The Proof with Simon Hill

The word gut health is on almost everything now, from yoghurt lids to supplement labels. So I asked food microbiologist Dr Maria Marco, Professor at UC Davis and President of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, what it actually means. She spent a year with a panel of clinicians, dieticians, and immunologists trying to define it, and the most striking finding was how much we still cannot measure. This is a conversation about the distance between the science and the marketing, and it includes some claims that will change how you read a label. What we cover The consensus definition of gut health, and why symptoms and pathology can point in opposite directions Whether commercial microbiome stool tests and diversity scores mean anything clinically Why sauerkraut sold as probiotic is, in Maria's words, "just a marketing thing" Whether the microbes in yoghurt survive digestion, colonise your gut, or simply pass through Why dead and pasteurised microbes may still be beneficial How to choose a probiotic that has actually been tested in people, and when to stop taking one Maria is unusually willing to say what we do not yet know, and in a field this commercially crowded, that honesty is worth a great deal. To connect with Dr Maria Marco, visit the Marco Lab at UC Davis, find her on LinkedIn, or follow her lab's work on Instagram at @eat.lac.project. If this episode was useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA 38TERA’s BDR is a clinically dosed gut health supplement for improved digestion, less bloating, better bowel movements and a healthier microbiome. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this masterclass, I bring together six experts to untangle bone health, from fracture risk and DEXA scans to strength training, joint pain, and surgery. Dr Lora Giangregorio, Prof Belinda Beck, Dr Deborah Kado, Dr Howard Luks, Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple, and Dr Alyssa Olenick each add a different perspective. Bone density is only one part of the fracture story, and the advice around lifting heavy often runs ahead of the evidence. Together, we turn the confusion into a practical framework. What we cover: Why bone density is only one piece of fracture risk What DEXA cannot see, and why bone shape matters Whether you really need to lift heavy for your bones A bare minimum strength program for beginners When surgery helps, and why "bone on bone" is an unhelpful phrase How to build movement into everyday life The best program is the one you can sustain, and I hope this gives you the confidence to start. To connect with our guests, you can find Dr Lora Giangregorio on TikTok, X, and LinkedIn, or learn more through her University of Waterloo profile. Prof Belinda Beck can be found through The Bone Clinic, ONERO, her Griffith University profile, and Facebook. Dr Deborah Kado has a Stanford profile and is on LinkedIn. Dr Howard Luks writes on Substack and is on X and Instagram. Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple is on Instagram and at drlaurencs.com, and Dr Alyssa Olenick is on Instagram and YouTube, with her programs at doclyssfitness.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review The Proof on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who would find it useful. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA 38TERA’s BDR is a clinically dosed gut health supplement for improved digestion, less bloating, better bowel movements and a healthier microbiome. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Upwork Post your job for free at Upwork.com and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Find the right talent to support your business and bring your projects to life. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Practising registered dietitian and senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, Dr Nicola Guess, returns to the show to discuss a new study whose findings were interpreted in quite different ways the week it came out. Dr Samuel Klein’s group at Washington University assigned people with prediabetes to one of three diets, carefully controlled their weight loss, and found that the arm labelled ketogenic reduced liver fat by 67%. Nicola’s view is that the label, and the conclusion many drew from it, deserve a closer look. Ketone levels in that arm were lower than you would typically expect on a ketogenic diet, which suggests something other than ketosis may explain the result. Her reading is that protein intake, rather than carbohydrate restriction, could be the more important variable. With roughly one in three adults carrying excess fat in the liver, often without symptoms, understanding what actually drives that reduction matters for the advice people receive. What We Cover Why this trial should not have been called a ketogenic diet study How protein appears to lower liver fat even in the absence of weight loss The 23% saturated fat arm, and why ApoB fell anyway What likely changes once people move from weight loss into maintenance Whether liver fat causes insulin resistance or simply marks it Nicola's 35 grams of protein per meal target and how she builds a plate around it Where seed oils and fibre actually sit in the evidence This is a good example of why the label on a study matters as much as its headline number. If you have been told to cut carbohydrates to fix your liver, this conversation is worth your time. To connect with Nicola Guess, visit NicolaGuess.com or find her on Instagram and YouTube. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It helps new listeners find us. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA 38TERA’s BDR is a clinically dosed gut health supplement for improved digestion, less bloating, better bowel movements and a healthier microbiome. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 6 by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $200 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

This is Christopher Gardner's eighth appearance on the show. Christopher is a nutrition scientist at Stanford, director of the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group, and the author of a new book, Food Sense: What to Eat and Why. He has run more than 20 human diet trials over three decades. Instead of relitigating the diet wars, we spend this conversation on the machinery underneath them: the trade-off between rigour and real life, why the definitive trial people keep waiting for will never be run, and what a null result is actually worth. I also put a few recent studies to him that cut against my own position. What we cover Why the perfect diet trial will never happen, and how that should change the way we read the evidence The $1.4 million garlic study that found nothing, and why Christopher is proud of it The four things every popular diet agrees on, and the six foods that divide them His keto versus Mediterranean trial, and the two findings that went in opposite directions How he approaches a new study that contradicts his own position Why he is shifting his focus to hospital, university, and military kitchens If you take one thing from this episode, let it be the habit of asking what a finding can actually carry before you change anything. To connect with Christopher Gardner, visit the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group, pick up a copy of Food Sense: What to Eat and Why, or find him on Instagram and LinkedIn. If this episode was useful, a rating and review on Apple Podcasts genuinely helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA 38TERA’s BDR is a clinically dosed gut health supplement for improved digestion, less bloating, better bowel movements and a healthier microbiome. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

A few weeks ago I published my own heart scans, and one number travelled further than the rest: a 48% drop in plaque over 16 and a half months. The question underneath that video was the obvious one. How? This episode is the answer, and it is also the part I could easily have left out. Three companies analysed the same two scans. HeartFlow found a 48% reduction, Cleerly found a 20% increase, and QAngio found essentially no change at all. Same heart, same images, and a sixfold spread in the absolute amount of plaque they measured. I walk through my full protocol, explain which analysis I anchor to and why, and tell you why, despite that headline, I have started a PCSK9 inhibitor. What We Cover: Why cumulative ApoB exposure matters more than the cholesterol reading you have today My nutrition, training, and sleep protocol, and the supplements I deliberately avoided Why three platforms measuring the same heart came back with 11.5, 60, and 74 cubic millimetres The published concern about AI overestimation of plaque, and which analysis Dr Matthew Budoff trusts How my percentile swings 25 points depending on the reference database Why I started a PCSK9 inhibitor, and how I chose it over a statin Why you should be sceptical of dramatic short-interval scan results, including mine All three analyses agreed on the thing that matters: the plaque burden is low, and it is not progressing rapidly. That agreement is worth far more than the headline. Enjoyed this episode? A rating and review on the Apple Podcast app helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 6 by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $200 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Upwork Post your job for free at Upwork.com and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Find the right talent to support your business and bring your projects to life. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Howard Luks is an orthopaedic surgeon with almost 30 years of experience, and a good deal of his week is spent telling people they do not need an operation. We work through the joints that bring most people into a clinic, knees, shoulders, Achilles tendons and ankles, and separate what a scan is actually telling you from what it is being used to justify. Almost everyone over 40 has something on an MRI that will be described as a tear. Very few of those people need surgery, and plenty have no pain at all. Howard's case, drawn from three decades in clinic and the sham-surgery and physiotherapy-controlled trials behind it, is that our language has raced ahead of the biology, and that the words we use change how people move and live. What We Cover Why "tear" and "bone on bone" are the wrong words, and what they do to a person's behaviour What sham surgery trials showed for meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears and bone spur removal How metabolic health shapes both your pain and your ability to heal after surgery Why tendons respond to load rather than rest Cortisone, PRP, stem cells and peptides: what the evidence supports and what is marketing Ice, anti-inflammatories and ankle sprains, and why early movement beats a boot Plyometrics, balance and power, and why they matter more than strength after 50 This is a conversation about being careful with language and honest about uncertainty, and about keeping your capacity so you can keep doing the things you care about. To connect with Howard Luks, read his writing on Substack or find him on X and Instagram. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps other people find these conversations. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 6 by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $200 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

This is part two of my conversation with Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE and author of the Sunday Times bestseller Every Body Should Know This. In part one we covered preconception, fertility, and pregnancy nutrition. Here we follow the first 1,000 days through to the end: birth, breastfeeding, weaning, and the environmental exposures behind all of it. Much of this territory has become a source of guilt rather than clarity. Federica's framing is the one I keep returning to: this window is critical, but it is not fragile. Biology adapts, most of what shapes these years is structural, and where parents do have agency the evidence is more reassuring than the headlines suggest. What we cover: Why a critical window is not a fragile one, and what the first 1,000 days actually set Choline, iodine, and omega-3 in pregnancy, and the "four eggs a day" myth C-sections and the infant microbiome, and why the differences largely converge by age two Breast milk as a living system, and an honest comparison with formula Weaning without the marketing: the smoosh test, iron at six months, and early allergen introduction Microplastics and endocrine disruptors, and the swaps that do the most work Federica is exceptionally good at separating what the evidence supports from what the marketing claims, and she does it without ever making parents the villain. To connect with Dr Federica Amati, follow her on Instagram at @dr.fede.amati or explore her work at ZOE. You can read more about the campaign she discusses in this episode at Plastic Free Babies, and her Sunday Times bestseller, Every Body Should Know This, is available wherever books are sold. If this episode was useful, a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or a follow on Spotify, makes a genuine difference to the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Upwork Post your job for free at Upwork.com and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Find the right talent to support your business and bring your projects to life. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. Skylight Families are better when they’re working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/THEPROOF. Skylight ships within the U.S. and to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Around 30% of the world's population has too much fat in their liver, and almost none of them know it. Liver disease stays silent until it is very advanced, which is exactly why so many people are found too late. In this episode I sit down with Prof Aleksander Krag, professor and department chair of gastroenterology and hepatology at Odense University Hospital and former Secretary General of the European Association for the Study of the Liver, to separate the frightening headline number from the thing that actually determines risk. It is not the fat. It is the scarring, and there is a simple test that can tell you whether you have any. What we cover Why a third of us have fat in our liver, and why that alone is not the thing to worry about Steatosis versus fibrosis, and why only scarring predicts clinical liver disease What blood-based alcohol biomarkers revealed about self-reported drinking The single home measurement that tracks liver risk best FIB-4, FibroScan, elastography, and ELF, explained plainly How reversible liver damage really is, and where semaglutide and resmetirom fit The policy levers Aleksander argues would prevent more disease than any clinic can If you have ever wondered whether your drinking, your waistline, or your last set of liver enzymes is worth acting on, this conversation gives you a clear place to start. To connect with Prof Aleksander Krag, visit the Centre for Liver Research (FLASH) at the University of Southern Denmark, follow him on X, or find him on LinkedIn. If this episode was useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Almost all of us have atherosclerosis, and almost none of us are told so, because "normal" cholesterol is a population average rather than a physiological target. Dr Thomas Dayspring and Dr Dan Soffer, both Masters of the National Lipid Association, join me for a conversation devoted entirely to primary prevention. They do not agree on everything, and that is the point. Tom argues ApoB is the cause of atherosclerosis. Dan calls it the necessary substrate. Between them you get an unusually honest look at how two experienced clinicians weigh evidence, uncertainty, and their own bias when treating someone who feels perfectly well. What We Cover: Why genes matter less for atherosclerosis than most people assume Is ApoB causal, or simply necessary? The disagreement, in full What "normal" cholesterol means, and the levels we are born with LDL-C years: a five-second calculation you can run on yourself What the 2026 dyslipidemia guideline changed How they would manage a healthy man in his thirties with a family history and an ApoB of 100 Statin muscle symptoms, and the simple test that settles it If you have ever been told your cholesterol is fine and wondered what that actually means, start here. To connect with Dr Thomas Dayspring, find him on X, where he posts as @Drlipid. To connect with Dr Daniel Soffer, visit his Penn Medicine profile. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Skylight Families are better when they’re working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/THEPROOF. Skylight ships within the U.S. and to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Everyone wants to talk about longevity. Almost no one wants to talk about gerontology, the field that has been studying how to age well for a century. Dr Deborah Kado, Stanford professor of medicine and geriatrician, joins me to bridge that gap. From bone health and balance to deprescribing, gut microbiome research, and the surprising power of your attitude towards ageing, this is a masterclass in what actually matters for a long, well-lived life. What We Cover: Why "longevity science" is largely gerontology rebranded A positive attitude towards ageing and its link to lower dementia risk Balance, power training, and preventing falls and fractures The truth about osteoporosis medications and the scare that drove millions away Why extra weight after menopause can be protective Vitamin D, sleep regularity, and the gut microbiome This one will change how you think about growing older, whatever your age. To connect with Dr Deborah Kado, visit her Stanford profile or find her on LinkedIn. Enjoyed this episode? A rating and review on the Apple Podcast app helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Professor Roy Taylor returns, three years after his first appearance, with the five-year DiRECT trial results and a clear-eyed assessment of where diet-driven type 2 diabetes remission stands in the GLP-1 era. The evidence is now solid: type 2 diabetes is, for many, a reversible condition of excess fat in the liver and pancreas. But keeping it in remission demands keeping the weight off, and the new generation of weight loss drugs comes with marketing claims that Roy says have no evidence behind them. What We Cover: The Twin Cycle Hypothesis and personal fat threshold Five-year DiRECT data: durable remission, halved hospital admissions, fewer cancers Why regaining the weight means the diabetes returns GLP-1s: what they genuinely do, and what's marketing The muscle loss panic, put in perspective Gestational diabetes and pre-pregnancy weight Whether you have type 2 diabetes, care for someone who does, or simply want to understand one of the biggest shifts in modern medicine, this conversation delivers. To learn more about Professor Roy Taylor's work, visit his research site at Newcastle University or read his book Life Without Diabetes. Clinicians can also explore his type 2 diabetes remission toolkit for general practice. Enjoyed this episode? A rating and review on the Apple Podcast app helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Upwork Post your job for free at Upwork.com and connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. Find the right talent to support your business and bring your projects to life. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. HomeServe Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that’s right for you. HomeServe is not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. Skylight Families are better when they’re working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/THEPROOF. Skylight ships within the U.S. and to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Can you meaningfully improve type 2 diabetes without losing weight? Dr Nicola Guess, registered dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, says the evidence is clear: a higher-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet can lower post-meal glucose by more than medication, no weight loss required. We also tackle the noisier end of the blood sugar conversation: glucose spikes, fruit fear, insulin-first theories of obesity, and the panic about GLP-1s and muscle loss. What We Cover: Why glucose only causes direct harm at diabetic levels How protein wakes up "sleepy" beta cells What overfeeding trials reveal about insulin and obesity Fruit, fibre, and fat quality: what matters and what doesn't Menopause, PCOS, and shift work The truth about GLP-1s and muscle loss If you want a clear-eyed guide to metabolic health without the hype, this episode delivers. To connect with Dr Nicola Guess, visit nicolaguess.com or find her on Instagram and YouTube. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

About one in seven couples are unable to conceive after a year of trying, and roughly half of those cases involve a male contribution. Yet in a quarter to a third of them, the man is never properly evaluated. In this episode I sit down with Dr Michael Eisenberg, a urologist, Director of Male Reproductive Health at Stanford University and Chief Medical Advisor of SwimClub, and Dr Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist and co-founder of Fora Fertility in Austin, Texas. This is the comprehensive male fertility resource I went looking for and couldn't find, and I have a personal stake in it. What surprised me most is that sperm health appears to be about much more than conception. It tracks with metabolic health, immune health, pregnancy outcomes, and in one Danish cohort, with age of death decades later. What We Cover What a semen analysis measures, and why ejaculating normally tells you nothing Semen quality as a sixth vital sign, and the Danish study linking it to lifespan Testosterone therapy, why it functions as a contraceptive, and how long recovery takes Whether sperm counts are really declining, and the likely drivers Cannabis, alcohol, heat, cycling, sleep, and body weight Total motile sperm count, DNA fragmentation, and what to ask your lab for Paternal age, sperm freezing, and timing your decisions Sperm turn over roughly every three months, which makes this one of the most movable metrics in health. Whichever stage of life you're at, this conversation is worth your time. To connect with Dr Michael Eisenberg, find him on Instagram or LinkedIn. To connect with Dr Natalie Crawford, you can find her book The Fertility Formula at nataliecrawfordmd.com/book, listen to her podcast As a Woman, or follow her on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. If this episode was useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It genuinely helps more people find the show. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Skylight Families are better when they’re working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/THEPROOF. Skylight ships within the U.S. and to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Dr Terry Simpson is back, and we go deep on the science of protecting your heart and brain for the long run. He is a surgeon and one of the clearest voices online for separating solid evidence from confident hype, and in this conversation we tackle everything from new cholesterol-lowering drugs to gene editing, cognitive ageing, and the lean mass hyperresponder debate. Along the way we get a few things off our chests about the misinformation that spreads faster than the careful answer ever can. What We Cover Why healthy ageing brains owe more to lifestyle than to genetics How PCSK9 inhibitors work, and why plaque is more like geology than plumbing Gene editing for cholesterol and functional cures for type 1 diabetes The lean mass hyperresponder debate and what the Keto-CTA re-analysis shows Why colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults The 2026 dyslipidemia guidelines and why you should test your Lp(a) once This is a grounded, evidence-first conversation, and I hope it helps you feel clearer and more confident about the decisions that actually move the needle. If you enjoy the episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show, it genuinely helps more people find it. To connect with Dr Terry Simpson, visit terrysimpson.com, where you will find his bio, recipes, and plenty more. You can also follow him on Instagram, X, and TikTok, and read his writing on Substack. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Metabolic dysfunction rarely announces itself. We tend to think of metabolic health as a line you cross the day you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but the decay usually begins years earlier, at the level of the cell. In this masterclass I bring together Dr Iñigo San Millán, Dr Alan Flanagan, Dr Kevin Hall, Dr Robert Eckel, Professor Roy Taylor, and Dr Christos Mantzoros to explain what metabolic flexibility is, why your mitochondria sit at the centre of it, and what you can actually do about it. What We Cover Why lactate is a fuel and a signal, not a waste product, and our best non-invasive window into mitochondrial function Whether a calorie really is a calorie, and what the controlled chamber studies found The twin cycle hypothesis, and why type 2 diabetes is more reversible than we were taught The personal fat threshold, and why a normal BMI can still hide a problem Whether sugar or saturated fat does more to drive fat in the liver Why Zone 2 earns its reputation, and how much of it you actually need Metabolic health is not fixed, and it is rarely too late to move in a better direction. I hope this conversation gives you a clearer picture of what is happening beneath the surface, and a few levers you can start pulling today. To learn more from the experts featured in this masterclass, you can follow Dr Iñigo San Millán on Instagram and Twitter, explore Professor Roy Taylor's work on type 2 diabetes remission at Newcastle University, read more from Dr Kevin Hall at kevinhallphd.com or on LinkedIn, and find Dr Alan Flanagan on Instagram and through Alinea Nutrition. The masterclass also features insights from Dr Robert Eckel and Dr Christos Mantzoros. If you are enjoying The Proof, please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. It genuinely helps more people find these conversations. The 81-Year-Old Who Reversed 30 Years of Damage (00:00) What Metabolic Health Actually Means Now (01:57) Why Mitochondria Decide Your Disease Risk (06:01) What Is Metabolic Flexibility? (12:47) Hepatic Fat Oxidation and the Sex Difference (15:20) Is a Calorie Really a Calorie? (18:29) You Can Be Sick Before You're Diagnosed (28:41) Why Lactate Is the Biomarker to Watch (29:20) Lactate Is Not a Waste Product (31:03) Is Lactic Acid Burn a Myth? (36:42) Why Athletes Clear Lactate and You Don't (40:34) When High Lactate Predicts Death (43:01) The Study That Found Damage in Healthy People (47:13) The Lactate Test That Beats Blood Sugar (54:31) Training Zones 1 to 6 Explained by Fuel (58:50) Why Zone 2 Builds Mitochondria Best (1:09:18) How to Know You're in Zone 2 Without a Lab (1:16:50) Is 150 Minutes a Week Enough? (1:23:39) Why You Still Need High Intensity Training (1:28:10) What Obesity Research Got Wrong (1:31:44) The Twin Cycle Hypothesis of Type 2 Diabetes (1:35:04) Your Personal Fat Threshold Explained (1:42:26) Why Some People Store Fat Safely (1:45:45) Why BMI Fails as a Health Measure (1:51:29) Sugar or Saturated Fat: What Drives Liver Fat? (1:55:07) 15kg Weight Loss and Diabetes Remission (2:01:05) Does Weight Loss Really Destroy Muscle? (2:04:39) Why Exercise Alone Doesn't Drop Weight (2:07:05) 3 Tests That Reveal Your Metabolic Health (2:11:14) What Blue Zones Get Right About Movement (2:17:40) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

GLP-1 medications are transforming obesity treatment, but they're only one piece of the puzzle. In this masterclass, I bring together insights from Dr Terry Simpson, Dr Federica Amati, Dr Mauricio Gonzalez, Dr Christos Mantzoros, and Dr Stephan Guyenet to explain how these medications work, why "food noise" matters, and what it really takes to improve long-term metabolic health. What We Cover How GLP-1 medications regulate appetite and food noise Why obesity is more complex than willpower Semaglutide vs tirzepatide and newer medications Nutrition and resistance training while taking GLP-1s The role of fibre, protein, and Mediterranean-style eating Common misconceptions and side effects I hope this episode helps you better understand both the promise and the limitations of GLP-1 medications, while highlighting the importance of lifestyle alongside any medical treatment. Why Terry Simpson Started Taking a GLP-1 (00:00) What Is Food Noise, Really? (04:59) Why GLP-1 Drugs Work So Well (10:16) What Actually Causes Obesity (17:37) How GLP-1 Medications Work in the Body (21:22) The Strange Lizard Behind GLP-1 Drugs (25:56) 3 Types of Hunger You Didn't Know About (28:41) How to Naturally Boost Fullness Signals (37:08) How Doctors Choose Which GLP-1 to Prescribe (45:10) Why Some People Don't Respond to GLP-1s (53:09) GLP-1 Side Effects, Guilt, and Eating Right (58:12) Mediterranean Diet's Effect on Long-Term Weight Loss (01:10:29) The Shame Around Taking GLP-1 Medications (01:20:00) Being Called a Pharma Shill (01:32:39) The History Behind GLP-1 Drugs (01:38:18) Will You Need GLP-1s Forever? (01:47:04) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

We tend to treat pregnancy as the starting line for a child's health. In this episode, Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE, makes the evidence-based case that the window opens earlier, in the months before conception, and that it shapes fertility and lifelong health in ways most of us were never told. What I valued most is her balance. The science is striking, but she frames it as information to act on rather than a reason for guilt, and she is honest about how much sits with environment and policy rather than individual choice. What we cover: Why the first 1,000 days may be the longevity lever almost no one talks about How a father's metabolic health links to his child's brain, and a mother's to their metabolism The 90-day preconception window, and what both partners can do What the decline in sperm counts really means for individuals GLP-1 medications, fertility, and a contraception detail too few people hear Protein, eggs, soy, and choosing a prenatal supplement, myths included Whether you are planning a pregnancy, supporting a partner, or simply curious about how much of our health is set before birth, I think this one will stay with you. To connect with Dr Federica Amati, follow her on Instagram and explore her work at ZOE. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to rate and review The Proof on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find these conversations. Intro (00:00) Why Your Baby's Health Is Set Before Birth (03:13) Dr. Federica Amati's Background in Maternal Nutrition (07:41) What 48 of 52 Cell Differentiations Means for Your Baby (15:33) How Egg and Sperm Health Drive Conception Outcomes (21:40) Does What You Do Preconception Affect the Baby Too (26:09) Sperm DNA and Placental Health: The Father's Hidden Role (30:39) Heat, Laptops, and Sauna: What Kills Sperm Quality (32:56) Is the 50% Sperm Count Decline Real (39:32) Soy Foods, Testosterone, and Male Fertility Myths Debunked (44:30) Foods to Avoid in the 90-Day Preconception Window (48:10) GLP-1 Drugs, Fertility, and Unplanned Pregnancies (54:28) First Trimester Nausea: What Actually Helps (59:42) How to Choose a Prenatal Supplement (01:04:34) How Much Protein Do You Actually Need in Pregnancy (01:07:30) Can a Plant-Based Diet Work During Pregnancy (01:11:59) Tylenol in Pregnancy: Is It Safe (01:15:55) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. We'd love your feedback. Complete our quick 2-minute audience survey to help us better understand what content, topics, and guests you enjoy most. Take the survey at voicingchange.media/simon. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In late 2024 a CT scan revealed a small amount of soft plaque in my arteries. Sixteen months later I scanned again, and my plaque volume had dropped by around forty percent. In this episode I ask the cardiologist behind the technology whether a result like that can really be trusted. Dr Campbell Rogers is an interventional cardiologist, a former Harvard faculty member who ran the cath lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and now Chief Medical Officer at Heartflow. What we cover: The difference between a calcium score, a CT coronary angiogram, and AI plaque analysis Why a calcium score of zero does not mean you are free of disease What my own scans showed, and why Campbell believes the result Soft versus calcified plaque, and why calcification can be a sign of stabilisation Treating the plaque you can see rather than just an ApoB number Who should consider getting scanned, and the honest trade-offs This is a conversation about seeing a disease we used to only guess at, held with the right amount of scientific humility. If you want to understand your own heart health, I think it is well worth your time. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to rate and review The Proof on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find these conversations. To connect with Dr Campbell Rogers, visit Heartflow. How Campbell Rogers went from cardiologist to Heartflow (00:00) What Heartflow is and how it works (07:26) Coronary CT angiogram vs. stress test (11:54) Why symptoms alone miss early heart disease (13:18) How Heartflow analyzes CT scans in 90 minutes (15:58) Calcified vs. non-calcified plaque: which is riskier (21:28) Why calcium score zero doesn't mean no heart disease (28:45) Who should get a CT angiogram with AI plaque analysis (31:09) Why seeing your plaque improves medication adherence (34:04) Simon's 2024 Heartflow scan results (39:12) How plaque rupture triggers a heart attack (43:25) Simon's 2026 Heartflow scan: 40% plaque reduction in 16 months (45:43) How long to wait between CT scans (51:14) Heartflow vs. Cleerly vs. QAngio (53:12) How Heartflow results led Simon to start statins (58:21) JAMA study: Heartflow tracks plaque in prostate cancer patients (1:00:10) What is low attenuation plaque and why it's high risk (1:02:53) Who should ask their doctor about a coronary CT angiogram (1:07:37) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. We'd love your feedback. Complete our quick 2-minute audience survey to help us better understand what content, topics, and guests you enjoy most. Take the survey at voicingchange.media/simon. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $500 off. The 4th of July sale ends July 12, and you get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Can a supplement actually reverse the plaque in your arteries, or only slow it down? It is the question I am asked most, and after a 2024 scan revealed early plaque in my own left anterior descending artery, it became a personal one too. This is part two of my three-part series on reversing atherosclerosis. In this solo episode I work through eight of the most popular supplements and rank them by the strength of the human evidence, not the strength of the marketing. What we cover: Why pure EPA has by far the strongest evidence for regressing plaque, and what EVAPORATE, CHERRY, JELIS, and REDUCE-IT showed The REDUCE-IT versus STRENGTH debate, and why the form of omega-3 may matter as much as the dose Aged garlic extract and vitamin K2: what the imaging and calcification data suggest Niacin and the biomarker trap: raising "good" cholesterol without lowering risk Where CoQ10, berberine, nattokinase, and pomegranate extract really sit, plus a fact-check of a popular nattokinase claim My own plan after that scan, and a preview of part three on the pharmaceuticals Only one of these eight has strong evidence behind it, and even then it is a prescription rather than a tub from the supplement aisle. Supplements can be useful additions, but never a replacement for the proven basics. You can see exactly what I take over at my personal supplement stack. If you are enjoying the series, the simplest way to help is to leave a quick rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and to share this episode with someone whose heart health you care about. Can Supplements Actually Reverse Arterial Plaque? (00:00) EVAPORATE Trial: High-Dose EPA Reversed Plaque by 9% (02:09) Why Pure EPA Outperforms Standard Fish Oil (07:22) JELIS to REDUCE-IT: EPA Cuts Cardiac Events by 25% (10:10) REDUCE-IT Controversy and RESPECT-EPA 2024 (13:47) VITAL Trial: Omega-3 for Healthy Adults + 2026 Lp(a) Data (16:51) Aged Garlic Extract: 3 Trials on Plaque and Calcification (20:09) Vitamin K2: Does Redirecting Calcium Lower Heart Risk? (23:17) Niacin Failed: Why Raising HDL Didn't Save Lives (27:50) CoQ10: Promising Mechanism, No Plaque Imaging Proof (33:18) Berberine: The Gut Pathway No Other Supplement Uses (38:21) Nattokinase: One Study Says 36% Drop, One Says Zero (41:16) Pomegranate Extract: Strong Animal Data, Weak Human Trials (49:16) Which Supplements Can Actually Reverse Atherosclerosis? (53:18) Simon's Personal Protocol for Reversing LAD Plaque (55:24) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. We'd love your feedback. Complete our quick 2-minute audience survey to help us better understand what content, topics, and guests you enjoy most. Take the survey at voicingchange.media/simon. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. HomeServe Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that’s right for you. HomeServe is not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

For decades we have treated the number on the scale as the goal of metabolic health. Dr Mauricio Gonzalez, a triple board-certified physician and endocrinology fellow practising in New York, makes the case that we have been measuring the wrong thing. In this conversation we explore why liver fat, not body weight, is becoming the real target, what the latest weight-loss medications can and cannot do, and how to cut through the hype and dogma that surround this field. What we cover: Why isolated blood tests and blood pressure readings tell you very little The myth that GLP-1 medications are "the easy way out" Why liver fat may matter more than body weight How diabetes clinics now remove medications instead of adding them Which supplements earn their place, and which Mauricio has cooled on The minimum effective dose for exercise, and knowing when "enough" is enough A grounded, practical conversation with a doctor who meets people where they are. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to rate and review The Proof on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it genuinely helps more people find these conversations. To connect with Dr Mauricio Gonzalez, follow him on Instagram, X, and YouTube, or visit his website at drmauriciogonzalez.com. Intro (00:00) Minimum Effective Dose for Exercise (01:38) Why Continuity of Care Reduces Mortality (07:09) How Type 2 Diabetes Silently Develops Over 12 Years (09:23) Statin vs. PCSK9 Inhibitor: How Doctors Choose (12:45) How GLP-1 Drugs Transformed the Diabetes Clinic (21:46) Why Doctors Now Measure Organ Fat, Not Body Weight (30:25) How Fatty Liver Disease Is Diagnosed (34:05) How Liver Fat Drives Insulin Resistance (40:47) Wegovy vs. Zepbound: How to Choose a GLP-1 (48:18) Should Lean People Use GLP-1s for Metabolic Health? (51:53) Why Patients Feel Guilty Taking GLP-1s (54:13) How Mauricio’s Nutrition Advice Has Evolved Over a Decade (01:04:35) Supplements on GLP-1s: What's Worth Taking (01:09:42) Minimum Effective Dose for Resistance Training (01:16:52) When Health Optimization Becomes Counterproductive (01:21:20) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $500 off. The 4th of July sale ends July 12, and you get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, exercise physiologist Dr Margie Davenport walks me through what the evidence actually shows about exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Margie chaired the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy, the 2025 Canadian postpartum guideline, and the upcoming International Olympic Committee consensus statement on athletes through pregnancy and postpartum. We cover where the 140 bpm rule came from, the scale of the benefits at the population level, what direct fetal monitoring during HIIT and heavy lifting really shows, the new postpartum data, and why so many of the historical prohibitions do not survive contact with the data. What we cover: Where the 1985 "stay below 140 bpm" rule came from, and why it has long outlived its evidence Around 40 percent fewer cases of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, and around 67 percent fewer cases of depression during pregnancy HIIT, heavy resistance training, and what fetal monitoring shows The 51 percent reduction in complications among women who kept lifting heavy Postpartum: the six-week myth, breastfeeding and injury risk, and a 45 percent reduction in postpartum depression The short list of actual "don'ts": scuba diving, and a few situational cautions The paradigm shift from prohibition to shared decision-making If this episode is useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share it with someone in your life who is trying to make sense of conflicting advice. To connect with Dr Margie Davenport, visit exerciseandpregnancy.ca, follow her on Instagram at @DrMargieDavenport, or find her on LinkedIn and YouTube. Intro (00:00) Why Pregnancy Exercise Advice Feels So Confusing (01:15) The Most Damaging Myth About Exercise In Pregnancy (03:08) How Exercise Cuts Pregnancy Complications By 40% (05:05) Why Pregnant Women Were Excluded From Research (07:46) Can You Do High Intensity Workouts While Pregnant (12:49) How Exercise Lowers Preeclampsia And Diabetes Risk (16:43) How Much Exercise Is Safe During Pregnancy (27:03) Is Heavy Lifting Safe During Pregnancy (32:10) What You Should Never Do While Pregnant (40:41) Pelvic Floor Exercises Every Pregnant Woman Needs (47:41) How To Know If You're Overexerting While Pregnant (56:12) Does Exercise Affect Fertility And Conception (1:00:42) Why The 140 BPM Myth Still Exists (1:04:52) How Exercise Improves Postpartum Mental Health And Sleep (1:09:28) The Truth About The 6 Week Postpartum Rule (1:11:32) Does Breastfeeding Increase Your Risk Of Injury (1:17:13) Why Pregnant Athletes Need Better Policy Support (1:19:56) What Future Pregnancy Exercise Research Will Reveal (1:24:50) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38TERA ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP WHOOP, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. WHOOP ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

GLP-1 medications are now part of the mainstream conversation, but the biology of appetite and satiety, the system these drugs operate within, gets far less attention than the drugs themselves. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE and author of the new book The Appetite Reset, to explore what's actually happening in the gut and brain when appetite signals do their job, and what that means for everyone, on or off medication. Federica brings a rare combination of pharmacology, clinical nutrition, and public health expertise to a subject that rarely receives this level of nuance. This is a conversation about understanding your biology well enough to work with it. What we cover: How GLP-1 works naturally in the body, why the natural peptide lasts minutes while the drug version lasts days, and why this matters for anyone using or considering these medications The three types of hunger (hedonic, homeostatic, and microbiota-driven) and how to tell them apart in practice Why GLP-1 supplements don't replicate what the medications do "Prehab" before starting medication: gut microbiome diversity, fibre intake, and nutrient status as the foundation Why the 30g daily fibre target doesn't drop when calorie intake does on medication Protein targets of 1.2 to 1.6g per kilogram and resistance training three times a week as the most critical protective interventions for muscle and bone health The science on shame, weight stigma, and why treating obesity as a lifestyle choice is both inaccurate and actively harmful If this episode was useful, a review on Apple Podcasts or a follow on Spotify makes a genuine difference. To connect with Dr Federica Amati, follow her on Instagram at  ⁠instagram.com/dr.fede.amati⁠ or explore her work through ZOE at zoe.com⁠. Her new book, The Appetite Reset⁠, will be released on June 25 and is available to pre-order now. Intro (00:00) Why Everyone Needs to Understand Appetite Biology (01:14) How Dr. Federica Amati Became a Nutrition Expert (03:06) Why GLP-1 Drugs Are Different From Any Supplement (11:29) The Gila Monster That Led to Ozempic (17:44) What Is Food Noise and Why It Controls You (20:20) Why Willpower Isn't the Problem: Genetics and Epigenetics (24:06) How GLP-1s Change Your Relationship With Food and Joy (30:54) Lowest Effective Dose: Why More Isn't Better (34:08) The Muscle Loss Risk Nobody Warns You About (39:34) Microdosing GLP-1s: Does It Work or Is It Dangerous (41:59) The Three Types of Hunger and How to Tell Them Apart (44:51) How Your Gut Microbes Drive Cravings and Leptin Resistance (50:17) Why Calories Alone Don't Explain Appetite (58:07) How to Manage Food Noise Without a GLP-1 (01:04:46) Prehab Before GLP-1s (01:11:09) The Fiber, Fat, and Gut Prep Protocol for GLP-1 Users (01:13:56) What Clinical Trials Actually Include That Real-World Use Doesn't (01:21:41) Do You Need Supplements on a GLP-1? (01:27:15) Obesity Is Not a Lifestyle Choice: Shame, Stigma, and GLP-1s (01:29:49) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. WHOOP WHOOP, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. WHOOP ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I sit down with bariatric surgeon and science communicator Dr Terry Simpson for a wide-ranging conversation about health misinformation, GLP-1 medications, statins, ApoB, the Mediterranean diet, and the loud contrarians who dominate social media. Terry has familial hypercholesterolemia, a family history of premature cardiovascular disease, and lost 50 pounds on tirzepatide, all of which give him unusual personal stakes in these debates. What we cover: How to think about uncertainty in science, and Terry's heuristic for spotting misinformation The Gila monster origin story of GLP-1 medications, and the difference between native and pharmacological GLP-1 What food noise actually is, and Terry's own experience on tirzepatide His personal case for statins, an LDL of 190 brought into the 40s, and an ApoB in the 40s A defence of Ancel Keys and the Mediterranean diet Where the carnivore, anti-statin, seed oil, and nattokinase narratives fall apart Compounded GLP-1s, peptide deregulation, and why the FDA still matters If you find this episode useful, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with someone who might benefit. To connect with Dr Terry Simpson, visit terrysimpson.com, find him on TikTok at @drterrysimpson, Instagram at @drterrysimpsonmd, X at @drterrysimpson, and Substack at @drsimpson. His podcast is The Unfiltered MD. Intro (00:00) Why Carnivore and Anti-Vax Are Today's Biggest Health Lies (01:02) Doctors, COVID and the Cost of Speaking Up Online (03:58) How to Spot a Health Huckster (13:25) Will GLP-1 Drugs Make Bariatric Surgery Obsolete (19:12) A Bariatric Surgeon's Personal Decision to Take a GLP-1 Drug (22:54) Willpower Is Not the Problem: What Food Noise Actually Feels Like (26:23) Why Ancel Keys Was Right and Low Carb Got It Wrong (32:51) Mediterranean Diet Results That Stopped a Trial Early (39:50) Are GLP-1 Drugs the Greatest Medical Breakthrough This Century (47:38) The Real Danger of Buying Compounded GLP-1 Drugs Online (51:27) BPC-157 and Peptides: Why FDA Guardrails Actually Matter (59:42) Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Statins and a Personal Wake Up Call (01:04:69) Inflammation vs. ApoB: What Actually Causes a Heart Attack (01:13:04) CT Angiogram Results and Keto CTA Data Explained (01:16:33) Fish Oil vs. Eating Fish: Why the Supplement Doesn't Replicate the Food (01:24:35) Simon's Plant Based Diet, Seed Oils and Cooking with Olive Oil (01:28:07) The Seed Oil Debate: Are People Just Afraid of Modern Chemistry (01:33:17) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38TERA ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. WHOOP WHOOP, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. WHOOP ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Ann Macklin to explore the hidden psychological costs of modern wellness culture and why pursuing health can sometimes leave us feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected. Sarah shares insights from her new book, Healthy Shouldn’t Be This Hard, as we unpack self-compassion, perfectionism, body image, mindset, and the pressure to constantly optimise every aspect of our lives. What We Cover Why wellness culture can become emotionally exhausting The difference between self-esteem and self-compassion How mindset shapes long-term health behaviours The psychological side of food, body image, and self-worth Why optimisation culture can backfire Practical ways to build a healthier relationship with yourself I really enjoyed this conversation with Sarah and appreciated her thoughtful, balanced perspective on what genuine wellbeing actually looks like in practice. Pre-order Sarah’s new book, Healthy Shouldn’t Be This Hard, and follow her on Instagram, subscribe to her YouTube channel, and read her writing on Substack. You can also learn more about Sarah and her work on her website. Intro (00:00) What Wellness Culture Is Getting Wrong Right Now (01:16) The Chambermaid Study: How Mindset Changes Your Body (05:48) The Milkshake Study: Your Perception Affects Your Metabolism (07:06) Sarah's Modeling Career, Collapse, and ER Wake-Up Call (09:11) How Social Media Weaponizes Self-Comparison (14:01) Has Optimization Culture Gone Too Far? (17:58) How to Know When Health Habits Become Counterproductive (22:36) Self-Compassion Is a Muscle — Here's How to Build It (27:28) How Common Is Beating Yourself Up Over Health? (30:26) The Chocolate Bar Test: Audit Your Self-Compassion (36:33) How to Reconnect with Your Real Hunger Signals (39:36) The 3-Step Compassion Framework for Eating Decisions (40:57) Discipline vs. Self-Compassion: They're Not Opposites (43:44) The "Friend Filter": The Simplest Self-Compassion Tool (57:12) What Better Wellness Culture Looks Like in 5 Years (01:02:17) Where to Find Sarah's Book "Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard” (01:04:48) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Six years on from our first conversation, global meat consumption is at a record high, and the harms of industrial animal agriculture have only deepened. Bruce Friedrich, founder of the Good Food Institute, is back on the podcast to argue that the answer is not asking people to eat less, but rebuilding meat itself from the ground up. Bruce is the author of the new book Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food and Our Future, and one of the most thoughtful voices working on alternative proteins anywhere in the world. What we cover: Why public health messaging on meat has not changed consumption since the 1960s The four harms of industrial animal agriculture An honest post-mortem on Beyond Meat and the plant-based industry Where cultivated meat actually sits in 2026 Why this transition needs governments, not only venture capital The ultra-processed food backlash and what the science really shows To connect with Bruce Friedrich, you can find his book at meatbook.org, learn more about the Good Food Institute at gfi.org, follow him on X at x.com/BruceGFriedrich, or connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/brucegfriedrich. Support the work of the Good Food Institute. Listener donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $30,000: gfidonorportal.donorsupport.co Intro (00:00) Why Feeding Crops to Animals Is Destroying the Planet (02:02) Is Everything Getting Worse? A 6-Year Update (07:33) Plant-Based Meat: Honest Assessment of What Went Wrong (13:42) Did These Products Come to Market Too Early? (19:42) What US Government Support for Alt Proteins Should Look Like (25:56) 35 Governments Are Now Funding This Research (33:12) Why Conservative States Banned Cultured Meat (36:42) Are Traditional Meat Companies Actually on Board? (40:07) Why Meat Consumption Will Keep Rising Until 2050 (47:06) Is Innovation Actually Stalling? The Real Picture (52:10) Why Cultivated Meat May Beat Plant-Based to the Finish Line (56:47) The Science of Plant Fats vs. Animal Fats Explained (01:00:22) The Biggest Blind Spot in Plant-Based Meat Today (01:07:35) Cultivated Meat Regulatory Milestones: From Zero to 5 Countries (01:14:13) The Only Engineering Challenge That Could Doom Cultured Meat (01:18:05) FDA Approval, Chicken with Cancer, and Why Cultured Meat Is Safer (01:20:30) Cultured Meat Prices Dropped 100,000x in 12 Years (01:25:21) Vow Foods' SpaceX-Inspired Bioreactor Breakthrough (01:30:42) How GFI Raises Money And a $30K Donation Match (01:34:55) The Protein Myth: Why Impossible Burgers Beat Beef on Nutrition (01:39:31) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Cozy Earth This spring, give yourself the kind of comfort that lives with you all day - not just the moment you get home. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code THEPROOF for an exclusive 20% off. Cozy Earth ships worldwide. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia.

Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, and yet the prevention conversation has become noisier and more confused than ever. In this Masterclass I bring together the evidence-first material I think is most useful for understanding cholesterol, blood pressure, and long-term heart health. You will hear from Dr Walter Willett at Harvard, cardiology dietitian Michelle Routhenstein, and nephrologist Dr Raymond Townsend, alongside my own deep dives on plaque regression, the Portfolio Diet, and six landmark trials. What we cover: Legumes as the most underrated longevity food The Portfolio Diet and a 30% LDL reduction without statins What six trials tell us about diet, plaque progression, and regression Dr Walter Willett on saturated fat, seed oils, and dairy Sodium, potassium, and the DASH diet for blood pressure Why diet, exercise, and medications work best together The earlier you start, the more leverage you have. This Masterclass is meant to give you a clearer map of what actually works. If this episode was useful, please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or Spotify. It helps more than you might think. Most Underrated Foods for Long-Term Health (00:00) Can You Actually Reverse Artery Plaque? (03:07) How to Lower ApoB Without Statins (07:19) The Portfolio Diet: Cut LDL by 30% (09:11) 6 Trials That Changed Heart Disease Science (16:30) Michelle Routhenstein: Why Doctors Skip ApoB Testing (20:07) Best Food Swaps to Lower ApoB (27:04) RFK Jr, Seed Oils, and the Saturated Fat Debate (35:48) Full-Fat vs. Low-Fat Dairy and Your Heart (38:27) Blood Pressure: Why the Sodium-Potassium Ratio Matters (43:08) Walter Willett: The True Mediterranean Diet (45:19) Are Seed Oils Inflammatory? The Science (50:50) Should You Cook with Olive Oil or Not (57:44) Full-Fat vs. Low-Fat Dairy: 2025 Research (01:03:00) Dairy vs. Soy Milk: Health and Planet (01:09:32) Plant Protein vs. Animal Protein: The Data (01:14:52) Raymond Townsend: Top Levers for Lowering Blood Pressure (01:16:38) Best Exercise Type for Blood Pressure (01:20:13) How Sodium Raises Blood Pressure Over Time (01:24:48) Potassium vs. Sodium: Why the Ratio Is Everything (01:30:40) Should You Watch Salt with Normal Blood Pressure (01:43:51) Why the DASH Diet Works as Well as a Drug (01:48:31) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. HomeServe Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Go to HomeServe.com to find the plan that’s right for you. HomeServe is not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

The peptide and GLP-1 conversation has reached a fever pitch. Growth-hormone-releasing peptides are being marketed as longevity tools, GLP-1s are being treated as a default rather than a last resort, and a wellness aesthetic of higher IGF-1, more muscle, and less fat is being sold as the route to a longer life. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Valter Longo, Professor of Gerontology at USC and Director of the USC Longevity Institute, to look at what the data actually says. Valter developed the Fasting-Mimicking Diet, has led foundational work on the growth hormone, IGF-1, insulin, and TOR axis across yeast, mice, and humans, and runs non-profit longevity foundation clinics in Europe and the US. He calls himself the anti-biohacker and makes the case using the totality of evidence rather than the loudest claim. What we cover: The peptide boom and why every line of evidence cuts the other way The body composition reality of GLP-1s after 3 to 4 years The optimal IGF-1 range and how to land there with food and timing The Fasting-Mimicking Diet across more than 47 clinical trials, including the biological-age reduction studies The Harvard plant-versus-animal protein data, properly read A grounded case against ketogenic patterns for longevity and what to eat instead If this conversation lands, a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify makes a real difference. To follow more of Dr Valter Longo's work, visit his website, find him on Instagram, and explore the work of the Create Cures Foundation, the Valter Longo Foundation, the Longevity Technology Institute, and the European Longevity Institute through his published research and his book The Longevity Diet. Intro (00:00) The Peptide Boom and What Is Actually Being Sold (00:01) GLP-1s: 92 Per Cent Drop-Out and the Body Composition Math (00:02) The Fasting-Mimicking Diet Reverses Western-Diet Damage (00:13) Snell, Ames, and Laron Dwarf Mice (00:18) The Laron Syndrome Cohort in Ecuador (00:24) Acromegaly and the Cost of High Growth Hormone (00:28) The Optimal IGF-1 Range: 120 to 160 ng/mL (00:50) Plant vs Animal Protein, Properly Read (00:57) The Anti-Keto Case from Okinawa to Loma Linda (01:08) Stanford Crohn's, Miami UC, and Rome Kidney Disease (01:22) Biological Age Reduction After Three FMD Cycles (01:25) FMD Safety Across More Than a Million Users (01:31) The Longevity Diet: Eat More, Eat Better (01:43) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP WHOOP, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. WHOOP ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @theproof Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Plant-based nutrition has rarely been more contested. Seed oils are vilified, butter is celebrated, protein is treated as a pure quantity question, and nutrition epidemiology is routinely dismissed by people who have never read one of its papers. In this episode, I sit down with Dr Andrea Glenn, an Assistant Professor at NYU and Visiting Scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, to look at what the strongest evidence actually shows. We cover the recent plant-versus-animal protein data from the Nurses' Health Studies and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, the Portfolio Diet, the new CHEAP trial, the JAMA Internal Medicine butter and plant oil paper, and the new 2026 AHA dietary guidance. What we cover: The plant-to-animal protein ratio and its association with cardiovascular and coronary heart disease risk The Portfolio Diet, what it contains, and how its LDL-lowering effects compare to a low-dose statin Butter, beef tallow, tropical oils, and what the latest mortality data show Why "low-carb" is not one diet, and why food sources matter as much as the macronutrient breakdown A grounded defence of nutrition epidemiology and the role of food frequency questionnaires Practical takeaways for how to eat in line with the new AHA guidance This is the conversation I wanted to have for anyone tired of nutrition by hashtag. If it lands, a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify makes a real difference. To follow more of Dr Andrea Glenn's work, find her on Instagram at instagram.com/andrea.glenn.rd, on X at x.com/andreaglennrd, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andrea-glennrd. Intro (00:00) Plant vs Animal Protein Ratio and Heart Disease (01:17) Does Total Protein Amount Also Affect CVD Risk? (05:33) Why Nutrition Epidemiology Critics Often Get It Wrong (11:00) Where Epidemiology Fits in the Evidence Hierarchy (17:28) Sensitivity Analyses: How Scientists Test Their Results (22:16) What It's Like Doing Science at Harvard (28:55) The Portfolio Diet: Origins and the Science Behind It (32:21) The CHEAP Trial: Testing Portfolio Diet Long-Term (41:03) Portfolio Diet in Cohort Studies: What the Data Shows (50:24) Unsaturated Fats: Are They Inherently Heart-Protective? (56:16) Phytosterol Supplements: LDL Benefits vs Safety Questions (01:00:06) Butter vs Plant Oils: What Mortality Data Actually Shows (01:06:57) Plant vs Animal MUFAs and Type 2 Diabetes Risk (01:12:11) Low-Carb Diet Quality and Diabetes Risk: New Data (01:15:37) 2026 AHA Dietary Guidelines: Key Differences Explained (01:20:23) Portfolio Diet's Potential to Reduce Disease Burden (01:26:35) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. LMNT ships to the U.S. and Canada, with sparkling flavors available only in the contiguous U.S. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Ultra-processed foods are now the central nutrition conversation of the decade, but the gap between the marketing and the evidence has never been wider. In this episode, I sit down with registered nutritionist and Sunday Times bestselling author Rhiannon Lambert to bring some practical clarity to what the science actually says. We get into how the NOVA system can be too blunt to be useful, why calorie counts on packets are often 30 to 40 per cent inaccurate, what the most recent UPF and cancer data actually shows, and how to spot the difference between sensible fortification and the additives that are genuinely worth questioning. What we cover: What ultra-processed foods really are, and why the NOVA category is so blunt The food matrix and why calorie labels can be misleading UPFs, cancer risk, and the UCL home-cooking study The UK colourings linked to hyperactivity, MSG, and artificial sweeteners How to read a label in under thirty seconds Practical strategies for cooking more at home, even on a budget This is a conversation about reclaiming the kitchen without falling into purism. If it lands, a quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify makes a real difference. To learn more from Rhiannon Lambert, visit her clinic at rhitrition.com, follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/rhitrition and TikTok at tiktok.com/@rhitrition, and pick up her books, The Unprocessed Plate **and The Fibre Formula. You can also find her co-hosting The Wellness Scoop podcast with Ella Mills. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com. ProLon ships within the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. HomeServe HomeServe helps protect your home from unexpected repair costs, covering things like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC issues that standard insurance often doesn’t include. With 24/7 support and access to local contractors, it takes the stress out of urgent repairs. Plans start from $4.99 a month at HomeServe.com. WHOOP WHOOP, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. WHOOP ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Peptides are being marketed as solutions for everything from injury recovery to longevity, but what does the science actually say? In this episode, Dr Leigh Baxt joins me to break down what peptides are, how drug development really works, and why so many of the claims circulating online are running far ahead of the evidence. We explore the difference between approved peptide medicines and unregulated products sold online, why anecdotes are not enough, and what people should understand before putting these compounds into their bodies. What We Cover What peptides are and why they are not new FDA-approved peptide drugs versus unregulated peptides sold online Why scientists are concerned about the current peptide boom How drugs are developed and why most ideas fail Why animal and cell studies are not enough to establish safety and efficacy The problem with using “natural” as a proxy for safe How to think critically about peptide marketing and anecdotal claims This is an important conversation for anyone trying to make sense of the peptide boom and separate genuine science from wellness hype. To learn more from Dr Leigh Baxt, follow her on Instagram at @sciencemomscicomm. I also recommend exploring Unbiased Science, where science communication is made far more accessible for the public. You can follow the project on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, subscribe on Substack, and watch on YouTube. The views expressed are her own and she is not representing her employer. Intro (00:00) Stanford Expert Breaks Down the Peptide Hype (00:53) The Skill Set Behind Real Drug Development (05:09) FDA Approved vs Research Only Peptides Explained (08:03) Why Most Drug Candidates Never Become Medicine (11:06) Peptide Reclassification What Changes and What Doesn't (15:59) The Biological Risks Nobody Mentions About Peptides (20:36) Why Natural Peptides Are Not Necessarily Safe (23:00) What Safety Tests Drugs Must Pass First (28:51) Accepting Unknown Risk What That Actually Means (33:31) How to Find Credible Health Experts Online (36:13) Why Drug Development Always Requires A Team (39:19) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Cozy Earth Cozy Earth’s sheets are designed to keep you cool by wicking heat and moisture away from your body, helping you sleep deeper and wake less. Get up to 20% off at cozyearth.com with code THEPROOF. Cozy Earth ships worldwide. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. ProLon Ready for your own reset? For a limited time, ProLon is offering The Proof listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program. Visit ProLonLife.com to claim your discount and bonus gift. ProLon ships within the United States. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Belinda Beck to challenge long-held beliefs about osteoporosis and bone health. We break down what actually works, what doesn’t, and why many people are being given outdated advice. We explore the science of bone adaptation, the importance of heavy resistance training, and how to think about prevention and treatment across the lifespan. What We Cover Why walking is not enough for bone health How heavy lifting changes bone strength What DEXA scans can and cannot tell you The impact of menopause on bone loss Exercise vs medication for osteoporosis Common myths and misleading advice If you want to better understand how to build and protect your bones, this episode is a must-listen. You can learn more about Dr Belinda Beck’s work via her website, follow updates on Facebook, or explore her clinical and training work at The Bone Clinic and ONERO. Intro (00:00:00) Why Your Doctor Is Wrong About Bone Exercise (00:01:44) The Silent Fracture Crisis No One Is Catching (00:08:34) How Much of Bone Loss Can You Actually Control? (00:14:23) Why Your DEXA Score Misses the Bigger Picture (00:17:28) What Blood Tests Actually Reveal About Your Bones (00:24:58) The Trial That Changed Osteoporosis Exercise Guidelines (00:30:00) The Exact Load Needed to Rebuild Bone (00:38:31) Why Static Holds Won't Build Your Bones (00:43:47) Strength Training Cuts Fracture Risk by 78% (00:47:57) Why Osteoporosis Guidelines Are Still Getting It Wrong (00:51:03) Should You Combine Bone Meds With Heavy Training? (00:55:45) More Exercise + Meds = Better Bone Outcomes (01:02:47) How Menopause Destroys Bone (And What Fights Back) (01:06:35) The Hidden Bone Risk of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs (01:11:05) Bone Gadgets and Gimmicks: What the Science Says (01:14:01) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Caraway Caraway’s cookware set is a favourite for a reason. It can save you up to $190 compared to buying items individually, and The Proof listeners can take an additional 10% off at CarawayHome.com or by using code PROOF at checkout. Caraway. Non-toxic cookware made modern. Caraway ships within the United States. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I return to a conversation I promised to continue - sitting back down with Prof Tim Spector, MD, to explore everything that has changed in microbiome science since Episode 224. Tim and the ZOE team have now published a landmark Nature paper with 34,000 microbiome samples, run a clinical trial comparing personalized nutrition against government guidelines, and Tim has published a book on fermentation science. We cover why most probiotics are scientifically obsolete, a practical ranked guide to fermented foods, the TMAO pathway linking gut bacteria to cardiovascular risk, and the estrobolome - the gut bacteria that recycle estrogen in women. If you have the gut health basics in place, this conversation tells you what to prioritize next. What We Cover The ZOE Microbiome Health Ranking 2025: what 34,000 gut microbiomes revealed about the species that actually matter A practical guide to fermented foods: how much, how often, and whether pasteurised versions count The TMAO mechanism - how your gut bacteria may influence the cardiovascular risk of red meat Why most probiotic supplements use strains that are 100 years out of date The estrobolome: how gut bacteria control estrogen recycling in women The menopause - microbiome connection and what ZOE's latest research shows Building a healthier gut microbiome is less about one dramatic intervention and more about consistent, moderate changes compounding over time. This conversation gives you the clearest picture yet of which changes to prioritise. To connect with the guest, follow Tim Spector on Instagram at @tim.spector and explore ZOE at zoe.com. Intro (00:00) Why Gut Diversity Is a Flawed Metric (01:58) Does the Microbiome Actually Cause Disease? (15:23) Vegan vs. Omnivore Microbiomes (26:52) Why ZOE Made Their Research Public (31:49) Prebiotics Beat Probiotics in RCT (39:46) The Case for More Fiber (46:43) How to Buy Fermented Foods (53:32) Resistant Starch vs. Polyphenols (59:42) Are "Natural" Sugars Any Different? (01:03:12) Time-Restricted Eating & the Microbiome (01:11:21) What's Next for Zoe Research (01:18:35) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Pique Tea Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo brings ancient fermentation into a simple daily ritual, delivering living nutrients that support digestion, metabolism, and sustained energy from the inside out. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @theproof Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Kevin Hall from the NIH to unpack the science behind ultra-processed foods, energy balance, and the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines. We explore what controlled feeding studies reveal about why people tend to eat more calories on ultra-processed diets, and whether it’s the foods themselves or the broader environment driving these effects. What We Cover Key takeaways from the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines What ultra-processed foods actually mean in research vs policy Why people eat more calories without noticing The role of energy density and hyper-palatable foods Whether ultra-processed foods can be improved rather than eliminated Individual variability in response to diet A fascinating look at the intersection of biology, behaviour, and the modern food system. You can learn more about Dr Kevin Hall’s work at his website, follow him on X, or connect on LinkedIn. His book, Food Intelligence: The Science of How Food Both Nourishes and Harms Us, co-authored with Julia Belluz, explores the science of metabolism and ultra-processed foods. Intro (00:00) 2025 Dietary Guidelines First Impressions (01:03) Why They Avoided "Ultra-Processed" Language (04:11) The UPF Definition Nobody Agrees On (09:59) What Actually Makes You Overeat UPFs (19:08) Two Food Properties That Hijack Your Calories (27:38) What Happens When You Fix Ultra-Processed Food (34:28) Why Big Food Won't Fix Its Own Products (45:08) How We Went from Famine Fear to Calorie Glut (51:33) Why Some People Overeat UPFs and Others Don't (58:12) Is Obesity Actually Genetic? (1:01:22) Carbs vs. Fat: What the Data Actually Shows (1:06:34) Keto vs. Low-Fat: The Metabolic Ward Results (1:17:35) A Top Nutrition Scientist's Honest Diet Advice (1:26:22) Will Food Labels Actually Change What You Eat? (1:33:11) "Am I a Food Industry Shill?" -Kevin Hall (1:41:36) Why Kevin Hall Left the NIH for Drug Research (1:44:29) The Study He'd Run With Unlimited Funding (1:47:49) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Mill Mill is an odourless, fully automated food recycler that turns kitchen scraps into clean, dry grounds overnight with no smells or mess. Get $75 off and try it risk-free for 90 days at mill.com using code THEPROOF. Mill ships within the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I speak with Dr Lora Giangregorio about how to train for stronger bones, better balance, and long-term independence. We break down what actually matters when it comes to preventing fractures and improving bone health. We explore the role of resistance, balance, and impact training, and how to apply these in a practical, sustainable way. What We Cover Why starting where you are matters more than following a perfect plan How balance, strength, and impact training work together What progressive overload looks like in real life Why effort matters more than the weight you lift How to safely introduce impact training The role of protein and energy intake in bone health This episode is a practical guide to building strength and resilience for the long term. To explore more of Dr Lora Giangregorio’s work, follow her on TikTok, connect with her on LinkedIn, and visit her University of Waterloo profile to learn more about her research in bone health, exercise, and fracture prevention. Intro (00:00) The Real Cost of Fractures (01:25) Is Osteoporosis a Lifelong Process? (06:39) Who Is Most at Risk for Fragility Fractures (09:32) What Actually Determines Fracture Risk (12:49) How a DEXA Scan Works and How to Read Your Results (26:30) How to Monitor Bone Loss and Choose the Right Treatment (32:06) How Menopause Accelerates Bone Loss (41:52) Bone Health Myths Debunked (46:08) Evidence-Based Exercise Guidelines for Bone Health (59:15) The Three Pillars of Bone Health Exercise (1:04:15) Why Specificity and Progressive Overload Matter (1:09:48) How to Structure Your Weekly Bone Health Training (1:13:39) Resistance Training for Bone Health (1:22:31) How to Choose the Right Load and Effort (1:27:10) Making Bone Health Exercise Accessible to Everyone (1:38:09) High-Risk Exercises to Avoid with Low Bone Density (1:42:22) Does Yoga, Swimming, or Cycling Help Your Bones? (1:47:18) What Is Bone Fit and Who Is It For? (1:52:47) How to Safely Build Up to Impact Training (1:55:57) Free Resources for Fracture Recovery (2:02:06) Nutrition for Bone Health (2:05:10) GLP-1 Drugs and Bone Loss (2:12:48) Future Research on Exercise, Creatine, and Bone Health (2:16:09) Why Effort Matters More Than the Weight You Lift (2:22:15) What Is Possible When You Commit to Bone Health (2:25:48) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Cozy Earth Cozy Earth’s sheets are designed to keep you cool by wicking heat and moisture away from your body, helping you sleep deeper and wake less. Get up to 20% off at cozyearth.com with code THEPROOF. Cozy Earth ships worldwide. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher Gardner and Ty Beal to break down the science and debate behind the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines. We explore ultra-processed foods, protein recommendations, plant-based alternatives, and how nutrition evidence is interpreted when shaping national dietary advice. Despite disagreements on specific points, this conversation highlights how much common ground exists when scientists engage in open, constructive dialogue. What We Cover Why the Dietary Guidelines process became controversial Conflicts of interest and transparency in nutrition science The science behind ultra-processed foods and the NOVA classification Plant-based meats versus conventional meat Protein intake, muscle health, and ageing Fibre intake and the biggest nutritional gaps in Western diets When you zoom out from the debates, the fundamentals remain clear: diets built around whole foods, fibre-rich plants, and minimally processed ingredients consistently support better health. To connect with the guests and explore more of their work, follow Christopher Gardner on Instagram and LinkedIn, and learn more about his research through the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group. You can follow Ty Beal on Instagram, subscribe to his YouTube channel, and explore his research at tybeal.com. Intro (00:00) Should Diet Advice Include Sustainability (06:06) Why Canada's Food Guide Beats America's (13:52) How Much Protein Do Americans Actually Need? (23:49) Can Regenerative Farming Fix Meat's Problem? (35:31) How the Dietary Guidelines Committee Works (42:32) Do Conflicts of Interest Corrupt Diet Guidelines? (50:11) Scientists React to the New 2025 Guidelines (57:50) The Saturated Fat vs Seed Oils Debate (01:12:03) Why Health Equity Divided the Committee (01:22:18) Diet Wars: Stopping the Science Undermining (01:32:59) Epidemiology vs RCTs: Which Evidence Wins? (01:43:24) Ultra-Processed Foods: Where NOVA Gets It Wrong (01:53:12) Are Plant-Based Meats Just Ultra-Processed Junk? (01:57:58) Should Plant-Based Milks Be Fortified? (02:05:46) Low Carb vs Low Fat: What Protects Your Heart? (02:12:21) High Protein Diets and the Hidden Fiber Gap (02:18:11) GLP-1 Drugs and Your Protein Needs (02:22:27) How Much Protein to Preserve Muscle With Age? (02:28:46) Diet Guidelines Both Scientists Agree On (02:39:22) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. ProLon Ready for your own reset? For a limited time, ProLon is offering The Proof listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program. Visit ProLonLife.com to claim your discount and bonus gift. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. Caraway  Caraway’s cookware set is a favourite for a reason. It can save you up to $190 compared to buying items individually, and The Proof listeners can take an additional 10% off at CarawayHome.com or by using code PROOF at checkout. Caraway. Non-toxic cookware made modern. Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Kristen Knutson to unpack circadian health and how timing influences our metabolism, cardiovascular health, and sleep quality. We discuss the role of morning light, meal timing, exercise, and regularity, and why modern lifestyles often push our biology out of sync. Dr Knutson also clarifies common misconceptions about melatonin, wearable sleep trackers, and what to do if you wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to fall back asleep. What We Cover What circadian health is and how disruption occurs in everyday life Why morning light is the strongest signal for your internal clock Meal timing basics, including why avoiding food close to bedtime matters Exercise timing and the simple rule most people should follow Sleep health beyond hours slept: quality, timing, and regularity Practical strategies for waking during the night and falling back asleep Understanding circadian rhythms can help you make small changes that support better sleep, better energy, and long-term health. To connect with the guest, follow Dr Kristen Knutson on LinkedIn and explore her research profile via Northwestern Feinberg. Intro (00:00) America’s 24/7 Problem (02:48) Night Owls: Is Your Sleep Schedule Genetic? (14:04) Why "Catching Up" on Sleep Fails (20:00) How to Use Light & Melatonin (29:16) Meal Timing and Weight Gain (37:27 The Best Fasting Window for Your Circadian Rhythm (43:25) Can Late Workouts Ruin Sleep? (48:07) Deep Sleep vs. REM (55:23) How Your Brain Fights to Recover (58:32) Hacks for Falling Back To Sleep Quickly (01:03:27) The Holy Trinity of Health: Diet, Exercise, and Sleep (01:12:00) One Simple Step to Start Today (01:15:56) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Mill Mill is an odourless, fully automated food recycler that turns kitchen scraps into clean, dry grounds overnight with no smells or mess. Get $75 off and try it risk-free for 90 days at mill.com using code THEPROOF. Mill ships within the United States. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple and Dr Alyssa Olenick join me to answer a question I hear constantly from women in midlife: “Why am I putting in so much effort, but not seeing the results?” We break down what matters most for strength, body composition, and long term health, and what is simply noise. You’ll come away with a clear framework for resistance training, a realistic view of cardio, and a calmer approach to progress that does not rely on fear, perfection, or menopause specific gimmicks. What We Cover Why effort and the right stimulus matter more than “working hard” A simple full body lifting template for busy weeks How to know if you are training close enough to failure Why cardio is still important, and how to think about intensity The cortisol and overtraining myths that keep women stuck How protein, consistency, and dieting patterns affect results If you want a plan you can actually stick with, this one will help you focus on the basics that move the needle. Intro (00:00) The Real Reason Your Fitness Progress Has Stalled (02:00) Why Women Should Lift Heavy (10:40) Maximize Your Training ROI ( 21:29) Fitness Fact vs. Fiction (34:17) How Your Body Changes with Age (40:59) The Busy Woman’s Guide (53:30) Why Reps & Rest Matter ( 1:11:54) Which Goal Should You Prioritize in Midlife? ( 1:29:52) Eating for Muscle Growth (1:44:43) Building Muscle While Losing Fat (1:54:36) Finding Workouts You Love (2:09:13) HIIT, Zone 2, and What Your Heart Really Needs (2:14:58) Balancing Cardio Intensities (2:25:14) Signs Your Cardiovascular Training is Actually Working (2:30:25) Midlife Fitness Truths (2:38:02) Final Takeaways: Strategies for Longevity (2:47:29) Connect with Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple on Instagram and at drlaurencs.com. Follow Dr Alyssa Olenick on Instagram, listen to The Messy Middle Podcast, subscribe on YouTube, and visit doclyssfitness.com for practical, science based guidance on training and midlife health. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Pique Tea Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo brings ancient fermentation into a simple daily ritual, delivering living nutrients that support digestion, metabolism, and sustained energy from the inside out. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Dr Brad Schoenfeld and Alan Aragon join me to explore protein requirements, recomposition, and how to structure resistance training for long-term strength and muscle retention. We discuss calorie deficits, effort, failure, recovery, and the training variables that matter most for healthy ageing. What We Cover Protein targets in and out of a calorie deficit Recomp versus surplus for muscle growth Effort, failure, and rep range myths Recovery, soreness, and cold exposure Cardio, interference, and real-world training balance If you care about building muscle, preserving strength, and avoiding unnecessary complexity, this episode is a practical guide to getting the basics right. To connect with the guests and explore more of their work, follow Alan Aragon on Instagram and Twitter, and visit his website at fitadvancement.com for research reviews, in-depth nutrition analysis, and mentorship offerings. You can follow Dr Brad Schoenfeld on Instagram and Twitter for ongoing insights into resistance training science and hypertrophy research. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe (UK, Germany, France, etc.), Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

The 2025 US Dietary Guidelines are out, and they’ve sparked debate across the nutrition world. In this episode, I sit down with Dr David Katz to examine where the new recommendations align with science and where they diverge from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s evidence review. We discuss the increased emphasis on meat and protein, contradictions around saturated fat and full-fat dairy, the controversy around seed oils, and what everyday people should actually focus on. What We Cover Why David believes science was subordinated to ideology The protein recommendation: do most Americans need more? Meat versus legumes for long-term health Saturated fat limits and whether the guidelines contradict themselves Full-fat dairy: beneficial, neutral, or harmful? Seed oils, essential fats, and common misconceptions The role of fibre and what gets displaced when protein increases The simple dietary pattern most associated with longevity Despite the noise, one principle remains consistent: eat real food, mostly plants, in balanced combinations. The fundamentals of good nutrition have not changed. You can connect with Dr David Katz on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter). To learn more about his work, visit davidkatzmd.com, explore Diet ID, and discover the True Health Initiative. Intro (00:00) Initial Reactions to the New Dietary Guidelines (01:36) Political Influences on Dietary Guidelines (08:54) Specific Departures from Evidence-Based Recommendations (18:58) Historical Context and Modern Diet Quality (33:55) Protein Quality and Public Health (41:10) Regenerative Agriculture and Legumes (46:29) Understanding Fats in Our Diet (50:10) Contradictions in Dietary Guidelines (01:01:22) Dairy Consumption: Pros and Cons (01:10:20) Personalizing Your Diet for Optimal Health (01:19:25) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. ProLon Join my Guided Group Fasting Protocol starting March 9th using ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet, a science-backed program designed to support metabolic health while still allowing you to eat. Reserve your spot and claim 15% off at ProLonLife.com. ProLon ships within the United States. Mill Mill is an odourless, fully automated food recycler that turns kitchen scraps into clean, dry grounds overnight with no smells or mess. Get $75 off and try it risk-free for 90 days at mill.com/THEPROOF using code THEPROOF. Mill ships within the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at http://livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at http://eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Can diet really reverse atherosclerosis, or is that an overpromise? Since sharing my own coronary CT angiogram results, this question has come up almost daily. In this episode, I revisit the best clinical trials to see what the evidence actually says. I break down six randomised controlled trials and explain how different dietary patterns influence plaque progression, plaque stability, and cardiovascular events. What we cover What atherosclerosis is and how it develops over time The tools used to measure plaque and artery health Evidence from six major randomised controlled trials on diet and atherosclerosis What Mediterranean and low fat diets actually achieve in practice Whether diet still matters if you are already on medication Key takeaways for prevention, progression, and long term heart health Diet cannot do everything, but the evidence shows it can meaningfully change the trajectory of atherosclerosis and reduce cardiovascular risk. Intro (00:00) What is Atherosclerosis? Understanding Plaque Buildup (02:06) 4 Ways to Measure Plaque: CAC, IMT, CTA, and QCA (05:35) The Gold Standard: 6 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) (09:36) The 1990 Lifestyle Heart Trial (Dean Ornish) (12:20) The STARS Trial: Omega-3s & Fiber for Plaque Reversal (19:17) The SCRIP Trial: Stacking Lifestyle and Medication (23:36) PREDIMED Study: The Power of the Mediterranean Diet (26:53) CORDIOPREV Results: Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease (32:53) DISCO CT Trial: Modern AI Imaging of Plaque Changes (39:24) Summary of Clinical Evidence: What Actually Shrinks Plaque? (43:53) 3 Critical Takeaways for Managing Your Heart Health (46:25) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/proof. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Pique Tea Pique’s Pu’er Tea Duo brings ancient fermentation into a simple daily ritual, delivering living nutrients that support digestion, metabolism, and sustained energy from the inside out. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

I’m joined by Dr Robert Eckel to unpack why obesity is far more complex than a BMI number and why insulin resistance plays such a central role in cardiometabolic disease. We discuss preclinical versus clinical obesity, fat distribution, metabolic risk, and what actually improves health outcomes beyond weight loss alone. What We Cover Why BMI is only a starting point Preclinical versus clinical obesity explained Why visceral fat matters more than total fat How insulin resistance develops with excess body fat Who may benefit most from weight loss interventions GLP-1 therapies, benefits and open questions A practical, evidence-based conversation that reframes how we think about obesity, risk and long term health. Introduction (00:00) Clinical vs Preclinical Obesity: How Should Obesity Be Defined? (05:21) Why Is Obesity Difficult to Diagnose and Treat in Practice? (08:06) How Genetics and Environment Influence Body Fat Gain (20:27) What Is Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome? (32:23) How Insulin Sensitivity Relates to Clinical Obesity (55:26) Why Insulin Resistance Begins in Adipose Tissue (59:49) Physiological vs Pathological Insulin Resistance Explained (01:04:47) How Physical Activity Improves Insulin Sensitivity (01:10:46) Family History, Genetics, and Cardiometabolic Risk (01:12:30) Individualised Obesity Treatment Guidelines in Clinical Care (01:15:40) How GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Are Used in Obesity Management (01:16:12) What Is the Obesity Paradox in Cardiometabolic Disease? (01:22:01) Future Projections for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Health (01:30:07) Public Health Challenges in Preventing Excess Adiposity (01:40:23) Practical Clinical Takeaways and Final Thoughts (01:44:15) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Fertility is not just about timing ovulation. In this episode, Dr Natalie Crawford explains how sleep, stress, insulin resistance, diet, toxins, supplements, and lifestyle choices influence egg and sperm quality, miscarriage risk, and fertility outcomes. We cover fertility myths, evidence-based nutrition, supplements that matter, and when medical treatments like IVF or egg freezing make sense. What We Cover Sleep, inflammation, and hormone signalling Insulin resistance and reproductive health Strength training, stress, and metabolic resilience Fertility nutrition and soy myths Supplements that support fertility Sex, ovulation timing, and common misconceptions Fertility treatments and realistic expectations A practical, compassionate, and science-driven conversation for anyone planning a pregnancy or struggling to conceive. You can learn more from Dr Natalie Crawford by preordering her book The Fertility Formula at nataliecrawfordmd.com/book. You can also follow her on Instagram for ongoing fertility education, and listen to her podcast As a Woman. Intro (00:00) How Personal Loss Changed Medical Practice (03:34) Infertility, Isolation, and the Power of Support Systems (11:32) Fertility Is Not Luck: How Empowered Choices Shape Outcomes (16:03) Common Fertility Myths and Misconceptions (21:31) Sperm Health, Lifestyle, and Testosterone Risks (32:59) Chronic Inflammation and Its Impact on Reproductive Health (42:50) Egg Quality vs Age: What Really Drives Infertility (50:55) Hidden Signs of Chronic Inflammation You Shouldn’t Ignore (01:01:22) Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Health Sign (01:10:34) Birth Control and Fertility Awareness (01:19:17) Lifestyle Changes That Can Improve Natural Fertility (01:28:33) Why Sleep Is Critical for Hormones, Fertility, and Metabolic Health (01:34:13) Muscle Mass, Insulin Resistance, and Fertility Health (01:43:48) How Food Influences Inflammation (01:53:33) Supplements That Support Fertility and Egg Quality (02:05:56) Fertility Supplement Red Flags (02:15:55) Everyday Behavioral Toxins That Harm Fertility (02:29:46) Common Fertility Myths Explained (02:36:19) When to Consider Medical Interventions for Infertility (02:42:43) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. ProLon Just in time for the new year, ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet offers a science-backed way to support metabolic health while still allowing you to eat. ProLon is offering The Proof listeners 15% off their 5-day nutrition program at ProLonLife.com. Caraway Caraway’s cookware set is a favourite for a reason. It can save you up to $190 compared to buying items individually, and The Proof listeners can take an additional 10% off at CarawayHome.com or by using code THEPROOF at checkout. Caraway. Non-toxic cookware made modern. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Could your gut microbiome influence how many calories you absorb from the same food? Karen Corbin explains the science behind energy absorption, faecal calorie loss, and why feeding your microbes may support metabolic health. We also cover practical diet upgrades, the reality on probiotics, and where microbiome research is heading next, including metabolite signatures and gut–brain links. What We Cover How the microbiome may change calorie absorption and energy balance Why fibre and resistant starch matter, and how to increase them Where “lost” calories go, and what microbial biomass could mean Probiotics vs prebiotics: what is worth your time and money How fast microbiome changes can happen with diet The future: metabolites, objective diet measures, and brain health research Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed it, share the episode and subscribe for more evidence-based conversations. You can keep up with Dr Karen Corbin’s latest research by connecting with her on LinkedIn and exploring her profile at the AdventHealth Research Institute. Intro (00:00) Can the Gut Microbiome Increase or Reduce Calorie Absorption? (01:02) Karen Corbin’s Microbiome Research Journey in Nutrition Science (04:17) New Microbiome Experiments That Could Change How We Eat (11:17) Energy Balance Explained: Calories, Metabolism, and Weight Gain (18:28) How Scientists Study the Gut Microbiome (29:19) Is the Gut Microbiome Causing Obesity and Metabolic Disease? (38:54) How Medications Like Metformin Affect the Gut Microbiome (43:31) Can a High-Fiber Microbiome Diet Reduce Hunger and Cravings? (45:06) Liver Fat, Type 2 Diabetes, and Metabolic Dysfunction Explained (50:44) Best Diet and Nutrition Strategies for Fatty Liver Disease (56:01) How Diet Changes the Gut Microbiome and Metabolism (1:02:27) Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What Actually Improves Gut Health? (1:07:08) GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs and Their Effects on the Microbiome (1:13:07) Gut Microbiome Metabolites and How They Impact Health (1:16:28) Gut-Brain Connection: How the Microbiome Affects the Brain (1:21:57) Future of Gut Microbiome Research and Personalized Nutrition (1:30:24) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com.

In this episode, Drew Harrisberg and I go deep on life beyond macros and metrics. We talk about gratitude, regret, ageing, and how constant optimisation can quietly pull us away from what actually matters. We also cover living with type 1 diabetes, health tech, social sport, future wellness trends, and why simplicity, connection, and play may be the real foundations of long-term wellbeing. What We Cover Optimisation culture versus presence and joy Regret, legacy, and end-of-life reflections Health data, CGMs, and the mental load of tracking Type 1 diabetes and daily decision fatigue Paddle, play, and the power of social movement Where wellness trends may be heading next A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on health, meaning, and living well. To connect with Drew, you can reach him via his Instagram or website, Drew’s Daily Dose, where you can also find his training program. To hear more from Drew, check out his previous episodes on The Proof. Intro (00:00) Dietary Changes and Reflections (03:18) Insulin Sensitivity, Dietary Fat, and Metabolic Health (10:25) Bone Health and Exercise in Older Adults (14:56) Protein Intake, Leucine, and Muscle Protein Synthesis (32:15) Controlled Studies vs. Real-World Results (38:24) How Older Adults Should Optimize Protein Intake (45:13) Ethical and Environmental Trade-Offs of Plant-Based Diets (57:10) Reflecting on Life, Priorities, & Regrets (01:10:15) The Ideal Self vs the “Ought” Self (01:17:27) Struggles with Distraction and Presence (01:24:50) The Future of Longevity Retreats (01:37:44) The Over-Optimization Trap in Health and Life (01:45:08) Why Upcoming Dietary Guidelines May Spark Controversy (01:48:46) Will America’s Obesity Rates Finally Decline? (01:58:30) Music, Creativity, and Personal Challenges (02:04:31) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

I sit down with Dr Luc van Loon to unpack what really happens to protein in the body, from digestion to muscle and organ tissue. We explore why muscle protein synthesis is often misunderstood, how inactivity drives muscle loss, and what the research actually says about protein needs across the lifespan. What We Cover Ice baths and their impact on muscle adaptation Protein absorption, muscle protein synthesis, and common myths Anabolic resistance and the role of physical activity Protein needs in ageing, illness, and recovery Plant based versus omnivorous diets and muscle health A deep dive into protein science, ageing, and what matters most for preserving muscle and function. Intro (00:00) How Protein Research Evolved in Exercise Physiology (02:07) How Muscle Protein Synthesis Actually Works (Mechanisms Explained) (04:01) Tracing Amino Acids From Food Into Muscle Tissue (07:00) Biggest Myths About Protein Intake (What the Public Gets Wrong) (10:02) Protein Digestion, Absorption, and Where Amino Acids Go (17:25) Anabolic Resistance Explained: Why Muscle Response Declines With Age (38:16) How Much Protein Do You Really Need? Optimal vs Adequate Intake (46:41) How Protein Digestion Studies Are Designed (And Their Limitations) (53:22) Omnivore vs Vegan Diets: Muscle Protein Synthesis Compared (1:00:12) Protein Quality vs Quantity: What Actually Builds Muscle (01:08:52) Protein Powders, Isolates, and Supplements: Do They Help? (01:11:08) Protein Requirements (01:15:08) IGF1, Protein Consumption and Cancer (01:16:32) Amino Acids Explained: How the Body Rebuilds Protein From Steak (01:22:34) Anabolic Response Explained: When Amino Acids Actually Build Muscle (01:28:59) Supplements and Muscle Protein Synthesis (01:30:35) Muscle Protein Turnover, Aging, and Preventing Muscle Loss (01:38:59) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off FOR LIFE when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In Part 2 of Highlights of 2025, I revisit some of the most important conversations from the year on The Proof, covering cardiovascular prevention, blood pressure, cholesterol, nutrition, sustainability, and performance. Featuring insights from Dr Laurence Sperling, Dr Thomas Dayspring, Dr Dan Soffer, Dr Raymond Townsend, Dr Hannah Ritchie, Dr Iñigo San Millán, and Dr Dawn Mussallem, this episode focuses on evidence-based strategies for reducing long-term risk and improving healthspan. What we cover: LDL cholesterol and ApoB targets for prevention and regression Blood pressure, ageing, and lifestyle interventions Lp(a) risk and emerging therapies Diet quality, sustainability, and realistic dietary swaps Soy, breast cancer outcomes, and plant protein Creatine dosing, safety, and performance benefits If you want a clear-eyed, evidence-based look at heart health and longevity, this episode pulls it all together. Intro (00:00) Optimal LDL & Blood Pressure Levels to Prevent Heart Disease - Dr Laurence Sperling (01:13) Keto Diet, Cholesterol & Heart Health Explained - Simon Hill (11:19) Why Heart Disease Happens Even When You’re Doing Everything Right - Dr Thomas Dayspring and Dr Dan Soffer (29:07) Who Should Start Statins or Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy - Dr Thomas Dayspring and Dr Dan Soffer (53:28) What Hypertension Really Means and Why It’s Misunderstood - Dr Raymond Townsend (1:08:20) Lifestyle Habits That Naturally Lower Blood Pressure - Dr Raymond Townsend (1:20:28) Can You Lower Lipoprotein(a) or Is It Genetic - Simon Hill (1:27:37) Plant-Based Diets, Nutrition Needs & Climate Impact - Dr Hannah Ritchie (1:32:05) Lactate, Mitochondria & Longevity - Dr Iñigo San Millán (1:45:48) The Biggest Healthy Eating Questions in Cancer Prevention - Dr Dawn Mussallem (1:57:29) Creatine Benefits, Safety & Performance - Simon Hill (2:05:07) Does Creatine Timing Matter - Simon Hill (2:11:40) Does Creatine Harm the Kidneys - Simon Hill (2:13:58) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off FOR LIFE when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $400 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Welcome to Part 1 of our Highlights of 2025 series, where I revisit the most important conversations from the year on The Proof, spanning nutrition science, misinformation, and long-term health. This episode features highlights from Dr Matthew Nagra, Dr Rupy Aujla, Drew Harrisberg, Dr Steven Novella, Dr Bill Harris, Dr David Katz, Doug Evans, Dr Suzanne Devkota, Dr Jessica Knurick, and Dr Walter Willett, covering protein quality, dietary fats, gut health, diet quality, and public health. What we cover: Plant vs animal protein and the leucine debate Protein needs for health, performance, and ageing Science vs anecdotes and spotting misinformation Seed oils, omega-6 fats, and common myths Olive oil quality and how to choose well Butter vs plant oils and mortality risk What diet quality really means Sulforaphane and the science of sprouts Gut health, microbiome diversity, and testing limitations Public health narratives and why focus matters Thank you for joining me for Part 1 of Highlights of 2025 on The Proof. I hope this episode helps you hold onto nuance, prioritise outcomes over ideology, and move into the year ahead with clarity and confidence. Intro (00:00:00) Plant Protein vs Animal Protein: Leucine, Muscle & Diet Quality - Simon Hill (00:01:16) Is the Protein Debate Really Over? Muscle, Health & Sustainability Explained - Dr Matthew Nagra (00:11:10) How Much Protein Do You Actually Need for Aging, Gut Health & Longevity? - Dr Rupy Aujla (00:23:45) Why Health Anecdotes Spread Faster Than Science (And Why It Matters) - Drew Harrisberg (00:36:14) Why Smart People Fall for Pseudoscience in Nutrition & Health - Dr Steven Novella (00:52:29) Are Seed Oils Actually Harmful? Omega-6 Fats & Inflammation Explained - Dr Bill Harris (00:59:24) How to Choose the Healthiest Olive Oil (Quality, Labels & Polyphenols) - Simon Hill (01:07:58) Butter vs Plant Oils: What the Evidence Says About Mortality & Heart Health - Dr Matthew Nagra (01:13:33) What Does a High-Quality Diet Really Mean for Longevity? - Dr David Katz (01:19:49) Sulforaphane, Sprouts & Cellular Protection: How Food Impacts Longevity - Doug Evans (01:38:34) How the Gut Microbiome Affects Health (And What You Can Change) - Simon Hill (01:46:38) What Actually Defines a “Healthy Gut”? Microbiome Testing Explained - Dr Suzanne Devkota (01:50:00) What Is MAHA? Nutrition Science, Misinformation & Public Health - Dr Jessica Knurick (02:02:53) Saturated Fat, Dietary Guidelines & Why Policy Still Matters - Dr Walter Willett (02:11:17) How to Improve Diet Quality at a Population Level - Dr David Katz (02:13:35) Seed Oils vs Beef Tallow: Wellness Claims vs Scientific Evidence - Drew Harrisberg (02:20:50) Why the Omega-6 Controversy Refuses to Die - Dr Bill Harris (02:24:52) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I’m joined by cardiac dietitian Michelle Routhenstein to unpack why heart disease prevention is still so misunderstood. We explore cholesterol confusion, blood pressure, saturated fat, carbs, supplements, and why personalised nutrition matters far more than rigid dietary rules. Michelle explains how food choices influence plaque progression, inflammation, gut health, and heart rhythm, and why sustainable habits, not extremes, are key for long-term cardiovascular health. What We Cover Why heart disease is still largely preventable yet so common Cholesterol, ApoB, and the biggest nutrition myths patients face Blood pressure as the most powerful but ignored risk factor Soluble fibre, unsaturated fats, and gut health for heart protection Menopause, metabolic changes, and shifting cardiovascular risk Supplements vs food, and when medication still matters A practical, evidence-based conversation on how to protect your heart for the long term. You can learn more from Michelle Routhenstein by following her on Instagram, connecting with her on LinkedIn, or visiting her website for resources and ways to work with her. Intro (00:00:00) Nutrition Is Central to Heart Health (00:01:23) Prevention vs Treatment: Where Cardiology Gets It Wrong (00:04:20) Becoming a Cardiac Dietitian (00:09:47) Preventing Cardiovascular Disease Before It Starts (00:12:39) What a Truly Heart-Healthy Diet Looks Like (00:18:53) Carbohydrates & Heart Health Explained (00:23:40) Personalized Nutrition, Biomarkers & Omega-3s (00:30:35) Cholesterol, Fats & Fiber Explained Simply (00:46:32) Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats (00:48:17) Adjusting Diets Based on Cholesterol Response (00:53:20) Seed Oil Myths & Online Nutrition Controversies (01:13:28) Sodium, Visceral Fat & Cardiometabolic Risk (01:24:56) GLP-1s, Menopause & Individualized Heart Care (01:32:27) Real Patient Transformations & The Future of Cardiac Care (01:42:43) Supplements Can Support But Not Replace Nutrition (01:49:59) Dietitians & Cardiologists Working Together (02:05:39) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $400 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode I sit down again with microbiome researcher Dr Suzanne Devkota to explore what a healthy microbiome really is and how we can support it. We unpack diversity, early life programming, fibre and microbiota accessible carbohydrates (MACs), plus the genuine role of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics. Suzanne also shares cutting edge research on short chain fatty acids, Akkermansia, inflammatory bowel disease, visceral fat and colon cancer, and helps separate solid science from the noise you see online. What We Cover What the microbiome is and how it differs along the digestive tract Why diversity is a key marker of gut health and how chronic disease and diet affect it Early life influences on the microbiome, from birth mode to first foods The realities of stool testing, different methods, and how to interpret results with care Probiotics versus prebiotics versus postbiotics, when each may or may not be useful MAC rich foods, short chain fatty acids and why butyrate is so important for gut barrier integrity The Akkermansia story, mucus, leaky gut and why focusing on one bug is misleading New data on IBD, gut leakiness, bacteria in fat tissue and links to fibrosis and metabolism I hope this conversation gives you a clearer, more grounded view of gut health and helps you focus on practical, sustainable steps that genuinely support your microbiome. You can learn more from Dr Suzanne Devkota by following her on Instagram, or by visiting the Cedars-Sinai Human Microbiome Research Institute and the Devkota Lab. Intro (00:00:00) The Microbiome Conversation (00:01:16) How Diversity Shapes Your Gut’s Health and Resilience (00:04:40) The First Three Years That Shape a Lifetime (00:08:09) What Microbiome Tests Can and Can’t Tell You (00:11:05) Probiotics, Prebiotics, Postbiotics (00:18:05) The Quiet Power of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (00:34:47) The Fiber Controversy and What People Get Wrong (00:47:58) How Daily Habits Quietly Reshape Your Microbiome (00:49:28) Antibiotics, Resetting, and Rebuilding Your Gut (00:52:07) How Early-Life Factors Imprint Your Gut for Decades (00:56:57) Why Chronic Inflammation and IBD Connect Back to the Microbiome (01:03:14) What We’re Learning About Colon Cancer and the Gut (01:16:13) The Future of Microbiome Science and Personalized Gut Care (01:27:45) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $400 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode I am joined by Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*, to talk about why so many of us build our lives around “shitty values” and what it takes to change. We discuss regret, shame and the stories we tell ourselves, and how taking responsibility without blaming yourself can transform the way you move through the world. Mark shares his counterintuitive values framework, why you actually need failure, uncertainty and rejection, and how contemplating your own mortality can help you decide what really deserves your limited time and energy. What We Cover Why “shitty values” are so alluring in early adulthood and how to recognise them in your own life The gap between your stated values and your lived behaviour, and why your actions tell the truth Responsibility versus fault, and how owning your choices creates agency after heartbreak and other setbacks People pleasing, approval seeking and the cost of caring too much what others think Why you should be willing to be disliked for something that matters and how this builds real trust How Mark thinks about “not giving a fuck” today and why it is really about better priorities, not apathy By the end of the episode you will have a more honest way to look at your own values, practical tools for choosing better problems, and a new appreciation for time, mortality and what is truly worth caring about. Intro (00:00:00) Rethinking Your Younger Self (00:02:05) What We Get Wrong About Values (00:05:36) Time, Maturity, and Self-Deception (00:08:09) The People Who Hold Up the Mirror (00:12:07) When Culture Points Us the Wrong Way (00:15:44) The Making of an Unlikely Bestseller (00:21:03) “I’m Enough”… But Am I Really? (00:38:38) The Five Counterintuitive Values (00:44:50) Responsibility Isn’t Blame (00:50:41) Living With Maybe (00:56:23) What ‘Not Giving a F*ck’ Actually Means (01:01:45) Seeing Life Through a Finite Lens (01:11:53) Why Boredom Still Matters (01:20:32) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Dr Walter Willett has spent more than fifty years at the forefront of nutrition research, leading landmark studies that have shaped how we think about fat, carbohydrates, protein and chronic disease. In this episode, he joins me to untangle decades of confusion around saturated fat, seed oils, dairy, eggs, plant protein and more, and to explain what a truly healthy dietary pattern looks like when you consider both human health and planetary health. We explore how evidence from long term cohorts, clinical trials and global dietary patterns converges on a common theme, and what the Planetary Health Diet means in practical terms for you and your family. What We Cover How nutrition science has evolved and why the big picture is now clearer. Why the source of fat and carbohydrate matters more than the amount. The truth about seed oils, saturated fats, and dairy. Protein quality, plant to animal ratios, and what matters most for longevity. How diet affects cognitive ageing and dementia risk. The planetary health diet and how to eat for both people and planet. This is a nuanced, evidence based conversation with one of the most influential nutrition scientists of our time. I hope it helps you feel less confused and more empowered in the choices you make every day. The Fat Misconception of the 1970s (00:01:35) Media, Internet & Public Misinformation (00:05:36) Current Blind Spots & Future Predictions (00:09:55) Dietary Changes & Public Health Impact (00:13:47) Why the Mediterranean Diet Still Leads the Pack (00:18:02 How Nutrition Research Really Works (00:23:33) Fats, Oils, and the Myths That Won’t Die (00:32:57) Dairy: Health vs. Environmental Costs (00:45:35) Protein Intake & Healthy Aging (00:59:57) Fiber's Role in Health (01:19:59) Can Diet Protect Our Brain? (01:29:43) Food Choices and the Future of the Planet (01:40:48) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $400 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. SKIMS Upgrade your underwear drawer with SKIMS Mens. Soft, stretchy and built to stay in shape, they provide comfort and freedom of movement for training or everyday wear. Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent you! After you order, select "podcast" in the survey and choose The Proof from the dropdown. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts this season - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com.

Dr Jessica Knurick joins me to examine the systems influencing America’s health. We discuss the gap between individual choices and public health realities, the rise of MAHA, and why many proposed solutions fail to address the real drivers of chronic disease. Jessica breaks down regulation, subsidies and the role of corporations, the truth about food dyes and additives, and why SNAP remains essential for reducing food insecurity and improving health outcomes. What We Cover Jessica’s path into public health communication Individual behaviour versus systemic influence The MAHA movement and its limitations How regulation and subsidies shape our food environment What the evidence really shows about additives and food dyes Why SNAP matters and the consequences of defunding Policies that could genuinely improve child and adult health A timely and important conversation that brings clarity to a confusing and polarised nutrition landscape. You can connect with Dr Jessica Knurick on Instagram and TikTok, or visit her website and Substack to explore her work and evidence based insights on public health, nutrition and the systems shaping our wellbeing. Intro (00:00:00) The Unexpected Moment That Changed Everything (00:01:26) The Hidden Systems Behind Your Health (00:09:14) Agencies That Protect (or Fail) Public Health (00:18:11) The Dietary Guidelines You Thought You Knew (00:20:32) “Toxins,” Food Dyes, and the Real Story Behind Processed Foods (00:38:13) The Corporate Playbook Shaping America’s Health (00:47:56) A Program Millions Rely On… Yet Few Understand (00:57:38) The Hidden Battles Over Food Regulation (GRAS, Additives & More) (01:12:16) Science Funding, Misinformation, and Who Gets to Shape the Narrative (01:19:25) If You Want Better Health in America, Start Here (01:30:24) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Go to Piquelife.com/simon and get 20% off sitewide FOR LIFE plus a complimentary exclusive holiday bundle. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. BetterHelp This is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. This month, don’t wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend or reaching out to a therapist yourself, BetterHelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THEPROOF. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Do women really need a completely different training plan to men, or has the "women are not small men" message been taken too far? I am joined by exercise scientist Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple to explore what the science actually shows about female physiology, menstrual cycles, menopause and strength training. We look at how women respond to exercise in real outcome studies, where hormone based claims come from, and how to build a simple, effective programme without getting lost in unnecessary complexity. What We Cover How similar men and women are in their basic responses to strength and endurance training The evidence on menstrual cycle based programming and why cycle syncing is not supported by muscle protein synthesis data Fasted vs fed training in women when total calories and protein are controlled Ageing, muscle, bone and why strength work and balance matter for fall prevention Protein targets in older adults and why training is the primary driver of gains Creatine, recovery and whether any supplements are uniquely helpful for women This episode will help you cut through confusing sex specific advice and build a training approach that is practical, sustainable and evidence based. If you want to hear more from Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple, you can explore her work on her website and connect with her on Instagram. Intro (00:00) Why Women Can’t Train Like Small Men (01:01) What Most Research Gets Wrong About Female Physiology (02:44) How Hormones Shape Training and Recovery (04:10) What the Data Really Says About Exercise for Women (06:00) Do Women Need Sex-Specific Training Plans? (10:26) Fasted vs Fed Workouts: Which Is Better for Women? (33:41) What Your Muscle Fibers Reveal About Performance (39:11) Can Strength Training Reverse Aging? (42:05) The Truth About Bone Density and Longevity (46:46) How Protein and Creatine Boost Results (01:05:05) The Most Effective Training Strategies for Women (01:15:15) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code theproof for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. SKIMS Upgrade your underwear drawer with SKIMS Mens. Soft, stretchy and built to stay in shape, they provide comfort and freedom of movement for training or everyday wear. Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent you! After you order, select "podcast" in the survey and choose The Proof from the dropdown. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts this season - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

Protein is one of the most talked-about nutrients, yet confusion remains about how much we need and which sources are best. I am joined by Dr Matthew Nagra to unpack the science on protein intake, plant versus animal sources, and how to build strength and longevity without compromising your health or the planet. What We Cover The evidence-based protein range for muscle and strength How plant and animal protein compare when total intake is matched Why training drives results more than protein alone New findings linking plant protein to lower chronic disease risk What the Andrea Glenn study reveals about protein density and heart health IGF-1 and mTOR myths and what the data really show The environmental and practical case for plant protein Protein plays a vital role in health, ageing and performance. This episode will help you cut through the noise and make confident, evidence-based choices. You can learn more from Dr Matthew Nagra by following him on Instagram and YouTube, or by visiting his website where he shares articles, resources and practical advice on nutrition and healthy living. Intro (00:00) The Protein Problem No One Can Agree On (00:57) Are You Eating Enough or Too Much Protein? (6:10) The Truth About Plant vs Animal Protein (16:16) What Really Drives Muscle Growth (21:57) The Surprising Science on Protein and Aging (24:42) Does Your Protein Choice Affect Disease Risk? (41:02) What Long-Term Studies Reveal About Health and Longevity (44:58) Is More Protein Always Better? (58:11) Why Nutrition Research Is So Confusing (01:07:10) The Hidden Cost of Animal Protein (01:13:35) Final Thoughts That Might Change How You Eat (01:43:53) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep  Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $700 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code theproof for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

I’m joined by author and coach Axel Schura to explore how hardship can lead to transformation. Axel shares his story of stage four cancer and the mindset shifts that inspired his new book “Maybe This Is Happening For You, Not To You”. We discuss fear, recovery, and how to find strength and meaning when life feels uncertain. What We Cover Shifting from “why me” to “what now” Facing fear with curiosity and compassion Tools for anxiety and rebuilding confidence Lessons from Viktor Frankl and the Chinese farmer story The power of belief and responsibility in healing A moving reminder that even in our hardest moments, there is always the potential for growth and meaning. Connect with Axel on Instagram, where he shares insights on mindset, personal growth, and emotional resilience. You can also visit axelschura.com to learn more about his work and get his new book “Maybe This Is Happening For You, Not To You” at axelschura.com/maybe. For more of Axel’s content, including his podcast and YouTube channel, head to his Linktree. How Axel Shura Turned Pain Into Purpose After Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis (00:00) Confronting Death for the First Time (18:10) Reflecting on the Journey (25:11) Practical Advice for Dealing with Fear (41:03) Reframing Fear and Embracing Life (51:10) The Power of Feedback and Facing Judgment (55:34) Mini Risks and Overcoming Isolation (01:07:25) The Importance of Belief and Vision (01:12:30) The Chinese Farmer Story: Embracing Uncertainty (01:17:28) Radical Responsibility and Viktor Frankl's Influence (01:24:46) Concluding Thoughts and Reflections (01:29:49) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Dr Dawn Mussallem’s life has defied all odds. After surviving stage 4 cancer, severe heart failure, and a heart transplant, she ran a marathon just one year later. In this conversation, I sit down with Dawn as she shares what she’s learned about resilience, faith, and the science of healing. We explore the mindset behind recovery, how food and lifestyle can prevent disease, and the lessons from decades of cancer research and clinical care. It’s a deeply human discussion on what it means to live with intention, vitality, and compassion. What We Cover Mindset, purpose, and finding meaning in adversity Plant-based diets for cancer prevention and metabolic health Fasting, sleep, and stress management Supplements, Omega-3s, and key nutrients to focus on Myths about seed oils, soy, and grains GLP-1 medications, muscle preservation, and weight management Why connection, joy, and movement are central to longevity A testament to the strength of the human spirit—and a guide to living better, not just longer. Connect with Dr Dawn Mussallem on Instagram or LinkedIn to follow her work in lifestyle medicine, cancer recovery, and longevity research. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping.

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Dr Raymond Townsend, Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. We explore how to optimise and treat high blood pressure through lifestyle, medication and a deeper understanding of the latest clinical evidence. Dr Townsend explains how much risk reduction comes from lowering blood pressure, what the newest AHA/ACC guidelines recommend, and how diet, exercise and sleep all play a role in protecting your arteries, kidneys and brain. What We Cover Why lowering blood pressure matters The latest hypertension guidelines When to start medication Key lifestyle interventions for long-term health Common myths about salt, diet and protein New therapies and what’s on the horizon Blood pressure is not just a number — it is a reflection of your overall health. This episode provides a practical guide to lowering it safely and effectively. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. BetterHelp This is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. This World Mental Health Day, we’re celebrating the therapists who’ve helped millions of people take a step forward. If you’re ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THEPROOF. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Raymond Townsend, Director of the Hypertension Programme at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss what drives high blood pressure, how it affects the body, and practical steps to protect your heart, kidneys and brain. Dr Townsend explains how genetics, age, lifestyle and arterial stiffness contribute to hypertension, how to measure blood pressure correctly, and why early action and empathy make such a difference in long-term outcomes. What We Cover Understanding blood pressure readings How hypertension harms the heart, brain and kidneys Lifestyle and genetic contributors Why arterial stiffness increases with age The right way to measure blood pressure When lifestyle changes or medication are needed High blood pressure is preventable, manageable and worth your attention long before symptoms appear. Introduction (00:00) Key Takeaways from 40 Years in Hypertension (01:14) What does “hypertension” actually mean? (08:54) How Blood Pressure Works: Systolic vs diastolic explained simply (12:10) Why High BP Is Dangerous: Heart, brain & kidney damage mechanisms (14:35) What Are the Main Causes of Hypertension (28:03) The Aging Process and Blood Pressure (33:50) Can arteries stay flexible and young through exercise and recovery (37:46) Why even young adults should care about blood pressure control (40:01) Dementia and Blood Pressure: The Long-Term Connection (41:16) Awareness and Diagnosis of Hypertension (43:52) Measuring Blood Pressure Correctly (47:10) When to Intervene: Thresholds and Treatments (56:52) Primary vs. Secondary Prevention (01:01:56) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. SKIMS Upgrade your underwear drawer with SKIMS Mens. Soft, stretchy and built to stay in shape, they provide comfort and freedom of movement for training or everyday wear. Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent you! After you order, select "podcast" in the survey and choose The Proof from the dropdown.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Iñigo San Millán, exercise physiologist, researcher, and coach to Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar. His work places lactate at the centre of human health, showing it as a fuel and biomarker rather than a waste product. We discuss how lactate offers a new lens on mitochondrial health, what Zone 2 training really achieves, and why these insights apply to both elite athletes and anyone seeking longevity. What We Cover Lactate myths and the truth about its role in energy Differences between athletic and diseased lactate profiles Zone 2 training and mitochondrial health Balancing training methods for metabolic flexibility Diet, lactate, and critiques of Zone 2 This conversation shows why understanding lactate could be key to improving performance, preventing disease, and ageing well. You can connect with Dr Iñigo San Millán on Instagram and Twitter, where he shares insights on exercise physiology, metabolism, and performance. Follow along to learn more about his research and practical applications for both athletes and everyday health. Understanding Lactate as a Biomarker and Signalling Molecule (00:00) Historical Misconceptions About Lactate and Fatigue (04:03) How the Body Uses Lactate as a Fuel Source (06:09) Lactate in Health, Metabolic Function, and Disease (10:25) Exercise, Lactate Dynamics, and Energy Balance (16:39) What Research Reveals About Lactate and Mitochondrial Function (19:03) Exercise Prescription and Training Zones Explained (26:20) High-Intensity Exercise: What Happens to Lactate Levels? (37:87) VO₂ Max, Mitochondria, and Aerobic Fitness (45:02) Supporting Mitochondrial Function for Disease Prevention (48:37) Designing Exercise Programmes for Longevity and Healthspan (51:19) Resistance Training and Its Impact on Metabolic Health (1:00:10) How Diet and Exercise Influence Mitochondrial Function (01:04:42) Is Zone Two Training Really the Key to Endurance? (01:10:39) Final Reflections on Lactate, Training, and Metabolic Adaptation (01:19:47) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

What happens when you suddenly lose hearing in one ear? In this solo episode, I share my experience with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, from the moment it struck to the treatments I pursued and the outcome. Along the way I explain what the evidence says about oral steroids, intratympanic injections, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and more, while also reflecting on the emotional side of navigating this health scare. What I Cover The onset and diagnosis of sudden hearing loss Oral steroids, intratympanic injections, and antivirals Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and recovery odds Emotional challenges and mindset shifts Key take-home lessons if this happens to you This is a personal and practical episode that may one day help you or someone you know act quickly in a critical moment. What Happened When I Lost Hearing in One Ear? (00:00) How Is Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosed? (09:19) What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss? (14:50) Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment Protocol Explained (21:06) Do Hyperbaric Oxygen & Lifestyle Help? (25:35) How Fast Can Hearing Return? (30:06) Key Lessons for Recovery (38:52) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Jed Fahey, nutritional biochemist who pioneered sulforaphane research at Johns Hopkins, and Doug Evans, author of The Sprout Book. We discuss why broccoli sprouts are one of the most powerful foods you can grow at home and how to use them safely and effectively. Jed explains the science of sulforaphane and the strongest clinical evidence so far, while Doug shares practical advice for sprouting at home, seed safety, and making sprouts part of everyday meals. What We Cover Sulforaphane and its unique effects in the body The most promising human trials How much broccoli sprout or supplement is useful Sprouts compared with supplements and mature vegetables Food safety and storage How to sprout easily at home Sprouts are simple, affordable, and surprisingly powerful, and this episode shows you how to get started. You can connect with Doug through Instagram, where he shares insights on health, wellness, and sprouting. Explore more of his work at The Sprouting Company, and follow The Sprouting Company on Instagram for practical tips and inspiration to bring sprouting into your daily life. If you want to hear more from Dr Jed Fahey, you can access his website and connect with him on Twitter. He has lots of exciting things in the works. Why Sprouts Stayed a Garnish: History, Culture & the Profit Problem (00:00:00) Are Vegetables Less Nutritious Today? (00:10:16) Can Sulforaphane and Sprouts Help Prevent Disease? (00:25:09) Broccoli vs Sprouts: How Sulforaphane Is Formed and Absorbed (00:40:26) How Does Sulforaphane Protect the Body? (00:49:01) Can Broccoli Sprouts Prevent Cancer, and How Much Do We Need? (00:57:08) Can You Trust Sprout Supplements? (01:04:14) Sulforaphane’s Role in Viruses, Pollution, Autism & Parkinson’s (01:13:30) Sprouts for Short-Term vs Long-Term Health (01:26:54) Making Sprouts Accessible For Everyone (01:37:30) How Do You Grow Sprouts Safely at Home? (01:52:58) Are Homegrown Sprouts Safe From Contamination? (01:58:47) Science Meets Mission: Sprouts, Purpose, and Prevention (02:08:51) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Ritchie, senior researcher at Our World in Data and author of Clearing the Air. We dive into the data behind climate change, exploring what’s driving it, how solutions are developing, and why optimism is not misplaced. Hannah breaks down the role of food, energy, and industry in emissions, explains where media narratives can create “climate whiplash,” and shares why imperfect solutions still move us in the right direction. What We Cover Food, diet, and agricultural emissions Renewable energy vs fossil fuels Electric vehicles and battery concerns Aviation’s role in climate change AI’s growing energy footprint Individual choices vs systemic change This conversation is a reminder that climate change is solvable, and that progress is already underway. You can connect with Hannah Ritchie on Bluesky and through her newsletter, Sustainability by Numbers, or explore her work at hannahritchie.com and Our World in Data. Why We Get Confused About Climate Solutions (00:00:00) The Real Barriers: Cost, Fear, and Trust (00:10:12) Climate Change Impacts on Heat, Health, and Food (00:19:01) Can Plant-Based Diets Meet Nutrition Needs? (00:36:56) Which Food Swaps Most Reduce Emissions? (00:43:02) Is Regenerative Beef Better for the Climate? (00:50:18) Do Plant-Based Meats Help the Environment? (00:57:49) Why We Still Rely on Fossil Fuels (01:04:17) Do Wealthy Countries Owe the World Clean Energy? (01:17:39) AI and Climate: Problem or Solution? (01:24:28) Electric vs Petrol Cars: Which Is Better? (01:29:09) Can Technology Decarbonize Aviation? (01:42:18) Who’s Responsible: Individuals or Government? (01:51:02) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

What does balance really mean for diet, and why is nuance so often lost in nutrition debates? In this episode, I sit down again with Dr David Katz to explore diet quality, ultra-processed foods, supplements, and the broader links between human and planetary health. In this episode, we cover: Why balance is the key to diet quality Beef, ethics, and planetary health Keto and carnivore, the rise of anecdotes online Ultra-processed foods and why they drive overeating Supplements, evidence, controversies, and David’s personal approach A grounded and insightful discussion on how to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters for long-term health. You can connect with Dr David Katz on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (Twitter). To learn more about his work, visit davidkatzmd.com, explore Diet ID, and discover the True Health Initiative. The Critical Role of Diet in Chronic Disease and Longevity (00:00:00) What Does a High-Quality Diet Actually Mean? (00:05:03) Why Balance Is the Essence of Diet Quality (00:12:07) What Does a Balanced Diet Look Like in Practice? (00:20:30) Why Should We Eat Less Beef? (00:23:44) Plant-Based vs Omnivore Diets: Which Is Healthier? (00:30:25) Are Keto and Carnivore Diets Healthy Long-Term? (00:38:49) How Can We Fight Nutrition Misinformation? (00:45:56) How Ultra-Processed Foods Hijack Appetite and Drive Overeating (01:00:12) How Do We Tell Good vs Bad Ultra-Processed Foods? (01:10:32) Can Reformulated Ultra-Processed Foods Improve Public Health? (01:19:04) How Measuring Diet Quality Could Transform Public Health (01:26:50) How Diet ID Measures and Improves Diet Quality (01:31:15) Do Supplements Work and Which Ones Are Worth Taking? (01:43:11) Lessons From 40 Years in Medicine and Public Health (01:52:14) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Tom Dayspring and Dr Dan Soffer for a comprehensive look at lipid-lowering therapy. We unpack the science behind statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates, and newer agents like bempedoic acid, asking what really works, who should take them, and how early treatment might prevent disease. From guideline thresholds to real-world decision making, historical trials to future therapies, this conversation offers clarity on one of the most important areas in cardiovascular prevention. In this episode, we cover: What lipid-lowering therapy actually is Statins, ezetimibe, fibrates, and PCSK9 inhibitors How these drugs work and who benefits most Absolute vs relative risk reduction explained Guidelines vs clinical practice Lipoprotein(a) and new therapies on the horizon A detailed yet practical discussion to help you cut through the noise and make sense of lipid-lowering therapies. Intro: What Are Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and How Do They Work? (00:00:00) How Do Cholesterol-Lowering Medications Lower Heart Risk? (00:05:00) Who Should Start Statins or Other Cholesterol Drugs? (00:09:29) Landmark Cholesterol Trials That Changed Heart Disease Treatment (00:22:54) Do Fibrates Still Matter for High Triglycerides? (00:36:27) Ezetimibe & PCSK9 Inhibitors: Do They Add Benefits Beyond Statins? (00:42:30) CLEAR Outcomes Trial: What It Means for Statin-Intolerant Patients (00:52:02) Bempedoic Acid vs Statins: Effectiveness, Side Effects & Cost (00:53:45) What Do Statin Trials Really Show? Heart Attacks, Death & Risk Reduction (01:00:35) When to Use Low vs High-Intensity Statins (and Add Ezetimibe) (01:10:52) Hydrophilic vs Lipophilic Statins: What’s the Difference? (01:14:17) Do Statins Affect the Brain or Your Body’s Cholesterol? (01:19:03) PCSK9 Therapies Explained: Antibodies, siRNA, Oral Drugs & Gene Editing (01:24:28) What’s the Best Combination Therapy After Statins? (01:30:33) LDL Guidelines Explained: Thresholds vs Goals (01:32:49) The Most Up-to-Date Cholesterol Guidelines (2025) (01:40:25) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Fireflies Stay focused and let Fireflies handle the notes. From transcriptions and summaries to real-time voice commands, Fireflies turns your meetings into actionable insights, seamlessly integrating with Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and more. Sign up for a yearly plan and get two months FREE at fireflies.ai/theproof. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

In today’s episode, I sit down with Professor Susan Davis, an endocrinologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on hormones in women’s health. We explore the role of testosterone in women, separating fact from fiction, and tackling the common myths that circulate online and in the media. Susan shares what decades of research actually show about testosterone therapy, its benefits, limitations, and safety, and why participation in clinical trials is essential for moving the science forward. What We Cover Why testosterone is not just a male hormone How levels change throughout a woman’s life Common myths about testosterone therapy and the truth behind them The link between testosterone, libido, and sexual function Evidence for and against claims around mood, muscle, and wellbeing Side effects and safety considerations at female-appropriate doses Compounded hormones compared with pharmaceutical formulations The biggest gaps in research and where the science needs to go next This episode offers an evidence-based look at testosterone in women, helping you cut through the noise and focus on what the science really says. Intro: (00:00) Which Testosterone Claims Are True And Which Are False? (05:42) What Does Testosterone Do In A Woman’s Body? (12:09) How Do Testosterone Levels Change Across A Woman’s Life? (15:12) How Can Women Measure Testosterone Accurately? (20:24) What Is The Relationship Between Testosterone And Low Libido? (27:32) What Are The Outcomes And Dosing Of Testosterone Therapy? (32:24) Which Delivery Methods Work Best For Testosterone Therapy? (39:22) Does Testosterone Improve Muscle Mass Or Mood? (43:46) What Are The Safety Considerations For Testosterone Therapy? (47:15) Compounded Versus Pharmaceutical Testosterone Therapy (52:02) Research Gaps In Testosterone And How Women Can Help (58:09) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Fireflies Stay focused and let Fireflies handle the notes. From transcriptions and summaries to real-time voice commands, Fireflies turns your meetings into actionable insights, seamlessly integrating with Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and more. Sign up for a yearly plan and get two months FREE at fireflies.ai/theproof. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill

High blood pressure, often called the silent killer, is the most deadly modifiable risk factor worldwide. In this solo episode, I break down the latest European and American blood pressure guidelines into a simple, actionable framework. I explain what blood pressure is, why it matters, how to measure it correctly at home, and the lifestyle changes that can lower it as effectively as first-line medication. Whether you want to prevent hypertension, manage it, or simply understand your numbers, this episode could change, and even save, your life. Introduction: Understanding High Blood Pressure & Its Dangers (00:00) How Common is Hypertension? (05:53) Why Hypertension Has No Symptoms: The "Silent Killer" Explained (07:52) Blood Pressure Numbers Explained: What Do Your Readings Mean? (10:00) How to Measure Blood Pressure Accurately (12:34) Getting an Accurate Reading at the Doctor's Office (14:14) 5 Steps to Accurate Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (16:17) Lifestyle Changes vs. Medication for High Blood Pressure (19:14) 6 Lifestyle Strategies to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally (24:29) DASH Diet for Hypertension & Other BP-Lowering Foods (26:45) What’s the Best Sodium and Potassium Balance for Heart Health? (30:37) How Does Your Gut Microbiome Affect Blood Pressure? (35:15) What’s the Best Exercise for Hypertension? (37:40) Does Alcohol Affect Your Blood Pressure? (43:19) How Coffee & Sugary Beverages Affect Your Blood Pressure (47:50) Smoking, Stress, and Other Lifestyle Factors Affecting BP (49:42) Your Action Plan for Healthy Blood Pressure (51:02) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code LIVINGPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this masterclass, I break down the science of gut health and how to use it to your advantage. You’ll learn the different types of fiber, the benefits of fermentation, and how your gut microbes influence digestion, immunity, and even mood. Plus, I share practical tips for increasing fiber without discomfort and simple ways to nurture a thriving microbiome. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Join me on the path to next-level health optimisation at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Fireflies Stay focused and let Fireflies handle the notes. From transcriptions and summaries to real-time voice commands, Fireflies turns your meetings into actionable insights, seamlessly integrating with Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and more. Sign up for a yearly plan and get two months FREE at fireflies.ai/theproof. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this solo episode, I break down the most common supplements, including vitamin D, omega-3s, creatine, B12, and probiotics. I share what the science really says about their effectiveness, safety, and who actually needs them. I also explain how I use blood test data to make smarter supplement decisions and why testing beats guessing every time. What I cover: Vitamin D and optimal levels Who really needs omega-3s Creatine’s brain and performance benefits Iron, B12, and nutrients to monitor on a plant-based diet Magnesium and why most people are low How to think about multivitamins and “daily essentials” The role of testing in personalising supplementation Supplements I take and why Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. AirBnB Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Connect with Simon: Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Newsletter: theproof.com/newsletter Support the Show: If you found this helpful, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or sharing this episode with someone who’s on their own health journey. Subscribe and stay connected: Subscribe to The Proof on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify to ensure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and X for more insights and updates.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rupy Aujla, NHS GP and founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen, to explore how food and lifestyle medicine can transform our health. We talk about his personal journey, why the medical system still overlooks nutrition, and how we can use simple, evidence-based principles to prevent disease and feel better. What we cover: Rupy’s story and why food became central to his practice The gap in nutrition training for doctors Lifestyle medicine and chronic disease Building a joyful, sustainable relationship with food Tips for people and practitioners feeling stuck For more, visit thedoctorskitchen.com and follow @doctors_kitchen on Instagram. Intro (00:00:00)Simplifying Nutrition Without Losing the Science (00:05:31)The Health Scare That Sparked a New Direction (00:12:57)How Nutrition Impacts Healing (00:20:19)Why Protein Matters More Than You Think (00:27:46)How Much Protein You Need & Why Some Say Less Is Better (00:33:44)Low Protein Signs (00:44:06)Why Plant Sources Gets Underrated (00:48:56)What Makes a Protein Source “High Quality” (00:57:28)Calorie Counting vs. Food Quality (01:03:28)How to Eat More Plant Protein Without Overthinking It (01:09:47)Should You Use Protein Powders? (01:21:28)Final Takeaway: BBGS and Protein Needs (01:28:33) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/SIMON. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at http://piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at http://eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Airbnb Right in the heart of the city, I’ve been hosting a hands-on Airbnb Experience at Little City Farm that’s all about plant diversity, gut health, and delicious food. For more information, or to find other experiences on your next trip, check out airbnb.com/experiences. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

This episode is the uncut conversation with Dr. Thomas Dayspring and Dr. Dan Soffer, unpacking the results of my coronary CT angiogram and CACS score. We explore what these scans reveal about cardiovascular risk, why good bloodwork isn’t always enough, and how to use tools like ApoB, Lp(a), and imaging to get a clearer picture of heart health. We also discuss statins, lifestyle changes, and the value of early prevention. Topics we cover: My coronary scan results explained What drives plaque and cardiovascular risk Advanced lipid testing (ApoB, Lp(a), LDL) Medication vs lifestyle: when and why Misconceptions about “normal” bloodwork What to do if your CAC score isn’t zero For anyone serious about long-term heart health, this is a must-listen. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

I just got back my latest blood test results, including over 100 biomarkers like hormone levels, nutrient status, cardiovascular risk, and my estimated biological age. In this solo episode, I walk you through the data and share what I’m doing to stay ahead of potential health issues before they snowball. In this episode: Testosterone, estrogen, and fertility markers B12, omega-3s, vitamin D, and a copper blind spot Thyroid & metabolic health LDL cholesterol and ApoB flagged for action Environmental toxins and my biological age Blood pressure: why it matters more than you think Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

After 10 years of great blood work on a plant-based diet, I took things further with a coronary calcium scan and CT angiogram to see what’s really happening inside my arteries. The results? I have early signs of plaque. In this episode, I break down my numbers and speak with cardiologists Dr. Thomas Dayspring and Dr. Dan Soffer about what they mean for my long-term risk and yours. What we cover: My CT angiogram and CAC results How much plaque I have and where What ApoB and lifetime cholesterol exposure reveal How diet tweaks impacted my blood lipids Whether I should add medication What this means for others with “good” blood tests but family history Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

What does it really mean to eat well? In this episode, nutrition scientist Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore joins me to explore the science of nutrient density, where most people fall short on key micronutrients, and why healthy eating doesn't have to mean giving up enjoyment or accessibility. We talk about the unintended effects of food messaging, the nuance of ultra-processed foods, and how better communication can actually improve population health. Topics covered: Intro (00:00:00) Why Nutrition Science Needs More Micronutrient Focus (00:05:00) Eating Habits & Deficiencies in Young Women (00:12:00) Milk, Juice & Rethinking Nutrient-Dense Drinks (00:30:00) Juice & Cardiometabolic Health: Surprising Findings (00:35:00) Cow’s Milk vs Plant Milks: Nutrients, Fortification & Formulation (00:56:00) Vitamin D, Sunlight & The Power of Mushrooms (01:09:00) Folate, Iron & The Risks of Over-Supplementation (01:30:00) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this solo episode, I unpack the controversial new KETO-CTA study and why its conclusions about cholesterol, ApoB, and ketogenic diets aren’t as clear as they seem. We break down what the study really found, how it was communicated, and what it means if you (or someone you care about) is following a high-fat, low-carb diet with elevated LDL-C. With expert commentary from Dr. Alan Flanagan, we explore: Who Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs) are Why the study isn’t actually a “trial” The missing data on plaque progression and what was left out What non-calcified plaque volume (NCPV) tells us Whether this study really challenges ApoB’s role in heart disease Why communication matters and how headlines can mislead What this means for keto diets, cardiovascular risk, and informed decisions If you found this valuable, please share it or leave a review. Every share helps the truth cut through the noise. Intro: Can You Be “Healthy” with Sky-High LDL on Keto? (00:00) What the Keto CTA Study Was Trying to Prove (01:36) The Problem: This Wasn’t Actually a Clinical Trial (03:57) APOB Focused, But Not Pre-Registered: Red Flag #1 (07:58) Real Plaque Progression Numbers: 4x Faster Than Healthy Controls (09:16) So… Does ApoB Matter or Not? (17:50) How the Study Was Communicated to the Public (26:03) What the Headlines Should Actually Say (37:05) Final Thoughts from Dr. Carvallo and Dr. Flanagan (38:06) Key Takeaways (40:37) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code PROOF for 25% off at checkout. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Get a free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavours with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/SIMON Find your favourite LMNT flavour, or share with a friend. And if you don’t like it? Full refund, no questions asked. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this rapid-fire solo episode, I’m answering your questions straight from the community. From creatine and multivitamins to cardiovascular risk, sea moss, weight gain, soy, grief, and more, no fluff, just focused insights backed by science. What I cover: What matters more when choosing creatine: NSF certification or Creapure Should you take creatine daily? Healthy weight gain strategies Key cardiovascular blood markers to track How to manage high Lp(a) and familial hypercholesterolemia Thoughts on sea moss, multivitamins, soy, oils, and ultra-processed foods How much protein is enough on a plant-based diet Personal updates on running, sleep, and a new iron absorption study Reflections on grief, gratitude, and future plans Want to dive deeper into any of these topics? Explore links to studies, products, and past episodes at theproof.com. Intro (00:00) Creatine: Best Type & Daily Use Explained (00:00:46) How to Gain Healthy Weight on a Plant-Based Diet (00:02:15) Essential Blood Tests for Heart Health (00:03:55) CGMs for Non-Diabetics: Helpful or Hype? (00:06:02) Saunas & Longevity: What the Science Says (00:07:02) Lp(a), ApoB & Cholesterol: What Actually Matters? (00:08:36) Can You Reduce Familial Hypercholesterolemia Risk? (00:13:05) How Low Should LDL Go? (00:16:04) Iron Absorption in Vegans vs Omnivores (00:16:41) Best Sources of Protein on a Plant-Based Diet (00:20:22) Key Nutrient Tests for Vegans (00:21:46) Multivitamins & Pescatarian Diets: Are They Worth It? (00:22:26) Supplements for Bone Health: Vitamin K2, D & More (00:27:31) Sea Moss & CoQ10: Superfoods or Marketing? (00:28:41) Is Soy Really Bad for You? (00:30:14) Are Oils Healthy? What to Know About Fats (00:31:41) Zone 2 Training: How Much Do You Need? (00:37:06) Do You Eat Ultra-Processed Vegan Food? (00:40:37) Why This Work Matters & What Drives the Mission (00:44:55) Outro (00:49:45) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for 10% off at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill X: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

What if trying to feel good all the time is actually keeping you stuck? In this episode of The Proof, I’m joined by Dr. Emily Musgrove, clinical psychologist and author of Unstuck, to explore why emotional discomfort isn’t something to avoid, but something to understand. We unpack what it really means to be “stuck,” how avoidance sneaks into everyday life (even among high performers), and the role of values, awareness, and psychological flexibility in creating meaningful change. In this episode, we cover: Why feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken How emotional avoidance drives disconnection The difference between psychological flexibility and cognitive fusion The cost of always performing and staying polished Hedonic vs. eudaimonic wellbeing How to clarify values and live with intention One practical step to start moving forward If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just unsure of what’s next, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and tools to help you reconnect with what matters. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code PROOF for 25% off at checkout. Fireflies Stay focused and let Fireflies handle the notes. From transcriptions and summaries to real-time voice commands, Fireflies turns your meetings into actionable insights, seamlessly integrating with Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and more. Sign up for a yearly plan and get two months FREE at fireflies.ai/theproof. Bragg Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and naturally fermented with 100% organic apples, always with the live “Mother” in every bottle. Get 20% off your first order at bragg.com with promo code SIMON. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

This week, I’m sharing a conversation I had as a guest on Food For Thought, the podcast hosted by registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert. We covered everything from protein and plant-based diets to the role of ultra-processed foods in chronic disease, and how to better interpret nutrition science in a world full of misinformation. In this episode, I cover: How to think critically about nutrition research The impact of plant-based diets on human and planetary health Protein quality and building muscle with plants The role of ultra-processed foods in long-term health Social media’s influence on nutrition discourse What phytates are and whether they matter This is a repost of my chat with Rhiannon. You can find her podcast and more of her work at rhitrition.com/podcast. Intro: The Science Behind Plant-Based Nutrition and Longevity (00:00) Simon's Journey from Sports Physio to Nutrition Science Advocate (00:35) Why Nutrition Science Requires Context and Nuance (05:12) Debunking Common Nutrition Myths with Evidence (05:59) Health Benefits of Adopting a Plant-Based Diet (15:30) Protein and Muscle: Separating Myths from Data (21:42) Key Nutrients to Monitor in Plant-Based Eating (31:21) Understanding Calories: Not All Energy Is Equal (35:56) Phytates and Mineral Absorption: Myths vs. Mechanisms (43:55) Environmental Impact of Dietary Choices: Data-Driven Insights (50:22) Fact or Fiction: Science-Based Answers to Nutrition Claims (55:02) Final Thoughts: Navigating Nutrition Science with Integrity (01:00:55) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code PROOF for 25% off at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Heart disease doesn’t start when you’re older, it starts early, often without symptoms. In this episode, I speak with Dr. Laurence Sperling, one of the world’s leading experts in preventive cardiology, to explore how to catch heart disease early and stop it in its tracks. We cover cholesterol, blood pressure, calcium scores, lifestyle, and more. This is one of the most practical, empowering episodes on heart health I’ve ever recorded. What we cover: Early detection and the true origins of atherosclerosis How low your cholesterol and blood pressure should really be Understanding ApoB, Lp(a), and genetic risk When it’s worth getting a CT scan Lifestyle and medical interventions that actually work Whether you’re 25 or 65, this conversation is packed with insights that can help you live longer and better by understanding and protecting your cardiovascular system. 0:00:00 – Intro 0:01:24 - Why Prevention Should Start Before Birth 0:10:11 – Is It Genetics or Lifestyle? Understanding Risk 0:16:17 – Public Health Strategy That Prevents Millions of Heart Attacks 0:21:55 - How Geography and Income Impact Heart Disease Risk 0:29:25 – Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Lifetime Cholesterol Exposure 0:34:00 – What Diet and Lifestyle Patterns Lower Risk Long-Term 0:45:49 – LDL, HDL, and the New Science of Non-HDL Cholesterol 0:53:39 - Does High Blood Pressure Still Harm Arteries if ApoB Is Low? 1:05:24 – Lipoprotein(a): The Triple Threat You Should Know About 1:08:22 – When Should You Start Cardiac Risk Assessments? 1:17:23 - Can a Calcium Score of Zero Be Misleading in Younger Adults? 1:23:58 – CT Calcium vs. CT Angiogram: Which Scan Is Right? 1:33:25 - Is Subclinical Atherosclerosis the Same as Heart Disease? 1:40:03 - What Are Optimal LDL and Blood Pressure Levels to Prevent Heart Disease? 1:48:07 – How GLP-1 Drugs Help With Weight and Heart Disease Prevention 1:57:10 – Public Health Policies That Could Save Millions 2:01:19 – Cardiologist-Approved Daily Habits for a Healthy Heart 2:05:20 – Outro This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code PROOF for 25% off at checkout. LMNT Stay hydrated with LMNT. Try their limited-time Lemonade Salt flavour - salty, tart, and super refreshing. Receive a free LMNT sample pack with any order when you purchase via drinklmnt.com/simon. And if you don’t like it? Full refund — no questions asked. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Dr. Sharon Bergquist joins me to explore a powerful reframe: stress isn’t always bad. In fact, certain types of stress, when dosed right, are essential for building resilience and longevity. We talk about “eustress,” hormesis, and how everyday tools like exercise, fasting, and even hot or cold exposure can activate the body’s repair systems at the cellular level. Sharon explains why recovery is just as critical as the stressor itself, and how aligning your lifestyle with your values may be one of the most impactful health moves of all. Overview of the Stress Paradox (00:00) Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: What’s the Difference? (01:55) Understanding Stress: Eustress, Distress & Sustress (04:04) How Stress Changes Your Body’s Baseline Permanently? (09:20) Why Discomfort Is Required for Long-Term Health (11:38) What Is Hormesis and How It Regenerates Your Body (17:00) 7 Repair Systems Activated by Good Stress (17:42) Recovery Matters: The Missing Piece in Stress Resilience (23:44) The Blood Markers That Show If Your Stress Routine Is Working (29:23) The Best Type of Stress for Improving Metabolic Health (33:59) Do Good Stressors Slow Aging (35:18) What Is Psychological Stress and Can It Be Good for You? (41:00) The 5 Good Stressors That Boost Resilience and Longevity (45:55) The Science Behind Phytochemicals and Stress Adaptation (46:22) What Are Phytochemicals? Nature’s Defence Compounds (54:55) Intermittent Fasting Explained: Finding Your Goldilocks Zone (01:00:42) Combining Fasting with Exercise: Best Practices for Balance (01:10:38) High-Intensity Training and Mitochondrial Health Benefits (01:15:18) Heat and Cold Therapy: Saunas, Ice Baths and Hormetic Effects (01:28:02) Psychological Stress and Cellular Health: The Mind-Body Link (01:36:32) Final Takeaways: Building a Resilient, Healthier You (01:43:24) If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by stress or tried to avoid it entirely, this conversation offers a new, empowering perspective. Share this episode with someone who’d benefit from rethinking their relationship with stress. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link  for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode of The Proof, I’m joined by Dr. Steven Novella, a clinical neurologist at Yale School of Medicine and host of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe. Steven has spent decades helping people think more clearly, spot misinformation, and navigate the increasingly noisy world of science, health, and media. Together we explore what it really means to be a skeptic — not a cynic — and why scientific humility is more powerful than absolute certainty. We talk about how to have better conversations with people who believe in conspiracy theories, the psychology behind motivated reasoning, and why embracing “I don’t know” can actually make us more grounded, not less. What we cover: Scepticism vs. denialism Why stories often override facts What science literacy actually looks like The cognitive traps we all fall into How social media fuels misinformation Rebuilding trust in science and institutions If you enjoy this episode, I’d love it if you shared it with someone who values critical thinking and curiosity. 00:00 Introduction 05:48 Sceptic vs. Contrarian: What's the difference? 08:57 Combating Misinformation and Disinformation 12:13 The Role of Critical Thinking 18:06 Why We Reject Facts That Make Us Uncomfortable 21:09 How Echo Chambers Hijack Reality 24:41 The Hardest Choice: Truth or Belonging? 37:54 Why People No Longer Trust Experts 48:16 Debating Pseudoscience 52:53 The Deadly Cost of Misinformation 56:03 The GMO Lies People Still Believe 01:03:00 How to Teach Critical Thinking to Anyone 01:10:00 How to Think, Not What to Think 01:14:34 Why Science Sounds Uncertain and Why That’s a Good Thing 01:23:51 Being Sceptical Doesn’t Make You Automatically Right 01:35:59 The Double-Edged Sword of AI This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's ⁠DMN prebiotic supplement⁠ a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to ⁠functionhealth.com/simonhill⁠ to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at ⁠livemomentous.com⁠ Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠shopify.com/proof⁠. Birch Sleep deeply and wake up refreshed with a Birch Natural Mattress, combining premium natural materials with unbeatable comfort. Rest easy with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty. Get 20% off sitewide and 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows at ⁠birchliving.com/simonhill⁠. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at ⁠Piquelife.com/simon⁠. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of ⁠theproof.com⁠ • Host of ⁠The Proof with Simon Hill⁠ • Author of ⁠The Proof is in the Plants⁠ Subscribe & Connect: • ⁠YouTube⁠ • ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ • ⁠Spotify⁠ • Instagram: ⁠@simonhill⁠ • Twitter: ⁠@theproof⁠ • Facebook: ⁠The Proof with Simon Hill⁠ Nourish your gut with my ⁠Plant-Based Ferments Guide⁠ and download my ⁠Two-Week Meal Plan⁠.

In this AMA episode of The Proof, I take your questions on everything from reversing plaque buildup to fasted cardio, the safety of seed oils, and how to bounce back after antibiotics. These episodes are a chance to share where my thinking is currently at grounded in science, but always evolving. In this episode, I cover: Most underrated foods for long-term health Can we reverse plaque in arteries or just slow it down? Seed oils: worth avoiding or overblown fear? Gut health recovery post-antibiotics Fasted cardio for fat loss: what the data says Supplements I take daily (and ones I skip) Carnivore diet, meat and the planet: separating science from spin Key habits for pregnancy, longevity, and daily performance A few thoughts on alcohol, morning routines & personal growth Whether you’re looking to refine your health habits or just curious about the latest science on hot topics, I hope this one helps bring a little clarity and inspiration. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health provides a practical solution to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. For the first 1,000 listeners, new members get a $100 credit when signing up. Head to functionhealth.com/simonhill to claim your credit. Only available to those living in the United States. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html. for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this solo episode of The Proof, I explore how to turn your gut into a thriving ecosystem and what might be silently harming it. You’ll learn the top 3 things to do for your microbiome, the 3 biggest mistakes to avoid, and how to support gut recovery after antibiotics. Specifically, I cover: How your microbiome affects immunity, mood, metabolism, and more The best foods and habits to feed your gut My antibiotic recovery protocol Why plant diversity matters more than your diet label Gut health myths (like probiotic hype and “7-day resets”) Signs your gut health is improving without testing Science-backed and practical. No fads, just evidence. How to Transform Your Gut Health Naturally (00:00) What Is the Gut Microbiome? (01:27) How Your Microbiome Supports the Immune System (02:08) The Gut-Brain Connection: How Microbes Influence Mood (03:17) Why the Gut Microbiome Changes Daily — And What It Means for Your Health (04:18) Top Expert-Backed Tips for a Healthy Gut Microbiome (04:43) Why Plant Diversity Is Crucial for Gut Health (05:15) Best Fermented Foods to Improve Gut Health (11:42) How Lifestyle Affects Your Gut Microbiome (15:35) Busting the Biggest Gut Health Myths (18:00) What’s Harming Your Gut? 3 Practices to Avoid (18:54) How to Heal Your Gut After Taking Antibiotics (20:47) Key Takeaways for Long-Term Gut Health Success (28:43) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

How can we protect our brain as we age and what can we do today to boost memory, focus, and resilience? In this episode of The Proof, I’ve compiled some of the most impactful conversations I’ve had with leading neuroscientists, neurologists, and brain health researchers to explore exactly that. From building better habits to slowing age-related decline, this masterclass brings you practical, science-backed strategies for optimising brain function, now and in the future. Whether your goal is sharper mental clarity, prevention of neurodegenerative disease, or simply staying sharp for the long haul, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away. You’ll learn: • How neuroplasticity allows your brain to adapt and change at any age • The role of movement and VO₂ max in protecting cognitive performance • How omega-3s and dietary fats impact brain structure and function • What APOE4 means for your risk of Alzheimer’s and why genetics aren’t destiny • The link between cardiovascular health, lipoproteins, and dementia • How the microbiome and inflammation influence brain aging • The surprising ways exercise improves brain volume and connectivity • Why creatine isn’t just for muscles and how it may enhance mental energy and mood • Actionable daily habits to reduce your risk of cognitive decline • The truth about lifestyle vs genetics when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease Featuring insights from Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr Ayesha Sherzai, Dr Dean Sherzai, Dr Thomas Dayspring, and Dr Kellyann Niotis, this episode distills cutting-edge neuroscience into clear, practical guidance for long-term cognitive health. Thank you for tuning in to today’s episode, and special thanks to the experts featured for their invaluable insights. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who you think might benefit from it. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In today’s episode Dr Matthew Nagra returns to The Proof to break down a new JAMA Internal Medicine study on butter, plant-based oils, and mortality. Over 200,000 Americans were followed for 33 years — so what did the research really find? We unpack the study’s most talked-about claims, including whether swapping just 10g of butter for plant-based oil could lower your risk of early death. Plus, we dive into the bigger picture: Why fats are so polarising, the debate around seed oils, and how to navigate nutrition science in an era of misinformation. Specifically, we cover: Inside a Controversial New Study on Butter and Plant Oils (00:00) How the 33-Year Nutrition Study Was Conducted (00:47) What Observational Studies Can (and Can’t) Tell Us (03:01) The Truth About Food Frequency Questionnaires (08:03) Surprising Patterns in Butter and Oil Consumption (17:52) Why One Common Oil Performed Better Than Expected (22:50) Are We Misunderstanding Nutrition Guidelines? (26:13) What Happens When Oils Are Heated Over and Over (28:28) Do Oils Measure Up to Whole Food Fat Sources? (31:04) The Great Oil Debate: A Preview and Reflection (34:07) A Smarter Way to Navigate Conflicting Health Advice (43:40) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Birch Sleep deeply and wake up refreshed with a Birch Natural Mattress, combining premium natural materials with unbeatable comfort. Rest easy with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty. Get 20% off sitewide and 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows at birchliving.com/simonhill. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

What if losing body fat didn’t have to be so difficult? In this episode, I share five practical, science-backed strategies to support fat loss in a sustainable way. No gimmicks. No pseudo-science. Just real tools to help you feel fuller, fuel your body better, and improve metabolic health. Whether your goal is to reduce visceral fat or feel more confident in your body, these strategies can help — and you don’t need to do them all at once to see results. In this episode, I cover: Why energy density matters The “preload” trick that helps regulate intake How eating slower naturally reduces appetite The surprising role of gut microbes in hunger Why protein + fibre is the ultimate combo A flexible approach to time-restricted eating Plus, I bust common weight loss myths and share why improving body composition is about more than aesthetics. If you’re ready for a science-based, sustainable approach to fat loss — without restriction — this episode is for you. Introduction (00:00) Should You Choose Low Energy Dense Foods? (01:39) Could Slowing Down Your Eating Help? (07:51) How Can You Feed Your Gut Microbes? (12:29) Why Increase Your Protein Intake? (15:41) Does Reducing Your Eating Window Work? (19:27) Recap and Final Thoughts (21:03) Conclusions (22:16) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for 25% at checkout. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Welcome to the very first episode of a brand new format - something a little more relaxed, more personal, and more conversational. Think of this as us sitting on the couch or going for a long walk together. No script. No structure. Just your questions, and my honest thoughts. In this episode, I answer your voice notes and DMs - covering: Intro (00:00) How Can New Fathers Balance Fitness and Diet with a Busy Life? (02:20) What Are the Risks and Benefits of Methylene Blue? (12:20) What Are the Biggest Nutrition Myths Still Believed in 2025? (16:59) Why Do Some Plant-Based Eaters Still Have High Cholesterol? (19:52) What Are the Best Alternatives to Statins for Lowering APOB? (23:32) What Health Habits Does Simon Hill Personally Struggle With? (32:41) Are Refined Carbohydrates Like Pasta and White Rice Actually Bad for You? (34:09) What’s the Future of Personalised Nutrition? (40:16) What’s the Most Embarrassing Travel Story Simon Has Shared? (44:33) What Does “Bogan” Mean in Australian Slang? (47:49) How Much Omega-3 Do You Really Need Daily? (50:06) Does Creatine Supplementation Harm Your Kidneys? (56:10) What’s the Perfect Meal for Human and Planetary Health? (01:00:31) Can the Power of Belief Affect Your Health Outcomes? (01:03:05) What’s the Funniest Listener Question and Final Thoughts? (01:04:11) Some serious, some silly - but all of it real. I hope you enjoy this new format, and as always, I’d love your feedback. Let me know what you liked, didn’t like, and what you’d love to see more of in future episodes. If you’d like to leave a question for a future Q&A episode, you can do that in the YT comments or send a message on IG instagram.com/simonhill. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Birch Sleep deeply and wake up refreshed with a Birch Natural Mattress, combining premium natural materials with unbeatable comfort. Rest easy with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty. Get 20% off sitewide and 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows at birchliving.com/simonhill. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Are seed oils actually harmful? Or is this just another wellness myth gone viral? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Bill Harris - leading expert on dietary fats - to unpack the science on linoleic acid, an omega-6 fat found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. We explore the rise of seed oil fear-mongering, the truth about inflammation, cholesterol, oxidation, and why outcome data—not mechanisms—should guide our thinking. Omega-6 Fats and Health Overview (00:00) Why the Review Was Updated (01:22) What Is Linoleic Acid? (06:47) Linoleic Intake Over Time & Health Links (12:45) Research Methods and Key Evidence (16:25) Omega-6 and Inflammation Explained (41:00) Common Myths About Seed Oils (44:37) The Oxidation Concern with Seed Oils (49:20) Omega-6 vs Omega-3: The Real Story (53:39) Blood Sugar, Insulin & Linoleic Acid (01:03:48) Heart Health and Linoleic Benefits (01:05:44) Cancer Risk and Seed Oils (01:13:49) Public Health and Future Research (01:16:55) How to Use Vegetable Oils Wisely (01:25:17) Wrap-Up and Takeaway Advice (01:32:22) If you’ve been confused by the seed oil debate, this one’s for you. Visit The Proof website for the full show notes and supporting studies. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN-01 prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Head to [Eimele.com](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) and use code SIMON at checkout for 10% off your first order. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Drew Harrisberg, an exercise physiologist, diabetes educator, and founder of Drew’s Daily Dose. We dive into the science behind Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)—does it actually help with blood sugar, weight loss, digestion, and overall health, or is it just another overhyped wellness trend? We also explore the power of anecdotes in the wellness industry, starting with Belle Gibson’s story and the new Netflix series on ACV. How can we separate fact from fiction when faced with bold health claims on social media? What we cover: • ACV and blood sugar – does it really help? • ACV and weight loss – what does the science say? • ACV vs. other blood sugar strategies (walking, fiber, etc.) • Potential downsides – acid, teeth damage, capsules, and more • How to take ACV without ruining your teeth • Should Simon take Bragg’s ACV as a sponsor? Ethics of podcast ads Later, Drew shares a moving tribute to his dog, Dennis, reflecting on grief, love, and celebrating life. We also talk about memory dividends and why showing up for the people (and pets) we love matters. We wrap up with a shocking magic trick, plenty of laughs, and a classic dad joke. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Birch Sleep deeply and wake up refreshed with a Birch Natural Mattress, combining premium natural materials with unbeatable comfort. Rest easy with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty. Get 20% off sitewide and 2 free Eco-Rest Pillows at birchliving.com/simonhill. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow [this link](https://eimele.com/essential-8/15660280.html.) for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

This episode originally aired on The Adversity Advantage, hosted by Doug Bopst—a personal trainer, author, and former addict who transformed his life through fitness. His podcast dives deep into health, mindset, and resilience to help people unlock their full potential. In our conversation, we break down the science of longevity, nutrition, and optimal health. We discuss the best dietary patterns for longevity, the debate around red meat and seed oils, and why exercise is essential for long-term health. Topics Covered: What does the science say about longevity and diet? Are seed oils really harmful, or is the science misunderstood? The real risks of red meat and saturated fats for long-term health How ultra-processed foods impact metabolic health The importance of protein intake for longevity and muscle preservation Why exercise is just as crucial as diet for healthspan The Living Proof Challenge – a zero-cost 12-week longevity program Join the Living Proof Challenge: theproof.com/livingproof You can connect with Doug through his Podcast Website, where he shares insightful conversations on health, fitness, and personal transformation. Follow him on Instagram for daily inspiration and expert advice, subscribe to his YouTube channel for in-depth discussions and interviews, and stay updated with his latest thoughts on X. Introduction (00:00) Discussing the Best Dietary Patterns for Longevity (00:53) Debating Meat-Based Diets and Long-Term Health (04:33) Health Implications of Red Meat Consumption (09:54) Practical Steps for Improved Health & Longevity (22:50) Understanding Amino Acids and Protein Sources (34:01) The Importance of Exercise for Longevity (34:50) Exercise Protocols for Optimal Health (35:47) Resistance Training and Its Benefits (37:43) Cardio and Resistance Training Balance (41:30) Intermittent Fasting and Meal Timing (52:40) The Role of Light and Circadian Rhythms (56:20) Insights on Longevity and Nutrition (59:47) The Importance of Relationships for Happiness (01:04:01) Conclusion (01:09:17) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN-01 prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

You may have heard claims that C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid) is the first essential fat discovered in 90 years, a powerful longevity booster, and a game-changer for metabolic health. But how much of this is backed by solid science? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Bill Harris, a leading expert in fatty acid research, to critically evaluate the evidence behind C15:0. We break down the population studies linking it to health benefits, the key clinical trials testing its effects, and whether the marketing around Fatty15 is ahead of the actual data. In this episode, we cover: What exactly is C15:0, and how does it compare to other fats? The claim that C15:0 is an essential nutrient—does it meet the criteria? The current evidence on C15:0 and its impact on cholesterol, glucose, and inflammation Does C15:0 supplementation mimic omega-3s, metformin, or rapamycin? The broader issue of patenting a naturally occurring compound For more details and supporting studies, visit the full show notes. Introduction to Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0) (00:00) Evaluating the Claims of C15:0 (02:05 Comparing C15:0 with Other Fatty Acids (03:12) Health Implications of Dairy Fats and the Essentiality of C15:0 (05:02) Scientific Evidence and Studies on C15:0 (13:12) Interpreting Clinical Trial Results, Cholesterol, and the Tango Trial (27:59) Cholesterol and the Tango Trial (28:28) Comparing C15:0 to Omega 3s (32:02) Future Research Directions for C15:0 (37:46) Longevity Claims and Patents (42:30) Final Thoughts and Conclusion (49:44) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Is olive oil really as healthy as people claim? How does it compare to other fats? And how do you choose the best product for cooking and everyday use? In this episode, I take a deep dive into the science behind olive oil—its potential role in longevity, its impact on chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and the key factors that determine quality. In this episode, we cover: Olive oil’s role in longevity and overall health The difference between refined and extra virgin olive oil How olive oil may influence cardiovascular, cognitive, and metabolic health What to look for when buying olive oil and how to store it properly Whether it’s safe to cook with olive oil and how to preserve its benefits For more details and supporting studies, visit the full show notes. Introduction (00:00) Olive Oil for Longevity and Lifespan (00:52) Olive Oil for Heart Health and Chronic Disease (06:28) Olive Oil’s Role in Cancer Prevention (07:58) Olive Oil for Brain Health and Cognitive Function (12:38) Olive Oil for Metabolic Health and Blood Sugar Control (16:08) How Olive Oil Supports Overall Health (21:12) How to Choose High-Quality Olive Oil (25:27) Best Practices for Cooking and Storing Olive Oil (35:12) Key Takeaways on Olive Oil’s Health Benefits (41:32) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Calm Find your calm anytime, anywhere with Calm, the #1 app for meditation and relaxation. From guided meditations to sleep stories and breathing exercises, Calm helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and sleep better. Visit calm.com/proof for 40% off a premium subscription today. Applied Nutrition Literacy Looking to sharpen your nutrition literacy and make smarter, science-based decisions? Enrol in the Applied Nutrition Literacy Course to gain the tools you need to evaluate research confidently. Perfect for nutrition professionals and keen enthusiasts. Join by March 8 here. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode, I sit down with Drew Harrisberg to break down four new studies covering selenium intake, plant vs. animal monounsaturated fats, workout recovery strategies, and resistance training techniques. But beyond the science, we also discuss a critical issue in health communication—the responsibility of podcast hosts when platforming health claims. Using recent episodes of Diary of a CEO featuring Dr. Mindy Pelz and Dr. Sarah Berry, we examine how misinformation spreads, why extreme views persist, and how listeners can differentiate science from pseudoscience. Introduction (00:00) Ross Walker: The Comedian Cardiologist (03:23)\ The Importance of CGM and Misleading Health Advice (12:29) Scientific Method and Logical Consistency (24:29) Debunking Myths: Seed Oils and Health (32:59) The Power of Anecdotes vs. Scientific Evidence (42:54) Jordan Peterson and Elon Musk's Viral Clip (50:13) Personal Humility and Dietary Failures (53:07) Study on Recovery Modalities: Hot vs. Cold Baths (01:00:56) Minimum Effective Dose for Resistance Training (01:19:34) Selenium Intake and Brazil Nuts (01:31:14) Monounsaturated Fats and Type 2 Diabetes Risk (01:48:32) Concluding Thoughts (02:21:01) Key Discussion Points: Dr. Sarah Berry’s Diary of a CEO appearance and the backlash The seed oil controversy—do they really cause inflammation? How to spot red and green flags in health claims Four new studies on nutrition and exercise, including whether training to failure is necessary for muscle growth For more details and supporting studies, visit the full show notes: https://theproof.com/podcast/ The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. Visit http://theproof.com/friends for exclusive discounts. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Calm Find your calm anytime, anywhere with Calm, the #1 app for meditation and relaxation. From guided meditations to sleep stories and breathing exercises, Calm helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and sleep better. Visit calm.com/proof for 40% off a premium subscription today. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In today’s episode of The Proof, we dissect a video featuring Dr. Gabrielle Lyon discussing protein sources and the importance of leucine for muscle building. I break down her claims, compare animal and plant protein sources, and explore the latest research on muscle protein synthesis and long-term health outcomes. Introduction (00:00) Dr. Lyon's Argument: Animal vs. Plant Protein (00:17) Critiquing Dr. Lyon's Protein Source Comparisons (01:14) Evaluating the Leucine Threshold Hypothesis (03:13) Plant-Based Protein Sources: A Deeper Look (06:30) Scientific Studies on Protein and Muscle Growth (15:40) Conclusion (25:17) Key Discussion Points: Dr. Lyon’s Claims Comparing Protein Sources The Leucine Threshold Debate Beyond Muscle Protein Synthesis Plus, if you watch/listen all the way to the end I share a fun personal story about my 90-year-old grandma who took up walking 10km a day! Enjoy, Simon Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Calm Find your calm anytime, anywhere with Calm, the #1 app for meditation and relaxation. From guided meditations to sleep stories and breathing exercises, Calm helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and sleep better. Visit calm.com/proof for 40% off a premium subscription today. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) • Creator of theproof.com • Host of The Proof with Simon Hill • Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: • YouTube • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Instagram: @simonhill • Twitter: @theproof • Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

Think creatine supplementation is all about timing and loading? You might be surprised. In episode #350, I dive into six frequently asked questions about creatine, inspired by a follow-up review by Dr. Jose Antonio and colleagues. Whether you’re just starting with creatine or already supplementing, this episode will provide clarity and practical insights. Learn why timing matters less than consistency, whether co-supplements like carbs enhance effectiveness, and if creatine affects blood pressure, fertility, or urine production. This is your ultimate guide to making informed decisions about creatine supplementation. Key highlights include: Does the timing of creatine intake matter? Do other compounds enhance creatine’s effectiveness? Does creatine affect blood pressure or increase urine production? Is creatine safe to use during pregnancy? Can creatine supplementation impact male fertility? Discover insights and supporting studies in the full show notes. Introduction (00:00) Timing of Creatine Supplementation (02:50) Enhancing Creatine Effectiveness with Other Compounds (05:06) Creatine and Blood Pressure (06:31) Creatine and Urine Production (08:35) Creatine Safety During Pregnancy (10:56) Creatine and Male Fertility (12:49) Recap and Final Thoughts (14:37) Outro (17:12) This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Calm Find your calm anytime, anywhere with Calm, the #1 app for meditation and relaxation. From guided meditations to sleep stories and breathing exercises, Calm helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and sleep better. Visit calm.com/proof for 40% off a premium subscription today. Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get 20% off plus a FREE starter kit when you shop exclusively at Piquelife.com/simon. Notion Notion is the all-in-one workspace that helps you organise your work and life seamlessly. It’s been the backbone of The Proof since 2018, streamlining everything from guest bios and show notes to managing episodes. With Notion AI, you can take your productivity to the next level—generate ideas, summarise content, and organise tasks effortlessly. Try Notion for free at notion.com/theproof and experience the difference for yourself! Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.

In this episode of The Proof, I explore male fertility with Dr. Ramy Abou Ghayda, a leading urologist specialising in reproductive health. Together, we unpack the science behind sperm health, bust common myths, and provide evidence-based strategies for optimising male fertility. You'll discover: The truth about declining male fertility rates and what current research tells us How lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and environmental toxins affect sperm health Evidence-based nutrition strategies and supplements for improving fertility Whether you should abstain from ejaculation in the days before intercourse when trying to conceive The impact of modern technology and daily habits on reproductive health Practical tips for protecting and enhancing male fertility at any age And much more Whether you're planning a family or simply interested in optimising your reproductive health, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable advice from one of the field's leading experts. Introduction (00:00) Is Declining Male Fertility a Real Concern? (00:08) Understanding Semen Health and Fertility Basics (01:37) Breaking the Taboo: Male Infertility in Society (04:37) What Affects Male Fertility? Lifestyle, Environment, and More (09:14) Semen Analysis and Testing: Lab vs. Home Kits (18:18) Environmental Toxins, Lifestyle, and Fertility (23:31) Sperm Testing Options (30:50) Testosterone Therapy and Sperm Freezing (40:30) Lifestyle Changes to Boost Fertility (57:46) How Medications Affect Sperm and Erectile Function (01:12:34) Viagra, Cialis, and Psychological Aspects of Fertility (01:19:52) Timing Conception and the Fertile Window (01:24:24) Sleep’s Role in Male Fertility (01:36:31) Medical Interventions and Future Research (01:38:04) Future of Male Fertility Research and Innovations (01:45:27) Final Takeaways and Myths in Male Fertility (01:59:00) This episode is brought to you by: Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  LMNT LMNT’s Chocolate Medley is back. A variety pack of choc mint, choc chai, and choc raspberry electrolytes for proper hydration. Stay hydrated with LMNT. Receive a free LMNT sample pack with any order when you purchase via drinklmnt.com/simon. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. NordVPN Protect your personal data and browse with confidence using NordVPN. With fast servers and advanced encryption, NordVPN protects you – even on public Wi-Fi – and unlocks content worldwide. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/theproof. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify

Episode #348. Love isn’t just a feeling – it’s a skill. Relationship coach Jillian Turecki joins me to explore the habits, mindsets, and tools you need to build and sustain meaningful love. We explore the role of self-esteem, how to navigate conflict, and what makes a relationship worth fighting for. Packed with insights on compatibility, healthy communication, and cultivating love, this episode offers practical advice for every stage of your relationship journey. Specifically, we discuss: Love is a daily practice: How can we build it? (0:00) Understanding relationship breakdowns (8:18) How self-love shapes relationships (11:06) Challenges of loving ourselves (16:18) How to navigate conflict effectively (34:51) Addressing commitment and anxiety in love (40:00) When should you discuss your needs in a relationship? (43:44) The difference between connection and relationship (46:54) How to master conflict repair (49:48) Giving effective feedback in relationships (52:52) How to know when it’s time to leave (1:03:25) The rewards of a healthy relationship (1:09:45) Outro (1:14:50) Jillian Turecki’s book, It Begins With You, is available here. Connect with her on Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok. Learn more about Jillian and discover her courses at https://www.jillianturecki.com/. Listen to Episode #273 with Jillian here. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Function Health Track, optimise, and thrive with Function Health. Access 100+ lab tests – five times more than a typical physical – including ApoB and LP(a), no doctor approval needed. Get science-backed insights and track your results over time. Skip the 400,000-person waitlist at functionhealth.com/simonhill. Only available to those living in the United States. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Notion Notion is the all-in-one workspace that helps you organise your work and life seamlessly. It’s been the backbone of The Proof since 2018, streamlining everything from guest bios and show notes to managing episodes. With Notion AI, you can take your productivity to the next level—generate ideas, summarise content, and organise tasks effortlessly. Try Notion for free at notion.com/theproof and experience the difference for yourself! Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify

Episode #347. Two friends, four studies, endless insights. Join me as I sit down with Drew Harrisberg to break down the latest in nutrition, fitness, and longevity, sharing surprising truths you won’t want to miss. Along the way, we reflect on my recent debate with Dr Robert Kiltz, exploring key takeaways and how they fit into the broader conversation about diet and health. Learn about the impact of smartphone use on workout performance, how many calories you really burn during exercise, and whether a large dose of creatine can conquer a poor night’s sleep. This episode is packed with groundbreaking research and practical tips to help you make more informed choices for your health. Specifically, we cover: Introduction (00:00) Catching Up with Drew Harrisberg (01:05) Upcoming Studies and Research (27:04) Meat vs Plants Debate Frustrations (39:58) Keto Diet and Metabolic Health (57:54) New Study: Smartphone Use and Workout Performance (01:04:47)\ New Study: High-Dose Creatine and Cognitive Performance (01:15:42) New Study: Energy Expenditure in Resistance Training (01:32:03) New Study: Plant vs Animal Protein and Cardiovascular Health (01:44:30) Living Proof Challenge Overview (02:02:45) Outro (02:12:23) To connect with Drew, you can reach him via his Instagram or website, Drew’s Daily Dose, where you can also find his training program. To hear more from Drew, check out his previous episodes on The Proof. Head to the full show notes for additional insights, resources, and supporting studies. Join the Living Proof Challenge at https://theproof.com/livingproof/. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 4 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF for $350 off at eightsleep.com/theproof. Try it risk-free for 30 days, with worldwide shipping. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com. Birch Sleep deeply and wake up refreshed with a Birch Natural Mattress, combining premium natural materials with unbeatable comfort. Rest easy with a 100-night trial and 25-year warranty. Get 25% off all mattresses and 2 free pillows at birchliving.com/simonhill. Calm Find your calm anytime, anywhere with Calm, the #1 app for meditation and relaxation. From guided meditations to sleep stories and breathing exercises, Calm helps you reduce stress, improve focus, and sleep better. Visit calm.com/proof for 40% off a premium subscription today. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book

Episode #346. Keen to commit to your health in 2025? Tune in for the ultimate cheat sheet, packed with the best insights from 2024 on nutrition, fitness, and longevity. This is your chance to reflect, reset, and step into the new year with actionable tips from the brightest minds in health and wellness. This special episode features wisdom from world-class experts, including Alan Aragon, Dr Kevin Maki, Dr Carol Kirkpatrick, Dr Nicholas Burd, Dr Venki Ramakrishnan, Dr Thomas Dayspring, Dr Kellyann Niotis, Dr Christos S. Mantzoros, Dr Karl Nadolsky, Dr Daniel Soffer, Dr Michael Hill, Dr Alyssa Olenick, Dr Jen Gunter, Robin Sharma, and Dr Christopher Gardner. Specifically, we cover: Introduction (00:00) Effective, evidence-based weight loss strategies (01:35) The importance of protein for health and metabolism (10:07) Unpacking the 30-30-30 framework for sustainable health (14:27) Optimal vs. Maximal Protein Intake for Muscle Growth (28:11) How lifestyle choices influence the science of ageing (32:03) The role of cholesterol in dementia risk (41:08) Diet Choices That May Help Prevent Dementia (48:41) Understanding the personal fat threshold in obesity (54:11) Strategies to reverse metabolic health challenges (58:10) Identifying High-Risk Indicators for Lipoprotein(a) (01:04:41) Debunking the Triglycerides-to-HDL Ratio Debate (01:17:30) Comparing ApoB and LDL Cholesterol in Cardiovascular Risk (01:25:48) Insights into microvascular dysfunction and cardiovascular health (01:34:19) Protein requirements for women and dietary guidance (01:45:12) Science-backed tips for muscle growth (01:51:06) Dispelling myths about menstrual health (01:55:00) The importance of mentors for growth and development (02:02:47) Key takeaways on cholesterol management and diet (02:05:13) DHA & EPA supplementation (2:08:30) Analysing cardiometabolic markers for better health (02:16:06) Outro (02:28:28) Head to the full show notes for more insights and to connect with today’s featured guests. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout.  Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. NordVPN Protect your personal data and browse with confidence using NordVPN. With fast servers and advanced encryption, NordVPN protects you – even on public Wi-Fi – and unlocks content worldwide. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/theproof. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Shopify Shopify, the world's leading e-commerce platform, helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet’s best-converting check out–up to 36% better compared to other leading e-commerce platforms. To boost your conversion rate, and grow your business, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/proof. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book

Episode #345. Don’t take your eyesight for granted. Join me as I sit down with optometrist Dr Joseph Allen to discover science-backed ways to care for your eyes, including common eye health myths, practical strategies for protecting your vision, and expert advice on maintaining healthy eyes for life. Learn how diet and lifestyle affect your eyesight, the truth about blue light glasses, and why regular eye exams are essential. Dr Allen also shares tips on contact lens safety, myopia prevention, and keeping your eyes healthy for years to come. Specifically, we discuss:  Introduction to Eye Health and Dr. Joseph Allen's Expertise (00:00) Dr Allen’s Journey: From Thick Glasses to Optometry Career (02:18) Busting Eye Health Myths and Misconceptions (06:25) How the Human Eye Works: Vision Explained (08:39) Top Eye Conditions: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments (11:04) The Myopia Epidemic: Causes and Solutions (19:50) Best Practices for Maintaining Optimal Eye Health (25:12) Do Blue Light Blocking Glasses Work? A Scientific Look (33:30) The Role of Diet in Eye Health: What to Eat for Better Vision (39:52) Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Impact on Eye Health (46:54) Key Nutrients for Vision: Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Leafy Greens (01:04:40) Essential Vitamins and Nutrients for Long-Term Eye Health (01:14:10) The Truth About Eye Exercises: Myths and Realities (01:21:17) Contact Lenses: Risks, Benefits, and Best Practices (01:29:16) Vision Correction Surgery: Future Trends and Options (01:33:49) Age-Related Vision Challenges: Managing Presbyopia and More (01:38:53) Expert Tips and Final Recommendations for Lifelong Eye Health (01:44:42) Learn more from Dr Joseph Allen on YouTube, and connect with him on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter/X. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Follow this link for 20% off one-time purchases and subscriptions. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Get 20% off your first purchase by using the code LIVINGPROOF at checkout at livemomentous.com Pique Tea Pique's Nandaka provides sustainable, all-day energy and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for your body! Try Pique and get up to 20% off plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker when you purchase exclusively at piquelife.com/simon. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book