← The Peter Attia Drive

#53 - AMA #6: Fasting framework, vitamin supplementation, antioxidants, time management, problem-solving, and more

May 13, 2019 12m 9s 16 insights
<p>In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter answers a wide range of questions from readers and podcast listeners. Bob Kaplan, Peter's head of research, asks the questions. If you're listening on a podcast player, you'll be able to hear a preview of the AMA.</p> <p>If you're a subscriber, you can watch or listen to this full episode on our website at the AMA #6 show notes page. </p> <p>PLEASE NOTE: We are currently building a private RSS feed that will allow subscribers to listen uninterrupted on the podcast player of their choice. This will be released shortly.</p> <p>Questions are pulled from the AMA section on the website (<a href="http://peterattiamd.com/">peterattiamd.com</a>). Any subscriber is welcome to submit questions.</p> <p>We discuss:</p> <ul> <li>Vitamin supplementation: Is it necessary if you eat a balanced diet? [2:00];</li> <li>Antioxidants: What does current science have to say about antioxidants in food and supplements? [9:00];</li> <li>How do you break a fast of more than three days? [17:15];</li> <li>Does a morning black coffee break a fast? In other words, does black coffee raise insulin levels? [22:15];</li> <li>When intermittent fasting, does the placement of the "feeding window" matter? [25:30];</li> <li>Is it better to fast before or after a planned food binge (e.g., Thanksgiving)? [28:30];</li> <li>Fasting protocol: Do you have a specific protocol to recommend? [31:30];</li> <li>Time management: How do you manage your time between work, family, and your many personal interests? [35:45];</li> <li>Problem solving: Can you breakdown your process of problem-solving? [46:45];</li> <li>For those looking to gain a better understanding of biochemistry, pharmacology, etc., do you have any good textbooks or (online) resources to recommend? [49:00];</li> <li>What are some of your favorite podcasts that you listen to? [51:15];</li> <li>What is your favorite animal? [54:45]; and</li> <li>More.</li> </ul> <p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn more at <a href="http://www.peterattiamd.com/">www.PeterAttiaMD.com</a><br /> Connect with Peter on <a href="Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD">Facebook</a> | <a href="Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD">Twitter</a> | <a href="Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD">Instagram</a>.<br /></span></p>
Actionable Insights

1. Prioritize Core Health Habits

Focus on eating an awesome diet, exercising well, sleeping well, and getting lots of outdoor sun exposure to make your own vitamin D, as the difference between this and a hyper-optimized supplement regimen might be negligible.

2. Adopt a Learning Framework

Implement a structured framework for learning to enhance your understanding and retention of complex information, as this is a process the host is emphatic about.

3. Use TRF for Feast Days

Implement time-restricted feeding (e.g., 16-8 or 18-6) to prepare your body for days with larger food intake, such as Thanksgiving.

4. Supplement for Deficiencies Only

If you eat a balanced diet (low in processed foods, high in fruits and vegetables), you likely don’t need general supplementation for vitamins A, C, or E; instead, use ‘superfoods’ or supplements to address specific nutrient deficiencies, as this is when they provide the most benefit.

5. B Vitamins for Genetic Mutations

Consider B vitamin supplementation if you have specific genetic mutations affecting enzymes responsible for methylation, as a balanced diet alone might not be sufficient for these cases.

6. Avoid Supplement Extremes

Do not fall into the trap of either believing all supplementation is a scam or that you need to take an excessive number of supplements daily; adopt a nuanced approach to avoid these equally nonsensical extremes.

7. Question Paid Endorsements

Maintain skepticism about product recommendations from sources that are paid by the company making the product, as this can compromise trust and objectivity.

8. Recommend Only Loved Products

If you are in a position to recommend products, only advocate for those you are ‘absolutely nuts for’ and genuinely believe in, to maintain integrity and enthusiasm.

9. Consult Medical Professionals

Always seek the assistance of healthcare professionals for any medical conditions you have and do not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice, as podcast content is for general informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

10. Review Conflict Disclosures

Check disclosures provided by content creators regarding companies they invest in or advise, to understand potential conflicts of interest that might influence their recommendations.

11. Support Valued Content

If you learn from and find value in the content produced, consider supporting the creators directly by signing up for a monthly subscription to help fund their work.

12. Subscribe for Exclusive Content

Become a subscriber to gain full access to exclusive show notes, downloadable transcripts, and the ability to listen to and participate in Ask Me Anything (AMA) episodes.

13. Access Member Discounts

Subscribe to the podcast to receive the best deals possible on products that the host genuinely loves and would recommend for free, as companies pass savings directly to members.

14. Join Weekly Email List

Sign up for the ‘subjectively non-lame’ once-a-week email to receive updates on longevity science, performance, sleep, interesting papers, and other relevant topics.

15. Engage via Social Media

Use social media platforms, particularly Twitter (@peteratiyamd), to share your questions and comments with the host.

16. Explore Podcast Website

Visit peteratiyahmd.com/podcast for show notes, readings, and links related to episodes, and peteratiyahmd.com for the blog.