#538: Can Fish Oil Supplementation Increase Risk of Irregular Heart Rhythms?
Release Date: 10/08/2024
#560: Neurodiversity & Nutrition: Choline, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Beyond – Emma Derbyshire, PhD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Nutrition is increasingly being considered as a modifiable factor that may influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. While severe deficiencies in certain nutrients are known to have dramatic effects, there is growing interest in the potential impact of more subtle insufficiencies — particularly during critical windows such as pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. In conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum condition (ASC), questions have been raised around whether specific nutrients may play a role in cognitive performance, attention, or learning. Could low choline intake be a...
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Do Lipids Increase During Weight Loss? (SNP39)
Sigma Nutrition Radio
This is a segment from one of our Premium-exclusive AMA (ask me anything) episodes, where we answer questions submitted by Premium subscribers. To listen to the full episode, you’ll need to be a and access the episode on the private Premium feed. Questions Answered in This Episode [02:00] Why does the Mediterranean diet emphasize monounsaturated fats over polyunsaturated fats when the latter seem more beneficial for heart health? [08:48] What dietary patterns or foods best support strength and recovery in premenopausal women, especially on a plant-based diet? [20:33] Are...
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#559: Skin Health & Nutrition – Thivi Maruthappu, PhD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
The intersection of nutrition, dermatology, and skin health is an area of growing interest, yet one that remains riddled with misinformation and oversimplified claims. The influence of dietary patterns, specific nutrients, and lifestyle factors on conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and skin aging has been widely debated, with varying levels of evidence supporting different interventions. While some nutritional strategies may play a role in optimizing skin health, the challenge lies in distinguishing practical, evidence-based approaches from overstated or anecdotal claims. A...
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#558: Rethinking Ultra-Processed Foods in the Modern Food System – Duane Mellor, PhD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Discussions around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their role in public health have gained significant traction in recent years. While some advocate for categorizing and regulating these foods due to their potential negative health effects, others argue that such classifications can oversimplify the issue and detract from more actionable dietary changes. In this episode, Dr. Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian and researcher, joins us to explore the complexities of the UPF debate. Rather than dismissing the concept outright, Dr. Mellor emphasizes the importance of nuanced discussion,...
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#557: Health Psychology & Eating Behaviour – Prof. Jane Ogden
Sigma Nutrition Radio
In the realm of health psychology, our understanding of eating behaviors extends beyond mere physiological hunger cues. Research indicates that factors such as learned associations, cultural influences, and individual perceptions play pivotal roles in shaping our dietary choices. Recognizing this complexity is essential for developing effective dietary interventions that move beyond simplistic recommendations, acknowledging the intricate web of cognitive, emotional, and societal factors at play. A significant discussion within nutrition science centers on the regulation of eating patterns,...
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SNP38: What is Quality Sleep?
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Sleep is one of the most critical yet often overlooked components of health, performance, and overall well-being. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can disrupt circadian rhythms, impair glucose metabolism, and alter hunger signals, leading to increased food intake, reduced insulin sensitivity, and other undesirable outcomes. In this episode, we bring together expert discussions from some of the leading researchers in sleep science, to explore what defines high-quality sleep, the mechanisms behind sleep regulation, and the factors that influence sleep-wake cycles, from light exposure to...
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#556: Can We Restore the Gut Microbiome Through Dietary Changes? – Anissa Armet, PhD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
There is research suggesting that industrialization has significantly altered the composition of our gut microbiota, with certain microbial species now absent in many industrialized populations. Given the known associations between gut microbiome diversity and health, researchers have begun investigating whether restoring lost microbial species and adopting dietary patterns similar to those of non-industrialized populations could lead to measurable health benefits. In a newly-published study, the investigators aimed to explore whether L. reuteri could be successfully reintroduced...
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#555: What Should the Dietary Guidelines Say? – Prof. Christopher Gardner
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Every five years, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines are updated based on the latest scientific evidence to help shape national nutrition recommendations. A panel of experts was assembled to review the existing research, evaluate new findings, and provide recommendations that will inform the next edition of the guidelines. One of the committee members involved in this process is Professor Christopher Gardner, a leading nutrition scientist at Stanford University, who joins us to share key insights from the committee’s work. In this discussion, Professor Gardner provides an inside look into how the...
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#554: Crucial Ideas for Understanding Nutrition Science
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Understanding the complexities of diet-disease relationships requires a nuanced approach to nutritional science. Unlike other scientific disciplines, nutrition research often grapples with the inherent challenges of studying dietary patterns and nutrient intakes in free-living populations over long periods. The cumulative effects of dietary exposures, combined with the necessity to control for confounding factors such as total energy intake and population-specific dietary habits, highlight the need for rigorous study designs and careful interpretation of findings. Despite their utility, these...
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#553: Healthy Habits for Fertility and Reproductive Health – Marjorie Nolan Cohn, RD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
This episode focuses on the intersection of nutrition, lifestyle, and women’s health, with a particular emphasis on managing complex conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Registered dietitian Marjorie Nolan Cohn shares insights from over two decades of clinical practice, highlighting the importance of addressing foundational health behaviors—such as adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrient-dense dietary patterns—before introducing targeted interventions like supplementation. Marjorie explores the nuanced relationship between body weight,...
info_outlineOmega-3 fatty acids are often viewed as beneficial or, at worst, neutral supplements when it comes to supporting cardiovascular health, lowering triglycerides, and offering anti-inflammatory effects. Much of the focus in recent years has centered on understanding how significant these benefits are, particularly for heart health, with many studies highlighting the potential for omega-3s to play a positive role in reducing cardiovascular risk. However, an emerging concern has complicated the conversation around omega-3 supplementation.
Several large trials, including the REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials, have suggested that omega-3 supplementation might be linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. These findings have sparked debate over whether omega-3s could contribute to this potentially serious heart condition, leaving clinicians and health-conscious individuals uncertain about the safety of these supplements.
However, not all the research supports this elevated risk. This discrepancy raises important questions about how we interpret the data from various studies, the design of those trials, and whether other factors might be influencing these results.
Understanding this issue in depth is crucial for making informed decisions about omega-3 supplementation and its potential risks and benefits. In this episode we walk through the studies and the key points to consider.
Timestamps:
- 00:30 Updates on Alan’s upcoming study
- 05:06 Atrial Fibrillation and Omega-3
- 14:52 RCTs and AFib: Key Studies
- 29:14 Meta-Analyses and Dose-Response
- 46:46 Practical Implications and Recommendations
- 53:53 Key Ideas Segment (Premium-only)
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