Read the full study here for more detailed information on resting heart rate across different demographics.

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Resting Heart Rate: What's Ideal for You?

In the age of wearable technology, many of us are constantly tracking our health metrics. One of the most common measurements is resting heart rate. But what does your resting heart rate really tell you about your health? Let's dive into some fascinating research to uncover what an ideal resting heart rate might look like for you.

The Fitbit Study: A Massive Data Set

Recently, Fitbit conducted an extensive study analyzing resting heart rate data from 92,457 de-identified individuals. This large-scale research provides valuable insights into what constitutes a "normal" resting heart rate across different demographics.

Key Findings

Gender Differences

One of the study's most interesting revelations is the difference in average resting heart rates between men and women:

• Men: Average resting heart rate of about 64 beats per minute (bpm)
• Women: Average resting heart rate of about 67 bpm

If you're a woman with a higher resting heart rate than your male counterparts, don't worry – it's completely normal!

Age and Resting Heart Rate

The relationship between age and resting heart rate isn't as straightforward as you might think. The study revealed a U-shaped curve:

1. Lower average resting heart rates in younger individuals
2. A rise in middle age
3. A decline in older age

This pattern suggests that determining an "ideal" resting heart rate isn't as simple as aiming for the lowest possible number.

BMI and Heart Rate

As body mass index (BMI) increases, so does resting heart rate. This makes sense physiologically – a larger body mass requires more work from the heart to maintain circulation.

Heart Rate Variability

The study also noted that the standard deviation of resting heart rate decreases with age. This indicates less variability in heart rate over time, which could be an interesting area for future research.

What Does It All Mean?

Dr. Jared Pelo, our Chief Medical Officer at Bionic Health, emphasizes that resting heart rate is highly individual. While a lower resting heart rate generally indicates better cardiovascular fitness in healthy, active individuals, it's not a one-size-fits-all metric.

For instance, an elderly person with a low resting heart rate isn't necessarily healthier than a younger person with a slightly higher rate. Factors like body size, age, and overall fitness level all play crucial roles.

Beyond Resting Heart Rate

Dr. Pelo suggests that heart rate variability might be a more comprehensive indicator of heart health. This metric provides insight into the balance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, offering a more nuanced view of your cardiovascular wellbeing.

The Takeaway

While tracking your resting heart rate can provide valuable insights, it's essential to consider it as part of a broader health picture. Here are some key points to remember:

1. Women typically have slightly higher resting heart rates than men.
2. Your resting heart rate naturally fluctuates with age.
3. A lower resting heart rate often indicates better cardiovascular fitness, but context matters.
4. Consider exploring heart rate variability for a more comprehensive understanding of your heart health.

At Bionic Health, we're committed to helping you understand and optimize your health metrics. Remember, the goal isn't just to achieve a specific number, but to work towards overall health and wellness tailored to your unique physiology.

Want to learn more about your heart health and how to optimize it? Contact us for personalized insights and strategies to achieve your best health.

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AI in Medicine: A Game-Changing Conversation with Isaac Kohane and Peter Attia

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

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In a recent episode of Peter Attia's "The Drive" podcast, Bionic Health advisory board member Isaac "Zak" Kohane, MD, PhD, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence in healthcare. It's interesting that all the amazing things Zak spoke about, we are working to build!

Isaac "Zak" Kohane, a trailblazing physician-scientist and Harvard Medical School's chair of Biomedical Informatics, has significantly contributed to AI research through his numerous publications and influential works like "The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 & Beyond". In this enlightening discussion, Kohane traces AI's journey from its inception to its current third-generation incarnation, highlighting its transformative impact on modern medicine and its potential to reshape healthcare's future. Drawing from his unique background and early experiences with GPT-4 (introduced to him by fellow Bionic Advisor, Dr. Peter Lee), Kohane spotlights AI's remarkable progress in areas such as image-based medical specialties, early disease detection, and the prospects of AI-driven robotic surgery. He also addresses the ethical implications and regulatory hurdles associated with AI in healthcare, its capacity to enhance clinical practice, and the broader ramifications of AI potentially achieving human-like creative and cognitive abilities.

Listen to the podcast to hear them discuss:

‍0:00:00-Intro

‍0:01:08-Zak’s unconventional journey to becoming a pioneering physician-scientist, & his early interactions with GPT-4

‍0:07:56-The evolution of AI from the earliest versions to today’s neural networks, & the shifting definitions of intelligence over time

‍0:21:00-How vast data sets, advanced neural networks, & powerful GPU technology have driven AI from its early limitations to achieving remarkable successes in medicine & other fields

‍0:32:16-An AI breakthrough in medicine: the ability to accurately recognize retinopathy

‍0:36:02-Third generation AI: how improvements in natural language processing significantly advanced AI capabilities

‍0:42:59-AI concerns & regulation: misuse by individuals, military applications, displacement of jobs, & potential existential concerns

‍0:58:16-How AI is enhancing image-based medical specialties like radiology

‍1:06:14-The use of AI by patients & doctors

‍1:15:05-The potential for AI to augment clinicians & address physician shortages

‍1:21:11 - The potential for AI to revolutionize early diagnosis & prediction of diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, CVD, autism, & more

‍1:32:12 - The future of AI in healthcare: integration of patient data, improved diagnostics, & the challenges of data accessibility & regulatory compliance

‍1:41:55 - The future of autonomous robotic surgery

‍1:49:48 - AI & the future of mental health care

‍1:54:11 - How AI may transform & disrupt the medical industry: new business models & potential resistance from established medical institutions

‍1:58:52 - Potential positive & negative impacts of AI outside of medicine over the next decade

‍2:03:22 - The implications of AI achieving a level of creativity & expertise comparable to exceptional human talents

‍2:08:02 - Digital immortality & legacy: the potential to emulate an individual's personality & responses & the ethical questions surrounding it

‍2:14:10 - Parting thoughts

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View show notes here: https://bit.ly/4f37zRa

Creatine for Women: A Game-Changer in Reproductive Health

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Creatine: Not Just for Muscle Building

While creatine is often associated with bodybuilding and athletic performance, recent research suggests it may have significant benefits for women's reproductive health.

Key Takeaways:

1. A study published in Food Science & Nutrition shows a link between creatine intake and improved reproductive health in women
2. Women consuming at least 13mg/kg of creatine daily experienced fewer reproductive issues
3. Benefits include reduced pelvic pain and improved menstrual cycles
4. The study used data from NHANES, a large-scale national health survey in the US

The Science Behind the Benefits

The study, led by renowned researcher Abbie-Smith Ryan, analyzed data from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). It found that women who consumed higher levels of creatine had:

1. Lower incidence of pelvic pain
2. Fewer cases of dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
3. Overall reduced reproductive health issues

These benefits were observed in females from age 12 and up, suggesting that creatine's positive effects span a wide age range.

How Much Creatine Should Women Take?

Based on the study and expert recommendations:

• Aim for at least 13mg of creatine per kilogram of body weight daily
• A general recommendation is 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per day
• Creatine can be taken as a powder or in gummy form

Why Consider Creatine Supplementation?

1. Potential improvement in reproductive health
2. Well-established benefits for muscle strength and exercise performance
3. Generally considered safe when taken as recommended

The Bottom Line

This research opens up new possibilities for managing and improving women's reproductive health. While more studies may be needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play, the potential benefits of creatine for women extend far beyond its traditional use in fitness.

As always, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or concerns.

Remember, whether through diet or supplementation, ensuring adequate creatine intake could be a simple yet effective way to support your overall reproductive health.

Read the journal article, here:

Association between dietary intake of creatine and female reproductive health: Evidence from NHANES 2017–2020

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