In this episode of Longevity by Design, Dr. Gil Blander welcomes Dr. Jens Juul Holst, a renowned Danish physician and physiologist, to discuss GLP-1, a hormone transforming our understanding of metabolic health. Dr. Holst, who discovered and described GLP-1, explains its role as a gut-derived hormone that regulates appetite, insulin secretion, and digestion, offering a groundbreaking approach to managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.The conversation explores how GLP-1 receptor agonists, have evolved into powerful medications. These drugs help patients achieve significant weight loss, reverse diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and potentially enhance cognitive function. Dr. Holst delves into their long-term implications for preventing diabetes, extending health spans, and even reducing the risks of obesity-related cancers and improving fertility.Dr. Holst emphasizes that while GLP-1 offers life-changing benefits, sustainable health still hinges on balanced diets and regular physical activity. This episode provides a fascinating look at the intersection of science, medicine, and lifestyle in promoting longevity.Episode highlights:Introduction: 00:00:00What is GLP-1: 00:03:00what is a GLP-1 agonist: 00:04:15what are the target organs of the GLP-1 agonist?: 00:06:30what is the effect of the GLP-1 agonist on a diabetic patient?: 00:10:00What percentage of a diabetic patient on GLP-1 have complete remission: 00:11:30How long did it take to bring a drug to market from the moment you first discovered it: 00:23:30What is the GLP-1 effect on cognition and dementia: 00:29:00GLP-1 effect on kidney diseases: 00:32:00GLP-1 positive effect on fertility: 00:35:00GLP-1 positive effect on cancer: 00:37:30Should a patient be on GLP-1 for life: 00:41:00GLP-1 related side effects: 00:48:00GLP-1 effect on resting heart rate: 00:52:30GLP-1 related side effects: 00:48:00GLP-1 from Lilly vs novo nordisk: 00:55:00GLP-1 oral versus the injectable: 00:58:00GLP-1 effect on lifespan: 01:00:30GLP-1 effect on lifespan: 01:00:30What led you to become a scientist: 01:03:00The story of discovering the GLP-1: 01:04:30How did you successfully extend the half-life of the GLP-1 agonist: 01:09:00GLP-1 moving from once a day to once a week: 01:16:00Top tip to improve healthspan: 01:18:00GLP-1 Agonists: A Game-Changer for Diabetes and ObesityDr. Jens Juul Holst explores the revolutionary impact of GLP-1 agonists in treating diabetes and obesity. These medications mimic a natural gut hormone to regulate insulin secretion, appetite, and weight. Through their ability to normalize blood glucose levels and promote significant weight loss, GLP-1 agonists have transformed the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Holst highlights their success in enabling over 50% of diabetes patients to achieve normal glucose levels while addressing the systemic health risks tied to obesity. This innovation represents a monumental leap in metabolic disease management. For science-backed ways to live a healthier longer life, download InsideTracker's Top 5 biomarkers for longevity eBook at insidetracker.com/podcast

Dr. Jacob Allen, an expert in exercise physiology and microbiology, joins Dr. Mike Miller, a food scientist specializing in lactic acid bacteria. Together, they unravel the intriguing science of fermentation and its health benefits. They discuss how lactic acid fermentation can reduce inflammation and potentially enhance longevity. The duo emphasizes the importance of choosing fermented foods wisely and explains the difference between probiotics and live cultures. They also share tips for home fermentation, making healthy eating accessible and fun.

Dr. Yanina Pepino, a Professor of Ingestive Behavior at the University of Illinois, delves into the intriguing connection between taste preferences and health. She discusses how early exposure to flavors, especially during pregnancy, can shape lifelong dietary choices. Yanina highlights the role of bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications in transforming food cravings, promoting healthier options. The conversation also uncovers the metabolic effects of non-nutritive sweeteners and their implications for mindful eating, offering valuable insights for better health.

In this special "Ask Me Anything" episode of the Longevity by Design podcast, Ashley Reaver and Dr. Gil Blander from InsideTracker delve into their latest innovation, the Nutrition Nutrition Deep Dive Solution. After years of research and development, they share the journey of creating a food recognition platform that helps users track their food intake in real time. The goal is to provide users with personalized recommendations for better health and nutrition based on their dietary habits.Dr. Blander explains the challenges that arose over nearly a decade of development, including the complexity of assessing nutritional needs accurately. Through collaboration with experts from Tufts School of Nutrition, InsideTracker has refined its approach, incorporating not only food frequency questionnaires but also real-time food logging. This solution enables users to optimize their intake of macro and micronutrients to improve health outcomes.Ashley emphasizes how this technology allows for a more holistic view of a person's nutrition and its impact on biomarkers, performance, and sleep. With the addition of real-time data, users can now receive tailored insights that align with their fitness and wellness goals.  Episode highlightsIntroduction: 00:00:00Nutrition Deep Dive Ideation: 00:01:35Why the Development of the Nutrition Solution Took So Long: 00:02:50What is the problem we tried to solve:  00:05:25What is the Value of the Nutrition Deep Dive for the User: 00:07:00What Are the Expectations for a Nutrition Deep Dive User: 00:09:25What Does a Nutrition Deep Dive User Receive in Exchange for One Week of Nutrition Logging: 00:11:50How Often Should Nutrition Deep Dive Users Complete the 7-Day Logging: 00:16:35Why 7-Days Logging: 00:19:00Summary 00:21:10 The Evolution of the Nutrition Deep DiveInsideTracker's Nutrition Deep Dive was a decade-long project aimed at solving the challenge of personalized nutrition. Dr. Blander explains that the project began with the realization that no one had figured out how to match the right food with the right person at the right time. The team worked extensively, developing multiple iterations, collaborating with leading scientists, and employing cutting-edge technology, including food recognition platforms and barcode readers. Despite the prolonged process, their persistence led to a comprehensive solution that analyzes user input, such as food consumption and biomarker data, to offer personalized nutritional insights.Food Tracking Technology: A Game-ChangerOne of the most exciting aspects of InsideTracker’s Nutrition Deep Dive innovation is its food recognition technology. Users can log food through various methods, including scanning barcodes or using their iPhone camera to identify food items. The system is capable of analyzing over 4,000 foods, and the database is continuously expanding. This ability to gather real-time nutrition data revolutionizes how users can assess their diet. When paired with data from fitness trackers, the insights help to better understand the connection between food, sleep, exercise, and overall performance, thus optimizing health.We Appreciate You!As a token of our gratitude, we’re excited to offer you 15% off your next purchase. Simply click the link below to redeem your discount: https://info.insidetracker.com/podcast

Dr. David Sinclair, a renowned genetics professor at Harvard, discusses groundbreaking research on aging and its reversal. He explains how epigenetic changes influence lifespan and highlights the significance of diet and exercise in promoting longevity. Dr. Sinclair emphasizes innovative approaches, such as gene therapy and emerging drugs like GLP-1, while also promoting personalized health tracking to monitor vital markers. The conversation reveals a holistic view of healthspan versus lifespan, paving the way for healthier, longer lives.

In this episode of Longevity by Design, Dr. Gil Blander talks with Dr. Renee Deehan, Senior Vice President of Science and AI at InsideTracker. They explore the world of artificial intelligence and its applications in health and wellness.Renee explains the differences between AI, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs). She discusses how InsideTracker has developed a specialized LLM called Ask InsideTracker. This tool allows users to interact with a vast knowledge base of health and wellness information.The conversation delves into the potential future applications of AI in personalized health recommendations. Renee emphasizes the importance of data privacy and security when developing these tools. She also shares her perspective on the broader impact of AI in various industries and its potential to enhance decision-making processes.Episode highlights:Introduction: 00:00:00Defining AI and Machine Learning in Simple Terms: 00:04:00AI is a branch of computer science: 00:05:00The Power and Limitations of Large Language Models: 00:08:00Developing Specialized AI Tools for Health and Wellness: 00:25:00GPT general foundational model: 00:26:00The Future of AI in Personalized Health Recommendations: 00:37:00A balance between nutrition, exercise, and recovery: 00:47:00The best habit that you can do: 00:48:00Specialized LLMs Enhance Health Information AccuracyLLMs tailored to specific domains can significantly improve the quality and reliability of information provided to users. By constraining general AI models with specialized knowledge, such as InsideTracker's corpus of health and wellness blog posts, these tools can deliver more accurate and relevant answers. This approach helps filter out noise and misinformation often found in general internet searches. For health and wellness applications, specialized LLMs can offer personalized insights based on high-quality, expert-reviewed content. This method bridges the gap between vast amounts of available information and individual user needs, potentially revolutionizing how people access and understand health-related information.AI in Health: Balancing Personalization and PrivacyThe integration of AI in health and wellness platforms promises highly personalized recommendations but raises important privacy concerns. As these systems evolve to incorporate individual health data, such as biomarkers and lifestyle information, the potential for tailored advice increases dramatically. However, this advancement requires robust security measures to protect sensitive personal information. The challenge lies in creating AI systems that can access and analyze personal health data while maintaining strict privacy standards. Striking this balance is crucial for the widespread adoption and trust in AI-powered health tools, potentially transforming how individuals manage their health and make lifestyle decisions.Continuous Refinement Key to AI Tool EffectivenessThe development and improvement of AI tools, particularly in health and wellness, require ongoing refinement based on user interactions and feedback. This iterative process involves analyzing user queries, identifying areas of improvement, and continuously updating the AI model. By studying how users interact with the tool and the types of questions they ask, developers can enhance the AI's ability to provide relevant and accurate information. This approach ensures that AI tools evolve to meet user needs more effectively over time. The continuous refinement process is crucial for maintaining the tool's reliability and relevance, especially in rapidly evolving fields like health and wellness.For science-backed ways to live a healthier longer life, download InsideTracker's Top 5 biomarkers for longevity eBook at insidetracker.com/podcast

On this episode of Longevity by Design, Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD, and Dr. Gil Blander, delve into the intricate world of the immune system and its impact on aging with Dr. David Furman, Associate Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. David discusses his groundbreaking research on inflammaging— uncovering how chronic, low-grade inflammation can accelerate the aging process. Discover how David's team developed a new inflammatory age test, soon to be available from his company Edifice Health, that uses five key proteins to assess an individual's inflammatory state and predict future health risks. We also explore the surprising link between space travel and accelerated aging, examining the impact of microgravity on the body. Tune in to learn practical tips on combating inflammation and promoting longevity through lifestyle choices and a deeper understanding of your own personal health data.Episode highlights:Introduction: 00:00:00Why have you decided to be a scientist and not a painter: 00:04:001000 Immunomes: 00:06:00What is the immune system: 00:16:00Biomarkers related to the immune system: 00:18:00The development of frailty during the aging process: 00:21:00what inflammation is: 00:27:00Lifestlye dependent chronic stress: 00:31:00Inflammation-related biological clock: 00:34:00Epigenetic age: 00:38:00Centenarians and inflammatory markers: 00:48:00Space flight and inflammation: 00:51:00Astronauts aging: 00:55:00Microgravity as a stressor: 00:59:00Future of David's work: 01:04:00Summary: 01:06:00Not All Biological Age Clocks Are Created EqualWhile various biological age clocks exist, including epigenetic and glycan clocks, David's research highlights the benefits of protein-based clocks like his inflammatory age test. Unlike other clocks that closely correlate with chronological age, inflammatory age reveals more about an individual's biological state and potential health risks, offering valuable insights beyond simply reflecting the passage of time. Additionally, understanding how specific proteins link to inflammation allows for actionable lifestyle and dietary changes to positively impact those markers and potentially slow down the aging process. Lifestyle Choices Directly Impact Our Inflammatory LevelsMany modern lifestyle factors, often a far cry from our evolutionary past, contribute to chronic inflammation. These include exposure to environmental toxins like plastics and pesticides, poor sleep quality, disruptions to our circadian rhythm, social isolation, and chronic stress. By minimizing these exposome factors and adopting healthier habits—such as consuming whole foods, prioritizing sleep hygiene, and managing stress—we can potentially lower inflammation and support healthier aging. Space Travel Offers a Unique Perspective on Accelerated AgingAstronauts, despite being otherwise healthy individuals, experience accelerated aging due to the stressors of space travel, particularly the effects of microgravity. This provides valuable data on aging mechanisms that can be applied to Earth-bound research. By studying the physiological changes astronauts undergo, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of aging processes and potentially develop interventions to mitigate age-related decline for everyone. For science-backed ways to live a healthier longer life, download InsideTracker's Top 5 biomarkers for longevity eBook at insidetracker.com/podcast 

Dr. Renee Deehan, a molecular biologist turned computational expert, and Nimisha Schneider from InsideTracker, discuss groundbreaking advances in personalized health. They delve into how AI analyzes blood biomarkers and genetic data to offer tailored health recommendations. Insights from a study of 20,000 users reveal significant improvements in cholesterol and A1c levels. The conversation highlights the importance of lifestyle changes in health optimization and how understanding genetic predispositions can enhance long-term wellness.

In this episode of Longevity by Design, hosts Ashley Reaver and Dr. Gil Blander welcome Dr. Julie Andersen, a distinguished neuroscientist at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, who discusses her groundbreaking work on neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. She explains how the field of geroscience is transforming our understanding of aging, revealing that common underlying processes in various diseases could lead to universal therapeutic approaches.Dr. Andersen dives into the gut-brain connection, highlighting how gut health significantly impacts brain aging and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. She also emphasizes the importance of cellular senescence, a process where aging cells stop dividing, contributing to diseases like Alzheimer's. Her research explores innovative ways to slow or prevent these processes, paving the way for new treatments.The episode concludes with Dr. Andersen advocating for lifestyle interventions, particularly exercise, as powerful tools in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. She underscores the potential of personalized medicine in tailoring treatments to individual aging patterns, offering hope for more effective and targeted therapies.Episode highlights:Introduction: 00:00:00Dementia as a side effect of aging: 00:06:00Dementia prevalence in the population: 00:10:00The environment and Alzheimer's disease: 00:15:00Biological sex effect on Dementia 00:17:00Ethnicity effect on Dementia  00:18:00What to expect when you are diagnosed with Dementia 00:19:00Biomarkers for Dementia 00:26:00The connection between the hallmarks of aging and Dementia: 00:30:00 Exercise and Dementia: 00:34:00disruption of REM sleep as an early sign of Parkinson's: 00:37:00What is the current treatment for Parkinson's: 00:38:00Cellular senescence and neurodegenerative diseases: 00:42:00Beta amyloid plaques and Alzheimer's disease: 00:50:00Autophagy and dementia: 01:00:00What would you recommend to a person who like to live better and longer: 01:08:00

Dr. Brianna Stubbs, a former competitive rower turned expert in exogenous ketone metabolism, dives into her groundbreaking research on ketones and their role in performance and aging. She explains how ketones serve as an alternative fuel, boosting cognitive function and heart health. The conversation touches on personalized dieting approaches, the impact of ketone supplements for both athletes and the general public, and the ketogenic diet’s potential to enhance longevity. Tune in for insights that could transform your understanding of health and performance!