The Real Reason You Age (And How to Slow It Down) | Dr. Eric Verdin & Dr. Mark Hyman

What really has changed in the last 20 What really has changed in the last 20 years is that we can change your years is that we can change your years is that we can change your biological age to some degree. Your biological age to some degree. Your biological age to some degree. Your cholesterol level is seven times less cholesterol level is seven times less cholesterol level is seven times less important than your age. So, imagine now important than your age. So, imagine now important than your age. So, imagine now that we're targeting aging, what it's that we're targeting aging, what it's that we're targeting aging, what it's going to do in terms of impact on your going to do in terms of impact on your going to do in terms of impact on your risk for heart disease. You say that the risk for heart disease. You say that the risk for heart disease. You say that the phenomena that drive aging is primary. phenomena that drive aging is primary. phenomena that drive aging is primary. The diseases are secondary. The diseases are secondary. The diseases are secondary. >> Aging is the biggest risk factor for a >> Aging is the biggest risk factor for a >> Aging is the biggest risk factor for a whole series of conditions that we call whole series of conditions that we call whole series of conditions that we call heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, many forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, many forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, many forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, all of these Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, all of these Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, all of these disease. And so, it really changes the disease. And so, it really changes the disease. And so, it really changes the paradigm of the way we've been taught paradigm of the way we've been taught paradigm of the way we've been taught medicine, which is to respond to all of medicine, which is to respond to all of medicine, which is to respond to all of these emergencies that occur, what I these emergencies that occur, what I these emergencies that occur, what I call whack-a-mole medicine. call whack-a-mole medicine. call whack-a-mole medicine. >> If we targeted the underlying mechanisms >> If we targeted the underlying mechanisms >> If we targeted the underlying mechanisms of aging, we could extend life by 30 or of aging, we could extend life by 30 or of aging, we could extend life by 30 or 40 years. 40 years. 40 years. >> So, what do you do for helping your >> So, what do you do for helping your >> So, what do you do for helping your immune system age well? immune system age well? immune system age well? >> That's really the way medicine is going >> That's really the way medicine is going >> That's really the way medicine is going to change. to change. to change. >> Dr. Eric Verdin is president and CEO of >> Dr. Eric Verdin is president and CEO of >> Dr. Eric Verdin is president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging the Buck Institute for Research on Aging the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and a globally recognized leader in and a globally recognized leader in and a globally recognized leader in aging and science, a physician scientist aging and science, a physician scientist aging and science, a physician scientist with over 300 publications. He studies with over 300 publications. He studies with over 300 publications. He studies the intersection of metabolism, the intersection of metabolism, the intersection of metabolism, immunity, and longevity, helping shape immunity, and longevity, helping shape immunity, and longevity, helping shape the future of how we understand and the future of how we understand and the future of how we understand and treat aging. Have you been dealing with anxiety, low Have you been dealing with anxiety, low energy, or trouble focusing, and still energy, or trouble focusing, and still energy, or trouble focusing, and still feel like you're missing something? feel like you're missing something? feel like you're missing something? You're not alone. And that's why I You're not alone. And that's why I You're not alone. And that's why I created the Brain Shaping Academy, a new created the Brain Shaping Academy, a new created the Brain Shaping Academy, a new program that looks in places most people program that looks in places most people program that looks in places most people never think to check, like nutrient never think to check, like nutrient never think to check, like nutrient deficiencies, the health of your gut, deficiencies, the health of your gut, deficiencies, the health of your gut, metabolism, your immune system, and lots metabolism, your immune system, and lots metabolism, your immune system, and lots more. So, join the wait list and get more. So, join the wait list and get more. So, join the wait list and get special pricing at special pricing at special pricing at drheyman.com/brainshaping. Eric, welcome back to the podcast. So Eric, welcome back to the podcast. So good to have you again. I love talking good to have you again. I love talking good to have you again. I love talking to you. You're my favorite longevity to you. You're my favorite longevity to you. You're my favorite longevity guy, cuz you're like the legit guy. guy, cuz you're like the legit guy. guy, cuz you're like the legit guy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> You you do the studies. You publish >> You you do the studies. You publish >> You you do the studies. You publish hundreds and hundreds of papers. You do hundreds and hundreds of papers. You do hundreds and hundreds of papers. You do the real science. You really understand the real science. You really understand the real science. You really understand this field more than I think most people this field more than I think most people this field more than I think most people out there. And you you're kind of out there. And you you're kind of out there. And you you're kind of willing to explore the margins and willing to explore the margins and willing to explore the margins and edges, which is great, but you're also edges, which is great, but you're also edges, which is great, but you're also you're not of us to the truth, which I you're not of us to the truth, which I you're not of us to the truth, which I really appreciate. I'm delighted to be really appreciate. I'm delighted to be really appreciate. I'm delighted to be here and and like you, I'm a physician. here and and like you, I'm a physician. here and and like you, I'm a physician. So, I think, you know, I I I think it So, I think, you know, I I I think it So, I think, you know, I I I think it takes it takes for us to have gone takes it takes for us to have gone takes it takes for us to have gone through the route of what it means to through the route of what it means to through the route of what it means to deal with real lives to understand the deal with real lives to understand the deal with real lives to understand the implications of any statement that you implications of any statement that you implications of any statement that you make. And so, make. And so, make. And so, you know, some a number of people have you know, some a number of people have you know, some a number of people have taken to calling me the grumpy man of taken to calling me the grumpy man of taken to calling me the grumpy man of longevity medicine. I don't see you that longevity medicine. I don't see you that longevity medicine. I don't see you that way. And I and I I think this is a badge way. And I and I I think this is a badge way. And I and I I think this is a badge of honor because I would rather be sort of honor because I would rather be sort of honor because I would rather be sort of a little more conservative than a of a little more conservative than a of a little more conservative than a little more adventurous. Yeah, and I little more adventurous. Yeah, and I little more adventurous. Yeah, and I agree. I if I really want to know about agree. I if I really want to know about agree. I if I really want to know about something, I I ask you. something, I I ask you. something, I I ask you. So, uh with that said, you know, one of So, uh with that said, you know, one of So, uh with that said, you know, one of the things I really love about your the things I really love about your the things I really love about your framing of longevity cuz you're you're framing of longevity cuz you're you're framing of longevity cuz you're you're at the Buck Institute on Aging at the Buck Institute on Aging at the Buck Institute on Aging is the framing around is the framing around is the framing around uh disease and aging. You You You say uh disease and aging. You You You say uh disease and aging. You You You say that the phenomena that drive aging is that the phenomena that drive aging is that the phenomena that drive aging is primary. The diseases are secondary. And primary. The diseases are secondary. And primary. The diseases are secondary. And then if we can attack the primary then if we can attack the primary then if we can attack the primary features of aging, features of aging, features of aging, which are not necessarily inevitable, which are not necessarily inevitable, which are not necessarily inevitable, that we can change the trajectory of that we can change the trajectory of that we can change the trajectory of disease in a far greater way. I love disease in a far greater way. I love disease in a far greater way. I love that you asked that question because that you asked that question because that you asked that question because it's a concept that came out of the Buck it's a concept that came out of the Buck it's a concept that came out of the Buck Institute. It's So, it's a It's a Institute. It's So, it's a It's a Institute. It's So, it's a It's a scientific term. It's something we call scientific term. It's something we call scientific term. It's something we call the gerontology hypothesis. And it was the gerontology hypothesis. And it was the gerontology hypothesis. And it was uh published about 12 years ago by my uh published about 12 years ago by my uh published about 12 years ago by my colleagues. Gordon Lithgow was the colleagues. Gordon Lithgow was the colleagues. Gordon Lithgow was the leader of this. And it hasn't been paid leader of this. And it hasn't been paid leader of this. And it hasn't been paid attention enough. So, I will I will attention enough. So, I will I will attention enough. So, I will I will restate what it is. restate what it is. restate what it is. Aging is the biggest risk factor for a Aging is the biggest risk factor for a Aging is the biggest risk factor for a whole series of conditions that we call whole series of conditions that we call whole series of conditions that we call heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, can- many forms of cancer, can- many forms of cancer, can- many forms of cancer, uh uh uh type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, all of these Parkinson's, all of these Parkinson's, all of these osteoporosis, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, sarcopenia, the list you know, the list sarcopenia, the list you know, the list sarcopenia, the list you know, the list go your response to COVID-19, your go your response to COVID-19, your go your response to COVID-19, your response to your risk of pneumonia, response to your risk of pneumonia, response to your risk of pneumonia, all of this all of this all of this is driven by aging. Now, when I went to is driven by aging. Now, when I went to is driven by aging. Now, when I went to medical school, which was already a long medical school, which was already a long medical school, which was already a long time ago, we were told, for example, for time ago, we were told, for example, for time ago, we were told, for example, for heart attacks heart attacks heart attacks >> I think we're doing pretty good for a >> I think we're doing pretty good for a >> I think we're doing pretty good for a couple of old guys. And this work actually is helping. So, And this work actually is helping. So, there's a sense of urgency there. You there's a sense of urgency there. You there's a sense of urgency there. You know, when you think about this know, when you think about this know, when you think about this and how medical school for heart and how medical school for heart and how medical school for heart attacks, the risk factors most people attacks, the risk factors most people attacks, the risk factors most people can actually recite the risk factors: can actually recite the risk factors: can actually recite the risk factors: smoking and physical inactivity, smoking and physical inactivity, smoking and physical inactivity, obesity, and so on. obesity, and so on. obesity, and so on. Those were in a box in in my in my Those were in a box in in my in my Those were in a box in in my in my textbook of medicine as a modifiable textbook of medicine as a modifiable textbook of medicine as a modifiable risk factor. There was another box, risk factor. There was another box, risk factor. There was another box, which was the unmodifiable risk factor, which was the unmodifiable risk factor, which was the unmodifiable risk factor, and that was your age and your gender. and that was your age and your gender. and that was your age and your gender. Now, we're changing both. Now, we're changing both. Now, we're changing both. And so, And so, And so, but your age, what really has changed in but your age, what really has changed in but your age, what really has changed in the last 20 years is that you we can the last 20 years is that you we can the last 20 years is that you we can change your age to some some degree. change your age to some some degree. change your age to some some degree. Your biological biological age. You're Your biological biological age. You're Your biological biological age. You're not your chronological age, you know, not your chronological age, you know, not your chronological age, you know, how many years you've lived, but We're how many years you've lived, but We're how many years you've lived, but We're waiting for that. Yes. waiting for that. Yes. waiting for that. Yes. But so, that But so, that But so, that >> Time machine. That changes that whole >> Time machine. That changes that whole >> Time machine. That changes that whole equation because what people fail to equation because what people fail to equation because what people fail to recognize is, you know, imagine your recognize is, you know, imagine your recognize is, you know, imagine your cholesterol level, $20 industry with cholesterol level, $20 industry with cholesterol level, $20 industry with statins, you know, a lot of success statins, you know, a lot of success statins, you know, a lot of success actually at mitigating, decreasing the actually at mitigating, decreasing the actually at mitigating, decreasing the risk for heart disease. risk for heart disease. risk for heart disease. Your cholesterol level is seven times Your cholesterol level is seven times Your cholesterol level is seven times less important than your age. So, less important than your age. So, less important than your age. So, imagine now that we're targeting aging, imagine now that we're targeting aging, imagine now that we're targeting aging, what it's going to do in terms of impact what it's going to do in terms of impact what it's going to do in terms of impact on your risk for heart disease. on your risk for heart disease. on your risk for heart disease. Now, the beauty of the system is that Now, the beauty of the system is that Now, the beauty of the system is that you're not only in affecting heart you're not only in affecting heart you're not only in affecting heart disease, you're affecting disease, you're affecting disease, you're affecting >> Everything. Everything. And so, it >> Everything. Everything. And so, it >> Everything. Everything. And so, it really changes the paradigm of of our really changes the paradigm of of our really changes the paradigm of of our the way we've been taught medicine, the way we've been taught medicine, the way we've been taught medicine, which is to respond to all of these which is to respond to all of these which is to respond to all of these emergencies that occur, what I call emergencies that occur, what I call emergencies that occur, what I call whack-a-mole medicine, whack-a-mole medicine, whack-a-mole medicine, >> Yeah. where you you have a heart attack, >> Yeah. where you you have a heart attack, >> Yeah. where you you have a heart attack, we we we survive, we cure a cancer, and so on, survive, we cure a cancer, and so on, survive, we cure a cancer, and so on, versus targeting the root cause. So, versus targeting the root cause. So, versus targeting the root cause. So, think about a tree with all of these think about a tree with all of these think about a tree with all of these branches being diseases. Now, we're branches being diseases. Now, we're branches being diseases. Now, we're going for the core, the biggest risk going for the core, the biggest risk going for the core, the biggest risk factor and that's aging. Now, we are at factor and that's aging. Now, we are at factor and that's aging. Now, we are at early stage in trying to understand how early stage in trying to understand how early stage in trying to understand how how this works. How do we actually how this works. How do we actually how this works. How do we actually interfere with the aging process? I interfere with the aging process? I interfere with the aging process? I think we can slow it down. There's some think we can slow it down. There's some think we can slow it down. There's some early evidence that we might be able to early evidence that we might be able to early evidence that we might be able to revert it. And and I think this is revert it. And and I think this is revert it. And and I think this is really what animates all of our work is really what animates all of our work is really what animates all of our work is really the idea that we're going to be really the idea that we're going to be really the idea that we're going to be getting to the root core of all these getting to the root core of all these getting to the root core of all these diseases. diseases. diseases. >> Well, that's it. That's how I think is >> Well, that's it. That's how I think is >> Well, that's it. That's how I think is root cause. Like how do we deal with root cause. Like how do we deal with root cause. Like how do we deal with root causes? That's what functional root causes? That's what functional root causes? That's what functional medicine is root cause thinking. And medicine is root cause thinking. And medicine is root cause thinking. And it's just a different way of thinking it's just a different way of thinking it's just a different way of thinking about things. And I heard it said that about things. And I heard it said that about things. And I heard it said that if we cured cancer and heart disease and if we cured cancer and heart disease and if we cured cancer and heart disease and we just got rid of them completely from we just got rid of them completely from we just got rid of them completely from the face of the planet, we'd extend life the face of the planet, we'd extend life the face of the planet, we'd extend life by 5 to 7 years. And if we targeted the by 5 to 7 years. And if we targeted the by 5 to 7 years. And if we targeted the underlying mechanisms of aging, we call underlying mechanisms of aging, we call underlying mechanisms of aging, we call the hallmarks of aging, we could extend the hallmarks of aging, we could extend the hallmarks of aging, we could extend life by 30 or 40 years. It's a orders of life by 30 or 40 years. It's a orders of life by 30 or 40 years. It's a orders of magnitude more. Totally agree. Is that magnitude more. Totally agree. Is that magnitude more. Totally agree. Is that right? right? right? >> Yeah, there seems to be right now based >> Yeah, there seems to be right now based >> Yeah, there seems to be right now based on what we know, there seems to be a on what we know, there seems to be a on what we know, there seems to be a hard stop at 115, 120. Very few people hard stop at 115, 120. Very few people hard stop at 115, 120. Very few people have gone One person has gone above have gone One person has gone above have gone One person has gone above >> Jeanne Calment. But I'm telling >> Jeanne Calment. But I'm telling >> Jeanne Calment. But I'm telling >> And she smoked and she drank and she >> And she smoked and she drank and she >> And she smoked and she drank and she chocolate but she didn't get married. chocolate but she didn't get married. chocolate but she didn't get married. >> Yes, and some some question Some have >> Yes, and some some question Some have >> Yes, and some some question Some have questions, you know, the veracity of questions, you know, the veracity of questions, you know, the veracity of whether she was Jeanne Calment or her whether she was Jeanne Calment or her whether she was Jeanne Calment or her daughter who was collecting social daughter who was collecting social daughter who was collecting social security benefits. So that was security benefits. So that was security benefits. So that was So there there's been a lot of So there there's been a lot of So there there's been a lot of controversy but, you know, a handful of controversy but, you know, a handful of controversy but, you know, a handful of people have lived about 115. There's a people have lived about 115. There's a people have lived about 115. There's a hard stop at 100 hard stop at 100 hard stop at 100 around 115. So around 115. So around 115. So imagine that everyone getting there. Uh imagine that everyone getting there. Uh imagine that everyone getting there. Uh that that's already and I imagine that that's already and I imagine that that's already and I imagine everybody getting to 95, that would everybody getting to 95, that would everybody getting to 95, that would already be amazing. So uh one of the already be amazing. So uh one of the already be amazing. So uh one of the reasons why sometimes as we we we talked reasons why sometimes as we we we talked reasons why sometimes as we we we talked about it, I'm called grumpy or about it, I'm called grumpy or about it, I'm called grumpy or unimaginative or not ambitious enough is unimaginative or not ambitious enough is unimaginative or not ambitious enough is people are feel that I should be people are feel that I should be people are feel that I should be projecting bigger numbers in terms of projecting bigger numbers in terms of projecting bigger numbers in terms of what we're going to be able to do in the what we're going to be able to do in the what we're going to be able to do in the future. And we might, but the bottom future. And we might, but the bottom future. And we might, but the bottom line is no one can walk around and tell line is no one can walk around and tell line is no one can walk around and tell you, "I'm going to live to 140, 150." We you, "I'm going to live to 140, 150." We you, "I'm going to live to 140, 150." We don't have any evidence for this. So why don't have any evidence for this. So why don't have any evidence for this. So why even say this? I mean, the don't die even say this? I mean, the don't die even say this? I mean, the don't die thing is not real? thing is not real? thing is not real? No. No. No. No. No. No. No. You're not You're not betting on No. You're not You're not betting on No. You're not You're not betting on that horse? I'm not even we're not even that horse? I'm not even we're not even that horse? I'm not even we're not even talking about immortality because that's talking about immortality because that's talking about immortality because that's a whole other ball game. You know, a whole other ball game. You know, a whole other ball game. You know, people talking about immortality say I I people talking about immortality say I I people talking about immortality say I I I've said on the record if you're I've said on the record if you're I've said on the record if you're looking for this join a church. Don't looking for this join a church. Don't looking for this join a church. Don't come to the longevity field. Yeah, come to the longevity field. Yeah, come to the longevity field. Yeah, exactly. I I'm really we are focused on exactly. I I'm really we are focused on exactly. I I'm really we are focused on on two things. One is what can we do on two things. One is what can we do on two things. One is what can we do really to push the envelope very far, really to push the envelope very far, really to push the envelope very far, but also what can you do today? Yeah. but also what can you do today? Yeah. but also what can you do today? Yeah. Cuz that's really the the most important Cuz that's really the the most important Cuz that's really the the most important thing. To to modify the way we thing. To to modify the way we thing. To to modify the way we >> This is so important because right now, >> This is so important because right now, >> This is so important because right now, I mean there's a lot of cool things I mean there's a lot of cool things I mean there's a lot of cool things happening like you have Monaco factors happening like you have Monaco factors happening like you have Monaco factors and some big money behind researching and some big money behind researching and some big money behind researching ways of gene modification or inserting ways of gene modification or inserting ways of gene modification or inserting transcription factors that regulate transcription factors that regulate transcription factors that regulate aging and can reverse biological age. So aging and can reverse biological age. So aging and can reverse biological age. So those are kind of sci-fi and there those are kind of sci-fi and there those are kind of sci-fi and there there's some real money and real there's some real money and real there's some real money and real research going on and that might do research going on and that might do research going on and that might do something. But right now what you're something. But right now what you're something. But right now what you're saying what I hear you saying is we can saying what I hear you saying is we can saying what I hear you saying is we can really look to getting to at least a really look to getting to at least a really look to getting to at least a hundred most people if we do all the hundred most people if we do all the hundred most people if we do all the things that we need to do given what we things that we need to do given what we things that we need to do given what we know now. We focus on the fundamental know now. We focus on the fundamental know now. We focus on the fundamental mechanism of aging what people call the mechanism of aging what people call the mechanism of aging what people call the hallmarks of aging and we're going to hallmarks of aging and we're going to hallmarks of aging and we're going to kind of dive into one of them particular kind of dive into one of them particular kind of dive into one of them particular today in inflammation or what we call today in inflammation or what we call today in inflammation or what we call inflammaging. inflammaging. inflammaging. Um is that all of these are related. Um is that all of these are related. Um is that all of these are related. They're all interconnected. They're not They're all interconnected. They're not They're all interconnected. They're not really all separate phenomena. They all really all separate phenomena. They all really all separate phenomena. They all kind of cross talk and they influence kind of cross talk and they influence kind of cross talk and they influence each other and there are some meta each other and there are some meta each other and there are some meta frameworks that actually allow us to frameworks that actually allow us to frameworks that actually allow us to kind of push push the field of those kind of push push the field of those kind of push push the field of those hallmarks into health. hallmarks into health. hallmarks into health. And I think that that's kind of how I And I think that that's kind of how I And I think that that's kind of how I think about it. And then all the things think about it. And then all the things think about it. And then all the things that people are listening to and hearing that people are listening to and hearing that people are listening to and hearing about whether it's saunas or you know, about whether it's saunas or you know, about whether it's saunas or you know, peptides or or exercise or whatever it peptides or or exercise or whatever it peptides or or exercise or whatever it whatever the modifications are in a man whatever the modifications are in a man whatever the modifications are in a man or whatever the molecules are, they're or whatever the molecules are, they're or whatever the molecules are, they're all affecting these fundamental systems all affecting these fundamental systems all affecting these fundamental systems and and I think that's that's the kind and and I think that's that's the kind and and I think that's that's the kind of the home uh kind of core message I of the home uh kind of core message I of the home uh kind of core message I want to get today. want to get today. want to get today. And and with that framework I want to And and with that framework I want to And and with that framework I want to dive into this concept of immune aging. dive into this concept of immune aging. dive into this concept of immune aging. As you look across all the diseases of As you look across all the diseases of As you look across all the diseases of aging, they're all related inflammation. aging, they're all related inflammation. aging, they're all related inflammation. Brain aging is inflammation, Alzheimer's Brain aging is inflammation, Alzheimer's Brain aging is inflammation, Alzheimer's inflammation, cancer's inflammation, inflammation, cancer's inflammation, inflammation, cancer's inflammation, obesity inflammation, diabetes obesity inflammation, diabetes obesity inflammation, diabetes inflammation, heart disease inflammation, heart disease inflammation, heart disease inflammation. Yeah, we're talking about inflammation. Yeah, we're talking about inflammation. Yeah, we're talking about a common core. Right. And and and a common core. Right. And and and a common core. Right. And and and there's a lot of ways to get to there's a lot of ways to get to there's a lot of ways to get to inflammation. And when you have inflammation. And when you have inflammation. And when you have inflammation, it affects everything inflammation, it affects everything inflammation, it affects everything else. It affects your mitochondria and else. It affects your mitochondria and else. It affects your mitochondria and your genes and your telomeres and your your genes and your telomeres and your your genes and your telomeres and your microbiome. It's all connected, right? microbiome. It's all connected, right? microbiome. It's all connected, right? So, what's the cause and effect So, what's the cause and effect So, what's the cause and effect sometimes are not always clear, but but sometimes are not always clear, but but sometimes are not always clear, but but the phenomena is really clear. I can say the phenomena is really clear. I can say the phenomena is really clear. I can say a word about this. One thing that's a word about this. One thing that's a word about this. One thing that's remarkable about inflammation, remarkable about inflammation, remarkable about inflammation, it's a normal response of your body. So, it's a normal response of your body. So, it's a normal response of your body. So, you know, if you cut yourself, if you you know, if you cut yourself, if you you know, if you cut yourself, if you burn yourself, you're going to see the burn yourself, you're going to see the burn yourself, you're going to see the appearance of redness first, then appearance of redness first, then appearance of redness first, then there'll be a bubble, and then there's a there'll be a bubble, and then there's a there'll be a bubble, and then there's a whole repair process. And you'll see the whole repair process. And you'll see the whole repair process. And you'll see the area where it's been burned actually area where it's been burned actually area where it's been burned actually will stay inflamed. Eventually, so this will stay inflamed. Eventually, so this will stay inflamed. Eventually, so this is this is the what we call acute is this is the what we call acute is this is the what we call acute inflammation, uh which is a normal inflammation, uh which is a normal inflammation, uh which is a normal response of your body to damage, okay? response of your body to damage, okay? response of your body to damage, okay? Eventually, that bubble is going to Eventually, that bubble is going to Eventually, that bubble is going to recede, there'll be a crust, the crust recede, there'll be a crust, the crust recede, there'll be a crust, the crust is going to fall, and soon there'll be is going to fall, and soon there'll be is going to fall, and soon there'll be maybe a little redness, and then maybe a little redness, and then maybe a little redness, and then eventually everything will be gone. So, eventually everything will be gone. So, eventually everything will be gone. So, that's inflammation at work. Cuz I think that's inflammation at work. Cuz I think that's inflammation at work. Cuz I think inflammation is a bad name, it's inflammation is a bad name, it's inflammation is a bad name, it's something that's always bad. something that's always bad. something that's always bad. Inflammation is critical. This is our Inflammation is critical. This is our Inflammation is critical. This is our response to damage to fix it. The response to damage to fix it. The response to damage to fix it. The problem of aging is persistent problem of aging is persistent problem of aging is persistent inflammation. So, inflammation that inflammation. So, inflammation that inflammation. So, inflammation that doesn't go doesn't go doesn't go >> Chronic inflammation is like chronic >> Chronic inflammation is like chronic >> Chronic inflammation is like chronic sterile inflammation. Yeah, and it stays sterile inflammation. Yeah, and it stays sterile inflammation. Yeah, and it stays on, and what's remarkable, it becomes on, and what's remarkable, it becomes on, and what's remarkable, it becomes part of the problem. So, a body response part of the problem. So, a body response part of the problem. So, a body response that was there to actually heal becomes that was there to actually heal becomes that was there to actually heal becomes part of the chronic response. And then part of the chronic response. And then part of the chronic response. And then so there's a lot of interest in trying so there's a lot of interest in trying so there's a lot of interest in trying to understand how does that What's to understand how does that What's to understand how does that What's cause, what's effect, as you mentioned, cause, what's effect, as you mentioned, cause, what's effect, as you mentioned, and how do we actually suppress it and and how do we actually suppress it and and how do we actually suppress it and eliminate it? eliminate it? eliminate it? I want to tell you about a supplement I want to tell you about a supplement I want to tell you about a supplement that I'm genuinely excited about, and that I'm genuinely excited about, and that I'm genuinely excited about, and maybe you've heard me talk about it maybe you've heard me talk about it maybe you've heard me talk about it before. It's been a non-negotiable in my before. It's been a non-negotiable in my before. It's been a non-negotiable in my supplement stack and something I supplement stack and something I supplement stack and something I recommend to my patients. And it's recommend to my patients. And it's recommend to my patients. And it's especially important for women in especially important for women in especially important for women in midlife, when changes in hormones can midlife, when changes in hormones can midlife, when changes in hormones can affect energy, muscle health, and affect energy, muscle health, and affect energy, muscle health, and metabolism. It's a supplement called metabolism. It's a supplement called metabolism. It's a supplement called Mitopure, which supports your body's Mitopure, which supports your body's Mitopure, which supports your body's natural processes for clearing out old natural processes for clearing out old natural processes for clearing out old and damaged mitochondria. And it helps and damaged mitochondria. And it helps and damaged mitochondria. And it helps your cells create new healthier your cells create new healthier your cells create new healthier mitochondria. Mitochondria are the tiny mitochondria. Mitochondria are the tiny mitochondria. Mitochondria are the tiny little energy factories inside your little energy factories inside your little energy factories inside your cells and as we age they naturally cells and as we age they naturally cells and as we age they naturally become less efficient. And when that become less efficient. And when that become less efficient. And when that happens, it can affect energy, strength happens, it can affect energy, strength happens, it can affect energy, strength of your muscles, and your overall of your muscles, and your overall of your muscles, and your overall vitality. Now, what I like about vitality. Now, what I like about vitality. Now, what I like about Mitopure is that it's backed by serious Mitopure is that it's backed by serious Mitopure is that it's backed by serious science. Urolithin A has been studied in science. Urolithin A has been studied in science. Urolithin A has been studied in multiple human clinical trials published multiple human clinical trials published multiple human clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals. From my in peer-reviewed journals. From my in peer-reviewed journals. From my perspective as a functional medicine perspective as a functional medicine perspective as a functional medicine physician, it is one of the simplest physician, it is one of the simplest physician, it is one of the simplest ways to support mitochondria health as ways to support mitochondria health as ways to support mitochondria health as you age alongside whole foods, regular you age alongside whole foods, regular you age alongside whole foods, regular movement, good sleep, and stress movement, good sleep, and stress movement, good sleep, and stress management. If you've been hearing me management. If you've been hearing me management. If you've been hearing me talk about Mitopure for a while and have talk about Mitopure for a while and have talk about Mitopure for a while and have been meaning to try it, this is the been meaning to try it, this is the been meaning to try it, this is the moment. Timeline's clinically proven moment. Timeline's clinically proven moment. Timeline's clinically proven formula is now available at a new lower formula is now available at a new lower formula is now available at a new lower price. Mitopure now starts at as low as price. Mitopure now starts at as low as price. Mitopure now starts at as low as $79 with the exact same science and $79 with the exact same science and $79 with the exact same science and formula. You can get an additional 20% formula. You can get an additional 20% formula. You can get an additional 20% off your first month if you order now off your first month if you order now off your first month if you order now when you go to timeline.com/drhyman. when you go to timeline.com/drhyman. when you go to timeline.com/drhyman. That's timeline.com/drhyman That's timeline.com/drhyman That's timeline.com/drhyman to get 20% off their new low price. to get 20% off their new low price. to get 20% off their new low price. If you've been listening to this podcast If you've been listening to this podcast If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you've heard me talk about for a while, you've heard me talk about for a while, you've heard me talk about Seed before. Now, I've reviewed Seed before. Now, I've reviewed Seed before. Now, I've reviewed countless of probiotics over the years countless of probiotics over the years countless of probiotics over the years and Seed continues to stand out as the and Seed continues to stand out as the and Seed continues to stand out as the microbiome company really pushing the microbiome company really pushing the microbiome company really pushing the science forward. Their DS-01 daily science forward. Their DS-01 daily science forward. Their DS-01 daily synbiotic is the number one digestive synbiotic is the number one digestive synbiotic is the number one digestive health probiotic. It's formulated with health probiotic. It's formulated with health probiotic. It's formulated with 24 clinically studied strains designed 24 clinically studied strains designed 24 clinically studied strains designed to support gut health, healthy to support gut health, healthy to support gut health, healthy regularity, skin health, immune health, regularity, skin health, immune health, regularity, skin health, immune health, and gut barrier integrity, which is and gut barrier integrity, which is and gut barrier integrity, which is important. Now, what impressed me most important. Now, what impressed me most important. Now, what impressed me most is the level of scientific rigor behind is the level of scientific rigor behind is the level of scientific rigor behind it. In fact, that's what led me to join it. In fact, that's what led me to join it. In fact, that's what led me to join Seed's clinical board. They're helping Seed's clinical board. They're helping Seed's clinical board. They're helping set a new standard for what a synbiotic set a new standard for what a synbiotic set a new standard for what a synbiotic can be. So, if you're looking for a can be. So, if you're looking for a can be. So, if you're looking for a simple daily habit to support your gut simple daily habit to support your gut simple daily habit to support your gut and whole body health, this is the place and whole body health, this is the place and whole body health, this is the place to start. Go to seed.com/hyman to start. Go to seed.com/hyman to start. Go to seed.com/hyman and use the code 20hyman to get 20% off and use the code 20hyman to get 20% off and use the code 20hyman to get 20% off your first month. That's 20% off your your first month. That's 20% off your your first month. That's 20% off your first month at seed.com/hyman first month at seed.com/hyman first month at seed.com/hyman and use the code 20hyman. and use the code 20hyman. and use the code 20hyman. And I think that's key and I think, you And I think that's key and I think, you And I think that's key and I think, you know, as we as we're younger, our immune know, as we as we're younger, our immune know, as we as we're younger, our immune systems are very vigorous and they're systems are very vigorous and they're systems are very vigorous and they're very good at fighting infections and very good at fighting infections and very good at fighting infections and kind of preventing cancer. As we get kind of preventing cancer. As we get kind of preventing cancer. As we get older, older, older, it's kind of switches a little bit. Like it's kind of switches a little bit. Like it's kind of switches a little bit. Like we don't get so good at fighting cancer we don't get so good at fighting cancer we don't get so good at fighting cancer or preventing infections, right? And so or preventing infections, right? And so or preventing infections, right? And so I want to I want to unpack that a little I want to I want to unpack that a little I want to I want to unpack that a little bit, but what what I want to sort of bit, but what what I want to sort of bit, but what what I want to sort of create a little bit of a a framework is create a little bit of a a framework is create a little bit of a a framework is a new concept that I think you're going a new concept that I think you're going a new concept that I think you're going to hear about today, which is the link to hear about today, which is the link to hear about today, which is the link and the connection between mitochondria and the connection between mitochondria and the connection between mitochondria and inflammation. They're often thought and inflammation. They're often thought and inflammation. They're often thought of as separate. There's like of as separate. There's like of as separate. There's like mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks and inflammation and hallmarks and inflammation and hallmarks and inflammation and you know, inflammaging is another one, you know, inflammaging is another one, you know, inflammaging is another one, but they're not really separate. So I but they're not really separate. So I but they're not really separate. So I want I want to really frame that up as want I want to really frame that up as want I want to really frame that up as we're talking about this. So let's talk we're talking about this. So let's talk we're talking about this. So let's talk about about this concept of how sort of about about this concept of how sort of about about this concept of how sort of cellular energy and mitochondrial cellular energy and mitochondrial cellular energy and mitochondrial function and and and inflammation are function and and and inflammation are function and and and inflammation are and immune aging are connected. Maybe and immune aging are connected. Maybe and immune aging are connected. Maybe I'll say a word about the the hallmarks I'll say a word about the the hallmarks I'll say a word about the the hallmarks of aging first because I think it will of aging first because I think it will of aging first because I think it will put everything into context. So this put everything into context. So this put everything into context. So this hallmarks of aging that you mentioned, hallmarks of aging that you mentioned, hallmarks of aging that you mentioned, mitochondrial function, senescent cells, mitochondrial function, senescent cells, mitochondrial function, senescent cells, and all this was a way to for the field and all this was a way to for the field and all this was a way to for the field to organize all of our different to organize all of our different to organize all of our different activities. Everybody was doing activities. Everybody was doing activities. Everybody was doing research. There was no organization. research. There was no organization. research. There was no organization. >> men and the elephant. >> men and the elephant. >> men and the elephant. >> Exactly. And so >> Exactly. And so >> Exactly. And so people sometimes were working on people sometimes were working on people sometimes were working on something similar. They just did not something similar. They just did not something similar. They just did not call it the same. So this hallmark of call it the same. So this hallmark of call it the same. So this hallmark of aging review was published by Guido aging review was published by Guido aging review was published by Guido Kroemer and his colleagues and organized Kroemer and his colleagues and organized Kroemer and his colleagues and organized these these these these these these molecular manifestation of aging. So molecular manifestation of aging. So molecular manifestation of aging. So that's what they are. If you know, the that's what they are. If you know, the that's what they are. If you know, the paper was published, it created a lot of paper was published, it created a lot of paper was published, it created a lot of excitement because we were finally excitement because we were finally excitement because we were finally starting to think about a problem in all starting to think about a problem in all starting to think about a problem in all of its dimensions, okay? And so meetings of its dimensions, okay? And so meetings of its dimensions, okay? And so meetings were organized on mitophagy, on were organized on mitophagy, on were organized on mitophagy, on senescence, and so on. What people senescence, and so on. What people senescence, and so on. What people failed to recognize is that biology is a failed to recognize is that biology is a failed to recognize is that biology is a series of incredibly intricate networks. series of incredibly intricate networks. series of incredibly intricate networks. So there's there's no not such a you So there's there's no not such a you So there's there's no not such a you can't put these hallmarks in neat little can't put these hallmarks in neat little can't put these hallmarks in neat little boxes. boxes. boxes. >> That's what I was trying to say, yeah. >> That's what I was trying to say, yeah. >> That's what I was trying to say, yeah. And and so that that the reason I'm And and so that that the reason I'm And and so that that the reason I'm bringing this up because when we think bringing this up because when we think bringing this up because when we think about most people think about about most people think about about most people think about mitochondria, they think, "Oh, mitochondria, they think, "Oh, mitochondria, they think, "Oh, mitochondria, that's uh energy power for mitochondria, that's uh energy power for mitochondria, that's uh energy power for the cells." Well, Simplistic. It's very the cells." Well, Simplistic. It's very the cells." Well, Simplistic. It's very simplistic because the mitochondria is simplistic because the mitochondria is simplistic because the mitochondria is also an incredible sensor for what's also an incredible sensor for what's also an incredible sensor for what's happening in terms of inflammation. An happening in terms of inflammation. An happening in terms of inflammation. An example that I like, how how does example that I like, how how does example that I like, how how does mitochondria connect to inflammation? mitochondria connect to inflammation? mitochondria connect to inflammation? So, if your mitochondria are not So, if your mitochondria are not So, if your mitochondria are not functioning well, they generate what we functioning well, they generate what we functioning well, they generate what we call radical oxygen species. These are call radical oxygen species. These are call radical oxygen species. These are ROS. ROS. ROS. >> Free radicals. These free radicals are >> Free radicals. These free radicals are >> Free radicals. These free radicals are nasty. They will by themselves create nasty. They will by themselves create nasty. They will by themselves create inflammation. inflammation. inflammation. >> They're oxidants, that's why we take >> They're oxidants, that's why we take >> They're oxidants, that's why we take antioxidants, right? antioxidants, right? antioxidants, right? >> pro-oxidants. Exactly. That's where the >> pro-oxidants. Exactly. That's where the >> pro-oxidants. Exactly. That's where the whole theory of antioxidant came from. whole theory of antioxidant came from. whole theory of antioxidant came from. That was Denham Harman way back when, That was Denham Harman way back when, That was Denham Harman way back when, yeah. yeah. yeah. >> Exactly. Not recognizing that free free >> Exactly. Not recognizing that free free >> Exactly. Not recognizing that free free free radicals actually can also be free radicals actually can also be free radicals actually can also be positive. They're cell signaling positive. They're cell signaling positive. They're cell signaling molecules. So, is inflammation. molecules. So, is inflammation. molecules. So, is inflammation. Everything is like a signal, right? And Everything is like a signal, right? And Everything is like a signal, right? And it can be it too much or too little, and it can be it too much or too little, and it can be it too much or too little, and that's when the balance is the key. that's when the balance is the key. that's when the balance is the key. Totally. And so, having a lot of Totally. And so, having a lot of Totally. And so, having a lot of oxidative stress is not good, and you oxidative stress is not good, and you oxidative stress is not good, and you can dampen down, you're probably going can dampen down, you're probably going can dampen down, you're probably going to do yourself some good, but you can't to do yourself some good, but you can't to do yourself some good, but you can't block it all because then you run into a block it all because then you run into a block it all because then you run into a whole series of other problems. So, whole series of other problems. So, whole series of other problems. So, that's one way by which that's one way by which that's one way by which if your mitochondria are not functioning if your mitochondria are not functioning if your mitochondria are not functioning well, you're going to create more well, you're going to create more well, you're going to create more oxidative stress. Another way is oxidative stress. Another way is oxidative stress. Another way is mitochondria And oxidative stress leads mitochondria And oxidative stress leads mitochondria And oxidative stress leads to inflammation. Exactly. Direct link. to inflammation. Exactly. Direct link. to inflammation. Exactly. Direct link. Um Um Um another way, which is a actually another way, which is a actually another way, which is a actually fascinating where there's so much work fascinating where there's so much work fascinating where there's so much work going on right now, is you might be going on right now, is you might be going on right now, is you might be aware that mitochondria aware that mitochondria aware that mitochondria have their own DNA. have their own DNA. have their own DNA. >> Yeah. Okay, so my >> Yeah. Okay, so my >> Yeah. Okay, so my >> mother. Yeah, exactly. Mitochondria >> mother. Yeah, exactly. Mitochondria >> mother. Yeah, exactly. Mitochondria actually descendants of a bacteria Yeah. actually descendants of a bacteria Yeah. actually descendants of a bacteria Yeah. that was absorbed by by our cells and that was absorbed by by our cells and that was absorbed by by our cells and formed a whole kingdom called the formed a whole kingdom called the formed a whole kingdom called the eukaryotes. And so, we have within our eukaryotes. And so, we have within our eukaryotes. And so, we have within our cells these bacteria that have their own cells these bacteria that have their own cells these bacteria that have their own little genome, and they replicate, and little genome, and they replicate, and little genome, and they replicate, and they, you know, And they look like a they, you know, And they look like a they, you know, And they look like a bacteria. bacteria. bacteria. >> Yeah, >> Yeah, >> Yeah, exactly. They look like a bacteria. Now, exactly. They look like a bacteria. Now, exactly. They look like a bacteria. Now, we have we have we have in our cells mechanism that allow us to in our cells mechanism that allow us to in our cells mechanism that allow us to recognize the presence of DNA in our recognize the presence of DNA in our recognize the presence of DNA in our cytoplasm. Remember the DNA is normally cytoplasm. Remember the DNA is normally cytoplasm. Remember the DNA is normally in the nucleus of the cell. The only way in the nucleus of the cell. The only way in the nucleus of the cell. The only way you can get DNA in your cytoplasm is for you can get DNA in your cytoplasm is for you can get DNA in your cytoplasm is for two reasons. Either And so the baby two reasons. Either And so the baby two reasons. Either And so the baby cytoplasm is like the liquid inside your cytoplasm is like the liquid inside your cytoplasm is like the liquid inside your cell. Like the Is it the cell is like a cell. Like the Is it the cell is like a cell. Like the Is it the cell is like a baggie inside the baggie is like your baggie inside the baggie is like your baggie inside the baggie is like your nucleus, the mitochondria, but there's nucleus, the mitochondria, but there's nucleus, the mitochondria, but there's also this squishy liquid and that's the also this squishy liquid and that's the also this squishy liquid and that's the cytoplasm. Yeah, okay. Perfect. I'm cytoplasm. Yeah, okay. Perfect. I'm cytoplasm. Yeah, okay. Perfect. I'm sorry. sorry. sorry. Getting too technical. Getting too technical. Getting too technical. But all of you But all of you But all of you >> I'll stop you if I I got to translate. >> I'll stop you if I I got to translate. >> I'll stop you if I I got to translate. All all of your DNA is in the nucleus All all of your DNA is in the nucleus All all of your DNA is in the nucleus and it should stay there. So, if your and it should stay there. So, if your and it should stay there. So, if your cell gets infected by a virus, there's a cell gets infected by a virus, there's a cell gets infected by a virus, there's a system in the cytoplasm that will system in the cytoplasm that will system in the cytoplasm that will recognize the presence of abnormal DNA. recognize the presence of abnormal DNA. recognize the presence of abnormal DNA. Come again on the DNA. And it will act Come again on the DNA. And it will act Come again on the DNA. And it will act Yeah, viral DNA. And it will activate an Yeah, viral DNA. And it will activate an Yeah, viral DNA. And it will activate an inflammatory response. The same thing if inflammatory response. The same thing if inflammatory response. The same thing if your your your mitochondria get damaged, they start mitochondria get damaged, they start mitochondria get damaged, they start leaching out their DNA in the cytoplasm. leaching out their DNA in the cytoplasm. leaching out their DNA in the cytoplasm. That's also recognized as an That's also recognized as an That's also recognized as an inflammatory signal. So, the body does inflammatory signal. So, the body does inflammatory signal. So, the body does not know. It says, "Oh, there's not know. It says, "Oh, there's not know. It says, "Oh, there's something wrong." It doesn't recognize something wrong." It doesn't recognize something wrong." It doesn't recognize even your own mitochondria as you. It even your own mitochondria as you. It even your own mitochondria as you. It sees it as a foreign mitochondria. Yeah, sees it as a foreign mitochondria. Yeah, sees it as a foreign mitochondria. Yeah, and so that's that's a This is a whole and so that's that's a This is a whole and so that's that's a This is a whole system called cGAS-STING. There's new system called cGAS-STING. There's new system called cGAS-STING. There's new inhibitors that are targeting this that inhibitors that are targeting this that inhibitors that are targeting this that are showing amazing effects. So, again, are showing amazing effects. So, again, are showing amazing effects. So, again, a completely new different direction of a completely new different direction of a completely new different direction of research. research. research. Um Um Um What are the mechanism by which I'm What are the mechanism by which I'm What are the mechanism by which I'm trying to think? I think this would be trying to think? I think this would be trying to think? I think this would be probably the two major ones. probably the two major ones. probably the two major ones. >> But also inflammation is is and it it >> But also inflammation is is and it it >> But also inflammation is is and it it also affects mitochondria. So, it's also affects mitochondria. So, it's also affects mitochondria. So, it's bidirectional, right? Yes. Every There's bidirectional, right? Yes. Every There's bidirectional, right? Yes. Every There's an inflammatory signal from your an inflammatory signal from your an inflammatory signal from your microbiome, for example, which is most microbiome, for example, which is most microbiome, for example, which is most people have terrible bacteria, that can people have terrible bacteria, that can people have terrible bacteria, that can affect your mitochondria. Or if there's affect your mitochondria. Or if there's affect your mitochondria. Or if there's an environmental toxin which creates an an environmental toxin which creates an an environmental toxin which creates an insult to the the mitochondria, that's insult to the the mitochondria, that's insult to the the mitochondria, that's also that can also create inflammation also that can also create inflammation also that can also create inflammation cuz these are antigens, right? What When cuz these are antigens, right? What When cuz these are antigens, right? What When you when you age, for example, you know, you when you age, for example, you know, you when you age, for example, you know, your NAD levels decrease. your NAD levels decrease. your NAD levels decrease. We've talked about this before together. We've talked about this before together. We've talked about this before together. You can go back and listen to our old You can go back and listen to our old You can go back and listen to our old podcast on NAD. Yes, NAD is critical, podcast on NAD. Yes, NAD is critical, podcast on NAD. Yes, NAD is critical, for example, for mitochondrial integrity for example, for mitochondrial integrity for example, for mitochondrial integrity and function. So, as you age, these and function. So, as you age, these and function. So, as you age, these mitochondria become tired, they don't mitochondria become tired, they don't mitochondria become tired, they don't divide as well, they're not cleared as divide as well, they're not cleared as divide as well, they're not cleared as well, they don't generate as much well, they don't generate as much well, they don't generate as much energy. So, there's a whole series of energy. So, there's a whole series of energy. So, there's a whole series of problems that are linked to the aging problems that are linked to the aging problems that are linked to the aging process that makes it process that makes it process that makes it make makes your mitochondria a really make makes your mitochondria a really make makes your mitochondria a really essential pivot in all of this. And the essential pivot in all of this. And the essential pivot in all of this. And the immune system immune system immune system is like any other system. Like your is like any other system. Like your is like any other system. Like your muscle system, you don't have the same muscle system, you don't have the same muscle system, you don't have the same strength when you are young as when you strength when you are young as when you strength when you are young as when you are old. The same thing, your immune are old. The same thing, your immune are old. The same thing, your immune system is performing at a much lower system is performing at a much lower system is performing at a much lower level. So, let's kind of unpack the level. So, let's kind of unpack the level. So, let's kind of unpack the immune system starting there. There's immune system starting there. There's immune system starting there. There's two parts, really. There's the ancient, two parts, really. There's the ancient, two parts, really. There's the ancient, generalized, like carpet bombing immune generalized, like carpet bombing immune generalized, like carpet bombing immune system, which is preserved in in many, system, which is preserved in in many, system, which is preserved in in many, many species. It's not so smart. It's many species. It's not so smart. It's many species. It's not so smart. It's just like a kind of a kind of a fire just like a kind of a kind of a fire just like a kind of a kind of a fire bombing city as opposed to our kind of bombing city as opposed to our kind of bombing city as opposed to our kind of smart, targeted bombs. Yeah. And that's smart, targeted bombs. Yeah. And that's smart, targeted bombs. Yeah. And that's called the innate immune system or the called the innate immune system or the called the innate immune system or the ancient immune system. And then there's ancient immune system. And then there's ancient immune system. And then there's the adaptive the adaptive the adaptive or that's also called the cell-mediated or that's also called the cell-mediated or that's also called the cell-mediated immune system, which we learned in immune system, which we learned in immune system, which we learned in medical school, which is mediated by the medical school, which is mediated by the medical school, which is mediated by the T cells. And then there's the B cells. T cells. And then there's the B cells. T cells. And then there's the B cells. And the B cells. And then there's the And the B cells. And then there's the And the B cells. And then there's the adaptive immunity or the antibody immune adaptive immunity or the antibody immune adaptive immunity or the antibody immune system where we create specific target system where we create specific target system where we create specific target antibodies, for example, against COVID. antibodies, for example, against COVID. antibodies, for example, against COVID. When we check our COVID test, that's When we check our COVID test, that's When we check our COVID test, that's what we're checking is antibodies. Can what we're checking is antibodies. Can what we're checking is antibodies. Can you kind of unpack what those are, what you kind of unpack what those are, what you kind of unpack what those are, what they do, and how they change as we age? they do, and how they change as we age? they do, and how they change as we age? Great question. So, Great question. So, Great question. So, so think about again, two system, so think about again, two system, so think about again, two system, innate, first line of defense. And I innate, first line of defense. And I innate, first line of defense. And I probably should tell everybody, we're probably should tell everybody, we're probably should tell everybody, we're going to get to the good news here. I going to get to the good news here. I going to get to the good news here. I just want to kind of lay the groundwork just want to kind of lay the groundwork just want to kind of lay the groundwork here. Yeah. First line of defense is the here. Yeah. First line of defense is the here. Yeah. First line of defense is the innate immune system. It's a Think about innate immune system. It's a Think about innate immune system. It's a Think about a country defending itself. It would be a country defending itself. It would be a country defending itself. It would be the barbed wire at the border. You know, the barbed wire at the border. You know, the barbed wire at the border. You know, just or maybe a series of people who just or maybe a series of people who just or maybe a series of people who are, you know, arming the border, making are, you know, arming the border, making are, you know, arming the border, making sure nobody crosses. The We talked about sure nobody crosses. The We talked about sure nobody crosses. The We talked about DNA DNA DNA in the cytoplasm. That's part of the in the cytoplasm. That's part of the in the cytoplasm. That's part of the innate immune response. So, there's a innate immune response. So, there's a innate immune response. So, there's a whole series of receptors that allow whole series of receptors that allow whole series of receptors that allow every cell to determine whether every cell to determine whether every cell to determine whether something there's a danger signal. Okay? something there's a danger signal. Okay? something there's a danger signal. Okay? During aging, for example, we have a During aging, for example, we have a During aging, for example, we have a disruption of the gut barrier. Some of disruption of the gut barrier. Some of disruption of the gut barrier. Some of the bacteria in our intestine can leach the bacteria in our intestine can leach the bacteria in our intestine can leach out into the blood and they they cause out into the blood and they they cause out into the blood and they they cause inflammation. Simply that the disruption inflammation. Simply that the disruption inflammation. Simply that the disruption of your gut barrier will cause of your gut barrier will cause of your gut barrier will cause inflammation because some bacterial inflammation because some bacterial inflammation because some bacterial product are leaching out across the gut product are leaching out across the gut product are leaching out across the gut and in the blood all of your cells see and in the blood all of your cells see and in the blood all of your cells see that and they think there's an that and they think there's an that and they think there's an infection. And so they activate the infection. And so they activate the infection. And so they activate the first line of response. So, that's first line of response. So, that's first line of response. So, that's inflammation, by the way, is inflammation, by the way, is inflammation, by the way, is inflammation is a is that innate immune inflammation is a is that innate immune inflammation is a is that innate immune response. response. response. Age-related inflammation. Age-related inflammation. Age-related inflammation. >> Or acute as well. You have damage, you >> Or acute as well. You have damage, you >> Or acute as well. You have damage, you know, you burn yourself, there's damaged know, you burn yourself, there's damaged know, you burn yourself, there's damaged tissue that's recognized by the innate tissue that's recognized by the innate tissue that's recognized by the innate immune system. It starts repairing. immune system. It starts repairing. immune system. It starts repairing. That part of the immune That part of the immune That part of the immune of the immune system, as we age, becomes of the immune system, as we age, becomes of the immune system, as we age, becomes hyper-responsive. hyper-responsive. hyper-responsive. It just sees problems where there is It just sees problems where there is It just sees problems where there is none and that's the whole concept that none and that's the whole concept that none and that's the whole concept that people have talked called inflammaging. people have talked called inflammaging. people have talked called inflammaging. >> That's what I that's what I was getting >> That's what I that's what I was getting >> That's what I that's what I was getting at when I said related to the aging. at when I said related to the aging. at when I said related to the aging. >> So, that's inflammaging. The second part >> So, that's inflammaging. The second part >> So, that's inflammaging. The second part of the immune system you mentioned is of the immune system you mentioned is of the immune system you mentioned is the adaptive, which is totally the adaptive, which is totally the adaptive, which is totally different. It's actually an educated different. It's actually an educated different. It's actually an educated system. It will learn from what it has system. It will learn from what it has system. It will learn from what it has been exposed to. So, imagine you you get been exposed to. So, imagine you you get been exposed to. So, imagine you you get an infection with influenza or from with an infection with influenza or from with an infection with influenza or from with a virus, a virus, a virus, the body will learn how to recognize it the body will learn how to recognize it the body will learn how to recognize it and it will develop specific tools, T and it will develop specific tools, T and it will develop specific tools, T cells and B cells that will make cells and B cells that will make cells and B cells that will make specific targets. That's the basis for specific targets. That's the basis for specific targets. That's the basis for vaccination. When you get a vaccination, vaccination. When you get a vaccination, vaccination. When you get a vaccination, you get a little dose of something, uh you get a little dose of something, uh you get a little dose of something, uh the body learns how to recognize it and the body learns how to recognize it and the body learns how to recognize it and it will confer a protective response it will confer a protective response it will confer a protective response that will last sometimes a lifetime. that will last sometimes a lifetime. that will last sometimes a lifetime. >> Yeah, like a measles vaccine, right? >> Yeah, like a measles vaccine, right? >> Yeah, like a measles vaccine, right? >> Measles vaccines or even infection that >> Measles vaccines or even infection that >> Measles vaccines or even infection that you have when you were a kid, uh herpes you have when you were a kid, uh herpes you have when you were a kid, uh herpes zoster, you can have an infect uh zoster, you can have an infect uh zoster, you can have an infect uh chicken pox when you when you're a kid chicken pox when you when you're a kid chicken pox when you when you're a kid and for many people you actually have and for many people you actually have and for many people you actually have immunity for life. Although you should immunity for life. Although you should immunity for life. Although you should get your Shingrix. Single shot. Uh I I get your Shingrix. Single shot. Uh I I get your Shingrix. Single shot. Uh I I hope we can talk about this cuz this is hope we can talk about this cuz this is hope we can talk about this cuz this is really fascinating in terms of the really fascinating in terms of the really fascinating in terms of the implication of some of these implication of some of these implication of some of these vaccinations. And that that system, the vaccinations. And that that system, the vaccinations. And that that system, the the whole immune system that's adaptive, the whole immune system that's adaptive, the whole immune system that's adaptive, depends on um depends on um depends on um in part um from your thymus. Thymus? in part um from your thymus. Thymus? in part um from your thymus. Thymus? >> Yes. Thymus is a gland that it's called >> Yes. Thymus is a gland that it's called >> Yes. Thymus is a gland that it's called sweetbreads and Exactly. sweetbreads and Exactly. sweetbreads and Exactly. >> of us have them the other night for >> of us have them the other night for >> of us have them the other night for dinner. Yes, exactly. Hoping it's going dinner. Yes, exactly. Hoping it's going dinner. Yes, exactly. Hoping it's going to help my immune system, but I don't to help my immune system, but I don't to help my immune system, but I don't think it works like that. think it works like that. think it works like that. >> No. >> No. >> No. But so that's exactly what it is. Which But so that's exactly what it is. Which But so that's exactly what it is. Which shrinks as we get older. shrinks as we get older. shrinks as we get older. >> It shrinks as we get older. By the time >> It shrinks as we get older. By the time >> It shrinks as we get older. By the time you reach 50, most of us it's gone. Now, you reach 50, most of us it's gone. Now, you reach 50, most of us it's gone. Now, the problem when you do this is you're the problem when you do this is you're the problem when you do this is you're not able to generate the new cells. So not able to generate the new cells. So not able to generate the new cells. So you are living with the number of cells you are living with the number of cells you are living with the number of cells that you had at age 50. And that you had at age 50. And that you had at age 50. And and these cells dwindle slowly over and these cells dwindle slowly over and these cells dwindle slowly over time. So that your immunity, your time. So that your immunity, your time. So that your immunity, your ability to mount a new immune response ability to mount a new immune response ability to mount a new immune response will decrease. will decrease. will decrease. So that So that So that vaccinations are given mostly when vaccinations are given mostly when vaccinations are given mostly when you're young. And as you get older, your you're young. And as you get older, your you're young. And as you get older, your ability to mount a vaccination response ability to mount a vaccination response ability to mount a vaccination response decrease. decrease. decrease. >> You don't respond as well to vaccines. >> You don't respond as well to vaccines. >> You don't respond as well to vaccines. >> respond. And for example, if you get an >> respond. And for example, if you get an >> respond. And for example, if you get an a flu shot, you're going to get actually a flu shot, you're going to get actually a flu shot, you're going to get actually a a specific flu shot for elderly older a a specific flu shot for elderly older a a specific flu shot for elderly older individuals that will try to trigger individuals that will try to trigger individuals that will try to trigger your immune system more forcefully. your immune system more forcefully. your immune system more forcefully. >> Mhm. And so >> Mhm. And so >> Mhm. And so this failure of adaptive immunity as you this failure of adaptive immunity as you this failure of adaptive immunity as you age is one reason why we saw during age is one reason why we saw during age is one reason why we saw during COVID-19 the risk of death increasing so COVID-19 the risk of death increasing so COVID-19 the risk of death increasing so much during age as a function of aging. much during age as a function of aging. much during age as a function of aging. >> Yeah. Uh >> Yeah. Uh >> Yeah. Uh this is why 30,000 people I believe this is why 30,000 people I believe this is why 30,000 people I believe still die from influenza every year. still die from influenza every year. still die from influenza every year. Mhm. Uh the same thing with uh RSV. So Mhm. Uh the same thing with uh RSV. So Mhm. Uh the same thing with uh RSV. So there is an epidemic that no one talks there is an epidemic that no one talks there is an epidemic that no one talks about, which is the fact that older about, which is the fact that older about, which is the fact that older individuals die from viral and individuals die from viral and individuals die from viral and pneumonia, all these infections at much pneumonia, all these infections at much pneumonia, all these infections at much higher frequency than younger ones. So, higher frequency than younger ones. So, higher frequency than younger ones. So, there's a lot of interest in the aging there's a lot of interest in the aging there's a lot of interest in the aging field to try to see how can we mitigate field to try to see how can we mitigate field to try to see how can we mitigate this? Can we restore the thymus? Can we this? Can we restore the thymus? Can we this? Can we restore the thymus? Can we understand what makes the thymus go understand what makes the thymus go understand what makes the thymus go away? And so on. It's almost like the away? And so on. It's almost like the away? And so on. It's almost like the worst of two worlds. On one hand, the worst of two worlds. On one hand, the worst of two worlds. On one hand, the innate immune system starts to be innate immune system starts to be innate immune system starts to be overactive and more indiscriminate overactive and more indiscriminate overactive and more indiscriminate and creates this low-grade chronic and creates this low-grade chronic and creates this low-grade chronic sterile inflammation that we call sterile inflammation that we call sterile inflammation that we call inflammaging. And at the same time, inflammaging. And at the same time, inflammaging. And at the same time, our antibody levels are less able to to our antibody levels are less able to to our antibody levels are less able to to mount a response. The cells that do mount a response. The cells that do mount a response. The cells that do antibodies are less able to mount a antibodies are less able to mount a antibodies are less able to mount a response to invaders. And so, we we response to invaders. And so, we we response to invaders. And so, we we can't fight cancer, we can't fight can't fight cancer, we can't fight can't fight cancer, we can't fight infections as well. And so, we get all infections as well. And so, we get all infections as well. And so, we get all these different problems. That that's a these different problems. That that's a these different problems. That that's a great point. Uh you you can respond to a great point. Uh you you can respond to a great point. Uh you you can respond to a vaccine in the same way as you vaccine in the same way as you vaccine in the same way as you mentioned. The the immune system, the mentioned. The the immune system, the mentioned. The the immune system, the adaptive immune system plays an adaptive immune system plays an adaptive immune system plays an important role for what we call a tumor important role for what we call a tumor important role for what we call a tumor uh surveillance. So, it goes around the uh surveillance. So, it goes around the uh surveillance. So, it goes around the the tissue as in it tries to determine the tissue as in it tries to determine the tissue as in it tries to determine is a cell acting funny? Is it senescent? is a cell acting funny? Is it senescent? is a cell acting funny? Is it senescent? Is it Is it a zombie cells? If it's a Is it Is it a zombie cells? If it's a Is it Is it a zombie cells? If it's a zombie cells, it will try to eliminate zombie cells, it will try to eliminate zombie cells, it will try to eliminate it. So, there are many mechanisms by it. So, there are many mechanisms by it. So, there are many mechanisms by which the immune system participate in which the immune system participate in which the immune system participate in our health. One last point is the fact our health. One last point is the fact our health. One last point is the fact that these two immune systems do not that these two immune systems do not that these two immune systems do not function independently from one another. function independently from one another. function independently from one another. >> Right. system is really smart. So, the >> Right. system is really smart. So, the >> Right. system is really smart. So, the innate immune system, when it's innate immune system, when it's innate immune system, when it's activated, actually provides the help to activated, actually provides the help to activated, actually provides the help to educate the adaptive immune system. And educate the adaptive immune system. And educate the adaptive immune system. And so, if you have a chronically active so, if you have a chronically active so, if you have a chronically active innate immune system, that doesn't jive innate immune system, that doesn't jive innate immune system, that doesn't jive well with the adaptive. So, the whole well with the adaptive. So, the whole well with the adaptive. So, the whole system degrades as as we age. And so, as system degrades as as we age. And so, as system degrades as as we age. And so, as people are listening, they're wow, this people are listening, they're wow, this people are listening, they're wow, this isn't good news, right? The immune isn't good news, right? The immune isn't good news, right? The immune system ages, you can't mount responses system ages, you can't mount responses system ages, you can't mount responses to infections or fight cancer, you get to infections or fight cancer, you get to infections or fight cancer, you get this chronic inflammation that creates a this chronic inflammation that creates a this chronic inflammation that creates a downstream cascade that leads to all downstream cascade that leads to all downstream cascade that leads to all these chronic age-related diseases. What these chronic age-related diseases. What these chronic age-related diseases. What do we do about it? How do we How do we do we do about it? How do we How do we do we do about it? How do we How do we manage that? Is there a way to kind of manage that? Is there a way to kind of manage that? Is there a way to kind of reduce inflammation or to stop the reduce inflammation or to stop the reduce inflammation or to stop the inflammation or improve immune response? inflammation or improve immune response? inflammation or improve immune response? How do we do that? Given what we know in How do we do that? Given what we know in How do we do that? Given what we know in longevity now. Cuz immune aging is what longevity now. Cuz immune aging is what longevity now. Cuz immune aging is what we're talking about. we're talking about. we're talking about. >> Yes. It's very hard to sort of First >> Yes. It's very hard to sort of First >> Yes. It's very hard to sort of First thing I I should say, also, thing I I should say, also, thing I I should say, also, why immune aging is so important. why immune aging is so important. why immune aging is so important. There's evidence that There's evidence that There's evidence that if you induce aging only in the immune if you induce aging only in the immune if you induce aging only in the immune system, and we can do this in mice, system, and we can do this in mice, system, and we can do this in mice, okay? So, you can make a lesion only in okay? So, you can make a lesion only in okay? So, you can make a lesion only in the immune system, that will induce the immune system, that will induce the immune system, that will induce organismal aging. organismal aging. organismal aging. Mhm. So, it will not just induce aging Mhm. So, it will not just induce aging Mhm. So, it will not just induce aging of the immune system, it will induce of the immune system, it will induce of the immune system, it will induce secondary aging in the other organs. And secondary aging in the other organs. And secondary aging in the other organs. And so, that's And And that's been shown in so, that's And And that's been shown in so, that's And And that's been shown in two different studies. So, it's real two different studies. So, it's real two different studies. So, it's real data in mice. Creating these artificial data in mice. Creating these artificial data in mice. Creating these artificial tools that we have, you can make only a tools that we have, you can make only a tools that we have, you can make only a lesion in the immune systems, which lesion in the immune systems, which lesion in the immune systems, which means means means the the immune system has as a as a the the immune system has as a as a the the immune system has as a as a dominant role in our aging. dominant role in our aging. dominant role in our aging. That has been proven in other way. You That has been proven in other way. You That has been proven in other way. You might have heard about the new clocks might have heard about the new clocks might have heard about the new clocks that Tony Wyss-Coray has generated, that Tony Wyss-Coray has generated, that Tony Wyss-Coray has generated, these organ-specific Yeah. proteomics these organ-specific Yeah. proteomics these organ-specific Yeah. proteomics clock. Okay, so, you can now clock. Okay, so, you can now clock. Okay, so, you can now >> Labs? That's what I thought. >> Labs? That's what I thought. >> Labs? That's what I thought. >> it's a Virum. Virum Labs. Yeah, yeah, >> it's a Virum. Virum Labs. Yeah, yeah, >> it's a Virum. Virum Labs. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. yeah, yeah, I know. yeah, yeah, I know. That's right. So, what what this company That's right. So, what what this company That's right. So, what what this company and and Tony's work have shown is that and and Tony's work have shown is that and and Tony's work have shown is that they now can draw from from a blood they now can draw from from a blood they now can draw from from a blood draw, they can measure a series of draw, they can measure a series of draw, they can measure a series of proteins that are circulating, that are proteins that are circulating, that are proteins that are circulating, that are reflection reflective of the activity reflection reflective of the activity reflection reflective of the activity and the health of all organs. So, they and the health of all organs. So, they and the health of all organs. So, they can determine can determine can determine >> They can organ clock how old your brain >> They can organ clock how old your brain >> They can organ clock how old your brain is, how old your heart is, your kidneys, is, how old your heart is, your kidneys, is, how old your heart is, your kidneys, right? right? right? >> Because obviously, you know, you can be >> Because obviously, you know, you can be >> Because obviously, you know, you can be in in incredible health in your whole in in incredible health in your whole in in incredible health in your whole organism if your brain health is 20 organism if your brain health is 20 organism if your brain health is 20 years ahead, you're going to be not years ahead, you're going to be not years ahead, you're going to be not doing so well. So, there's always that doing so well. So, there's always that doing so well. So, there's always that sort of rate-limiting organ that could sort of rate-limiting organ that could sort of rate-limiting organ that could be causing all of the problems. So, we be causing all of the problems. So, we be causing all of the problems. So, we want not to age want not to age want not to age at an accelerated rate in any organs. at an accelerated rate in any organs. at an accelerated rate in any organs. But what his data, they've gone back and But what his data, they've gone back and But what his data, they've gone back and analyzed 50,000 people from UK Biobank, analyzed 50,000 people from UK Biobank, analyzed 50,000 people from UK Biobank, huge data set from from England, and huge data set from from England, and huge data set from from England, and they found that there are two organs they found that there are two organs they found that there are two organs that are predictive of your demise in that are predictive of your demise in that are predictive of your demise in terms of your lifespan. It's the immune terms of your lifespan. It's the immune terms of your lifespan. It's the immune system, and it's the brain. And it's not system, and it's the brain. And it's not system, and it's the brain. And it's not that surprising because they are the two that surprising because they are the two that surprising because they are the two organs that are distributed. organs that are distributed. organs that are distributed. >> They're the sensory organs. >> They're the sensory organs. >> They're the sensory organs. >> Yeah, and and your brain, you know, your >> Yeah, and and your brain, you know, your >> Yeah, and and your brain, you know, your brain has ramification in the whole brain has ramification in the whole brain has ramification in the whole organism. Your nerves your brain does organism. Your nerves your brain does organism. Your nerves your brain does not just sit in in the cranium. It not just sit in in the cranium. It not just sit in in the cranium. It sends, you know, nerves to the whole sends, you know, nerves to the whole sends, you know, nerves to the whole body for muscle but also to your organs body for muscle but also to your organs body for muscle but also to your organs and so on. So, same for the immune and so on. So, same for the immune and so on. So, same for the immune system. It's not only sitting in your system. It's not only sitting in your system. It's not only sitting in your lymph nodes, it's in your skin, it's in lymph nodes, it's in your skin, it's in lymph nodes, it's in your skin, it's in your liver, it's in your gut. It's your liver, it's in your gut. It's your liver, it's in your gut. It's absolutely Half of your immune system is absolutely Half of your immune system is absolutely Half of your immune system is actually in your gut. So, that means actually in your gut. So, that means actually in your gut. So, that means that that that all of this data in aggregates will mean all of this data in aggregates will mean all of this data in aggregates will mean that maintaining immune health is really that maintaining immune health is really that maintaining immune health is really critical. And it's going to be one of critical. And it's going to be one of critical. And it's going to be one of these, you know, we used to think as these, you know, we used to think as these, you know, we used to think as physicians that the critical organ for physicians that the critical organ for physicians that the critical organ for survival was your heart because half of survival was your heart because half of survival was your heart because half of the population was dying of heart attack the population was dying of heart attack the population was dying of heart attack and and we still have that problem. But and and we still have that problem. But and and we still have that problem. But beyond this, let's say we can cure heart beyond this, let's say we can cure heart beyond this, let's say we can cure heart attacks as I think we will in the future attacks as I think we will in the future attacks as I think we will in the future in the near future. in the near future. in the near future. >> that's related to inflammation as well. >> that's related to inflammation as well. >> that's related to inflammation as well. >> Yes, but we that's also So, maintaining >> Yes, but we that's also So, maintaining >> Yes, but we that's also So, maintaining immune health is going to be really immune health is going to be really immune health is going to be really critical. I know you've heard me talk critical. I know you've heard me talk critical. I know you've heard me talk about the importance of getting enough about the importance of getting enough about the importance of getting enough protein to maintain muscle as we age, protein to maintain muscle as we age, protein to maintain muscle as we age, but sometimes even when you eat well, but sometimes even when you eat well, but sometimes even when you eat well, meals can leave you feeling heavy, meals can leave you feeling heavy, meals can leave you feeling heavy, bloated, or sluggish. Now, in some bloated, or sluggish. Now, in some bloated, or sluggish. Now, in some cases, it's not protein, it's your cases, it's not protein, it's your cases, it's not protein, it's your digestion. And our bodies rely on digestion. And our bodies rely on digestion. And our bodies rely on enzymes to break down protein and fats enzymes to break down protein and fats enzymes to break down protein and fats and carbohydrates so we can actually use and carbohydrates so we can actually use and carbohydrates so we can actually use the nutrients we eat. Now, with stress, the nutrients we eat. Now, with stress, the nutrients we eat. Now, with stress, with age, or busy lifestyles, enzyme with age, or busy lifestyles, enzyme with age, or busy lifestyles, enzyme production can fall short. And that's production can fall short. And that's production can fall short. And that's why I recommend MassZymes from why I recommend MassZymes from why I recommend MassZymes from BiOptimizers. It contains 18 different BiOptimizers. It contains 18 different BiOptimizers. It contains 18 different digestive enzymes including four times digestive enzymes including four times digestive enzymes including four times more protease than many other formulas more protease than many other formulas more protease than many other formulas to support the breakdown of protein, to support the breakdown of protein, to support the breakdown of protein, fat, and carbs. Supporting digestion can fat, and carbs. Supporting digestion can fat, and carbs. Supporting digestion can help turn meals into clean fuel so you help turn meals into clean fuel so you help turn meals into clean fuel so you feel lighter, more energized, and more feel lighter, more energized, and more feel lighter, more energized, and more comfortable after eating without comfortable after eating without comfortable after eating without changing your diet. If your goals this changing your diet. If your goals this changing your diet. If your goals this year include eating well and feeling year include eating well and feeling year include eating well and feeling better after meals, well, MassZymes is a better after meals, well, MassZymes is a better after meals, well, MassZymes is a simple way to support healthy digestion. simple way to support healthy digestion. simple way to support healthy digestion. For an exclusive offer, visit For an exclusive offer, visit For an exclusive offer, visit bioptimizers.com/hyman bioptimizers.com/hyman bioptimizers.com/hyman and use the code Hyman to get 15% off. and use the code Hyman to get 15% off. and use the code Hyman to get 15% off. Subscribe and you'll get extra Subscribe and you'll get extra Subscribe and you'll get extra discounts, free gifts, and guaranteed discounts, free gifts, and guaranteed discounts, free gifts, and guaranteed monthly supply. That's b i o p t i m i z monthly supply. That's b i o p t i m i z monthly supply. That's b i o p t i m i z e r s.com/hyman e r s.com/hyman e r s.com/hyman and use the code Hyman today. and use the code Hyman today. and use the code Hyman today. One of the most fascinating areas of One of the most fascinating areas of One of the most fascinating areas of research in functional medicine right research in functional medicine right research in functional medicine right now is red light therapy. Now, specific now is red light therapy. Now, specific now is red light therapy. Now, specific wavelengths of red light have been shown wavelengths of red light have been shown wavelengths of red light have been shown to support mitochondrial function, to support mitochondrial function, to support mitochondrial function, essentially helping your cells produce essentially helping your cells produce essentially helping your cells produce more energy. And when your cells have more energy. And when your cells have more energy. And when your cells have more energy, your body is better able to more energy, your body is better able to more energy, your body is better able to support natural recovery processes. And support natural recovery processes. And support natural recovery processes. And that's why I've been using products from that's why I've been using products from that's why I've been using products from Boncharge. They're a wellness brand Boncharge. They're a wellness brand Boncharge. They're a wellness brand focused on science-backed tools that focused on science-backed tools that focused on science-backed tools that help counter the stressors of modern help counter the stressors of modern help counter the stressors of modern living. Everything from blue light living. Everything from blue light living. Everything from blue light blocking glasses to circadian lighting blocking glasses to circadian lighting blocking glasses to circadian lighting and red light therapy. One product I and red light therapy. One product I and red light therapy. One product I really like is their red light cap. It really like is their red light cap. It really like is their red light cap. It uses 650 nm red light to deliver uses 650 nm red light to deliver uses 650 nm red light to deliver targeted light energy directly to the targeted light energy directly to the targeted light energy directly to the scalp, encouraging natural hair follicle scalp, encouraging natural hair follicle scalp, encouraging natural hair follicle activity to promote hair growth in men activity to promote hair growth in men activity to promote hair growth in men and women. It's incredibly easy to use. and women. It's incredibly easy to use. and women. It's incredibly easy to use. Just wear the cap for about 10 minutes Just wear the cap for about 10 minutes Just wear the cap for about 10 minutes while reading, cleaning, or answering while reading, cleaning, or answering while reading, cleaning, or answering emails. The high irradiance LEDs deliver emails. The high irradiance LEDs deliver emails. The high irradiance LEDs deliver targeted red light therapy in a targeted red light therapy in a targeted red light therapy in a comfortable, lightweight design you can comfortable, lightweight design you can comfortable, lightweight design you can use right at home. Boncharge ships use right at home. Boncharge ships use right at home. Boncharge ships worldwide, offers free shipping on the worldwide, offers free shipping on the worldwide, offers free shipping on the red light cap, a 12-month warranty, and red light cap, a 12-month warranty, and red light cap, a 12-month warranty, and it's even HSA and FSA eligible. So, head it's even HSA and FSA eligible. So, head it's even HSA and FSA eligible. So, head to boncharge.com/hyman to boncharge.com/hyman to boncharge.com/hyman and use the code Hyman for 15% off and use the code Hyman for 15% off and use the code Hyman for 15% off today. That's b o n c h a r g today. That's b o n c h a r g today. That's b o n c h a r g e.com/hyman e.com/hyman e.com/hyman and use the code Hyman. Well, that you and use the code Hyman. Well, that you and use the code Hyman. Well, that you make an interesting point because I I make an interesting point because I I make an interesting point because I I the way I think about the brain and the the way I think about the brain and the the way I think about the brain and the immune system is there the brain is is immune system is there the brain is is immune system is there the brain is is the sensory organ for macroscopic the sensory organ for macroscopic the sensory organ for macroscopic things. The immune system is the sensory things. The immune system is the sensory things. The immune system is the sensory organ for microscopic things. So, it's organ for microscopic things. So, it's organ for microscopic things. So, it's they're kind of they're kind of they're kind of mirrors. They're very very important in mirrors. They're very very important in mirrors. They're very very important in maintaining tissue integrity and so on. maintaining tissue integrity and so on. maintaining tissue integrity and so on. So, what do you do for So, what do you do for So, what do you do for helping your immune system age well? helping your immune system age well? helping your immune system age well? That's Mark That's a tough one. So, I That's Mark That's a tough one. So, I That's Mark That's a tough one. So, I think think think >> better phrase, what do you think the >> better phrase, what do you think the >> better phrase, what do you think the science best says we should do? Yes. science best says we should do? Yes. science best says we should do? Yes. First, we have to mitigate inflammation, First, we have to mitigate inflammation, First, we have to mitigate inflammation, okay? Because I think as we we talked okay? Because I think as we we talked okay? Because I think as we we talked about, inflammation is not only a about, inflammation is not only a about, inflammation is not only a response, it becomes a driver. response, it becomes a driver. response, it becomes a driver. >> Yeah. And there are lots of sort of >> Yeah. And there are lots of sort of >> Yeah. And there are lots of sort of self-amplifying loops that happen there. self-amplifying loops that happen there. self-amplifying loops that happen there. If your immune system becomes activated, If your immune system becomes activated, If your immune system becomes activated, it can actually induce that. It can try it can actually induce that. It can try it can actually induce that. It can try to repair, but eventually it can to repair, but eventually it can to repair, but eventually it can actually cause damage. The solution actually cause damage. The solution actually cause damage. The solution becomes the problem. The solution becomes the problem. The solution becomes the problem. The solution becomes the problem. And so, mitigating becomes the problem. And so, mitigating becomes the problem. And so, mitigating this inflammation is key. And one area, this inflammation is key. And one area, this inflammation is key. And one area, for example, that I think there there for example, that I think there there for example, that I think there there multiple areas that we can talk about. multiple areas that we can talk about. multiple areas that we can talk about. Um Um Um gut health, I think is critical in this gut health, I think is critical in this gut health, I think is critical in this respect for me. And I tell people this respect for me. And I tell people this respect for me. And I tell people this is something that not enough people are is something that not enough people are is something that not enough people are talking about in the longevity field. talking about in the longevity field. talking about in the longevity field. You know, and actually the people who You know, and actually the people who You know, and actually the people who are talking about it, I think focus on a are talking about it, I think focus on a are talking about it, I think focus on a lot of the wrong things. A lot of focus lot of the wrong things. A lot of focus lot of the wrong things. A lot of focus on probiotics. And I think we should be on probiotics. And I think we should be on probiotics. And I think we should be focusing on prebiotics and postbiotics. focusing on prebiotics and postbiotics. focusing on prebiotics and postbiotics. And I'm happy to So, Yeah, we'll go into And I'm happy to So, Yeah, we'll go into And I'm happy to So, Yeah, we'll go into I want to get into that. That's a topic I want to get into that. That's a topic I want to get into that. That's a topic we're we're going to get to. I I agree. we're we're going to get to. I I agree. we're we're going to get to. I I agree. And one that I I think we're not talking And one that I I think we're not talking And one that I I think we're not talking about enough. And if you ask most about enough. And if you ask most about enough. And if you ask most doctors, how do you create a healthy doctors, how do you create a healthy doctors, how do you create a healthy gut? They have no idea. And there's a gut? They have no idea. And there's a gut? They have no idea. And there's a way to do it. I mean, that's what way to do it. I mean, that's what way to do it. I mean, that's what functional medicine my my my the joke functional medicine my my my the joke functional medicine my my my the joke about me where I where my old job at Canyon Ranch where I where my old job at Canyon Ranch was I was Dr. C Every Poop, cuz I wanted was I was Dr. C Every Poop, cuz I wanted was I was Dr. C Every Poop, cuz I wanted to look at every stool test, look at to look at every stool test, look at to look at every stool test, look at every microbiome, see what's going on, every microbiome, see what's going on, every microbiome, see what's going on, reset the gut as a way of treating all reset the gut as a way of treating all reset the gut as a way of treating all these kinds of diseases. these kinds of diseases. these kinds of diseases. >> Agree. Totally agree. And I I think >> Agree. Totally agree. And I I think >> Agree. Totally agree. And I I think uh for most people totally unaware. And uh for most people totally unaware. And uh for most people totally unaware. And you know, the only thing they think you know, the only thing they think you know, the only thing they think about this is when you walk into a whole about this is when you walk into a whole about this is when you walk into a whole food, there's a fridge full of food, there's a fridge full of food, there's a fridge full of probiotics that I said probiotics that I said probiotics that I said I wouldn't go near those if I were you, I wouldn't go near those if I were you, I wouldn't go near those if I were you, because we don't we except maybe for because we don't we except maybe for because we don't we except maybe for Akkermansia, Akkermansia, Akkermansia, um most of those we don't know how to um most of those we don't know how to um most of those we don't know how to use them. Or maybe Lactobacillus And use them. Or maybe Lactobacillus And use them. Or maybe Lactobacillus And your diet is what creates your your diet is what creates your your diet is what creates your microbiome for the Exactly. microbiome for the Exactly. microbiome for the Exactly. >> for the main the main reason and you're >> for the main the main reason and you're >> for the main the main reason and you're focusing on prebiotics. These are foods, focusing on prebiotics. These are foods, focusing on prebiotics. These are foods, whether it's asparagus or artichokes or whether it's asparagus or artichokes or whether it's asparagus or artichokes or plantains. These are these are things we plantains. These are these are things we plantains. These are these are things we can eat that actually feed the good can eat that actually feed the good can eat that actually feed the good bugs. I agree. Or if you're not able and bugs. I agree. Or if you're not able and bugs. I agree. Or if you're not able and actually the evidence points to the fact actually the evidence points to the fact actually the evidence points to the fact that most of us are prebiotics would be that most of us are prebiotics would be that most of us are prebiotics would be all fiber. And most of us actually have all fiber. And most of us actually have all fiber. And most of us actually have an inadequate intake in our modern way an inadequate intake in our modern way an inadequate intake in our modern way of eating of a fiber. of eating of a fiber. of eating of a fiber. >> Yeah. And so I tell people, you know, if >> Yeah. And so I tell people, you know, if >> Yeah. And so I tell people, you know, if you have to supplement, supplement. But you have to supplement, supplement. But you have to supplement, supplement. But there there are growing number of good there there are growing number of good there there are growing number of good supplements that you can take. supplements that you can take. supplements that you can take. >> it's staggering when you look at the >> it's staggering when you look at the >> it's staggering when you look at the historical fiber intake of historical fiber intake of historical fiber intake of hunter-gatherers. It was like estimated hunter-gatherers. It was like estimated hunter-gatherers. It was like estimated to be 150 to be 150 to be 150 grams of fiber a day. We ate to 15. And grams of fiber a day. We ate to 15. And grams of fiber a day. We ate to 15. And the average American is We should be the average American is We should be the average American is We should be trying to get to 35, 40, 50 at least, trying to get to 35, 40, 50 at least, trying to get to 35, 40, 50 at least, you know. My wife is from Germany. And I you know. My wife is from Germany. And I you know. My wife is from Germany. And I I suspect you've traveled there. When I suspect you've traveled there. When I suspect you've traveled there. When you eat a slice of bread from Germany you eat a slice of bread from Germany you eat a slice of bread from Germany >> Yeah, you need a meat slicer. I visited >> Yeah, you need a meat slicer. I visited >> Yeah, you need a meat slicer. I visited a friend of mine in Germany when I was a friend of mine in Germany when I was a friend of mine in Germany when I was like 20-something. And and she had a one like 20-something. And and she had a one like 20-something. And and she had a one of those like deli meat slicers in her of those like deli meat slicers in her of those like deli meat slicers in her kitchen. I'm like, "What is this for?" kitchen. I'm like, "What is this for?" kitchen. I'm like, "What is this for?" She's like, "I we for cutting the She's like, "I we for cutting the She's like, "I we for cutting the bread." I said, "Does a knife doesn't bread." I said, "Does a knife doesn't bread." I said, "Does a knife doesn't work?" Yes, work?" Yes, work?" Yes, yeah, it's dense. And that bread is, you yeah, it's dense. And that bread is, you yeah, it's dense. And that bread is, you know, but the other the other way is know, but the other the other way is know, but the other the other way is this bread also will force you to chew this bread also will force you to chew this bread also will force you to chew and will get you a large jaw which will and will get you a large jaw which will and will get you a large jaw which will stop sleep apnea. So, you know, there's stop sleep apnea. So, you know, there's stop sleep apnea. So, you know, there's a lot of interesting things in terms of a lot of interesting things in terms of a lot of interesting things in terms of the the fact that our diet has become the the fact that our diet has become the the fact that our diet has become almost like semi-liquid creates all of almost like semi-liquid creates all of almost like semi-liquid creates all of these problems in terms of facial these problems in terms of facial these problems in terms of facial features and and so on. So That was the features and and so on. So That was the features and and so on. So That was the work of work of work of that dentist who went around that dentist who went around that dentist who went around I forget his name right now that the guy I forget his name right now that the guy I forget his name right now that the guy who went around and saw all the who went around and saw all the who went around and saw all the indigenous cultures and looked at all indigenous cultures and looked at all indigenous cultures and looked at all the teeth and the jaws. I mean, you the teeth and the jaws. I mean, you the teeth and the jaws. I mean, you know, I I was in Africa know, I I was in Africa know, I I was in Africa and I saw the gorillas and I got to go and I saw the gorillas and I got to go and I saw the gorillas and I got to go to the museum and I got to see all the to the museum and I got to see all the to the museum and I got to see all the gorilla skulls. gorilla skulls. gorilla skulls. Perfect teeth. Like they perfect teeth. Perfect teeth. Like they perfect teeth. Perfect teeth. Like they perfect teeth. And they don't need dentures, they don't And they don't need dentures, they don't And they don't need dentures, they don't need, you know, they don't need braces. need, you know, they don't need braces. need, you know, they don't need braces. I mean, it was amazing to see. And I was I mean, it was amazing to see. And I was I mean, it was amazing to see. And I was like, wait, that their diet is what's like, wait, that their diet is what's like, wait, that their diet is what's driving their dentition. And their driving their dentition. And their driving their dentition. And their dentition is driving their health. dentition is driving their health. dentition is driving their health. Absolutely. I'm reading James Nestor's Absolutely. I'm reading James Nestor's Absolutely. I'm reading James Nestor's book Breath or Breathe, I don't know. book Breath or Breathe, I don't know. book Breath or Breathe, I don't know. And that there's a whole chapter on And that there's a whole chapter on And that there's a whole chapter on this. There's this uh this. There's this uh this. There's this uh a of adventurer who was one of the first a of adventurer who was one of the first a of adventurer who was one of the first one to actually uh visit uh American one to actually uh visit uh American one to actually uh visit uh American uh native Indians. And what was one of uh native Indians. And what was one of uh native Indians. And what was one of the things that struck him the most is the things that struck him the most is the things that struck him the most is how the teeth of all of these native how the teeth of all of these native how the teeth of all of these native Indians were absolutely perfect, no Indians were absolutely perfect, no Indians were absolutely perfect, no crooked. They didn't have to remove crooked. They didn't have to remove crooked. They didn't have to remove wisdom teeth, didn't have to do wisdom teeth, didn't have to do wisdom teeth, didn't have to do anything. So, that's a fascinating anything. So, that's a fascinating anything. So, that's a fascinating aspect of But, I think the two are aspect of But, I think the two are aspect of But, I think the two are linked. So, this idea that we eating a linked. So, this idea that we eating a linked. So, this idea that we eating a semi-liquid diet, soft bread, soft semi-liquid diet, soft bread, soft semi-liquid diet, soft bread, soft everything versus chewing a hard has everything versus chewing a hard has everything versus chewing a hard has implication not only in terms of our implication not only in terms of our implication not only in terms of our microbiome, but also our tooth microbiome, but also our tooth microbiome, but also our tooth structure, our ability to breathe structure, our ability to breathe structure, our ability to breathe through our nose, and so on. through our nose, and so on. through our nose, and so on. >> So, whole foods, fiber >> So, whole foods, fiber >> So, whole foods, fiber is the root of everything. is the root of everything. is the root of everything. >> Yeah, so phytochemicals, fiber, whole >> Yeah, so phytochemicals, fiber, whole >> Yeah, so phytochemicals, fiber, whole foods, getting rid of processed foods, foods, getting rid of processed foods, foods, getting rid of processed foods, sugar, all that's going to be the sugar, all that's going to be the sugar, all that's going to be the biggest lever for inflammation, stress, biggest lever for inflammation, stress, biggest lever for inflammation, stress, sleep, removing toxins. These are the sleep, removing toxins. These are the sleep, removing toxins. These are the things that I think about. Do you think things that I think about. Do you think things that I think about. Do you think about those? Is there anything else? about those? Is there anything else? about those? Is there anything else? This is This is the foundation, and I This is This is the foundation, and I This is This is the foundation, and I think, you know, I Sleep, stress, think, you know, I Sleep, stress, think, you know, I Sleep, stress, exercise, food, toxins. exercise, food, toxins. exercise, food, toxins. human connection human connection human connection >> Human connection, yeah. All All of those >> Human connection, yeah. All All of those >> Human connection, yeah. All All of those is for me the foundation of longevity is for me the foundation of longevity is for me the foundation of longevity medicine. And, you know, it's People medicine. And, you know, it's People medicine. And, you know, it's People have argued, "Well, this is not sexy. have argued, "Well, this is not sexy. have argued, "Well, this is not sexy. This is not what people want. They want This is not what people want. They want This is not what people want. They want They want supplements. They want drugs. They want supplements. They want drugs. They want supplements. They want drugs. They want a shortcut." And I I'm all for They want a shortcut." And I I'm all for They want a shortcut." And I I'm all for shortcuts, but I believe it just doesn't shortcuts, but I believe it just doesn't shortcuts, but I believe it just doesn't work. And and we And also, plus none of work. And and we And also, plus none of work. And and we And also, plus none of these shortcuts have been proven. these shortcuts have been proven. these shortcuts have been proven. The rest of everything else has been The rest of everything else has been The rest of everything else has been proven. The effect of physical activity proven. The effect of physical activity proven. The effect of physical activity and so on. So, the stance that I've and so on. So, the stance that I've and so on. So, the stance that I've taken lately, sort of in social media taken lately, sort of in social media taken lately, sort of in social media and and talking, is is one that is a bit and and talking, is is one that is a bit and and talking, is is one that is a bit contrarian to what some my colleagues contrarian to what some my colleagues contrarian to what some my colleagues are advancing in the longevity field. are advancing in the longevity field. are advancing in the longevity field. I'm as excited by as anybody by what I'm as excited by as anybody by what I'm as excited by as anybody by what we're going to be doing 20 years from we're going to be doing 20 years from we're going to be doing 20 years from now. But, let's not forget where the now. But, let's not forget where the now. But, let's not forget where the foundation is, and we can create so many foundation is, and we can create so many foundation is, and we can create so many problems that are so easily solvable as problems that are so easily solvable as problems that are so easily solvable as a society. Uh not everything needs a a society. Uh not everything needs a a society. Uh not everything needs a pill. Yeah, one of the most interesting pill. Yeah, one of the most interesting pill. Yeah, one of the most interesting studies I ever saw was studies I ever saw was studies I ever saw was it was a whole field of social genomics it was a whole field of social genomics it was a whole field of social genomics which I kind of came up with on the term which I kind of came up with on the term which I kind of came up with on the term myself because I I kind of saw Paul myself because I I kind of saw Paul myself because I I kind of saw Paul Farmer's work in Haiti and how he helped Farmer's work in Haiti and how he helped Farmer's work in Haiti and how he helped people and using community work health people and using community work health people and using community work health workers to help and I just I just came workers to help and I just I just came workers to help and I just I just came up with this concept but then I started up with this concept but then I started up with this concept but then I started researching it and I was like wait researching it and I was like wait researching it and I was like wait there's a whole literature on how our there's a whole literature on how our there's a whole literature on how our social connections affect our immune social connections affect our immune social connections affect our immune system and then if you're in a system and then if you're in a system and then if you're in a loving connected relationship or in an loving connected relationship or in an loving connected relationship or in an interaction it's going to reduce interaction it's going to reduce interaction it's going to reduce inflammation but if you're in a inflammation but if you're in a inflammation but if you're in a conflictual literally inflamed conflictual literally inflamed conflictual literally inflamed relationship it's going to create relationship it's going to create relationship it's going to create inflammation which I I love that whole inflammation which I I love that whole inflammation which I I love that whole aspect and the way that's aspect and the way that's aspect and the way that's uh uh uh more cuddle puddles more cuddle puddles more cuddle puddles Yes. Incredibly frustrating for me that Yes. Incredibly frustrating for me that Yes. Incredibly frustrating for me that we know from from the happiness studies we know from from the happiness studies we know from from the happiness studies for example that the the biggest factor for example that the the biggest factor for example that the the biggest factor determining your longevity is your determining your longevity is your determining your longevity is your social social connections. social social connections. social social connections. >> Yeah. Number of loving relationship you >> Yeah. Number of loving relationship you >> Yeah. Number of loving relationship you have, your sense of purpose. have, your sense of purpose. have, your sense of purpose. The problem is that these are also the The problem is that these are also the The problem is that these are also the hardest one to study hardest one to study hardest one to study uh especially in animal models. I can't uh especially in animal models. I can't uh especially in animal models. I can't go ask a mouse what what its sense of go ask a mouse what what its sense of go ask a mouse what what its sense of purpose is you know living in a little purpose is you know living in a little purpose is you know living in a little plastic box and and eating the same food plastic box and and eating the same food plastic box and and eating the same food that looks totally disgusting. So that looks totally disgusting. So that looks totally disgusting. So >> there is um >> there is um >> there is um you know we've been talking actually at you know we've been talking actually at you know we've been talking actually at the back about creating a center for a the back about creating a center for a the back about creating a center for a psychobiology of aging which would psychobiology of aging which would psychobiology of aging which would really try to cuz at the end everything really try to cuz at the end everything really try to cuz at the end everything is driven by molecular mechanism. I mean is driven by molecular mechanism. I mean is driven by molecular mechanism. I mean we are biochemicals feature Could you we are biochemicals feature Could you we are biochemicals feature Could you reproduce like a whole natural mouse reproduce like a whole natural mouse reproduce like a whole natural mouse environment you know what it's like? environment you know what it's like? environment you know what it's like? >> People are doing this yeah. So it's like >> People are doing this yeah. So it's like >> People are doing this yeah. So it's like a cage like They're creating these like a cage like They're creating these like a cage like They're creating these like really and you know we study longevity really and you know we study longevity really and you know we study longevity by the way in these mice that live like by the way in these mice that live like by the way in these mice that live like you know these prisoners. I mean they you know these prisoners. I mean they you know these prisoners. I mean they they're alone in their cage there's no they're alone in their cage there's no they're alone in their cage there's no distraction there's nothing to do the distraction there's nothing to do the distraction there's nothing to do the food is there all the time it doesn't food is there all the time it doesn't food is there all the time it doesn't taste good. Imagine I mean the mice I'm taste good. Imagine I mean the mice I'm taste good. Imagine I mean the mice I'm sure have the same needs that we do in sure have the same needs that we do in sure have the same needs that we do in terms of having a diversified terms of having a diversified terms of having a diversified environment and so on so there's a whole environment and so on so there's a whole environment and so on so there's a whole group of people thinking that we should group of people thinking that we should group of people thinking that we should create these create these create these and maybe you know the drugs that we and maybe you know the drugs that we and maybe you know the drugs that we find that work in mice would be a lot find that work in mice would be a lot find that work in mice would be a lot more relevant to what we have to do in more relevant to what we have to do in more relevant to what we have to do in you. you. you. >> Amazing. All right, this is so good. So, >> Amazing. All right, this is so good. So, >> Amazing. All right, this is so good. So, I think we could we kind of got a good I think we could we kind of got a good I think we could we kind of got a good dive on the immune system. Let's kind of dive on the immune system. Let's kind of dive on the immune system. Let's kind of switch over to mitochondria. switch over to mitochondria. switch over to mitochondria. >> Yeah. And help help us understand >> Yeah. And help help us understand >> Yeah. And help help us understand how mitochondria and cellular energy are how mitochondria and cellular energy are how mitochondria and cellular energy are so central to aging cuz to me they're so central to aging cuz to me they're so central to aging cuz to me they're kind of like the final common pathway kind of like the final common pathway kind of like the final common pathway that that goes wrong and inflammation is that that goes wrong and inflammation is that that goes wrong and inflammation is causing them to malfunction. causing them to malfunction. causing them to malfunction. And how do we how do we understand how And how do we how do we understand how And how do we how do we understand how how that's occurring and why and what we how that's occurring and why and what we how that's occurring and why and what we can do about it? Yes, so where do we can do about it? Yes, so where do we can do about it? Yes, so where do we start? Let's start with like why why are start? Let's start with like why why are start? Let's start with like why why are mitochondria and cellular energy so mitochondria and cellular energy so mitochondria and cellular energy so important to aging? The big reason that important to aging? The big reason that important to aging? The big reason that everyone everyone everyone knows is the most people agree on is the knows is the most people agree on is the knows is the most people agree on is the energy. energy. energy. Energy requirement. So, everything that Energy requirement. So, everything that Energy requirement. So, everything that we do is dependent on energy. we do is dependent on energy. we do is dependent on energy. What people think about What people think about What people think about um um um moving your arms, thinking, moving your arms, thinking, moving your arms, thinking, uh uh uh everything that we do is depending on everything that we do is depending on everything that we do is depending on generating energy. Typically, we get generating energy. Typically, we get generating energy. Typically, we get that energy from our food. Okay, so that energy from our food. Okay, so that energy from our food. Okay, so we're able to extract energy from the we're able to extract energy from the we're able to extract energy from the food. The place where that energy food. The place where that energy food. The place where that energy conversion happens is in the conversion happens is in the conversion happens is in the mitochondria. Okay? Most of your our mitochondria. Okay? Most of your our mitochondria. Okay? Most of your our energy generation happens in the energy generation happens in the energy generation happens in the mitochondria. mitochondria. mitochondria. We also know that as we age so We also know that as we age so We also know that as we age so all of these all of these all of these um activities, thinking, moving are the um activities, thinking, moving are the um activities, thinking, moving are the two major ones. But there's a whole two major ones. But there's a whole two major ones. But there's a whole other aspect of energy that most people other aspect of energy that most people other aspect of energy that most people do not appreciate is that repair. do not appreciate is that repair. do not appreciate is that repair. So, we are constantly subjected to So, we are constantly subjected to So, we are constantly subjected to uh toxic insults, yeah. Okay? We talked uh toxic insults, yeah. Okay? We talked uh toxic insults, yeah. Okay? We talked about free radicals that really induce about free radicals that really induce about free radicals that really induce damage, damage in our proteins, damage damage, damage in our proteins, damage damage, damage in our proteins, damage in our DNA, damage into our membranes. in our DNA, damage into our membranes. in our DNA, damage into our membranes. All of these lesions, these damage have All of these lesions, these damage have All of these lesions, these damage have to be repaired. So, we have in our cells to be repaired. So, we have in our cells to be repaired. So, we have in our cells little little little monitoring mechanism that constantly monitoring mechanism that constantly monitoring mechanism that constantly look at everything to make sure look at everything to make sure look at everything to make sure everything is fixed. As soon as the everything is fixed. As soon as the everything is fixed. As soon as the >> Like sensors. Sensors. As soon as >> Like sensors. Sensors. As soon as >> Like sensors. Sensors. As soon as something is seen to be damaged, a whole something is seen to be damaged, a whole something is seen to be damaged, a whole crew is sent to repair it and fix it. crew is sent to repair it and fix it. crew is sent to repair it and fix it. For example, I'll give you an example of For example, I'll give you an example of For example, I'll give you an example of DNA damage. Your DNA is DNA damage. Your DNA is DNA damage. Your DNA is the code that encodes every one of our the code that encodes every one of our the code that encodes every one of our cell. It It stands to reason that if cell. It It stands to reason that if cell. It It stands to reason that if you're making a you're making a you're making a damage and you're creating a mutation, damage and you're creating a mutation, damage and you're creating a mutation, you have the potential to change the you have the potential to change the you have the potential to change the codes. Essentially. So, if you allow codes. Essentially. So, if you allow codes. Essentially. So, if you allow this to happen all the time, eventually this to happen all the time, eventually this to happen all the time, eventually the whole system is going to go awry. the whole system is going to go awry. the whole system is going to go awry. So, So, So, there are human mutants who are people there are human mutants who are people there are human mutants who are people who carry a mutation when from their who carry a mutation when from their who carry a mutation when from their parents that where they are not able to parents that where they are not able to parents that where they are not able to repair DNA damage. They typically live repair DNA damage. They typically live repair DNA damage. They typically live until 20. Are they progeria patients? until 20. Are they progeria patients? until 20. Are they progeria patients? >> Yeah, some of these progerias. So, uh >> Yeah, some of these progerias. So, uh >> Yeah, some of these progerias. So, uh there's a whole series of syndromes, uh there's a whole series of syndromes, uh there's a whole series of syndromes, uh a whole series of these DNA damage a whole series of these DNA damage a whole series of these DNA damage repair. Already tough disease to live with with many of tough disease to live with with many of them with very short lifespans. So, that them with very short lifespans. So, that them with very short lifespans. So, that That highlights how important all of That highlights how important all of That highlights how important all of these repair pathways. We also have uh these repair pathways. We also have uh these repair pathways. We also have uh systems to repair unfolded proteins. systems to repair unfolded proteins. systems to repair unfolded proteins. Remember, a protein is a string of amino Remember, a protein is a string of amino Remember, a protein is a string of amino acid. It has to be folded in an acid. It has to be folded in an acid. It has to be folded in an extremely precise manner to function. If extremely precise manner to function. If extremely precise manner to function. If it becomes a little unfolded, all of a it becomes a little unfolded, all of a it becomes a little unfolded, all of a sudden, it's creating problems. sudden, it's creating problems. sudden, it's creating problems. >> And that's one of the hallmarks of aging >> And that's one of the hallmarks of aging >> And that's one of the hallmarks of aging is protein damage. is protein damage. is protein damage. >> Yes. Protein proteostasis, the idea of >> Yes. Protein proteostasis, the idea of >> Yes. Protein proteostasis, the idea of maintaining all of your protein in good maintaining all of your protein in good maintaining all of your protein in good shape. Again, there's a whole series of shape. Again, there's a whole series of shape. Again, there's a whole series of enzymes that we call chaperones that are enzymes that we call chaperones that are enzymes that we call chaperones that are sent if something is unfolded. They're sent if something is unfolded. They're sent if something is unfolded. They're sent, but all of this refolding takes sent, but all of this refolding takes sent, but all of this refolding takes energy. And so, our body always makes energy. And so, our body always makes energy. And so, our body always makes this calculus, okay, what do I repair, this calculus, okay, what do I repair, this calculus, okay, what do I repair, what do I not repair? And so, we try to what do I not repair? And so, we try to what do I not repair? And so, we try to repair as much as we can, but there's an repair as much as we can, but there's an repair as much as we can, but there's an energy cost to this. Okay? So, you also energy cost to this. Okay? So, you also energy cost to this. Okay? So, you also have to move. You know, so the The have to move. You know, so the The have to move. You know, so the The the difficulty for a living organism is the difficulty for a living organism is the difficulty for a living organism is how much energy do I allocate to how much energy do I allocate to how much energy do I allocate to repairing everything perfectly or what repairing everything perfectly or what repairing everything perfectly or what can I live with and still move, still can I live with and still move, still can I live with and still move, still hunt, still hunt, still hunt, still procreate, still So, procreate, still So, procreate, still So, this antagonism between repair and this antagonism between repair and this antagonism between repair and reproduction is really at the root of reproduction is really at the root of reproduction is really at the root of aging. And aging. And aging. And so, so, so, as we age, as we age, as we age, the mechanism of production of this the mechanism of production of this the mechanism of production of this energy starts become limiting. We energy starts become limiting. We energy starts become limiting. We mentioned these bacteria are mentioned these bacteria are mentioned these bacteria are these mitochondria become these mitochondria become these mitochondria become old. But there's a way to repair them old. But there's a way to repair them old. But there's a way to repair them and renew them, right? and renew them, right? and renew them, right? >> That's the key. So, there's actually a >> That's the key. So, there's actually a >> That's the key. So, there's actually a special repair system just to get rid of special repair system just to get rid of special repair system just to get rid of old mitochondria that are damaged. It's old mitochondria that are damaged. It's old mitochondria that are damaged. It's called mitophagy. Yeah, it's like called mitophagy. Yeah, it's like called mitophagy. Yeah, it's like autophagy, but but it's for your autophagy, but but it's for your autophagy, but but it's for your mitochondria. Autophagy is where you mitochondria. Autophagy is where you mitochondria. Autophagy is where you kind of eat yourself and clean yourself kind of eat yourself and clean yourself kind of eat yourself and clean yourself up. up. up. >> And autophagy is activated when you're >> And autophagy is activated when you're >> And autophagy is activated when you're resting and actually allows you at night resting and actually allows you at night resting and actually allows you at night to actually repair a lot of the damage. to actually repair a lot of the damage. to actually repair a lot of the damage. And what's what's amazing about And what's what's amazing about And what's what's amazing about autophagy is that it's a self-eating autophagy is that it's a self-eating autophagy is that it's a self-eating mechanism that starts specifically mechanism that starts specifically mechanism that starts specifically targets what's been damaged. targets what's been damaged. targets what's been damaged. >> So, imagine >> So, imagine >> So, imagine you're not eating, so you still need you're not eating, so you still need you're not eating, so you still need energy energy energy >> Yeah. and that energy now has to come >> Yeah. and that energy now has to come >> Yeah. and that energy now has to come from the inside. Your system has a from the inside. Your system has a from the inside. Your system has a mechanism that goes to clean up the mechanism that goes to clean up the mechanism that goes to clean up the attic first. attic first. attic first. >> Right. It doesn't destroy the kitchen. >> Right. It doesn't destroy the kitchen. >> Right. It doesn't destroy the kitchen. It goes into the attic and say, "Okay, It goes into the attic and say, "Okay, It goes into the attic and say, "Okay, what's all the garbage here that I can I what's all the garbage here that I can I what's all the garbage here that I can I can still, you know, resell and make a can still, you know, resell and make a can still, you know, resell and make a profit without actually touching the profit without actually touching the profit without actually touching the kitchen." So, um kitchen." So, um kitchen." So, um and mitophagy is a an arm of this that and mitophagy is a an arm of this that and mitophagy is a an arm of this that selectively targets defective selectively targets defective selectively targets defective mitochondria because they are so mitochondria because they are so mitochondria because they are so central. central. central. But like everything during aging, so But like everything during aging, so But like everything during aging, so what is aging? The progressive what is aging? The progressive what is aging? The progressive accumulation of damage. So, even though accumulation of damage. So, even though accumulation of damage. So, even though we have all of these repair mechanism, we have all of these repair mechanism, we have all of these repair mechanism, we don't repair perfectly. we don't repair perfectly. we don't repair perfectly. >> Yeah. We repair pretty good. You know, >> Yeah. We repair pretty good. You know, >> Yeah. We repair pretty good. You know, during our 20s, the rate of repair is during our 20s, the rate of repair is during our 20s, the rate of repair is such that if we were to continue such that if we were to continue such that if we were to continue repairing at the same rate, we would repairing at the same rate, we would repairing at the same rate, we would live to 2,000 years old. So, during our live to 2,000 years old. So, during our live to 2,000 years old. So, during our 20s, we're are doing incredibly well. 20s, we're are doing incredibly well. 20s, we're are doing incredibly well. The problem is as a little damage The problem is as a little damage The problem is as a little damage accumulates over time, eventually some accumulates over time, eventually some accumulates over time, eventually some of the damage might actually target the of the damage might actually target the of the damage might actually target the repair mechanism. And we know aging is repair mechanism. And we know aging is repair mechanism. And we know aging is not a linear process. It accelerates. not a linear process. It accelerates. not a linear process. It accelerates. Yeah. Uh the older you get, the faster Yeah. Uh the older you get, the faster Yeah. Uh the older you get, the faster your aging process. your aging process. your aging process. >> Yeah. And so, uh the whole idea of >> Yeah. And so, uh the whole idea of >> Yeah. And so, uh the whole idea of activating reactivating my top cuz activating reactivating my top cuz activating reactivating my top cuz eventually as you get old, mitophagy eventually as you get old, mitophagy eventually as you get old, mitophagy becomes limiting as well. It doesn't becomes limiting as well. It doesn't becomes limiting as well. It doesn't function as well. So, clean up system function as well. So, clean up system function as well. So, clean up system now. You don't have Finish my dinner. now. You don't have Finish my dinner. now. You don't have Finish my dinner. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. That's Exactly. That's Exactly. That's When I think about about this, I it's When I think about about this, I it's When I think about about this, I it's it's um it's um it's um it it's such an important kind of it it's such an important kind of it it's such an important kind of framework to think about framework to think about framework to think about the the sort of energy of the cell cuz the the sort of energy of the cell cuz the the sort of energy of the cell cuz it really runs everything. Yeah. And and it really runs everything. Yeah. And and it really runs everything. Yeah. And and we kind of do know that everything that we kind of do know that everything that we kind of do know that everything that impacts aging also impacts the impacts aging also impacts the impacts aging also impacts the mitochondria. mitochondria. mitochondria. And vice versa. And and what There are And vice versa. And and what There are And vice versa. And and what There are levers though to really take care of levers though to really take care of levers though to really take care of your mitochondria. We talked about NAD your mitochondria. We talked about NAD your mitochondria. We talked about NAD on our last podcast, but there's other on our last podcast, but there's other on our last podcast, but there's other compounds compounds compounds um that induce mitophagy and that are We um that induce mitophagy and that are We um that induce mitophagy and that are We mentioned postbiotics earlier which are mentioned postbiotics earlier which are mentioned postbiotics earlier which are essentially essentially essentially compounds that you eat from food that compounds that you eat from food that compounds that you eat from food that get metabolized by your bacteria and get metabolized by your bacteria and get metabolized by your bacteria and they produce downstream molecules that they produce downstream molecules that they produce downstream molecules that have function in the body, which I think have function in the body, which I think have function in the body, which I think is a miracle. is a miracle. is a miracle. Cuz when you think conceptually about it Cuz when you think conceptually about it Cuz when you think conceptually about it that you eat stuff and then it creates that you eat stuff and then it creates that you eat stuff and then it creates like a little a medicine that turns on like a little a medicine that turns on like a little a medicine that turns on different signaling systems in your body different signaling systems in your body different signaling systems in your body to help you repair, renew. And I and I to help you repair, renew. And I and I to help you repair, renew. And I and I think from my perspective and I it think from my perspective and I it think from my perspective and I it sounds like you think the same way. When sounds like you think the same way. When sounds like you think the same way. When I think about aging, I think you know, I think about aging, I think you know, I think about aging, I think you know, the body has these innate systems of the body has these innate systems of the body has these innate systems of repair, renewal, regeneration. We just repair, renewal, regeneration. We just repair, renewal, regeneration. We just burden them. And we don't take care of burden them. And we don't take care of burden them. And we don't take care of them. Yes. And that's why we age faster. them. Yes. And that's why we age faster. them. Yes. And that's why we age faster. And instead of focusing on treating And instead of focusing on treating And instead of focusing on treating disease, if we focus more on our disease, if we focus more on our disease, if we focus more on our regenerative renewal and repair systems, regenerative renewal and repair systems, regenerative renewal and repair systems, we'd do a lot better. we'd do a lot better. we'd do a lot better. And so, the way in is through some of And so, the way in is through some of And so, the way in is through some of these food molecules. And I I I call it these food molecules. And I I I call it these food molecules. And I I I call it I I have a joke I call it a symbiotic I I have a joke I call it a symbiotic I I have a joke I call it a symbiotic phytoadaptation. We symbiotically phytoadaptation. We symbiotically phytoadaptation. We symbiotically evolved with plants and use their evolved with plants and use their evolved with plants and use their compounds to regulate our biology and compounds to regulate our biology and compounds to regulate our biology and because we're lazy. Like we don't make because we're lazy. Like we don't make because we're lazy. Like we don't make vitamin C, so we get vitamin C from vitamin C, so we get vitamin C from vitamin C, so we get vitamin C from food. We don't make, for example, one of food. We don't make, for example, one of food. We don't make, for example, one of these postbiotics called urolithin A, so these postbiotics called urolithin A, so these postbiotics called urolithin A, so we make it from pomegranate or other we make it from pomegranate or other we make it from pomegranate or other ellagitannins that are in, you know, ellagitannins that are in, you know, ellagitannins that are in, you know, walnuts or berries or whatever. So, kind walnuts or berries or whatever. So, kind walnuts or berries or whatever. So, kind of help us understand how how forgiving of help us understand how how forgiving of help us understand how how forgiving this molecule urolithin A, which you this molecule urolithin A, which you this molecule urolithin A, which you published on. It's And we'll link to the published on. It's And we'll link to the published on. It's And we'll link to the papers in the show notes. papers in the show notes. papers in the show notes. And which I by by the way take every day And which I by by the way take every day And which I by by the way take every day because the literature is impressive on because the literature is impressive on because the literature is impressive on it. What does it do and and why why is it. What does it do and and why why is it. What does it do and and why why is it getting so much attention now? And it getting so much attention now? And it getting so much attention now? And and we kind of learned about it more in and we kind of learned about it more in and we kind of learned about it more in the context of exercise, improving you the context of exercise, improving you the context of exercise, improving you know, exercise capacity, VO2 max, and know, exercise capacity, VO2 max, and know, exercise capacity, VO2 max, and fitness, and muscle health, and fitness, and muscle health, and fitness, and muscle health, and mitochondrial health. But it it does mitochondrial health. But it it does mitochondrial health. But it it does have a link to immune system. So, what have a link to immune system. So, what have a link to immune system. So, what is it and how is it linked to these is it and how is it linked to these is it and how is it linked to these things that we just talked about? So, things that we just talked about? So, things that we just talked about? So, I'm wrapping back up with immune I'm wrapping back up with immune I'm wrapping back up with immune function, the gut, and mitochondria function, the gut, and mitochondria function, the gut, and mitochondria because it's like one thing. because it's like one thing. because it's like one thing. It's a it's a it's a really cool story It's a it's a it's a really cool story It's a it's a it's a really cool story because it's one really, I would call it because it's one really, I would call it because it's one really, I would call it a sort of a human in ingenuity. So, in a sort of a human in ingenuity. So, in a sort of a human in ingenuity. So, in some way, we've known for a long time some way, we've known for a long time some way, we've known for a long time that pomegranate juice is actually that pomegranate juice is actually that pomegranate juice is actually healthy for people. And healthy for people. And healthy for people. And there's a whole, you know, there's a whole, you know, there's a whole, you know, there've been studies showing that there've been studies showing that there've been studies showing that consumption of pomegranate juice is consumption of pomegranate juice is consumption of pomegranate juice is actually confers some health benefits. actually confers some health benefits. actually confers some health benefits. What was not clear is what the What was not clear is what the What was not clear is what the mechanism. So, some scientists, a good mechanism. So, some scientists, a good mechanism. So, some scientists, a good friend of mine, Johan Auwerx, who works friend of mine, Johan Auwerx, who works friend of mine, Johan Auwerx, who works in Lausanne, actually went and looked in Lausanne, actually went and looked in Lausanne, actually went and looked for what is in pomegranate juice and for what is in pomegranate juice and for what is in pomegranate juice and they found these ellagitannins, these they found these ellagitannins, these they found these ellagitannins, these compounds. compounds. compounds. What they also realized is that these What they also realized is that these What they also realized is that these compounds are not acting by themselves. compounds are not acting by themselves. compounds are not acting by themselves. They are actually metabolized by your They are actually metabolized by your They are actually metabolized by your microbiome. And that's really and the microbiome. And that's really and the microbiome. And that's really and the the product of that is made by by your the product of that is made by by your the product of that is made by by your microbiome microbiome microbiome is is called urolithin A. Okay, now is is called urolithin A. Okay, now is is called urolithin A. Okay, now what's the catch is only about 35 to 40% what's the catch is only about 35 to 40% what's the catch is only about 35 to 40% of people's of people's of people's microbiome, because remember all of our microbiome, because remember all of our microbiome, because remember all of our microbiomes are different. And some microbiomes are different. And some microbiomes are different. And some 60% of people's microbiome is not able 60% of people's microbiome is not able 60% of people's microbiome is not able to make that conversion. So, we've been to make that conversion. So, we've been to make that conversion. So, we've been >> them because of our diet, because of >> them because of our diet, because of >> them because of our diet, because of antibiotics, because of toxins, all this antibiotics, because of toxins, all this antibiotics, because of toxins, all this stuff. So, we've kind of Having a a stuff. So, we've kind of Having a a stuff. So, we've kind of Having a a rich, you know, most of us have more rich, you know, most of us have more rich, you know, most of us have more than a thousand different species of than a thousand different species of than a thousand different species of bacteria in our guts. And the problem bacteria in our guts. And the problem bacteria in our guts. And the problem the the the the the the the the the the the the the complicating factor is most of us the complicating factor is most of us the complicating factor is most of us have different species. So, you cannot have different species. So, you cannot have different species. So, you cannot compare your microbiome and mine, even compare your microbiome and mine, even compare your microbiome and mine, even though might both be very healthy. though might both be very healthy. though might both be very healthy. >> They can change. Like I've seen the same >> They can change. Like I've seen the same >> They can change. Like I've seen the same thing. You you have people on vegan diet thing. You you have people on vegan diet thing. You you have people on vegan diet or feel a meat paleo diet and they their or feel a meat paleo diet and they their or feel a meat paleo diet and they their microbiome is the same person will microbiome is the same person will microbiome is the same person will change. Yeah. We don't know how to read change. Yeah. We don't know how to read change. Yeah. We don't know how to read it well, but we know certainly what it well, but we know certainly what it well, but we know certainly what upstream upstream upstream factors can actually yield a factors can actually yield a factors can actually yield a really complex and rich microbiome. really complex and rich microbiome. really complex and rich microbiome. Yeah, so this is a clear example of Yeah, so this is a clear example of Yeah, so this is a clear example of where sort of human ingenuity has been where sort of human ingenuity has been where sort of human ingenuity has been able to identify a single molecule, able to identify a single molecule, able to identify a single molecule, urolithin A, that is the result of a urolithin A, that is the result of a urolithin A, that is the result of a input from a pro a food product from a input from a pro a food product from a input from a pro a food product from a from a plant, from a pomegranate juice from a plant, from a pomegranate juice from a plant, from a pomegranate juice that gets transformed by a fraction of that gets transformed by a fraction of that gets transformed by a fraction of us into a product that has immense us into a product that has immense us into a product that has immense benefits. So, benefits. So, benefits. So, company was founded based on this, company was founded based on this, company was founded based on this, Amazentis, Amazentis, Amazentis, actually sells this product and actually sells this product and actually sells this product and has has has we've been working with them. I sit on we've been working with them. I sit on we've been working with them. I sit on full disclosure, I sit on the board of full disclosure, I sit on the board of full disclosure, I sit on the board of that company as a scientific advisor. that company as a scientific advisor. that company as a scientific advisor. But I always tell people I I don't sit But I always tell people I I don't sit But I always tell people I I don't sit on on the board of supplement company if on on the board of supplement company if on on the board of supplement company if I don't believe in the science and if I don't believe in the science and if I don't believe in the science and if they're not willing to actually conduct they're not willing to actually conduct they're not willing to actually conduct clinical trials. And that's one one clinical trials. And that's one one clinical trials. And that's one one thing I think is commendable for thing I think is commendable for thing I think is commendable for Amazentis, they've been going through Amazentis, they've been going through Amazentis, they've been going through clinical trials one one at a time to clinical trials one one at a time to clinical trials one one at a time to actually document and prove the efficacy actually document and prove the efficacy actually document and prove the efficacy of what they I agree. And they're a of what they I agree. And they're a of what they I agree. And they're a sponsor of the podcast and that's why sponsor of the podcast and that's why sponsor of the podcast and that's why also I I don't let everybody sponsor my also I I don't let everybody sponsor my also I I don't let everybody sponsor my podcast. You mentioned all of you will podcast. You mentioned all of you will podcast. You mentioned all of you will ask me because I think I want something ask me because I think I want something ask me because I think I want something that I know has has legitimate science that I know has has legitimate science that I know has has legitimate science behind it and you know, this published behind it and you know, this published behind it and you know, this published in major journals like New England in major journals like New England in major journals like New England Journal or JAMA or other cell. So, I Journal or JAMA or other cell. So, I Journal or JAMA or other cell. So, I think I think this is important. think I think this is important. think I think this is important. >> So, to me, you know, I'm not opposed to >> So, to me, you know, I'm not opposed to >> So, to me, you know, I'm not opposed to to supplements, but we have to apply to to supplements, but we have to apply to to supplements, but we have to apply to them the same kind of standards that them the same kind of standards that them the same kind of standards that we've applied to generating all of the we've applied to generating all of the we've applied to generating all of the drugs that we we have, and that that's drugs that we we have, and that that's drugs that we we have, and that that's how medicine has moved forward. So, that how medicine has moved forward. So, that how medicine has moved forward. So, that being said, you know, we've worked with being said, you know, we've worked with being said, you know, we've worked with them on a couple of studies. We still them on a couple of studies. We still them on a couple of studies. We still have another study going on with them. have another study going on with them. have another study going on with them. So, urolithin A has this remarkable So, urolithin A has this remarkable So, urolithin A has this remarkable ability to activate mitophagy. And ability to activate mitophagy. And ability to activate mitophagy. And mitophagy is not sort of the mitophagy is not sort of the mitophagy is not sort of the you know, as the term implies, it's you know, as the term implies, it's you know, as the term implies, it's eating mitochondria, but it doesn't eat eating mitochondria, but it doesn't eat eating mitochondria, but it doesn't eat them discriminately. It eats the old, them discriminately. It eats the old, them discriminately. It eats the old, defective mitochondria, which is defective mitochondria, which is defective mitochondria, which is absolutely remarkable. So, when you do absolutely remarkable. So, when you do absolutely remarkable. So, when you do this, actually, one of the study that this, actually, one of the study that this, actually, one of the study that we've done was looking at the human we've done was looking at the human we've done was looking at the human immune system of all the people on immune system of all the people on immune system of all the people on urolithin A. And what we found is urolithin A. And what we found is urolithin A. And what we found is really actually significant effect even really actually significant effect even really actually significant effect even within within within uh 1 month of administration of uh 1 month of administration of uh 1 month of administration of urolithin A, we saw some uh urolithin A, we saw some uh urolithin A, we saw some uh I would say what anybody would call a I would say what anybody would call a I would say what anybody would call a rejuvenation of the immune system. rejuvenation of the immune system. rejuvenation of the immune system. >> Yeah. I mean, I I think, you know, early >> Yeah. I mean, I I think, you know, early >> Yeah. I mean, I I think, you know, early on when I looked at the data, this is on when I looked at the data, this is on when I looked at the data, this is years ago, I got excited about it. I saw years ago, I got excited about it. I saw years ago, I got excited about it. I saw like a reduction in CRP, which is a very like a reduction in CRP, which is a very like a reduction in CRP, which is a very crude marker of inflammation. And we crude marker of inflammation. And we crude marker of inflammation. And we measure it functional health, but measure it functional health, but measure it functional health, but there's there's even better markers. there's there's even better markers. there's there's even better markers. But, how do One of the things that you But, how do One of the things that you But, how do One of the things that you looked at that that indicated that it it looked at that that indicated that it it looked at that that indicated that it it helped to reduce the inflammation helped to reduce the inflammation helped to reduce the inflammation process? Yeah, actually, in our in our process? Yeah, actually, in our in our process? Yeah, actually, in our in our case, we um we well, some cytokines, we case, we um we well, some cytokines, we case, we um we well, some cytokines, we measured the the the presence of measured the the the presence of measured the the the presence of different cytokines, TNF alpha, IL-6, different cytokines, TNF alpha, IL-6, different cytokines, TNF alpha, IL-6, IL-1. And I don't remember exactly which IL-1. And I don't remember exactly which IL-1. And I don't remember exactly which ones were uh changed, but some of them ones were uh changed, but some of them ones were uh changed, but some of them were were were >> are the messenger molecules of the >> are the messenger molecules of the >> are the messenger molecules of the immune system. immune system. immune system. >> Exactly. And they IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha >> Exactly. And they IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha >> Exactly. And they IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha pro-inflammatory molecules. So, the pro-inflammatory molecules. So, the pro-inflammatory molecules. So, the higher the level, you know, the higher higher the level, you know, the higher higher the level, you know, the higher the inflammation. What we are we focused the inflammation. What we are we focused the inflammation. What we are we focused on in in my lab and with our core at the on in in my lab and with our core at the on in in my lab and with our core at the back was on looking at the adaptive back was on looking at the adaptive back was on looking at the adaptive immune system. And and what we saw was immune system. And and what we saw was immune system. And and what we saw was actually quite interesting. We saw an actually quite interesting. We saw an actually quite interesting. We saw an increase in naive T cells. So, these are increase in naive T cells. So, these are increase in naive T cells. So, these are the precursors that are really critical the precursors that are really critical the precursors that are really critical at generating a an adaptive immune at generating a an adaptive immune at generating a an adaptive immune response. We saw a whole series of other response. We saw a whole series of other response. We saw a whole series of other changes changes changes >> And just in English, naive T cells are >> And just in English, naive T cells are >> And just in English, naive T cells are kind of cells that haven't made any kind of cells that haven't made any kind of cells that haven't made any antibodies yet. They haven't kind of antibodies yet. They haven't kind of antibodies yet. They haven't kind of They haven't made Yeah, they haven't They haven't made Yeah, they haven't They haven't made Yeah, they haven't been activated to uh to develop anybody. been activated to uh to develop anybody. been activated to uh to develop anybody. >> They're T cells and the the >> They're T cells and the the >> They're T cells and the the the B cells would be making the the B cells would be making the the B cells would be making the antibodies. So, the these are the T antibodies. So, the these are the T antibodies. So, the these are the T cells. cells. cells. >> That they >> That they >> That they they cause the B cells to make the they cause the B cells to make the they cause the B cells to make the anybody. They help, but they also by anybody. They help, but they also by anybody. They help, but they also by themselves can generate what we call themselves can generate what we call themselves can generate what we call cytotoxic T cells, a CD8 T cells, which cytotoxic T cells, a CD8 T cells, which cytotoxic T cells, a CD8 T cells, which are the other So, the um the innate are the other So, the um the innate are the other So, the um the innate immune system, the immune system, the immune system, the adaptive immune system has two arms, T adaptive immune system has two arms, T adaptive immune system has two arms, T cells and B cells. The T cells are cells and B cells. The T cells are cells and B cells. The T cells are making Actually, they can kill uh bad making Actually, they can kill uh bad making Actually, they can kill uh bad cells. The cells. The cells. The um the B cells can actually secrete the um the B cells can actually secrete the um the B cells can actually secrete the antibodies, which help in the immune antibodies, which help in the immune antibodies, which help in the immune response. And so, the urolithin A works response. And so, the urolithin A works response. And so, the urolithin A works on it the the T cells. It worked on the on it the the T cells. It worked on the on it the the T cells. It worked on the T cells and actually increased the the T cells and actually increased the the T cells and actually increased the the the ability of these T cells to the ability of these T cells to the ability of these T cells to recognize their targets. Now, this has recognize their targets. Now, this has recognize their targets. Now, this has implication not only for the person implication not only for the person implication not only for the person who's taking this, but think about You who's taking this, but think about You who's taking this, but think about You might have heard about the CAR T cells might have heard about the CAR T cells might have heard about the CAR T cells that are used now for cancer cells, that are used now for cancer cells, that are used now for cancer cells, where we we can extract T cells from the where we we can extract T cells from the where we we can extract T cells from the patient and educate them to selectively patient and educate them to selectively patient and educate them to selectively kill tumor cells. kill tumor cells. kill tumor cells. And the problem is that as you get And the problem is that as you get And the problem is that as you get older, your ability to make to older, your ability to make to older, your ability to make to re-educate these T cells goes down and re-educate these T cells goes down and re-educate these T cells goes down and so, this would have even application for so, this would have even application for so, this would have even application for cancer because they did it in vitro and cancer because they did it in vitro and cancer because they did it in vitro and showed that these CAR T cells were showed that these CAR T cells were showed that these CAR T cells were actually more effective. actually more effective. actually more effective. >> a nutshell, it makes immunotherapy work >> a nutshell, it makes immunotherapy work >> a nutshell, it makes immunotherapy work better if you improve and rejuvenate better if you improve and rejuvenate better if you improve and rejuvenate your T cells. your T cells. your T cells. >> Totally. Before you start to sort of >> Totally. Before you start to sort of >> Totally. Before you start to sort of target them for cancer. That's amazing. target them for cancer. That's amazing. target them for cancer. That's amazing. So, how does urolithin A affect like So, how does urolithin A affect like So, how does urolithin A affect like the the the the whole process of longevity? The the whole process of longevity? The the whole process of longevity? The muscle, the muscle, the muscle, the the inflammation, like what do we know the inflammation, like what do we know the inflammation, like what do we know about it? Mitochondria are not just about it? Mitochondria are not just about it? Mitochondria are not just present in the immune system. They're present in the immune system. They're present in the immune system. They're present in every cell. And so, think present in every cell. And so, think present in every cell. And so, think about the about the about the the concept of the concept of the concept of >> Except for red cells. Except for red >> Except for red cells. Except for red >> Except for red cells. Except for red cells, exactly. The Yeah, they don't cells, exactly. The Yeah, they don't cells, exactly. The Yeah, they don't have a nucleus, they don't have have a nucleus, they don't have have a nucleus, they don't have mitochondria. I I think they have mitochondria. I I think they have mitochondria. I I think they have mitochondria. mitochondria. mitochondria. >> Oh, they do? As you You I talk a lot >> Oh, they do? As you You I talk a lot >> Oh, they do? As you You I talk a lot about protein, especially as we age, but about protein, especially as we age, but about protein, especially as we age, but not all proteins are the same. Collagen not all proteins are the same. Collagen not all proteins are the same. Collagen is actually the most abundant protein in is actually the most abundant protein in is actually the most abundant protein in your body. It's the glue that holds you your body. It's the glue that holds you your body. It's the glue that holds you together. Your skin, your joints, your together. Your skin, your joints, your together. Your skin, your joints, your bones, your connective tissues. And bones, your connective tissues. And bones, your connective tissues. And after the age of 20, our body start after the age of 20, our body start after the age of 20, our body start producing less collagen, which producing less collagen, which producing less collagen, which contributes to the changes we notice in contributes to the changes we notice in contributes to the changes we notice in skin, in joints, and in bones over time. skin, in joints, and in bones over time. skin, in joints, and in bones over time. Traditionally, we got collagen from Traditionally, we got collagen from Traditionally, we got collagen from nose-to-tail foods, things slow-cooked nose-to-tail foods, things slow-cooked nose-to-tail foods, things slow-cooked stews, bone broths, and connective stews, bone broths, and connective stews, bone broths, and connective tissue, but most modern diets don't tissue, but most modern diets don't tissue, but most modern diets don't include those foods, which is why include those foods, which is why include those foods, which is why supplementing with a high-quality supplementing with a high-quality supplementing with a high-quality collagen source can be really helpful. collagen source can be really helpful. collagen source can be really helpful. And that's why I like Paleovalley's 100% And that's why I like Paleovalley's 100% And that's why I like Paleovalley's 100% grass-fed bone broth protein. It's made grass-fed bone broth protein. It's made grass-fed bone broth protein. It's made from bones of grass-fed and finished from bones of grass-fed and finished from bones of grass-fed and finished cattle raised on American Regenerative cattle raised on American Regenerative cattle raised on American Regenerative Farms. And it's made simply with water Farms. And it's made simply with water Farms. And it's made simply with water and bones. No harsh chemicals, no and bones. No harsh chemicals, no and bones. No harsh chemicals, no fillers, and it's rich in collagen and fillers, and it's rich in collagen and fillers, and it's rich in collagen and glycine, which is an amino acid we often glycine, which is an amino acid we often glycine, which is an amino acid we often don't get enough of. Now, collagen don't get enough of. Now, collagen don't get enough of. Now, collagen supplementation has been shown to supplementation has been shown to supplementation has been shown to support skin health and joint comfort, support skin health and joint comfort, support skin health and joint comfort, and glycine may have a role in overall and glycine may have a role in overall and glycine may have a role in overall health as well. I'll often add it to my health as well. I'll often add it to my health as well. I'll often add it to my tea or smoothie, and the chocolate tea or smoothie, and the chocolate tea or smoothie, and the chocolate flavor even makes a delicious hot cocoa. flavor even makes a delicious hot cocoa. flavor even makes a delicious hot cocoa. It's an easy, ancestrally inspired way It's an easy, ancestrally inspired way It's an easy, ancestrally inspired way to support your body with collagen every to support your body with collagen every to support your body with collagen every single day. So, head to single day. So, head to single day. So, head to paleovalley.com/hyman paleovalley.com/hyman paleovalley.com/hyman for 15% off, or use the code Hyman at for 15% off, or use the code Hyman at for 15% off, or use the code Hyman at checkout. That's paleovalley, p a l e o checkout. That's paleovalley, p a l e o checkout. That's paleovalley, p a l e o valley.com/hyman valley.com/hyman valley.com/hyman for 15% off, and use the code Hyman. As for 15% off, and use the code Hyman. As for 15% off, and use the code Hyman. As we head into the busiest stretch of the we head into the busiest stretch of the we head into the busiest stretch of the year, longer days, travel, more on your year, longer days, travel, more on your year, longer days, travel, more on your plate, your immune system is working plate, your immune system is working plate, your immune system is working overtime. And that's why now is the time overtime. And that's why now is the time overtime. And that's why now is the time to make sure you're giving it the to make sure you're giving it the to make sure you're giving it the support it needs. I rely on HTB Immune support it needs. I rely on HTB Immune support it needs. I rely on HTB Immune Energy Chews from Big Bold Health. Each Energy Chews from Big Bold Health. Each Energy Chews from Big Bold Health. Each serving delivers 1,000 mg of sprouted serving delivers 1,000 mg of sprouted serving delivers 1,000 mg of sprouted Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, a powerful Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, a powerful Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, a powerful seed packed with over 100 immune-active seed packed with over 100 immune-active seed packed with over 100 immune-active polyphenols like quercetin and rutin. polyphenols like quercetin and rutin. polyphenols like quercetin and rutin. Now, these compounds are studied for Now, these compounds are studied for Now, these compounds are studied for supporting healthy immune balance and supporting healthy immune balance and supporting healthy immune balance and longevity, but it doesn't stop there. longevity, but it doesn't stop there. longevity, but it doesn't stop there. Each chew also includes vitamin C, Each chew also includes vitamin C, Each chew also includes vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, all vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, all vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, all nutrients your immune system depends on, nutrients your immune system depends on, nutrients your immune system depends on, especially when you're pushing hard. And especially when you're pushing hard. And especially when you're pushing hard. And because they're chews, not pills, because they're chews, not pills, because they're chews, not pills, they're convenient and delicious. they're convenient and delicious. they're convenient and delicious. Perfect for your bag, your desk, or Perfect for your bag, your desk, or Perfect for your bag, your desk, or wherever the day takes you. If you want wherever the day takes you. If you want wherever the day takes you. If you want a simple way to support resilience, a simple way to support resilience, a simple way to support resilience, energy, and focus this summer, try HTB energy, and focus this summer, try HTB energy, and focus this summer, try HTB Immune Energy Chews. Go to Immune Energy Chews. Go to Immune Energy Chews. Go to bigboldhealth.com/drhyman, bigboldhealth.com/drhyman, bigboldhealth.com/drhyman, that's d r h y m a n, and use the code that's d r h y m a n, and use the code that's d r h y m a n, and use the code hyman15 to save 15% off your first hyman15 to save 15% off your first hyman15 to save 15% off your first order. When when you think about order. When when you think about order. When when you think about mitochondrial function, it's not mitochondrial function, it's not mitochondrial function, it's not restricted to the immune system. It's restricted to the immune system. It's restricted to the immune system. It's pretty much every cell that has to pretty much every cell that has to pretty much every cell that has to balance, repair, and and and dividing balance, repair, and and and dividing balance, repair, and and and dividing and moving forward. So, when we and moving forward. So, when we and moving forward. So, when we when we think about urolithin A's when we think about urolithin A's when we think about urolithin A's effect, they're going to be pretty much effect, they're going to be pretty much effect, they're going to be pretty much across the whole organism. And across the whole organism. And across the whole organism. And I mean, we focused so far on the muscle, I mean, we focused so far on the muscle, I mean, we focused so far on the muscle, where we could see increased endurance where we could see increased endurance where we could see increased endurance in in people actually on on humans on in in people actually on on humans on in in people actually on on humans on urolithin A, we've seen increased immune urolithin A, we've seen increased immune urolithin A, we've seen increased immune responsiveness. I My prediction is that responsiveness. I My prediction is that responsiveness. I My prediction is that when we start looking in the brain, we when we start looking in the brain, we when we start looking in the brain, we might see increased performance, might see increased performance, might see increased performance, increased memory, and so on. Not been increased memory, and so on. Not been increased memory, and so on. Not been proven yet, but proven yet, but proven yet, but you know, this is a molecule that's not you know, this is a molecule that's not you know, this is a molecule that's not just targeting the immune system or an just targeting the immune system or an just targeting the immune system or an organ. You call it pleiotropic. It's organ. You call it pleiotropic. It's organ. You call it pleiotropic. It's pleiotropic, and I think my prediction I pleiotropic, and I think my prediction I pleiotropic, and I think my prediction I don't think this has been shown yet, but don't think this has been shown yet, but don't think this has been shown yet, but you can imagine that it would have real you can imagine that it would have real you can imagine that it would have real anti-aging effect. anti-aging effect. anti-aging effect. >> mean, I think this is interesting cuz we >> mean, I think this is interesting cuz we >> mean, I think this is interesting cuz we have a feeling like drugs are affect a have a feeling like drugs are affect a have a feeling like drugs are affect a single target, a single molecule, a single target, a single molecule, a single target, a single molecule, a single receptor, a single target. single receptor, a single target. single receptor, a single target. You know, when you look at you know, You know, when you look at you know, You know, when you look at you know, these longevity interventions, they they these longevity interventions, they they these longevity interventions, they they have diverse effects across all these have diverse effects across all these have diverse effects across all these different systems. So, a compound like different systems. So, a compound like different systems. So, a compound like urolithin A has it has many different urolithin A has it has many different urolithin A has it has many different effects across across the system. That effects across across the system. That effects across across the system. That that's an important point, and it goes that's an important point, and it goes that's an important point, and it goes back to this whole idea of what we back to this whole idea of what we back to this whole idea of what we talked about gerontology. What is talked about gerontology. What is talked about gerontology. What is gerontology? What do you mean when we gerontology? What do you mean when we gerontology? What do you mean when we talk about aging being at the root of talk about aging being at the root of talk about aging being at the root of everything? everything? everything? >> Like geriatrics, like gerontology. >> Like geriatrics, like gerontology. >> Like geriatrics, like gerontology. That's what that Yeah, that's that's the That's what that Yeah, that's that's the That's what that Yeah, that's that's the the The root the root of it. But it's the The root the root of it. But it's the The root the root of it. But it's the root of it. That's what that means. the root of it. That's what that means. the root of it. That's what that means. There's another example, because these, There's another example, because these, There's another example, because these, you know, you know, you know, the way we practice medicine is based on the way we practice medicine is based on the way we practice medicine is based on a model that dates back to the 17th a model that dates back to the 17th a model that dates back to the 17th century when we discovered organs. You century when we discovered organs. You century when we discovered organs. You know, you go see a heart doctor, you go know, you go see a heart doctor, you go know, you go see a heart doctor, you go see a neurologist. There's a National see a neurologist. There's a National see a neurologist. There's a National Institutes of Health which has a Institutes of Health which has a Institutes of Health which has a National Heart, Blood, and Lung National Heart, Blood, and Lung National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. The National Institute of Institute. The National Institute of Institute. The National Institute of Organs. Exactly. So, first I mean it's a Organs. Exactly. So, first I mean it's a Organs. Exactly. So, first I mean it's a National Institute, it's not a National National Institute, it's not a National National Institute, it's not a National Institute of Health, a National Institute of Health, a National Institute of Health, a National Institute of Disease. And second, it's Institute of Disease. And second, it's Institute of Disease. And second, it's based on a 17th century model. Now, when based on a 17th century model. Now, when based on a 17th century model. Now, when we talk about your health and hey, it's we talk about your health and hey, it's we talk about your health and hey, it's not that it's going to help your immune not that it's going to help your immune not that it's going to help your immune system. It's going to help everything. system. It's going to help everything. system. It's going to help everything. Same thing think about rapamycin which Same thing think about rapamycin which Same thing think about rapamycin which is another darling from the longevity is another darling from the longevity is another darling from the longevity field. No, it's target called TOR, field. No, it's target called TOR, field. No, it's target called TOR, target of rapamycin, is not only in the target of rapamycin, is not only in the target of rapamycin, is not only in the immune system. It's in your brain, it's immune system. It's in your brain, it's immune system. It's in your brain, it's in your muscles. So, when you give in your muscles. So, when you give in your muscles. So, when you give rapamycin to someone, you're not rapamycin to someone, you're not rapamycin to someone, you're not affecting just the immune system, you're affecting just the immune system, you're affecting just the immune system, you're affecting pretty much the whole affecting pretty much the whole affecting pretty much the whole organism. And that's that's the the organism. And that's that's the the organism. And that's that's the the shift that longevity medicine is is shift that longevity medicine is is shift that longevity medicine is is doing from sort of organ-based reactive doing from sort of organ-based reactive doing from sort of organ-based reactive model to a sort of system-based model to a sort of system-based model to a sort of system-based proactive Yeah, you treat the system not proactive Yeah, you treat the system not proactive Yeah, you treat the system not the symptoms or the diseases. That the symptoms or the diseases. That the symptoms or the diseases. That that's this is essentially what that's this is essentially what that's this is essentially what functional medicine is. It's it's what functional medicine is. It's it's what functional medicine is. It's it's what we've been I've been doing for 30 years. we've been I've been doing for 30 years. we've been I've been doing for 30 years. And it it actually works really And it it actually works really And it it actually works really amazingly well. You don't you really get amazingly well. You don't you really get amazingly well. You don't you really get to the root cause like you were talking to the root cause like you were talking to the root cause like you were talking about the the root, not the branches and about the the root, not the branches and about the the root, not the branches and the leaves. And that's even the the the leaves. And that's even the the the leaves. And that's even the the paradigm we use to describe what paradigm we use to describe what paradigm we use to describe what functional medicine is. We treat the functional medicine is. We treat the functional medicine is. We treat the root and the and the trunk, not the root and the and the trunk, not the root and the and the trunk, not the leaves and the branches. As a physician, leaves and the branches. As a physician, leaves and the branches. As a physician, I've I've been a fan of this approach of I've I've been a fan of this approach of I've I've been a fan of this approach of medicine. I think what longevity has medicine. I think what longevity has medicine. I think what longevity has done is to add a little bit of a of a done is to add a little bit of a of a done is to add a little bit of a of a more exciting aspect, frankly. And and I more exciting aspect, frankly. And and I more exciting aspect, frankly. And and I think I I my my hope is that it's this think I I my my hope is that it's this think I I my my hope is that it's this is a reintroduction of many of the is a reintroduction of many of the is a reintroduction of many of the concept of functional medicine through concept of functional medicine through concept of functional medicine through the eye of longevity. And I for some the eye of longevity. And I for some the eye of longevity. And I for some reason it's resonating more with people. reason it's resonating more with people. reason it's resonating more with people. It's become kind of you know, longevity It's become kind of you know, longevity It's become kind of you know, longevity has become sort of a buzzword which has become sort of a buzzword which has become sort of a buzzword which scares me also to some degree, but I scares me also to some degree, but I scares me also to some degree, but I think it's a it's a wave that we should think it's a it's a wave that we should think it's a it's a wave that we should ride because it will in the in the end ride because it will in the in the end ride because it will in the in the end change the care for patients and make it change the care for patients and make it change the care for patients and make it much much much >> I agree and I think you know, the way I >> I agree and I think you know, the way I >> I agree and I think you know, the way I think about functional medicine is is a think about functional medicine is is a think about functional medicine is is a heuristic. It's just a it's just a tool heuristic. It's just a it's just a tool heuristic. It's just a it's just a tool that we use to think about things. It's that we use to think about things. It's that we use to think about things. It's not the thing itself cuz we trying to not the thing itself cuz we trying to not the thing itself cuz we trying to describe the human body is infinitely describe the human body is infinitely describe the human body is infinitely complex but we're trying to organize it complex but we're trying to organize it complex but we're trying to organize it just like we organize the hallmarks of just like we organize the hallmarks of just like we organize the hallmarks of aging but when you look at the the aging but when you look at the the aging but when you look at the the functional systems that we describe in functional systems that we describe in functional systems that we describe in in functional medicine, they almost map in functional medicine, they almost map in functional medicine, they almost map perfectly across the hallmarks of aging. perfectly across the hallmarks of aging. perfectly across the hallmarks of aging. mitochondria, immune mitochondria, immune mitochondria, immune microbiome, you know, nutrient sensing, microbiome, you know, nutrient sensing, microbiome, you know, nutrient sensing, all these things are all part of this all these things are all part of this all these things are all part of this and so we may improve that model and get and so we may improve that model and get and so we may improve that model and get become smarter and smarter especially as become smarter and smarter especially as become smarter and smarter especially as we start to dive into the complex we start to dive into the complex we start to dive into the complex biology that we we barely have scratched biology that we we barely have scratched biology that we we barely have scratched the surface of with proteomics and the surface of with proteomics and the surface of with proteomics and transcriptomics and metabolomics and the transcriptomics and metabolomics and the transcriptomics and metabolomics and the microbiomics and the whole that's like, microbiomics and the whole that's like, microbiomics and the whole that's like, you know, at functional health we do you know, at functional health we do you know, at functional health we do like 160 biomarkers at first flush and like 160 biomarkers at first flush and like 160 biomarkers at first flush and there's more you can add on but there's there's more you can add on but there's there's more you can add on but there's literally thousands and tens of literally thousands and tens of literally thousands and tens of thousands of genes and you know, thousands of genes and you know, thousands of genes and you know, millions of variations in your genetics millions of variations in your genetics millions of variations in your genetics and there's tens of thousands of and there's tens of thousands of and there's tens of thousands of proteins and there's you know, there's proteins and there's you know, there's proteins and there's you know, there's thousands of metabolites and it's it's thousands of metabolites and it's it's thousands of metabolites and it's it's almost like incomprehensible but now almost like incomprehensible but now almost like incomprehensible but now with with data big data science and with with with data big data science and with with with data big data science and with AI, we can start to make sense of this. AI, we can start to make sense of this. AI, we can start to make sense of this. I I could not agree more and I think I I could not agree more and I think I I could not agree more and I think this is uh Cuz you know, no matter how this is uh Cuz you know, no matter how this is uh Cuz you know, no matter how smart you and I are, we're never going smart you and I are, we're never going smart you and I are, we're never going to understand it all. No and you know, to understand it all. No and you know, to understand it all. No and you know, we we generating data right now in we we generating data right now in we we generating data right now in patients at a rate that is beyond patients at a rate that is beyond patients at a rate that is beyond anybody's comprehension and I I'm always anybody's comprehension and I I'm always anybody's comprehension and I I'm always comparing you know, the state of comparing you know, the state of comparing you know, the state of medicine today medicine today medicine today and I'm a physician so this is not a and I'm a physician so this is not a and I'm a physician so this is not a condemnation of medicine. This is just condemnation of medicine. This is just condemnation of medicine. This is just recognizing what it's doing. You go see recognizing what it's doing. You go see recognizing what it's doing. You go see your doctor and you have maybe 20 20 your doctor and you have maybe 20 20 your doctor and you have maybe 20 20 measurements or your typical annual measurements or your typical annual measurements or your typical annual visit 20 or 30 measurements and that's visit 20 or 30 measurements and that's visit 20 or 30 measurements and that's what most people will rely on. Their what most people will rely on. Their what most people will rely on. Their hemoglobin A1C, their you know, LDL, not hemoglobin A1C, their you know, LDL, not hemoglobin A1C, their you know, LDL, not even apoB, even apoB, even apoB, their their fasting blood sugar, maybe their their fasting blood sugar, maybe their their fasting blood sugar, maybe their A1C and so on. their A1C and so on. their A1C and so on. You're lucky if you get an new one, see? You're lucky if you get an new one, see? You're lucky if you get an new one, see? You're not diabetic. You're not diabetic. You're not diabetic. >> Yes. And so and a stethoscope, you know, >> Yes. And so and a stethoscope, you know, >> Yes. And so and a stethoscope, you know, and a little bit sort of something that and a little bit sort of something that and a little bit sort of something that we used to do 50 years ago when we were we used to do 50 years ago when we were we used to do 50 years ago when we were being trained. Today, I mean, we can being trained. Today, I mean, we can being trained. Today, I mean, we can generate out of a single blood draw hundreds of thousands of different data hundreds of thousands of different data points. And I think points. And I think points. And I think a lot of the work that we're doing at a lot of the work that we're doing at a lot of the work that we're doing at the Buck right now is trying to the Buck right now is trying to the Buck right now is trying to integrate all of this data cuz we're integrate all of this data cuz we're integrate all of this data cuz we're generating it with AI. And really generating it with AI. And really generating it with AI. And really >> Making sense of it. Yeah, making sense >> Making sense of it. Yeah, making sense >> Making sense of it. Yeah, making sense of it. So this is These are early days, of it. So this is These are early days, of it. So this is These are early days, but but but I I cannot help to be incredibly I I cannot help to be incredibly I I cannot help to be incredibly optimistic of of the fact that we in 10 optimistic of of the fact that we in 10 optimistic of of the fact that we in 10 to 20 years we will do We're starting, to 20 years we will do We're starting, to 20 years we will do We're starting, you know, we're starting with Function you know, we're starting with Function you know, we're starting with Function Health, others in different ways, Health, others in different ways, Health, others in different ways, uh really to generate a lot more data uh really to generate a lot more data uh really to generate a lot more data about patients. about patients. about patients. >> Yeah, we've got like 80 million >> Yeah, we've got like 80 million >> Yeah, we've got like 80 million biomarkers we've tested in the first few biomarkers we've tested in the first few biomarkers we've tested in the first few years, and we're just getting started. years, and we're just getting started. years, and we're just getting started. And and and you know, um I remember And and and you know, um I remember And and and you know, um I remember sitting on a panel at Cleveland Clinic sitting on a panel at Cleveland Clinic sitting on a panel at Cleveland Clinic with Stan Hazen, who's who's a with Stan Hazen, who's who's a with Stan Hazen, who's who's a cardiologist who studied the microbiome cardiologist who studied the microbiome cardiologist who studied the microbiome and its effect on heart disease. And I and its effect on heart disease. And I and its effect on heart disease. And I said, "Stan, how many of the metabolites said, "Stan, how many of the metabolites said, "Stan, how many of the metabolites in your blood do you think come from the in your blood do you think come from the in your blood do you think come from the microbiome?" And he's like, "I think microbiome?" And he's like, "I think microbiome?" And he's like, "I think it's probably a third." it's probably a third." it's probably a third." Which blew my mind. I don't know if it's Which blew my mind. I don't know if it's Which blew my mind. I don't know if it's true or not, but you know, when you true or not, but you know, when you true or not, but you know, when you think about that, it's like our think about that, it's like our think about that, it's like our microbiome, like you said earlier, is a microbiome, like you said earlier, is a microbiome, like you said earlier, is a completely neglected area of medicine. completely neglected area of medicine. completely neglected area of medicine. You know, gastroenterologists don't even You know, gastroenterologists don't even You know, gastroenterologists don't even pay attention to it. pay attention to it. pay attention to it. Well, I'll I'll tell you another another Well, I'll I'll tell you another another Well, I'll I'll tell you another another data piece of data which I I I keep data piece of data which I I I keep data piece of data which I I I keep reminding myself of is half of your reminding myself of is half of your reminding myself of is half of your immune system. So your immune system immune system. So your immune system immune system. So your immune system >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. is is is distributed across the whole is is is distributed across the whole is is is distributed across the whole body, but half of it is in Yeah, Peyer's body, but half of it is in Yeah, Peyer's body, but half of it is in Yeah, Peyer's patches, yeah. Why? Because it's where patches, yeah. Why? Because it's where patches, yeah. Why? Because it's where you're interfacing with the outside you're interfacing with the outside you're interfacing with the outside world. You're basically one cell world. You're basically one cell world. You're basically one cell You're one cell away from a sewer. So on You're one cell away from a sewer. So on You're one cell away from a sewer. So on the other side of your intestinal the other side of your intestinal the other side of your intestinal lining, which is one cell thick, you lining, which is one cell thick, you lining, which is one cell thick, you know, is on the inside is like a sewer, know, is on the inside is like a sewer, know, is on the inside is like a sewer, and on the other side is your and on the other side is your and on the other side is your bloodstream and your immune system to bloodstream and your immune system to bloodstream and your immune system to kind of help take care of you. So yeah. kind of help take care of you. So yeah. kind of help take care of you. So yeah. >> So imagine now what you put in in terms >> So imagine now what you put in in terms >> So imagine now what you put in in terms of pre-fibers, in terms of your food, of pre-fibers, in terms of your food, of pre-fibers, in terms of your food, and all of this has a direct impact not and all of this has a direct impact not and all of this has a direct impact not only on the bacteria, your microbiome. I only on the bacteria, your microbiome. I only on the bacteria, your microbiome. I think about the microbiome as an organ, think about the microbiome as an organ, think about the microbiome as an organ, frankly. This is an organ, an additional frankly. This is an organ, an additional frankly. This is an organ, an additional organ in terms of weight. It's pounds. organ in terms of weight. It's pounds. organ in terms of weight. It's pounds. That's 3 to 5 lbs. People don't realize That's 3 to 5 lbs. People don't realize That's 3 to 5 lbs. People don't realize these are pounds. This is a big these are pounds. This is a big these are pounds. This is a big >> pounds of poop pounds of poop. >> pounds of poop pounds of poop. >> pounds of poop pounds of poop. And all of these bacteria are digesting And all of these bacteria are digesting And all of these bacteria are digesting your food. Many of many cases they your food. Many of many cases they your food. Many of many cases they pre-digest what you've eaten. pre-digest what you've eaten. pre-digest what you've eaten. >> Yeah. They're generating all of these >> Yeah. They're generating all of these >> Yeah. They're generating all of these secondary products. All of these secondary products. All of these secondary products. All of these products go into products go into products go into into the wall of the intestine and they into the wall of the intestine and they into the wall of the intestine and they educate your immune system. So, they educate your immune system. So, they educate your immune system. So, they this interface there is really, I would this interface there is really, I would this interface there is really, I would say, one of the still big black box of say, one of the still big black box of say, one of the still big black box of what what what It's interesting in functional medicine It's interesting in functional medicine It's interesting in functional medicine we've been testing organic acids for we've been testing organic acids for we've been testing organic acids for years and part of the things that will years and part of the things that will years and part of the things that will show up in your urine are metabolites of show up in your urine are metabolites of show up in your urine are metabolites of things that are happening in your gut. things that are happening in your gut. things that are happening in your gut. So, we can tell if there's yeast So, we can tell if there's yeast So, we can tell if there's yeast overgrowth, if there's bad bacteria, if overgrowth, if there's bad bacteria, if overgrowth, if there's bad bacteria, if there's things that are going on. It's there's things that are going on. It's there's things that are going on. It's quite interesting and we treat people quite interesting and we treat people quite interesting and we treat people based on that and it's it's pretty cool. based on that and it's it's pretty cool. based on that and it's it's pretty cool. I'll stop. I mean, Eric, this is such a I'll stop. I mean, Eric, this is such a I'll stop. I mean, Eric, this is such a great conversation. I I actually want to great conversation. I I actually want to great conversation. I I actually want to talk to you more. I'm not going to do a talk to you more. I'm not going to do a talk to you more. I'm not going to do a 3-hour podcast with you this time. We're 3-hour podcast with you this time. We're 3-hour podcast with you this time. We're going to break it up. I I want to talk going to break it up. I I want to talk going to break it up. I I want to talk about some of your new research going about some of your new research going about some of your new research going forward. I think we're going to we're forward. I think we're going to we're forward. I think we're going to we're going to maybe do another podcast on going to maybe do another podcast on going to maybe do another podcast on this cuz it's a whole topic in of this cuz it's a whole topic in of this cuz it's a whole topic in of itself, which is how do we measure itself, which is how do we measure itself, which is how do we measure biological age? And I'm just going to biological age? And I'm just going to biological age? And I'm just going to set the stage and I want people to come set the stage and I want people to come set the stage and I want people to come back and listen to the next podcast, but back and listen to the next podcast, but back and listen to the next podcast, but we we are trying to figure out, when I we we are trying to figure out, when I we we are trying to figure out, when I mean say we, the scientific community is mean say we, the scientific community is mean say we, the scientific community is trying to figure out is there a metric trying to figure out is there a metric trying to figure out is there a metric we can use to look at interventions to we can use to look at interventions to we can use to look at interventions to see if it's working? Like if you say, see if it's working? Like if you say, see if it's working? Like if you say, "Oh, this molecule or this exercise or "Oh, this molecule or this exercise or "Oh, this molecule or this exercise or this thing this thing this thing if we do it, will you reverse your if we do it, will you reverse your if we do it, will you reverse your biological age?" And there's a lot of biological age?" And there's a lot of biological age?" And there's a lot of clocks out there. A lot of people are clocks out there. A lot of people are clocks out there. A lot of people are doing this. We we use one at Function doing this. We we use one at Function doing this. We we use one at Function which is based on Morgan Levine's sort which is based on Morgan Levine's sort which is based on Morgan Levine's sort of calculation of biological age. of calculation of biological age. of calculation of biological age. Uh and and it's you know, it's it's an Uh and and it's you know, it's it's an Uh and and it's you know, it's it's an approximation. And I would say, you approximation. And I would say, you approximation. And I would say, you know, if you you do the same clock over know, if you you do the same clock over know, if you you do the same clock over and over, you're going to get the same and over, you're going to get the same and over, you're going to get the same kind of variation. But but they all kind of variation. But but they all kind of variation. But but they all widely differ. One clock you were 29, widely differ. One clock you were 29, widely differ. One clock you were 29, one you're 69. And they're like saying one you're 69. And they're like saying one you're 69. And they're like saying the guy has seen and I'm like, "Man, I the guy has seen and I'm like, "Man, I the guy has seen and I'm like, "Man, I don't like the one that says I'm 70. I don't like the one that says I'm 70. I don't like the one that says I'm 70. I like the one that says I'm 39. You know, like the one that says I'm 39. You know, like the one that says I'm 39. You know, but but you you kind of done some more but but you you kind of done some more but but you you kind of done some more research on this. I'm just going to set research on this. I'm just going to set research on this. I'm just going to set the stage looking at the clock that has the stage looking at the clock that has the stage looking at the clock that has to do with your to do with your to do with your naive T cells and and this seems to be a naive T cells and and this seems to be a naive T cells and and this seems to be a more of a stable clock that you can kind more of a stable clock that you can kind more of a stable clock that you can kind of track. It doesn't vary so much. So of track. It doesn't vary so much. So of track. It doesn't vary so much. So we're going to come back and do a we're going to come back and do a we're going to come back and do a podcast on that. I'm super excited about podcast on that. I'm super excited about podcast on that. I'm super excited about it. We're going to put it a link to the it. We're going to put it a link to the it. We're going to put it a link to the show notes in the show. full show on show notes in the show. full show on show notes in the show. full show on clocks Yeah, I think we're going to do a clocks Yeah, I think we're going to do a clocks Yeah, I think we're going to do a full show on I think it's really not I full show on I think it's really not I full show on I think it's really not I can say one more thing about these can say one more thing about these can say one more thing about these clocks. Why is that important? clocks. Why is that important? clocks. Why is that important? As we move from this reactive to As we move from this reactive to As we move from this reactive to proactive medicine, proactive medicine, proactive medicine, you know, the way we you know, the way we you know, the way we most people live their life is they they most people live their life is they they most people live their life is they they have their lifestyle, have their lifestyle, have their lifestyle, their spouse or their children might their spouse or their children might their spouse or their children might tell them, you know, let's try to do tell them, you know, let's try to do tell them, you know, let's try to do this and exercise more. Everybody's this and exercise more. Everybody's this and exercise more. Everybody's living their life flying what I call living their life flying what I call living their life flying what I call flying blind. flying blind. flying blind. >> Mhm. You have your doctor's visit >> Mhm. You have your doctor's visit >> Mhm. You have your doctor's visit annually. You might get a few a few annually. You might get a few a few annually. You might get a few a few sample. But eventually, you know, you sample. But eventually, you know, you sample. But eventually, you know, you get into your 50s, your 60s. If you're get into your 50s, your 60s. If you're get into your 50s, your 60s. If you're lucky and you've done the right thing, lucky and you've done the right thing, lucky and you've done the right thing, you're going to go right through. If you're going to go right through. If you're going to go right through. If not, you get a heart attack. Yeah. And not, you get a heart attack. Yeah. And not, you get a heart attack. Yeah. And so the question that this whole new so the question that this whole new so the question that this whole new reinvention of medicine, functional reinvention of medicine, functional reinvention of medicine, functional medicine, longevity medicine is really medicine, longevity medicine is really medicine, longevity medicine is really occupying itself is this occupying itself is this occupying itself is this can we accompany you starting at age 20, can we accompany you starting at age 20, can we accompany you starting at age 20, 25, measure you every, you know, maybe 25, measure you every, you know, maybe 25, measure you every, you know, maybe every day Yeah. using wearables, using every day Yeah. using wearables, using every day Yeah. using wearables, using blood sampling. You know, the technology blood sampling. You know, the technology blood sampling. You know, the technology is going so quickly. I don't know how is going so quickly. I don't know how is going so quickly. I don't know how we're going to be doing this. The idea we're going to be doing this. The idea we're going to be doing this. The idea for me is really this constant for me is really this constant for me is really this constant monitoring. monitoring. monitoring. >> Yeah. Nobody would fly a plane blind >> Yeah. Nobody would fly a plane blind >> Yeah. Nobody would fly a plane blind today. We have incredible but but we fly today. We have incredible but but we fly today. We have incredible but but we fly our health our health our health >> Episodic medicine is this doesn't make >> Episodic medicine is this doesn't make >> Episodic medicine is this doesn't make sense. sense. sense. >> We fly our health blind. >> We fly our health blind. >> We fly our health blind. >> Yeah. And we go to the doctor, we're >> Yeah. And we go to the doctor, we're >> Yeah. And we go to the doctor, we're nervous, our blood pressure is too high. nervous, our blood pressure is too high. nervous, our blood pressure is too high. We go home, maybe it's too low. We don't We go home, maybe it's too low. We don't We go home, maybe it's too low. We don't So this whole idea of everyday So this whole idea of everyday So this whole idea of everyday measurement, hopefully in a way that's measurement, hopefully in a way that's measurement, hopefully in a way that's totally invisible to you, is the future. totally invisible to you, is the future. totally invisible to you, is the future. And so these clocks represent sort of And so these clocks represent sort of And so these clocks represent sort of the integration of many of these the integration of many of these the integration of many of these variables that are going to tell you variables that are going to tell you variables that are going to tell you you're flying not completely blind. It you're flying not completely blind. It you're flying not completely blind. It looks at age 30 that you're on your way looks at age 30 that you're on your way looks at age 30 that you're on your way to getting a heart attack at age and we to getting a heart attack at age and we to getting a heart attack at age and we can do this now. 15 years in advance we can do this now. 15 years in advance we can do this now. 15 years in advance we can identify the first signature of of can identify the first signature of of can identify the first signature of of disease and and then correct so we don't disease and and then correct so we don't disease and and then correct so we don't hit the mountain with our plane. We hit the mountain with our plane. We hit the mountain with our plane. We actually correct and we go a little actually correct and we go a little actually correct and we go a little higher. We go a little to the left or to higher. We go a little to the left or to higher. We go a little to the left or to the right. That's really the way the right. That's really the way the right. That's really the way medicine is going to change and I think medicine is going to change and I think medicine is going to change and I think the clock for for for for me at this the clock for for for for me at this the clock for for for for me at this point are an incredibly promising point are an incredibly promising point are an incredibly promising direction. direction. direction. >> Yeah, that's true. And I think you're >> Yeah, that's true. And I think you're >> Yeah, that's true. And I think you're what you're saying is right. I mean we what you're saying is right. I mean we what you're saying is right. I mean we episodic care waiting till you have episodic care waiting till you have episodic care waiting till you have something doesn't make any sense and I something doesn't make any sense and I something doesn't make any sense and I think that's really our mission at think that's really our mission at think that's really our mission at Function Health is actually help people Function Health is actually help people Function Health is actually help people to create a longitudinal data set with to create a longitudinal data set with to create a longitudinal data set with continuous measurements or more frequent continuous measurements or more frequent continuous measurements or more frequent measurements continuous through measurements continuous through measurements continuous through wearables for example wearables for example wearables for example whether it's a you know a ring or a whether it's a you know a ring or a whether it's a you know a ring or a watch or something or watch or something or watch or something or or a band or or a band or or a band or even continuous glucose monitors and even continuous glucose monitors and even continuous glucose monitors and there's going to be more monitoring like there's going to be more monitoring like there's going to be more monitoring like that. that. that. Plus regular blood testing and scanning Plus regular blood testing and scanning Plus regular blood testing and scanning allows you to create a comprehensive allows you to create a comprehensive allows you to create a comprehensive picture and actually detect signals picture and actually detect signals picture and actually detect signals early. These early warning signs decades early. These early warning signs decades early. These early warning signs decades before you ever see a problem. And I before you ever see a problem. And I before you ever see a problem. And I think that's what's exciting to me for think that's what's exciting to me for think that's what's exciting to me for every every aspect of aging and every every every aspect of aging and every every every aspect of aging and every chronic disease and we're we're getting chronic disease and we're we're getting chronic disease and we're we're getting there whether it's cancer, heart there whether it's cancer, heart there whether it's cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes. We we disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes. We we disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes. We we can see it coming a mile away. And can see it coming a mile away. And can see it coming a mile away. And that's that's you know what I what I get that's that's you know what I what I get that's that's you know what I what I get excited about. excited about. excited about. >> Yeah, same same for me. Thanks so much >> Yeah, same same for me. Thanks so much >> Yeah, same same for me. Thanks so much Eric. Thanks for doing your work and Eric. Thanks for doing your work and Eric. Thanks for doing your work and great to see you again and we'll have great to see you again and we'll have great to see you again and we'll have you back soon. Likewise. Okay. Thank you back soon. Likewise. Okay. Thank you back soon. Likewise. Okay. Thank you. If you loved that last video, you. If you loved that last video, you. If you loved that last video, you're going to love the next one. Check you're going to love the next one. Check you're going to love the next one. Check it out here.