<p><span style="color: #201f1e;">In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter answers a wide range of questions from subscribers. Bob Kaplan, Peter's head of research, asks the questions. If you're not a subscriber and listening on a podcast player, you'll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /> <br /></span><span style="color: #201f1e;">If you're a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/members/private-podcast-feed/">private RSS feed</a>. You can also watch (or listen) to this full episode on our website at the AMA #8 <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/ama08">show notes page</a>.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /> <br /></span><span style="color: #201f1e;">Questions continue to be pulled from the <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/ask-me-anything/">AMA section</a> on the website, and any subscriber is welcome to submit questions for future AMAs.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /> <br /></span><span style="color: #201f1e;">We discuss:</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /> <br /></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">Do DNA kits provide actionable info for cancer, CVD, diabetes, Alzheimer's, nutrition, or exercise? [1:45];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">What genes increase longevity? And do those genes show up on genetic tests like 23andMe? [12:00];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">Who are some people that Peter would like to have as guests on The Drive? [15:00];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">Inflammation: Is CRP a useful marker? What can one do to reduce it? And what other inflammatory markers can I look at to gauge health? [18:30];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">What lipid test does Peter now use on his patients? What are the three best cardiovascular laboratories? [28:00];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">Metformin for longevity: What considerations should one think about before doing taking metformin for longevity purposes? [32:30];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">What is Peter's take on salt and its role in things like high blood pressure and stomach cancer? [40:00];</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">What markers does Peter find most interesting (and surprising) during his quarterly fasts? [47:30]; and</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></li> <li><span style="color: #201f1e;">More.</span></li> </ul> <p>Learn more: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/">https://peterattiamd.com/</a><br /> <br /> Show notes page for this episode:<a href="http://peterattiamd.com/ama08" rel="noopener" target="_blank">http://peterattiamd.com/ama08</a><br /> <br /> Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/">https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/</a><br /> <br /> Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: <a href="https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/">https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/</a><br /> <br /> Connect with Peter on <a href="http://Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Faceboo</u></a><u>k</u> | <a href="http://Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Twitter</u></a> | <a href="http://Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD"><u>Instagram</u></a>.<br /> <br /></p>
Actionable Insights
1. Prioritize Phenotypic Health Data
Focus on deep phenotypic measurements (e.g., hyperinsulinemia, glucose disposal, CGM data) rather than genetic predispositions for conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as these provide more actionable and trackable insights for reversal.
2. Use Continuous Glucose Monitor
Wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for months to understand your glycemic response, as this offers orders of magnitude more insightful and actionable information than genetic tests for diabetes risk.
3. All-Hands-On-Deck for Dementia
Regardless of your APOE status (even with lower risk genes), adopt an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to prevent dementia, as everyone with a brain is at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Measure LP(a) Directly
Instead of relying on genetic tests for LP(a) risk, directly measure your LP(a) levels, as it’s easier and provides the same important information for cardiovascular disease assessment.
5. Empirically Test Diet & Exercise
Empirically test different diets and exercise routines to determine what works best for you, rather than relying solely on genetic predispositions, as the empirical step is always necessary.
6. Monitor Insulin Resistance Markers
Monitor subtle markers of insulin resistance, such as ferritin elevation and patterns of glucose disposal, as these provide more valuable insights than genetic predispositions for diabetes.
If your child has the APOE4 gene, consider guiding them towards non-contact sports like tennis instead of contact sports like soccer, due to a potentially increased susceptibility to head trauma.
8. Use APOE4 for Motivation
If you have the APOE4 gene, use this knowledge as extra motivation to work harder on dementia prevention strategies.
9. Genetic Testing for Adopted
If you are adopted and lack family medical history, genetic testing for highly penetrant germline mutations (e.g., BRCA, Lynch syndrome) might be more beneficial to uncover unknown risks.
10. Calibrate Genetic Test Expectations
Calibrate your expectations for the overall yield and usefulness of current genetic tests, especially for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and tailoring nutrition/exercise, as their value is often low.
11. Support Podcast for Benefits
Become a member or sign up for a monthly subscription to support the podcast and gain access to exclusive benefits like full show notes, downloadable transcripts, AMA participation, and member-only discounts on products.
12. Download Members-Only Feed
If you are a subscriber, download the members-only podcast feed to get every episode of The Drive without subscriber call-outs and full AMA episodes directly in your podcast player.
13. Participate in AMA Forum
Subscribers are encouraged to participate and ask questions in the AMA forum, as questions are pulled from there for future Ask Me Anything episodes.
14. Sign Up for Weekly Email
Sign up for the once-a-week email newsletter to receive updates on Peter’s activities, interesting papers, and all things related to longevity, science, performance, and sleep.
Engage with Peter Atiyah on social media, especially Twitter (@peteratiamd), to share your questions and comments.
16. Visit PeterAttiaMD.com
Visit peteratiyahmd.com for more information on episodes, show notes, readings, links, and to explore the blog.