We Do Science - The Sports Nutrition Podcast · Dr Laurent Bannock, The Institute of Performance Nutrition

"Embracing the Ethos of Scientific Scepticism" with Dr Nick Tiller and Prof Stu Phillips

April 21, 2023·1 hr 9 min·5 clips

Nick Tiller reveals how 19th-century snake oil fraud mirrors today's billion-dollar supplement industry.

This episode features host Dr. Laurent Banach in conversation with Professor Stu Phillips and Dr. Nick Tiller, focusing on scientific skepticism in sports nutrition. Dr. Tiller is a physiologist and columnist for the Skeptical Inquirer, while Professor Phillips is a renowned researcher in exercise and protein metabolism. The discussion centers on bridging the gap between scientific principles and the commercial health and wellness industry. Nick Tiller explains his decade-long effort to promote scientific humility, evidence-based practice, and cognitive de-biasing among exercise scientists. Stu Phillips reflects on how his views on topics like protein have evolved over his career, describing the humbling process of revising earlier conclusions. Tiller traces the history of "snake oil" from 19th-century patent medicines to modern supplements, noting how lax regulations allow marketing to supersede science. Phillips points out that sports science is a young field, historically rooted more in lore and empiricism than mature disciplines like biochemistry. Both guests highlight how small, low-quality studies can be amplified by media outlets lacking scientific nuance to spread misinformation. A key insight is that being a scientist does not automatically make one a critical thinker or immune to biases like confirmation bias. The conversation notes that the internet has removed traditional barriers to publication, making the mere fact of publication a poor indicator of quality. Tiller argues the "quick fix fallacy" drives the supplement industry, exploiting a public desire for absolute answers that contrasts with science's iterative, evidence-updating nature. Phillips shares that his motivation for public engagement often stems from a biochemical understanding clashing with dogmatic beliefs in sports science. The episode reveals that fake news spreads faster and farther than factual information on social media across all topics. Tiller emphasizes that changing one's mind based on new evidence is a strength of science, though often perceived as a weakness by the public. The tone is conversational and educational, blending personal anecdotes with historical examples and philosophical concepts. The style is direct, with hosts and guests candidly discussing the challenges within their own field. Listeners interested in the philosophy of science, critical thinking, or the behind-the-scenes tensions in sports nutrition research would find this episode compelling. Those seeking straightforward advice on specific supplements or training protocols might find the meta-discussion less immediately applicable.

As heard by us

A measured conversation about critical thinking, evidence quality, and resisting hype in sports nutrition.

Dr Nick Tiller and Prof Stu Phillips use this episode to press on a familiar problem in sports nutrition: skepticism can be useful without sliding into reflexive dismissal.

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Why you'd press play

If supplement headlines leave you unsure, this is the reset.

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