Aliquot #136: How Micronutrient Deficiencies Accelerate Aging
Aliquot #136: How Micronutrient Deficiencies Accelerate Aging
Micronutrient deficiencies, even mild ones, can quietly erode health over decades, raising the risk of chronic disease. One framework for understanding this comes from Dr. Bruce Ames, who proposed the triage theory. It suggests that when the body runs low on essential vitamins or minerals, it doesn't distribute them evenly. Instead, it prioritizes urgent survival tasks, like keeping the heart beating or clotting blood, over long-term maintenance, such as repairing DNA or defending against oxidative damage. In this Aliquot, we'll explore how key micronutrients function, what happens when shortages occur, and simple ways to address them.
Get these episodes in a convenient podcast format.
Aliquot episodes make great companion listening for a long drive. You can find these special members-only episodes alongside live recorded Q&As on The Aliquot, our official premium FoundMyFitness podcast.
Micronutrient deficiencies, even mild ones, can quietly erode health over decades, raising the risk of chronic disease. One framework for understanding this comes from Dr. Bruce Ames, who proposed the triage theory. It suggests that when the body runs low on essential vitamins or minerals, it doesn't distribute them evenly. Instead, it prioritizes urgent survival tasks, like keeping the heart beating or clotting blood, over long-term maintenance, such as repairing DNA or defending against oxidative damage. In this Aliquot, we'll explore how key micronutrients function, what happens when shortages occur, and simple ways to address them.
-
Bruce Ames' triage theory prioritizes survival over longevity
-
Vitamin K prioritizes clotting over preventing calcification
-
How the body rations vitamin K and selenium
-
Why nutrition matters more than genes in aging
-
How subclinical deficiency drives age-related disease
-
Why choline is critical for brain and liver health
-
Vitamin E protects cells and prevents LDL oxidation
-
How vitamin D controls genes
-
How low omega-3 is a top preventable cause of death
-
Choosing and storing omega-3s to avoid oxidation
-
Do you need a multivitamin?
-
Magnesium's role in DNA repair and protecting bones
-
Best forms and food sources of magnesium
-
Choline's role in lowering homocysteine
Hear new content from Rhonda on The Aliquot, our member's only podcast
Listen in on our regularly curated interview segments called "Aliquots" released every week on our premium podcast The Aliquot. Aliquots come in two flavors: features and mashups.
- Hours of deep dive on topics like fasting, sauna, child development surfaced from our enormous collection of members-only Q&A episodes.
- Important conversational highlights from our interviews with extra commentary and value. Short but salient.
Recent Aliquot Episodes
Aliquot #138: Why Sedation Isn't Sleep and What Actually Works
Many of the substances people use to relax, sleep, or stay alert quietly reshape the biology of sleep...
Aliquot #137: How to Optimize Iron without Causing Overload
Iron plays a central role in health across the lifespan. It forms the core of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells...
Aliquot #135: Creatine Myths and Misconceptions
Creatine supplementation has long been shrouded in myths and misconceptions, ranging from dehydration and kidney damage to hair loss...
Aliquot #134: Why Homocysteine Accelerates Brain Aging
Elevated homocysteine levels often slip under the radar during routine checkups, yet they quietly raise our risk...
Aliquot #133: The Surprising Effects of Creatine on the Brain
Creatine plays a key role in maintaining cellular energy balance, and evidence suggests it can help the brain...