Rich LaFountain, PhD
Hormetic Stressors and Why They’re Important to Your Health
Stress often gets a bad rap. That’s because when we think of stress, we typically think of chronic stress, which is the unrelenting sort associated with systemic inflammation, disease risk, and burnout.…
Vacations Can Help You Live Longer — Here’s Why
Like it or not, humans need rest. Every cell in your body is genetically programmed for activity and rest on a 24-hour circadian cycle, and no amount of “hacking” will keep you…
Optimizing Your Circadian Rhythm for Longevity
Many people hear the term circadian rhythm and immediately think of sleep. That’s not wrong, but there is so much more to circadian rhythm than just getting some shut-eye. Your circadian rhythm…
How to Leverage Sleep for Longevity
Everyone sleeps. It’s a basic need, like food, water, and movement, all of which are essential to life, health, and well-being. During sleep, your body focuses on recovery and repair, which requires…
Does BMI Determine Longevity?
BMI, or body mass index, is at its core, a health-screening tool. With simple inputs of height and weight, this tool has been used for decades as a quick indicator of physical…
10 Ways Daily Movement Benefits You
We all know physical activity is important, but many of us struggle to get our daily dose of movement. In fact, according to a recent report by the CDC, as many as…
How Researchers are Using Zero to Improve the Health of Firefighters
By: Rich LaFountain This may come as a surprise, but firefighters have surprisingly high disease, obesity, and mortality risk. You’d think such a high-intensity job would require extreme physical fitness, and the…
Why I Fast: A Science Writer’s Journey from Healing to Long-Term Health Habit
By: Rich LaFountain My Introduction to Fasting – The Prolonged “Hospital Fast” My first year in graduate school, during spring break, I had lower right quadrant pain in my abdomen. My stomach…
Fasting, COVID, and Vaccines: Everything you Need to Know
By: Rich LaFountain A lot of people have been asking us about how fasting might intersect with COVID-19 risk, infection, and the vaccine. In this brief article we’re hoping to provide some…
