logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
2h 20m

#066 Dr. Mark Mattson on the Benefits of...

RHONDA PATRICK, PH.D.
About this episode

Dr. Mark Mattson

Dr. Mark Mattson is a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the former chief of the Neuroscience Research Laboratory at the National Institute on Aging. He's one of the most cited neuroscientists in the world, with more than 180,000 citations noted in the scientific literature.

Dr. Mattson's work has advanced scientific understanding of brain aging and identified fundamental aspects of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. His most notable work has focused on how the brain responds to mild stressors, such as those associated with exercise and intermittent fasting.

In this episode, we discuss...

  • (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Mark Mattson
  • (03:31) Hormetic stressors drive adaptation and prevent physiological complacency
  • (13:00) Intermittent fasting improves health by promoting metabolic switching
  • (16:49) Daily time-restricted eating vs 5:2 weekly fasting 
  • (27:44) A ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting differ in terms of brain effects
  • (34:23) Exercising while intermittent fasting exerts additive effects
  • (52:32) Plant-based bioactive compounds induce hormetic stress
  • (01:10:48) Severe caloric restriction may compromise muscle mass
  • (01:26:25) Intermittent fasting in young vs. old and in men vs. in women
  • (01:35:20) The effects of cortisol differ during a fast versus chronic stress
  • (01:53:36) Fasting-mimetics like resveratrol and spermidine vs actual fasting
  • (02:08:44) How ketone supplementation may improve brain health

Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information on circadian insights straight to your inbox weekly: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter

Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A’s with Rhonda and more: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor

Up next
May 21
#102 Why Vitamin D Deficiency Accelerates Brain Aging
Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Vitamin D is far more than just a vitamin—it's a potent steroid hormone regulating nearly 5% of our genome. Yet, remarkably, up to 70% of Americans aren't getting enough, placing them at increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. ... Show More
17m 15s
Apr 22
#101 Dr. Andy Galpin: The Optimal Diet, Supplement, & Recovery Protocol for Peak Performance
Download my “How to Train According to the Experts” guide Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Nutrition, supplementation, and recovery are foundational for enhancing exercise performance, but their full potential often remains untapped. In this episode, Dr. Andy Galpin, a re ... Show More
3h 51m
Mar 2025
#100 The Optimal Creatine Protocol for Strength, Brain, and Longevity | Darren Candow, PhD
Download my “How to Train According to the Experts” guide Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Creatine is renowned for enhancing strength, but its benefits extend far beyond muscle power. In this episode, Dr. Darren Candow, a leading researcher with over 140 peer-reviewed pu ... Show More
1h 54m
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Dr. Satchin Panda: Intermittent Fasting to Improve Health, Cognition & Longevity
In this episode, my guest is Satchin Panda, PhD, professor and the director of the Regulatory Biology Laboratories at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. We discuss his lab’s discovery that “time-restricted eating” (TRE) aka intermittent fasting, is beneficial effects for ... Show More
2h 44m
Apr 2021
TMHS 472: Consequences of Unnatural Food, Water Fasting, & Metabolic Healing - With Guest Dr. Alan Goldhamer
Much like the array of diets that are available, fasting also comes in different varieties and flavors. Depending on your state of health and your goals, fasting can be a powerful tool at your disposal. When done correctly, fasting has been shown to have a positive impact on body ... Show More
1h 28m
Oct 2021
Effects of Fasting & Time Restricted Eating on Fat Loss & Health
This episode I discuss the science and practice of fasting also called time-restricted feeding. I review the data on how limiting food intake to specific portions of every 24-hour cycle (or fasting longer) impacts weight loss, fat loss specifically, liver health, mental focus, mu ... Show More
2h 22m
Apr 2023
007: Thomas DeLauer - The Effects of Fasting on Fat Loss and Health
In this podcast episode, I enjoyed speaking with Thomas DeLauer, a nutrition researcher and expert in nutrition and performance. His personal transformation has inspired millions worldwide, and he continues to share his experience and insights with others to help them achieve the ... Show More
1h 18m
Oct 2022
What does science say about intermittent fasting?
It seems like every day, someone new mentions intermittent fasting. But what is it, exactly? There are myriad options — from the 5:2 diet, with two days of extreme calorie restriction each week, to the warrior diet, which involves eating only raw fruit during the day and a mammot ... Show More
47m 33s
Aug 2023
Mastering Peak Performance Through Intermittent Fasting
The Summit of Greatness is back! Buy your tickets today – summitofgreatness.com – Dr. Alan Goldhamer is one of the world’s leading experts on medically supervised,  water-only fasting. Articulate, inspiring, and energetic, he is a frequent lecturer and speaker on fasting, diet, a ... Show More
57m 55s
Apr 2024
The TRUTH about intermittent fasting
What we learned from the world’s biggest intermittent fasting study. Did you know that intermittent fasting can have significant health benefits? By aligning your eating schedule with your body's natural rhythms, it can bolster heart health, enhance insulin sensitivity, and suppo ... Show More
1h 2m
Oct 2023
Why I Stopped Extended Fasting: A Muscle Centric Approach to Fasting and Metabolic Health
Intermittent fasting (IF) and prolonged fasting are wonderful tools that can improve blood sugar health and support longevity. However, both fasting and calorie restriction can accelerate muscle loss and compromise exercise performance. Sponsored: Support your Workout Sessions an ... Show More
11m 32s
Jun 2023
TMHS 698: The #1 Way To Activate Fat Loss & The Key Metabolic Difference Between Men & Women - With Dr. Mindy Pelz
There are a variety of approaches to fasting, whether it be for weight loss, mental clarity, or for decreased inflammation. But like many other dieting strategies, these frameworks often leave little room for bio-individuality. Finding a health and nutrition approach that works f ... Show More
1h 13m