Longevity by Design
Longevity by Design is your go-to podcast for unlocking the secrets to a longer, healthier life. Hosted by Dr. Gil Blander, a renowned scientist and entrepreneur in the fields of aging, nutrition, and personalized health, this show dives into cutting-edge research and practical strategies for optimizing your healthspan and lifespan.
In each episode, Dr. Blander sits down with leading longevity and health scientists to explore how we can live better, longer lives. From unpacking complex scientific concepts to sharing the latest advancements in aging research, Longevity by Design offers science-backed insights and actionable advice to help you add years to your life—and life to your years.
Dr. Blander is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of InsideTracker, a healthspan company that leverages blood tests, DNA analysis, fitness tracker data, and other biomarkers to deliver personalized health recommendations. With a Ph.D. in biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and postdoctoral research at MIT, Dr. Blander brings decades of expertise and passion to every conversation.
Tune in to Longevity by Design and discover how to live a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life.
Longevity by Design
Neurosurgery, Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease, and Optimizing VO2max with Dr. Joseph Maroon
Did you know an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60–70% of dementia cases. Being that aging is the primary risk factor for developing dementia, the Longevity By Design team has been eager to discuss dementia on the show.
In this episode, Dr. Blander and Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD interview Dr. Joseph Maroon. Dr. Maroon is a professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and longtime team neurosurgeon to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dr. Maroon shares a ton of interesting science related to Alzheimer's disease. He discusses findings from his recently published research on how oxidative stress is a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. He explains why sleep can help prevent Alzheimer’s, and gives other lifestyle advice for how to promote brain health as we age.
Dr. Maroon also talks about his experience in the NFL, how concussions impact the brain, new concussion-detection technology, why VO2max is a great biomarker of fitness, and how triathlons saved his life.
Episode timestamps:
- Introduction: (0:00–2:50)
- Why Dr. Maroon became a physician: (2:50–6:20)
- Most common diseases seen by a neurosurgeon: (6:20-7:38)
- Most common neurological conditions associated with aging: (7:38-10:40)
- Lifestyle interventions to decrease oxidative stress: (10:40-12:13)
- Cigarettes and marijuana impact brain connectivity: (12:13–16:00)
- What is a concussion?: (16:00–19:00)
- NFL guidelines for concussions: (19:00–22:04)
- Dangers of returning to play too soon after a head injury: (22:04–23:30)
- Do football players age faster than the general public?: (23:30–29:16)
- New technology for detecting concussions in athletes: (29:16–32:10)
- Neuroprotective supplements: (32:10–34:00)
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for severe concussion treatment: (34:00–38:50)
- “Triathlons saved my life”: (38:50–45:55)
- Free radicals and exercise: (45:55–48:40)
- What happens to the brain when we sleep: (48:40–50:52)
- The ketogenic diet and cancer: (50:52–58:00)
- VO2 max and aging: (58:00–1:04:10)
- VO2 max is correlated with other biomarkers of health: (1:04:10–1:10:47)
- Top tip for healthspan: (1:10:48–end)
Listen to all episodes of Longevity By Design at: https://info.insidetracker.com/longevitybydesign
