Science Archives

David Sinclair: How Sirtuins Combat Aging

What are sirtuins? What function do sirtuins serve in the body? How can sirtuins help reverse the effects of aging? According to biologist David Sinclair, sirtuins—enzymes that regulate the epigenome—are the key to reversing aging. He believes he can reverse many of the effects of aging by bolstering our sirtuins because they’re involved in everything from repairing DNA to suppressing inflammation—all of which they accomplish by activating or deactivating certain genes in response to certain stressors. Here’s how sirtuins can help combat aging.

Is Fat Bad for You? A Complicated Answer

Is fat bad for you? Why is fat vilified? What do different types of fat do in the body? Our culture often portrays fat as something to avoid at all costs. It’s true that eating too much fat can cause health issues, but certain types of fat play key roles in the body. Keep reading to learn about the role of fat in the body.

Hormesis: What It Is and How to Activate It

What is hormesis? How can you activate the process of hormesis in your body? Hormesis is the process by which our bodies become stronger in response to stressors like hunger, extreme temperatures, and physical damage. Hormesis activates numerous survival mechanisms, such as conserving resources and repairing cellular damage. Here’s how we can take advantage of hormesis not just to extend our lives, but to improve our quality of life as well.

The 7 Stages of Digestion: Ingestion to Excretion

What are the seven stages of digestion? How is food processed through the body? Digesting food is a complex process that requires all of the organs in the gut to work together and perform their precise functions. In her book Gut, Giulia Enders describes the seven stages that food goes through to convert into nutrients you can absorb. Keep reading to learn about the process of digestion from start to finish.

Exercise and the Brain: The 2 Cognitive Benefits

What are the benefits of physical exercise for the brain? Can exercise improve brain function? It’s no secret that regular exercise makes you fit and sexy. Another (less-talked-about) benefit of exercise is that it can make you smarter by boosting your cognitive function. Specifically, exercise supercharges the brain in two ways: 1) it strengthens neurons, and 2) it stimulates the growth of new neurons. Here’s a quick look at exercise and the brain.

David Sinclair: Fasting and Its Benefits

Is it true that fasting can make you live longer? How does fasting promote longevity? According to Australian biologist David Sinclair, fasting can help slow down aging and extend healthspan. This is because fasting triggers hormesis—the process by which your body becomes stronger by repairing cellular damage and activating other survival mechanisms. Here’s how fasting can turn the biological clock, according to Sinclair.

The Connection Between Gut Health and Mental Health

What is the connection between gut health and mental health? How do gut bacteria influence your mood? One of the emerging fields of research in gastroenterology (the study of the gut) is the connection between gut health and mental health. While most of these studies have been done on animals, there have been some human studies that show certain bacteria can decrease depressive moods. Keep reading to learn more about how gut health can affect your mental health.

How to Keep a Healthy Gut: 3 Rules to Follow

What is the function of the gut? What are some things you can do to maintain a healthy gut? The gut encompasses organs, muscles, and bacteria that digest food and fight off nasty infections. To ensure it’s healthy, you need to take care of your microbiome, which is the good bacteria in your gut. Here’s how to keep a healthy gut, according to Giulia Enders.

The Role of Bacteria in the Gut Health

What is the role of bacteria in the gut? How does the gut microbiome help keep your body healthy? Most of the bacteria in your body live in your gut. While scientists are still discovering everything they do, it’s clear that these bacteria serve several important functions, including keeping us healthy and providing us with nutrients. Keep reading to learn about the role of bacteria in the gut.

How Parental Genes Pass Down Biological Trauma

The Case for the Biopsychosocial Model for Depression

What is biological trauma? Can trauma be passed down from generation to generation? Cellular biologists have demonstrated that environmental influences—including our mother’s behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs—shape us physically and emotionally from the moment of conception. These influences biologically program us to respond to our environment in certain ways. Dysfunctional patterns literally get imprinted on our bodies, resulting in biological trauma. Let’s dig into the biology of trauma more deeply.