When does timing matter? Ten years ago, nutrient timing was huge; entire nutrition philosophies arose from the idea that there were “windows” when certain nutrients were more or less important. Today, accumulating evidence suggests this isn’t true—but timing as a concept isn’t quite dead. There are times and situations when timing matters. More specifically, there […]
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Untangling Protein, Meat Intake, & Health Risk
Protein is clearly a necessary nutrient. We need some to survive and a little more to thrive. Athlete-wise, we know it affects training, gaining, and recovery (though we may still disagree on how much is necessary), and most athletes know enough about protein to ensure it’s not limited in their diet even if they don’t […]
Read the full article...Protein Is Dangerous… But Only If You Have Certain Diseases
Last week, a female bodybuilder from Australia (Meegan Hefford) died from what nearly every news outlet has called “too much protein” (or something along those lines). There’s a ton of stories out there, here’s just one. Buried within these stories is the true nature of Hefford’s untimely death: a urea cycle disorder, a metabolic disease […]
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Is Protein Supplementation Effective? AKA, “How Much Protein Do You Need?”
I recently came across a column in the American College of Sports Medicine’s news bulletin titled “Active Voice: Protein Supplementation to Enhance Adaptations to Resistance Exercise Training – Not Supported by Scientific Evidence!” In the column, the authors argue that “if a well-balanced diet is consumed, the adaptations of resistance exercise training will not be […]
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An In-Depth Look at Energy Metabolism: Part III
This week we’re finishing up our in-depth look at energy metabolism. In the first segment of this series, we looked closely at the biochemistry of energy metabolism and focused specifically on the equations of the phosphagen system, glycolytic system, and aerobic carbohydrate and fat metabolism. In the second segment, we looked at what does and […]
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An In-Depth Look at Energy Metabolism: Part II
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article exploring the biochemistry of energy metabolism. As I explained then, I think a lot of pseudoscience can be countered with a better understanding of basic science—not basic as in easy, but rather as in the fundamental concepts that have allowed the more specialized sciences to become defined. This […]
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An In-Depth Look at Energy Metabolism: Part I
One thing I’ve noticed across the years is that the better someone understands the basic science about a topic, the less likely they are to have pseudoscientific beliefs on it. It’s just like anything else, I suppose; your skill at the basic movements found in a sport is a good predictor of your overall ability […]
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Growth Hormones in Meat: Myths & Reality
Growth hormones are a divisive topic. A major selling point of organic and “natural” brands are hormone-free meats, which raises concern for some about why any animals are treated with hormones. Combine this branding magic with an often poor understanding of labeling laws and biochemistry and you have the recipe for mass misinformation. In truth, the […]
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You Still Don’t Need More Than 20 Grams of Protein per Meal
How much protein do you really need per meal? I’ve been consistent with my answer—approximately 20 grams of high-quality protein—since I first wrote my protein series over a year ago. Nevertheless, it’s a question that I’m likely to keep exploring, if for no other reason than because there are so many other nutritionists out there […]
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Dairy Milks and Alternative Milks: Are There Healthier Options?
I live in Boulder, CO, a city well-known for its “enlightened” attitudes towards food; I’m not sure you’re allowed to live within the city limits without an opinion on food, nutrition, or diets. On the one hand, it brings up some funny juxtapositions, such as the paradox that is the Boulder Whole Foods—a grocery store […]
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