Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

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

In Episode #223, Drew Harrisberg and I sit down to discuss how to optimise your exercise. Drew provides a detailed outline of how to develop an exercise program, working around different time constraints. We recap past episodes with Dr Richard Johnson and Professor Kieran Rooney, sharing our thoughts on these conversations. We also cover my recent Bali retreat, HIIT training and VO2 max, resistant starch and cancer, and much more. With new episodes of The Proof weekly and an abundance of new studies to keep up with, taking the time to unpack these is incredibly valuable. In this content-packed episode, we recap previous episodes and apply this knowledge into actionable tips you can use to get the most out of exercise. Specifically, this episode covers: Intro (0:00) Time Spent in Bali (1:47) The Richard Johnson Episode (18:37) Discussing Potential benefits of Dairy (30:23) Exercise Optimisation (35:49) HIIT & Cardiovascular Disease (1:08:38) Developing an exercise program (1:13:16) Resistant Starch &

In Episode #222, I’m joined by Drew Harrisberg and Kieron Rooney, PhD to discuss how the biochemistry of exercise can impact your health. We cover a wide range of topics, including mitochondria efficiency, metabolic flexibility, and fat adaptation. Dr Rooney also offers training advice, and his thoughts on a ketogenic diet. Evidence continuously shows us that the multitude of factors contributing to health and longevity are incredibly complex. Today, Kieran Rooney, PhD sits down with Drew Harrisberg and me to break down the biochemistry behind exercise, exploring both the theory and practical applications of improving your fitness. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Rodent Studies on Sucrose (5:40) Biochemistry of Exercise (22:28) Creatine Supplementation for Athletes (37:19) Do you need meat for creatine? (42:40) How Our Bodies Produce ATP (44:41) Defining Mitochondria (58:43) Increasing Efficiency (1:03:56) Omega 6s: Essential or Problematic? (1:06:00) Metabolic Flexibility (1:15:20) Make more

In Episode #221, I sit down with Dr Satchin Panda to continue The Proof’s conversation on time restricted eating. We discuss circadian rhythms, circadian disruption, and health impacts. We also cover TRE in the context of circadian biology, blood glucose, and calorie restriction. Dr Panda offers his advice on the optimal TRE lifestyle. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has caused a stir on social media in recent years. Many studies on TRE are misrepresented online, with people drawing absolute conclusions that often don’t consider all the data. Dr Panda joins me in this episode to look further into TRE, with a focus on circadian rhythm. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Circadian Rhythms (2:20) Why Circadian Disruption is a Problem (9:35) Dr. Panda’s Early Research (15:29) What Causes Sleep Deprivation (21:05) Disease & Circadian Disruption (26:07) Light Exposure (28:59) Time Restricted Eating (35:19) Optimal Eating Window (43:57) Impact on Blood Glucose (57:51) TRE vs Calorie Restriction (1:03:35)

In Episode #220, Dr MeiLan Han joins me to discuss the lungs and respiratory system. Despite being an incredibly important factor of our overall health, the respiratory system is often overlooked. Most people’s knowledge is surface level, and we aren’t educated on the importance of the lungs or how to best support respiratory health. Dr MeiLan Han joins me in this episode to explain what the respiratory system is, how it works, and what we can do to optimise it. In this episode, Dr Han establishes what the respiratory system is and how it works. We discuss the prevalence of lung conditions, Covid-19 and its impact on the respiratory system, and air quality. We also discuss healthy habits for pregnancy, the effects of smoking and vaping on lung health, diet, and how to reduce exposure to toxic compounds. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Breathing Lessons: The Book (2:09) Meilan’s Story (5:59) Importance of Lung Awareness (11:07) Lung Tests (24:25) Impact of Covid (29:57) How the Lungs Work (33:32)

In Episode #219, I sit down with Layne Norton, PhD to answer one very topical question: does insulin make us fat? Welcome to the first bite-sized episode of The Proof. In these short conversations, I am joined by a guest to tackle a single topic in a brief, digestible time frame. In this episode, Layne Norton, PhD addresses recent online claims by Ben Bikman, PhD. Dr Bikman claims that if we keep insulin low and control seed oils, fat cells can stay smaller and healthier. But is there any truth to this claim, and would that necessarily be a good thing? In this episode, Dr Norton takes a highly scientific approach to the topic at hand. We discuss adipocyte hypertrophy, the difference between and significance of hypertrophy versus hyperplasia, and the consequences of misinformation. We also examine the uses and drawbacks of mechanistic data. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Dr. Bikman’s Claims (2:24) Hyperplasia and hypertrophy (7:19) Gap of Research (12:17) Why this is problematic (15:56) Motives (2

In Episode #218, I’m joined by entrepreneur Arturo Elizondo to discuss the future of egg production. Ground-breaking changes are happening in our food industry every single day. While animal agriculture continues to grow, there is an increasing field of innovation seeking sustainable, ethical alternatives to the foods most people consume daily. Arturo Elizondo joins me today to pull back the curtain on one such initiative, The EVERY Co., revealing his journey and where this technology will take us. Think real eggs, just made differently. In this episode, we continue The Proof’s investigation into the future of animal-free proteins. Arturo expands on previous episodes, discussing the triumphs and challenges of current technologies in this space, the journey of The EVERY Co., and where the industry is heading. We also discuss food equity and availability, government regulations and funding, environmental considerations, concerns about genetic modification, and much more. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) D

In Episode #217, I sit down with dietician Ginny Messina to address common nutrition myths about the vegan diet. With an abundance of nutrition “information” presented to us any time we use social media, it becomes difficult to identify whether a claim is fact or fiction. Misinformation is a common issue across all patterns of eating — including a plant-based diet — and understanding the full picture is incredibly important to ensure health and longevity. Ginny Messina, MPH, RD joins me to address common nutrition myths about the vegan diet, providing a broader view that will help plant-based eaters make sense of nutrition needs. In this episode, we address 16 myths that could have negative health implications if followed. Ginny Messina speaks to the limitations and strengths of the evidence that we have, provides recommendations for optimal health, and discusses the ethical reasons for making diet choices. We also cover supplementation, concerns about vegan diets, and how to evaluate claims you find online.

In Episode #216, I sit down with Dr David Jenkins to discuss the relationship between cholesterol and health. Cholesterol levels are concerningly high among populations consuming a standard Western diet. On the flip side, plant-based diets are often criticised for their lack of cholesterol. We know that cholesterol is an essential component of the human body — but is it necessary to consume it, and is this a concern for plant-based eaters? Dr David Jenkins answers this question and much more in today’s episode. In this episode, we dig into cholesterol and the health implications of sub-optimal levels. We discuss the Portfolio Diet, weight loss, and the current research on cholesterol. Dr Jenkins also shares his recommendations on how and what to eat for optimal cholesterol levels, as well as how medication compares to a lifestyle approach. Specifically, we cover: Intro (0:00) Researching Cholesterol & Diet (2:35) What this means for you (15:00) Weight Loss Factor (17:23) The Portfolio Diet Explained (