Latest news with #AndrewHuberman
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 types of walking and their fitness benefits, from fartlek to rucking
After a decade of super intense fitness fads, the humble walk has become one of TikTok's biggest comeback trends to-date, with social media users clamouring to swap HIIT workouts for getting their 10,000 daily steps in. While it's been around for as long as humans have existed, social media has brought the many brilliant benefits of walking to light, from healthy weight loss and better cardiovascular fitness, to decreased stress and sounder sleep. Studies also show that there's a direct correlation between how many steps we walk per day and all-cause mortality, meaning daily walks could increase your chances of living longer. But aside from regular strolls around your local park with a takeaway coffee, did you know that there are different types of walking that can provide unique fitness benefits? From building lean muscle to soothing frazzled nervous systems, these are the best walking styles to try, broken down by individual fitness goals. Originally designed as a summer training routine for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking has caught on as an exercise method in its own right – particularly among elderly populations. The outdoor regimen looks just like normal walking, but with the addition of two long poles, held in each hand and planted into the ground in sync with your stride. Not only does the use of walking poles provide extra stability while you're on the move, they're also said to activate the muscles in the arms, shoulders and core, turning a regular walk into a full-body sweat. In fact, a 2013 study into the effects of Nordic Walking found that regularly engaging in pole walking led to greater improvements in upper-body muscular strength when compared with just a bog-standard mooch around the block. It might sound like a character from Shrek, but the unusually titled fartlek walking has some pretty powerful benefits to pair with its low-stakes training style. Translating to 'speed play' in Swedish, the movement pattern is all about varying the pace and difficulty of your walks, interspersing bursts of faster walking between slower, more gentle rambles to catch your breath. Just like interval training in running, a study published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that alternating periods of fast and slow walking could improve cardiovascular fitness, help control blood sugar spikes and overall physical function. The researchers also added that the movement pattern is particularly good for people with busy lifestyles, as it's a time-efficient way to reap the benefits of a leisurely walk in a shorter window. You may have about already heard about rucking, if not, it's a military-inspired exercise style that involves intentionally carrying a weighted backpack on long walks. With leading names in the wellness space like podcaster Andrew Huberman and longevity expert Dr Peter Attia all revealing they're big fans of weighted walking, the method is fast becoming as cult as cold water swimming and mushroom coffee. Unlike other styles of walking, Rucking has one major USP – all that added resistance helps to build strength across the muscles required to walk, as well as sculpting your shoulders and back. Rucking could also lead to greater weight loss results, with one study reporting an extra three pounds of fat loss over a three-week period in participants who carried added weight, compared to those who did not. From 12-3-30 to 75 Hard, numerical workouts are all the rage right now. The latest is the 6-6-6 walking challenge, which involves walking for 60 minutes at either 6am or 6pm, with a 6-minute warm-up and cool-down. So much messaging on social media tells us that we need to be in the gym, crushing hard sets with intimidating weights to be reaping the benefits of fitness. But science suggests the opposite, with one recent study finding that 160 minutes of walking a day can be so healthy for those over 40 years of age that it may add an extra five years to their lives. Studies also show that adults who walk outdoors experience more vitality and energy than those who stick to indoor treadmills. With endless amounts of must-download media available on our phones, it's fairly unusual to go anywhere these days without first plugging into a podcast or a playlist. But all that external chatter could be blocking us from getting the most out of our walks, which is exactly why silent walking has taken off as a trend on TikTok recently. The concept is as basic as it sounds: rather than popping in your headphones or calling a friend for distraction, a silent walk involves leaving your phone zipped in your pocket and staying fully present in your surroundings. This slow-paced approach is all about tuning into the sights and sounds on your walk, and grounding in the present moment, which can help you manage your thoughts and feelings rather than being overwhelmed by them. Basically, it's a fancy form of moving mindfulness, a meditation concept that science has underscored as a soothing balm for stress, anxiety and depression, with positive knock-on effects for sleep, mood and immune function. Read more about walking: The easiest ways to count steps as Aldi brings back £11.99 fitness tracker (Yahoo Life UK) How fast you walk is more important than doing 10,000 daily steps (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Study reveals exactly how many steps you need to walk a day, and it's not 10,000 (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Los Angeles Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Biohack Your Memorial Day With These Smart Recovery Rituals
LA Times Studios may earn commission from purchases made through our links. Memorial Day used to mean indulgence: grill smoke, pool floats, and enough rosé to make Tuesday hurt. But now, a growing number of wellness-minded Americans are flipping the script. The long weekend isn't about zoning out, it's a chance to recharge with intention. Instead of hangovers, they're after better brain function. Instead of greasy brunches, they're experimenting with glymphatic drainage and gut-friendly snacks. It's part of a larger cultural shift: holidays aren't just time off, they're time to reset. That three-day weekend is prime for running your own personal experiment in recovery, sleep, and energy upgrades, basically, a DIY wellness retreat. Biohacking retreats are popping up around every major holiday now. Instead of lazy poolside lounging, the itineraries lean into cryotherapy, red light facials, and intermittent fasting schedules. And brands are clearly paying attention: companies like Bon Charge and Skin Gym have dropped Memorial Day promos to highlight their red light masks and infrared wraps. The trend has backup, too. A 2024 Sleep Health study found that just 15% of adults consistently get quality rest five nights a week. So a quiet, extended weekend free from daily chaos? That's a goldmine for nervous system recovery. Sleep debt remains a widespread issue, and new understandings of optimal sleep duration are helping people prioritize meaningful rest, especially when their calendar finally allows it. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman calls sleep, light, and cold exposure the most powerful ways to hit reset. That combo (easy to access, grounded in science) has become a foundation for how many people structure their long weekend. Don't want to book a retreat? No problem. At-home biohacking is having a moment, and Memorial Day is a popular time to experiment. Cold plunges in the backyard. Face taping during Netflix marathons. NAD+ therapy, once niche, is becoming more mainstream, especially among those looking to improve focus and energy without overhauling their entire routine. Suzie Pemdejian, head nurse practitioner at AlphaMan Clinic, says most report noticeable improvements in mental clarity, focus, and sustainable energy levels within just a few sessions. Even food is getting a glow-up. Classic BBQs are swapping out coleslaw for fiber-packed greens and collagen-boosting drinks. Instead of beer, think nootropic-infused mocktails that promise energy without the crash. This isn't about being rigid or obsessive. It's about choosing how to spend your rest. Memorial Day can still mean beach chairs and baked beans, and that's fine. But for others, it's become a window to turn down inflammation, get better sleep, or finally try out that bathhouse. There's also a rise in overnight recovery products designed to do their work while you sleep, supporting skin, hair, and stress recovery without adding steps to your day. As the line between productivity and pleasure keeps blurring, this idea of the 'wellness weekend' feels more permanent than trendy. Click here to learn more about AlphaMan Clinic
Buzz Feed
19-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
How To Avoid Olive Oil Scams And Fraud At The Store
You've been there. It's Saturday. You just came back from the farmer's market with fresh strawberries, two baguettes, and a moral superiority complex. You walk into the grocery store still high on your crunchy lifestyle choices when bam — you see it. A glistening bottle of olive oil sits on the top shelf. Curved glass. Sexy label. Imported. You think, This is it. My wellness era begins now. You've heard the seed oil slander on the health bro podcasts. Andrew Huberman basically whispered in your ear that canola oil is the devil. This olive oil? It's your redemption arc. Then you see the price tag. Thirty dollars. For oil. Your wellness era suddenly feels… expensive. And here's the kicker — it might not even be the good stuff. That artisanal-looking bottle? Basically your situationship with Mediterranean vibes and zero commitment. Turns out, the olive oil industry is shady (basically like everything). Your overpriced 'pure' EVOO might be mixed with seed oils (the betrayal) or heated within an inch of its life until it loses all its health benefits. 🫒 Wait, So Olive Oil Can Be Fake? Yes. Shocker. The billion-dollar olive oil industry isn't exactly run by a grandma in a Tuscan farmhouse. There are middlemen, bulk distributors, and importers who cut corners to increase profit, sometimes literally cutting olive oil with cheaper oils like soybean, sunflower, and/or canola. This isn't paranoia. Investigations over the last couple of decades have uncovered widespread fraud in the olive oil market. And because the FDA doesn't tightly regulate olive oil classifications in the U.S., it's basically the Wild West out there. According to olive oil expert (who knew there was such a thing) Christiane Wassmann, co-founder of Rastrello Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a single origin olive oil made in Italy, 'You need to purchase 'extra virgin' olive oil when you want to buy a 'real' or authentic one. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is simply the olive, which is a fruit, pressed, and the oil extracted. To be labeled 'extra virgin,' it legally has to be cold pressed and first pressed, so you don't need to look for that on the label. You only need to look for 'extra virgin.' All other olive oils are heated or chemically processed oils and, therefore, not healthy for you.' But there's more. It's not just enough for the olive oil to be labeled EVOO. It also matters where the olives come from and the time period from picking to processing. 'You always want to buy olive oil that comes from the same country where the olives were grown and pressed,' says Wassmann. 'Think about it — olives are fruit. If they're shipped across the world just to be pressed somewhere else for the sake of a label, how many chemical preservatives had to be sprayed on them to survive the trip? Those chemicals don't disappear. They end up in your oil and in you.' She adds: 'By law, the country of origin must be listed on the bottle. If it's not? Don't buy it.' Jesus Christ. Who knew you had to do a full investigation to incorporate some healthy fats in your diet? 🫒 The Bottle Test: Nicole Kidman and Olive Oil Have This in Common And here's another thing. If your olive oil comes in a plastic bottle? You've been played. Clear glass? Still no. That high-end liquid is basically the vampire of oils — sunlight will mess it up real fast. Think about it like this: Olive oil is the Nicole Kidman of your pantry. Or Emma Stone. Or any ethereal, Oscar-winning icon whose skin hasn't seen direct sunlight since the early 2000s. Just like those A-listers dodging UV rays on the red carpet under a giant umbrella held by a glam team intern, your olive oil needs to be protected from the light. 'When you are purchasing EVOO, make sure you only purchase in a dark bottle,' says Wassmann. 'Never a clear transparent glass bottle and never in plastic. Olive oil is very susceptible to being 'photo-oxidized' or harmed by sunlight.' Here's the science-y part (don't worry, it's quick): Photo-oxidation is what happens when light exposure triggers a chemical reaction that degrades the quality of the oil. When this happens, your EVOO starts losing its antioxidants, its flavor gets dull and flat, and it basically turns into the oil equivalent of expired perfume: still there, but a little sad. So yeah — that $30 bottle you bought in clear glass because it 'looked premium'? If the label didn't lie to you, the packaging probably did. Rule of thumb: dark glass only. Think of it like giving your oil its own pair of designer sunglasses. Green or darker bottles are best. No plastic. No clear. No exceptions. 🫒 But Why Is It All So Confusing? Because the olive oil industry knows we're busy. And stressed. And tired. And likely to reach for something that looks trustworthy on a grocery store shelf. 'Labels are so misleading nowadays,' says Wassmann. 'Brands understand what customers are looking for and present olive oil in a 'healthy' way, even if it's been made from unhealthy, lower-quality olive oil.' We've all fallen for it. I, too, have spent $36 on a bottle because the label said it was 'handcrafted.' I also once convinced myself that the right olive oil would fix my digestion, clear my skin, and maybe even my commitment issues. Spoiler: it didn't. 🫒 So... WTF Do We Do? Alright, to avoid getting duped by a $30 bottle of Mediterranean mystery oil, let's break it down. Here's your Olive Oil Red Flag Checklist: And what you do want to see: The truth is, if you're not doing your homework, there's a good chance you're getting scammed. That sleek, minimalist bottle might be serving aesthetics, but that doesn't mean the oil inside is worth the price tag. That said, the placebo effect is real. Maybe believing in your premium oil is enough to justify the premium salad it's dressing. Or maybe you do what we all secretly fantasize about: pull a full Eat, Pray, Love, move to Italy, and get your olive oil straight from a family-run grove where the vines grow alongside emotional healing and someone's vintage Vespa. Until then? Read the label. Protect the bottle. Trust no plastic. And remember: Not all olive oils are created equal — no matter how cute the branding. Hungry for more? Download the free Tasty app for iOS and Android to explore our library of 7,500+ recipes — no subscription required!
Arabian Post
19-05-2025
- Health
- Arabian Post
AI-Powered Sleep Tech Targets Saudi Arabia's Restless Nights
Eight Sleep, the US-based sleep fitness company, has launched its flagship Pod 5 system in Saudi Arabia, aiming to address the Kingdom's widespread sleep quality issues. The move follows internal data indicating that Saudi Arabia ranks lowest among over 30 global markets in sleep quality. The Pod 5 system features a temperature-controlled mattress cover and blanket, offering adjustable cooling and heating between 55°F to 110°F. Integrated surround-sound speakers provide soothing soundscapes and guided meditations, developed in collaboration with neuroscientist Andrew Huberman. A new Health Check feature monitors heart rate and breathing during sleep, providing overnight health insights through AI analysis. The system's price ranges from $2,849 for the Core model to $6,099 for the full setup, with an annual subscription fee starting at $199. Eight Sleep's expansion into Saudi Arabia follows its entry into the UAE market, where sales within the first three months were five times higher than the average for other markets. The company plans to expand further into the GCC region, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE as key focus markets. The launch of Pod 5 in Saudi Arabia comes amid growing awareness of sleep health in the region. A survey of 2,727 people across the GCC found that only half manage to sleep for the recommended six to eight hours per night, with 24 percent getting less than six hours. Cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah are among the worst in the world for sleep, according to data from wearable device company Whoop. Eight Sleep's Pod technology aims to address these issues by offering personalized sleep solutions. The system's AI-powered features adjust bed temperature automatically, track sleep health metrics, and provide personalized sleep fitness scores. The company claims that after one month of using the Pod, members reported 32% better sleep quality scores on average, with improvements in daytime energy, sleep interruptions, and sleep onset time. The sleep tech market in Saudi Arabia is growing, with both wearable and non-wearable technologies playing important roles in improving sleep quality and managing sleep disorders. Non-wearable sleep tech devices, such as smart mattresses and sleep-enhancing pillows, currently dominate the market. Consumers frequently want to test the comfort and functionality of these products in retail settings before making a purchase.
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Eight Sleep Introduces Pod 5: The First AI-Powered Sleep System with Immersive Temperature, Zero-Gravity Elevation, and Surround-Sound To Improve Your Sleep
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eight Sleep, the world's first sleep fitness company, today introduced Pod 5 and a new hydro-powered Blanket, its latest products powered by artificial intelligence and real-time biometric sensing to improve sleep, along with Health Check: a new set of AI-powered algorithms that transform the Pod into a preventative health solution. Now in its fifth generation and building on the success of the award-winning Pod, Pod 5 transforms any bed into an intelligent, adaptive environment, automatically adjusting temperature, elevation, and sound to maximize sleep performance and optimize health. With 92% of Eight Sleep members¹ reporting improved sleep quality after sleeping on the Pod, Pod 5 sets a new benchmark for what sleep technology can deliver. Pod 5 is built around three core benefits: immersive temperature, zero-gravity elevation, and surround-sound. All delivered through a modular system that adapts to a sleeper's body in real time. Immersive temperature: The new Cover and hydro-powered Blanket work together to double thermal performance across the body. Each side cools or heats independently from 55°F to 110°F, adjusting based on biometric data to support deeper sleep. Zero-gravity elevation: The new Base gently lifts the upper body to relieve back pressure and improve circulation. It responds automatically to snoring, elevating the head to reduce disruptions without waking the sleeper or their partner. Integrated surround-sound: Built into the Base, the new speaker system delivers science-backed audio, including exclusive Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) tracks by Dr. Andrew Huberman, to calm the nervous system and ease the sleeper into rest. The system components work together to create a truly responsive sleep environment, personalized to each user, even if two people share the bed. The entire experience is guided from the Eight Sleep app and controlled automatically by the intelligent algorithm Autopilot, which learns what each individual needs to sleep their best and provides the appropriate optimizations in real-time, every night. 'Pod 5 is the result of everything we've learned about how your environment impacts sleep,' said Matteo Franceschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Sleep. 'We built it to extend our mastery of thermal regulation and add new dimensions like elevation, sound, and intelligent features like smart alarms and Health Check to take your sleep experience to an unprecedented level. Pod 5 personalizes your sleep in real time, adapting with precision to what the body needs at every stage of sleep.' Powered by AI and tuned to each sleeper At the heart of Pod 5 is Autopilot, Eight Sleep's proprietary AI engine, trained on almost 10 million hours of sleep data. The system constantly learns from a sleeper's nightly biometrics, sleep patterns, and recovery trends to anticipate their needs and adjust their sleep environment automatically. Whether it's shifting temperature during sleep stages, elevating the head when snoring is detected, or adjusting sound to support relaxation, Pod 5 responds before the sleeper even knows they need it. Through the Eight Sleep app, users can view detailed insights and receive personalized sleep coaching driven by AI, but the system is designed to work without any input at all and is made to set it and forget it. Double the cooling and heating with the new hydro-powered Blanket The Cover delivers dynamic, biometric-driven temperature control from 55°F to 110°F / 12.7°C to 43.3°C on each side of the bed. Now, the new hydro-powered Blanket extends temperature coverage across the entire body, connecting to the Cover to double the cooling and heating power while mirroring settings on both bed sides to eliminate temperature disruptions and end blanket battles for good. Sleep in zero gravity, and reduce snoring with the Base The Base, first introduced in 2024, is already a best-seller, known for adding intelligent and customized elevation to the sleep environment. With adjustable positions for sleep, reading, and recovery, it offers personalized comfort that supports circulation, eases pressure, and helps the body unwind. It also detects snoring through vibrations and gently elevates the head in response, a feature clinically shown to reduce snoring by up to 45%¹. The updated Base builds on new features with a low-profile design that fits seamlessly into most bed frames. It can also be used freestanding with an optional leg kit, offering flexibility without compromising performance. The built-in surround-sound plays soothing soundscapes to ease into sleep The latest model of the Base features an integrated speaker that plays science-backed audio designed to support relaxation and recovery, with tracks exclusively available on the Eight Sleep app. In collaboration with Dr. Andrew Huberman, Eight Sleep has introduced a set of NSDR content, a guided meditation technique for achieving deep relaxation and restorative states. In addition to NSDR, it also offers a curated selection of white noise and calming sounds engineered to slow down the nervous system and ease the transition into deep sleep. The soundscape experience is connected to the intelligence behind the Pod. It can be programmed to automatically turn off once a user falls asleep or continue playing through the night for ongoing support. A new AI model for passive health monitoring. No wearables required. Alongside the launch of Pod 5, Eight Sleep also announced Health Check: a new set of AI-powered algorithms that quietly monitor cardiovascular and respiratory health during sleep. If heart rate trends upward or breathing becomes abnormal, Health Check surfaces these changes in a report in the Eight Sleep app, empowering users to take proactive action ² . This breakthrough in passive, preventative health is possible thanks to the Pod Cover's embedded sensors, which capture key biometric signals, including heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, and sleep stages, all without requiring any device on the body. Eight Sleep is the first to deliver this level of health monitoring using non-wearable technology, achieving industry gold standards in heart rate tracking accuracy with no device on the body. The Pod tracks heart rate with 99% precision, matching the performance of clinical-grade electrocardiograms (ECGs)¹. 'We see Health Check as the future of health — where your bed not only helps you recover but also acts as an early warning system for your body,' said Franceschetti. 'It's a shift towards preventive care with no wearables on your body, leveraging the 7 to 9 hours that you spend on your bed every day to conduct a review of your health.' Add easily to any bed Pod 5 is a modular, intelligent sleep system made up of 4 seamlessly integrated components: The Cover The Hub The Blanket The Base Pod 5 is compatible with all mattresses and bed frames. The Cover can be added to any existing mattress, similar to a fitted sheet. The Blanket connects to the Cover and can be inserted into most duvet covers. The Base fits seamlessly on top of existing bed frames or can be freestanding with an optional leg kit. All components work together, controlled via the Eight Sleep app. Available today Pod 5 is now available exclusively online at in the United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other US territories), European Union (excluding Cyprus, Greece, and Malta), Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Monaco and Switzerland. Pricing starts at $2,849 USD for Pod 5, with free shipping for all regions (consult each region's website for local pricing). Priority upgrades are available for existing Eight Sleep members. Eight Sleep upholds its customer satisfaction, offering up to a 30-night trial and free returns. For high-resolution product images and video assets, visit our digital press kit. About Eight Sleep Eight Sleep is the first company to bring sleep fitness to the world by combining technology, physiology, and data to unlock deeper sleep and better health. Its products are trusted by high performers, professional athletes, and health-conscious consumers across the globe. Recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2019, 2022, and 2023, and twice named to TIME's 'Best Inventions of the Year.' Eight Sleep continues to redefine the future of sleep. Its products are available in over 30 countries at
