Worklife with Adam Grant ReThinking: Busting longevity myths with Eric Topol
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Dec 9, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Eric Topol, a renowned cardiologist and author focused on longevity, debunks common myths about aging and health. He shares findings on what genuinely influences lifespan, emphasizing lifestyle and immune health over fad supplements. Topol critiques the longevity industry, warning against pseudoscience and promotes early disease detection methods through advanced genomic tools. With a blend of skepticism and optimism, he advocates for informed health decisions, the importance of exercise, and leveraging AI in medical practices.
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Immune Health, Not Genes, Drive Super Aging
- Eric Topol's sequencing of 1,400 super-healthy elders found almost no genetic differences from typical elderly controls.
- He argues immune system resilience and inflammation explain extreme healthspan more than DNA variants.
Avoid Unproven Longevity Fads
- Avoid unproven longevity practices like expensive clinics, total-body MRIs, and off-label rapamycin use.
- Beware influencers pushing doses; these interventions can cause harm like immune suppression and invasive follow-ups.
Skip Routine Vitamins Without Evidence
- Don't take routine vitamins or supplements if you eat a healthy diet; most show no meaningful benefit.
- Test and treat only specific deficiencies like very low vitamin D or B12 under physician guidance.
