Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) get a lot of negative press, but are they always as bad as people think? In this episode, I sit down with researcher Samuel Dicken, who recently led a high-profile randomized controlled trial on UPFs that challenged some long-held assumptions.

We dig into what his study found, why not all UPFs are created equal, and how the way we consume them might matter more than the processing label itself. At the same time, we explore why sticking with mostly minimally processed foods is still a sound piece of nutrition advice.

If you’ve ever wondered whether “ultra-processed” automatically means “unhealthy,” or how to make sense of the latest UPF research, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

SPONSORS

• David Protein - Buy 4 cartons, get 1 FREE at: https://davidprotein.com/pages/layne

• Carbon Diet Coach – 14 day free trial: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

FOLLOW SAM

https://www.instagram.com/drsamueldicken

http://www.twitter.com/SamuelDickenUK

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:02:16 - Study Design

0:12:07 - Study Results

0:14:03 - NOVA Food Classification

0:18:53 - Research Misinterpretations

0:21:04 - Food Choices

0:24:34 - Zero Calorie Beverages

0:31:40 - Coke HFCS vs Cane Sugar

0:34:07 - David Protein

0:35:42 - Unintended Consequences

0:43:55 - LDL Cholesterol

0:47:50 - Ultra-Processed Foods Good or Bad?

0:53:11 - Are Ultra-Processed Foods Addictive?

1:02:10 - Carbon Diet Coach

1:03:10 - Nuance of Ultra-Processed Foods

1:07:35 - Negative Effects of UPFs Independent of Calories

1:13:09 - Criticism of Study Design

1:16:48 - Government Regulation

1:23:58 - Behavior Changes

1:29:37 - Animal vs Plant Based

1:33:08 - Personal Diet Habits

1:35:16 - Use Cases For UPFs

1:38:33 - The Practical Realities of Research

1:45:24 - What Have You Changed Your Mind On

1:49:14 - PhD Discussion

1:52:42 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

Creatine is SAFE, the verdict is in!

After decades of people claiming that creatine will wreck your kidneys, liver, & various other claims, a new study has put these myths to bed.

In my latest episode of the Dr. Layne Norton Podcast, I go DEEP on the most comprehensive dataset to date: a brand new meta-analysis by Kreider et al. (2025) which reviewed 250+ studies, covering over 26,000 participants, some lasting more than a decade, and examined nearly 50 potential side effects.

The verdict? Absolutely no evidence of harm.

I broke down the full paper, the methods, and what this means for athletes and everyday lifters in the latest episode of the podcast.

SPONSORS

• Outwork Nutrition - Evidence-Based Supplements to Support Your Hard Work: https://outworknutrition.com

• REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:01:33 - Meta Analysis Overview

0:02:14 - Creatine is NOT a Steroid

0:03:10 - ATP

0:05:13 - Creatine from Body and Food

0:06:05 - Creatine Non-Responders

0:06:27 - Creatine Dose

0:07:10 - Creatine Benefits

0:10:18 - Outwork Nutrition

0:11:46 - Interesting Associations

0:13:48 - Safety Questions

0:15:03 - Importance of Placebo

0:17:05 - Study Methods

0:20:05 - Study Results

0:26:08 - REPS Research Review

0:26:57 - Hair Loss

0:29:04 - Creatine is Safe and Effective

0:30:54 - Types of Creatine

0:36:54 - Creatine for Kids

0:38:50 - Recommendations

0:39:39 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/study-deep-dive-creatine-is-safe-episode-13

Is sugar really to blame for the obesity epidemic? In this episode, I break down one of the most common nutrition myths. Using evidence from epidemiology, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses, Layne explains why sugar and high fructose corn syrup aren’t the independent culprits they’re often made out to be. Instead, he reveals what the research actually says about calories, metabolism, and how oversimplified narratives mislead the public. If you’ve ever been told “sugar is poison,” this episode will challenge your perspective with science, not fear.

SPONSORS

• REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

• Carbon Diet Coach – Achieve your goals with Carbon’s adaptive macro coaching app: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:02:49 - Research Funding and Bias

0:14:52 - Previous Beliefs on Sugar

0:15:31 - Types of Sugar

0:17:42 - Previous Beliefs on HFCS

0:19:37 - Leptin

0:23:56 - Gary Taubes

0:24:33 - REPS

0:25:22 - Carbohydrate Insulin Model of Obesity

0:27:42 - The Case for Sugar Causing Obesity

0:30:08 - The Moment I Started to Change My Mind

0:32:29 - Ice Cream

0:34:18 - Researching Sugar

0:39:15 - Mechanisms vs Outcomes

0:41:10 - Classic Study

0:42:28 - Mark Haub Twinkie Diet

0:45:46 - Carbon Diet Coach

0:46:46 - Metabolic Health

0:48:03 - Glycemic Index

0:49:51 - Sugar Intake vs Calorie Intake

0:52:30 - Sugar Addiction

0:54:21 - Let's Be Clear

0:56:36 - Data Over Feelings

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/

Building muscle isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about survival. 💪

In this episode of The Dr. Layne Norton Podcast, I break down why muscle is the most underrated organ of health. You’ll hear how it lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, infections, Alzheimer’s, and depression — while also protecting against falls, fractures, and the effects of aging.

We’ll dive into:

- How muscle acts like an endocrine organ, releasing myokines that fight disease and slow tumor growth.

- Why more muscle means longer life, better quality of life, and faster recovery if you get sick.

- The myth that you “can’t build muscle after a certain age” — and why it’s total BS.

- How just 50 minutes of resistance training a week can change your health trajectory.

If you want to live longer, feel stronger, and age on your own terms, this is the episode you don’t want to skip.

SPONSORS

• Workout Builder – Customized training programs for all experience levels: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

• Team Biolayne – One-On-One Coaching: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:02:18 - Muscle for Vanity

0:03:39 - Cultural Perception of Muscles

0:06:13 - Women in the Gym

0:08:11 - Muscle for Health

0:10:34 - Sarcopenia

0:15:28 - Insulin Sensitivity

0:22:59 - Workout Builder

0:23:54 - Sink Metaphor

0:26:07 - Organ of Health

0:28:11 - Quality of Life

0:32:35 - Cardiovascular Disease Mortality

0:36:35 - Cancer Mortality

0:42:44 - Other Mortality

0:44:45 - Risk of Disease

0:49:22 - Mental Health

0:56:19 - Pain & Injuries

0:57:35 - Team Biolayne

0:58:26 - Wasting Diseases

1:00:59 - Anyone Can Build Muscle

1:03:20 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/

Learn how to build muscle from the world's most renowned researcher on muscle growth, Professor Brad Schoenfeld. In this absolute masterclass, Dr. Schoenfeld lays out the non-negotiables for muscle growth, what matters most, what matters least, and how to practically implement these recommendations. If you care about building muscle, you do not want to miss this episode.

SPONSORS

• Workout Builder – Customized training programs for all experience levels: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

• REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

FOLLOW BRAD

https://www.instagram.com/bradschoenfeldphd

http://www.twitter.com/bradschoenfeld

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:20 - How Brad Got Started

0:08:24 - Vanity vs Health

0:14:46 - Muscle Quality

0:16:54 - Muscle and Insulin Resistance

0:22:00 - Most Important Thing for Hypertrophy

0:23:38 - Training to Failure

0:34:51 - Misinformation on Social Media

0:39:02 - Mechanical Tension

0:46:21 - Training Volume

0:52:24 - Workout Builder

0:54:45 - Dose Response

0:59:27 - Overtraining

1:07:19 - Muscle Damage and Soreness

1:14:35 - Mechanisms vs Outcomes

1:19:52 - Cortisol

1:21:15 - Acute vs Chronic

1:24:04 - Mechanisms vs Outcomes

1:25:43 - REPS Research Review

1:26:32 - Research on Volume

1:34:01 - Training Frequency

1:40:06 - Range of Motion

1:46:27 - Intensity Tricks

1:50:32 - Rep Cadence

1:58:03 - Exercise Selection

2:04:43 - Final Question

2:13:53 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/how-to-build-muscle-masterclass-with-professor-brad-schoenfeld-episode-10

The carnivore diet. The keto diet. Intermittent fasting. Plant based. The [insert diet here]... There are so many popular diets out there being promoted by various diet tribes, many of which have limited evidence for their efficacy. All of which have various positives and negatives associated with them. In this episode, I systematically break down some of the most popular diets and discuss both the positives and negatives to these dietary approaches. If you are confused by all the noise on social media, this episodes is a MUST LISTEN to help simplify things for you!

SPONSORS

• Carbon Diet Coach – Achieve your goals with Carbon’s adaptive macro coaching app: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

• Team Biolayne – One-On-One Coaching: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:01:47 - Bodybuilding History

0:09:42 - Flexible Dieting

0:25:33 - Carbon Diet Coach

0:26:33 - Mediterranean Diet

0:30:10 - Plant Based Diet

0:39:55 - Low Carb Diets

0:48:30 - Team Biolayne

0:49:20 - Carnivore Diet

0:59:13 - Fasting Diets

1:06:54 - Summary

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/

Not everyone has the time or desire to go to school and get a PhD or a Master's degree in a scientific field. Even getting a scientific degree does not ensure that you will be able to read and interpret research appropriately. But just because you may not have a scientific degree or the desire to achieve one, doesn't mean you can't still learn to think like a scientist.

This isn't about a fancy education... it's about a state of mind and way of thinking. It's less complicated than you might think and there are some simple, systematic ways to ask questions and evaluate evidence that anyone can implement.

In this episode I break down how YOU can think like a scientist and be better equipped to evaluate and interpret evidence.

SPONSORS

• REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

• Physique Coaching Academy - Advanced Coaching and Nutrition Education for Personal Trainers: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:57 - Areas of Expertise

0:10:12 - The Scientific Method

0:12:47 - Politics vs Science

0:17:07 - Why Study Results Vary

0:22:26 - REPS Research Review

0:23:16 - Research Funding

0:27:06 - How To Read Research

0:29:29 - Scientific Consensus

0:30:58 - Skepticism

0:34:51 - Hierarchy of Evidence

0:39:51 - Physique Coaching Academy

0:40:52 - Hierarchy of Evidence Continued

0:45:40 - The Power of Placebo

0:47:50 - Single vs Double Blind

0:49:44 - Meta Analysis

0:51:04 - Mechanisms vs Outcomes

0:55:54 - Cherry Picking Data

0:57:28 - Practical Considerations of Research

1:00:40 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/how-to-think-like-a-scientist-episode-8

In this episode I take YOUR questions! Topics covered in this AMA:

• How much protein is used for building muscle?

• Is creatine safe for kids?

• Does separating fats/carbs amongst different meals lead to additional fat loss benefits?

• Should you avoid high protein diets if you’re worried about cancer?

• Does creatine affect brain health?

• Do OTC pain killers affect muscle growth?

• What’s the best way to retain muscle on intermittent fasting?

• Can you gain fat eating too much protein?

• Why do some people have an easier time staying lean than others?

• Does alcohol negatively affect weight loss?

SPONSORS

• Outwork Nutrition - Evidence-Based Supplements to Support Your Hard Work: https://outworknutrition.com

• Physique Coaching Academy - Advanced Coaching and Nutrition Education for Personal Trainers: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

LAYNE'S COMPANIES

Carbon Diet Coach: https://joincarbon.com/podcast

Outwork Nutrition: https://outworknutrition.com

REPS Research Review: https://biolayne.com/reps

Workout Builder: https://biolayne.com/workout-builder

Team Biolayne: https://biolayne.com/online-coaching

Physique Coaching Academy: https://physiquecoachingacademy.com

FOLLOW LAYNE

http://www.facebook.com/laynenorton

http://www.twitter.com/biolayne

http://www.instagram.com/biolayne

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 - Intro

0:01:14 - Creatine For Kids

0:05:28 - What Form of Creatine

0:10:43 - Separating Carbs and Fats

0:13:47 - mTOR and Cancer

0:17:41 - Outwork Nutrition

0:19:25 - Protein and Gluconeogenesis

0:23:19 - Protein for Muscle Building

0:31:10 - Protein and Body Fat

0:36:01 - Nutrition Science Education

0:42:16 - Physique Coaching Academy

0:43:18 - Anti-Inflammatory Medicine and MPS

0:46:18 - Creatine for Brain Health

0:47:32 - What Keeps Thinner People Thin

0:52:52 - Alcohol and Weight Loss

0:54:08 - Fasting and Muscle Mass

0:56:53 - Outro

SHOW NOTES

https://biolayne.com/podcasts/dr-layne-norton-podcast/ama-protein-intake-creatine-weight-loss-episode-7

*DISCLAIMER*

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in...