Welcome to Ben Greenfield's Weekly Roundup!
In this weekly post, I share with you my most interesting discoveries of the week, including the latest news on the fronts of fitness, nutrition, health, wellness, biohacking, and anti-aging research. I also recap my upcoming events and special announcements so you can keep up with opportunities to learn, giveaways, discounts, and more!
New Discoveries
Think You Know Why Seed Oils Cause Inflammation? *This* New Study Says You Might Have the Wrong Culprit…
A new randomized controlled trial might change the way you think about seed oils (and not because it proves they're harmful, but because it reveals an unexpected finding).
Researchers assigned 52 healthy adults to either a low-linoleic acid (LA) diet (2.5% of calories) or a high-LA diet (10% of calories, which is similar to what many Americans consume) for 12 weeks.
The common argument against seed oils is that LA, the primary omega-6 fat in many seed oils, is converted into arachidonic acid (ARA), which then promotes inflammation.
But surprisingly, that's not what happened. Despite the much higher LA intake, arachidonic acid levels remained virtually unchanged.
What did change was eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the body's most important anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
The high-LA group experienced significantly lower EPA levels, shifting the balance between omega-6- and omega-3-derived signaling molecules toward a more pro-inflammatory profile. Researchers also found higher ARA-to-EPA ratios and a shift in oxylipins, which are bioactive compounds that help regulate inflammation and immune function.
So what does this mean for you?
If your diet is high in seed oils or ultra-processed foods, adding in flaxseed, chia seeds, or walnuts may not be enough, since high LA intake can limit the conversion of plant-based alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into EPA. Including preformed EPA, such as from fatty fish or a high-quality fish oil supplement (like Kion Omega Fish Oil), seems to be one of the best ways to maintain a healthier omega-6-to-omega-3 balance.
Want to dive deeper into the science behind seed oils, healthy fats, and omega-3s?
You can check out my related podcasts, articles, and videos below, where I break down what the latest research says and how to build a diet that supports long-term health:
- Check for *These* Ingredients To Avoid Damaged & Damaging SEED OILS in Potato Chips, French Fries, Fried Foods & More.
- Are Seed Oils *Really* That Bad For You? Ben Asks Skeptical Questions (& Unveils DIRTY Secrets Of The Food Industry) With Dr. Anthony Gustin & Steven Rofrano.
- A Deep “Dive” Into The Fascinating World Of Fish Oil, The Right Fat Ratios In Your Diet, Plant Vs. Animal-Based Oils & The Exact Fish Oil Ben Greenfield Uses Every Day.
- The Giant Fish Oil Episode: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Omega 3 Fatty Acids, EPA, DHA, Dosing, Sourcing & Much More!
- Supplements Update: What Supplements Does Ben Greenfield Take (& How To Time / Choose Your Personal Supplementation Protocol).
Can't Make It to Boundless Live but Still Want to See the Documentary? You Can Pre-Order the Film *Here* 🎬
A lot of you have asked how to watch Boundless: The Man Who Became Human if you can't make it out to the live tour…
Good news: it's now available to pre-order, and you'll be among the first to watch it when it officially releases.
Boundless has been several years in the making, and it's one of the most personal projects I've ever released. Yes, you'll see cutting-edge biohacking, longevity science, and human performance. But more importantly, it's about everything those things are ultimately meant to serve: family, marriage, faith, purpose, and what happens when chasing optimization begins to cost you what matters most.
This is the story *behind* the story, and it may be the most honest, controversial, and transformative piece of content I've created.
You can pre-order Boundless here. (If you're on a browser and don't see the pre-order button, click “Open TV” in the top left corner.)
Already caught the film at one of the Boundless Live premieres? I'd love for you to drop a comment below and let me know what you thought!
This Week in Health & Performance: What the Latest Research Says
🧠🥤 Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Faster Brain Aging? A new study found that adults consuming the highest amounts of artificial sweeteners experienced significantly faster declines in memory and thinking compared to those consuming the least. The effect was especially pronounced in adults under 60 and people with diabetes, with the highest intake associated with cognitive aging roughly 1.6 years faster. That said, this was an observational study, so it doesn't prove cause and effect. And yes… you'll still occasionally catch me enjoying a Diet Coke. Just not very often (full study here).
📺 🧠 Too Much TV May Raise Alzheimer's Risk, Especially In Men: Spending excessive time watching television is associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study, with the association appearing strongest in men. While the study specifically looked at television viewing, it raises the question of whether hours of endless doom-scrolling videos might also be affecting brain health. More research is needed, but it's another reminder that how we spend our leisure time impacts our mental performance (more about the study here).
🏃♂️🦴 Running May Be One Of The Best Things You Can Do For Your Spinal Discs: You might assume high-impact exercise wears down your spine, but this study suggests the opposite. Researchers found that physical loading can actually support healthier spinal discs, with running being the only activity consistently associated with improved disc health. Cycling, swimming, weightlifting, and explosive sports showed neither clear benefit nor harm. Sometimes your body gets stronger precisely because you challenge it (full study here).
🥤💪 Do You Really Need Carbs In Your Post-Workout Shake? A new study suggests adding extra carbohydrates to your post-workout protein shake doesn't further improve muscle or strength adaptations for most resistance training. However, there's an important caveat: the participants weren't performing highly glycogen-depleting training such as CrossFit, HYROX, long endurance sessions, or demanding metcons. If your workouts are especially long or intense, carbohydrates are likely still needed for recovery and performance (read the full study).
Key Takeaway: Limiting artificial sweeteners and excessive screen time may support brain health, running appears to strengthen rather than damage your spinal discs, and post-workout nutrition should match the demands of your training—not a one-size-fits-all formula.
Want to dive deeper? Click the links above to explore the research, and click here to follow me on X for all the latest health and performance news hot off the press!
Product Of The Week
::: Save 20% Off the Only Clinically Proven Urolithin A Supplement 🧬⚡:::
One of the biggest reasons energy declines with age isn't that your body stops producing energy…
It's that your cells become less efficient at renewing the mitochondria responsible for producing it. As damaged mitochondria accumulate, strength, endurance, recovery, and cellular energy all begin to decline.
That's why I recommend checking out Timeline Nutrition's Mitopure®, the only clinically validated Urolithin A supplement, delivering a precise dose of a naturally occurring compound that supports mitophagy, your body's process of clearing out worn-out mitochondria so healthier ones can replace them.
What impresses me most is the science. Mitopure® is backed by more than 18 years of research, over 25 human clinical trials, and studies showing it can increase mitochondrial renewal by 39% after 16 weeks. Clinical research has also demonstrated benefits for muscle strength and cellular energy, making it one of the few longevity supplements with this level of human evidence.
If your goal is to stay stronger, recover faster, and maintain high levels of energy as you age (not just rely on another stimulant), Mitopure® is one of the most compelling options available.
You can try Mitopure® for yourself and save 20% off with code BEN here.
Podcasts I Recorded This Week:
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My full article feed and all archives of my articles are here.
Upcoming Events:
Boundless Live Tour Presented by FormulaIQ & NADS | Summer 2026
Join the world premiere of Boundless: The Man Who Became Human, a new feature documentary that follows 20 years of body optimization colliding with life's immeasurable moments—marriage, family, and faith. Experience a live podcast recording and intimate Q&A with my family and me in Los Angeles, Austin, and Moscow, ID, one night in a room full of people chasing the same thing. Purchase tickets here.
Health Optimisation Summit | September 11–13, 2026
I'm speaking at the Health Optimisation Summit in London (September 11–13, 2026) at the Business Design Centre. This isn't your average health conference. HOS unites the best minds in biohacking, longevity, nutrition, fitness, and medicine, with one goal: to actually make people healthier. With 35+ world-class speakers, 120+ cutting-edge brands, and 4,000 like-minded people all under one roof, it's two days that could genuinely change how you approach your health. Get your ticket here and use code BEN to save 10% off registration!
Eudēmonia | November 5–8, 2026
I'm speaking at Eudēmonia (November 5–8, 2026, in West Palm Beach, FL), a prevention-focused, science-based health, well-being, and longevity summit designed to add years to your life and life to your years. Across 3 days and 15 venues, you'll experience 200+ talks from 120+ experts, 300 treatments, and 160+ brands covering everything from biohacking, longevity, and hormonal health to gut health, brain health, peptides, mobility, and more. I'll be leading a talk and a movement session alongside some of the brightest minds in health today. Use code BGREENFIELD-EUD-100 for $100 off when you register here!
The Boundless Couples Retreat | November 10–14, 2026
Ready to reconnect and recharge with your partner in paradise? Join the Greenfields at the stunning Prana Maya resort in Belize for the Boundless Couples Retreat, November 10–14, 2026. It's a five-day, all-inclusive escape designed to deepen your relationship, restore your vitality, and create memories that last a lifetime. From relaxation and adventure to intimate relationship coaching with Jessa and me, every detail is crafted to send you home with a stronger bond and a reinvigorated spirit. Spots are limited, so discover more and secure yours here today!
The Manzo x Ben Greenfield Table Private Dinner | Throughout 2026
If you want to taste one of the world's rarest cuts of beef and experience my North Idaho biohacking compound firsthand, my family and I are hosting The Manzo x Ben Greenfield Table, an intimate, chef-catered VIP dinner on a few limited 2026 dates. The evening includes biodynamic wine, a live cooking demo, a multi-course Piedmontese feast finer than Wagyu, and a night of deep sleep in an EMF-free, fully grounded, circadian-optimized guest room. Anyone who reserves a half or whole Piedmontese bull from Manzo qualifies for a spot, so reserve your allocation and dinner here.
Stay tuned for future updates—and you can always keep up with my LIVE appearances by checking out bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar!
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Cheers,
Ben
