Articles

Introduction In the early 20th century, German scientist Otto Warburg made a groundbreaking discovery about the fundamental difference in how cancer cells metabolize nutrients compared to healthy cells. However, his pioneering work was largely forgotten for decades as cancer research shifted focus to genetics and molecular biology. Recently, there has been renewed interest among cancer…

Understanding Heart Rate Variability Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to subtle variations in the time intervals between heartbeats. It is typically measured in milliseconds using an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other chest-based heart rate monitor. HRV provides insight into the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic system controls…

Understanding the Fundamentals of Eye Anatomy and Common Vision Problems The eye is a complex structure often likened to a camera, with key components like the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina and optic nerve working together to focus light and create images. The cornea acts as a protective covering, while the iris controls how much…

The Body's Water Compartments Water makes up around 60% of the human body by weight in adults. This water is divided into fluid inside cells, called intracellular fluid, and fluid outside cells, called extracellular fluid. Intracellular fluid accounts for about 40% of total body water. This is the fluid within the body's tens of trillions…

The Evolving Understanding of Obesity's Causes Views on the causes of obesity have changed over time. In the 1980s, a genetic basis was clearly demonstrated through studies on animals and twins. However, even into the 1990s, pharmaceuticals were viewed skeptically and surgery was seen as a last resort. A paradigm shift occurred after a large…

Assessing Capabilities Through Physiological Testing Understanding the physiology of professional cyclists provides insight into the extreme capabilities of elite human performance. Critical metrics like lactate levels and watts per kilogram output at threshold power quantitatively demonstrate overall fitness and race readiness. Measuring blood lactate levels across a range of power outputs categorizes a rider's…

Why ASCVD Matters Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the number one cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for over 18 million deaths per year. It is incredibly common, affecting a staggering number of people to some degree over their lifetimes. Alarmingly, ASCVD does not just impact the elderly – over 50% of men and 33% of…

Revisiting the Potential of Cancer Immunotherapies Over the past couple of years, optimism around cancer immunotherapies has grown substantially. One revelation is that a remarkable 80% of cancer patients have neoantigens on their tumors that are recognized by their own immune systems. The challenge lies in effectively harnessing the power of the immune system to…

What Makes Centenarians Different? Centenarians, individuals who live to 100 years or more, provide a fascinating model for understanding the keys to longevity and health. Research on centenarians reveals that genetics play a more significant role in reaching ages over 90-100 compared to just 70-80 years. Studies of identical twins help validate the strong genetic…

Centenarian Olympics: The North Star for Training Rather than optimizing exercise for peak athletic performance or vanity goals, the framework discussed aims to maintain physical functionality all the way into one's 100s. The activities you still want to be able to perform at age 100 serve as the "North Star" guiding training decisions. Dubbed the…

Understanding the Differences Between Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons and Other Physicians Up to 95% of cosmetic procedures in the United States are performed by non-plastic surgeons. This poses considerable risks, as physicians without formal training in plastic surgery may not have the requisite knowledge or experience to perform complex procedures safely. Vetting a surgeon's credentials is…

The Elusive Nature of Insulin Resistance Defining insulin resistance precisely has proven difficult, with significant debate around diagnostic criteria. The reality is that there are likely multiple phenotypes of metabolic dysregulation, driven by an intricate web of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. For some, carrying excess weight appears protective, while others develop concerning metabolic abnormalities…