Q&A #74: How to Slow Immune Aging—Plus Gluten, Stroke Risk, & APOE4
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In this Q&A, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how to slow age-related immune decline, whether most people should avoid gluten, and how to reduce stroke risk. Timestamps include:
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Q: How do Zone 2 and vigorous exercise differ, and what's the ideal mix?
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Q: What are the most effective eczema treatments?
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Q: How do we slow age-related immune decline?
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Q: Should most people avoid gluten?
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Q: How to best reduce stroke risk?
What are evidence-based strategies to counteract the age-related decline in immune function?
As we get older, the immune system naturally changes. It becomes less responsive to new infections and less effective at clearing damaged cells, while low-grade inflammation begins to simmer in the background. Scientists call this gradual shift immune aging, or immunosenescence. It is one of the reasons why older adults face higher risks of infection, cancer, and slower recovery from illness. Because the immune system is so deeply connected to overall health, supporting and strengthening it through lifestyle and nutrition is important not just in later years, but throughout life.
As we age, our immune system gradually loses efficiency, a process known as immunosenescence. Several factors drive this decline, including the shortening of chromosome ends (telomeres), ongoing cellular stress, shrinking of the thymus (where immune cells mature), and repeated exposure to infections. These changes weaken how immune cells work and can disturb normal cell maintenance processes. Over time, this contributes to a constant, low level of inflammation in the body called inflammaging, which is linked to many age-related diseases. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; author:Raquelbusto; file:Immunosenescence.jpg
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Q: Do you take Delta H ketones even though they contain sucralose? 1
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Q: Do sauna blankets offer the same benefits as regular saunas? 1
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Q: Which gut microbiome tests are best? 1
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Q: What type of salmon do you prefer, and how do you cook it?
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Q: Have you changed your skincare or supplements?
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Q: How much kale is in your smoothie?
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Q: What type of collagen powder do you use? 1
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Q: Why do you use CocoaVia instead of regular cacao powder? 1
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Q: Does colostrum support gut, immune, and recovery health?
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Q: Can you get a cystatin C test on your own?
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Q: Can you add creatine to a smoothie?
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Q: Do you still use Julian Bakery egg white protein?
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Q: How do we slow age-related immune decline?
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Q: How can you support immune health during pregnancy?
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Q: Can immune senescence be reversed?
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Q: Does heavy lifting that raises heart rate count as endurance exercise?
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