Load, Bone Density, and Fusions
On the recent podcast you mentioned among women that showed huge bone density gains from lifting heavy - I think they were doing 5 x 5 deadlifts Is there any evidence on lifting heavy for middle aged men with spinal fusions or joint replacement. On the one hand, bone density has got to be crucial for avoiding revisions and additional fusions. On the other hand, many doctors steer people away from lifting heavy or doing deadlifts bc of the wear and tear on the joint replacement or fusion, and the area just above the fusion. Is there any evidence about the effects of lifting heavy in ways that actually target the areas that have been fused or replaced? Seems like bone density is crucial for folks with degenerative disk disease, who make up a lot of the population getting fusion, but wear and tear or doing something that makes it worse seems like a real concern. I’d be interested in your thoughts on the evidence and on a practical, sensible approach to lifting for people with fusions and/or joint replacements
Nicotine gum and high blood pressure
I recently started chewing nicotine gum and I'm addicted. I love it more than coffee. My worry is about my blood pressure. I have genetically high blood pressure (my dad has it too even though he's extremely fit) and it started during my first pregnancy and never went away. Once I realized I was addicted to the gum, I tested it on my blood pressure. I took it every 2 mins from the time I started chewing the gum. It didn't raise my blood pressure at all. In fact it raised it less than caffeine (after an hour of drinking my morning cup of coffee). The data I have seems to suggest that nicotine gum might be a better alternative to drinking coffee all day like I used to, but I wonder if I'm being shortsighted. I'm afraid to ask my doctor because I don't want to be told that I shouldn't chew this gum anymore by someone who perhaps doesn't actually know the research that well.
Micronutrient Deficiency in Obesity
I would be interested to know how you consider / advise people about nutrient quantity and quality of food sources. I have seen articles about the decline in nutrient density available in farmed crops since the 1950s because the breeding and selection for larger sizes and yields (per weight) does not include equivalent increases of the nutrients in the crops - so you get more calories, but the same amount other vitamins and minerals (not more), with larger corn, etc. In 2022 the BBC did a large article on this as a reason for malnutrition in many parts of the world even with obesity. How relevant is this in your practice and recommendations in 2024? https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/why-modern-food-lost-its-nutrients/
Could you recommend for seniors approaches to weight and cardio training and improvement after injury, after a fall? See my story below about how doctors have treated my brother in law....
My BIL was rear ended at 55mph, 6 years ago. He is 68. 3 weeks in coma. Titanium rod and 47 screws entire spine. Lots of other injuries partially improved and has developed neuropathy. Walks with a walker. I listened to episode 307 for me, also 68, but thought about him too. His injury has workers comp coverage. He was getting physical therapy but they said he wasn't improving so they said he didn't need more PT. He was fairly able to move around in the first years after the accident but has not had the training, nutrition or physical therapy he should have because he's been relying on WC doctors. He has a great attitude, and hilarious sense of humor, it has gotten him through the last 6 years. He loved PT and wants to be as good as he can but no doctor, even his GP, is encouraging him to work with the balance, cardio and weight training he might still be able to do. Learning about how everything is deteriorating as we age anyway, and the fast loss of muscle makes me want to suggest to him somewhere that will work within his abilities for better health in spite of his injuries. Can you recommend specific clinic generally or specifically he can go to? He lives in So Indiana. I wanted to have him listen to #307 but I thought he wouldn't feel there was a message in it for him, or have any idea where to start. He has started seeing a non-WC neurologis. But next app isn't until September. Maybe with a suggestion of where to start he could then listen and understand more how to push doctors or find a clinic.
How can you afford sun cream?
The latest podcast episode is all about sun cream. Peter talks about 2 tablespoons for the whole body, which is about 30ml. Peter also recommends the EltaMD brand. EltaMD costs 1 US dollar per gram. Let's simplify and assume 1 gram = 1 ml. Then, if I wanted to apply cream to my whole body, I would need 3/4 of the bottle, which costs 45 US dollars. Who is going to pay for that? Even cheaper mineral alternatives are still very expensive. On Amazon, for example, Lavera (Germany) offers 100 ml for 15 euros. So applying cream to the body once costs 5 euros. The recommended amount is simply not affordable.