Unlock better protein absorption and digestion with MassZymes by BiOptimizers. NOW GET 15% off your order with the code VANESSA at bioptimizers.com/vanessa

The Bloating Episode! If you’ve ever struggled with bloating after eating, digestive discomfort, or wondered if your body is really absorbing all the protein and nutrients you consume, this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Wade Lightheart, co-founder and president of BiOptimizers, to dive into the science of digestive enzymes and how they can transform digestion, nutrient absorption, and protein utilization. A former natural bodybuilding champion, Wade developed MassZymes after struggling with his own digestion on a high-protein diet.

We cover:

• What EXACTLY causes bloating and poor protein digestion

• Why low stomach acid and declining enzyme levels with age can cause bloating and poor nutrient absorption.

• Clinical research on protease blends and a 2024 protein study showing improved amino acid absorption with enzyme support.

• A university laboratory test on MassZymes suggesting over 1,200% more amino acids released compared to digestion alone.

• How lipase enzymes can reduce bloating and fullness after high-fat meals.

• Why older adults and high-protein eaters may especially benefit from enzyme supplementation for muscle and metabolic health.

If bloating, slow digestion, or protein absorption has ever held you back from feeling your best, this conversation will help you fix your bloat and unlock the full benefits of your nutrition.

👉 Get 15% off MassZymes by BiOptimizers with the code VANESSA at bioptimizers.com/vanessa.

Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook https://ketogenicgirl.com/pages/new-free-ebook

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Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook

👤 Connect with Vanessa:

• Instagram: @ketogenicgirl

• 🔗 Learn more about the TONE Breath Ketone Analyzer — 20% OFF with code VANESSA

• Tone Collagen

📱 Follow @ketogenicgirl for the latest studies and strategies on fat loss and protein optimization

📸 Follow @optimalproteinpodcast for episode visuals and updates

💬 Join the Facebook group: Optimal Protein Podcast Community

🎙 The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary or lifestyle changes.

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Today’s episode features Dr. Carlene Starck, a nutrition scientist whose groundbreaking research is changing the way we think about protein and amino acid requirements. Her work suggests that current recommendations for essential amino acids may be far too low, with major implications for fat loss, muscle preservation, and how we define protein quality.

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We discuss her research on:

• Why true protein and amino acid needs are higher than guidelines suggest

• How this widens the gap between animal and plant-based proteins

• The impact of gut and oxidative amino acid losses on protein requirements

• Novel strategies to improve protein digestion, from kiwifruit enzymes to keratin hydrolysates

• Dairy vs. plant alternatives, and what her latest A2 milk study revealed about mood and cognition

• Affordable ways to close key nutrient gaps for better body composition and health

Dr. Starck also shares a preview of her upcoming work on protein requirements and what it means for the future of nutrition science.

This is a must-listen episode if you want to understand why protein is so central to fat loss, metabolic health, and long-term body recomposition.

Connect with Vanessa on Instagram @ketogenicgirl

Free High-Protein Keto Guide

Get 20% off on the Tone LUX Crystal Red Light Therapy Mask or the Tone Device breath ketone analyzer at https://ketogenicgirl.com with the code VANESSA

Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast.

Link to join the Facebook group for the podcast

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.

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In this solo recap episode, Vanessa breaks down her in-depth interview with Dr. Andy Galpin, one of the world’s leading muscle scientists and performance physiologists. This 60-minute masterclass distills the most important takeaways from their conversation into clear, actionable steps for fat loss, body recomposition, and metabolic health.

👉 Unlock better protein absorption and digestion with MassZymes by BiOptimizers. Get 10% off your order with the code VANESSA at bioptimizers.com/vanessa

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real science of fat loss — why stored fat leaves your body as exhaled carbon, not sweat.

• Carbon in vs. carbon out — how to think about energy balance more clearly.

• Why nutrition drives fat loss — the 90/10 rule of diet vs. exercise.

• The two macros most women misjudge — why we consistently overestimate protein and underestimate fat.

• What to do if you’re stuck at 1,200 calories — Andy’s three-step framework: reevaluate, build muscle, or take a structured diet break.

• Protein timing truths — total daily protein matters more than timing, plus the role of pre-sleep protein.

• Metabolic flexibility demystified — why it’s about switching fuels efficiently, not always “burning fat.”

• The sleep–fat loss connection — how poor sleep alters hormones, cravings, and body composition.

• Anabolic resistance and menopause — why blood flow and activity may matter more than hormones alone.

• A one-week action blueprint — practical steps you can apply right away for better results.

This episode is packed with clarity and practical insights to help you optimize protein, training, and recovery so you can burn fat, preserve lean mass, and unlock your healthiest, strongest self.

Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook https://ketogenicgirl.com/pages/new-free-ebook

Learn more about the TONE LUX Crystal red light therapy mask and the accessory the TONE LUX CONTOUR for the neck and décolleté and get 20% OFF with the code VANESSA

Free high-protein keto guide: The Keto Reset eBook

👤 Connect with Vanessa:

• Instagram: @ketogenicgirl

• 🔗 Learn more about the TONE Breath Ketone Analyzer — 20% OFF with code VANESSA

• Tone Collagen

📱 Follow @ketogenicgirl for the latest studies and strategies on fat loss and protein optimization

📸 Follow @optimalproteinpodcast for episode visuals and updates

💬 Join the Facebook group: Optimal Protein Podcast Community

🎙 The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary or lifestyle changes.