Welcome to the first installment in our “How to Hurt Your…” blog series—where we flip the script on heart health by exploring the very actions and habits that can damage your cardiovascular system. In this post, we dive into evidence-based factors that impair heart function and accelerate the development of heart disease. The goal? To help you recognize these harmful habits and steer clear of them for a healthier, longer life.

A Sedentary Lifestyle May Fuel Dementia and “Type 3 Diabetes

Our modern lifestyles often have us sitting for hours on end—whether at a desk, in front of the TV, or during long commutes. Emerging research suggests that this prolonged inactivity may do more than just harm our hearts—it could also take a toll on our brains, increasing the risk of dementia. Intriguingly, some experts even refer to Alzheimer’s disease as “type 3 diabetes” due to the central role of insulin resistance in impairing the brain’s energy supply.

The often-overlooked connection between hearing and balance: This podcast explains that the inner ear's vestibular system is crucial for stability and that hearing loss can impair this system, significantly increasing the risk of falls, as illustrated by a personal anecdote. The text details how reduced auditory input diverts brain resources, compromising balance control. It further provides actionable steps to mitigate this risk, including hearing tests, hearing aids, balance exercises, home safety modifications, and monitoring dizziness. Beyond the inner ear's direct role, the article explores the importance of hydration and nutrition for both hearing and balance, along with other related factors like vision, fatigue, and blood pressure. Ultimately, it encourages proactive measures to address hearing loss and maintain stability, emphasizing that caring for your ears contributes to overall well-being and fall prevention.

"Hydration: The Unsung Hero" emphasizes the critical role of adequate hydration for overall health, detailing how dehydration negatively impacts various bodily functions, from cognitive abilities to cardiovascular health and muscle performance. It also cautions against overhydration and discusses the superiority of plain water over sugary or caffeinated beverages for maintaining proper fluid balance, highlighting situations where electrolyte replacement might be beneficial. Furthermore, the text introduces Finch Q as a tool that can assist in monitoring hydration status through tracking vital signs and providing personalized reminders.

The critical mechanism for maintaining stable vision during head movements: The VOR, its importance in daily activities, and the consequences of its dysfunction, such as dizziness and blurred vision. Do-it-yourself methods for testing the VOR, exercises to improve it, and discussing other causes of VOR issues such as poor posture or bifocal lenses. While VOR dysfunction can be problematic, it is often treatable through targeted exercises and, in some cases, professional vestibular therapy to achieve clear vision and balance.

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, and its impact on health and independence. It causes muscle loss, such as declining motor neurons and hormonal changes. This episode highlights its broader effects on mobility and metabolism. These steps include regular strength training, prioritizing protein intake, staying active, improving sleep, managing stress, and optimizing nutrient intake. The role of insulin resistance and references insights from experts like David Sinclair and Arnold Schwarzenegger on maintaining muscle mass through various lifestyle strategies.

This conversation explains diabetes, a condition affecting millions worldwide. It details how diabetes disrupts glucose processing due to insulin deficiency or resistance, leading to high blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar can damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes, skin, and feet, increasing the risk of heart disease, neuropathy, kidney failure, blindness, infections, and amputations. The piece emphasizes the importance of managing diabetes through monitoring, diet, exercise, and medication to mitigate complications and improve overall health.

Stress often gets a bad rap. It’s blamed for everything from sleepless nights to chronic illness, and rightly so—too much of the wrong kind of stress can wreak havoc on your body and mind. But what if I told you that not all stress is harmful? Some stress is not only good for you, but essential to growth, resilience, and peak performance. Let’s break down the science of stress, explore the concept of eustress, and introduce a fascinating idea called hormesis, the principle that what doesn’t kill you can indeed make you stronger.