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.
Different exercise training intensities have varied effects on symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide. Evidence suggests that exercise markedly improves the quality of life for those with the condition. A recent study found that different exercise training intensities have varied effects on symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers randomly assigned 29 people with Parkinson’s disease to either 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). They measured the participants' change in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak, a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) and changes in their motor symptoms, fatigue, cardiovascular measures, gait, balance, strength, and endurance.

They found that exercise training increased the participants' VO2peak, especially among those in the HIIT group. Participants' motor symptoms improved over time, but with little difference between the two groups. Both groups reported less fatigue, but their gait, balance, blood pressure, and heart rate did not change. Participants' strength increased similarly in both groups, but only the HIIT group showed increased muscular endurance.

These findings suggest that high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training effectively improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce motor symptoms and fatigue in people with Parkinson’s. However, HIIT may provide additional benefits, such as greater improvements in VO2peak and increased muscular endurance. Learn more about exercise as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease in this episode featuring Dr. Giselle Petzinger.

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Frequent nightmares linked to quadruple cognitive decline risk, especially among men.

Nightmares and bad dreams are common occurrences, with many adults experiencing them monthly. However, a growing body of evidence points to links between nightmares and cognitive function. A recent study found that people who have frequent nightmares have a fourfold greater risk for cognitive decline and dementia.

The study involved 605 adults enrolled in MIDUS, an ongoing survey of middle-aged and older adults living in the United States. Participants provided information about their sleep quality and distressing dream frequency over about seven years. They also completed cognitive tests and reported whether they had been diagnosed with dementia.

Middle-aged participants who had weekly distressing dreams were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline during the seven years than those without bad dreams. Older adults with weekly bad dreams were more than twice as likely to experience cognitive decline. The connection between bad dreams and cognitive decline was more robust among men.

These findings suggest that distressing dreams predict cognitive decline risk, potentially aiding early diagnosis and treatment. Dreams play essential roles in creativity and inspiration. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Matthew Walker.

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Individualized responses to macronutrients influence metabolic health, with consequences for people with type 2 diabetes.

Carbohydrates are the principal driver of insulin secretion, facilitating the uptake and metabolism of this macronutrient. However, a recent study found that fats and proteins also stimulate insulin secretion, potentially affecting people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers collected pancreatic islet cells responsible for insulin secretion from 140 donors after their deaths. About half of the donors had type 2 diabetes. They exposed the cells to carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and assessed insulin secretion.

They found that most donors' islet cells exhibited a robust insulin response to carbohydrates, a moderate response to protein, and a low response to fat. However, some donors' cells elicited responses to protein (9%) and fat (8%) greater than their response to carbohydrates. Cells from donors with type 2 diabetes exhibited diminished responses to carbohydrates and fats, but their protein response was preserved.

These findings suggest that insulin responses to macronutrients differ among individuals, with some preferentially responding to proteins and fats over carbohydrates. They also suggest that higher protein diets could benefit people with type 2 diabetes. Some evidence suggests that current guidelines for protein intake are too low, with implications for people more responsive to protein. Learn more about protein requirements in this clip featuring Dr. Stuart Philips.

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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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Stephen Margison
I look forward to the Science Digest email to keep me abreast of latest health news that I can implement. It is an excellent read.
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Arturo Castelo
I look forward every month to your Q&A and Science Digest. I have learned so much and the fact that we can ask you questions is so cool for me.
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Anker Bell
The Science Digest has become the best way for me to discover the latest insights into improving health.
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Noreen Thompson
I am a Holistic RN, and Rhonda Patrick’s FoundMyFitness Science Digest consistently provides accurate information with searchable references on interesting topics. I highly recommend premium membership to access all the content!
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Jackie Hutchings
Invaluable, indepth information which has changed they way I live. Investing in your health is probably the most important thing you can do to live a full and happy life. Cannot recommend highly enough.
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Mike Nelson
The Science Digest is one of the very few e-mails I actually look forward to receiving. I love hearing about the latest health and fitness research and trust Rhonda to filter through the info that will be of most benefit to me.
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