logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
1h 57m

#348: Lose Fat and Build Muscle | Alan A...

Neuro Athletics
About this episode

Alan Aragon is a nutrition researcher and educator with over 30 years of success in the field. He is known as one of the most influential figures in the fitness industry’s movement towards evidence-based information. 

His notable clients include Stone Cold Steve Austin, Derek Fisher, and Pete Sampras. He co-authored Nutrient Timing Revisited, the most-viewed article in the history of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN). He also is the lead author of the ISSN Position Stand on Diets & Body Composition. 

Alan is the Chief Science Officer of the Nutritional Coaching Institute, and the founder and Editor-In-Chief of Alan Aragon’s Research Review (AARR), the original and longest-running research review publication in the fitness industry. Alan maintains a private practice designing programs for recreational & professional athletes — and of course regular people striving to be their best.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Key strategies for muscle hypertrophy and the importance of total daily protein intake.
  • The role of muscle as an endocrine organ in longevity and health.
  • The dynamic cycle of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown for muscle maintenance and growth.
  • The integration of resistance training and nutrition for optimal muscle development.
  • Comparing plant and animal proteins for muscle synthesis.
  • Debunking the "anabolic window" myth, emphasizing total daily protein intake over precise timing.
  • Practical recommendations for resistance training,  including strategies for increasing strength.
  • Gender and age considerations in muscle protein synthesis and the importance of resistance training for older adults.


Sponsors for today’s episode:


Sign up to The Neuro Athletics Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0


Connect with Aaron:
Website: https://alanaragon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealanaragon/


My Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_


(00:00) Preview and Introduction
(02:07) Muscle as an Endocrine Organ
(03:42) Muscle's Role in Longevity
(05:53) Muscle Protein Synthesis Overview
(12:14) Importance of Protein Intake
(18:14) Animal vs. Plant Protein
(21:09) Amino Acid Profiles and Muscle Growth
(23:29) The Role of Leucine
(24:59) Food vs. Protein Powder
(26:56) Debunking Protein Powder Myths
(28:35) Processed Foods and Nutritional Value
(33:40) Op

The Neuro Athletics Newsletter
Instagram: @louisanicola_
Twitter : @louisanicola_
YouTube: @Louisa Nicola

The Neuro Experience Podcast is proud to have hosted: Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr Gabrielle Lyon, Dr Layne Norton, Thomas DeLauer, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, Saad Alam, Uma Naidoo, Dr. Lanna Cheuck, Angela Lee Pucci, Jillian Turecki, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum, Dr. Darren Candow, Dr. Sue Varma, Evy Poumpouras, Dr Casey Means, Renee Deehan, Dr Chris Palmer, Dr Charles Brenner.

Up next
Oct 7
How GLP-1s Reduce Alzheimer’s and Cancer Risk | ft. Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen
Can obesity, menopause, and even Alzheimer’s risk be transformed with one class of medications? Triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen joins The Neuro Experience to unpack the science behind GLP-1 therapies, sustainable weight loss, and hormone health. One ... Show More
52m 23s
Sep 30
10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's | ft. Dr. Kellyann Niotis
In this episode of The Neuro Experience, I sit down with Dr. Kellyann Niotis—one of the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologists—to reveal how you can protect your brain long before symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia appear. With Alzheimer’s cases expected to triple by 2 ... Show More
1h 29m
Sep 23
#1 Neurologist Reveals the SHOCKING Root Cause of Parkinson’s Disease and How to Stop it | ft. Dr. Ray Dorsey
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world—and according to Dr. Ray Dorsey, it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dorsey, a leading neurologist, Parkinson’s researcher, and tireless advocate for rethinking chronic ... Show More
59m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
The Science of Losing Fat and Keeping Muscle | Dr. Mike Israetel
In this episode of The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, I sit down with Dr. Mike Israetel, an exercise physiologist and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, to break down the science of sustainable fat loss and muscle gain. We explore the essential strategies for transforming your ph ... Show More
1h 50m
Jan 2025
Exercise Scientist Slams Carnivore Diet 1 Hour Straight (j/k) | Dr. Shawn Baker & Dr. Mike Israetel
Revero Clinic for treating chronic diseases: https://revero.com Join Revero Now to transform your health: https://revero.com/membership Dr. Mike Israetel holds a PhD in Sport Physiology and is currently the chief content officer at RP Strength. Mike has been a longtime professor ... Show More
54m 50s
Jul 7
How to Lose Fat & Gain Muscle With Nutrition | Alan Aragon
My guest is Alan Aragon, a renowned nutrition and fitness expert and researcher known for sharing the strongest evidence-based approaches to fat loss, muscle gain and overall health and fitness. We discuss how to optimize your protein intake, including how much to consume per mea ... Show More
2h 35m
Jul 2024
Optimizing Protein Intake with Prof. Stuart Phillips
Join us as we dive into the science of protein with Professor Stuart Phillips, a renowned expert in sports nutrition and muscle metabolism. In this episode, we explore the optimal timing of protein intake for muscle growth and recovery, debunk common myths about protein sources ( ... Show More
1h 26m
Apr 2025
Dr. Michael Ormsbee: Food Timing, Nutrition & Supplements for Fat Loss, Muscle Growth & Recovery
My guest is Dr. Michael Ormsbee, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition and integrative physiology and the director of the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at Florida State University. We explore how pre-sleep nutrition affects fat metabolism, muscle growth, performance, and re ... Show More
2h 32m
Jul 15
Why Protein Isn’t Always Enough: Anabolic Resistance, Obesity, and Protein Efficiency | Dr. Nick Burd
Muscle health isn’t just about how much protein you eat—it’s about how your body uses it. And for people with obesity or advancing age, that process can become less effective, even with optimal nutrition. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Nick Burd, one of the world’s leading r ... Show More
1h 5m
May 2025
The Truth About Women’s Metabolism, Muscle & Fat Loss at Every Age | Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan—one of the leading researchers in exercise physiology and women’s metabolism—to unpack the science of how women should be training through perimenopause, postmenopause, and beyond. We dive into the physiological changes that imp ... Show More
1h 24m
Apr 2025
The workout that builds muscle, boosts your brain and slows down aging | Dr. Andy Galpin
Strength training is often associated with bodybuilding, but its benefits go far beyond muscle growth. Research shows that strength training supports cardiovascular health, enhances brain function, and is a strong predictor of longevity. In this episode, Professor Andy Galpin joi ... Show More
1h 12m
Mar 2024
Staying Strong Forever, Research-Backed Protein Intake Recommendations, The Best Supplements For Muscle Gain & More With Dr. Gabrielle Lyon.
Having trouble mustering the motivation for a muscle-building gym session? Prepare to feel a fire lit under your ass after listening to today's episode featuring Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, who emphasizes the importance of muscle-centric medicine (especially after you hit thirty and beyo ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2025
The Truth About Protein: How to Eat for Fat Loss & Muscle Growth
Ep. 179: Protein is one of the most powerful tools for metabolism, muscle growth & overall wellness—but are you eating enough? In this episode, we break down why protein is so essential, how to structure your meals for better energy & blood sugar balance, and exactly how much pro ... Show More
32m 56s