Dr. Rhonda Patrick
@foundmyfitness • 1,155,223 subscribers
Ph.D in biomedical science interested in nutrition, brain & aging. Host of FoundMyFitness podcast https://t.co/rirQwqebxL
Videos
Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids slows biological aging. Combining omega-3s with vitamin D and exercise has an additive effect, translating to ~3 months of slowed biological aging. These were the results of the 3-year-long DO-HEALTH study, which Prof Steve Horvath believes is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that simple interventions (that also likely correct a deficiency) are powerful ways to slow or reverse the aging process. We discuss this study and more in the latest episode of the FoundMyFitness podcast.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick396,073 views • 1 day ago
Consistent endurance exercise may be one of the most powerful ways to slow down biological aging. Six months of cycling (about 4.5 hours/week) reduced GrimAge by 7 months relative to the expected trajectory of normal aging. GrimAge is an epigenetic clock tied to mortality risk. Participants also increased VO₂ max by ~20%, and the reduction in GrimAge tracked with those gains in cardiorespiratory fitness, but not with changes in body composition. The anti-aging signal seemed to come more from becoming fitter, not just leaner. To Prof Steve Horvath, this suggests biological aging is, at least to some extent, modifiable. We discuss how exercise may slow biological aging in the latest episode of the podcast. Out now.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick79,331 views • 4 days ago
Fruits & vegetables likely account for a majority of people's dietary microplastic and PFAS intake. What’s frustrating is that this isn’t something you can just rinse off. In many cases, the contamination appears to be taken up into the food itself. Organic may reduce some of that exposure, but even organic farms can be affected when they’re near contaminated land or water. Should you stop eating produce? No. We should be much more upset about how widespread these chemicals have become, especially when children are being exposed through foods we otherwise consider healthy. One practical thing I think is worth considering is beta-glucan. There’s some evidence it may help support the excretion of PFAS, and given how unavoidable these exposures are becoming, that may be a useful tool, especially for families who can’t realistically eliminate every source.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick568,080 views • 1 month ago
New episode with Dr. Steve Horvath (Prof Steve Horvath), a pioneer in the field of epigenetic aging clocks. Steve developed the original Horvath clock, one of the first tools to show that DNA methylation carries a remarkably reliable signal of aging across human tissues. In this episode, he explains what biological clocks actually measure, why different clocks can disagree, and how to interpret a biological-age result without treating it like a literal lifespan forecast. We talk about chronological age vs. biological age, and we also get into the intervention evidence on exercise and VO2 max, calorie restriction, omega-3s, vitamin D, multivitamins, and weight loss/GLP-1 therapy, among other topics! The big theme is that biological clocks can be useful dashboards, but they are not diagnoses, fortune-telling tools, or proof that one supplement has reversed aging. This was Steve's second appearance on the podcast and he did not disappoint. You won't want to miss this episode. Links to the episode on all platforms in the comments below. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:59 - Biological vs. chronological age 7:33 - Why one clock isn't enough 13:16 - PhenoAge vs. GrimAge 15:21 - GrimAge & mortality risk 19:04 - Epigenome as stress memory 23:02 - Can stress be inherited? 25:06 - Why clocks fail in sperm 26:30 - Can lifestyle reverse GrimAge? 28:18 - DunedinPACE as an odometer 32:20 - Judging longevity interventions 34:41 - Clocks as mortality surrogates 38:28 - Most validated interventions 41:25 - 5 years younger in 7 months? 45:43 - Can GrimAge predict death? 47:30 - Translating GrimAge to lifespan 52:16 - Blind spots of aging clocks 58:20 - More than inflammation 1:00:56 - Young blood, transient effects 1:04:46 - Calorie restriction 1:08:54 - GLP-1 drugs & weight loss 1:12:24 - Can a multivitamin slow aging? 1:21:05 - Omega-3, vitamin D, & exercise 1:28:55 - Removing an aging accelerator 1:31:24 - Vegetables vs. exercise 1:36:58 - Does red meat age you? 1:38:38 - Hard training moves the clock 1:45:59 - Heat as an exercise mimetic 1:47:23 - When cold slows the clock 1:49:48 - Does poor sleep speed aging? 1:51:19 - Can friendship slow aging? 1:57:49 - Are consumer tests worth it? 2:02:46 - Choosing a reliable test 2:07:33 - Different clocks, different lenses 2:12:21 - Can AI build better clocks? 2:13:53 - Partial reprogramming 2:17:47 - What reprogramming can't fix 2:22:37 - Do DNA mutations drive aging? 2:24:53 - The silver bullet problem 2:29:23 - Limits of polygenic risk 2:33:32 - Steve's longevity routine 2:38:05 - How stress affects aging
Dr. Rhonda Patrick53,769 views • 5 days ago
Using the sauna after aerobic exercise improves VO₂ max more than training alone. People who performed 30 minutes of cycling and then sat in a sauna for ~15 minutes afterward saw greater gains in their VO₂ max after 8 weeks of training compared to those who did the workout without sauna. There’s also emerging evidence for strength training, with studies showing greater increases in markers of anabolic signaling associated with muscle growth with post-exercise heat exposure. The sauna has several health benefits. But it's also a powerful tool to amplify the body's adaptations to both endurance and strength training. Clip from my recent appearance on Thomas DeLauer
Dr. Rhonda Patrick1,036,299 views • 3 months ago
Plastic blenders are a source of microplastics that most people overlook. Those with plastic jars or pitchers release microplastics, and even nanoplastics, into blended food or drinks due to friction and mechanical abrasion during blending. A single 30-second blending cycle can release up to 1 billion (yes, with a "b") micro- and nanoplastic particles. BPA-free products are safer but can still release particles due to heavy use, heat, or abrasion. My advice is to switch to a completely stainless-steel blender. It's the only way to avoid contamination. Thanks to Steven Bartlett for allowing me to audit his kitchen! Check out the full episode.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick477,347 views • 2 months ago
Coffee’s health impact depends on how you brew it. Filtered coffee is linked to a lower cancer risk, while unfiltered methods—like French press or boiled coffee—let oily compounds called diterpenes sneak into your cup. These compounds, particularly cafestol and kahweol, can raise LDL cholesterol by 10–30 mg/dL in just a few weeks. Long-term exposure to high levels of these diterpenes has been associated with a modest uptick in the risk for certain cancers, including pancreatic and respiratory tract cancers, as well as a higher risk of dementia (generally observed with very high levels of boiled coffee consumption in particular). What’s going on here? Diterpenes are fat-soluble, so they slip through metal filters or stay suspended in boiled brews. Filtered coffee contains undetectable levels of cholesterol-raising diterpenes. Polyphenols, on the other hand (like chlorogenic acids) are water-soluble antioxidants that pass through paper filters and deliver cellular benefits. If you’re drinking multiple cups per day, consider switching to filtered coffee. It preserves the antioxidants while minimizing cholesterol-raising compounds.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick2,099,519 views • 1 year ago
Nattokinase isn’t high on my list for cardiovascular prevention. I don’t see convincing evidence that it should be a primary strategy for cardiovascular disease or stroke risk reduction. If the goal is cardiovascular prevention, there are options with much stronger support. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA) have far better evidence. And if we’re talking specifically about atherosclerosis, berberine has a much more compelling evidence base—it’s been shown to reduce plaque formation, while also improving LDL, HbA1c, and glucose regulation. Nattokinase may be interesting mechanistically, but right now the clinical evidence just isn’t strong enough for me to view it as a serious front-line strategy.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick244,181 views • 1 month ago
People who age happier and healthier tend to do 7 things: They don’t smoke, exercise regularly (but not excessively), maintain a healthy weight, and are mindful with alcohol or other substances. But one of the most interesting ideas that Dr. Arthur Brooks underscores is that the "happy-well" also have 3 less obvious traits. They keep learning, they develop real skill in dealing with life’s problems, and they prioritize love—through a strong marriage, close friendships, or both.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick447,888 views • 2 months ago
Curcumin is a supplement I take daily. Specifically, phytosomal curcumin. The phytosomal form is much more bioavailable than standard curcumin. And more importantly, there’s human evidence that curcumin is one of the more potent natural compounds for lowering TNF-α, a major inflammatory cytokine. Chronic inflammation is tightly linked to biological aging. So for me, curcumin is a targeted way to help keep one of the more important inflammatory signals in check.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick128,691 views • 24 days ago
I recommend creatine to nearly everyone. But here are my caveats: 1. Make sure it's creatine monohydrate - this is the form that's most well-studied and effective. You don't need a "fancy" form. 2. Beware of gummies. If you use them, make sure you're getting one that's been third-party tested and contains the stated amount of creatine (many brands do not). 3. Look for an an NSF certification. This will help avoid heavy metals and other contaminants you don't want. Clip is from my recent appearance on Jordan Harbinger show!
Dr. Rhonda Patrick469,686 views • 3 months ago
Is it ok to combine creatine with caffeine? They are generally not a problem together unless your caffeine dose is very high. The interference seems to show up around ~350 mg of caffeine pre-workout (about 3.5 cups of coffee), where caffeine may blunt some of creatine’s performance benefit because they have opposite effects on muscle relaxation. So yes, you can put creatine in your coffee (I do). Just don’t mega-dose caffeine before training if you want the full ergogenic effect. Even then, the effect is probably minor enough to not stress about.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick96,864 views • 19 days ago
Muscle loss with age is common, but much of that decline is driven by inactivity, not aging alone. On average, we reach peak muscle mass somewhere between 20 and 30, then lose about 8% per decade after that. By the time many adults reach their 70s and 80s, they may have only 60–80% of the muscle mass they had at 30. A big reason why is anabolic resistance. As we get older, muscle becomes less responsive to amino acids, one of the key signals for building and maintaining muscle. This is where resistance training becomes non-negotiable. It's one of the main signals that tells muscle to grow. And just as importantly, it helps re-sensitize muscle to amino acids, so the body responds to protein more like it did when you were younger.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick261,284 views • 1 month ago
You don't need to lift heavy weights to gain muscle. As long as volume and effort are high, and you train to fatigue, you can build muscle mass (hypertrophy) with lower weights. Dr. Stuart Phillips (Stuart Phillips (he/him)) and colleagues recently showed that low-load (20–25 reps at ~30–40% 1RM) and high-load (8–12 reps at ~70–80% 1RM) resistance exercise led to similar gains in muscle hypertrophy and stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis in the upper and lower body over 10 weeks of training. Effort drives adaptations.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick710,972 views • 5 months ago
Sitting on the ground more is one of the simplest things you can do for long-term mobility. It sounds almost too basic, but getting down to the floor and back up is a real marker of independence. If you lose that ability, a lot of everyday function starts to go with it. Sit with your legs straight out. Sit cross-legged. Kneel. Shift around. These positions gently restore hip rotation, ankle mobility, and the ability to move your body in and out of different shapes. This kind of low-level, daily movement practice helps maintain better joint mechanics, and according to Kelly Starrett, it might be one reason why "floor cultures" such as those in Asia often preserve mobility longer and have fewer problems related to stiffness and loss of function. From the latest episode of the FoundMyFitness podcast.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick152,156 views • 1 month ago
Success doesn’t truly make us happier. Why? Our neurobiology is wired for progress, not arrival. The dopamine system rewards the pursuit. Once a goal is reached, the brain resets and the target moves. It’s what Dr. Arthur Brooks calls the “striver’s curse.” You work relentlessly toward a goal believing it will bring lasting satisfaction, but when you get there, the feeling fades quickly. The trap is thinking the answer is more (more success, money, weight loss, etc). A better framework: Satisfaction = what you have ÷ what you want. Most people try to increase the numerator. But the more powerful lever is reducing the denominator (wanting less).
Dr. Rhonda Patrick270,487 views • 2 months ago
I am totally committed to getting a standing desk. This conversation with Kelly Starrett convinced me. Sitting isn't necessarily bad. Standing (and more movement in general) is good. But desks give you almost no movement options. So how can we create more movement choice during the workday? If you have a standing desk, it helps to make it an actual movement station. That means having something to put a foot on so you can shift your pelvis and spine out of the same static position, and ideally a bar stool or perch so you can lean, sit, prop a foot up, or change positions easily. That’s the real benefit of a good desk setup. Not that you’re standing all day, but that you’re no longer locked into one posture. From the latest episode of the FoundMyFitness podcast with Kelly Starrett.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick126,811 views • 1 month ago
Obesity may be one of the biggest reasons we’re seeing more cancer earlier in life. Excess body fat is linked to 13 cancers, and those obesity-associated cancers account for roughly 40% of cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year. What makes this especially concerning (to me) is that obesity is now showing up much earlier, so the biology that promotes cancer, including inflammation, oxidative stress, higher insulin/IGF-1, and altered hormone signaling, may also be starting earlier. That creates a kind of “perfect storm” for tumors to gain traction. Obesity probably isn’t the only driver of early-onset cancer, but I do think it’s one of the most important ones to take seriously. From my recent appearance on jack neel.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick89,065 views • 28 days ago
Creatine is probably not harming our kidneys. Studies using doses up to 11 grams per day for a year have found no harmful effects on kidney, liver, or cardiovascular markers in healthy people. Yet the “creatine ruins your kidneys” myth refuses to die. Even some healthcare professionals still repeat it. Creatine breaks down into creatinine, which shows up on blood tests. If you supplement with creatine, your creatinine levels can go up, but that doesn’t automatically mean your kidneys are failing. It often just means… you’re taking creatine. If you take creatine and your lab work shows elevated creatinine, it’s often a false alarm, not a sign your kidneys are shot. A more reliable marker of kidney function to use when taking creatine is cystatin C. Creatine has plenty of debates around it. But at this point, in healthy people using reasonable doses, “it wrecks your kidneys” shouldn’t be one of them.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick596,303 views • 6 months ago
More protein doesn’t cancel out a low diet quality. Unfortunately, the “protein maxxing” trend has convinced a lot of people that it’s fine to eat ultra-processed foods as long as they’re “high protein.” But protein bars, shakes, and snacks with a long ingredient list are still processed food. If you’re going to prioritize protein, get it from whole foods first—meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes—and don’t let a label of high protein become a health halo that crowds out fiber-rich plant foods and nutrient-dense animal foods.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick288,164 views • 3 months ago