Vanessa Spina is a Sports Nutrition Specialist, Best Selling author, creator of the innovative TONE device, as well as a sought after international speaker. On ...
The Truth About PALEO: What The Scientific Data Reveals About Our Ancestral Diet & Nutrition & More with Dr. Jenny Powers
IQBAR is offering our special podcast listeners 20% OFF all IQBAR products, plus get FREE shipping. To get your 20% off, text VANESSA to 64000. That’s VANESSA to sixty-four thousand. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details. In this episode of The Optimal Protein Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Jenny Powers, an expert in evolutionary biology and ancestral nutrition. We dive into what modern research reveals about our ancestors’ diets — and how these insights can inform optimal nutrition strategies today. Dr. Powers shares fascinating insights on: 🧬 How ancestral diets provide clues about macronutrient balance and nutrient density. 🥩 The role of animal-based proteins and whole foods in supporting metabolic health. 🍳 How aligning with ancestral eating patterns can promote fat loss, muscle preservation, and longevity. Key Topics Discussed: ✅ The surprising truth about the macronutrient composition of ancestral diets. ✅ How our ancestors’ food choices align with modern research on high-protein, low-carb diets. ✅ Why food quality and nutrient density are crucial for metabolic health. ✅ Practical strategies for integrating ancestral nutrition principles into your everyday life. 🎧 Tune in now for powerful insights you can apply to your diet and lifestyle! Get 20% off the New TONE LUX CONTOUR or the 2nd Generation Tone Device HERE with the code VANESSA Follow @ketogenicgirl for updates on the latest studies and strategies to optimize protein intake and metabolic health. Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the facebook group for the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017506024952802/ The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.
--------
1:06:39
BRAND NEW Study on How Much Protein During Fat Loss to Maintain Muscle: Dr. Martin Refalo
Timeline: Get 10% off Mitopure, clinically proven to boost mitophagy. Go to timeline.com/vanessa. In this episode of The Optimal Protein Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Martin Refalo to discuss his brand-new study: Effect of Dietary Protein on Fat-Free Mass in Energy-Restricted, Resistance-Trained Individuals: An Updated Systematic Review With Meta-Regression (Refalo, Trexler, & Helms, 2025). This research provides an updated analysis of how dietary protein intake impacts muscle retention during fat loss in resistance-trained individuals. If you’ve ever wondered how much protein you really need while cutting to preserve muscle mass, this episode is for you! What We Cover in This Episode: -What does the latest meta-regression reveal about protein intake and fat-free mass during caloric restriction? -How does protein intake affect lean muscle retention across different levels of caloric deficits? -Does going above the commonly recommended 1.6 g/kg improve muscle retention? -What are the potential upper limits of protein intake for maximizing muscle preservation? -How does resistance training influence protein requirements during a diet? -Differences between male and female subjects—should women aim for different targets? -Practical recommendations for athletes, bodybuilders, and general fitness enthusiasts looking to optimize fat loss while keeping their muscle gains. Dr. Refalo, along with co-authors Dr. Eric Trexler and Dr. Eric Helms, has compiled the most up-to-date evidence to help you make data-driven decisions about your diet and training. Get 20% off on the Tone LUX Crystal Red Light Therapy Mask Ketogenicgirl.com with the code VANESSA Join the Community! Follow Vanessa on instagram to see her meals, recipes, informative posts and much more! Click here @ketogenicgirl Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the facebook group for the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017506024952802/
--------
1:17:10
TWO NEW (March 2025) Studies: Omega-3, Vit D & Exercise Reverses Biological Age + New Systematic Review on Keto/Low Carb for Fat Loss
Use the code KETOGIRL for 20% off your order of Spirulina Here In this episode of The Optimal Protein Podcast, we dive into two fascinating new studies that explore how diet, supplementation, and exercise impact biological aging and body composition. 📌 Study 1: How omega-3s, vitamin D, and exercise work together to slow down biological aging—and why the combination may be more powerful than any of these interventions alone. 📌 Study 2: A systematic review and meta-analysis on ketogenic and low-carb diets, breaking down their impact on body weight, BMI, and fat mass. Key Takeaways from This Episode: ✅ A new study shows how combining omega-3s with vitamin D and exercise may have a major impact on biological aging. ✅ A deeper look at why omega-3s are crucial for longevity and how I personally get mine from marine algae, like ENERGYbits®, a plant-based source of ALA, EPA, and DHA. ✅ What the latest ketogenic diet research tells us about fat loss and body composition—and what it didn’t show. ✅ Why stacking multiple lifestyle interventions together may be the key to long-term health and longevity. 🎧 Tune in now to hear all the details and practical takeaways from these two exciting new studies! Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Study 1: Effects of Omega-3, Vitamin D, and Exercise on Biological Aging (PubMed Link) 🔗 Study 2: Effects of Ketogenic and Low-Carbohydrate Diets on Body Composition (Clinical Nutrition Link) 🔗 ENERGYbits® Algae Tablets for Omega-3s: Use the code KETOGIRL for 20% off your order of Spirulina Here Get 20% off the New TONE LUX CONTOUR or the 2nd Generation Tone Device HERE with the code VANESSA Follow @ketogenicgirl for updates on the latest studies and strategies to optimize protein intake and metabolic health. Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the facebook group for the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017506024952802/ The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.
--------
38:09
An Evidence Based Guide to Fat Loss with Dr. Allan Bacon
Timeline: Get 10% off Mitopure, clinically proven to boost mitophagy. Go to timeline.com/vanessa. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Allan Bacon, a former dental surgeon, certified personal trainer and nutritionist, to explore his evidence-based approach to fitness and nutrition coaching. Key Topics Discussed: Key Topics Discussed: Overcoming fitness plateaus and effective strategies to break through them The science behind how to achieve sustainable fat loss Keto/low carb vs high carb diets Calories vs. the carb-insulin model The truth about anti-nutrients Whole foods and high-fiber diets Emotional hunger and cravings And much more! Tune in to gain valuable insights from Dr. Bacon's extensive experience and learn practical tips to enhance your fitness journey. Get 20% off on the Tone LUX Crystal Red Light Therapy Mask Ketogenicgirl.com with the code VANESSA Join the Community! Follow Vanessa on instagram to see her meals, recipes, informative posts and much more! Click here @ketogenicgirl Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the facebook group for the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017506024952802/
--------
1:37:33
New Study on Women, Muscle Mass & Strength Gains, and Micronutrient Deficiencies
Use the code KETOGIRL for 20% off your order of Spirulina Here A new study reveals a surprising truth: muscle mass and strength don’t always improve the same way. While protein intake plays a key role in muscle growth, micronutrient deficiencies—especially in Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium, and Iron—can significantly impact strength gains. In this episode, I break down a new randomized clinical trial that studied older women at risk of sarcopenia and analyzed how different types of resistance training and dietary intake affected muscle function, body composition, and overall strength. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • The difference between muscle mass gains and strength gains and why they require different approaches • Which micronutrients are essential for building strength and muscle function • Why protein intake alone isn’t enough and what you need to focus on instead • How to assess your own micronutrient levels for better performance and recovery as well as the top micronutrient rich foods to prioritize with a foods-first approach • Practical diet, supplement and training tips to maximize both muscle and strength If you want to build strength and muscle efficiently, or if you are health-conscious and looking to optimize your diet and training, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Mentioned in this episode: Nutritional intake as a determinant of high-speed resistance and multicomponent training efficacy on strength in older women at risk of sarcopenia. A Randomized Clinical Trial. Luis Polo-Ferre Visit Energybits.com (Use code KETOGIRL for 20% off your order) Get 10% off Bioptimizer's Magnesium Breakthrough with the code VANESSA HERE Get 20% off the New TONE LUX CONTOUR or the 2nd Generation Tone Device HERE with the code VANESSA Follow @ketogenicgirl for updates on the latest studies and strategies to optimize protein intake and metabolic health. Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast. Link to join the facebook group for the podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2017506024952802/ The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.
Vanessa Spina is a Sports Nutrition Specialist, Best Selling author, creator of the innovative TONE device, as well as a sought after international speaker. On the Optimal Protein podcast, Vanessa shares how to get effortlessly lean and improve metabolic health and fitness with an optimal protein intake!
Featuring interviews with world renowned and leading edge protein scientists & experts, authors, and people with inspiring transformational stories discussing the best tools for becoming optimizing your metabolic health with whole foods, nutrition, exercise and more!