#484: Is Metabolic Adaptation an Illusion? – Eric Trexler, PhD
Sigma Nutrition Radio
Danny Lennon
4.8 • 633 Ratings
🗓️ 6 June 2023
⏱️ 76 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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About This Episode:
Metabolic adaptation refers to the process by which the body adjusts its metabolism in response to changes in energy intake or body mass. This adjustment can occur in both directions, meaning that the body can increase or decrease its energy expenditure in response to changes in energy intake or body weight.
When someone consumes fewer calories than their body requires for energy, the body will respond by slowing down its metabolism to conserve energy. This can make it harder to lose weight and maintain weight loss over time. Conversely, when someone consumes more calories than their body needs, the body will increase its metabolic rate in order to burn off the excess energy.
There are several open debates in science about metabolic adaptation, including the actual magnitude of it, its relevance to weight loss, what measurement methods should be used, and the mechanisms underlying the contributory factors.
Some people have framed metabolic adaptation as so significant that it makes weight loss attempts futile. While others, including in research, have referred to metabolic adaptation as an "illusion". So what do we actually know about this concept and what is the pragmatic significance of it?
To discuss the nuances of the topic, Alan and Danny are joined by Dr. Eric Trexler, who has published on this topic and has followed recent publications closely.
About The Guest:
Dr. Eric Trexler is Director of Education at Stronger By Science, where he co-hosts the SBS podcast. He also is one of the four contributors to the MASS Research Review.
Eric has a prolific background in exercise science research, with more than 30 publications to his name by the time he completed his PhD at UNC-Chapel Hill.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to another episode of Sigma Nutrition Radio. I am Danny Lennon. And if you're hearing this message, that means you are listening to the podcast on our public feed. But if you're someone who listens to these episodes with the intent of squeezing as much learning out of them as possible, then you might be interested in Sigma Nutrition Premium. The goal of our premium subscription is to allow |
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| 1:10.5 | And without further ado, let's get into our episode. |
| 1:14.2 | Welcome to episode 484 of Sigma Nutrition Radio. |
| 1:31.0 | My name is Danny Lennon. |
| 1:32.6 | Alongside me, of course, is Dr. Alan Flanagan. |
| 1:34.8 | And today we are joined by a very special guest who, if my counting is correct, is making his hat-trick appearance on the podcast, Dr. Eric Trexler. |
| 1:45.0 | So welcome. |
| 1:46.3 | Yeah, thanks for having me. |
| 1:47.9 | 484. |
| 1:48.6 | That's the number that everybody has in mind when they start a podcast. |
| 1:51.7 | So I'm honored to be on such a special number here. |
| 1:54.5 | And yeah, the hat trick is hopefully I'm the only person who has and ever will complete the hat-trick. |
| 2:00.6 | I think that would be a nice honor you could bestow upon me. |
... |
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