#193

View show notes & watch the full episode here: bit.ly/3AAJ2PI
In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter and Bob first answer a variety of questions related to heart rate variability (HRV): what it means, why it matters, and how to measure, interpret, and potentially elevate it. Next, they dive deep into the topic of alcohol, beginning with a discussion on the negative impact that it can have on sleep. They then break down the confusing body of literature suggesting potential health benefits to moderate levels of drinking compared to complete abstinence and point out the limitations of these studies. Finally, they conclude by analyzing data on the impact of moderate and heavy drinking on the liver and on risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Please note: this AMA is audio only. If you’re not a subscriber and listening on a podcast player, you’ll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA. If you’re a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your private RSS feed or on our website at the AMA #31 show notes page. If you are not a subscriber, you can learn more about the subscriber benefits here.
In this sneak peek, we discuss:
00:00 - intro
02:30 - what is heart rate variability (HRV), and why do we measure it?
In the full episode we also discuss:
-The association between low HRV and mortality risk;
-What high and low HRV means and why athletes strive for a high HRV;
-Factors that can raise or lower HRV;
-How and when to measure HRV, and the best wearables;
-Interpreting your personal HRV number and why there’s so much individual variation;
-How Peter’s morning HRV reading impacts his decision to train;
-Alcohol’s impact on sleep;
-Metrics to track the impact of alcohol on your sleep;
-Alcohol’s impact on the need to urinate during the night;
-Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD);
-Individual differences in the way people metabolize and react to alcohol consumption;
-Analysis of epidemiology studies suggesting moderate alcohol consumption lowers mortality risk;
-Alcohol consumption and Alzheimer’s disease;
-Heavy alcohol consumption and risk of dementia;
-Chronic effects of alcohol on the liver;
-The relationship between alcohol, sleep, and automotive deaths;
-And more.
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About:
The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 35 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.
Peter is a physician focusing on the applied science of longevity. His practice deals extensively with nutritional interventions, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, emotional and mental health, and pharmacology to increase lifespan (delay the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life).
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[@upaiaq]

I love the intro music, the song is called "I'll keep you alive"...I see what you did there.

[@cankerbloom9015]

We drink for many different reasons. Good health is not one of them

[@brewer404]

Great snippet. Thank you!

[@alexarmstrong5611]

Interesting. Actually there's a study recently conducted in terms of measuring HRV during exercise and calculating your VT1 level for cycling, for example, instead of your threshold limit or maximum HR. You can more accurately obtain your optimum fat burning zones. Polar H10 HR monitor measures this and sends the information to the Garmin edge device that you can then analyse.

[@splitkostanjeuma]

I still don't understand why HRV would be a better measure then just resting HR.

[@TheBswan]

They often have an inverse relationship, but you can be in great cardiovascular shape, drink booze, have only slightly increased resting HR, but HRV still plummets. More meaningful metrics paints a fuller picture of health.

[@SC-bd4ou]

20$/mo is outrageous, Dr Attia

[@TumbleSensei]

You should bring on Georgi Dinkov or Ray Peat sometime.

[@jfreck]

GM peter

[@TheEaglesGuru]

•B-vitamin antagonist = damages coenzyme system
•Alcohol Dehydrogenase reservoirs = cytotoxic
•Mucosal lining antagonist = gastritis
•Acute hepatotoxicity = fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis
•Serotonin antagonist = pro-anxiety
•Acetaldehyde DNA damage = pro-cancer

[@ianpier16]

The last time? What does this mean

[@mikybinns9343]

Maybe he's moving on ? Better medical and conditions?