Sigma Nutrition Radio

• #569: The History of Fat, Cholesterol & Heart Disease

  The idea that saturated fat might be harmful to our health has sparked controversy for decades. In recent years, counter-narratives have surged: suggesting that concerns over saturated fat were overblown, that LDL cholesterol doesn’t matter, or that the original diet-heart hypothesis has been debunked. These claims have become especially popular in online wellness spaces and certain dietary communities, often wrapped in compelling but misleading rhetoric. So what does the best available evidence actually say? And how should we think about saturated fat, LDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk in the current day? In this wide-ranging interview, originally recorded for the Chasing Clarity podcast, Alan and Danny explore the scientific consensus around saturated fat’s impact on blood lipids, why LDL and apoB are central to atherosclerotic disease, and how dietary patterns can meaningfully reduce risk. Importantly, they also address some of the most persistent myths and half-truths that fuel confusion, from flawed interpretations of the Seven Countries Study to misrepresentations of newer meta-analyses. Timestamps [03:41] How do we know saturated fat impacts LDL-C? [05:28] Metabolic ward studies and key findings [11:13] The Keys equation and subsequent research [17:17] Epidemiology and long-term studies [31:48] The Seven Countries Study [44:25] Understanding the impact of saturated fat on blood lipids [47:23] Historical and research perspectives on saturated fat [50:43] Practical dietary strategies for improving blood lipids [53:48] The Portfolio Diet and other dietary interventions [58:07] The role of pharmacology in managing blood lipids [01:00:58] Addressing misconceptions and common claims [01:13:57] Key ideas segment (premium-only) Related Resources Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub Related episodes to add to your podcast queue: 532, 525, 515, 493, 481, 439  

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• #568: Does the Maternal Diet Impact Risk of ADHD & Autism? – David Horner, PhD

  To what extent can maternal nutrition during pregnancy influence a child’s later cognitive or behavioural development? While genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to neurodevelopmental outcomes such as ADHD and autism, growing attention is being paid to the potential role of prenatal exposures, including dietary patterns. Yet, evidence in this area remains limited, and causality is difficult to establish. One recent study aimed to explore this question by analysing how maternal diet quality during pregnancy (specifically, adherence to a Western-style dietary pattern) related to neurodevelopmental outcomes in children assessed clinically at age 10. In this episode, Dr. David Horner discusses the findings from this prospective cohort study, the use of metabolic markers to complement dietary data, and the implications for future research into modifiable prenatal risk factors. About The Guest Dr. David Horner is a researcher in maternal nutrition and cardiometabolic health, based at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is also a qualified medical doctor from Queen’s University of Belfast. His research is driven by a keen interest in modifiable determinants of health, aiming to better understand and improve health outcomes. Having worked as a medical doctor for 2 years in the UK, in 2017 Dr. Horner then moved to Copenhagen, where he completed a Master’s in Global Health and a PhD examining the impact of maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy on child health. Timestamps [02:47] Introduction to the study [07:08] Strengths and findings of the study [21:17] Genetic factors and gene-environment interactions [25:42] Metabolomics and potential mechanisms [30:12] Interpreting the study’s findings [38:03] Future research directions [42:50] Key ideas segment (Sigma Nutrition Premium) Related Resources Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course See Sigma's "recommended resources" list Email: [email protected] Study: Horner et al., 2025 – A western dietary pattern during pregnancy is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and adolescence David’s LinkedIn post about the study (with discussion in the comments)

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• #567: Did Big Sugar Hijack the Food Pyramid? Were Low-fat Diets a Scam that Damaged Our Health?

  For decades, dietary guidelines—and the Food Pyramid in particular—have been at the center of heated debates and considerable controversy. These guidelines have often been accused of being influenced by industry interests, oversimplifying nutritional nuance, or even directly contributing to rising obesity and metabolic disease rates. In this episode, we critically assess common claims surrounding the Food Pyramid, including whether it was truly shaped by vested industry interests, if it encouraged harmful dietary shifts toward excessive carbohydrate and sugar consumption, and whether the subsequent health outcomes seen at the population level can be fairly attributed to these guidelines. Additionally, we evaluate the role of the sugar industry in funding key studies and publications, examining the implications such conflicts of interest may have had on nutritional science. Drawing on historical context, rigorous examination of scientific evidence, and an evaluation of how nutritional recommendations have evolved, this discussion aims to clarify misunderstandings, highlight legitimate criticisms, and separate fact from persistent myths regarding dietary guidance and its implications for health. Timestamps [01:37] Common claims and narratives [03:15] Historical context of dietary guidelines [21:57] Sugar industry influence on dietary research [36:17] The mcgovern report [40:49] Misconceptions about dietary guidelines [44:28] Changes in food supply and consumption [58:15] Critiques and conflicts of interest [01:06:47] Key ideas segment (Premium-only) Links & Resources Go to episode page (with linked resources) Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Do you want to be skilled in reading nutrition studies? Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub MASS Research Review - latest training and nutrition research relevant to strength trainees Examine is the best online database for looking at the evidence of diets, foods and supplements on a range of health outcomes.

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• SNP41: Do Certain Foods Really Cause Inflammation – And Are Anti-Inflammatory Diets the Answer?

  Inflammation has become a nutrition buzzword, often used in extreme or misleading ways. This episode aims to clarify what inflammation is, how it relates to diet and health, and whether specific foods truly provoke inflammatory responses in the body. The episode provides a nuanced, evidence-based look at inflammation and diet. It explains the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, outlines the role of chronic low-grade inflammation in disease, and emphasizes that overall dietary patterns – rather than any single food – are what influence our inflammatory status. Commonly demonized foods (such as sugar, wheat, and dairy) are scrutinized, and the conversation debunks myths about them being uniformly “inflammatory.” In this episode, Danny takes a look at what the scientific evidence actually shows about anti-inflammatory diets. Note: This is a Premium-exclusive episode. Timestamps 01:06 Understanding Inflammation: Basics and Biomarkers 04:02 Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation 14:21 Biomarkers of Inflammation 22:51 Dietary Patterns and Inflammation 34:53 Specific Foods and Nutrients Impacting Inflammation 47:01 Practical Takeaways for an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 51:30 Conclusion Related Resources Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Related podcast episodes: 329: Diet & Inflammation 353: James Hébert, ScD – Dietary Inflammatory Index Sigma Statement: Nutrition & Immune Function The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) – Hébert et al., 2019

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• #566: Can We Maintain Weight Loss? Pharmacology and Behavior – Tara Schmidt, RD

  GLP-1 receptor agonists have changed the landscape of obesity treatment, offering levels of weight loss once thought unattainable without surgery. But what happens after the weight is lost? And can we really talk about success without talking about maintenance? While much of the public discourse fixates on dramatic weight loss numbers, the harder question is what comes next. Can lifestyle interventions alone sustain weight loss after GLP-1 cessation? How do metabolic adaptations and behavioral relapse factor in? And what does the data actually show about relapse rates, nutritional adequacy, and lean mass preservation when using these medications? In this episode, Danny sits down with Tara Schmidt, dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, to examine the intersection of pharmacology and behavior in long-term weight management. Tara Schmidt is a registered dietitian and an instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic. As the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, she provides guidance rooted in evidence-based principles. She hosts the Mayo Clinic On Nutrition podcast and co-authored The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition. Timestamps [05:17] Understanding weight loss maintenance [08:44] Defining success in weight loss maintenance [11:54] Predictors of maintenance: self-monitoring and behavioral strategies [23:37] Pharmacological interventions: GLP-1 receptor agonists [31:06] Dietary considerations for those taking GLP-1 RAs [37:07] Addressing misconceptions about weight loss drugs [42:48] Final thoughts and takeaways [48:49] Key ideas (Premium-only) Links/Resources Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Go to episode page Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Visit sigmanutrition.com

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