March 6, 2026
Episode #1: Protein Supplements: Whey, Collagen & Plant Protein Explained
Jason and Brian dive into their Hot Topic: Protein, breaking down the science behind whey, collagen, and plant-based proteins. Learn how protein supports muscle growth, organ function, metabolism, and recovery — plus tips on choosing the best type for your body.
🔥 Rapid Fire: Buy or Don’t Buy – Jason and Brian give quick, research-backed takes on trending supplements like probiotics, colostrum, greens powders, creatine, melatonin, and more, helping you separate hype from science.
🧠 Mind & Spirit: Mental Health – Explore how nutrition, supplementation, and daily habits can support mental clarity, stress management, and overall emotional well-being.
Grounded in 60+ years of combined experience, this episode is perfect for anyone looking to optimize fitness, energy, recovery, and health.
References
[12:10] Protein's Role
Protein plays a vital role in the body, with muscle making up roughly 30–40% of your total composition. Its primary function is to support repair, recovery, and growth across muscles, bones, and organs.
Reference: Skeletal Muscle[12:46] Protein & Metabolism
Protein is directly involved in metabolic processes throughout the body.
Reference: What are proteins and what do they do?[12:48] Muscle & Fat Burning
The exercise of stimulating muscle growth helps you burn fat.
Reference: Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT)[13:45] Collagen (Pt 2)
The amino acids in collagen help feed that part of the body. (hair, skin, nails)
Reference: Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications[13:45] Collagen
Collgen for Hair Skin and Nails: Collagen entered market on anti-aging messaging. (hair, skin, nails).
Reference: Collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology[14:30] Whey Protein - Most Popular Protein
Whey protein is the most popular protein in the market.
Reference: Whey Protein Market (2025–2033)[15:30] Protein Quality
Whey Protein concentrates originally always contained lactose but nowadays available in lactose free versions.
Reference: Advanced Dairy Chemistry: Volume 1: Proteins[16:25] Protein Evaluation
Protein Scoring systems: scoring the best proteins for the human body
Reference: Dietary Protein Quality Evaluation in Human Nutrition[17:00] Animal vs Plant Protein
Plant proteins have a low biological value score
Reference: A Review on Nutritional Quality of Animal and Plant Proteins[17:25] DIAAS
The Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) is considered the most sophisicated proteing scoring system.
Reference: Digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS): 10 years on[17:45] DIAAS and Plant Protein
Plant proteins score lower in DIAAS score.
Reference: Can the digestible indispensable amino acid score methodology decrease protein malnutrition[18:15] DIAAS and Whey Protein
Whey protein gets over 100 on DIAAS score, plant proteins typically provide a DIAAS score around 70-80, and collagen gets a zero on DIAAS score.
Reference: Values for digestible indispensable amino acid scores[19:00] Whey Protein and Muscle Repair
Whey protein has the near perfect amino acid structure that is best for helping support muscle repair and recovery.
Reference: A Brief Review of Critical Processes in Exercise-Induced Muscular Hypertrophy[21:00] Grass-Fed Whey
Grass-fed whey protein is important because its nutritional value differs from conventional options. Cows raised on grass produce higher-quality milk—where whey is derived—and are typically not treated with added hormones, resulting in a cleaner product for consumption.
Reference: A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef[25:00] Probiotics
Probiotics are important for immune health and digestion.
Reference: Probiotics and prebiotics in intestinal health and disease: from biology to the clinic[26:05] Colostrum
Colostrum contains immunoglobulins and is important for digestion and immune function.
Reference: Diverse Immune Effects of Bovine Colostrum and Benefits in Human Health and Disease[26:35] Melatonin
Melatonin is a synthetic hormone most of the time, at least 99.99% of the market.
Reference: Study uncovers significant labeling inaccuracies in melatonin supplements[28:15] Creatine and Strength
Creatine not only helps with the strength and endurance, but current research also showing it supports cognitive health.
Reference: Effects of creatine supplementation on memory in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials[29:15] Creatine and HMB
HMB helps you retain muscle you worked so hard in the gym for. HMB also helps preserve muscle and in some cases help you build it back.
Reference: Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation on muscle loss in older adults[29:45] Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms: enhance brain function and immune function.
Reference: Mushroom immunomodulators: unique molecules with unlimited applications[30:30] NMN
NMN in B-vitamin familiy sort of – came on scene due to anti-aging interest. NAD is not well absorbed or utiliezed and NMN seems to be better utilized.
Reference: Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women[31:10] Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are dangerous. Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate unnaturally.
Reference: Impact of High Volume Energy Drink Consumption on Electrocardiographic and Blood Pressure Parameters: A Randomized Trial[32:30] Guayusa
Other tools for energy: Guayusa that has almost no caffeine but interesting say of increasing energy. Or Ginseng or Ashwagandha can be useful for energy.
Reference: Efficacy of ginseng supplements on disease-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis[35:50] Absorption - Curcumin
Reference: Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health[35:50] Absorption - Berberine
Only 67% of Berberine is absorbed into the body.
Reference: Bioavailability Study of Berberine and the Enhancing Effects of TPGS on Intestinal Absorption in Rats[35:50] Absorption - Resveratrol
Less than 1% of Resveratrol is absorbed into the body.
Reference: High absorption but very low bioavailability of oral resveratrol in humans[35:50] Absorption
Many supplements are poorly absorbed by the body (low bioavailability), meaning only a small percentage is actually utilized.
Reference: High absorption but very low bioavailability of oral resveratrol in humans[39:40] Anxiety Trends
Research suggests anxiety levels among adults have increased 25-50% in the last 5 years.
Reference: American Adults Express Increasing Anxiousness in Annual Poll; Stress and Sleep are Key Factors Impacting Mental Health[44:42] Meditation & Deep Breathing - Disease States
Certain disease states and conditions like IBS that can be reduced.
Reference: Slow, deep breathing intervention improved symptoms and altered rectal sensitivity in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome[44:42] Meditation & Deep Breathing - Energy
Deep breathing can increase energy.
Reference: How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing[44:42] Meditation & Deep Breathing - Anxiety
Meditation and deep breathing can lower anxiety and blood pressure.
Reference: Meditation and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials