LampHill Letter: February 2026

This month covers some foundational rethinking: Blue Zones scrutinized, atherosclerosis reframed as inflammatory process rather than plumbing problem, and nutrition research admitting its nutrient-by-nutrient era largely failed. There is also newer territory on APOE4 and omega-3 transport, what creatine adds to muscle, and a diabetes drug drawing longevity researchers' attention. The ABI test rounds things out as a low-tech screen most people have never heard of.

This month's reading

Longevity. The Blue Zones idea is one of health's most influential concepts; here is what the evidence shows. Blue zones

Cardiovascular. Atherosclerosis begins decades before any symptom, driven by an inflammatory process that "clogged arteries" barely describes. Atherosclerosis

Brain. For APOE4 carriers, omega-3 brain transport appears to work differently at different life stages, and the gap matters. APOE4 and omega-3 brain transport, paradoxical young uptake, old-age transporter failure

Muscle. A 2025 washout trial starts to separate how much of creatine's added weight is water and how much is actual muscle. Creatine muscle, water weight vs hypertrophy

Nutrition. Decades of chasing single nutrients came up short; what the shift to studying whole dietary patterns has found instead. Dietary patterns and longevity

Supplements. A gut enzyme inhibitor approved for type 2 diabetes is drawing attention well outside that original indication. Acarbose

Biomarkers. A simple ankle-to-arm pressure comparison can flag significant artery disease without imaging or contrast agents. ABI test

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