BREAKING: Landmark New Study on Weight Loss and Ultra-Processed Foods with Dr. Samuel Dicken
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
Release Date: 08/25/2025
The Real Science of Fat Loss: Carbons, Metabolism & Protein Timing - Dr. Andy Galpin Recap
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. In this solo recap episode, Vanessa breaks down her in-depth interview with Dr. Andy Galpin, one of the world’s leading muscle scientists and performance physiologists. This 60-minute masterclass distills the most important takeaways from their conversation into clear, actionable steps for fat loss, body recomposition, and metabolic health. 👉 Unlock...
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Stuck at 1200 Calories? Why Muscle Is Key to Fat Loss – Dr. Andy Galpin’s Fix for Metabolic Resistance
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
Unlock sharper focus and support long-term brain health with Ketone-IQ — clean brain fuel for deep work, mental clarity, and sustained energy with no crash. Get 30% off your subscription, plus a free gift with your second shipment at . In this episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Andy Galpin — world-renowned muscle physiologist, strength coach, and leading expert in human performance optimization. We dive deep into the cutting-edge science of muscle, metabolism, fat loss, and how to train smarter at every stage of life. NEW! Support your strength and muscle goals...
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Fuel Your Brain & Burn Fat: Inside IQBAR’s High-Protein Formulation
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. In this Friday episode, I’m diving into my fascinating conversation with Will Nitze, the founder and CEO of IQBAR—a bar formulated to fuel both the brain and the body. This solocast-style recap explores the unique backstory of how Will built IQBAR from the ground up and how the brand became a leader in the functional protein space. We break down: How...
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BREAKING: Landmark New Study on Weight Loss and Ultra-Processed Foods with Dr. Samuel Dicken
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. In today’s episode, Vanessa sits down with Dr. Samuel Dicken, Research Fellow at University College London’s Centre for Obesity Research and lead author of the UPDATE Trial — the longest and most rigorous clinical study to date comparing ultra-processed (UPF) vs. minimally processed (MPF) diets. This landmark trial revealed a game-changing finding:...
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I Tried PSMF Days for 3 Weeks — My Results + The Surprising Science of Intermittent High-Protein Fasting
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
Discover how Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting PSMF) Days can unlock rapid fat loss without sacrificing muscle. Vanessa shares her own recent results alongside the latest studies on intermittent high-protein fasting in women. Learn more about the red light therapy mask and the accessory the for the neck and décolleté and get 20% OFF with the code VANESSA Have you ever wondered if you could accelerate fat loss with just a few high-protein, very low-calorie days each week? In this episode, Vanessa dives deep into the modern science of Protein-Sparing Modified Fasts (PSMF) and how...
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Rapid Fat Loss Without Muscle Loss? The Science on Protein-Sparing Modified Fasts (PSMF)
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. This episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast takes a deep dive into the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) — a scientifically designed approach for rapid fat loss that prioritizes lean muscle preservation. Listeners will learn: What defines a PSMF and how it works in practice The latest research on fat loss outcomes and muscle retention How PSMF...
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Fat Loss First: How VO₂ Max, Ketones & Diet Unlock Lifelong Metabolic Fitness — Dr. Paul Laursen Recap
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Today’s episode is a deep-dive recap of my mind-blowing conversation with Dr. Paul Laursen — one of the world’s top experts in exercise physiology, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and fat-adapted performance. If you’ve ever wondered: Why you feel better fat-fueled than carb-loaded How diet actually drives fat loss more than training ...
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Fat Loss & the Fat-Burning Advantage: Boost VO₂ Max, Build Metabolic Fitness & Stay Lean for Life: Dr. Paul Laursen
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. Today’s guest is Dr. Paul Laursen — exercise physiologist, endurance coach, co-author of HIIT Science: The Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training, and co-founder of Athletica.ai. Dr. Laursen has coached athletes to 17 world championships, and his research on HIIT, metabolic flexibility, and low-carb nutrition has shaped how...
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Protein, Policy & Fat Loss: Dr. Don Layman’s Breaking Insights (Part 2)
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. In this Part 2 solo recap episode, Vanessa Spina continues breaking down her powerful conversation with protein pioneer Dr. Donald Layman—covering the second half of their in-depth interview on metabolism, insulin resistance, muscle maintenance during menopause, and the launch of a groundbreaking new Protein Quality Hub. If you’ve ever wondered how to...
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Breaking News: Big Changes to the Dietary Guidelines Coming & What It Means for Fat Loss, Muscle & Metabolism: Dr. Don Layman (Part 2 of 2)
Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina
Unlock sharper focus and support long-term brain health with Ketone-IQ—clean brain fuel for deep work, mental clarity, and sustained energy with no crash. Get 30% off your subscription, plus a free gift with your second shipment at . In Part 2 of this powerful interview, legendary protein researcher Dr. Donald Layman returns to the Optimal Protein Podcast to unpack some of the most misunderstood concepts in nutrition today—and to reveal potential groundbreaking changes to the U.S. dietary guidelines around protein, red meat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates. Dr. Layman breaks down what the...
info_outlineIQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.
In today’s episode, Vanessa sits down with Dr. Samuel Dicken, Research Fellow at University College London’s Centre for Obesity Research and lead author of the UPDATE Trial — the longest and most rigorous clinical study to date comparing ultra-processed (UPF) vs. minimally processed (MPF) diets.
This landmark trial revealed a game-changing finding:
👉 Even when calories, protein, and nutrients were matched to healthy eating guidelines, participants eating minimally processed foods lost twice as much weight, significantly more body fat, and experienced fewer cravings than those on ultra-processed foods.
We dive deep into:
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Why food processing level impacts fat loss and body recomposition beyond calories
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How minimally processed diets preserve muscle while reducing fat mass
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The role of appetite hormones (ghrelin, GLP-1, PYY) and the thermic effect of food in regulating intake
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Dr. Dicken’s Lancet cohort study linking ultra-processed foods to a 17% higher risk of diabetes per 10% increase in diet share
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Practical food swaps to maximize satiety per calorie and overcome cravings
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Where “better” processed foods (like whole-grain breads and fermented dairy) fit into the picture
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How minimally processed diets compare with — and complement — GLP-1 weight-loss medications
If you’ve ever felt like you eat “healthy” but still struggle with fat loss, this episode uncovers why the quality and processing level of your food may matter as much as the nutrients themselves.
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The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.