FoundMyFitness

Download my "How to Train According to the Experts" guide Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Creatine is renowned for enhancing strength, but its benefits extend far beyond muscle power. In this episode, Dr. Darren Candow, a leading researcher with over 140 peer-reviewed publications, explores creatine's diverse physiological impacts, from bolstering cognitive resilience under stress to mitigating symptoms of depression and protecting against cognitive decline caused by sleep deprivation. He explains why the conventional dosage of 5 grams per day might be insufficient, and how higher doses (10–25 grams) could unlock additional therapeutic effects. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:34) What makes creatine effective for exercise performance? (08:01) The loss of explosive power with aging (09:36) How creatine speeds up recovery between sets (12:13) Two ways creatine boosts muscle strength (14:12) Why creatine might not speed typical weight-training recovery (16:38) Anti-catabolic effects (17:16) Why do men and women respond differently? (18:50) Dietary creatine vs. supplementation (19:36) Is creatine supplementation necessary—or optional? (21:05) Why plant-based may benefit most (22:15) Should creatine dosage change with age? (23:01) Loading vs. daily dosing (25:57) Why 5 grams might not be enough—other tissues (27:48) Can creatine prevent bone loss—even without weight training? (28:10) How creatine supports osteoblast activity (29:51) Preventing hip fractures with creatine (32:33) Creatine vs. bisphosphonates (36:21) Why creatine isn't just for weightlifters (38:52) Why stressed brains benefit most (40:57) Why brain aging accelerates demand (43:54) Why 10g per day might be the optimal dose (45:45) Why creatine counteracts sleep deprivation (48:53) Before vs. after concussion (51:17) Should dosage be adjusted by weight? (52:39) Does creatine improve sleep on training days? (55:34) Creatine for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's—does the science hold up? (57:08) Can creatine help with depression and anxiety? (1:00:24) The role of creatine and glutamine in preventing respiratory illness (1:02:40) Why creatine may enhance endothelial health and circulation (1:04:04) Creatine's role in cardiometabolic health (1:05:45) When does loading actually make sense? (1:06:51) Creatine's dual role—preserving muscle and enhancing recovery after injury (1:09:46) Is creatine effective without exercise? (1:12:01) Why creatine might improve male fertility (1:13:57) Is it safe for children? (1:17:21) Creatine supplementation during pregnancy (1:18:54) Could creatine boost motor skills in kids? (1:19:34) Creatine monohydrate vs. the rest (1:24:15) How to avoid digestive issues with creatine supplementation (1:26:56) Does timing matter—and should you cycle it? (1:28:32) Should you take creatine every day—or only workout days? (1:29:17) Why caffeine might blunt the effects (1:32:21) Does creatine increase body fat—or is that a myth? (1:33:08) Preventing cramps (the hydration myth) (1:34:33) Understanding the creatinine confusion—why creatine won't damage your kidneys (1:36:59) Why creatine is linked (wrongly?) to baldness (1:40:22) Debunking myths—sleep, cancer, urination (1:43:39) How creatine affects homocysteine levels (1:46:32) Creatine and protein—the ideal post-workout pair? (1:49:26) How to pick the best creatine supplement (1:51:46) What to know about micronized creatine Watch this episode on YouTube Show notes are available by clicking here

Download my "How to Train According to the Experts" guide Exercise is more than a tool for physical transformation—it's a cornerstone of longevity, metabolic resilience, and neurocognitive vitality. In this special episode, I'm joined by Brady Holmer, a distinguished exercise science communicator and lifelong endurance runner, as we deconstruct the latest evidence-based protocols for enhancing muscle strength and cardiovascular health. What's the optimal exercise protocol to reverse 20 years of heart aging? Is the standard 150 minutes per week truly enough to preserve a youthful heart, or do you need to exercise more frequently? What's the most time-efficient way to build strength and muscle? We cut through the noise to deliver actionable insights that will transform your approach to training. This episode is accompanied by How to Train According to the Experts — a free, science-backed guide curating evidence-based strategies for optimizing aerobic fitness, strength, and metabolic health. Distilling protocols from leading researchers, it provides actionable frameworks for lifelong vitality. Download it now at howtotrainguide.com Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (03:35) Why your training goals matter (06:23) Are 3 weeks of bed rest worse for fitness than 30 years of aging? (08:24) How to measure cardiorespiratory fitness (11:19) Why VO2 max is a marker of longevity (14:23) The role of VO2 max in endurance training (17:26) How to improve lactate clearance (18:47) Why zone 2 training may not improve VO2 max (22:42) How to measure training zones 1-5 (28:29) Smart watches vs. chest straps for heart rate (31:43) Benefits of zone 2 training (35:31) Can you combine HIIT and zone 2 in one workout? (40:53) Adjusting the 80/20 rule for time efficiency (45:13) Evidence-based HIIT protocols (49:22) How variation in interval training boosts fitness adaptations (51:07) Why the heart stiffens with age (54:09) How much exercise do you need? (1:00:31) Why exercise should be a daily priority (1:02:16) The exercise protocol that reversed 20 years of heart aging (1:07:24) Dr. Benjamin Levine's prescription for life (1:10:11) Brady & Rhonda's exercise routines (1:14:51) HIIT vs. zone 2 for mitochondrial health (1:17:39) How exercise intensity impacts fat burning (1:21:50) Does zone 2 make you a better "fat burner"? (1:27:04) Why HIIT outshines zone 2 for glucose regulation (1:31:00) The benefits of interval walking for glucose regulation (1:32:24) Why training for brain health is all about intensity (1:36:20) How short bursts of activity can extend your lifespan (1:40:04) Why "exercise snacks" lower the barriers to fitness (1:42:27) An alternative to caffeine for fighting midday slumps (1:43:32) The benefits of timing "exercise snacks" around meals (1:45:38) How muscle mass and strength decline with age (1:48:19) The age-related loss of muscle power (powerpenia) (1:50:04) General resistance training principles (1:57:01) Why compound exercises are best for building strength (2:00:05) Why rest intervals are crucial when strength training (2:02:02) How lifting heavy improves mental resilience (2:05:26) Should you train to failure? (2:08:57) Why strength training isn't a replacement for cardio (2:12:16) Training for muscle hypertrophy (2:17:38) Training and diet strategies for body recomposition (2:22:52) Time-efficient resistance training protocols (2:27:38) Why the interference effect is a myth (2:29:32) The minimum effective dose for strength and hypertrophy (2:31:16) How sauna use improves cardiorespiratory fitness (2:36:17) Why heat exposure supports resistance training, unlike cold (2:39:06) Can omega-3s prevent muscle loss during disuse? (2:41:21) Protein timing, distribution, and its impact on hypertrophy (2:46:53) Creatine supplementation Show notes are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube

Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Learn how to choose the right omega-3 supplement in my free 13-page guide Exercise, meal timing, and sleep are three powerful tools for optimizing metabolic health, a key factor in healthy aging. Even slightly elevated blood glucose levels, but within the "normal" range, can contribute to brain atrophy in areas linked to aging and neurodegeneration. Long-term glucose elevations (high HbA1c) also promote harmful compounds that stiffen blood vessels, reduce heart flexibility, and raise cardiovascular risk. In this episode, recorded at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine conference in Palm Beach, Florida, I provide practical, science-backed protocols on how to implement HIIT, circadian-timed eating, and optimized sleep strategies to dramatically improve metabolic health and protect against these harmful effects. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:25) Why HIIT outshines zone 2 for improving metabolic health (06:46) The signaling role of lactate production by muscle (09:33) Optimal HIIT conditions for improving body composition (10:36) How vigorous exercise repairs dysfunctional mitochondria (14:27) HIIT vs. zone 2 for mitochondrial biogenesis (16:09) Evidence-based HIIT protocols (17:46) Why "exercise snacks" are a crucial pre- and post-mealtime activity (19:50) The mortality benefits of short exercise bursts (23:08) Why late-night eating is detrimental (27:37) Can high glucose levels accelerate brain atrophy? (28:30) How circadian misalignment affects postprandial glucose (29:46) Metabolic health benefits of time-restricted eating (32:24) Why early eating is better for metabolic health (34:48) Why losing sleep for 3 nights mimics type 2 diabetes (36:58) Why less than 7 hours of sleep increases type 2 diabetes risk (37:44) Why chronically high blood glucose damages cardiovascular health (39:39) What 4 hours of sleep for 4 nights does to insulin signaling (40:44) Why short sleep facilitates obesity (42:03) The checklist for good sleep hygiene (45:37) Can 1 hour of extra sleep help you lose weight? (46:47) Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (48:22) How HIIT improves metabolic health when sleep-restricted (50:55) Can HIIT ameliorate the mortality risk from poor sleep? Show notes are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube

Get my exact protocols for boosting levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and enhancing cognition Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Dr. Layne Norton is a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, a professional bodybuilder, and a champion powerlifter. We discuss why most people aren't training too hard, when to go to failure, whether seed oils are "the" central cause of chronic disease, why having a slow metabolism isn't a credible reason for being overweight (for most), and the sustaining power of good habits. We also get into controversies around the carnivore diet, diet sodas, artificial sweeteners, intermittent fasting, and much more. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:48) Layne's coaching philosophy (14:39) Why to start tracking calories (for at least 3 days) (17:41) Why people lie to themselves about food intake (23:06) The profound benefits of small exercise doses (26:53) Why you should treat exercise like brushing your teeth (30:11) Benefits of resistance training for older individuals (33:51) Should you train to failure? (47:07) Why hard training & consistency trump exercise selection (56:46) Is lifting heavy necessary for building muscle? (57:54) Barbell vs. hack squats for preventing falls (1:00:10) Can lifting weights decrease low-back pain? (1:01:43) Injury prevention when resistance training (1:11:16) How exposure therapy can help you with injuries (1:15:04) Why pain doesn't always indicate tissue injury (1:18:17) Should you resistance train after a poor night of sleep? (1:21:57) Why menopause can cause weight gain (1:29:36) Why it's never too late to start lifting weights (1:32:05) Resistance training tips for older individuals with joint pain (1:36:18) Why total protein intake matters more than distribution (1:44:19) Layne's daily protein distribution (1:46:44) The shortcomings of nutrition studies (1:54:06) Is consuming more than 1.6 g/kg of protein beneficial? (1:55:33) Should you eat more protein in a calorie deficit? (1:56:43) Protein intake for endurance athletes (1:58:07) How much protein does Layne eat? (1:59:11) Are seed oils a predominant cause of chronic disease? (2:08:45) Does the carnivore diet increase heart disease risk? (2:14:16) Are heated seed oils more inflammatory? (2:20:33) Is there a "big food" industry conspiracy? (2:26:17) Are sugar-sweetened beverages uniquely deleterious? (2:30:17) Can diet soda help you lose weight? (2:34:20) Microbiome & cancer risks of diet soda (2:42:02) Is drinking 1 Diet Coke per day unhealthy? (2:44:24) Why Layne rarely takes a strong position on early science (2:49:04) Carnivore diet (3:01:52) Time-restricted eating (3:12:38) Layne's daily routine (3:16:55) Layne's diet and supplements (3:19:49) Creatine and hair loss (3:22:49) Rhodiola rosea & ashwagandha (3:25:54) Layne's tier 2 supplements Show notes are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube

My omega-3 guide on concerns like a-fib, dosage, supplement quality, oxidation, and more Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Join over 300,000 people and sign up for my newsletter Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A's with Rhonda and more In this special solo episode of FoundMyFitness, we're taking a deep dive into alcohol. We'll explore the science, misconceptions, controversies, and health effects of this widely used drug. I believe that a nuanced, scientific discussion on alcohol is the best way to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about alcohol use. Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (08:03) What does it mean to "have a drink"? (09:39) Drinking frequency definitions (12:39) How alcohol is metabolized (18:25) Can alcoholism be inherited? (19:41) How food affects alcohol metabolism (21:40) Does age affect alcohol metabolism? (22:29) How alcohol affects nutrient absorption (27:04) How alcohol affects gut health (28:57) Alcohol elevates circulating LPS levels (31:51) Gut health & alcohol use disorders (36:30) Sick quitter & healthy user biases (39:38) How alcohol impacts the brain (43:34) Alcohol's effects on anxiety (49:56) Alcohol facilitates thiamine deficiency (51:39) Alcohol promotes brain inflammation (52:56) Dementia & Alzheimer's disease risk (1:06:50) Is resveratrol in red wine beneficial? (1:11:28) How alcohol impacts sleep (1:19:47) Mitigating alcohol's impact on sleep (1:22:13) Hangover symptoms & causes (1:26:33) How congeners affect hangover severity (1:27:58) Treating hangovers with fruit (1:30:40) Zinc, vitamin B3, & hangovers (1:31:41) Managing hangovers with NSAIDs (1:32:22) "Hair of the dog" for hangovers (1:32:40) Liposomal glutathione, NAC, & hangovers (1:35:56) Does ZBiotics prevent hangovers? (1:38:18) Dihydromyricetin (DHM) for hangovers (1:39:15) Exercise & sauna for treating hangovers (1:40:21) Alcohol's effect on mortality risk (1:44:28) Alcohol consumption in Blue Zones (1:49:07) Does alcohol increase cancer risk? (2:00:43) Can quitting alcohol lower cancer risk? (2:09:46) Alcohol & cardiovascular disease (CVD) (2:23:24) Alcohol and type 2 diabetes risk (2:28:28) Alcohol's impact on your waistline (2:31:33) Why alcohol facilitates weight gain (2:34:06) How alcohol impacts reproductive health (2:44:31) Preconception alcohol risks (2:47:12) How alcohol affects testosterone in men (2:48:55) Pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption risks (2:53:17) Is red wine the healthiest option? (2:57:47) Alcohol & post-exercise recovery (3:01:34) Does alcohol "blunt your gains"? (3:04:11) The BEER-HIIT study (3:05:03) Can exercise lessen alcohol cravings? (3:12:57) Alcohol damage control tactics Show notes are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube