Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

Episode #255. Have you ever wondered about the power of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions? Join me as I sit down with Professor Susan Rossell to examine what the research says on psilocybin and MDMA and whether these revolutionary interventions can assist in the treatment of depression, eating disorders, PTSD, and more. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Susan Rossell on mental health research (02:40) The history of psychedelics (11:53) Concerns over the safety of psilocybin and MDMA (18:31) Feasibility concerns for the rollout of psilocybin and MDMA (21:54) Effects of psilocybin (35:52) Psilocybin, SSRIs, and psychotherapy (44:35) Microdosing psilocybin (56:12) Ketamine vs psilocybin (58:00) MDMA for PTSD and recreational use (1:02:03) Future of psilocybin and MDMA and their decriminalization (1:11:00) Mental health advice (1:21:43) Outro (1:25:23) To learn more about Professor Susan Rossell, you can do so on her Swinburne University profile. Connect with Professor Ro

Episode #254. How does a plant-based diet weigh up against a ketogenic diet when it comes to cancer treatment and prevention? Discover the answer to this question and more in The Proof’s first episode dedicated to understanding cancer. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Urvi Shah and Dr Neil Iyengar to examine how cancer develops and the lifestyle measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of cancer, treat cancer, and prevent cancer recurrence. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Cancer and precancerous cells (06:51) Genetics and cancer risk (20:58) Obesity and cancer risk (24:30) Modifiable factors and reducing recurrence risk (36:44) The role of nutrition in cancer treatment (47:34) Plant-based diet vs ketogenic diet (51:50) Dr. Neil investigates the effects of plant-based diets and exercise on breast cancer (1:13:12) Soy, dairy, protein, and cancer risk (1:17:04) Unprocessed red meat and colorectal cancer (1:30:52) Organic foods vs conventional produce (1:37:10) Ultra-processed food an

Episode #253. In Part Three of the blood lipids series, we take a deep dive into interventions to lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While nutrition is the most powerful lifestyle tool we have to dramatically decrease ApoB, there certainly remains a need for pharmacological interventions – and in this episode, Dr Thomas Dayspring and I walk through four main drug classes, discussing their mechanism of action, effectiveness, and safety profile. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Evolution of cardiovascular disease treatments (03:42) Are we becoming a drug-dependent society? (07:30) Bile acid sequestrants, statins, and more (13:54) Cholesterol-lowering drugs and cognition (35:12) Is Bempedoic acid a good statin alternative? (47:39) Ezetimibe and nuances you should know (55:46) PCSK9 inhibitors (1:03:32) Do statins increase the risk of diabetes? (1:14:58) Gene therapy targeting PCSK9 (1:19:20) Pelacarsen for lowering Lp(a) (1:23:48) Can we take drugs that raise HDL to lower car

Episode #252. In Part One of the blood lipids series, you learned what lipids are and how they work. In Part Two, Dr Thomas Dayspring returns to talk about the individualised testing you can get to understand where your lipids are now. Discover the tests you need, the ones you don’t, and when to start testing to protect yourself against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We discuss: Intro (00:00) What is Lp(a), and why do you need it checked? (02:05) Does diet influence Lp(a)? (20:36) The oxidized phospholipid test (29:00) Early intervention and atherosclerosis screening for children (31:24) The tests are helpful in predicting cardiovascular disease risk (40:27) Discordance between ApoB and LDL-cholesterol (52:35) Normal range of ApoB levels for a healthy young person (1:03:14) Does atherosclerotic plaque ever disappear? (1:16:52) Triglyceride: HDL ratio vs ApoB test (1:22:15) Screening women in their 30s (1:29:31) Screening women in their 70s (1:37:23) What causes elevated ApoB (1:39:25)

Episode #251. Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest killers in the Western world, and it’s vital that we understand cardiovascular health in order to improve lifespan and healthspan. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Thomas Dayspring for Part One of a three-part deep dive into cardiovascular disease and blood lipids. In this introductory episode, we examine how our body absorbs lipids and transports them throughout the body – and what happens when it goes wrong. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Turning a family heartache into a mission (05:12) Atherosclerosis and the role of lipids (14:52) Lipoproteins & cholesterol transport and recycling (28:01) Cholesterol's role in lipoproteins (54:00) Is ApoB a more accurate marker of cardiovascular risk? (58:38) Endothelial transcytosis of lipoproteins (1:07:10) LDL aggregation (1:16:42) LDL particle retention and inflammation (1:23:15) Difference between veins and arteries (1:28:55) Atherosclerosis and genetics (1:30:22) High-fat diets and

Episode #250. Ice baths and other forms of cold water exposure have gained a huge amount of traction in the past few years. I’m joined by expert Dr Susanna Søberg to examine what the science says – is cold water exposure safe? What does the research say about the bold health claims? Is brown fat just a buzzword? How do you safely and effectively implement hot and cold exposure into your life? Dr Søberg answers these questions and many more in this three-hour deep dive into cold water immersion. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) The tradition of winter swimming (01:52) Cold water swimming and activating brown fat (09:44) Dr. Søburg's personal experience with cold water bathing (23:13) Funding hurdles and potential benefits of cold water immersion (25:34) Cold water immersion and the body's response (33:36) Brown fat activation and more physiological responses (40:45) What is brown fat? (45:54) Is brown fat genetic? (55:28) Benefits of activating brown fat (58:32) Winter swimming, sauna, and d

Episode #249. Have you ever wondered how long humans can healthily live for? Professor Matt Kaeberlain joins me in this episode to explain the biological processes of aging, explaining the significance of genetics vs lifestyle, protein restriction, polyphenols, and much more. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Aging and disease (03:42) Evolutionary conserved processes and human life span (17:41) Biological aging: Are epigenetic tests more accurate in telling how well you’re aging? (26:29) Aging process and the burden of senescence cells (34:06) Keys to a longer, healthier life (45:08) Sleep and exercise (55:38) Calorie restriction, longevity, and prolonged fasting (1:15:23) Protein restriction and its implications (1:32:14) Plant protein vs animal protein (1:43:31) Natural occurring polyphenols and supplements related to longevity (1:53:06) Rapamycin and rapamycin derivatives (2:13:53) Anti-aging compounds (2:29:38) Ethical implications of prolonging the life (2:51:08) Outro (2:57:23) T

Episode #248. There is a huge research and science communication gap when it comes to nutrition and exercise for women. Stacy Sims, MSc, PhD joins me today to address this inadequacy, providing guidance on how women can optimise training and nutrition at each stage of life. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Dr. Stacy Sims' academic journey (02:00) Female physiology (05:38) Implications of applying results of male-centric studies to women (09:12) Discerning the variances in physiological makeup between genders to customize training regimes (16:29) Physiological disparities between genders (20:53) Understanding the significance of a balanced diet and exercises tailored to accommodate the menstrual cycle (24:14) Ideal training programs tailored to the menstrual cycle of a 30-year-old woman (52:30) Exercise regimes during pregnancy (1:06:00) Achieving balance through nutrition, diet, and supplementation in your 30s (1:12:58) Female bodybuilding: androgenic compounds and hormones (1:27:55) The c

Episode #247. It's widely accepted that we are in a climate crisis. But what does that mean? Renowned author and journalist George Monbiot joins me in this episode to examine how our food systems are directly impacting our planet's health, and what we can do about it. What do soil and the human gut have in common? Why is food a political issue? What does radical change in the food system look like, and how do we get there? We cover these questions and more, discussing: Intro (00:00) George Monbiot on wildlife, farming, & global food systems (03:39) Plants & soil microbes: a remarkable connection (09:45) Soil bacterial diversity & the dangers of soil degradation (20:36) Profit over sustainability (26:32)  The role of citizens in shaping the food system (34:09)  Why is animal agriculture problematic? (45:38)  Are we the complacent and the silent majority? (57:35)  George Monbiot's alternative to farming animals (01:05:53)  Outro (01:10:16) You can find a comprehensive database of George Monbiot's w

Episode #246. Have you ever considered the way our current food system was shaped? Or the way it continues to impact modern dietary guidelines? This episode is for you. In this conversation with distinguished researcher Professor Dariush Mozaffarian, we analyse the past 120 years of nutrition science and assess how this research continues to impact the modern diet. We cover: Introduction (00:00) A Journey Through Nutrition Science History (03:49) The Food Industry's Contributions to Improving Vitamin and Calorie Deficiency and What Went Wrong (16:05) The Evolution of Dietary Guidelines (26:59) Are Food Rating Systems Accurate? (37:48) Is the Role of Saturated Fat in Nutrition Neutral? (44:22) Understanding the Algorithm Behind Tufts' Food Compass (46:57) Industry Funding and Scientific Research (52:03) Validating the Food Compass Scoring System (57:04) Are Breakfast Cereals Healthier? (01:04:45) The Food Compass System: A Work in Progress (01:08:04) Exploring the Uses of the Food Compass and the P

In Episode #245, I'm joined by endocrinologist and clinical researcher Professor Susan Davis, AO. In this detailed exchange – taking place over more than two hours – Professor Davis shares the best practice guidelines for managing menopause. You will learn from a world-leading expert about sex hormones, the physiological changes underpinning menopause, signs and symptoms of peri-menopause/menopause, the struggles of menopause, medical and lifestyle interventions for managing menopause (including hormone therapy), testosterone and sexual desire, the beautiful side of menopause, and plenty more. "One of the – dare I say – more sinister symptoms that women often do not relate to menopause is anxiety." Professor Susan R Davis AO*,* is Director, Monash University Women’s Health Research Program and an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow; Consultant Endocrinologist and Head, Women’s Endocrine Clinic, Alfred Hospital Melbourne; and consultant at Cabrini Medical Centre. Her research spans from basic science to clinical tria

In Episode #244, cardiologist Dr Mohammed Alo joins me to talk about cardiovascular disease myths, many of which he has been brilliantly covering on Tik Tok over the past year. Is it perfectly ok to eat a lot of saturated fat and red meat if your triglycerides and HDL are normal? Does a coronary artery scan of zero mean we won’t have a heart attack? What’s better - a coronary artery scan or a CT angiogram for measuring plaque in our coronary arteries. Are statins beneficial? Is too low cholesterol a problem? Does this affect brain health and hormone production? Eggs, fish and fish oil, cooking oils - the list goes on. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (00:00) Fighting Misinformation on Cardiovascular Disease and Nutrition (03:49) TikTok and Cardiology: Reaching Diverse Audiences and Navigating Challenges (18:30) The Risks of the Carnivore Diet and False Claims on LDL Cholesterol (26:50) Atherosclerosis, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, and Treatment Options (36:30) The Importance of Non-HDL Cholesterol as

Episode #243. It’s time to face the facts on saturated fat. Dr Gil Carvalho returns to examine a bold new study on this controversial topic, breaking down whether you need to reconsider your food choices in the wake of this study’s release. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Saturated fat misunderstandings: Is saturated fat bad? (17:20) Principle 1: Dose matters? — How much saturated fat is too much? (22:07) Is no saturated fat the goal? (30:12) Principle 2: Replacement nutrient matters (31:54) Principle 3: Source matters (45:53) Mechanisms: Saturated fat and heart disease (50:48) Saturated fats and genetics (55:47) Target ApoB level (59:40) Importance of lifetime exposure (1:03:02) Statins and heart disease risk: Are statins bad for you? (1:08:53) Mendelian randomization studies (1:10:52) The totality of evidence (1:15:59) Saturated fats and total mortality (1:17:46) Saturated fat and liver health (1:19:51) Gaps in the research (1:20:43) Common arguments against lowering saturated fat (1:23:52) Out

Last week we featured Part 1 of the best moments from The Proof in 2022, and this week we bring you part 2. Episode #242 is a compilation that mostly focuses on sleep, exercise and planetary health featuring a range of guests from across the year. Guests featured include Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, Dr Alan Flanagan, Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr David Jenkins, Dr Kieron Rooney, Paul Taylor, Fritz Horstmann, Drew Harrisberg and Nicholas Carter. Specifically, we cover: Intro (00:00) Sleep and weight gain with Drew Harrisberg (01:28) Tips for better sleep with Dr. Andrew Huberman (13:00) Manage Craving with Fritz Horstman (15:49) Carnivore Crazy with Drew Harrisberg (39:42) Big Pharma and Big Food with Dr. Alan Flanagan and Drew Harrisberg (49:32) Good stress with Dr. Paul Taylor (59:48) Mitochondria and Longevity with Dr. Kieron Rooney and Drew Harrisberg (1:12:14) Mitochondria and Longevity with Dr. Paul Taylor (1:17:46) Fermented foods (1:24:27) Developing an exercise program with Drew Harrisberg (1:25:

To bring in the new year I thought it would be good to take a moment and consolidate some of the memorable moments, and key takeaways, from 2022.  In Episode #241, part 1 of a 2 part year in review, we traverse how to think about nutrition, so we can better make sense of claims online, diet, and cardiometabolic health, how you can flip the switch on your microbiome so the trillions of gut bugs in your large intestine reward you with better health, and the benefits up for grabs through consuming our food over less hours - otherwise known as time restricted eating or fasting. Guests featured include Dr Gil Carvhalo, Dr Richard Johnson, Dr Alan Flanagan, Danny Lennon, Dr David Jenkins, Dr Justin Sonnenburg, Dr Erica Sonnenburg, Dr Christopher Gardner, Dr Tim Spector, Dr Don Layman, Dr Valter Longo, Dr Stuart Phillips, Dr Satchin Panda and Dr Courtney Peterson. Specifically, we cover: Intro (00:00) Circadian Disruption is a Problem with Dr. Satchin Panda (01:59) Fasting & weight loss with Dr. Courtney Peterso

Episode #240. There’s a lot of noise about cardiometabolic health: claims that certain diets will work miracles, and hype that specific foods must be avoided at all costs. Research dietitian Dr Andrea Glenn joins me today to get to the core of which dietary patterns will actually improve your cardiometabolic health outcomes. We discuss: Intro (00:00) Andrea Glenn on dietary patterns (07:31) Which country has the best dietary guidelines today? (11:35) What is cardiometabolic health? (13:15) Similarities and differences between the DASH, Nordic, Mediterranean, and Portfolio Diets (16:31) Can the Portfolio diet lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke? (21:29) The compositions of plant predominant diets and the demonization of carbohydrates (37:05) Are DASH, Nordic, Mediterranean, and Portfolio diets good for preventing and managing diabetes? (44:32) The worst and the best sources of fat (50:27) Is the pro-metabolic diet legitimate? (54:19) Is canola oil healthy? And is it better than olive

Episode #239. Looking for simple, practical ways to improve your exercise regime and eat for better health? Coach Fritz Horstmann understands the difficulties of balancing health with a busy life, and joins me today to offer guidance on how you can do just that. We discuss: Intro (0:00) Fritz’s Vegan Fitness Transformation (12:48) Combining Intuitive & Educated Eating (30:52) Fritz’s Coaching with Calorie Counting (42:04) Plant-Based Protein Sources (46:55) Bloating (55:32) Results in Fritz’s Program (57:43) Getting your steps in (1:09:08) Develop Habits for Success (1:11:01) How to get Motivated (1:19:18) Fritz’s Training Structure (1:24:38) Principles for Progress (1:30:04) Is Your Gym Program Working? (1:35:48) Protein Powder (1:38:03) Heart Disease & Animal Protein (1:52:30) IGF1 & Lactate Testing (1:58:21) Fritz’s Vegan Hat (2:07:50) Nutrient Supplements (2:11:44) Is Juicing Good for You? (2:17:37) Manage Cravings (2:21:46) Meal Prep vs Eating Out (2:30:59) Overrated / Underrated C

Episode #238. Left with questions after last week’s conversation with Dr Valter Longo? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr Longo returns to answer some of the queries I had in the wake of our last episode, tying off some loose ends and clarifying his stance on protein consumption and longevity. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Reduce Cancer Risk with IGF1 (1:47) Biological Age Test (4:11) Laron Syndrome & Longevity (6:24) Does Everyone with High IGF1 get cancer? (13:06) Pressure for Longevity (20:30) Does Exercise Reduce Risk? (22:15) Average IGF1 (26:19) Conclusion (31:03) Make sure to listen to the last episode of The Proof, where Dr Valter Longo and I examine protein consumption in detail. To connect with Dr Valter Longo, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more about Dr Longo’s research on his website, https://www.valterlongo.com/, where you will also be able to view and purchase his book, The Longevity Diet. Dr Longo first appeared on The Proof in Episode #106, which you

Episode #237. Dr Valter Longo introduces intriguing questions to the show: could protein consumption actually be harmful to our health? How important is muscle tissue? Can fasting be used as an adjunct cancer treatment? We investigate these questions and many more, diving into the research on IGF-1, mTOR, and the fasting-mimicking diet. Specifically, we discuss: Intro (0:00) Ideal diets for longevity (2:58) Important Pathways for aging (9:15) IGF1 Elevation (16:24) Actue vs Chronic elevation of IGF1 (19:46) Danger of Protein Over Consumption (25:11) Impact of exercise on IGF1 (32:52) Muscle Mass and Longevity (38:35) Study on High Protein Later in Life (41:59) How to get IGF1 tested (48:03) Low IGF1 & Cognitive Decline (49:54) Resistance to IGF1 (53:00) Mendelian Randomization Studies (54:38) Fasting Mimicking Diet (59:21) Fasting and Cancer (1:16:03) Ketogenic Diet & Cancer (1:27:51) Outro (1:32:15) To connect with Dr Valter Longo, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more ab

Episode #236. Dr Donald Layman is an expert in protein synthesis and metabolism. With endless online dialogue on protein, Dr Layman offers clarity and answers pressing questions in this episode: how does protein interact with skeletal and metabolic health? Is aging dependent on our DNA? How much protein should I consume, and when? These questions, and many more, are answered in this week’s episode. We cover: Intro (0:00) Muscle & Metabolic Health (5:00) Moderate vs HIIT Training (14:00) Are Aging Outcomes Genetic? (16:29) Longevity vs Vitality (19:15) Muscle Protein Synthesis (24:40) Is the Protein RDA Sufficient? (43:03) Protein Intake for Aging (56:05) Why Leucine (59:48) Longevity and Protein (1:03:33) Cardiovascular Disease (1:16:08) Protein Distribution (1:25:30) Questionable Industry Funding (1:29:17) Meal Timing (1:34:09) Protein Threshold (1:39:33) Danger of Cold Therapy (1:43:26) Important Supplements (1:46:20) Chronic Kidney Disease (1:49:20) Outro (1:52:41) To connect with Don