This is Biohacking Weekly- A curated news roundup designed to help you increase your longevity, improve healthspan and access OptimOZ promotions.
1. Bryan Johnson on the “Dad Bod”
2. Silent gut damage driven by high-fat fast food
3. The “Sixth Vital Sign” of health
4. A clue to depression hidden in saliva
5. Dark chocolate might help lower blood pressure
The “dad bod” — a softer, rounder body shape often seen in men during their 30s and 40s — may have deeper biological roots than previously thought.
Bryan Johnson, tech entrepreneur and creator of the Blueprint anti-aging protocol, recently discussed a new study on the Don’t Die Podcast that suggests the phenomenon could be driven by new fat cell formation in visceral areas (around the organs), not just overeating or lack of exercise.
The study, conducted on mice, found that this shift occurs around midlife and is likely tied to testosterone declines. This mirrors the timing of fatherhood in humans and could be an evolutionary adaptation: storing energy to support parenting duties.
Watch the full episode on YouTube
A new study led by Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) reveals that eating a high-fat diet may harm your gut within just a few days — long before weight gain or diabetes ever show up. In mouse models, researchers observed that a fatty diet disrupted the gut lining in as little as 1 to 3 days. This damage allows harmful bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream, sparking an immune response.
What’s more concerning is that this inflammation develops quietly at first — with no symptoms or outward signs, silently building up over time. Years later, it can emerge as chronic, low-grade inflammation that’s linked to diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia. The findings suggest that what we eat may trigger disease pathways well before traditional symptoms appear, highlighting the gut as a key battleground for long-term health.
Mice fed a normal diet (left) have healthy, well-organised gut tissues. The gut tissue of those fed a high-fat diet (right) is disrupted, with thickening of the gut wall (pink) and an accumulation of immune cells (purple dots) – clear signs of inflammatory bowel disease. Source: New Atlas / WEHI
Read the full article on New Atlas
New research shows fatty foods can quietly damage your gut lining and trigger inflammation within days. Bioptimizers MassZymes is more than just a digestive enzyme — it's designed to help your body break down protein efficiently, reduce digestive stress, and support gut resilience when your diet isn't perfect.
Whether you're optimizing for muscle, recovery, or better gut health, MassZymes helps you digest smarter.
A fascinating new insight from the BBC Future article suggests that how quickly you walk may reveal how fast your brain is aging. Scientists are discovering that our walking pace isn't just a reflection of fitness — it’s a mirror of brain health. In fact, studies show that older adults who walk more slowly tend to have smaller brain volumes and experience more memory and thinking issues. This link is so strong that some experts now call walking speed the "sixth vital sign."
The brain’s motor and cognitive systems are deeply connected, and subtle changes in gait may appear before obvious memory problems. In some cases, a slowing stride can even be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's. This research opens up exciting possibilities for early detection of cognitive decline — simply by measuring how someone moves. As brain and body are inseparable in aging, walking may soon become a tool not just for fitness, but for tracking long-term brain vitality.
A new study has revealed a surprising link between oral bacteria and depression. Researchers found that people with major depressive disorder have a noticeably different microbial makeup in their saliva compared to those without depression. Harmful bacteria like Prevotella nigrescens and Campylobacter rectus were more prevalent, while beneficial strains were reduced.
The findings suggest that the oral microbiome could play a role in brain health — possibly through inflammatory pathways or by affecting the gut-brain axis. This opens the door to potential new treatments that target the microbiome to support mental well-being. While it’s early days, nurturing your microbiome from top to bottom may be key to supporting emotional balance and brain health.
Read the full article on Neuroscience News
A new study suggests that natural compounds found in dark chocolate, tea, and berries might help you keep your blood pressure in check. The research, led by scientists from the University of Reading and published in Scientific Reports, focused on a flavonoid called epicatechin. This plant compound is known to enhance blood vessel function and has been linked to better cardiovascular health.
By analyzing urine samples from 1,800+ adults, researchers found a clear link: more epicatechin in the body meant lower blood pressure, especially systolic pressure. What makes this study stand out is that it measured what people actually absorbed from their diet — not just what they reported eating. So, a square of dark chocolate or a cup of green tea might do more for your heart than you think.
Read the full article on Medical News Today
🧬 “Dad Bod” May Be Evolutionary
Testosterone drops in midlife may trigger new fat around organs — possibly to support fatherhood, not just poor habits.
🍟 Fatty Food Hurts Gut Fast
In just 1–3 days, a fast food high-fat diet can damage the gut lining and spark silent inflammation linked to major diseases.
🧠 Walk Slower, Brain Older
Slower walking may signal a shrinking brain and early cognitive decline — even before memory issues show up.
🔬 Depression Found in Saliva
Depressed people have more harmful mouth bacteria, suggesting the oral microbiome affects mental health.
🍫 Flavonoids Help Blood Pressure
Dark chocolate, tea, and berries contain epicatechin, which helps lower blood pressure by improving vessels.
🔥 Product Top Picks
🔍 Dive Deeper Into Related Topics
In this edition of Biohacking Weekly:
1. Inside King Charles III’s longevity lifestyle
2. Broccoli's secret weapon for brain health
3. New therapy restores endurance in hours
4. Diabetes’ hidden damage
5. Four main players in promoting healthy lifespan
In this edition of Biohacking Weekly:
1. Scientists link walnuts to powerful anti-Inflammatory effects
2. The real key to aging gracefully
3. Magnesium linked to lower risk of metabolic syndrome
4. Sauna sessions for longevity? Bryan Johnson breaks it down
In this edition of Biohacking Weekly:
1. Collagen-based protein bars support healthy weight loss
2. Berberine is shown to slow aging at the cellular level
3. Gary Brecka’s daily supplement routine
4. What is medicine 3.0?
5. Vitamin D cuts dementia risk by 40%
