By becoming a member of FoundMyFitness premium, you'll receive the Science Digest every-other-week covering the latest in my exploration of recent science and the emerging story of better living — through deeper understandings of biology.
- Ketogenic diet, by replacing glucose with ketones as an energy source, lessens alcohol cravings among people with alcohol use disorders.
- Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death by up to 23 percent, especially in people with high triglyceride levels.
- Women see a 24 percent drop in premature death risk with just 140 minutes of weekly activity – half the time men need for similar benefits.
- Aging undermines the brain's capacity for maintaining working memory, with subtle declines in neuron activity and connectivity in the prefrontal cortex.
Cardiovascular health affects more than the heart—it shapes the brain. A recent study found that cardiovascular risk and obesity contribute to brain atrophy in men and women, with effects manifesting earlier in men.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 34,000 adults aged 45 to 82 enrolled in the UK Biobank study. They measured the participants' grey matter volume, assessed their cardiovascular risk, and calculated the fat volume under their skin and around their internal organs.
They found that men experienced considerable grey matter volume losses linked to cardiovascular risk and obesity between ages 55 and 64. However, volume losses in women manifested a decade later, between ages 65 and 74. These patterns were evident regardless of whether participants carried the APOE4 gene, a key genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings suggest that cardiovascular disease-related dementia risks manifest earlier in men, underscoring the importance of tailoring interventions based on sex. One of the mechanisms linking cardiovascular disease, obesity, and dementia is vascular dysfunction, which contributes to blood-brain barrier failure. Learn more about vascular dysfunction in this clip featuring Dr. Axel Montagne.
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been linked to widespread inflammation and neuronal damage in the brain. A recent study in mice found that glyphosate and its primary metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid, persist in brain tissue for months after exposure, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative changes.
Researchers exposed ordinary mice and mice prone to developing Alzheimer’s to varying doses of glyphosate daily for 13 weeks. Six months later, they examined the animals' brain tissues for lingering glyphosate, metabolites, and key markers of Alzheimer’s pathology, including amyloid-beta plaques, tau tangles, and inflammation.
They discovered that glyphosate’s primary metabolite remained in brain tissue even after six months of non-exposure. Glyphosate-exposed Alzheimer’s-prone mice had lower survival rates, more difficulty in spatial memory tasks, and increased markers of Alzheimer’s pathology, including larger and more numerous amyloid-beta plaques and higher levels of phosphorylated tau protein. Both groups of mice exhibited persistent inflammation in their brains and blood.
These findings suggest that glyphosate exposure may contribute to long-lasting brain changes, accelerating processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Learn how to mitigate exposures to environmental toxins like glyphosate in this Aliquot featuring Drs. Dale Bredesen, Michael Snyder, and Rhonda Patrick.
Most people know that sleep quality matters, but few recognize the importance of consistent sleep schedules. Evidence suggests that inconsistent bedtime and wake-up routines could harm heart health. A recent study found that irregular sleep patterns increase the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, even among people who get enough sleep overall.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 72,000 adults aged 40 to 79 participating in the UK Biobank study. Participants wore wrist devices for one week to track sleep patterns and regularity. The researchers categorized sleep regularity as irregular, moderately irregular, and regular, and linked these patterns to hospital and death records over eight years to assess the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure.
People with irregular sleep schedules were 26% more likely to experience major cardiovascular events than those with regular sleep patterns, while those with moderately irregular sleep had an 8% higher risk. Meeting age-specific sleep duration recommendations helped lower the risk for moderately irregular sleepers but did not fully protect those with highly irregular sleep patterns.
These findings suggest that maintaining a consistent sleep schedule may be as important as getting enough sleep for cardiovascular health. Learn how to optimize your sleep in this Aliquot featuring Drs. Matt Walker, Satchin Panda, and Rhonda Patrick.
