Science Digest
Get the latest analysis of recent science straight to your inbox
Every two weeks, I send members my Science Digest—a curated collection of research summaries featuring the studies we found the most interesting, with notes, comments, and related links.
Hi, I'm Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Each of us comes with our own unique susceptibilities to age-related diseases. But I believe that each of us can take the genetic program we've got and use it just a little bit more optimally — and we owe it to ourselves to maximize that potential. In the Science Digest, we explore the science of how everyday choices like what we eat and what we do can help us live a little bit better. Each digest story is a breadcrumb ushering you through the maze of scientific discourse toward practical everyday health strategies.

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.
Twice per month, I send members my Science Digest
A curated collection of research summaries featuring the studies we find most interesting, with notes, comments, and related links.
The latest issues sent to Premium Members discuss:

  • 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.
Increasing resistance training volume overcomes non-responsiveness in muscle growth in older adults, driving significant size and strength improvements.

As we age, our muscles' response to resistance training diminishes to varying degrees, with some people responding and others not. This non-responsiveness can make maintaining muscle mass and strength challenging in later years. A recent study found that increasing resistance training volume—the number of sets performed—overcomes non-responsiveness in older adults.

The study involved 85 older adults (average age, 68) who completed a 10-week resistance training program. Participants followed a low-volume protocol (one set) for one leg and a high-volume protocol (four sets) on the other leg while performing knee extensions twice weekly. Researchers measured their muscle size and assessed their leg strength before and after the intervention.

They found that 51 participants didn’t respond to the low-volume training. However, they experienced considerable muscle size and strength improvements when they increased their volume. Responders—those who saw muscle gains from the one-set protocol—also benefited from the higher volume, but their strength gains were similar regardless of volume.

These findings suggest that older adults who don’t see improvements from resistance training can achieve meaningful gains by increasing the number of sets performed. Learn more about resistance training in this clip featuring Dr. Brad Schoenfeld.

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Distinct gut microbes found in cognitively impaired older adults—a potential link to beneficial species via dietary intervention and regular exercise.

The gut-brain axis may hold more clues about cognitive decline than previously realized, with some evidence suggesting that gut microbial populations might influence brain health and cognitive function. A recent study found that older adults with cognitive impairment had distinct differences in their gut microbes compared to those without impairment.

Researchers assigned 229 adults aged 60 and older to one of two groups based on their cognitive function. They analyzed the diversity and composition of the participants' gut microbes and used machine learning to identify key bacterial species associated with cognitive impairment. They also investigated how lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise influenced these bacterial populations.

They found that participants with cognitive impairment had less diverse gut microbial populations than those without, indicating a potential link between less microbial diversity and cognitive decline. They noted that higher numbers of specific bacteria, including Megamonas, Blautia, and Veillonella, were associated with better cognitive function. They also found that higher fruit intake and regular exercise were linked to increased abundance of these beneficial species.

These findings suggest that maintaining a healthy gut microbiota through diet and exercise is essential in preserving cognitive function as we age. Time-restricted eating helps promote gut microbial diversity. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Satchin Panda.

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Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus—according to an umbrella review of 21 analyses.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, driving chronic inflammation and tissue damage. However, evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may benefit people with autoimmune diseases. A recent study found that omega-3s help reduce disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus but are less effective against other autoimmune disorders.

Researchers conducted an umbrella review to summarize findings from 21 systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effects of omega-3s on autoimmune diseases. They also used Mendelian randomization—a method that leverages genetic data to identify causal relationships—to explore further whether omega-3s directly influence the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

They found that omega-3s were associated with reduced inflammation and disease activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. However, they found no clear evidence of omega-3s' effects on other autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, or Crohn’s disease. The quality of evidence varied, with one high-quality study and several moderate or low-quality studies.

These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids benefit people with certain autoimmune disorders, but their effects vary across different conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids exert robust anti-inflammatory properties due to their formation of specialized pro-resolving molecules (SPMs), a broad class of metabolites that resolve inflammation. Learn more about SPMs in this clip featuring Dr. Bill Harris.

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We mine the data, you reap the benefits...
Compelling study piques my interest
Our team looks for studies that offer new or surprising results or bolster earlier research. We aim to identify research that stands out because of its innovation or significant findings.
Team analysis
We examine the chosen study closely, checking its methods, findings, and relevance. This step ensures we fully understand the research and its contribution to the field.
Found merit-worthy
A study passes our process if it meets our criteria for quality and pertinence. This means the research is solid and valuable to you, our Premium Members.
Published in issue with thoughtful commentary
We summarize the selected studies in our biweekly Science Digest with comments explaining the findings. This helps our readers grasp the significance of the research and its implications.
Here’s what members have to say about our Science Digest
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Thomas Tomazin
Rhonda, you help me take control of my personal health. I do not have a healthcare provider that stays up to date on current research or latest treatments. Your Q&A and Science Digests help me to optimize my health and for that I am eternally grateful!
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Sharon Regina
I've been a premium member since 2019 and continue to find value in both the members' Q&A and the weekly Science Digest [...] The Science Digests include curated summaries of the latest information on healthspan/longevity science and, similar to the FMF podcasts, the FMF team distills everything into an understandable language for us non-scientists.
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Robin Judice
I look forward to your Science Digest updates. I follow science literature on health and aging fairly closely, but you always share research that was not on my radar. Your synopsis of the research offers succinct and clear overview. I often take these links and do further reading. Very helpful.
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