#542: Nutrients for Cognitive Performance in Sports – Prof. Shawn Arent, PhD
Release Date: 11/12/2024
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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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Sigma Nutrition Radio
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#559: Skin Health & Nutrition – Thivi Maruthappu, PhD
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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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Sigma Nutrition Radio
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#557: Health Psychology & Eating Behaviour – Prof. Jane Ogden
Sigma Nutrition Radio
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Sigma Nutrition Radio
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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_outlineIn the world of sports nutrition, understanding how different supplements and nutrients impact not just physical performance but also cognitive function is rapidly gaining traction. Athletes are constantly seeking that competitive edge, and while many are familiar with the benefits of carbohydrates and caffeine for energy and focus, there’s much more at play.
Emerging research is highlighting the roles of compounds like creatine and omega-3s, not only for muscle recovery but also for brain health, particularly following traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Beyond the usual suspects of performance nutrition, intriguing compounds like theacrine and tyrosine are entering the conversation. With potential cognitive effects that range from improved focus to faster decision-making, these supplements have sparked interest but also raise questions.
How strong is the evidence behind these claims, and where do we draw the line between scientific promise and practical application? How do we apply the science in real-world settings where perfect data may not exist?
This episode addresses these questions via the insights of Professor Shawn Arent of University of South Carolina.
Timestamps
- 01:44 – Dr. Arent’s key areas of research
- 04:03 – Defining and understanding cognitive performance in athletes
- 09:31 – The impact of carbohydrates on cognitive function and decision-making
- 29:00 – Protein, amino acids, and their role in cognitive function under stress
- 34:17 – How caffeine enhances cognitive performance: decision-making and reaction time
- 42:00 – Comparing the effects of theacrine and caffeine on cognitive and physical performance
- 44:48 – How caffeine dosing impacts sleep and recovery
- 46:55 – Theacrine, dynamine, and emerging supplements in sports performance
- 57:56 – Nicotine’s potential cognitive benefits and the associated risks for athletes
- 01:04:56 – Creatine and omega-3s: their roles in brain health and concussion recovery
- 01:13:05 – Navigating the challenges of applying research to real-world practice
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