The Peter Attia Drive

Same study, different day: A recent study linking the sweetener xylitol to increased risk of cardiovascular events should ring a bell – but not an alarm. https://bit.ly/3XCOVJQ

In today's "Ask Me Anything" episode of The Drive, (Ep. #306, AMA #60), we delve into the prevention of cognitive decline, the link between cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, and methods to lower blood glucose, insulin, and apoB. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - The relationship between lipids, CVD, and Alzheimer’s disease, and whether statins can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders and AD - Reducing apoB levels through exercise and diet - How nutrition impacts longevity via metabolic health, muscle mass, BMD and more - Peter’s biggest frustrations with "mainstream health advice" - More https://bit.ly/4eoNx3h

In this episode (#305) of The Drive, I speak with Joel Jamieson, a conditioning expert who developed Morpheus to give people a smarter way to build their conditioning regimen and improve their recovery. In this episode, Joel dives deep into the world of heart rate variability (HRV), explaining its scientific foundation, how it measures the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the various methods of measurement, and how it can guide healthier lifestyle choices and improved training performance. He explores the nuances of HRV calculation, the impact of aging on HRV, and the roles of genetics, exercise, and other lifestyle factors in this process. He also covers Morpheus, the innovative training tool that won me over after my initial skepticism, highlighting its practicality and effectiveness in guiding training and optimizing fitness outcomes. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - Heart rate variability (HRV): evolution, science, and practical applications of HRV in athletic training - The decline in HRV with age, and the mitigating effects of fitness and other lifestyle factors - The impact of consistent exercise, stress, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors on HRV - Optimizing zone 2 training with Morpheus - Using heart rate recovery (HRR) as an indicator of athletic conditioning and the balance between aerobic and anaerobic systems - More https://bit.ly/3Kzf2cN

In this "Quarterly Podcast Summary" episode (#304) of The Drive, I introduce a new format aimed at summarizing my biggest takeaways from the last three months of guest interviews on the podcast. I share key insights from each episode, covering diverse topics such as protein and muscle building with Luc van Loon, toe strength with Courtney Conley, VO2 max with Olav Aleksander Bu, liquid biopsies for cancer with Alex Aravanis, gut health and probiotics with Colleen Cutcliffe, and road safety with Mark Rosekind. Additionally, I share personal behavioral adjustments and modifications to my patient care practices that have arisen from these engaging discussions. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - Fat utilization, muscle protein synthesis, dietary protein, aging and inactivity, and more - The importance of toe strength and the impact of dedicated foot training - The importance of VO₂ max for lifespan, and the practicalities of measuring and improving VO₂ max - The importance of gut bacteria balance, and the potential therapeutic uses of probiotics, particularly Akkermansia - More https://bit.ly/3R3FuPd

In this episode (#303) of The Drive, I speak with Dena Dubal, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist and professor of neurology at UCSF whose work focuses on mechanisms of longevity and brain resilience. In this episode, Dena delves into the intricacies of the longevity factor klotho: its formation and distribution in the body, the factors such as stress and exercise that impact its levels, and its profound impact on cognitive function and overall brain health. Dena shares insights from exciting research in animal models showing the potential of klotho in treating neurodegenerative diseases as well as its broader implications for organ health and disease prevention. She concludes with an optimistic outlook for future research in humans and the potential of klotho for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - Potential benefits of klotho on brain health - Promising results of klotho in primate models, and the importance of finding an appropriate therapeutic dose before moving to human trials - Potential cognitive benefits of klotho in humans, the impact of the KL-VS genetic variant on klotho levels, and the need for human trials to confirm these effects - The interaction between the KL-VS genetic variant and APOE4 and how it impacts risk of Alzheimer’s disease - The significance of klotho levels: studies linking lower levels to increased mortality and the broader implications for organ health and disease prevention - More https://bit.ly/4aCGLE1

The (remote) Research Team behind our podcast is growing with open analyst roles. This is a multi-organization role led by Research Manager Kathryn Birkenbach. Members of our podcast team that you'd work closely with: Nick Stenson (Head of Digital) Josh Roache (Director of Growth Marketing) Jessica Cohen (Podcast Manager) To apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/ghTVaRDB

In this episode (#302) of The Drive, I speak with Julia Wattacheril, M.D., M.P.H., a physician scientist and director of the Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. We delve deep into the complex world of liver health, beginning with a foundational overview of liver physiology. Julia provides an in-depth look at how alcohol impacts liver function, breaking down the metabolism of ethanol and its detrimental effects. Julia then shifts the focus to understanding liver function tests and optimal enzyme levels, providing a detailed explanation of AST and ALT and elucidating why fluctuations in these levels may or may not be concerning. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - The complex and crucial functionality of the liver, its four most essential functions, and more - Methods of diagnosing liver disease and how insights guide treatment and management strategies - Potential impact of recreational drugs, statins, and other medications on liver function test results - The impact of fructose consumption on liver health and the challenges of disentangling its effects from other factors like obesity and insulin resistance - Emerging drugs and therapies for addressing fat accumulation and fibrosis related to MAFLD - More https://bit.ly/3V6pnCU

In today's "Ask Me Anything" episode of The Drive, (Ep. #301, AMA #59), we delve into the often misunderstood concept of inflammation. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - The connection between chronic inflammation, aging, and age-related diseases - The impact of inflammation on metabolic health - Minimizing inflammation through diet - How exercise influences inflammation - More https://bit.ly/4dBz7MJ

In this special edition celebrating 300 episodes of The Drive, Peter discusses a variety of popular topics and health interventions and classifies them based on their level of evidence and relevance using the following categories: proven, promising, fuzzy, noise, and nonsense. Peter first delves into the topic of geroprotective molecules, covering rapamycin, metformin, NAD and its precursors, and resveratrol. Next, he explores the significance of metrics like VO₂ max and muscle mass, as well as emerging concepts like blood flow restriction and stem cells. The conversation extends to nutrition, addressing questions surrounding long-term fasting, sugar consumption, sugar substitutes, and the contentious role of red meat in cancer. Peter not only provides his current stance on each topic—most of which have been covered in great detail in the previous 300 episodes—but also reflects on how his opinion may have evolved over the years. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - The energy balance theory - The importance of VO2 max, muscle mass, and muscular strength for lifespan - How to preserve muscle while trying to lose weight - Fasting as a tool for longevity (and why Peter stopped his fasting protocol) - Using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis or injury - More https://bit.ly/3QtOuNs

In this special episode of The Drive, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the death of Brazilian Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, I sit down with my friend and fellow car enthusiast Dax Shepard to better understand what made Senna so special and discuss why I remain an enormous fan. This conversation focuses on Senna’s life, the circumstances of his death, and his lasting impact and legacy on the sport of F1. Here’s a glimpse of what we discuss: - The drama and dangers of F1 - Views on dying young, in the prime of life - The biggest difference between F1 today and F1 in the 80s - How hard it is to do what the top F1 drivers do - What Senna might have done if he had not died that day - More https://bit.ly/3xUY4Ta