#276 ‒ Special episode: Peter answers questions on longevity, supplements, protein, fasting, apoB, statins, and more
Oct 23, 2023
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Peter, Founder and host of The Drive, answers a variety of questions on longevity, supplements, fasting, apoB, statins, and more. He explores the potential of living to 120, shares his drug and supplement regimen, discusses the complexities of nutrition research, and strategies for hitting daily protein goals. Peter also talks about his favorite health-tracking wearables and the role of CGM in non-diabetics.
Maximizing health span and reducing morbidity late in life is more feasible and beneficial than aiming for extreme lifespans.
Cholesterol is cholesterol, whether it is carried by LDL or HDL; understanding the role of cholesterol in cardiovascular health is crucial.
Determining the 'best' diet is complex due to the multifactorial nature of eating, limitations in studying nutrition, and the need to consider individual factors.
Deep dives
Longevity and the Limits of Aging
Living to 120, 150, or 180 years is currently not feasible due to our limited understanding of the underlying biology of aging and the lack of evidence for reversing the aging process. While some individuals claim to possess the secret to staying young, the scientific reality suggests that aging cannot be effectively halted or reversed. Therefore, it is more beneficial to focus on maximizing health span and reducing morbidity late in life, rather than aiming for extreme lifespans.
The Myth of Good and Bad Cholesterol
There is no such thing as 'good cholesterol' or 'bad cholesterol.' Cholesterol is cholesterol, regardless of whether it is carried by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The distinction between LDL and HDL lies in their role in transporting cholesterol within the body. LDL is associated with the buildup of cholesterol in artery walls, leading to atherosclerosis, while HDL does not contribute to this process. It is important to accurately understand and communicate the role of cholesterol in cardiovascular health.
The Complexities of Nutrition Research
Studying nutrition is challenging due to the complexity of the human body and the multifactorial nature of eating. Controlled experiments on nutrition in humans are difficult to conduct, as confining individuals and controlling their diets for extended periods is not feasible. This limitation leads to an over-reliance on epidemiological studies, which can only suggest associations rather than causation. Additionally, studying the long-term effects of specific diets is challenging. Therefore, determining the 'best' diet is not a straightforward task and should consider individual factors, such as energy balance and metabolic health.
Supplement regimen
The speaker discusses his current supplement regimen, including glycine, magnesium L3 innate, and Jero's phosphatidyl serine. He also mentions taking athletic greens and a probiotic called glucose control by Pendulum.
Drug and nutrition strategies for ASCVD risk
The speaker discusses drug and nutrition strategies for lowering ApoB and managing lipoprotein risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). He mentions using drugs like brapathia and Nexlazet to lower ApoB levels. He also highlights the importance of reducing carbohydrates and saturated fat in the diet to lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
In this special episode of The Drive, Peter discusses a variety of topics, breaking away from the typical deep-dive format to explore a wide range of common questions submitted by listeners. Peter tackles subjects like the viability of living to 120 and beyond, addressing some of the optimistic theories regarding achievement of this remarkable feat. Peter then shares his drug and supplement regimen while emphasizing how individualized these protocols need to be. The conversation also touches on lowering apoB, the long-term use of statins, the myth of good vs. bad cholesterol, the complexities of nutrition research, the quest for the ideal diet, and Peter's strategies for hitting daily protein goals. Peter finishes with a discussion about his favorite health-tracking wearables, the role of CGM in non-diabetics, and more.
We discuss:
Overview of topics and previous episodes of a similar format [2:45];
The viability of living to 120 and beyond: some optimistic theories [4:45];
The potential of mTOR inhibition as a mid-life intervention, and longevity potential for the next generation [13:30];
A framework for thinking about geroprotective drugs and supplements in the context of a lack of aging biomarkers [17:00];
Supplements Peter takes and how his regimen has changed in the last year [26:15];
Pharmacologic strategies to lower ASCVD risk, the limitations of statins, nutritional interventions, and more [36:15];
Misnomers about cholesterol [48:00];
Why nutritional research is so challenging, some general principles of nutrition, and why Peter stopped doing prolonged fasts [50:45];
Optimizing protein intake [59:45];
Wearables for sleep and exercise, continuous glucose monitors (CGM), and a continuous blood pressure monitor on the horizon [1:04:45]; and