#284: Dr Andrew Steele - Longevity Expert On Bryan Johnson, Chris Hemsworth, Blue Zones & More
Jun 19, 2023
auto_awesome
The podcast explores biohacking practices and the quest for longevity, shedding light on controversial treatments like 'blood boys'. It delves into the realities of aging through an experiential exercise and discusses the significance of tracking health metrics with wearable devices. The validity of using Blue Zones for longevity is questioned, and the episode features engaging discussions on book promotion and social media presence.
Controversial longevity methods of Brian Johnson raise concerns about accessibility and ethics.
The impact of blood exchange on aging biology reveals evolving research and translation complexities.
Resting heart rate emerges as a crucial health indicator, with lower rates correlating with longevity and disease risk reduction.
Deep dives
Brian Johnson's Approach to Longevity and Business
Brian Johnson, known for his extreme lifestyle to enhance longevity, presents a controversial approach to aging biology. He emphasizes a strict routine involving supplements, drugs, and even using his son as a blood donor. However, the focus shifted from scientific curiosity to monetizing his methods, raising concerns about accessibility and ethics in longevity pursuits.
Blood Transfusions in Aging Biology
Exploring the concept of blood exchange between young and old animals showcases the potential impact on aging biology. While initial experiments on rats showed rejuvenating effects from shared blood supply, recent studies indicate diluting older blood as a more promising approach. This highlights evolving research on aging interventions and the complexity of translating animal studies to human applications.
The Significance of Resting Heart Rate in Health Monitoring
Among various health metrics, resting heart rate emerges as a key indicator for overall health. Studies suggest that a lower resting heart rate correlates with longevity and reduced risks of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. While wearables offer insights into monitoring heart rate, the resting heart rate stands out due to its established association with improved health outcomes.
Resting Heart Rate Discrepancies Among Different Fitness Trackers
Various fitness trackers, like the Mi Band, Fitbit, and Apple Watch, can provide inconsistent resting heart rate measurements, with some devices measuring heart rate even while the wearer is asleep, leading to potentially misleading results. The differences in recorded values highlight the importance of focusing on trends rather than absolute numbers when assessing fitness data, such as steps taken, sleep duration, and heart rate.
The Challenge of Interpreting Sleep Tracker Data and Blue Zones
Sleep trackers may not always provide accurate sleep scores, and users can become overly fixated on the numbers, leading to unnecessary stress. Blue zones, regions associated with longevity, present a complex picture where lifestyle factors, diet, and community play a role. However, disentangling causation from correlation in these areas can be challenging due to varying demographics and lifestyle habits, making it crucial to approach health metrics with caution and prioritize overall trends over exact readings.
After obtaining a PhD in physics from the University of Oxford, Andrew Steele decided that aging was the most important scientific challenge of our time and switched fields to computational biology. He worked at the Francis Crick Institute, using machine learning to decode our DNA and predict heart attacks using patients’ medical records. He is now a full-time science writer and presenter based in London.
Andrew is the author of the book "Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old" and you can find more from Andrew at: https://andrewsteele.co.uk/
Connect with us:
https://freedompact.co.uk/newsletter (Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Newsletter)
https://instagram.com/freedompact
https://twitter.com/freedompactpod
freedompact@gmail.com
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode