June 2021

What’s on my mind lately:

• I’m working on grant proposal to the NIH to fund a study examining the effects of exogenous ketone supplementation on the recovery from concussion. There is a lot of research in animals into the neuroprotective effects of ketones, but little or none in humans. Our study would follow a large population of athletes, some of whom will inevitably get concussed during sporting activities, and monitor their improvement while supplementing ketones. It’s very early days in the process, which typically takes 7-10 months to get funding approved, if you do (about 20% of proposals are funded). If you are curious about ketones, this (fairly technical) article is a good reference on how and why your body produces what many call “the fourth macronutrient”. Many are studying ketogenic diets for treatment of cancer. Others are interested in sports performance applications or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. This is one of the most exciting frontiers in nutrition today, and I hope we get to play a small part in exploring it.

• Sierra snow pack - one of the lowest in years, and fire season appears ready to get an early start. It’s worth remembering that California was meant to burn. Geologists estimate that historic annual burn rates were 4-11M acres. We rarely get above 2M acres/year in modern times and are often well below that. So there is a lot of fuel, and a lot of humans doing things to accidentally start fires, plus mother nature making her contribution with warmer temps. We will be stocking up on our air filter cartridges in the next few weeks…

• It’s been a wild ride in crypto over the last year. I have a long view (10-20 years) of the benefits of Bitcoin and other crypto’s and I have been adding to my portfolio steadily since 2017. Jerome Powell is my best friend these days. God bless America and our chronic inability to live within our means.

• You may know I’m slightly obsessive about VO2max. Here’s a review of how you need to train if you want to improve it. Here’s the AHA’s scientific statement on why your doctor should use it as a vital sign in assessing your health. In a subsequent newsletter I’ll share some of the content from a preso I did on this last year on more of the basics of this really important number.

• PSA - Bike lanes are for bikes. Sidewalks are for walking. If you walk in the bike lane, the bikes go to the car lane. It’s not complicated.