Peter Attia

As we age, our mitochondria become less efficient, impacting our ability to metabolize glucose and fructose. This article explores how aging, mitochondrial health, and menopause influence our sensitivity to sugars, leading to increased risk for metabolic diseases. Learn how oxidative stress, uric acid levels, and metabolic flexibility contribute to these changes, offering insights into managing health during aging.

As we age, the decline of aerobic capacity and muscle mass is inevitable, but the rate can be slowed with consistent exercise. VO2 max, a key indicator of fitness, plays a significant role in daily functioning, and its decline can increase mortality risk. Regular activity, even at low intensities, can help maintain fitness and prevent severe declines.

VO2 Max is a critical measure of aerobic capacity, indicating how efficiently your body uses oxygen during intense exercise. This article delves into what VO2 Max truly means, its physiological underpinnings, and why it matters for endurance athletes. Learn about the historical origins of VO2 Max, how it’s measured both in absolute and relative terms, and the factors that influence its plateau.

Fructose is present in many foods, but understanding how to manage intake is key to health. This article explains how sugary drinks, fruit juices, and dried fruits contribute to excess fructose. It also highlights the importance of natural fruits and fiber in moderating sugar absorption. For optimal health, learn how to differentiate between added sugars and naturally occurring sugars in your diet and why moderation matters.

Rapamycin and metformin show promise as geroprotective agents, with animal studies highlighting rapamycin’s potential, while human data supports metformin. However, their benefits for longevity in healthy individuals remain uncertain. Researchers suggest that combination therapies could be key, but dosing and FDA approval remain hurdles. This article delves into the challenges, potential solutions, and the importance of biomarkers to gauge long-term effects on human health.

Health concern exists on a spectrum, from lacking awareness to experiencing health anxiety. While being health-conscious can lead to better prevention and early treatment of diseases, crossing into excessive worry can undermine health and quality of life by increasing stress. A study by Mataix-Cols et al. reveals that individuals with hypochondriasis have a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality.

In this article, Peter discusses why he's become less passionate about nutrition, exploring the difficulties of research, the overconfidence in diet claims, and the body’s adaptability. While advocating for personalized approaches to nutrition, he highlights how individual responses vary, making it difficult to pinpoint a single "best" diet. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on overall health markers rather than following extreme dietary trends.

Humans have long sought to maximize lifespan, witnessing dramatic increases in the 20th century through advancements in sanitation, medicine, and public health. However, a recent study by Olshansky and colleagues reveals that the rapid trajectory of life expectancy extension has largely stalled over the past three decades in the world's longest-lived countries.

Resveratrol, once hailed as a miracle anti-aging compound, continues to dominate the health and wellness market with claims of reducing wrinkles, inflammation, and extending lifespan. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Zahoor et al. challenges these assertions, revealing that resveratrol supplementation offers no significant benefits for metabolic health, including glycemic control, plasma lipids, or liver function.

As we age, memory loss and dementia become significant health concerns, with the hippocampus shrinking and cognitive functions declining. A recent randomized study by Blackmore & Schaumberg et al. explored the impact of different exercise intensities—light, medium, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)—on learning and memory in older adults. The study found that HIIT significantly improved associative memory, more than medium and light-intensity training.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a powerful predictor of health outcomes, but VO2 max testing is not always feasible. A recent study developed a proteomic CRF score based on blood biomarkers, offering a less invasive way to estimate CRF. This score correlates with VO2 max and predicts mortality and chronic disease risk. While not as precise as VO2 max, the proteomic CRF score shows promise for clinical use, particularly for those who cannot perform maximal exercise testing.

A study suggesting physical activity may not reduce mortality has sparked debate, but its reliance on outdated self-reported data and questionable analysis undermines its validity. The long-established benefits of exercise for health and longevity remain supported by extensive evidence, and this study’s methodological flaws fail to shift the consensus. Here’s why this research doesn’t change the proven connection between exercise and better health outcomes.

Can inhibiting IL-11 extend lifespan? A new study shows that blocking this protein in mice significantly boosts longevity and health, challenging long-standing theories on aging.

A blood test for colorectal cancer (CRC) offers convenience but falls short in detecting early-stage cancers. Although it performs well in advanced CRC detection, its sensitivity for precancerous lesions and Stage I cancers is low compared to existing stool-based tests and colonoscopy. While the test shows promise, follow-up with traditional methods remains essential for comprehensive screening and prevention.

A recent study claims meat consumption increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, but does correlation equal causation? Despite media hype, the study lacks strong evidence of a direct cause. Key factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle choices, and cultural influences were not fully accounted for. While the findings suggest a link, they fail to prove meat as the cause of diabetes, making this another example of the common cycle of observational research.

A recent study highlights the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis in seemingly healthy adults. Despite no symptoms, many have hidden plaque in their arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. The study shows that even at "optimal" LDL levels, individuals can develop significant plaque. Early detection through imaging tests, like CAC scans and CCTA, and lowering LDL with treatments like statins can prevent further damage, reducing the risk of fatal cardiovascular events.