AMA #68: Fasting, well-balanced diets, alcohol, exercise for busy people, wearables, emotional health, assessing cardiovascular health, and more
Peter Attia
Feb 17, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Recognize alcohol consumption as a risk factor for increased mortality
Mendelian randomization studies show that any increase in alcohol consumption leads to an increase in mortality, contradicting epidemiological studies that suggest low doses are safe.
Test for LP(a) to uncover hidden heart risk
You should specifically test for LP(a), a common heritable cause of cardiovascular disease that is disproportionately atherogenic and is missed by virtually all standard tests.
Understand calcium score limitations to assess heart health risks
A calcium score (CAC) has about a 15% false negative rate, meaning you could have a score of zero but still have soft plaque detectable by a more advanced CT angiogram.
Prioritize APOB over LDL for cholesterol management
Once you know your APOB and LP(a) levels, you don't need to concern yourself with LDL, non-HDL, or HDL cholesterol, as APOB is the aggregate marker for all atherogenic proteins.
Reassess blood pressure norms to lower health risks
A blood pressure of 130 over 85, which historically would have been considered normal, is anything but normal, and the goal for lowest risk is consistently below 120/80.
View time-restricted feeding as a tool for calorie reduction
Time-restricted feeding is no better than standard caloric restriction and should be viewed as one of several indirect tools to help you consume fewer calories.
Understand genetic factors behind women's alcohol sensitivity
Women are more susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol partly because they have genetically lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, a key enzyme for its metabolism.
More from
Peter Attia
The impact of gratitude, serving others, embracing mortality, and living intentionally | Walter Green (#288 rebroadcast)
Thyroid function and hypothyroidism: why current diagnosis and treatment fall short for many, and how new approaches are transforming care | Antonio Bianco, M.D., Ph.D.
AMA #77: Dietary fiber and health outcomes: real benefits, overhyped claims, and practical applications
Women's sexual health: desire, arousal, and orgasms, navigating perimenopause, and enhancing satisfaction | Sally Greenwald, M.D., M.P.H.
Longevity 101: a foundational guide to Peter's frameworks for longevity, and understanding CVD, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and more (re-broadcast)
You also might be interested in
How I Lost 100 Pounds By Drinking Butter Coffee
Get a Full Body Workout in 10 Minutes by Doing NOTHING | Biohacks
Female Hormone Health, PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility & Breast Cancer | Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
It’s Not a Stroke — It’s Your Arteries Slowly Attacking your Brain
Stop Blaming Salt: Fixing High Blood Pressure by Treating the Root Cause












