Sigma Nutrition Radio

To what extent can maternal nutrition during pregnancy influence a child’s later cognitive or behavioural development? While genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to neurodevelopmental outcomes such as ADHD and autism, growing attention is being paid to the potential role of prenatal exposures, including dietary patterns. Yet, evidence in this area remains limited, and causality is difficult to establish. One recent study aimed to explore this question by analysing how maternal diet quality during pregnancy (specifically, adherence to a Western-style dietary pattern) related to neurodevelopmental outcomes in children assessed clinically at age 10. In this episode, Dr. David Horner discusses the findings from this prospective cohort study, the use of metabolic markers to complement dietary data, and the implications for future research into modifiable prenatal risk factors. About The Guest Dr. David Horner is a researcher in maternal nutrition and cardiometabolic health, based at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is also a qualified medical doctor from Queen’s University of Belfast. His research is driven by a keen interest in modifiable determinants of health, aiming to better understand and improve health outcomes. Having worked as a medical doctor for 2 years in the UK, in 2017 Dr. Horner then moved to Copenhagen, where he completed a Master’s in Global Health and a PhD examining the impact of maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy on child health. Timestamps * [02:47] Introduction to the study * [07:08] Strengths and findings of the study * [21:17] Genetic factors and gene-environment interactions * [25:42] Metabolomics and potential mechanisms * [30:12] Interpreting the study’s findings * [38:03] Future research directions * [42:50] Key ideas segment (Sigma Nutrition Premium) Related Resources * Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium/] * Join the Sigma email newsletter [https://sigmanutrition.com/synopsis/] for free * Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy [https://nutritionliteracy.podia.com/] course * See Sigma's "recommended resources" list [https://sigmanutrition.com/resources/] * Email: david.horner@dbac.dk * Study: Horner et al., 2025 – A western dietary pattern during pregnancy is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and adolescence [https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-025-01230-z.epdf?sharing_token=lvS3wUCV-amlCunc4cfycdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0NJhCjo7AkubRrD2Sf0n4jWpvZ2_3vitnsXkHhTk7osr8UotlMMsHvp_Kj1X5-EI8cTM3PIwcx6gXbfPYxQjLn5YoHk8IaNog5JZLitxVyT7vItijzk9mz9aMW3N5PZ4m8%3D] * David’s LinkedIn post about the study [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dlghorner_maternalnutrition-neurodevelopment-childdevelopment-activity-7316383888761585664-Cc0H/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACY-DmQBFQjgxQSDkTt_BuTEu0WPuyd8D2A] (with discussion in the comments)

For decades, dietary guidelines—and the Food Pyramid in particular—have been at the center of heated debates and considerable controversy. These guidelines have often been accused of being influenced by industry interests, oversimplifying nutritional nuance, or even directly contributing to rising obesity and metabolic disease rates. In this episode, we critically assess common claims surrounding the Food Pyramid, including whether it was truly shaped by vested industry interests, if it encouraged harmful dietary shifts toward excessive carbohydrate and sugar consumption, and whether the subsequent health outcomes seen at the population level can be fairly attributed to these guidelines. Additionally, we evaluate the role of the sugar industry in funding key studies and publications, examining the implications such conflicts of interest may have had on nutritional science. Drawing on historical context, rigorous examination of scientific evidence, and an evaluation of how nutritional recommendations have evolved, this discussion aims to clarify misunderstandings, highlight legitimate criticisms, and separate fact from persistent myths regarding dietary guidance and its implications for health. Timestamps * [01:37] Common claims and narratives * [03:15] Historical context of dietary guidelines * [21:57] Sugar industry influence on dietary research * [36:17] The mcgovern report * [40:49] Misconceptions about dietary guidelines * [44:28] Changes in food supply and consumption * [58:15] Critiques and conflicts of interest * [01:06:47] Key ideas segment (Premium-only) Links & Resources * Go to episode page [https://sigmanutrition.com/episode567/] (with linked resources) * Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium/] * Join the Sigma email newsletter [https://sigmanutrition.com/synopsis/] for free * Do you want to be skilled in reading nutrition studies? Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy [https://nutritionliteracy.podia.com/] course * Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub [https://www.alineanutrition.com/refer/SigmaNutrition/] * MASS Research Review [https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/FboToJFw] - latest training and nutrition research relevant to strength trainees * Examine [https://examine.com/refer/dannylennon] is the best online database for looking at the evidence of diets, foods and supplements on a range of health outcomes.

Inflammation has become a nutrition buzzword, often used in extreme or misleading ways. This episode aims to clarify what inflammation is, how it relates to diet and health, and whether specific foods truly provoke inflammatory responses in the body. The episode provides a nuanced, evidence-based look at inflammation and diet. It explains the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, outlines the role of chronic low-grade inflammation in disease, and emphasizes that overall dietary patterns – rather than any single food – are what influence our inflammatory status. Commonly demonized foods (such as sugar, wheat, and dairy) are scrutinized, and the conversation debunks myths about them being uniformly “inflammatory.” In this episode, Danny takes a look at what the scientific evidence actually shows about anti-inflammatory diets. Note: This is a Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium]-exclusive episode. Timestamps * 01:06 Understanding Inflammation: Basics and Biomarkers * 04:02 Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation * 14:21 Biomarkers of Inflammation * 22:51 Dietary Patterns and Inflammation * 34:53 Specific Foods and Nutrients Impacting Inflammation * 47:01 Practical Takeaways for an Anti-Inflammatory Diet * 51:30 Conclusion Related Resources * Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium/] * Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy [https://nutritionliteracy.podia.com/] course * Related podcast episodes: * 329: Diet & Inflammation [https://sigmanutrition.com/episode329/] * 353: James Hébert, ScD – Dietary Inflammatory Index [https://sigmanutrition.com/episode353/] * Sigma Statement: Nutrition & Immune Function [https://sigmanutrition.com/immunity/] * The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) – Hébert et al., 2019 [https://advances.nutrition.org/article/S2161-8313(22)00387-8/fulltext]

GLP-1 receptor agonists have changed the landscape of obesity treatment, offering levels of weight loss once thought unattainable without surgery. But what happens after the weight is lost? And can we really talk about success without talking about maintenance? While much of the public discourse fixates on dramatic weight loss numbers, the harder question is what comes next. Can lifestyle interventions alone sustain weight loss after GLP-1 cessation? How do metabolic adaptations and behavioral relapse factor in? And what does the data actually show about relapse rates, nutritional adequacy, and lean mass preservation when using these medications? In this episode, Danny sits down with Tara Schmidt, dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, to examine the intersection of pharmacology and behavior in long-term weight management. Tara Schmidt is a registered dietitian and an instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic. As the lead dietitian for the Mayo Clinic Diet, she provides guidance rooted in evidence-based principles. She hosts the Mayo Clinic On Nutrition podcast and co-authored The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight Loss Medications Edition. Timestamps * [05:17] Understanding weight loss maintenance * [08:44] Defining success in weight loss maintenance * [11:54] Predictors of maintenance: self-monitoring and behavioral strategies * [23:37] Pharmacological interventions: GLP-1 receptor agonists * [31:06] Dietary considerations for those taking GLP-1 RAs * [37:07] Addressing misconceptions about weight loss drugs * [42:48] Final thoughts and takeaways * [48:49] Key ideas (Premium-only) Links/Resources * Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium/] * Go to episode page [https://sigmanutrition.com/episode566/] * Join the Sigma email newsletter [https://sigmanutrition.com/synopsis/] for free * Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy [https://nutritionliteracy.podia.com/] course * Visit sigmanutrition.com [https://sigmanutrition.com/]

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that often flies under the radar, despite being vital for hundreds of enzymes and transcription factors involved in immunity, antioxidant defense, and DNA repair. A surprisingly large segment of the population may not get enough – an estimated 10% of U.S. individuals consume less than half the recommended zinc intake, putting them at risk of deficiency. In this episode, Prof. Emily Ho discusses how even mild zinc insufficiency can impair immune function, promote chronic inflammation, and accelerate aspects of aging. She delves into the concept of “inflammaging” – the chronic, low-grade inflammation that develops with age – and explains how inadequate zinc status can aggravate this process. The conversation also highlights emerging research on zinc’s role in DNA integrity and how restoring zinc levels can reverse certain damage, underscoring zinc’s broader significance in healthy aging and disease prevention. Overall, this episode provides a deep scientific look at why maintaining adequate zinc status is crucial for immune resilience and mitigating age-related inflammatory and oxidative damage. About the Guest Emily Ho, PhD is the Director of the Linus Pauling Institute and professor in the College of Health at Oregon State University. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which nutrient status and healthy foods affect the initiation and/or progression of chronic diseases such as cancer. Her work has helped drive dietary requirements and recommendations for micronutrients such as zinc for communities with susceptibility to poor nutrition. Timestamps * [02:10] Interview begins * [03:58] The roles of zinc * [06:31] Zinc deficiency and insufficiency * [14:26] Prevalence and risk factors of zinc deficiency * [21:12] Zinc and age-related inflammation * [29:39] Zinc’s impact on chronic diseases * [31:20] Practical advice on zinc supplementation * [41:14] Final thoughts Related Resources * Go to episode page [https://sigmanutrition.com/episode565/] (includes related research) * Join the Sigma email newsletter [https://sigmanutrition.com/synopsis/] for free * Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium [https://sigmanutrition.com/premium/] * Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy [https://nutritionliteracy.podia.com/] course * Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) Website [https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/] * Micronutrient Information Center [https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic] * Top 10 Micronutrients for Healthy Aging [https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/top-10-project] * Webinars on LPI YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCef4wT7JcZnMZ84FZgHxanA]