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Sigma Nutrition Radio

Sigma Nutrition Radio

By: Danny Lennon
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Summary
 The podcast for lovers of nutrition science! Listen to detailed discussions with researchers and leading experts about the science of nutrition, dietetics and health.© Sigma Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Can Micronutrient Supplements Help With Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Regulation? (SNP55)

    Can Micronutrient Supplements Help With Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Regulation? (SNP55)
    Nov 3 2026

    Can broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplements improve anxiety, depression or emotional regulation?

    In this Premium-exclusive episode, we examine three randomised, placebo-controlled trials from Professor Julia Rucklidge's research group: NoMAD, investigating anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults; NUTRIMUM, examining depressive symptoms during pregnancy; and BEAM, studying irritability and emotional dysregulation in adolescents.

    These studies offer an opportunity to explore some central challenges in interpreting nutrition and mental health research. What does "faster improvement" mean when groups reach similar outcomes by the end of a trial? How should improvements in overall functioning be weighed against results from depression-specific measures? And how much confidence should we place in a large treatment effect found within a small subgroup?

    Links:

    • Go to episode page
    • Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
    • Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
    • Studies discussed:
      • NoMAD trial – Blampied et al., 2023
      • NUTRIMUM trial – Bradley et al., 2024
      • BEAM trial – Rucklidge et al., 2026
    • Related episodes:
      • #117: Prof. Julia Rucklidge – Role of Micronutrients in Mental Health & Psychiatric Disorders
      • #473: Diet & Depression (What Do We Actually Know?) – Nicole Lippman-Barile, PhD
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    17 mins
  • #625: Does Changing the Microbiome Actually Improve Health? – Prof. Harry Sokol

    #625: Does Changing the Microbiome Actually Improve Health? – Prof. Harry Sokol
    Oct 27 2026
    Claims about "improving the gut microbiome" are widespread, but what would improvement actually mean? How do we establish which microbial changes contribute to disease, and which simply reflect it? Research on bacterial metabolism of medications raises questions about how the microbiome might influence treatment efficacy and toxicity. What would it take to translate these findings into reliable tests and effective therapies? In this episode, gastroenterologist and researcher Prof. Harry Sokol examines these questions, discusses the development of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii as an investigational treatment, and considers what current evidence can tell us about dietary advice and commercial microbiome testing. Timestamps [02:50] Harry Sokol's work [04:36] Defining healthy microbiome [06:48] Do we have causal evidence? [11:05] FMT evidence [15:29] Diet-microbiome claims [20:45] Emulsifiers & IBD research [22:54] Microbiome-drug interactions [30:23] Bacteria as a drug? [38:09] Microbiome testing [44:36] Key ideas segment (Premium-only) Introduction Claims about "improving the gut microbiome" are widespread, but what would improvement actually mean? How do we establish which microbial changes contribute to disease, and which simply reflect it? Research on bacterial metabolism of medications raises questions about how the microbiome might influence treatment efficacy and toxicity. What would it take to translate these findings into reliable tests and effective therapies? In this episode, gastroenterologist and researcher Prof. Harry Sokol examines these questions, discusses the development of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii as an investigational treatment, and considers what current evidence can tell us about dietary advice and commercial microbiome testing. Timestamps [02:50] Harry Sokol's work [04:36] Defining healthy microbiome [06:48] Do we have causal evidence? [11:05] FMT evidence [15:29] Diet-microbiome claims [20:45] Emulsifiers & IBD research [22:54] Microbiome-drug interactions [30:23] Bacteria as a drug? [38:09] Microbiome testing [44:36] Key ideas segment (Premium-only) On this episode: Host: Danny Lennon Guest: Prof. Harry Sokol Episode Resources: Go to episode pageJoin the Sigma newsletter for freeSubscribe to Sigma Nutrition PremiumEnroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy courseExeliom BiosciencesBook: MICROBIOME: Science, Promises and LiesInstagram: @harry_sokolLinkedIn: Prof. Harry Sokol
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    46 mins
  • #624: Can Athletes Eat for Performance and the Planet? – Peter Res

    #624: Can Athletes Eat for Performance and the Planet? – Peter Res
    Oct 20 2026

    Can an athlete reduce the environmental impact of their diet while still meeting the demands of training, competition and recovery? Peter Res argues that these aims can be compatible, provided dietary changes are planned around the athlete's needs.

    The discussion looks at practical changes athletes can make to make their diets more environmentally sustainable. This includes tips on increasing the contribution of plant proteins, maintaining adequate energy intake, and making plant-rich eating practical within sporting environments.

    Timestamps

    • [04:21] Peter Res' background

    • [05:22] Defining sustainability metrics

    • [08:17] Biggest diet change to make it more environmentally sustainable

    • [09:23] Is local and organic actually better?

    • [13:44] Athlete fears about protein

    • [18:07] Barriers for athletes

    • [19:37] Fueling high calorie needs

    • [21:26] Micronutrients

    • [24:02] Performance effects

    • [26:32] Athletes as role models

    • [30:17] Easy first steps

    • [34:21] Premium-only: key ideas segment

    Links:

    • Go to episode page
    • Join the Sigma newsletter for free
    • Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
    • Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
    • LinkedIn: Peter Res
    • Fork Ranger
    • Related episodes:
      • #320: Hannah Ritchie, PhD – Environmental Impacts of our Diet: Climate, Carbon Footprint & Land Use
      • #446: How Climate Change Impacts Nutrient Status
      • #584: EAT-Lancet: Does the Planetary Health Diet Improve Human Health?
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    37 mins
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