The Muscle Longevity Podcast

Amaru Sanchez | What Can You Actually Say? Claims, Regulation & Nutrition

When you walk through a grocery store or scroll through supplements online, you’ll see claims like “supports muscle,” “boosts energy,” or “promotes longevity.” But what do those claims actually mean? And what are companies really allowed to say? In this episode, Anita sits down with Amaru Sanchez, health care and life sciences counsel at Akin, to unpack the hidden world of regulation behind food, supplements, and emerging nutrition products. Together, they break down: * The difference between structure/function claims, health claims, and nutrient claims * How the FDA and FTC regulate what companies can and cannot say * Where the line is between a food, supplement, and drug * What level of scientific evidence is actually required * Why terms like “longevity” can be risky if used incorrectly * The biggest mistakes startups make when marketing their products * How consumers can spot red flags and think more critically about claims This episode is a must-listen for founders, marketers, and anyone trying to make sense of the overwhelming world of nutrition and health products. Disclaimer: This conversation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Amru on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaru-j-sanchez-jd-mph-38282410/ Akin Gump Website: http://www.akingump.com [http://www.akingump.com/]

Ian White | Investment with Training: Rethinking Founder Performance

What if investing in founders also meant investing in their health? In this episode, I’m joined by Ian White, an investor who pairs capital with personal training, based on the belief that founder health directly impacts performance and company outcomes. We explore how physical health influences decision-making, resilience, and long-term success, and why strength training is often overlooked in high-performance environments. We also break down what actually works when time is limited, what a minimum effective training approach looks like, and how muscle connects to both short-term performance and long-term health. This conversation sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, fitness, and longevity, and offers a new lens on what it means to build and perform at a high level. Supporting publications: * Nitric oxide and paranasal sinuses: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18951492/ * Nitric oxide for bodybuilding: https://us.myprotein.com/thezone/training/nitric-oxide-bodybuilding-benefits-side-effects-dosage/ * High-intensity Intermittent Exercise and Fat Loss: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2991639/ * Aerobic High Intensity intervals improve V02 max more than moderate training: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17414804/

Phil Saneski | Designing Better Protein Foods: A Chef’s Perspective

In this episode, Anita sits down with culinary innovator Phil Saneski to explore protein, flavor, and the future of food through a chef’s perspective. Drawing on experience from Michelin star kitchens, product development, food service, and sustainable food innovation, Phil shares how he thinks about creating meals that are both delicious and better for our bodies. The conversation explores how to add protein to everyday foods without making them feel overly functional, why taste still has to come first, and where chefs can help shape the future of healthier eating. Anita and Phil also discuss plant-forward protein options, customizable restaurant meals, hospital food, healthier desserts, and the growing opportunity to design meals that support healthspan and muscle health while still tasting great. This episode is for anyone interested in protein, longevity, culinary innovation, and the future of food. Phil's High-Protein Waffles: I have been making variations of this waffle recipe for the last 12 years or so. It is a great way to start my day off with a quick, high-protein, high-fiber breakfast that I can take out the door, and also reminds me of a crème fraiche waffle I used to prep when I worked in a Michelin-star kitchen. Often times I add nut butter and sometimes a seasonal jam (if I am feeling in a sweeter mood) to the middle of the waffle, fold it, and eat it like a taco on-the-go. The batter may seem really hydrated at first because there is so much Greek yogurt, but that is what keeps it moist and prevents a dry breakfast (which, in that case, add more nut butter). This recipe works for pancakes as well, though I prefer the crispiness of a golden brown waffle. Prepping the batter the night before lets the chia seeds fully soak and chills the batter more even more crispiness. If you know you are going to have an extra busy week, you can make a bunch of waffles, freeze them, then toast in the morning for maximum crispiness. Enjoy this chef-driven, health, functional breakfast recipe! Yield: 4-5 waffles or pancakes (depending on size) Ingredients * 8 ounces, brown rice flour (2 cups) * 8 grams, collagen protein powder (1 tablespoon) * 12 grams, chia seeds (1 tablespoon) * 2 grams, salt (1/2 teaspoon) * 3 grams, baking powder (1/2 teaspoon) * 4 ounces, olive oil (1/2 cup) * 2 ounces, honey (1/4 cup) * 30 ounces, Greek yogurt (3 cups) * 4 large egg whites (5 ounces) * Olive oil spray for greasing waffle iron or pan * If desired, any nut butter or jams that can be added Process 1)     Combine all dry ingredients into a bowl (brown rice flour, collagen, chia seeds, salt, & baking powder). 2)     Make a well in your bowl of dry ingredients, then add all wet ingredients (olive oil, honey, Greek yogurt, & egg whites) 3)     Whisk until combined. Chill batter overnight. 4)     The following morning, preheat waffle iron or pan until hot, then spray a light layer of olive oil. 5)     Cook waffle or pancake until golden brown. 6)     If desired, add any nut butter or jam to the waffle & pancake. 7)     Batter is good to use for up to 5 days.

Dr. William J. Evans | Measuring Muscle and Why Sarcopenia Is Not Inevitable

In this episode of the Muscle Longevity Podcast, I sit down with Dr. William J. Evans, one of the first researchers to describe sarcopenia, the age related loss of muscle mass. For decades, muscle was treated primarily as a fitness topic. Dr. Evans helped shift the field toward understanding muscle as a major determinant of mobility, fracture risk, disability, and long term independence. We discuss: • What sarcopenia really means clinically• Why muscle loss is not an inevitable part of aging• The limitations of traditional lean mass measurements• A new method to directly measure muscle mass using a simple creatine tracer• Why muscle mass may be one of the strongest predictors of late life outcomes• What happens to muscle during weight loss and GLP- 1 use• Practical strategies to preserve muscle through resistance training and high quality protein If muscle is the biological reserve that protects independence, then measuring and protecting it may be one of the most important things we can do for healthy aging.

Explained | Why More Protein Doesn’t Stop Muscle Loss

Many people respond to aging by eating healthier and increasing protein intake, yet strength and recovery still decline. Why? In this solo “Explained” episode, Anita breaks down a key concept in muscle biology called anabolic resistance. Muscle is not maintained simply because amino acids are present. It is maintained when the body receives a signal to repair and rebuild tissue. You will learn why muscle cells require an activation signal, why that signal weakens with age, and why adding more protein alone often fails to stop muscle loss. Understanding this difference between material and signaling changes how we think about aging, resilience, and long term health.