This week in the studio, I'm joined by Dr. Nick Barringer—Army Ranger, performance nutrition expert, and one of the sharpest minds in military and metabolic health. Together, we cut through the noise around today's most controversial nutrition topics. If you’ve ever felt whiplash trying to make sense of conflicting headlines, this episode is your science-based compass.

What’s really going on with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame? Are seed oils toxic—or just misunderstood? And what’s the actual science behind popular supplements like creatine, testosterone boosters and fat burners?

Dr. Barringer brings two decades of elite military and research experience to help us separate hype from evidence—while sharing real-world tools that help people perform, think, and feel better.

We cover:

• Whether sucralose and other artificial sweeteners damage DNA or gut health
• What to actually worry about with food dyes
• Seed oils, inflammation, and what most people get wrong about them
• Protein and carb dosing for people over 40 (and how to think about fiber and fat)
• Why creatine is still the most underrated supplement for muscle and brain function
• Tactical hydration tips (and how sweat composition varies with diet)
• Hidden risks in testosterone boosters and “fat burners”
• Practical takeaways for elite performance, healthy aging, and being stronger at any age

Who is Dr. Nick Barringer?

Nick Barringer, PhD, is a Nutritional Physiologist with deep experience in both applied and academic settings. He directed the U.S. Military-Baylor Graduate Program in Nutrition, taught at West Point, and was the first active-duty dietitian to graduate U.S. Army Ranger School and serve with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He holds a PhD in kinesiology from Texas A&M, and his research on tactical nutrition has been featured in outlets like Science Daily and Men’s Journal.

This episode is brought to you by:

• ARMRA - Use code DRLYON for 15% off your first order → tryarmra.com/DRLYON
• Manukora - Use code DRLYON for $25 off the Starter Kit → manukora.com/DRLYON
• OneSkin – Get 15% off with code DRLYON → OneSkin.co
• Ned - 15% off with code DRLYON → helloned.com

Find Nick Barringer at:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-barringer-phd-rdn-cscs-cssd-5137789a/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickbarringer.phd.rdn/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nickbarringer.phd.rdn/

Find me at:

• Instagram: @drgabriellelyon
• TikTok: @drgabriellelyon
• Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
• YouTube:youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• X (Twitter): x.com/drgabriellelyon
• Apply to become a patient – https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/
• Join my weekly newsletter –

In this episode, I’m joined by Shaun Noorian—engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Empower Pharmacy, the largest compounding pharmacy in the world. With compounded GLP-1s making headlines and lawsuits from Big Pharma intensifying, Shaun joins me to pull back the curtain on the regulatory, financial, and ethical storm brewing behind the scenes.

Are compounded GLP-1s legal? Safe? Who controls drug pricing in the U.S., and why are Americans paying 10x more than Europeans for the same medication? And most importantly—what does all this mean for access, affordability, and patient care?

This episode is a wake-up call. If you care about transparency in medicine, patient rights, or access to life-saving medications, don’t miss this one.

We cover:

• Why compounded GLP-1s are under attack—and what the FDA’s recent moves really means
• How Big Pharma sets drug prices—and why Americans pay up to 10x more than other countries
• The legal battle over semaglutide, regulatory capture, and the influence of pharmaceutical lobbying
• How compounding pharmacies offer personalized care and expand access to life-saving medications
• What’s next for patients, clinicians, and the future of affordable medicine in the U.S.

Who is Shaun Noorian?

Shaun Noorian is the founder and CEO of Empower Pharmacy, the largest compounding pharmacy and 503B outsourcing facility in the United States. A fierce advocate for patient access and affordable care, Shaun has become a leading voice on the role of compounding in medicine and the urgent need for reform in pharmaceutical pricing and regulation.

Forever Strong Summit 2025:

Can’t make it to Houston on April 27th? Grab a Virtual “LIVE Access” Ticket and stream every keynote, panel, and breakthrough moment from the Forever Strong Summit 2025—live from your laptop, wherever you are. You’ll get front-row access to leaders like Dr. Don Layman, Rich Diviney, and Evy Poumpouras—plus priority access to all the recordings so you can revisit the insights anytime.Get your ticket now! https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong-summit-2025/

This episode is brought to you by:

• Puori – Code DRLYON for 20% off sitewide! → puori.com/DRLYON
• Our Place - Code DRLYON for 10% off – https://fromourplace.com
• BON CHARGE – Code DRLYON for 15% off! → boncharge.com/DRLYON
• MUD\WTR - Code DRLYON for up to 43% off – http://mudwtr.com/DRLYON

Find Shaun Noorian at:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-noorian
• X(Twitter) - http://x.com/shaunnoorian
• Empower Pharmacy - https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/

Find me at:

• Instagram: @drgabriellelyon
• TikTok: @drgabriellelyon
• Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
• YouTube:youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• X (Twitter): x.com/drgabriellelyon
• Apply to become a...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melanie Cree—physician-scientist, pediatric endocrinologist, and one of the leading researchers redefining how we understand and treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects millions of women, yet it's still underdiagnosed, misunderstood, and often mistreated. Dr. Cree cuts through the confusion, offering a deeply scientific yet compassionate look at what’s really driving this complex condition—from insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction to skeletal muscle quality and fertility trajectories across a woman’s lifespan.

We cover:

• Why PCOS isn’t a single disease—and what two phenotypes may explain the full picture
• How muscle, liver, and fat interact in PCOS
• The misunderstood role of testosterone, insulin, and SHBG in diagnosis
• What muscle biopsies reveal about teenage girls with PCOS
• Intramuscular fat, mitochondrial impairment, and the true cost of sedentary muscle
• How early lifestyle and exercise interventions could change the future of PCOS care
• What GLP-1 agonists and amino acid supplements might offer for treatment

Whether you’re a clinician, patient, or advocate for women’s health, this episode will give you a whole new lens on PCOS—and why skeletal muscle may be the most overlooked (and powerful) organ in the conversation.

Who is Dr. Melanie Cree?

Dr. Melanie Cree is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she directs a leading multidisciplinary PCOS clinic. Her research bridges metabolic medicine and muscle physiology, with clinical trials exploring semaglutide, amino acid therapy, liver metabolism, and insulin resistance in adolescents.

Forever Strong Summit 2025:

The Forever Strong Summit is a live event on April 27, 2025 in Houston, TX, designed to help you build strength, resilience, and longevity from the inside out. Featuring top minds in medicine, military, and mindset, you’ll walk away with practical tools to upgrade your health, sharpen your focus, and take ownership of your life. Whether you're a clinician, athlete, or simply ready to step into your next level—this is where science meets action. Get your ticket now! https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong-summit-2025/

This episode is brought to you by:

• LMNT – Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase → DrinkLMNT.com/DRLYON
• Cozy Earth – Get up to 40% off with code DRLYON → cozyearth.com/DRLYON
• OneSkin – Get 15% off with the code DRLYON at → OneSkin.co
• Timeline Nutrition – Get 10% off → timeline.com/LYON

Find Dr. Melanie Cree at:

University of Colorado - https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/22449

Find me at:

• Instagram: @drgabriellelyon
• TikTok: @drgabriellelyon
• Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
• YouTube: