Ep. 11 - Ozempic, Yo-Yo Diets & the Science of Weight Loss, with Dr. David Allison

Obesity is one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged topics in health. But what does the science actually say? Dr. David Allison is one of the world’s leading obesity researchers and biostatisticians. Today, he’s here to cut through the noise.

A professor of paediatrics and director of the USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, David has spent decades challenging assumptions in the field. His rigorous, evidence-led approach is exactly what this conversation calls for.

He sits down with Charlie and Greg to unpack what obesity actually is, what drives it, and how to think about managing it in a way that’s realistic, compassionate, and grounded in evidence.

Starting with the science, David explains why BMI is more nuanced than its critics suggest, and why the conceptual definition of obesity - excess body fat that impairs health or longevity - is harder to work into practice than it sounds. He walks us through what we can say with confidence about obesity’s health risks, the role of energy balance and diet composition, and why body weight tends to creep back up after dieting (with some surprisingly reassuring findings along the way).

In the practice segment, David, Greg, and Charlie get into the practical side of weight management, including:

•        Why higher protein intake is one of the biggest levers for body composition

•        The case for resistance training – especially if you’re using GLP-1 medications

•        How to evaluate diet advice using a simple evidence checklist

•        Why the ‘dental model’ of weight management might change how you think about yo-yo dieting

•        What to know before starting semaglutide or other obesity medications

 

Finally, in the experience section, we turn to listener questions. We tackle navigating weight management during perimenopause and menopause, how to evaluate conflicting health claims online, and what to do about hair loss while using Mounjaro and GLP-1s.

Enjoy this conversation, and if you’d like to send us your health questions for future episodes, remember to email us a voice note or write in at [e-mail].

 

To explore further

•        David Allison – Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-allison-2917963b/

•        USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Centre: https://www.bcm.edu/research/research-centers/usda-ars-childrens-nutrition-research-center

•        Greg Potter – Website: gregpotterphd.com

•        Greg Potter – Instagram: @gregpotterphd

•        Thriva – Website: thriva.co

 

About Thriva

Thriva is a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan - how long we’re living - and healthspan - how well we’re living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what’s going on inside your body - and what to do about it - before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.

 

To learn more about Thriva’s values and services, visit https://thriva.co/.

What is The Method - Health in the Real World?

There’s no shortage of health advice out there, but how much of it actually works? Cold plunges, glucose monitors, protein timing, strength training, avoiding microplastics… How do we figure out what’s worth our time? Now there’s a method.

The Method – Health in the Real World unpacks the science and real-world application behind modern-day health. We speak with leading voices to help you make sense of your health, and we find out how we can live better now, and for longer.

Each episode, long-time friends Greg Potter and Charlie Edmondson will interview leading experts to put key health topics under the microscope, and unpack health questions through three lenses:
- The science: What the experts, data, and scientific research say.
- The practice: How to turn theory into habit and sustainable behaviour change.
- The experience: How the practice lives up to expectation in real life.

In an often chaotic world, we want to keep an eye on the long game: maximising your healthspan, not just your lifespan.

Whether it’s eating better, moving with intention, or getting quality sleep… We help you build good, evidence-based habits that stick. Let’s find out what works for you. The Method gives you the tools to chart your own path towards health confidence.

Expect deep dives into the science of health. We’ll cover topics like: supplements, brain health, personalised nutrition, biomarker tracking, zone 2 training, stress management, but also explore psychological wellness, the power of social connection, and good emotional resilience.
Whether you’re new to proactive health, or already experienced and looking for nuanced conversations and fresh insights, The Method will empower you to push what really matters when it comes to your health.

About your hosts:
Dr Greg Potter is a health consultant with a PhD in sleep, nutrition, and metabolic health, and a master’s in exercise physiology. A real chameleon in the health world, he works across product development, coaching, scientific advisory, and science communication. He also loves meeting people, exploring new places, and spending an unreasonable amount of money on specialty coffee. On this show, Greg is here to cut through the noise of the wellness world and help listeners focus on what truly moves the needle for long-term health.

Charlie Edmondson is a proudly Northern outdoors lover, with a growing passion for what it means to live well. She spent years firing her health questions at Greg over voice notes; a habit she now conveniently brings to the show. A real sports addict, Charlie has tried everything from swimming, to hockey, and cycling, to endurance racing representing Team GB in triathlon and duathlon across the globe. She is also a dog mum and doesn’t say no to the occasional Guinness. She brings her warmth to the Method to champion the voice of the everyday listener, who might not be an expert in health, but is brimming with questions.

About Thriva
The Method is brought to you by Thriva, a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan – how long we're living – and healthspan – how well we're living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what’s going on inside your body - and what to do about it - before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.

To learn more about Thriva’s values and services, visit https://thriva.co/.