Science Digest
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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.
Addressing hearing loss in older adults could potentially delay or prevent up to 32% of dementia cases.

Most older adults experience some degree of hearing loss, yet few recognize that it may increase their risk of cognitive decline. A recent study found that nearly one-third of dementia cases over an eight-year period might be linked to hearing loss measured with a hearing test.

Researchers monitored nearly 3,000 older adults, aged 66 to 90, for up to eight years. All participants had normal cognition at the beginning and underwent a hearing test and a self-assessment of their hearing. The researchers compared the number of new dementia cases over time with each participant’s hearing status at the start of the study.

They found that up to 32% of dementia cases could be attributed to hearing loss. This link held true even for those with mild hearing loss. However, individuals who only reported hearing issues without a hearing test did not exhibit the same increased risk—likely because self-reporting often underestimates actual hearing loss. The proportion of dementia cases associated with hearing loss was highest among individuals aged 75 and older, women, and white participants.

These findings suggest that treating hearing loss, particularly when identified through a proper hearing test, could delay or even help prevent dementia in many older adults. A key driver of noise-induced hearing loss is inflammation, which is also linked with dementia. Learn more in Aliquot #90: Inflammation and the Early Seeds of Dementia — and Its Prevention

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Chemical additives in plastics are associated with more than 350,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide in a single year, with the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa bearing the greatest burden.

Plastics may be a hidden contributor to heart disease: chemical additives that disrupt hormone function and damage blood vessels. Evidence indicates that di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP)—a phthalate used to soften plastics—drives oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. A recent study found that this plastic additive may have contributed to more than 350,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide in 2018.

To estimate the global burden of cardiovascular disease linked to DEHP exposure, researchers combined country-level cardiovascular death rates with regional exposure estimates. They calculated the number of deaths and years of life lost that were likely due to the chemical, drawing on published hazard ratios and biomonitoring data.

They found that DEHP exposure contributed to 356,000 cardiovascular deaths in 2018—around 13% of heart-related deaths among adults aged 55 to 64. Exposure varied widely by region. The Middle East and South Asia had the highest levels of several DEHP metabolites, including mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate at 19.460 micromoles per liter—six times higher than levels in Europe. Africa also showed high concentrations, including the highest recorded level of mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate at 65.452 micromoles per liter. The Middle East, South Asia, and Africa bore the greatest exposure burden, while Europe had the lowest.

These findings suggest that chemical additives in plastics pose a serious threat to cardiovascular health, especially in regions with growing plastic production or weaker environmental protections. As plastic products break down, they shed tiny fragments known as microplastics, which carry considerable health risks. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.

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Pairing HIIT with vitamin D supplements more than doubles bone density gains in women with osteoporosis.

Even a minor fall can cause a life-altering fracture for women with osteoporosis. Stronger bones can mean the difference between maintaining independence and facing long-term disability. A recent study found that combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with daily vitamin D supplements more than doubled the gains in bone mineral density compared to each intervention alone.

Researchers enrolled 120 sedentary women aged 30 to 50, all diagnosed with osteoporosis. They randomly assigned participants to one of four groups: a control group, a vitamin D group (800 IU per day), an exercise-only group (16 weeks of HIIT), and a combined group that did both. Before and after the intervention, researchers measured bone mineral density of the hips and spine and markers of bone turnover in the blood.

They found that the group combining HIIT and vitamin D supplementation showed the greatest improvements in bone mineral density at the hips and lumbar spine, with a 3.2% improvement in hip bone mineral density, surpassing the 1.5% increase in the HIIT-only group and the 1.2% increase in the vitamin D-only group. Blood levels of calcium and osteocalcin increased the most in the combined group, while bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (a marker of bone breakdown) decreased. Improvements in bone mineral density were linked to higher calcium and osteocalcin levels and lower body mass index.

These findings suggest that pairing HIIT with vitamin D supplements boosts bone strength in women with osteoporosis, helping to slow or even reverse bone loss during midlife. Learn more about the effects of HIIT on bone density in this clip featuring Dr. Martin Gibala.

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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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