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.
High-intensity exercise lowers ghrelin levels and suppresses hunger more effectively than moderate-intensity workouts, an effect mediated by lactate and more pronounced in females.

Hunger cues are influenced by more than just an empty stomach, with hormones like ghrelin playing powerful roles as appetite regulators. A recent study found that both exercise intensity and sex significantly influence ghrelin levels, markedly influencing appetite.

Researchers measured lactate threshold and peak oxygen consumption in 14 untrained males and females engaging in three different cycling sessions: a control session with no exercise, a moderate-intensity session at lactate threshold, and a high-intensity session at 75% of the difference between lactate threshold and peak oxygen consumption. Then, they assessed the participants' appetite perception.

They found that females had considerably higher total ghrelin and deacylated ghrelin levels at baseline than males. In both groups, high-intensity exercise promoted lower levels of deacylated ghrelin than moderate-intensity and no-exercise sessions. Notably, only females exhibited reduced acylated ghrelin levels during high-intensity exercise. Additionally, hunger scores were higher during moderate-intensity sessions than they were during no exercise.

Ghrelin, often called the “hunger hormone,” is primarily produced in the stomach and stimulates appetite. Deacetylated ghrelin has different effects on appetite regulation than its acylated counterpart.

These findings suggest that high-intensity exercise is more effective than moderate-intensity exercise in lowering ghrelin levels and suppressing hunger, with noticeable differences between sexes in this response. High-intensity exercise also promotes brain health. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Martin Gibala.

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Higher exposure to 'forever chemicals'—synthetic substances pervasive in our environment—is linked to decreased kidney function in young adults, potentially driven by gut bacteria and metabolite changes.

More than 10% of people worldwide have chronic kidney disease, a debilitating condition that progressively impairs the kidneys' capacity to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Evidence suggests that toxic exposures increase kidney disease risk. A recent study found that higher exposure to PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals"—was linked with decreased kidney function in young adults, potentially mediated by gut bacteria and metabolite changes.

The study involved 78 young adults at high risk for metabolic disease. Researchers measured their baseline PFAS levels, gut bacterial composition, and blood metabolite profiles. Then, they assessed the participants' kidney function.

They found that for each incremental increase in PFAS exposure, kidney function declined by roughly 2.4%. Shifts in specific gut bacteria and their metabolites, such as lower levels of Lachnospiraceae and increased levels of metabolites, explained up to half of the association between PFAS and reduced kidney function.

These findings suggest that PFAS contribute to kidney damage by disrupting gut health and metabolic processes. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. Microplastics often contain PFAS that can leach into the environment and accumulate in the body. Learn more about microplastics and PFAS exposure in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.

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Higher folate levels during pregnancy may protect against lead's neurotoxic effects, potentially reducing risk of autism-like behaviors in children.

Lead exposure during pregnancy can harm a child’s developing brain, increasing the risk of autism-related behaviors. Some evidence suggests that folate, a B vitamin, might help protect against lead’s neurotoxic effects. A recent study found that higher folate levels during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of autism-like behaviors in children exposed to lead before birth.

Researchers analyzed data from a large mother-infant cohort study that tracked participants from pregnancy through early childhood. They measured blood lead levels and plasma folate concentrations during the women’s first and third trimesters. They assessed the children for autism-related behaviors when they were three to four years old. They also examined whether folic acid supplementation and MTHFR, a maternal genetic variant influencing folate metabolism, affected these associations.

They found that third-trimester blood lead levels were associated with more autism-like behaviors in children whose mothers had low third-trimester folate levels. They did not observe this association among mothers with higher folate levels. Additionally, folic acid supplementation appeared to reduce the harmful effects of lead exposure. The MTHFR genetic variant influenced the findings, but the effects were not statistically significant.

These findings suggest adequate folate levels during pregnancy may help protect against the neurodevelopmental harm linked to prenatal lead exposure.

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in foods, while folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and fortified foods. Folic acid has higher bioavailability, meaning the body more readily absorbs it than naturally occurring folate. Learn more about folate in this clip featuring Dr. Bruce Ames.

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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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