When you think about longevity tests, you might picture lipid panels and fasting blood glucose assessments. However, there’s one aspect of longevity you might not immediately consider: the health of your skin. From eczema and rosacea to premature lines and wrinkles, what’s happening on the surface is often indicative of underlying issues, including those that contribute to cardiovascular disease, dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
DetailsAs the name implies, spermidine was first characterized in sperm, and while there is a high concentration present in semen (and it appears important for fertility), it’s everywhere- in all eukaryotic cells. In fact, wind the evolutionary clock back to the earliest endosymbiotic happenings, you’ll find spermidine and the broader family of polyamines on center stage, playing a central role in the development of… life. Indeed, bacteria, archaea and plants (and even viruses) all rely on polyamines. These facts alone illustrate the obvious: polyamines are important. Attribution for the discovery of spermine (the polyamine metabolite of spermidine) is given to Anton Leeuwenhoek, the father of microscopy, in 1678.
DetailsIn the pursuit of wellness and longevity, skin health often mirrors the body’s internal state, serving as a visible testament to our overall well-being. Yet, traditional approaches to skincare have predominantly focused on treating the surface, neglecting the deeper cellular processes that fundamentally influence the skin’s aging and vitality. As we delve deeper into the science of longevity, a groundbreaking perspective emerges, spotlighting the crucial role of cellular and mitochondrial health not only in preserving the skin’s youthful appearance but also in maintaining the integrity of this critical organ. By shifting our focus beyond that of how we look, we can unlock new strategies for maintaining health and find a promising future where skincare transcends cosmetic concerns to embrace a holistic view of health and aging.
DetailsWe’ve made it successfully through the Thanksgiving rush. But do you or your patients need a set-and-refresh to make it through the rest of the holidays? The holidays are supposed to be full of cheer, family, friends, good food and good feelings, but that’s often not the case. Beyond the specter of seasonal colds and flu, patients may seek our help for another reason in December: stress. Stress can affect a multitude of biological systems, from cardiovascular to the respiratory system—but for the acute seasonal stressors like travel, family, and dietary changes, we most often see its effects on the central nervous system and the digestive system. Tension headaches, occasional trouble sleeping, indigestion and irregularity are common culprits that we can easily address with small lifestyle changes and supplementation.
DetailsAs 2023 draws to a close, here’s the content you liked most this year, and as usual it aligns with what we loved as well. Going beyond longevity and epigenetics, this year we covered a wide range of cutting-edge topics – from SPMs, urolithin A and OS-01 peptides, to nuanced thinking and recontextualizing established themes such…
DetailsDr. KF SPONSORED CONTENT I am eternally grateful to our sponsors who, by blogging, podcasting, and advertising with us, enable me and my team to devote energy and time to writing, research, and education. All the companies who sponsor us are those I trust for myself, my patients, and my fellow practitioners. Please check out…
DetailsThis blog was written by Romilly Hodges MS CNS CDN IFMCP Last month I was honored to be invited to speak at the American Nutrition Association annual summit on the topic Targeting Biological Age with Diet and Lifestyle. Not only was it a much-appreciated opportunity to connect face-to-face with colleagues, but it was also…
DetailsOnly 5% men and 9% of women are getting the recommended daily amount of fiber in the United States.[1] That’s almost 90% of the population not consuming enough fiber! To put this into perspective, in 2017–18 most Americans averaged 8.1 grams of fiber for each 1,000 calories, or just 58 percent of the recommended 14 grams per 1,000 calories. Insufficient fiber intake is associated with a myriad of chronic diseases. Let’s dive into what fiber is, why it is so important, and how you can get more of it in your diet!
DetailsOver the last decade, there has been an explosion of research looking at bioenergetics (energy metabolism) and the role our energy generators – the mitochondria – play in human health and longevity. In functional medicine, we’ve long been aware of bioenergetics – the need to “tend to our patient’s mitochondrial health,” and as such, we readily employ a litany of nutrients – from CoQ10 to carnitine and lipoic acid and others – whenever we deem them indicated. There have not been, however, many nutrients to blast onto the bioenergetics center stage with quite the impressive force as the postbiotic rock star Urolithin A. With studies published in top-tier journals such as Nature and Cell – and with 11 (yes, eleven) compelling human clinical trials – if this compound hasn’t made it to the top of what you’re using for patients (and taking yourself), read on.
DetailsAcute illnesses like seasonal colds carry a heavy socioeconomic burden and impact livelihood in many ways, taking a great toll on society including children, families, and the medical community. This results in increased direct costs (e.g., clinic visits, drug consumption, hospitalizations), indirect costs (such as absenteeism at work and reduced productivity), and intangible costs (e.g., pain, suffering and impaired quality of life).
DetailsWeight gain is one of the most frequently seen complaints during perimenopause and menopause. In this blog we will explore why that is and how the female body changes during this magical and yet confusing life stage. Menopause and perimenopause typically begin for women around the age of 45 – 55 years. We start to notice changes in our bodies prior to the loss of our cycle including hot flashes or night sweats, change in frequency and how heavy our periods can be, and changes in mood. Perhaps the most unsettling for females is the change in weight and body mass distribution: clothes fit differently, your body feels different, your capacity at the gym and with physical activity feels futile! And this usually happens with little change to your current nutrition or activity routine.
DetailsIn my first year of naturopathic medical school, stuck right in the middle of the standard basic science classes, was a class on hydrotherapy- evidence of how fundamental the use of hot and cold water as a healing modality was viewed in our training. They introduced it to us early, and it was a core…
DetailsLast month, I was awarded the Rosalind Franklin Society Special Award in Science for my research on using a diet and lifestyle program to favorably change DNA methylation and reverse biological aging. I’m humbled and honored to receive this award, which is given to the top papers of the year written by women or underrepresented…
DetailsMushrooms are a powerful, and often underutilized, tool for health and longevity. They provide important nutrients, including those used in methylation cycles- folate, choline, and zinc for example. Their bioactive compounds also act as DNA methylation adaptogens, with the ability to influence gene expression and even potentially biological age. It’s why mushrooms feature as one…
DetailsBreast cancer may affect as many as 1 in 8 women. It’s important for patients and providers to understand the role that estrogen detoxification plays in breast cancer so that they can make more informed mitigation and treatment decisions.
DetailsWhen a team of scientists from EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, set out to thoroughly study the health benefits of pomegranates, they discovered something truly remarkable – the power of a postbiotic nutrient, Urolithin A (UA) to promote cellular health and longevity. For the past 15 years, Urolithin A has been one of the most well-researched longevity molecules. Over 300 studies, 11 of which are clinical trials, show impressive benefits in UA’s ability to target some of the key biological hallmarks of aging. These same scientists and doctors developed the first and only clinically tested Urolithin A formulation (more on that below!)
DetailsWhen we’re young, building a skin care routine is relatively simple: a face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen will do the trick. But as we grow older and develop visible signs of aging skin, choosing from the overwhelming array of mature skin care products like anti-aging creams, serums, and treatments often feels like an impossible task. What can we trust to actually work? It’s easy to get lost in new trends like 10-step skincare routines, but try to look past marketing and prioritize your skin’s health above all else. As our largest organ and first line of defense against environmental aggressors, our skin can have an enormous impact on our overall body health. A truly effective skin care routine should support your skin’s health first and improve the way it looks as a result. That’s where OneSkin comes in.
DetailsIn the fields of functional medicine, functional longevity and epigenetics, research is moving quickly – and so spending time delving into the scientific literature and discussing new findings with other experts in the field is essential. Last month, a new paper landed on my desk, published in the leading journal Cell. It lays out a…
DetailsWhat oral health can tell us about gluten reactivity Can discolored teeth, canker sores, and geographic tongue be caused by reactions to gluten? We know that the second largest and most diverse microbiome is found in the oral cavity and that poor oral health is associated with multiple conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Should we…
DetailsIf you’re a regular reader/follower, you’ll know I frequently share new research related to epigenetics and biological aging that I think is useful to know. I have also collected here what I hope is a useful “round up” of that research over the past year. Read on to learn more and make sure you haven’t…
DetailsThis might just have been our most exciting year yet here at Dr. Kara Fitzgerald! With the launch of three books through major publishing houses, authored by my team and myself, we have barely had a moment to touch ground. Yet, delivering high value content in the functional medicine and longevity space, across all channels,…
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