Kamal Patel is the Director of Examine.com, an independent research review site.  On this episode of the Muscle Expert Podcast Kamal and Ben dive deep on what makes a good supplement, how supplements and diet can influence chronic pain, why whole foods are superior to supplements and much more.

2:30- What is examine.com?

5:40- Where Kamal is finding the research that they publish on Examine.

9:30- Finding the cause of your pain.  Why its important to find the root of the issue before trying to fix it.

11:40- Nutrition and pain.  How your diet can be the root of your pain.

14:20- Supplements and diets that can influence pain receptors.

17:50- The amino acids to watch for pain signaling.

20:00- Nutrient timing and amino acids.

23:50- How often are studies actually useful rather than skewed.

28:50- What should people be aware of when buying supplements?

32:30- How to find out if your supplement stack can have negative reactions for your gut or liver health.

35:00- Nutrient intake and deficiencies.  Why most people consume the vitamins that they need but are missing minerals.

36:45- Supplements that have the most research backing when it comes to chronic pain.

38:45- How to choose a probiotic.

43:45- Natural nootropics.  Some foods that you can eat that will naturally enhance cognitive function.

47:45- Generic vs brand name meds.  Are they really the same formulation?

51:35- Why multiple opinions matter.  Doctors always look at a problem through the lens of their specialty and therefore may misdiagnose a problem.

52:00- Kamal’s suggestions for supplements to take.

55:00- Macro, micro and nutrient requirements.  Why your requirements will vary based on your ancestry.

61:25- Glutamine and gut health. 

63:45- The importance of quality when it comes to supplements and bioaccumulation.

66:30- Where to find examine.com's 2018 fitness guide.

Dr. Jose Antonio is the President of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Today he joins us to discuss the latest research going on with ISSN scientists as well as what he is working on. Dr. Antonio has conducted numerous studies on the effect of high protein diets in athletes. Tune it to hear all about them as well as his experience in the VERY controversial topic of peanut butter overfeeding. Time Stamps: 4:00- How social media is effecting how the world receives research. 6:00- The effects of poorly designed studies on the industry and how funding, time and other resources effect the outcome of a study. 11:30- What new research is exciting to Dr. Antonio? 12:45- What Dr. Antonio’s research is saying about high protein diets. 19:30- Would a high protein diet be healthy in a sedentary population? 21:15- The best ways to implement a high protein diet to stimulate mTor. 24:30- The Main Event- PEANUT BUTTER OVER FEEDING!!!! 27:45- If it fits your macros… What does the research say? 29:30- What’s new from the ISSN’s research? 33:25- The research behind the link between lean mass and basal metabolic rate. 35:00- HIIT vs steady state cardio and the role of cardio in building muscle. 38:30- The biggest mistakes that people are making when it comes to sports nutrition. 40:00- Info on the ISSN Conference in Clearwater, Florida.

Dr. Ralph Esposito is one of the leading physicians in the field of testosterone optimization. Dr. Esposito gives us one of our deepest dives to date on testosterone, the negative effects of t replacement, environmental factors that effect testosterone, and the link between estrogens, testosterone and prostate cancer. 3:45- What is low testosterone? Do your T numbers matter or is free testosterone more important? 6:30- The importance of free testosterone. 8:15- What is DHT? Does it deserve it’s bad reputation? 10:00- The limits of testosterone therapy. What are the alternatives to testosterone replacement therapy? 13:45- Clomid to boost testosterone. 17:15- How important are androgen receptors in regards to testosterone? Are functioning receptors the key to test absorption? 19:45- SARMS to open androgen receptors. 21:10- HCG and boosting testosterone production. 24:45- The correlation between the prostate, testosterone and prostate cancer. 31:00- How to monitor your prostate health. 32:30- Methods to reignite testosterone production after years of use. 36:00- The importance of sleep for testosterone production. Studies find that quality sleep can have the same effect as replacement therapy. 38:35- Strength training to increase T levels. 41:00- The link between the libido and testosterone levels. What are the other factors that effect libido besides testosterone? 45:00- “Stop looking at porn and start meditating”. How porn can effect libido and become a supplement for stress relief. 49:00- Environmental and nutritional supplements to optimize testosterone. The detriments of phytoestrogens to your testosterone. 54:45- The importance of eliminating xenoestrogen toxins. 58:00- The actionables. Dr. Esposito’s tips that you can use every day to optimize your testosterone.

Mike Matthews, host of the Muscle for Life Podcast as well as the author of Bigger, Leaner, Stronger, joins us today to chat with Ben about building a fitness business, how to maintain a killer figure and make the most of your time. Ben and Mike dive deep on the training, mentality and steps to become a fitness influencer. Time Stamps- 5:30- What to expect when you are getting absolutely shredded. 7:00- Calories in Calories out? How our overall health effects fat loss and the challenges of tracking macros. 11:50- Mike’s thoughts on muscle loss during extreme dieting. 16:00- Ben’s experience with fat gain while fasting. 20:15- Mike’s cut process. How he prepares for appearances and photoshoots when he has to look shredded. 26:00- Bigger, Leaner, Stronger- the story behind Mike’s book and how it came to fruition. 29:45- Bigger, Leaner, Stronger- the synopsis. 30:30- Why Mike is an advocate for compound lifting. Squats, deadlifts and benchpress. 35:00- How to train “the outliers” the people who don’t naturally fit a traditional exercise. 40:10- Mike’s advice for people who are trying to start a business and his marketing tips for new businesses. 48:45- Taking responsibility for you actions. The guys thoughts on self responsibility. 55:15- Content Marketing- Mike’s thought on the future of marketing. 59:20- MuscleforLife.com- What’s next for Mike’s online platform. 62:00- Mike’s book recommendations.