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The world of biomedical science is constantly evolving, and I’ve often discussed how my ways of thinking have shifted over the years as new insights have come to light. But in evaluating what has changed, it’s also important to take note of information and ideas that have remained relevant and valuable despite the time that has passed. So this week, I’m sharing a collection of oldies-but-goodies – pieces from our newsletter archive that address a variety of topics of continued interest to our audience. Some provide additional context for recent or upcoming content; some address frequently asked questions, and some are simply worth repeating for anyone who might have missed them.
Are continuous glucose monitors a waste of time for people without diabetes?
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are a topic of frequent questions from our patients and audience, and this newsletter, originally shared in June 2021, offers some of my reasoning behind my continued belief that CGMs provide worthwhile health information even outside of the context of diagnosed type II diabetes. (Additionally, this piece serves as useful background for an upcoming premium article covering glucose tolerance metrics more comprehensively.)
Does fish oil cause cardiac arrhythmia in high-risk individuals?
I’ve discussed fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids on various occasions on The Drive, usually in the context of their potential benefits for cardiovascular or cognitive health. But certain research papers and popular press articles over the last few years have drawn attention to a link between fish oil and cardiac arrhythmias (specifically, atrial fibrillation), prompting several questions from our audience on this topic. While I would like to revisit this subject in greater detail in the future, this newsletter from November 2021 summarizes my views and how I approach fish oil and arrhythmia risks with my patients.
Nutritional epidemiology: abolition vs defending the status quo
I have often railed against the many problems with nutritional epidemiology, but in this article, I summarized insights from a review by Dr. David Allison on possible solutions that might improve the field and increase the reliability and utility of epidemiological data. A previous guest on the podcast, David will soon be joining me for a second discussion on nutritional epidemiology and other aspects of obesity research. Has he seen any progress with his proposed improvements to the field?
Prioritizing “real friends” over “deal friends”
It’s easy to forget that mental and emotional health are just as important for lifespan and healthspan as our attempts to stay lean, slow cellular aging, and avoid cancer, and an essential element of good mental and emotional health is close friendships. This piece from August 2022 reminds us to evaluate our social networks and take the time to create deep, meaningful connections beyond the transactional nature of many acquaintanceships in modern society.
The Epidemic on the Road
Traffic fatalities have seen a sharp rise over the last decade. This newsletter, which serves as a nice primer for my recent podcast interview with road safety expert Mark Rosekind, describes the scope of the problem and how the COVID-19 pandemic is thought to still influence driving habits and traffic safety.
For a list of all previous weekly emails, click here.
