Probiotic supplements
Following Dr Attia’s framework for determining which supplements are useful, what biomarker can be used to indicate when a probiotic supplement is needed, and if so what type, and ultimately whether the supplement is working? Hoping this can be addressed in a future AMA.
Updated Lipid guidelines--what do they mean?
I noticed that they American Heart Association updated their guidelines to include apoB testing. There also seems to be an emphasis of getting LDL-C under 100. The implication I see is that the disparity between ApoB and LDL-c is focused open ApoB being an indicator of risk when LDL is not. Is that disparity every applied the other way--ApoB indicating less risk?
Resistance cords for strength training
I have scanned your website but cannot find any specific comparisons of using elastic sport cords or bands for resistance training vs. machines (or free weights). Sport cords provide enormous benefits to access and setting up a home-based gym. I can even travel with them and use them in my hotel, which is often easier and more satisfying than dealing with the typical poorly maintained facilities in many hotels. I also use Airbnb a lot, and almost never have access to a gym in such cases. Can you suggest some guidance and information sources about selecting and using sport cords as well as an evaluation of their relative effectiveness?
High A1C in athletes
Hi! First, I want to say chin up. Keep doing your thing, you are helping lots of people. I am a fit 55-year-old with an A1C of 5.8. I have worn a CGM for a month a couple of times over the years, and despite elevated glucose in the morning (in the 90s), I didn't have high spikes and the glucose lowered as expected. Because of what I learned on The Drive, I asked for an OGTT, which was mostly normal. Researching this led me to Dr. Nicola Guess and his writing on prediabetes in athletes. I also found the Kraft Prediabetes Profile. You have repeatedly said that A1C is not a good metric and that OGTT is a much better indicator of metabolic health. I think talking about Dr. Guess' work and the Kraft interpretation might be helpful to your listeners who likely exercise a lot. My primary care doc is hyper-focused on A1C, I am sure I am in the same boat as a lot of other people.
muscle building
you have gone from muscle mass to muscle strength but strength is different from power and I th issue is power loss , dynapenia. I believe reversing dynopenia. which involves nerve speed, building the number of motor nevrve endplates and synchronizing the firings as in a building demolition. this all takes more specific training and longer training Thant building muscle mass or strength. so how to do this if this is correct.
HPV and Men
Great article about HPV, but I never see mention of *men*. What is the cancer risk for men from HPV? And is there a concern for the man if a partner/woman has been diagnosed with HPV and/or abnormal Pap with strains 16 or 18, should certain sexual activities be restricted until the infection clears?
Severe B12 deficiency
I listened to your podcast about genetics. I had a Complete DNA (formerly Nebula) test from Prophase Labs. It found 2 copies of an MTHFR gene. Following a methylation panel from Genova, I have been taking Homocysteine Resist and have maintained high levels of B12. However, my 56 year-old daughter had been complaining of increasing muscle cramps and tingling in her legs at all times. I asked her to test her B12 since she has at least 1 copy of my MTHFR variant. She did and found that she has a chronic, severe B12 deficiency. Since then she has had B12 shots and now takes folate supplements. She no longer has cramps but had some nerve damage. This is an example of an accidental finding on a whole genome DNA test that had important meaning for my daughter.
ECU breakthrough using DEXA for AAC detection using AI
Dear Peter and the team, I just came across the news that Australian ECU has made a breakthrough applying AI to detect and quantify abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) on lateral spine images captured by DEXA. Here are several links: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/catalyst/aac-screening https://nhiri.ecu.edu.au/research/you-aorta-look-beyond-muscle-and-bone-for-falls-and-fracture-risk-new-ai-algorithm-identifies-high-risk-older-women/ It would be really interesting if Peter talks about this on one his AMAs to elucidate the subject.
Breast Cancer
Would love an updated podcast about Breast Cancer - it's been a few years since you've done one - and there have been so many advancements. Specially around women who have had breast cancer - especially early stages - that go through treatment - surgery, radiation, chemo - etc - but there are so many new hormone therapies that are about to come up - the SERD group - possibly replacing Tamoxifen and AIs. But - as a woman who had early stage breast cancer and is now on Tamoxifen - what lifestyle, supplement, nutrition information can you share to all me/us to go on to lead healthy lives?
APOE4 monozygous systemic effects
What are the systemic effects on cholesterol and insulin resistance for people who have 2 APOE4 alleles? I ask because I have 2 and have unusually high cholesterol, both LDL and HDL, and ongoing insulin resistance regardless of lifestyle measures. I think it is because of this as I have had genetic testing to rule out everything else. I have read studies that suggest having the APOE4 alleles are much more systemic and complicated than just effects are brain tissue but there isn't much mainstream on the topic and I am not by an means an expert on reading and understanding research studies. So I was hoping you might consider a focuses discussion on systemic effects. Thank you.....and not to butter up the request but I have been a member for a while and am part of the Early program. :) Hey its worth a try.
MD vs PhD Pathways in Translational Physiology and Longevity Research
I’m a PhD student in Human Performance and Movement Science with interests in integrative physiology, cardiometabolic disease, and aging-related mechanisms, and I’m trying to decide whether pursuing an MD (vs staying PhD-only) meaningfully improves one’s ability to do translational work in this space. In your experience, does clinical training materially change the kind of research questions, impact, or credibility one can have in longevity and physiology-focused work? Or can a PhD-driven path be equally effective for doing the kind of work you do?
blood transfusion science
This is more a suggestion for a topic, rather than a question. Having worked in a diagnostic lab, I often think the science behind blood transfusions is vastly underappreciated. Only 1 blood group system is widely known (ABO), but there are >25 that can affect compatibility. Crossmatching blood can be challenging and stressful for lab staff, especially when a patient is 'bleeding out' or a mass trauma event has occurred. Emergency blood can only be given in limited amounts and a sample of the patient's blood must be taken beforehand so they can be typed to ensure subsequent units are compatible (not always easy practically or given priority by doctors). Whether or not the patient is female and of childbearing age must be considered. I realise this is somewhat outside Peter's main topics, but relevant to longevity because transfusions show science directly saving life and a relatable real world topic, especially since it relies on donated blood (it is hard to envisage synthetic blood products ever being invented). The rationale for athletes having transfusions is also interesting. The frenetic activity inside a diagnostic lab is never seen by patients which is a shame since scarcely any medical decision is made without reference to tests results and blood transfusions are a crucial part of modern medicine with a fascinating history.
Hunting special
Hello Peter and the team! I wonder if you would consider making an episode about hunting. I'm always intrigued when it is mentioned. Perhaps "how to start" or "how to experience". I'm curious what sort of skills, knowledge and fitness a person needs to gain to be able to try to go hunting with a guide or on their own. Thanks for consideration!
Joint Health
I'm curious to hear a science based analysis of the impact of running and weight lifting on joint health. Are there studies that show the impact of running on long term joint health. Also interested in any other data on the specific health benefits or drawbacks of marathon training. Love the show.
MACE prevention post-elevated CAC CT Score
Let's say you've received an elevated CAC CT Score that places you in the moderate risk category. What now? Essentially the same as you've already recommended for prevention? Or are there additional considerations or goals that should be met to drive down future risk? Can future risk still be mitigated?