Special episode: Peter on exercise, fasting, nutrition, stem cells, geroprotective drugs, and more — promising interventions or just noise?

Peter Attia

May 6, 2024

Episode description

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode

Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content

Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter

In this special edition celebrating 300 episodes of The Drive, Peter discusses a variety of popular topics and health interventions and classifies them based on their level of evidence and relevance using the following categories: proven, promising, fuzzy, noise, and nonsense. Peter first delves into the topic of geroprotective molecules, covering rapamycin, metformin, NAD and its precursors, and resveratrol. Next, he explores the significance of metrics like VO2 max and muscle mass, as well as emerging concepts like blood flow restriction and stem cells. The conversation extends to nutrition, addressing questions surrounding long-term fasting, sugar consumption, sugar substitutes, and the contentious role of red meat in cancer. Peter not only provides his current stance on each topic—most of which have been covered in great detail in the previous 300 episodes—but also reflects on how his opinion may have evolved over the years.

We discuss:

  • Defining the categories of “proven, promising, fuzzy, noise, and nonsense” [3:15];

  • Rapamycin [9:30];

  • Metformin [17:00];

  • NAD and its precursors [24:30];

  • Resveratrol [32:45];

  • The importance of VO2 max, muscle mass, and muscular strength for lifespan [38:15];

  • Blood flow restriction (BFR) training [44:00];

  • Using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis or injury [51:30];

  • Fasting as a tool for longevity (and why Peter stopped his fasting protocol) [55:45];

  • The energy balance theory [1:06:30];

  • The idea that sugar is poison [1:12:00];

  • The idea that sugar substitutes are dangerous [1:22:15];

  • The debate on red meat and cancer [1:28:45]; and

  • More.

Connect With Peter on TwitterInstagramFacebook and YouTube

Episode description

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode

Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content

Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter

In this special edition celebrating 300 episodes of The Drive, Peter discusses a variety of popular topics and health interventions and classifies them based on their level of evidence and relevance using the following categories: proven, promising, fuzzy, noise, and nonsense. Peter first delves into the topic of geroprotective molecules, covering rapamycin, metformin, NAD and its precursors, and resveratrol. Next, he explores the significance of metrics like VO2 max and muscle mass, as well as emerging concepts like blood flow restriction and stem cells. The conversation extends to nutrition, addressing questions surrounding long-term fasting, sugar consumption, sugar substitutes, and the contentious role of red meat in cancer. Peter not only provides his current stance on each topic—most of which have been covered in great detail in the previous 300 episodes—but also reflects on how his opinion may have evolved over the years.

We discuss:

  • Defining the categories of “proven, promising, fuzzy, noise, and nonsense” [3:15];

  • Rapamycin [9:30];

  • Metformin [17:00];

  • NAD and its precursors [24:30];

  • Resveratrol [32:45];

  • The importance of VO2 max, muscle mass, and muscular strength for lifespan [38:15];

  • Blood flow restriction (BFR) training [44:00];

  • Using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis or injury [51:30];

  • Fasting as a tool for longevity (and why Peter stopped his fasting protocol) [55:45];

  • The energy balance theory [1:06:30];

  • The idea that sugar is poison [1:12:00];

  • The idea that sugar substitutes are dangerous [1:22:15];

  • The debate on red meat and cancer [1:28:45]; and

  • More.

Connect With Peter on TwitterInstagramFacebook and YouTube

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Question NAD precursors' role in longevity due to lack of human data

Despite a booming industry, NAD and its precursors are categorized as 'noise' for longevity because of a surprising lack of compelling human data.

Acknowledge rapamycin's promise while awaiting human trial evidence

Rapamycin is considered promising due to extensive animal data, but it is not proven for human longevity because sufficient human trial evidence is still missing.

Challenge misconceptions about red meat and cancer risk

The claim that red meat causes cancer is 'nonsense,' as the weak association is likely due to the unhealthy lifestyles of high meat-eaters, not the meat itself.

Reassess long-term fasting to preserve muscle mass

Peter Attia stopped his extensive long-term fasting protocol primarily because he was losing a significant amount of muscle mass that was difficult to regain.

Utilize Katsu BFR devices for training and recovery enhancement

The Katsu brand of blood flow restriction (BFR) devices is used for both active training finishers and passive recovery cycles.

Prioritize VO2 max and muscle strength for longevity

High VO2 max and muscle strength are the most 'proven' predictors of lifespan, far surpassing traditional biomarkers like cholesterol or even smoking status.

Debunk resveratrol myths about longevity

The idea that resveratrol promotes longevity is 'nonsense,' based on a misinterpreted initial study and its subsequent failure in rigorous ITP mouse trials.

Reassess metformin's efficacy based on new research findings

Metformin has been downgraded from 'promising' to 'fuzzy' due to new, methodologically superior studies that contradict earlier findings and its failure in the Interventions Testing Program (ITP).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius