“Exercise is a huge driver of how well we age because it induces profound molecular shifts that support immune health and might even protect our telomeres – indicators of aging. Exercise might help forestall certain age-related diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, too.”
“But could aging become reversible in the future? Technologies like interrupted cellular reprogramming, in combination with future advances in the field of epigenetics, offer the promise that scientists may eventually be able to develop the means to reverse aging.”
“Roughly one-quarter of people living in the US carry a genetic variant of the apolipoprotein E gene, called APOE4, the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Many lifestyle behaviors can mitigate risk, especially sleep hygiene, which provides an opportunity to rid the brain of toxic metabolic byproducts that can contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk.”
“Dietary fiber is a broad term that refers to the non-digestible components of fruits and vegetables. Gut microbes break down certain types of fiber, releasing micronutrients trapped in the fiber matrix and producing beneficial metabolic byproducts, such as short-chain fatty acids.”
“Continuous glucose monitors – CGMs, for short – are wearable devices that measure blood glucose levels through a tiny sensor placed under the skin. The CGM communicates with your smartphone and provides nearly real-time information about your blood glucose levels.”
“Consuming chocolate and cocoa may carry some risks, however, due to their cadmium content and possible effects on the fetus during pregnancy. In this Aliquot, I describe some of the research on the benefits and risks of consuming cocoa and chocolate, as foods or supplements.”
“Sugar substitutes are food products or additives that provide the sweet taste of sugar, without the calories. Evidence suggests that sugar substitutes have surprising effects on human metabolism and these effects vary person-to-person, based on the overall makeup of an individual's gut microbiome.”
“Choline is particularly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but some evidence suggests that choline supplementation could carry some risks. In this Aliquot, I talk about the science surrounding choline.”
“Late-night eating can have negative effects on our health. But time-restricted eating limits the daytime window during which a person eats to take advantage of the time when metabolism is optimized, improving health and even promoting weight loss.”
“Meditation is a form of mental training geared toward improving aspects of a person's core neurocognitive function, such as the regulation of attention and emotion. Research suggests that meditation may protect the brain from the negative effects of stress and promote mental health.”