SNR #209: Amy Bender, PhD - Sleep Better: Practical Evidence-Based Recommendations

SNR #209: Amy Bender, PhD - Sleep Better: Practical Evidence-Based Recommendations

Author: Danny Lennon December 12, 2017 Duration: 55:52

Sleep researcher Dr. Amy Bender discusses the most current evidence-based recommendations for optimizing your sleep for health and athletic performance.


Dr. Bender is the Clinical Program Director of Athlete Services at the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance and is also an adjunct professor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She received her PhD and Master of Science degrees in Experimental Psychology from Washington State University in Spokane, WA specializing in sleep EEG. Her current research focuses on the relationship of sleep and recovery on athletic performance in Canadian National Team athletes. Her research interests stem from being an athlete herself; she is a Hall of Fame basketball player, has summited a number of volcanoes, and completed an Ironman in 2009.

In This Episode We Discuss:

Circadian biology and light/dark cycles
Effects of artificial light at night
The importance of daylight exposure early in the day
Daily vs. weekly sleep quantity
What exactly is "good quality" sleep?
Strategy of "banking sleep"
Assessing and tracking sleep in clients and athletes
Strategies to mitigate detrimental effects of sleep before competition
Are there any supplements that actually work for helping sleep?

Interested in doing an online nutrition course? Check out sigmanutrition.com/mnu


Sigma Nutrition Radio, hosted by nutrition scientist Danny Lennon, moves beyond the noise of diet trends and simplistic advice to explore the complex, fascinating world of human nutrition. This is a space for deep, evidence-based conversations that acknowledge the nuance and often contradictory nature of scientific research. Each episode delves into a specific topic within health, fitness, or dietetics, breaking down the underlying physiology, examining the latest studies, and discussing practical implications with expert guests. The goal isn't to hand out rigid meal plans but to cultivate the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the ever-changing landscape of nutritional science. You'll hear detailed analyses of how research is conducted, thoughtful debates on contentious issues, and explorations of how evidence translates-or doesn't-into real-world recommendations for different individuals. Tuning into this podcast means committing to a more sophisticated understanding of how food, movement, and metabolism interact, leaving you better equipped to make informed decisions about your own health and skepticism towards the next big headline. Danny’s approach is both rigorous and accessible, making even the most detailed biochemical pathways relevant to everyday life. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the real story behind a nutrition claim and values substance over soundbites.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 620

Sigma Nutrition Radio
Podcast Episodes
#600: Finite Knowledge, Infinite Ignorance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:12
"The more we learn about the world, and the deeper our learning, the more conscious, specific, and articulate will be our knowledge of what we do not know, our knowledge of our ignorance. For this, indeed, is the main so…
#596: Why Do Omega-3 Trials Show Mixed Results? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:11
Omega-3 fatty acids (particularly EPA and DHA) have a long history in nutrition and cardiovascular medicine, yet the clinical trial literature is often perceived as inconsistent. This episode examines why some randomized…
How Much Dietary Fiber Do We Need to be Healthy? (SNP48) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:45
This is a Premium-exclusive episode of the podcast. To listen to the full episode you need to be subscribed to Sigma Nutrition Premium. This episode examines dietary fiber through the lens of a practical, clinically rele…