In the 1920s, scientists discovered that the state of ketosis—when the body switches from using glucose to ketone bodies for fuel—effectively reduced the number of seizures in children with epilepsy. [1]  Why and how this works remains unknown. Nevertheless, the ketogenic (AKA keto) diet is often used to reach ketosis and is still prescribed as a pediatric anti-seizure treatment. Scientists are even considering it as a potential treatment for other neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and ...

Our cells go through a normal, physiological mechanism in which they quite literally feed on themselves—a process known as autophagy (pronounced aa-TAA-fuh-jee). The word autophagy stems from the Greek prefixes auto- (self) and -phagy (feed on). This form of cellular housekeeping allows our body to remove damaged parts of cells while recycling others. Inducing autophagy, especially through extended fasts, has become a popular habit among the longevity and biohacking crowds as a way to improve ...

Your body is your home. It’s also home to trillions of other living organisms. Trillions of microbes that is. And the composition of this microscopic community can have major implications on your wellness and performance. Fortunately, there are multiple steps you can take to support gut health and reap related benefits. Numerous habits, from meal timing, to sleep habits, to antioxidant consumption, can influence the makeup of your microbiome and its relationship with the rest of your body.

The term “biohacking” has skyrocketed in popularity and recognition over the past few years. And even if you aren’t familiar with the term biohacking, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered some version of it online. Perhaps you’re familiar with Dave Asprey, the self-proclaimed biohacker who popularized putting butter in your coffee, or Wim Hof, The Iceman, who uses breathwork to withstand freezing Arctic temperatures. Or maybe you’ve come across the fitness trainer Ben Greenfield who endures ...

Intermittent fasting (IF) has risen in popularity, as numerous studies continue to illustrate its many benefits. In humans, intermittent fasting improves weight, insulin resistance, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.[1] IF has also reduced tumor growth, boosted stem cell production, and increased lifespan in mice.[2] One compelling explanation for these outcomes relates to a term called adaptive stress—a type of physiological stress that elicits positive responses. During fasting, ...

Advancements in Western medicine and technology have extended the average American lifespan, but a longer lifespan doesn't always translate to an increase in healthy years. In fact, your chronological age may not accurately represent your body's biological, or your InnerAge, at all. InsideTracker’s new InnerAge 2.0 is an innovative tool that reveals your biological age—a measure of how well your body is aging internally. What’s more, research shows that we have the power to slow down the aging ...

Humans are diurnal animals, meaning we work during the day, and sleep and restore (both physically and mentally) at night. But things like technology, long work days, and even light bulbs have drastically expanded what we consider ‘waking hours’ compared to those of our evolutionary ancestors. For most of history, when the sun went down, our bodies knew it was time for bed. But now, most of us couldn't possibly imagine sacrificing those extra few hours between sunset and bedtime! So if we're ...

A common misconception about holiday meals is that we should starve ourselves before and after them. This isn’t true! In fact, we should try to stick to our usual routines as much as possible leading up to a big holiday feast and jump right back into them after it. Under eating before or after the meal can do more harm than the large meal itself.