:38:01)
Question 2: is it worth experimenting with other forms of creatine? (2:40:28)
Question 3: do caffeine and creatine have inhibitory effects on each other? (2:46:51)
There is a creatine and caffeine section in the SBS creatine guide. More recent MASS article on the topic (for MASS subscribers)MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. -
Greg and Lyndsey dive into the history, conspiracies, science, and media coverage of aspartame to present a thorough overview of the recent WHO reports linking aspartame and cancer risk.
Is this one of the longest "podcast episodes" ever? Probably. But it's packed with fascinating history, relevant research breakdowns and media criticism, and takeaways for interpreting and navigating our society's abundance of health warnings.
History of artificial sweeteners preceding aspartame (9:43)The very sketchy approval process for aspartame and subsequent media coverage (1:02:35)Breaking down the World Health Organization's decision to classify aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic" (3:17:50) The fallout from the WHO's classification (4:24:27) Closing thoughts (5:22:04)
TIME STAMPS
Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Get a two-minute breakdown of one recent study every Wednesday. Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.
MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSSOURCES AND LINKS
Intro
Greg's recommendation: Factor mealsLyndsey's recommendations: Sturdy Girl Club stand-up series and Casey Johnston’s newsletter “She’s a Beast”WHO Reports
WHO: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results releasedThe Lancet summary: Carcinogenicity of aspartame, methyleugenol, and isoeugenolFull source list
We had too many links to include here (lol), so please go to the page on Stronger By Science for a fully guided tour of our derangement: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-116/MORE FROM THE SBS TEAM
Work with a Stronger By Science coach: Get personalized training and nutrition plans and ongoing support from one of our expert coaches.Join the Research Spotlight newsletter: Our newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest exercise and nutrition science.Join the SBS Facebook group and Subreddit.RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Try MacroFactor for free: Use code SBS to get a 14-day free trial of our nutrition app MacroFactor. MacroFactor has the fastest food logger on the market and its smart nutrition coach adapts to your metabolism to keep you on track with your goals. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.BulkSupplements: Next time you stock up on supplements, be sure to use the promo code “SBSPOD” (all caps) to get 5% off your entire order.MASS Research Review: Subscribe to the MASS Research Review to get concise and applicable breakdowns of the latest strength, physique, and nutrition research – delivered monthly. - Show more