#1389 - Chris Kresser Debunks "The Gamechangers" Documentary
NaN minutesEpisode #1389
Watch James Wilks from The Game Changers debate Chris Kresser on his critiques of the film here:
Chris Kresser, M.S., L.Ac is a globally recognized leader in the fields of ancestral health, Paleo nutrition, and functional and integrative medicine. Link to notes from this podcast by Chris Kresser:
Watch the full episode of #1389 - Chris Kresser Debunks "The Gamechangers" Documentary.
Episode Timestamps
Discussion on The Game Changers Film with James Wilkes
- James Wilkes, an excellent fighter, and the winner of the ultimate fighter, is praised for his role in The Game Changer film
- The film, backed by well-known personalities like James Cameron, Jackie Chan, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, aims to convince viewers to adopt a vegan diet
- Debate on the genuineness of filmmakers' beliefs in promoting veganism, exploring the concept of confirmation bias and the choice to distort reality for a cause
Deception and Misconceptions in the Film about Gladiators and Vegan Diet
- Critical analysis of the deceptive portrayal of Roman gladiators as vegan and the inconsistency in their diet
- Exploration of the concept of 'vegan honeymoon' and its impact on short vs. long-term performance on a plant-based diet
- Detailed discussion on the quality and quantity of protein in vegan vs. animal-based diets, highlighting deceptive comparisons in the film
Protein Quantity and Quality Assessment
- Comparison of protein quantity and caloric value between beef and peanut butter
- Discussion on protein quality assessment using DIAS score
- Importance of protein quality in addressing protein deficiency in third world countries
Protein Ranking and Impact on Body
- Explanation of DIAS protein ranking for beef, egg, peanut butter, and wheat
- Comparison of protein bioavailability and its impact on muscle protein synthesis
- Critique of vegan arguments based on protein quantity and quality
Examining Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Livestock vs Transportation
- The film compares livestock greenhouse gas emissions globally with transportation emissions.
- Livestock's full life cycle analysis includes feed, transport, and processing, while transportation only considers direct tailpipe emissions.
- In the US, livestock emissions are more efficient compared to transportation, emphasizing the lack of a direct comparison.
Deceptive Data Presentation and Health Implications
- The concern over selective data presentation and distortion for personal agendas.
- Highlighting the impact of poorly informed decisions on health, particularly concerning children.
- Demonstrating the complexity of sustainable livestock practices and the potential for carbon sequestration.
James Cameron's Conflicts of Interest in Vegan Advocacy
- James Cameron, a filmmaker and owner of Verdient Foods, heavily invests in pea protein company
- The film promotes veganism but is criticized for its biased approach
- Susie Cameron, James Cameron's wife, is involved in establishing vegan schools
The Flaws in Nutrition Studies and Biases Against Meat
- Critique on agenda-driven films promoting specific diets over objective scientific viewpoints
- The discussion around Seventh Day Adventists and their impact on vegetarianism
- Studies showing bias against meat consumption without considering other lifestyle factors
Discussion on Depression and Dietary Factors
- Speaker shares personal experience of weight loss and negative impact on mental health
- Links depression and anxiety to dietary factors like lack of cholesterol, B12, hormones, and iron
- Mentions different perspectives on low carb diets and their impact on individuals
Protein Requirements for Athletes and Comparison with Vegetarian Diets
- Debate on protein requirements for athletes and minimum RDA recommendations
- Analyzes the protein deficiency risks in vegetarian diets compared to animal-based diets
- Discussion on amino acid profiles and limitations in plant-based proteins
Patrick Baboumian: The Vegan Bodybuilder & Athlete
- Patrick Baboumian, known for his vegan diet, uses a large amount of protein powder to meet his daily protein requirements.
- His diet includes various supplements like multivitamins, nutritional yeast, zinc, and creatine, along with protein shakes and smoothies.
- Although some criticize his heavy supplementation, it is necessary due to his unique situation as a strength athlete striving to lift heavy weights.
Nate Diaz vs. Connor McGregor: The Veganism Debate in MMA
- Nate Diaz, a vegan athlete, faced Connor McGregor in a notable fight with implications for veganism in MMA.
- The first match, on short notice, saw Diaz following a diet including fish and eggs due to weight constraints.
- While the fight was perceived as a victory for veganism, the subsequent rematch showed McGregor emerging victorious after a full training camp, highlighting the complexities of diet and performance.
Brian Jennings: The Boxer Transition to Veganism and Performance Impact
- Brian Jennings, the boxer, transitioned to vegan diet in 2013
- While his performance declined post-vegan, it's argued due to heavyweight competition level
- Discussion on context and individual variability in diet's impact on performance
The Omnivorous Diet Debate: Individual Variability in Diet and Athlete Performance
- Exploration of varied historical human diets: omnivorous to almost exclusive animal-based
- Key importance of balancing plant and animal foods in the diet for nutrients
- Discussion on individual variation in optimal diet requirements for better performance
Elite Athletes and Vegan Diet Challenges
- Novak Djokovic's performance fluctuated after going vegan and then adding fish back into his diet
- Various athletes like Damien Lillard, Tony Gonzalez, and Gerald McCoy faced challenges with vegan diet in their sports careers
- Elite athletes have specific nutritional requirements including high protein intake for muscle protein synthesis
B12 Deficiency Risks and Recommendations
- Discussion on B12 production and its necessity for humans despite diets
- Challenges of B12 deficiency especially among vegetarians and vegans
- Importance of B12 supplementation for vegetarians and vegans to avoid serious health issues
Discussion on Plant-Based Diet and Athlete Practices
- Highlighting the portrayal of a vegan diet in a film and its impact on an athlete's capabilities
- Critique on the reconstruction of moments in the film to fit a documentary format
- Exploration of the martial arts skills displayed by a particular individual
Debunking Arguments for Plant-Based Diets in Human Evolution
- Analysis of isotope studies showcasing human consumption of meat over the years
- Comparison of digestive tracts between humans and primates like gorillas
- Refutation of arguments based on anatomical features and historical diet patterns
Study on Seventh Day Adventist Rebels' Dietary Habits
- Six-year study from 1976 to 1982 on Seventh Day Adventists who deviated from vegetarian diet by adding meat
- Finding a correlation between dietary habits and overall health outcomes
- Comparison with large reviews on red meat and conflicting recommendations by health organizations
Debates and Controversies Surrounding Red Meat Consumption
- Comprehensive review of studies showing low certainty red meat causes diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
- Differences in evidence-based recommendations on red meat consumption
- Battle between contrasting interpretations of scientific studies on red meat's health impacts
Role of Low-Carb Diet in Endothelial Function Improvement
- A 2009 study showed improvement in endothelial function with a low carb diet over 12 weeks.
- High blood sugar and insulin resistance are linked to impairing endothelial function.
- Contradictory outcomes in studies show that low carb diet may positively impact endothelial function.
Understanding the Impact of Cholesterol Levels on Health
- The body manufactures most cholesterol, with only about 30% coming from the diet.
- Cholesterol plays a vital role in the body, and severe deficiency can lead to fatal conditions like Smith-Lemley-Opitz syndrome.
- Cholesterol levels can vary significantly based on diet and genetic factors.
Water Usage in Beef Production and Misconceptions
- 94% of water in feedlot beef is green water (rainfall), 6% from groundwater
- Pasture-raised beef uses 97% water from rainfall and 3% from irrigation
- Production of beef uses 280 gallons of blue water compared to other foods like avocados
Fake Meat Industry and Environmental Impact
- Fake meat companies like Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat are using soy and pea protein
- Holistic land management in White Oak Pastures showed beef can be a net carbon sink
- Seaweed supplementation for cows helps reduce methane emissions
Concerns about Soil and Water Sustainability
- Nutrient depletion in the soil is a significant issue discussed in Dead Doctors Don't Lie by Dr. Joel Wallach.
- The degradation of soil's nutrient density is a long-standing problem that poses challenges for future sustainability.
- Highlighting the limited time frame of 60 years or 60 harvests left before a potential soil crisis.
Debunking Myths Surrounding Red Meat: New Perspectives on Health Risks
- Shift from traditional concerns of cholesterol and saturated fats to new factors like TMAO, new 5GC, and heme iron in red meat analysis.
- Discussion on the inconclusive evidence linking red meat to diseases such as cancer and heart issues.
- Exploration of the contextual impact on health risks based on different diet quality and geographic regions.
TMAO: Red Meat, Eggs, and the TMAO Argument
- Studies showed an increase in TMAO levels from carnitine and choline supplements.
- Research indicates eating whole foods like meat and eggs does not significantly raise TMAO.
- Seafood, like halibut, raised TMAO levels much more than red meat and eggs.
Factors Affecting TMAO Levels: Insulin Resistance, Gut Microbiome, and Kidney Disease
- Insulin resistance, disrupted gut microbiome, and kidney disease can increase TMAO levels.
- TMAO levels can be affected by lifestyle factors like being overweight and having diabetes.
- Studies suggest TMAO levels are more influenced by other factors than just dietary intake of TMAO.