December 12, 2024
Welcome to Ben Greenfield’s Weekly Roundup!
On this weekly submit, I share with you my most attention-grabbing discoveries of the week, together with the newest information on the fronts of health, diet, well being, wellness, biohacking, and anti-aging analysis. I additionally recap my upcoming occasions and particular bulletins so you may sustain with alternatives to study, giveaways, reductions, and extra!
New Discoveries
How Essential Are Hormones for Gaining Muscle? What I Realized From the Current Paper, “Hormones, Hypertrophy, and Hype”💥🏋️
In terms of constructing muscle, there’s numerous hype round hormones, particularly testosterone and progress hormone. However does chasing these hormonal spikes actually result in features, or are we simply getting distracted by the noise? A current paper sheds gentle on what actually drives hypertrophy—and spoiler alert—it’s not what you would possibly suppose.
Right here’s the no-nonsense breakdown:
💪 Hormonal spikes? Overrated.
In the event you’ve been banking on these post-workout surges in testosterone or progress hormone (GH) to construct muscle, it’s time to rethink. Analysis exhibits these transient hormonal modifications don’t considerably drive hypertrophy. The true magic occurs domestically in your muscular tissues—mechanical rigidity and protein synthesis are the true MVPs. Translation? Give attention to the engine (your coaching), not the spark (hormonal fluctuations).
💥 Progressive overload reigns supreme.
Overlook gimmicky workout routines or fads. The time-tested technique for constructing power and measurement is progressive overload, which means steadily rising depth and quantity over time. Mix that with enough restoration, and also you’ve received the system for long-term features. Persist with the basics and depart the circus acts (like doing rotations whereas standing on a stability ball) for Instagram.
💡 Testosterone variations? Not a giant deal.
Women and men construct muscle at comparable charges when coaching successfully. Sure, males have extra testosterone, however girls’s estrogen gives a singular edge: higher restoration and diminished muscle breakdown. Girls, the takeaway? Positive aspects are for everybody, and the taking part in subject is extra degree than you would possibly suppose.
🩸 Menstrual cycles ≠ obstacles.
Fluctuating hormones in the course of the menstrual cycle don’t block muscle progress. Fatigue and different signs would possibly have an effect on consistency, however there’s no have to align your coaching to particular phases until it actually helps you. Present up, adapt when wanted, and maintain pushing ahead; progress doesn’t care what part you’re in.
🚫 Cease chasing hormonal myths.
Science debunks the parable that short-term hormone spikes drive vital muscle progress. The important thing to actual, lasting outcomes? Sustainable coaching methods that prioritize progressive overload, restoration, and consistency. Simplicity trumps complexity each time.
🧠 Hold it easy.
Muscle constructing isn’t about overcomplicated packages or chasing the newest developments. Give attention to constant effort, restoration, and getting a little bit stronger over time. Prepare with function, adapt to what your physique wants, and watch the outcomes roll in. No fluff, simply features.
🕒 Train at no matter time helps you keep constant.
On a associated observe, a new research got down to reply the age-old query: “Is there a greatest time of day to train for weight reduction and well being enhancements?” The reply? Everytime you’re most certainly to really do it.
On this trial, individuals exercised both within the morning (6-9 AM) or night (4-7 PM) for 12 weeks. Each teams misplaced weight, improved their cardiovascular health (VO₂ peak), and considerably diminished their calorie consumption. Importantly, there have been no main variations between morning and night exercisers when it comes to outcomes—which means that consistency wins. Whether or not you are an early fowl or an evening owl, the very best time to coach is the time that works to your way of life and retains you shifting repeatedly.
The Backside Line: Carry heavy. Get heavier as you go. Get better properly. Repeat persistently. The basics win each time. 🚀
Excited about studying extra about methods to maximize your coaching to construct muscle and lower fats? Try these assets:
Opposite to In style Opinion, Analysis Exhibits You Aren’t Extra Prone to “Cheat Eat” When You Train🧠🚫🍔
You have heard it a thousand instances: “I labored out, so I deserve this pizza,” or “Train simply makes me hungrier.” However what if I advised you that science has definitively confirmed the precise reverse?
Train is not nearly burning energy—it is also a neurological reset button to your dietary choices. In keeping with researchers at Western College, once you work out, you assist to essentially rewire your mind’s relationship with meals. And we’re not simply speaking about willpower; we’re speaking about profound, measurable neurological modifications in mind exercise.
Simply 20 minutes of reasonable exercise (like a brisk stroll or quick lifting session) can result in modifications in your prefrontal cortex, the mind’s govt management heart, that assist:
- Suppress junk meals cravings
- Improve cognitive management over dietary selections
- Cut back stress hormones that set off emotional consuming
- Naturally information you towards nutrient-dense meals
A brand new research from Michigan State College tracked 2,680 younger adults by an intensive 15-week train program. The outcomes? Individuals spontaneously shifted away from snacking and high-fat Western diets, gravitating as a substitute towards fruits, greens, and low-fat alternate options.
However this is the place it will get actually fascinating: This variation in consuming patterns wasn’t about acutely aware restraint. Their our bodies had been actually REWIRING themselves to crave more healthy choices because of results together with boosted mind plasticity, diminished cortisol (the stress hormone that triggers sugar cravings), elevated exercise in mind areas answerable for self-control, and by making a pure biochemical surroundings that prefers diet over empty energy
The underside line: your exercise is not getting ready you for a dietary cheat day. It is prompting your mind to make smarter, extra intuitive diet selections. Cease viewing train as a punishment or a calorie-burning transaction, and begin seeing it as your strongest neurological improve software.
In the event you’re struggling to maintain cravings in examine whilst you ramp up your coaching, this is a number of useful assets to information you towards making more healthy weight-reduction plan selections extra simply:
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Drumroll Please… 🥁 You Can Now PRE-ORDER Your Totally Up to date Copy of Boundless to *Optimize* Your Physique, Thoughts, and Spirit! 📚💪
During the last yr, I have been working tirelessly on one thing that I’m thrilled to lastly share: the brand-new, up to date model of my best-seller, Boundless.
Like a cookbook for the human blueprint, the revised and up to date version of Boundless offers you a zero-guesswork information to becoming an entire professional in what makes your mind tick, your physique work, your spirit completely happy, and your life fulfilled.
You may flip to *any* chapter and uncover essentially the most up-to-date, research-proven, trench-tested strategies to construct muscle, burn fats, stability hormones, stay longer, sleep higher, have mind-blowing intercourse, and far, rather more!
A number of of the important thing matters that the newest model of Boundless explores are:
- Methods to optimize mitochondrial density and biogenesis for peak vitality and metabolic well being.
- New strategies to stimulate the vagus nerve for stress discount, sleep high quality, and better coronary heart fee variability utilizing gentle, sound, and electrical interventions.
- Up to date strategies for restoring circadian stability, combating jet lag, and maximizing sleep, naps, and meditation.
- Insights on the consequences of electromagnetic frequencies on the mind and physique, with tips about modifying units for higher shielding.
- The most recent on addressing power infections, detoxifying from mildew, and enhancing intestine operate with cutting-edge testing and coverings.
- New dietary supplements, biohacks, and protocols based mostly on current longevity science, together with age-reversal insights.
- Contemporary routines and harm restoration instruments, plus minimalist strikes to burn fats all through the day with out health club reliance.
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Podcasts I Recorded This Week:
I’ve some HUGE information to share with you…
The Ben Greenfield Life podcast is getting a recent, new improve—it is time to say howdy to Boundless Life! 🎉
You may pay attention and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
This episode was dropped at you by Joovv (code BEN), ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic (code BEN15), Beekeeper’s Naturals (code BEN), and C60 Energy (code GREENFIELD15).
This episode was dropped at you by Ben Greenfield’s Vacation Reward Information, Younger Goose (code BEN10), BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough (code BEN10), Manukora (code BEN), and Kineon.
The Newest Content material I Was Featured On This Week:
Tetragrammaton With Rick Rubin: Ben Greenfield
Ben Greenfield’s VIP Textual content Membership: To obtain unique texts from Ben Greenfield, textual content the phrase “FITNESS” to 411247 (throughout the U.S. solely).
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Product Of The Week
::: Save As much as 40% On My Household’s Favourite Nonstick, Non-Poisonous Pans :::
A startling research by the Ecology Heart revealed that 79% of nonstick pans and 20% of baking pans are coated with PTFE (Teflon), a sort of PFA that may be dangerous to human and animal well being.
Publicity to those “eternally chemical substances” might trigger critical points like hormone disruption, immune system impairment, elevated most cancers danger, and developmental delays in kids.
Whereas European rules are advancing, these poisonous chemical substances stay prevalent in US cookware. Even health-conscious people would possibly unknowingly compromise their wellness by the cookware they use, making it essential to decide on protected, non-toxic alternate options.
Our Place gives an answer with their PFAS-free cookware, significantly the Titanium At all times Pan Professional. Engineered with NoCo™ know-how, this pan is nearly indestructible, handles excessive warmth, and offers a coating-free, non-toxic nonstick expertise.
With their Black Friday sale providing as much as 40% off, it is a really perfect time to improve your kitchen’s well being and efficiency.
Strive Our Place’s lovely, high-quality, sturdy cookware that’s made *with out* PFAS now and save 40% for a restricted time.
Upcoming Occasions:
A4M Longevity Fest in Las Vegas — December 13 to fifteen
Catch Ben on the A4M Longevity Fest in Las Vegas from December 13 to fifteen. He shall be visiting the C60, Calroy, CODE Well being, and the Pendulum cubicles for a meet-and-greet and Q&A.
Well being Optimisation Summit — Austin. TX: April 12–13, 2025
The Well being Optimisation Summit, Europe’s prime wellness convention, is making its U.S. debut in Austin, Texas—and I shall be there! Be part of me for a robust discuss and Q&A, plus expertise insights from 35 world-class audio system protecting the whole lot from diet and health to longevity and psychological well being. Discover over 100 exhibitors, take a look at the newest biohacking tech totally free, and join with 2,000 like-minded attendees. Seize your tickets right here.
Sustain on Ben’s LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar!
Kion Product of the Week: Kion Clear Protein
Bored with protein powders that style like chalk and depart you unhappy? Say howdy to Kion Clear Protein—the smoothest, creamiest mix of grass-fed, soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO protein you’ve got ever skilled.
This premium whey protein isolate powder, crafted with natural pure flavors, delivers a wealthy, velvety texture that is good for mixing into scrumptious protein smoothies. Whether or not you are in search of muscle progress, post-workout restoration, metabolic help, restorative sleep, immune operate, or enhanced cognitive well being, Kion Clear Protein has you coated.
Select from decadent chocolate or traditional vanilla flavors, or maintain it pure with unflavored. With a hefty 20 grams of protein per serving, you will really feel glad, energized, and able to conquer your day or exercise.
You deserve a protein powder that is clear, simply absorbed, and downright scrumptious, and Kion Clear Protein delivers precisely that.