Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

Protein-sparing modified fasting (PSMF) has been used for decades as one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for rapid fat loss while preserving lean muscle. But how does it actually work, and who is it best suited for? Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. In this episode, Vanessa sits down with returning guest Dr. David Jockers to explore the science behind PSMF, why prioritizing protein changes everything during a calorie deficit, and how this approach differs from traditional fasting, keto, and fasting-mimicking diets. ...

In this episode, Vanessa Spina interviews Dr. Hans H. Stein, Professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, about protein quality, amino acid digestibility, and why "grams of protein" on a label do not always reflect what the body can actually use. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA . Stein explains why we do not technically need protein — we need digestible indispensable amino acids — and why this matters for muscle protein synthesis, aging, pregnancy, lactation, fat loss, and body recomposition. They discuss an...

In this episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa is joined by Dr. Brian Mowll for a deep dive into protein-sparing modified fasting, or PSMF, as part of the Friday Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Series. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Dr. Mowll explains the origins of PSMF, how it was first developed in clinical settings to help preserve lean body mass, and why it later became a powerful tool for obesity, metabolic health, and fat loss. Vanessa and Dr. Mowll explore how PSMF compares to...

In this episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa Spina is joined by Dr. Christina Prevett, physiotherapist, researcher, and expert in women's health, strength training, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and healthy aging. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Dr. Prevett shares why women are not fragile — and why strength training can be one of the most protective tools across the female lifespan. They discuss the latest evidence on resistance training during pregnancy, including heavy lifting, Valsalva/breath holding, pelvic floor concerns, miscarriage fears, diastasis recti, and retu...

Welcome to the first episode of the Summer Protein Sparing Modified Fasting Series on the Optimal Protein Podcast. In this episode, Vanessa introduces the science, history, and practical application of protein sparing modified fasting, or PSMF, as a powerful tool for fat loss and body recomposition. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa explains how PSMF was originally developed to help preserve lean body mass during severe energy restriction, why it differs from water fasting or traditional low-calorie dieting, and how prioritizing protein can help...

In this fascinating episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa Spina is joined by Dr. Fernando Naclerio, Professor in Strength Training and Sports Nutrition at the University of Greenwich and Centre Lead for the Centre for Exercise Activity and Rehabilitation. Vanessa and Dr. Naclerio dive into a brand new meta-analysis comparing higher-carb and lower-carb diets when calories and protein are matched. While both approaches improved body composition, the low-carb diets produced greater reductions in fat mass, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and triglycerides, along with increases in HDL. This conversation explores why not all weight loss...

In this solo episode, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her conversation with Daniel R. Moore, Professor of Muscle Physiology at the University of Toronto. This episode is a deep dive into muscle protein synthesis, protein intake, fat loss, aging, and why preserving lean mass is one of the most important factors for long-term metabolic health and body composition. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa explains: What muscle protein synthesis actually is Why muscle is constantly remodeling Why low-protein dieting...

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Daniel R. Moore, Professor of Muscle Physiology at the University of Toronto, for a deep dive into protein, muscle protein synthesis, fat loss, and aging. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Dr. Moore explains what muscle protein synthesis actually is, how it's measured in research using metabolic tracers, and why building muscle is about more than just "hitting your protein target." They unpack what happens when protein intake is too low, why muscle is the body's amino acid r...

Why does fat loss suddenly become harder after 40 — even when women are dieting and exercising? In this Friday solocast recap, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her conversation with Maria Emmerich on menopause, hormones, insulin resistance, body composition, HRT, peptides, and metabolic health. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa explores the connection between estrogen decline and insulin resistance, why testosterone matters for women far beyond libido, how progesterone affects sleep and anxiety, why muscle becomes critical for longevity, and why traditional hi...

Why does fat loss suddenly become harder in perimenopause and menopause — even when women are dieting and exercising? In this episode, Maria Emmerich joins Vanessa to unpack the hormonal and metabolic shifts driving changes in body composition after 40. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA They discuss estrogen and insulin resistance, testosterone in women, sleep disruption, sarcopenia, menopause belly fat, HRT, protein intake, resistance training, and why traditional keto can stop working in midlife. Topics Discussed Why women become more insulin...

In this Friday deep dive recap, Vanessa Spina breaks down the biggest takeaways from her recent interview with leading body composition researcher Dr. Bill Campbell. 🎉 The Memorial Day Sale starts early! Use code MEMORIALDAY40 for 40% off Tone devices & red light therapy, and MEMORIALDAY25 for 25% off the brand new PSMF Library including the digital download, printed book, and 2 months free community access. Visit Ketogenicgirl.com to SAVE BIG! The episode explores one of the most debated topics in women's health right now: menopause and weight loss resistance. Vanessa unpacks Dr. Campbell's newest research on resistance-trained peri- and...

In this episode, Vanessa Spina is joined again by leading body composition scientist Dr. Bill Campbell for a deep dive into menopause, weight loss resistance, rapid fat loss, protein, muscle preservation, and the newest research coming out of his lab. 🎉 The Memorial Day Sale starts early! Use code MEMORIALDAY40 for 40% off Tone devices & red light therapy, and MEMORIALDAY25 for 25% off the brand new PSMF Library including the digital download, printed book, and 2 months free community access. Visit Ketogenicgirl.com to SAVE BIG! They unpack one of the biggest debates in women's health right now: is men...

In this Friday solo recap, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her recent interview with Dr. Antonella Schwarz on why the goal should not simply be to lose weight, but to build and preserve muscle. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa explores the critical difference between weight loss and fat loss, why the scale can be misleading, and how losing weight without resistance training and adequate protein can leave you metabolically weaker over time. She also dives into Dr. Schwarz's latest...

Dr. Antonella Schwarz returns to the Optimal Protein Podcast to discuss her latest study restuls and why building muscle—not simply losing weight—is one of the most powerful things we can do for longevity, metabolic health, and body composition. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA In this episode, Vanessa and Dr. Schwarz dive into why the scale can be misleading, why fat loss is not the same as weight loss, and how resistance training helps preserve lean mass, support metabolism, and improve long-term health and independen...

Why do so many people lose weight at first on keto or carnivore… only to eventually stall or even gain weight? In this Friday recap episode, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her interview with Craig Emmerich, co-author of The Art of Metabolic Health. She explains why ketosis alone does not guarantee body fat loss, why high dietary fat can prevent the body from tapping into stored fat, and how protein-prioritized keto may be a more effective approach for fat loss and body recomposition. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com an...

Why do so many people lose weight on keto… only to stall—or even gain it back? In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Craig Emmerich to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in fat loss: that simply eating high fat will keep the weight coming off. Together, they unpack why high-fat keto can stall fat loss, how fuel partitioning actually works, and what your body is being driven to burn based on your macronutrient intake. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Craig explains t...

You've been told to eat more fiber… But what if that's not why you're still hungry? In this Friday recap, Vanessa breaks down the biggest insights from her conversation with Dr. Joanne Slavin — a leading fiber researcher who still says most people are focusing on the wrong thing for fat loss. This episode unpacks why some "high fiber" diets backfire, what actually controls appetite, and the simple shift that makes fat loss feel dramatically easier. 🎯 In This Episode: How much fiber you actually need per day Why "eat more fiber" isn't e...

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with Dr. Joanne Slavin, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota and one of the most highly cited researchers in nutrition science on fiber, satiety and protein.  👉 Extended one more day: The PSMF Library is available at ketogenicgirl.com — use code PSMFLAUNCHDISCOUNT70 to save $70! With decades of research on dietary fiber, satiety, and nutrition guidelines, Dr. Slavin brings a fresh perspective to a key question in fat loss: 👉 What actually controls hunger and calorie intake? In this conversation, they explore how different...

In today's Friday deep dive, Vanessa breaks down one of the most important new studies in fat loss and body recomposition — along with her recent interview with Dr. Eric Helms. This episode explores a cutting-edge meta-regression by Dr. Eric Helms, Dr. Eric Trexler, and Dr. Martin Refalo on protein intake during caloric restriction — and what it means for preserving muscle while losing fat. Last Day to Save on the PSMF Library (Pre-Order) Final hours to lock in the launch pricing 🎉 The PSMF Library is officially live — get your discount HERE This episode answers a critica...

Vanessa Spina is joined by Dr. Eric Helms to break down the latest research on protein intake during fat loss and what it really takes to preserve muscle while dieting. 🔗 PSMF LIBRARY (PRE-ORDER)Time Limited Offer The PSMF Library is officially live for pre-order 🎉 get the LAUNCH discount  HERE They discuss Dr. Helms' new meta-regression, whether more protein always leads to better outcomes, how lean mass retention changes depending on body fat level and calorie deficit size, and what the ideal evidence-based setup looks like for losing fat quickly without sacrificing muscle. This...