Related Episodes for Dr. Elissa Epel on Telomeres and the Role of Stress Biology in Cellular Aging

“Exercise is a huge driver of how well we age because it induces profound molecular shifts that support immune health and might even protect our telomeres – indicators of aging. Exercise might help forestall certain age-related diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, too.”

“Disruption of a person’s chronotypic schedule can influence mood, productivity, and disease risk because it may interfere with the duration of their REM sleep, which is essential for emotional well-being.”

“Cells could be programmed to behave and function as they ordinarily would but with profound differences in their underlying code and translation apparatus, making them immune to all viruses and even horizontal gene transfer – a boon to preventing the unintentional spread of lab-produced genetics to wild-type organisms.”

“However, the DNAm GrimAge epigenetic clock is a highly reliable predictor of healthspan and lifespan, based on DNAm surrogates in blood, including biomarkers of aging and alterations in blood composition.”

“In this talk, we’ll be exploring the intersection between genetics, nutrition, and environment: how your diet, micronutrients, exercise, heat stress, and sleep can change the expression of your genes and how this has profound effects on the way your body functions and ages.”

“New Scientist article. 02:06:10 - Some people, like Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves, seem to defy aging. 02:08:15 - One 12-ounce can of sugar-sweetened soft drink per day shortened telomere length, corresponding to 4.6 years of biological aging.”

“Some of the factors contributing to these variable phenotypes include persistent damage to our DNA and mitochondrial dysfunction, driven by an altered NAD:NADH ratio, the latter of which has recently been shown to be improved by certain dietary supplements like nicotinamide riboside.”

“Rumination, the practice of dwelling on external stressors to excess, can set in motion a cascade of hormonal and physiological responses that harm mental and physical health. Meditation has been shown to reduce rumination and its negative effects, however, and influences the gene expression of as many as 500 genes, many of which are in the brain.”

“The mast cells release pro­inflammatory cytokines and proteases that damage the gut, leading to intestinal permeability, a condition otherwise known as “leaky gut.” This leakiness allows bacteria and bacterial antigens to cross the gut’s inner layer, the epithelium, and activate even more immune cells, leading to more inflammation – a key driver in the aging process.”

Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.