The world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight....
Recap: The misunderstood function of fat | Deborah Clegg
Today we’re discussing fat.
It’s a word that carries a lot of weight. It’s a source of social judgment, a driver of insecurities and a tool exploited by companies in targeted marketing campaigns. It’s no surprise that a recent study found over 40% of people in the US have experienced some form of ‘fat-shaming’.
But do we really understand fat? What it does, how it forms and why its distribution changes as we age.
Prof. Sarah Berry and Prof. Deborah Clegg are here to help us answer some of these questions and change our perception of fat. Deborah Clegg is a professor and Vice President for Research at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso. Sarah is Chief Scientist at ZOE and Professor at King’s College London.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
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11:47
3 simple steps to transform your metabolism | Shawn Stevenson and Prof. Tim Spector
Only 12% of American adults are considered metabolically healthy - meaning the vast majority are at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. But what exactly is metabolism, and why does it matter so much for our health?
In this episode, bestselling author and health expert Shawn Stevenson joins world-renowned scientist Professor Tim Spector to break down the science of metabolism. They’ll debunk the myth of “metabolic rate” and explain why it’s not just about how fast you burn calories - but how your body processes and uses them.
You'll discover how poor sleep, stress, and ultra-processed foods are impacting your metabolic health - and how this sets the stage for weight gain and chronic disease. More importantly, Shawn and Tim will share the simple, science-backed habits that can improve your metabolism, from eating nutrient-dense foods to optimizing movement and sleep.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 The truth about your metabolism
04:00 What metabolism actually is
07:30 How ultra-processed food slows metabolism
10:20 Why most people aren’t metabolically healthy
14:00 Food shapes your body’s energy system
18:40 Brain inflammation and metabolism
22:50 How processed food changes calorie burn
27:15 Chemicals in food and air affect health
30:40 Why ultra-processed food harms children most
34:10 How processed food makes us overeat
38:25 Artificial ingredients and gut health
42:10 Can mitochondria be ‘hacked’?
45:00 Poor sleep increases fat storage
48:15 The biggest mistake before bed
50:30 Why breakfast matters for metabolism
52:40 Foods that spike blood sugar
54:20 Tim Spector’s go-to breakfast
55:50 One simple swap to improve metabolism
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
Examining Variations of Resting Metabolic Rate of Adults: A Public Health Perspective, 2013, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,
Daily energy expenditure through the human life course, 2021, published in Science
Postprandial energy expenditure in whole-food and processed-food meals: implications for daily energy expenditure, 2010, published in Food and Nutrition Research
The Relationship between Sleep Duration and Metabolic Syndrome Severity Scores in Emerging Adults, 2023, published in Nutrients
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
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59:18
Recap: Why we avoid exercise and how to overcome it | Daniel Lieberman
Today we’re exploring what evolution can teach us about exercise.
When it comes to doing exercise, there’s often a tug-of-war between our body and brain. Our body craves movement - it wants to be leaner, fitter, stronger. But our brain? Well, that’s a different story. It often dreads the thought of going on a run or lifting weights and will try and find any excuse to avoid doing it.
So, why does this conflict exist, and more importantly, how can we overcome it?
Harvard Professor of Biological Sciences Daniel Lieberman is here to unravel the mysteries of our exercising ancestors and explain how this can help us train today.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
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11:24
Why 90% of Alzheimer's cases are preventable | Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai
Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health crises in the developed world, with cases expected to double in the coming decades. But despite common misconceptions, cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. The latest research shows that lifestyle choices play a far greater role in brain health than genetics alone.
In this episode, neurologists Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai share practical, science-backed strategies to help you protect your brain and reduce your risk of dementia.
As co-directors of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Program at Loma Linda University, they’ve spent their careers studying how habits like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management influence long-term cognitive health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Meet the brain doctors fighting dementia
01:04 Parents have dementia – are you doomed?
02:00 Can dementia be reversed?
02:25 Five lifestyle changes to prevent Alzheimer’s
06:07 What is dementia vs. Alzheimer’s?
08:50 Are your genes to blame?
12:49 Dementia starts 20+ years before diagnosis
14:10 Four biggest causes of Alzheimer’s
19:04 How to build brain reserve & stay sharp
22:50 Are dementia rates rising or falling?
25:30 How the brain declines over decades
29:00 This diet cuts Alzheimer’s risk by 53%
32:40 Three nutrients your brain can’t live without
38:15 The surprising link between LDL cholesterol & dementia
44:10 Leg workouts slash dementia risk by 35%
46:20 Why strength training is critical for brain health
50:36 How stress shrinks your brain
54:00 Sleep: The brain’s natural detox
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
Association of Lifestyle and Genetic Risk With Incidence of Dementia, 2019, published in JAMA
Dementia statistics, published by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)
World Alzheimer Report 2015 - The Global Impact of Dementia, published by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)
Midlife serum cholesterol and increased risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia three decades later, 2009, published in Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
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1:05:49
Recap: Maintain brain health as you age | Dr. William Li
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on our brains.
As we age certain behaviours often become more noticeable - misplacing keys, struggling to recall names or forgetting why you walked into a room. Most of us have likely seen this happen to someone close to us and may have even seen these patterns develop into more serious conditions like dementia.
But are these behaviours just an inevitable part of getting older? Or is there something we can do to prevent them?
Dr William Li is here to outline the connection between our lifestyle and the health of our brain.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
The world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight. Join ZOE Science & Nutrition, on a journey of scientific discovery. Hosted by Jonathan Wolf.