In this episode of MASS Office Hours Live, Dr. Eric Trexler and Dr. Eric Helms dive into a recent study exploring the use of expandable gel capsules taken before meals as a strategy to reduce energy intake and promote weight loss. The duo then discusses potential ways to apply these findings in practice, such as utilizing whole food, protein shake, or water preloads before meals to enhance satiety and reduce overall food intake. The conversation then shifts to protein intake recommendations for bodybuilders during a cutting phase, with Helms offering insights on when and how to adjust protein levels based on individual needs and goals. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire Q&A segment, addressing topics such as building neck musculature while minimizing sleep apnea risk, the recent surge in baseball elbow injuries, and the coursework requirements for pursuing a health-related graduate degree with an unrelated undergraduate background. The MASS crew goes live for Office Hours every Wednesday night at 7pm eastern time. Be sure to join us for a future episode!  If you'd like to submit a question ahead of time, please use this link:  https://massresearchreview.com/office-hours/ Time stamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:16 - Trexler discusses a recent study on consuming expandable gel capsules before meals to reduce energy intake, followed by discussion of energy density and water, protein, and whole food preloads 37:18 - Trexler and Helms discuss protein intakes for prepping bodybuilders and when to increase protein during a cut 50:46 - Rapid fire Q&A begins 51:13 - Question about building neck musculature and risk of sleep apnea 54:15 - Question about the current wave of baseball elbow injuries in MLB 56:33 - Question about coursework needed for a health-related graduate degree with an unrelated undergrad degree