The Secrets Behind the World's Longest Living People with Dan Buettner | MGC Ep. 98

Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Dan Buettner, National Geographic explorer, Emmy award-winning filmmaker, and founder of the Blue Zones, for an illuminating conversation on the secrets of longevity.

Dan explains why people in Blue Zone communities, like Ikaria, Greece, and Nicoya, Costa Rica, live significantly longer, healthier lives, and why it has little to do with genetics. Instead, he shares how their environments naturally support better choices: more movement, plant-based eating, strong social ties, and a deep sense of purpose.

You’ll also hear about the proven success of Blue Zone initiatives in U.S. cities like Fort Worth and Los Angeles, where simple changes in policy and urban design have reduced obesity and improved community health. Dan also tackles popular longevity “hacks,” the importance of happiness, and why beans may be the most powerful superfood on your plate.

Key Topics Covered:

• The origins and science behind the Blue Zones

• Diet and lifestyle patterns that extend life by up to a decade

• Why changing your environment beats trying to change your willpower

• How happiness and community are linked to health

• What U.S. cities can learn from the world’s healthiest populations

Discover the evidence-based practices that can help you live longer, healthier, and happier starting today.

Connect with Dr. Mayer:

Instagram: ⁠@emeranmayer⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠@EmeranMayerMD⁠

YouTube: ⁠Emeran Mayer, MD⁠

Website: ⁠emeranmayer.com⁠

TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - 0:51 Introduction0:51 - 2:13 Who is Dan Buettner?2:13 - 4:47 What explains longevity in the Blue Zones?4:47 - 7:02 This is a fake Blue Zone7:02 - 10:00 Blue Zone diet/lifestyle10:00 - 13:15 Our bodies aren't optimized for our modern lifestyle13:15 - 15:20 Modern medicine & epidemic of chronic disease15:20 - 17:57 Why is Singapore so healthy?17:57 - 19:20 Thoughts on MAHA movement19:20 - 21:11 Transforming US cities into Blue Zones21:11 - 22:52 Are certain longevity factors more important than others?22:52 - 24:35 What kind of diet does Dan follow24:35 - 27:36 Thoughts on biohacking, rapamycin, metformin27:36 - 29:02 Dan's new book - Blue Zone Kitchen29:02 - 32:08 Issues with an older & older population32:08 - 33:40 Relationship between longevity & happiness33:40 - 34:37 Thanks for listening