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“When you think about where we were as a country before Medicare and Medicaid were created and where we are now, it's an incredible story,” says Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, who until earlier this year was the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In a recent essay for The Century Foundation, where she is now a senior fellow, Brooks-LaSure used the 60th anniversary of enactment of those foundational insurance programs to help put their impact on individual Americans, the healthcare system and society at large in perspective. One prominent example is the desegregation of hospitals, which was achieved in part by withholding reimbursements for care unless facilities served Blacks as well as whites. Another is making it possible for more people with disabilities to live at home instead of in institutional settings. But as you'll hear in this probing Raise the Line conversation with host Lindsey Smith, Brooks-LaSure worries that many gains in coverage and other progress made over the years through Medicare, Medicaid and the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are at risk because of a new federal law that calls for a trillion dollar decrease in spending, resulting in potentially millions of people losing their coverage, cuts to clinical staff and medical services, and the closure of hospitals and clinics, especially in rural areas. “Most rural hospitals in this country are incredibly dependent on both Medicare and Medicaid to keep their doors open and there's an estimate that over 300 hospitals will close as a result of this legislation, so that, I think, is a place of incredible nervousness.” Whether you are a patient, provider, policymaker or health system leader, this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert source about the range of potential impacts that will flow from changes to critically important insurance programs that provide coverage to 40% of adults and nearly 50% of children in the U.S. Mentioned in this episode:The Century FoundationEssay on 60th Anniversary of Medicare & Medicaid If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
What if the products you use every day, the air you breathe, and the food you eat is making you sick? Today, Mel speaks with Dr. Eric Topol, MD, one of the most cited scientists and researchers in the world, about the hidden toxins in your environment that are silently hijacking the health of you and your family.Dr. Topol shares the alarming truth about the microplastics and forever chemicals that are all around you, and how they're linked to skyrocketing rates of infertility, cancer in young people, heart disease, and even cognitive decline. Most importantly, he will share the exact products and chemicals to watch out for, how to avoid them, and the simple changes you can make right now to protect you and your kids. You will learn:-Why microplastics are showing up in your arteries, brain, and reproductive system, and what that means for you -The connection between forever chemicals and diseases like diabetes, dementia, and cancer -Which everyday products in your kitchen, bathroom, and home may be silently making you sick -How to read labels so you know what's safe, and what's not -And the 3 most important changes you can make right now to reduce your exposure and protect your family This episode is both a wake-up call and a guide. You'll walk away not only understanding the invisible threats in your environment, but also with simple, practical steps you can take to safeguard your health and longevity. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out Dr. Eric Topol's first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast: Advice From the #1 Longevity Doctor: Add 10 Years to Your Life With 3 Simple HabitsConnect with Mel: Get Mel's #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on InstagramThe Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTokSign up for Mel's personal newsletterSubscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It seems there are news stories every week about the accelerating pace of innovation in gene therapy, but only about 50 therapies have been approved so far by the US Food and Drug Administration. Our guest today, Dr. Bobby Gaspar, leads a UK-based biotech company, Orchard Therapeutics, that developed one of those treatments using gene-modified stem cells in your blood that self-renew, so a single administration can give you potentially a lifelong effect. “Our approach is about correcting those hematopoietic stem cells and allowing them to give rise to cells that can then correct the disease,” explains Dr. Gaspar. The therapy in focus is lenmeldy, the first approved treatment for metachromatic leukodystrophy, also known as MLD, a devastating inherited disorder that affects roughly 600 children worldwide. But Dr. Gaspar is optimistic that learnings from Orchard's work on MLD could be useful in treating much more common disorders including frontotemporal dementia, Crohn's disease and others. This highly informative conversation with host Lindsey Smith also explores the importance of newborn screening, community collaboration in advancing clinical trials for rare diseases, and a future in which each gene therapy will be used as a tool for specific applications. “There will be many gene therapies available, some of which will become the standard of care for certain diseases, but it won't be for every disease.”Mentioned in this episode:Orchard Therapeutics If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
Howie and Harlan are joined by physician, scientist, and author Eric Topol to discuss his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity; the potential of individualized polygenic risk scores; and the dangers of the protein craze. Links: Health & Veritas Ep. 58: Dr. Eric Topol: Pushing Medicine into the Future Eric Topol: Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity Eric Topol: “The Drivers of Age-Related Diseases” Eric Topol: “A Review of Outlive” Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Peter Attia: Our conversation about his hit book Outlive, Medicine 3.0, promoting healthspan, GLP-1 drugs and more” Eric Topol: The Creative Destruction of Medicine Eric Topol: The Patient Will See You Now Eric Topol: Deep Medicine Eric Topol: “Our Preoccupation With Protein Intake” The Daily podcast: “How America Got Obsessed with Protein” “High-protein diets increase cardiovascular risk by activating macrophage mTOR to suppress mitophagy” “Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signalling and cardiovascular risk” “5 Takeaways From Kennedy's Senate Hearing” Eric Topol on the Dr. Hyman Show: “How AI Could Change Your Next Doctor Visit Forever!” Eric Topol: “The Business of Promoting Longevity and Healthspan” The Age of the Infovore: Succeeding in the Information Economy Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Tyler Cowen: The Prototypic Polymath” “How a scientist who studies ‘super agers' exercises for a longer life” Eric Topol: “Our Sleep, Brain Aging, and Waste Clearance” “Alzheimer's genes: Are you at risk?” Eric Topol: “The Breakthrough Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease” Eric Topol: “Predicting and preventing Alzheimer's disease” Eric Topol: “The personal and clinical utility of polygenic risk scores” Eric Topol: “Polygenic Risk Scores: Ready for Prime Time?” “Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2020” “Wellderly” studies Eric Topol: “What My Two 98-Year-Old Patients Taught Me About Longevity” Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Mike Osterholm & Eric Topol Discuss The Big One book” “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” Eric Topol: “Lithium and Its Potential Protection from Alzheimer's Disease” Eric Topol: “High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence” Learn more about the MBA for Executives program at Yale SOM. Email Howie and Harlan comments or questions.
Howie and Harlan are joined by physician, scientist, and author Eric Topol to discuss his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity; the potential of individualized polygenic risk scores; and the dangers of the protein craze. Links: Health & Veritas Ep. 58: Dr. Eric Topol: Pushing Medicine into the Future Eric Topol: Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity Eric Topol: “The Drivers of Age-Related Diseases” Eric Topol: “A Review of Outlive” Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Peter Attia: Our conversation about his hit book Outlive, Medicine 3.0, promoting healthspan, GLP-1 drugs and more” Eric Topol: The Creative Destruction of Medicine Eric Topol: The Patient Will See You Now Eric Topol: Deep Medicine Eric Topol: “Our Preoccupation With Protein Intake” The Daily podcast: “How America Got Obsessed with Protein” “High-protein diets increase cardiovascular risk by activating macrophage mTOR to suppress mitophagy” “Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing macrophage mTOR signalling and cardiovascular risk” “5 Takeaways From Kennedy's Senate Hearing” Eric Topol on the Dr. Hyman Show: “How AI Could Change Your Next Doctor Visit Forever!” Eric Topol: “The Business of Promoting Longevity and Healthspan” The Age of the Infovore: Succeeding in the Information Economy Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Tyler Cowen: The Prototypic Polymath” “How a scientist who studies ‘super agers' exercises for a longer life” Eric Topol: “Our Sleep, Brain Aging, and Waste Clearance” “Alzheimer's genes: Are you at risk?” Eric Topol: “The Breakthrough Blood Test for Alzheimer's Disease” Eric Topol: “Predicting and preventing Alzheimer's disease” Eric Topol: “The personal and clinical utility of polygenic risk scores” Eric Topol: “Polygenic Risk Scores: Ready for Prime Time?” “Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2020” “Wellderly” studies Eric Topol: “What My Two 98-Year-Old Patients Taught Me About Longevity” Eric Topol, Ground Truths podcast: “Mike Osterholm & Eric Topol Discuss The Big One book” “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” Eric Topol: “Lithium and Its Potential Protection from Alzheimer's Disease” Eric Topol: “High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence” Learn more about the MBA for Executives program at Yale SOM. Email Howie and Harlan comments or questions.
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Eric Topol, diving into the truth behind supplements, saunas, cold plunges, and other so-called “longevity hacks.” He explains why most supplements don't do anything for healthy people, why fads like cold plunges are a farce, and what actually matters if you want to extend your healthspan. We also cover the exceptions—like documented deficiencies—and whether Omega-3s have a place. Dr. Topol makes it clear that the real “hacks” aren't hacks at all.To hear the rest of this bonus episode, come join the Foodie Fam!If you want more, check out our book!Chat with us on IG!https://www.instagram.com/foodweneedtotalk/?hl=enBe friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjuna/https://www.tiktok.com/@junagjata Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Thank you Sara Garcia, Andrew O'Malley BSc PhD, Sam Hester, Julie, Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, and so many others for tuning into my live video with Peter Hotez! Join me for my next live video in the app.Peter Hotez and I discuss his new book, co-authored with Michael Mann, SCIENCE UNDER SEIGE, on the anti-science superstorm culminating from the climate crisis, the Covid pandemic, and a vast interconnected network that has waged a direct assault on scientific truth.During our conversation we trace history of priors in civilization, such as Lysenko and Stalinism in the last century. And acknowledge the future role of A.I. for promoting infinite disinformation. Beyond human suffering and direct health outcome consequences (such as Red Covid), the toll this is taking on the career of young scientists, universities, public health agencies, and loss of public trust are reviewed. The interdependent role of the media and the wellness industry is touched on.The book and our conversation puts forth a call to arms, potential solutions, including the need to move away from invisible scientists and political activism.Thanks for listening to Ground Truths podcasts and reading the analytic posts.In case you missed any, these are a few recent and related ones:Podcasts with Michael Osterholm and Sanjay Gupta on their new books—The Big One and It Doesn't Have to Hurt, respectively.Next up is Charlotte Blease and her new book Dr. Bot on where we are headed with medical A.I.If you found this interesting PLEASE share it!That makes the work involved in putting these together especially worthwhile.All content on Ground Truths—its newsletters, analyses, and podcasts, are free, open-access.Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don't hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered.Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past two years. Get full access to Ground Truths at erictopol.substack.com/subscribe
Thank you Jose Bolanos MD, Dr. Zeest Khan, Lawrence Toole, Julie, Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, and many others for tuning into my live video with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Join me for my next live video in the app.A Brief Summary of Our ConservationWe discussed the new understanding and approach to chronic pain, which affects nearly 1 in 4 adults. Dr. Gupta gets personal telling the story of his wife, Rebecca, who has an autoimmune disease and at one point he had to carry her up stairs. He also tells the story of his mother who had a back injury and didn't want to live because of the pain. How his family members got relief is illuminating.Our whole understanding and approach to pain has changed, with the acronym change from RICE to MEAT.A newly approved drug Suzetrigine (Journavx) exploits the sodium channel gene mutation initially discovered via a family of fire walkers. It's the first new pain medicine approved for more than 2 decades. Many other new non-opioid treatments are reviewed, no less lifestyle changes (anti-inflammatory diet and sleep), and acupuncture.Sanjay's research over the past few years has led to a video special on CNN with the same title as the book, set to air 9 PM EST Sunday. If you know someone suffering chronic pain, please share the post. Get full access to Ground Truths at erictopol.substack.com/subscribe
You are in for a dose of inspiration in this episode of Raise the Line as we introduce you to a rare disease patient who was a leading force in establishing the diagnosis for her own condition, who played a key role in launching the first phase three clinical trials for it, and who is now coordinating research into the disease and related disorders at one of the nation's top hospitals. Rebecca Salky, RN, was first afflicted at the age of four with MOGAD, an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that can cause paralysis, vision loss and seizures. In this fascinating conversation with host Lindsey Smith, Rebecca describes her long and challenging journey with MOGAD, her work at the Neuroimmunology Clinic and Research Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the importance of finding a MOGAD community in her early twenties. “There's a sense of power and security when you have others on your side. You're not alone in this journey of the rare disease,” she explains. Be sure to stay tuned to learn about Rebecca's work in patient advocacy, her experience as a nurse, and the three things she thinks are missing in the care of rare disease patients as our Year of the Zebra series continues.Mentioned in this episode:The MOG ProjectNeuroimmunology Clinic & Research Lab at Mass General If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
Interview: Dr Eric Topol (Part 1)We're joined by Dr Eric Topol—cardiologist, scientist, author, and global digital health leader. In part one, Eric shares his journey from clinician to digital health pioneer, his vision for “SuperAgers,” and why genomics and personalised medicine could redefine how long—and how well—we liveChatbots for PatientsWe discuss the Wall Street Journal's bold claim that chatbots could become part of the medical team. From spotting errors to translating lab results and reminding patients about medications, can they really serve as low-risk, always-on companion? Questions remain around accuracy, empathy, and whether they truly add value or just more noise.The Human Side of InteroperabilityInspired by Amy Gleason's LA Times op-ed, we look at the personal impact of fragmented health systems. Her daughter's care journey shows how disconnected records hinder outcomes—and how AI uncovered a hidden opportunity. Should we lean into more personal stories to communicate to a wider audience?Meta & Who Owns Your Health Data?A San Francisco jury found Meta guilty of illegally harvesting data from millions of Flo app users—menstrual cycles, ovulation, even pregnancy intentions. The ruling highlights urgent questions: Who really owns health data, and what rights do patients have when tech giants treat it like ad fuel?Patient Consent in the Age of AIConsent forms are broken—static, outdated, and unfit for the AI era. We unpack Y. Tony Yang's American Journal of Bioethics piece arguing for “dynamic consent,” accountability frameworks, and real patient understanding. Without rethinking consent, healthcare risks losing trust as AI tools grow more influentialBlack Box for Aged CareWhat if aged care had a “black box,” like aviation? Sensors, AI, and monitoring systems could flag risks before crises hit. A Pulse+IT blog argues for shifting from reactive to proactive care, but business models and adoption lag behind. We debate whether the sector can finally move from inquiry to preventionResources:Louise's LinkedIn poll on gen AI use for health research LinkDr Eric Topol's book SuperAgers LinkY. Tony Yang's American Journal of Bioethics Article on Patient Consent LinkAged Care's Black Box in Pulse+IT LinkAmy Gleason's parental perspective on the need for health data interoperability LinkVisit Pulse+IT.news to subscribe to breaking digital news, weekly newsletters and a rich treasure trove of archival material. People in the know, get their news from Pulse+IT – Your leading voice in digital health news.
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In this episode we sit down with Dr. Eric Topol—one of the most cited scientists in the world and author of SuperAges—to explore what the science actually says about living longer and healthier. We talk about what aging really is, why trying to reverse it can backfire, and the surprising role lifestyle factors play in slowing down the biological clock. Dr. Topol also explains how exercise, sleep, and diet can add up to an extra decade of healthy years, why ultra-processed foods may be the cigarettes of our generation, and how new tools like AI and gut-based medicines could transform prevention. This conversation is both eye-opening and practical, giving you the tools to make changes today that could add years to your life. If you've ever wondered what's hype and what's real in the world of longevity, you'll want to hear this one.Check out Dr. Topol's incredible book Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. If you like research, you will LOVE this book. Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
“You have to love what you do, especially in healthcare, and the earlier you find that, the better. So that's why I love to see HOSA helping young people find what it is that they want to do,” says Dr. David Kelly, a fellow in oculofacial surgery at University of California San Francisco and HOSA's board chair. You can still hear the excitement in Dr. Kelly's voice describing his earliest experiences with HOSA -- a student led organization with 300,000 plus members that prepares future health professionals to become leaders in international health – even though they happened sixteen years ago when he was a sophomore in highschool. Through hundreds of competitive events and hands-on projects, HOSA creates a framework for developing skills in communication, professionalism and leadership starting in middle school. Programs are offered throughout highschool and college as well, which Dr. Kelly took advantage of before becoming an active alumnus and joining the HOSA board as a way of giving back to an organization that has given so much to him. Since taking the reins as board chair last year, one key focus has been preparing to mark HOSA's 50th anniversary in 2026. Dr. Kelly sees the occasion as not only an opportunity to celebrate what HOSA has accomplished, but to ensure it is positioned to continue helping the healthcare industry tackle important challenges in the future. Examples include chronic workforce shortages and improving how clinicians communicate with patients and team members. Join host Lindsey Smith on this uplifting Raise the Line episode for an optimistic look at the next generation of healthcare leaders.Mentioned in this episode:HOSAHOSA Alumni Registration If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
“We've been able to show that even by 30 days of age, we can predict with some accuracy if a child is going to have a diagnosis of autism,” says Dr. Geraldine Dawson, sharing one of the recent advancements in early diagnosis being aided by artificial intelligence. Dr. Dawson -- a leading scholar in the field and founding director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development – explains that an AI examination of a child's pattern of visits to medical specialists in its very early life is an objective diagnostic tool that can supplement the current subjective reports from parents which vary in reliability. Another objective diagnostic tool in development uses a smartphone app developed at Duke that takes video of babies watching images and applies AI-aided Computer Vision Analysis to measure for signs of autism. This enlightening Raise the Line conversation with host Lindsey Smith is loaded with the latest understandings about Autism Spectrum Disorder including advancements in early therapeutic interventions, the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and the role of the mother's health and exposures during pregnancy. You'll learn as well about what Dawson sees as necessary societal shifts in how autism is perceived, the numerous factors contributing to a near tripling of diagnoses over the past two decades, and how early intervention and informed advocacy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families.Mentioned in this episode:Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
Everyone wants to live a long life, but no one wants to get old. Just over 15 years ago, cardiologist Dr Eric Topol went looking for genetic reasons why some people are able age into their 80's without the usual chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular issues. Dr Topol the founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego says genetics are not destiny and it's never too late to start taking steps to delay or even prevent disease.
This is a hybrid heart disease risk factor post of a podcast with Prof Bruce Lanphear on lead and a piece I was asked to write for the Washington Post on risk factors for heart disease.First, the podcast. You may have thought the problem with lead exposure was circumscribed to children, but it's a much bigger issue than that. I'll concentrate on the exposure risk to adults in this interview, including the lead-estrogen hypothesis. Bruce has been working on the subject of lead exposure for more than 30 years. Let me emphasize that the problem is not going away, as highlighted in a recent New England Journal of Medicine piece on lead contamination in Milwaukee schools, “The Latest Episode in an Ongoing Toxic Pandemic.”Transcript with links to the audio and citationsEric Topol (00:05):Well, hello. This is Eric Topol with Ground Truths, and I'm very delighted to welcome Professor Bruce Lanphear from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia for a very interesting topic, and that's about lead exposure. We tend to think about lead poisoning with the Flint, Michigan, but there's a lot more to this story. So welcome, Bruce.Bruce Lanphear (00:32):Thank you, Eric. It's great to be here.Eric Topol (00:33):Yeah. So you had a New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Review in October last year, which was probably a wake up to me, and I'm sure to many others. We'll link to that, where you reviewed the whole topic, the title is called Lead Poisoning. But of course it's not just about a big dose, but rather chronic exposure. So maybe you could give us a bit of an overview of that review that you wrote for NEJM.Bruce Lanphear (01:05):Yeah, so we really focused on the things where we feel like there's a definitive link. Things like lead and diminished IQ in children, lead and coronary heart disease, lead and chronic renal disease. As you mentioned, we've typically thought of lead as sort of the overt lead poisoning where somebody becomes acutely ill. But over the past century what we've learned is that lead is one of those toxic chemicals where it's the chronic wear and tear on our bodies that catches up and it's at the root of many of these chronic diseases that are causing problems today.Eric Topol (01:43):Yeah, it's pretty striking. The one that grabbed me and kind of almost fell out of my chair was that in 2019 when I guess the most recent data there is 5.5 million cardiovascular deaths ascribed to relatively low levels, or I guess there is no safe level of lead exposure, that's really striking. That's a lot of people dying from something that cardiology and medical community is not really aware of. And there's a figure 3 [BELOW] that we will also show in the transcript, where you show the level where you start to see a takeoff. It starts very low and by 50 μg/liter, you're seeing a twofold risk and there's no threshold, it keeps going up. How many of us do you think are exposed to that type of level as adults, Bruce?Bruce Lanphear (02:39):Well, as adults, if we go back in time, all of us. If you go back to the 1970s when lead was still in gasoline, the median blood lead level of Americans was about 13 to 15 µg/dL. So we've all been exposed historically to those levels, and part of the reason we've begun to see a striking decline in coronary heart disease, which peaked in 1968. And by 1978, there was a 20% decline, 190,000 more people were alive than expected. So even in that first decade, there was this striking decline in coronary heart disease. And so, in addition to the prospective studies that have found this link between an increase in lead exposure and death from cardiovascular disease and more specifically coronary heart disease. We can look back in time and see how the decline in leaded gasoline led to a decline in heart disease and hypertension.Eric Topol (03:41):Yeah, but it looks like it's still a problem. And you have a phenomenal graph that's encouraging, where you see this 95% reduction in the lead exposure from the 1970s. And as you said, the factors that can be ascribed to like getting rid of lead from gasoline and others. But what is troubling is that we still have a lot of people that this could be a problem. Now, one of the things that was fascinating is that you get into that herbal supplements could be a risk factor. That we don't do screening, of course, should we do screening? And there's certain people that particularly that you consider at high risk that should get screened. So I wasn't aware, I mean the one type of supplements that you zoomed in on, how do you say it? Ayurvedic?Supplements With LeadBruce Lanphear (04:39):Oh yeah. So this is Ayurvedic medicine and in fact, I just was on a Zoom call three weeks ago with a husband and wife who live in India. The young woman had taken Ayurvedic medicine and because of that, her blood lead levels increased to 70 µg/dL, and several months later she was pregnant, and she was trying to figure out what to do with this. Ayurvedic medicine is not well regulated. And so, that's one of the most important sources when we think about India, for example. And I think you pointed out a really important thing is number one, we don't know that there's any safe level even though blood lead levels in the United States and Europe, for example, have come down by over 95%. The levels that we're exposed to and especially the levels in our bones are 10 to 100 times higher than our pre-industrial ancestors.Bruce Lanphear (05:36):So we haven't yet reached those levels that our ancestors were exposed to. Are there effects at even lower and lower levels? Everything would suggest, we should assume that there is, but we don't know down below, let's say one microgram per deciliter or that's the equivalent of 10 parts per billion of lead and blood. What we also know though is when leaded gasoline was restricted in the United States and Canada and elsewhere, the companies turned to the industrializing countries and started to market it there. And so, we saw first the epidemic of coronary heart disease in the United States, Canada, Europe. Then that's come down over the past 50 years. At the same time, it was rising in low to middle income countries. So today over 95% of the burden of disease from lead including heart disease is found in industrializing countries.Eric Topol (06:34):Right. Now, it's pretty striking, of course. Is it true that airlines fuel is still with lead today?Bruce Lanphear (06:45):Well, not commercial airlines. It's going to be a small single piston aircraft. So for example, when we did a study down around the Santa Clara County Airport, Reid-Hillview, and we can see that the children who live within a half mile of the airport had blood lead levels about 10% higher than children that live further away. And the children who live downwind, 25% higher still. Now, nobody's mapped out the health effects, but one of the things that's particularly troubling about emissions from small aircraft is that the particle size of lead is extraordinarily small, and we know how nanoparticles because they have larger surface area can be more problematic. They also can probably go straight up into the brain or across the pulmonary tissues, and so those small particles we should be particularly worried about. But it's been such a long journey to try to figure out how to get that out of aircraft. It's a problem. The EPA recognized it. They said it's an endangerment, but the industry is still pushing back.Eric Topol (07:55):Yeah, I mean, it's interesting that we still have these problems, and I am going to in a minute ask you what we can do to just eradicate lead as much as possible, but we're not there yet. But one study that seemed to be hard to believe that you cited in the review. A year after a ban leaded fuel in NASCAR races, mortality from coronary heart disease declined significantly in communities near racetracks. Can you talk about that one because it's a little bit like the one you just mentioned with the airports?Bruce Lanphear (08:30):Yeah. Now that study particularly, this was by Alex Hollingsworth, was particularly looking at people over 65. And we're working on a follow-up study that will look at people below 65, but it was quite striking. When NASCAR took lead out of their fuel, he compared the rates of coronary heart disease of people that live nearby compared to a control group populations that live further away. And he did see a pretty striking reduction. One of the things we also want to look at in our follow-up is how quickly does that risk begin to taper off? That's going to be really important in terms of trying to develop a strategy around preventing lead poisoning. How quickly do we expect to see it fall? I think it's probably going to be within 12 to 24 months that we'll see benefits.Eric Topol (09:20):That's interesting because as you show in a really nice graphic in adults, which are the people who would be listening to this podcast. Of course, they ought to be concerned too about children and all and reproductive health. But the point about the skeleton, 95% of the lead is there and the main organs, which we haven't mentioned the kidney and the kidney injury that occurs no less the cardiovascular, the blood pressure elevation. So these are really, and you mentioned not necessarily highlighted in that graphic, but potential cognitive hit as well. You also wrote about how people who have symptoms of abdominal pain, memory impairment, and high blood pressure that's unexplained, maybe they should get a blood level screening. I assume those are easy to get, right?Bruce Lanphear (10:17):Oh yeah, absolutely. You can get those in any hospital, any clinic across the country. We're still struggling with having those available where it's most needed in the industrializing countries, but certainly available here. Now, we don't expect that for most people who have those symptoms, lead poisoning is going to be the cause, right. It'd still be unusual unless you work in an industry, for example, smelting batteries to recycle them. We don't expect it to be real common, and we're not even sure, Eric, whether we should be doing widespread screening. If I looked at this as a population scientist, the real focus should be on identifying the sources. We mostly know where those are here and radically moving it down. Getting rid of the lead service lines, which was such a big part of what President Biden was doing, and it was perfect. For every dollar invested to reduce lead exposure from those lead service lines. Ronnie Levin at Harvard said there'd be a 35-fold return in cost, benefits really, and this has always been true, that reducing lead exposure throughout the past 40 years has always been shown to be amazingly cost beneficial. The problem is operating within a free market health system, even though there's tremendous social benefits, that benefit isn't going to be monetized or privatized. And so, who's going to make those decisions? We hope our government is, but that doesn't always play out.Eric Topol (11:52):Well. What's interesting is, as opposed to the problems we have today that are prominent such as the microplastic, nanoplastics, the air pollution, the forever chemicals, that just keep getting worse, I mean, they are just cumulative. This one, there was tremendous improvement, but it's still not enough. And I guess you're zooming in on the lead lines. That'd be the most important thing to work on today. Another thing that has come up, there's been trials, as you may I'm sure, because all over this field of chelation, there's a trial that was run by the NIH, supported by NH that looked at chelation to prevent coronary disease. Is there any evidence that people who have a problem with lead would benefit from chelation therapy?Bruce Lanphear (12:44):Well, there's two major studies that have been done, and Tony Lamas was in charge of both of them. The first one Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) study, it was a randomized controlled trial, not intended specifically to focus on lead, but rather it was to look at sort of this alternative therapy. They found significant benefits about an 18% reduction in subsequent cardiac events. That led to a second study that was just published last year, and it was focused on people who had diabetes. They saw some benefit, but it wasn't significant. So whether that's because there wasn't enough variability and exposure, it's not entirely clear, but we've seen this with lead in IQ deficits in kids where we can show that we can reduce blood lead levels. But ultimately what tends to happen is once you've taken lead out of the blood, some of it's released again from the bone, but you still have all that lead in the bone that's there. You get some of it out, but you're not going to get the bulk of it out.The Lead-Estrogen HypothesisEric Topol (13:47):Right. It's a reservoir that's hard to reckon with. Yeah. Now another thing, you have a Substack that is called Plagues, Pollution & Poverty, and you wrote a really provocative piece in that earlier and April called How Estrogen Keeps Lead - and Heart Attacks - in Check, and basically you got into the lead estrogen hypothesis.Eric Topol (14:10):Can you enlighten us about that?Bruce Lanphear (14:12):Yeah. A lot of the seminal work in this area was done by Ellen Silbergeld, who's a brilliant and somewhat peculiar toxicologist and Ellen for years, I focused on childhood lead exposure, and for years Ellen would tell me, almost demolish me for not studying adults. And because she had found back in 1988 that as women go into menopause, their blood lead levels spike increased by about 30%, and that's where most of our lead is stored is in our bone. And so, as I was thinking about this, it all became clear because blood lead levels in boys and girls is about the same. It's comparable up until menarche, and then girls young women's blood leads fall by about 20%. And they stay 20% lower throughout the reproductive years until menopause. And especially during those first few years around menopause, perimenopause, you see fairly striking increases in the weakening of the bone and blood lead levels.Bruce Lanphear (15:19):So that might very well help to explain why estrogen is protected, because what happens is throughout the reproductive life, women are losing a little bit of lead every month. And estrogen is at its lowest during that time, and that's going to be when blood lead is at its highest because estrogen pushes lead into the bone. Not only that, women lose lead into the developing fetus when they're pregnant. So what Ellen found is that there was less of a spike around menopause for the women that had three or four pregnancies because they had offloaded that into their babies. So all of this, if you put it together, and this is of course in a very short note of it, you can see that lead increases dyslipidemia, it leads to tears in the endothelium of the arterial wall, it's going to increase thrombosis. All of these things that we think of as the classic atherosclerosis. Well, what estrogen does is the opposite of those. It decreases dyslipidemia, it repairs the arterial endothelial wall. So how much of it is that estrogen is protective, and how much is it that it's moving lead out of the system, making it less biologically available?Eric Topol (16:46):Yeah, I know. It's really interesting. Quite provocative. Should be followed up on, for sure. Just getting to you, you're a physician and epidemiologist, MD MPH, and you have spent your career on this sort of thing, right? I mean, is your middle name lead or what do you work on all the time?Bruce Lanphear (17:09):Yeah, I've been doing this for about 30 years, and one of my mentors, Herb Needleman spent 40 years of his career on it. And in some ways, Eric, it seems to me particularly in these very difficult entrenched problems like lead, we don't have any pharmaceutical company reaching out to us to promote what we do. We've got industry trying to squash what we do.Bruce Lanphear (17:35):It really does take a career to really make a dent in this stuff. And in a way, you can look at my trajectory and it is really following up on what Herb Needleman did and what Clare Patterson did, and that was finding the effects at lower and lower levels. Because what we do with lead and most other toxic chemicals, the ones that don't cause cancer, is we assume that there's a safe level or threshold until we prove otherwise. And yet when you look at the evidence, whether it's about asbestos and mesothelioma, air pollution and cardiovascular mortality, lead and cardiovascular mortality, benzene and leukemia, none of those exhibit a threshold. In some cases, the risks are steepest proportionately at the lowest measurable levels, and that really raises some tremendous challenges, right? Because how are we going to bring air pollution or lead down to zero? But at the same time, it also provides these tremendous opportunities because we know that they're causing disease. We know what the sources are. If we could only bring about the political will to address them, we could prevent a lot of death, disease, and disability. I mean, about 20% of deaths around the world every year are from air pollution, lead, and other toxic chemicals, and yet the amount of money we invest in them is just paltry compared to what we invest in other things. Which is not to pit one against the other, but it's to say we haven't invested enough in these.Eric Topol (19:14):No, absolutely. I think your point, just to make sure that it's clear, is that even at low levels, this is of course where most of the population exposure would be, and that's why that's so incriminating. Now, one of the things I just want to end up with is that we know that these are tiny, tiny particles of lead, and then the question is how they can synergize and find particulate matter of air pollution in the nanoplastic, microplastic story and binding to forever chemicals, PFAS. How do you process all that? Because it's not just a single hit here, it's also the fact that there's ability to have binding to the other environmental toxins that are not going away.Bruce Lanphear (20:10):That's right. And in a way, when we talk about lead playing this tremendous role in the rise and decline of coronary heart disease, we can't entirely separate it out, for example, from air pollution or cigarette smoke for that matter, nor plastic. So for example, with air pollution, if we look at air pollution over the past century, up until the 1980s, even into the 1990s, it was leaded, right? So you couldn't separate them. If you look at cigarette smoke, cigarette tobacco in the 1940s and 1950s was grown in fields where they used lead arsenic as an insecticide. So smokers even today have blood lead levels that are 20% higher than non-smokers, and people who are not smokers but exposed to secondhand smoke have blood lead levels 20% higher than non-smokers who aren't exposed to secondhand smoke. So in a way, we should try to tease apart these differences, but it's going to be really challenging. In a way we can almost think about them as a spectrum of exposures. Now with plastics, you can really think of plastics as a form of pollution because it's not just one thing. There's all these additives, whether it's the PFAS chemicals or lead, which is used as a stabilizer. And so, all of them really are kind of integrated into each other, which again, maybe there's some opportunity there if we really were ready to tackle.Eric Topol (21:40):And interestingly, just yesterday, it was announced by the current administration that they're stopping all the prior efforts on the forever chemicals that were initiated in the water supply. And I mean, if there's one takeaway from our discussion, it's that we have to get all over this and we're not paying enough attention to our environmental exposures. You've really highlighted spotlighted the lead story. And obviously there are others that are, instead of getting somewhat better, they're actually going in the opposite direction. And they're all tied together that's what is so striking here, and they all do many bad things to our bodies. So I don't know how, I'm obviously really interested in promoting healthy aging, and unless we get on this, we're chasing our tails, right?Bruce Lanphear (22:31):Well, I think that's right, Eric. And I was reading the tips that you'd written about in preparation for your book release, and you focused understandably on what each of us can do, how we can modify our own lifestyles. We almost need six tips about what our government should do in order to make it harder for us to become sick, or to encourage those healthy behaviors that you talked about. That's a big part of it as well. One of the things we're celebrating the hundredth anniversary. This is not really something to celebrate, but we are. The hundredth anniversary of the addition of tetraethyl lead to gasoline. And one of the key things about that addition, there was this debate because when it was being manufactured, 80% of the workers at a plant in New Jersey suffered from severe lead poisoning, and five died, and it was enough that New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey banned tetraethyl lead.Bruce Lanphear (23:31):Then there was this convening by the US Surgeon General to determine whether it was safe to add tetraethyl lead to gasoline. One scientist, Yandell Henderson said, absolutely not. You're going to create a scourge worse than tuberculosis with slow lead poisoning and hardening of your arteries. Robert Kehoe, who represented the industry said, we know lead is toxic, but until you've shown that it's toxic when added to gasoline, you have no right to prohibit us from using it. So that is now known as the Kehoe rule, and it's relevant not only for lead, but for PFAS, for air pollution, for all these other things, because what it set as a precedent, until you've shown that these chemicals or pollution is toxic when used in commerce, you have no right to prohibit industry from using it. And that's the fix we're in.Eric Topol (24:27):Well, it sounds too much like the tobacco story and so many other things that were missed opportunities to promote public health. Now, is Canada doing any better than us on this stuff?Bruce Lanphear (24:40):In some ways, but not in others. And one of the interesting thing is we don't have standards, we have guidelines. And amazingly, the cities generally try to conform to those guidance levels. With water lead, we're down to five parts per billion. The US is sticking around with ten parts per billion, but it's not even really very, it's not enforced very well. So we are doing better in some ways, not so good in other ways. The European Union, generally speaking, is doing much better than North America.Eric Topol (25:15):Yeah, well, it doesn't look very encouraging at the moment, but hopefully someday we'll get there. Bruce, this has been a really fascinating discussion. I think we all should be thankful to you for dedicating your career to a topic that a lot of us are not up on, and you hopefully are getting us all into a state of awareness. And congratulations on that review, which was masterful and keep up the great work. Thank you.Bruce Lanphear (25:42):Thank you, Eric. I appreciate it.________________________________________________My Recommendations for Preventing Heart Disease (Markedly Truncated from Text and Graphics Provided in SUPER AGERS)Recently the Washington Post asked me for a listicle of 10 ways to prevent heart disease. I generally avoid making such lists but many people have de-subscribed to this newspaper, never subscribed, or missed the post, so here it is with links to citations:Guest column by Eric Topol, MDThe buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the wall of our arteries, known as atherosclerosis, is common. It can lead to severe plaques that narrow the artery and limit blood flow, or to a crack in the artery wall that can trigger blood clot formation, resulting in a heart attack.While we've seen some major advances in treating heart disease, it remains the leading killer in the United States, even though about 80 percent of cases are considered preventable. There are evidence-based steps you can take to stave it off. As a cardiologist, here's what I recommend to my patients.1. Do both aerobic and resistance exerciseThis is considered the single most effective medical intervention to protect against atherosclerosis and promote healthy aging. Physical activity lowers inflammation in the body. Evidence has shown that both aerobic and strength training forms of exercise are important. But only 1 in 4 Americans meet the two activity guidelines from the American Heart Association: aerobic exercise of 150 minutes per week of at least moderate physical activity, such as walking, bicycling on level ground, dancing or gardening, and strength training for at least two sessions per week, which typically translates to 60 minutes weekly.The protective benefit of exercise is seen with even relatively low levels of activity, such as around 2,500 steps per day (via sustained physical activity, not starting and stopping), and generally increases proportionately with more activity. It used to be thought that people who exercise only on the weekend — known as “weekend warriors” — put themselves in danger, but recent data shows the benefits of exercise can be derived from weekend-only workouts, too.2. Follow an anti-inflammatory dietA predominantly plant-based diet — high in fiber and rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, as seen with the Mediterranean diet — has considerable evidence from large-scale observational and randomized trials for reducing body-wide inflammation and improving cardiovascular outcomes.Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, also form part of a diet that suppresses inflammation. On the other hand, red meat and ultra-processed foods are pro-inflammatory, and you should limit your consumption. High protein intake of more than 1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight per day — around 95 grams for someone who is 150 pounds — has also been linked to promoting inflammation and to atherosclerosis in experimental models. That is particularly related to animal-based proteins and the role of leucine, an essential amino acid that is obtained only by diet.3. Maintain a healthy weightBeing overweight or obese indicates an excess of white adipose tissue. This kind of tissue can increase the risk of heart disease because it stores fat cells, known as adipocytes, which release substances that contribute to inflammation.In studies, we've seen that glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) drugs can reduce inflammation with weight loss, and a significant reduction of heart attacks and strokes among high-risk patients treated for obesity. Lean body weight also helps protect against atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm abnormality.4. Know and avoid metabolic syndrome and prediabetesTied into obesity, in part, is the problem of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Two out of three people with obesity have this syndrome, which is defined as having three out of five features: high fasting blood glucose, high fasting triglycerides, high blood pressure, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and central adiposity (waist circumference of more than 40 inches in men, 35 inches in women).Metabolic syndrome is also present in a high proportion of people without obesity, about 50 million Americans. Prediabetes often overlaps with it. Prediabetes is defined as a hemoglobin A1c (a measure of how much glucose is stuck to your red blood cells) between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, or a fasting glucose between 100 and 125 milligrams per deciliter.Both metabolic syndrome and prediabetes carry an increased risk of heart disease and can be prevented — and countered — by weight loss, exercise and an optimal diet.As the glucagon-like peptide drug family moves to pills and less expense in the future, these medications may prove helpful for reducing risk in people with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes. For those with Type 2 diabetes, the goal is optimizing glucose management and maximal attention to lifestyle factors.5. Keep your blood pressure in a healthy rangeHypertension is an important risk factor for heart disease and is exceptionally common as we age. The optimal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower. But with aging, there is often an elevation of systolic blood pressure to about 130 mm Hg, related to stiffening of arteries. While common, it is still considered elevated.Ideally, everyone should monitor their blood pressure with a home device to make sure they haven't developed hypertension. A mild abnormality of blood pressure will typically improve with lifestyle changes, but more substantial elevations will probably require medications.6. Find out your genetic riskWe now have the means of determining your genetic risk of coronary artery disease with what is known as a polygenic risk score, derived from a gene chip. The term polygenic refers to hundreds of DNA variants in the genome that are linked to risk of heart disease. This is very different from a family history, because we're a product of both our mother's and father's genomes, and the way the DNA variants come together in each of us can vary considerably for combinations of variants.That means you could have high or low risk for heart disease that is different from your familial pattern. People with a high polygenic risk score benefit the most from medications to lower cholesterol, such as statins. A polygenic risk score can be obtained from a number of commercial companies, though it isn't typically covered by insurance.I don't recommend getting a calcium score of your coronary arteries via a computed tomography (CT) scan. This test is overused and often induces overwhelming anxiety in patients with a high calcium score but without symptoms or bona fide risk. If you have symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease, such as chest discomfort with exercise, then a CT angiogram may be helpful to map the coronary arteries. It is much more informative than a calcium score.7. Check your blood lipidsThe main lipid abnormality that requires attention is low-density cholesterol (LDL), which is often high and for people with increased risk of heart disease should certainly be addressed. While lifestyle improvements can help, significant elevation typically requires medications such as a statin; ezetimibe; bempedoic acid; or injectables such as evolocumab (Repatha), alirocumab (Praluent) or inclisiran (Leqvio). The higher the risk, the more aggressive LDL lowering may be considered.It should be noted that the use of potent statins, such as rosuvastatin or atorvastatin, especially at high doses, is linked to inducing glucose intolerance and risk of Type 2 diabetes. While this is not a common side effect, it requires attention since it is often missed from lack of awareness.A low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol often responds to weight loss and exercise. We used to think that high HDL was indicative of “good cholesterol,” but more recent evidence suggests that is not the case and it may reflect increased risk when very high.To get a comprehensive assessment of risk via your blood lipids, it's important to get the apolipoprotein B (apoB) test at least once because about 20 percent of people have normal LDL and a high apoB.Like low HDL, high fasting triglycerides may indicate insulin resistance as part of the metabolic syndrome and will often respond to lifestyle factors.The lipoprotein known as Lp(a) should also be assessed at least once because it indicates risk when elevated. The good news is scientists are on the cusp of finally having medications to lower it, with five different drugs in late-stage clinical trials.8. Reduce exposure to environmental pollutantsIn recent years, we've learned a lot about the substantial pro-inflammatory effects of air pollution, microplastics and forever chemicals, all of which have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease. In one study, microplastics or nanoplastics in the artery wall were found in about 60 percent of more than 300 people. Researchers found a vicious inflammatory response around the plastics, and a four- to fivefold risk of heart attacks or strokes during three years of follow-up.While we need policy changes to address these toxic substances in the environment, risk can be reduced by paying attention to air and water quality using filtration or purification devices, less use of plastic water bottles and plastic storage, and, in general, being much more aware and wary of our pervasive use of plastics.9. Don't smoke This point, it should be well known that cigarette smoking is a potent risk factor for coronary artery disease and should be completely avoided.10. Get Good SleepAlthough we tend to connect sleep health with brain and cognitive function, there's evidence that sleep regularity and quality are associated with less risk of heart disease. Regularity means adhering to a routine schedule as much as possible, and its benefit may be due to our body's preference for maintaining its circadian rhythm. Sleep quality — meaning with fewer interruptions — and maximal deep sleep can be tracked with smartwatches, fitness bands, rings or mattress sensors.Sleep apnea, when breathing stops and starts during sleep, is fairly common and often unsuspected. So if you're having trouble sleeping or you snore loudly, talk to your doctor about ruling out the condition. Testing for sleep apnea can involve checking for good oxygen saturation throughout one's sleep. That can be done through a sleep study or at home using rings or smartwatches that include oxygen saturation in their sensors and body movement algorithms that pick up disturbed breathing.Eric Topol, MD, is a cardiologist, professor and executive vice president of Scripps Research in San Diego. He is the author of “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity” and the author of Ground Truths on Substack.*********************°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°Thanks to many of you Ground Truths subscribers who helped put SUPER AGERS on the NYT bestseller list for 4 weeks.Here are 2 recent, informative, and fun conversations I had on the topicMichael Shermer, The SkepticRuss Roberts, EconTalk I'm also very appreciative for your reading and subscribing to Ground Truths.If you found this interesting PLEASE share it!That makes the work involved in putting these together especially worthwhile.All content on Ground Truths—its newsletters, analyses, and podcasts, are free, open-access.Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don't hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered.Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past three years. Just a week ago we just had nearly 50 interns (high school, college and medical students) present posters of the work they did over the summer and it was exhilarating! Some photos below Get full access to Ground Truths at erictopol.substack.com/subscribe
In this conversation, Michael Shermer and Dr. Eric Topol discuss the realties of aging, with particular focus on the role of AI in enhancing patient care and disease prevention, the importance of lifestyle factors, and the limitations of genetic testing in predicting health outcomes. Topol also explains the dangers of ultra-processed foods, their link to inflammation, and the role of GLP-1 drugs in promoting healthier eating habits. The conversation also covers diet, particularly the differences between chicken and red meat, and the significance of sleep for overall health. Plus, consumption of microplastics, cholesterol management and statins, the critical role of social connections in maintaining mental and physical health, and the future of personalized medicine in cancer prevention. Eric Topol is a cardiologist and one of the top ten most cited researchers in medicine, known for his groundbreaking studies on AI in medicine, genomics, and digitized clinical trials. Topol is also the executive vice president and a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, the largest nonprofit biomedical institute in the United States. He was named one of the Top 100 most influential people in health in 2024 by Time. His new book is Super Agers.
"Burnout and trauma are not mental illnesses. They live in your physiology. They live in your biology. They live very specifically in your nervous system,” Dr. Rola Hallam says with a conviction rooted in her own successful journey to overcome the effects of chronic stress she accumulated during many years on the frontlines of humanitarian crises in Syria and other conflict zones. Out of concern for the multitudes of health professionals who, like herself, spend years carrying the weight of their traumatic experiences without seeking help, or who pursue ineffective remedies for relieving it, Dr. Rola -- as she's known – has shifted her focus to being a trauma and burnout coach. Among her offerings is Beyond Burnout, a twelve-week program that includes multimedia content as well as live coaching and teaching about developing nervous system awareness and regulation. “Most wellness initiatives fail because they're not rewiring the nervous system to come out of survival mode and back into what is called the ventral-vagal state, which is our state of social connection and of healing and repair.” She also stresses that healing is not an individual pursuit, especially for providers who work in a relational field, and teaches about the benefits of borrowing from a colleagues' state of calm and offering them the same. Don't miss this insightful and giving conversation with host Lindsey Smith that covers Dr. Rola's wrenching experiences providing care in desperate conditions, the critically important distinction between empathy and compassion, and how empowering frontline workers to heal their trauma can uplift individuals and empower entire communities. Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Rola CoachingBeyond Burnout AssessmentCanDo - Humanitarian Aid If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
In this video, Dr. Doug Lucas challenges Dr. Eric Topol's views on high protein diets and their link to heart disease, particularly focusing on the role of mTORC in health. He argues that while Topol raises valid concerns about chronic mTORC activation, the context of protein consumption, timing, and overall diet quality are crucial factors that are often overlooked. Dr. Doug emphasizes the importance of protein for muscle and bone health and provides practical strategies for optimizing protein intake without fear of adverse health effects.*STUDIES*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38409322/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33846288/
Medicine stands at the threshold of a new era, where artificial intelligence and systems biology are working hand in hand to make care more personal, predictive, and precise than ever before. AI is already improving diagnostic accuracy, automating administrative tasks, and uncovering patterns in data—like retinal scans or genomics—that humans often miss. Rather than replacing doctors, AI enhances their ability to deliver more informed, precise, and efficient care. At the same time, individuals are gaining tools—from at-home diagnostics to wearable biosensors—that empower them to track and optimize their own health. This shift marks a move from reactive, disease-centered care to a proactive, data-driven model of scientific wellness. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Eric Topol, Dr. Nathan Price, Dr. Leroy Hood, Dr. Vijay Pande, and Daisy Wolf about how artificial intelligence, personalized data, and wearable technology are converging to radically transform medicine. Dr. Eric Topol is Executive Vice President of Scripps Research and founder/director of its Translational Institute, recognized as one of the top 10 most cited researchers in medicine with over 1,300 publications. A cardiologist and author of several bestselling books on the future of medicine, he leads major NIH grants in precision medicine and shares cutting-edge biomedical insights through his Ground Truths newsletter and podcast. Dr. Nathan Price is Chief Scientific Officer at Thorne HealthTech, author of The Age of Scientific Wellness, and a National Academy of Medicine Emerging Leader. He also serves on the Board on Life Sciences for the National Academies and is Affiliate Faculty in Bioengineering and Computer Science at the University of Washington. Dr. Leroy Hood is CEO and founder of Phenome Health, leading the Human Phenome Initiative to sequence and track the health of one million people over 10 years. A pioneer in systems biology and co-founder of 17 biotech companies, he is a recipient of the Lasker Prize, Kyoto Prize, and National Medal of Science. Dr. Vijay Pande is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and founder of a16z Bio + Health, managing over $3 billion in life sciences and healthcare investments at the intersection of biology and AI. An Adjunct Professor at Stanford, he is known for his work in computational science, earning honors like the DeLano Prize and a Guinness World Record for Folding@Home. Daisy Wolf is an investing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, specializing in healthcare AI, consumer health, and healthcare-fintech innovation. She previously worked at Meta and in various startups, holds a JD from Yale Law, an MBA from Stanford, and a BA from Yale, and is based in New York City. This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers. Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%. Full-length episodes can be found here: Can AI Fix Our Health and Our Healthcare System? The Next Revolution In Medicine: Scientific Wellness, AI And Disease Reversal The Future of Healthcare: The Role of AI and Technology
Hello, friends! I'm celebrating my 39th birthday by giving you my top, best tips that have made me so much healthier and happier in my life – tiny tweaks that have made a HUGE difference. I share science-backed, expert advice I've tested for healthy eating, exercise, habit formation, career success, relationship success, gut health, energy, and so much more! You'll also get a peek into my daily, weekly, and monthly routines. Whether you're looking for actionable tips to improve your mornings, or make your meals simpler and more intentional, this episode has something for you! Check out the previous episodes of The Liz Moody Podcast discussed today: Want to Live to 100? Start Doing These 3 Things Today to hear Eric Topol on caffeine for longevity The 3 Simple Rules That Supercharged My Success to hear about my “Never be the one to say no to yourself” mindset EMFs, Microplastics, Red Light & More: The REAL Science Behind Today's Biggest Wellness Topics to hear Dr. Vivian Chen on red light therapy Your Trickiest Healthy Eating Qs, Answered: Weight Loss, Protein, Gut Health, Longevity, And More to hear Dr. Tim Spector on fermented foods 5 Tiny Wellness Habits I've Noticed The Healthiest, Happiest People Do Differently to hear easy tips for reading more The Novelty Rule: How To Use My Neuroscience Hack That's Changing Millions Of Lives to hear my most viral social media tip Match Theory: This Simple Mindset Hack Will Transform Your Relationships & Happiness to hear how to have authentic and deep relationships Why So Many Young People Are Getting Cancer + What You Can Do TODAY To Protect Yourself to hear from Dr. Sanjay Juneja Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz's book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now! Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. Use our discount codes from our highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Pique: go to PiqueLife.com/LizMoody for up to 20% off plus a special gift. Thrive Market: visit ThriveMarket.com/LizMoody and get a $60 FREE gift today & 30% OFF your first order Masa: visit MASAchips.com/Moody and use code MOODY for 25% off your first order. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast. This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 354. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Seeing that you can get through the most difficult times in life, succeed, and then also return to your community and work in service to your community was a lesson that has stuck with me,” says Dr. Uche Blackstock, the Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity and our guest on this inspiring episode of Raise the Line with Osmosis from Elsevier. It was a lesson the Harvard-trained physician learned from her own mother – also a Harvard trained physician – who overcame poverty, sexism and racial bias to forge an inspiring path. In her bestselling book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, Dr. Blackstock weaves her mother's remarkable story with her own and argues for systemic change in a healthcare system riddled with racially-biased practices and policies that impact patient outcomes. As she explains to host Lindsey Smith, Advancing Health Equity's work to drive measurable and sustainable change is focused on embedding equity as a core value in the leadership, strategy, and organizational practice of health systems. “We exist to challenge inequities, empower underrepresented communities, and help build a healthcare system where everyone can thrive.” Don't miss a thought-provoking conversation with a nationally respected voice that also addresses race correction factors that impact the care of Black patients, and the work required of health institutions to build trust in effected communities.Mentioned in this episode:Advancing Health EquityLegacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
This week, Kristen and I go full sci-fi (but, like, the real kind) with the one and only Dr. Eric Topol—cardiologist, author, and guy who's been yelling for years that the way we do medicine is… less than ideal. We talk about how AI could transform healthcare, whether doctors are finally ready to embrace empathy, and why the average hospital still runs on fax machines and vibes. Oh—and don't worry, I made sure to ask him if AI is going to come for my job. (Spoiler: probably.) It's a hopeful, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply fascinating look at what medicine could be—if we don't screw it up. Takeaways: Why Dr. Topol believes the biggest failure in medicine isn't technology—it's the loss of empathy. How large language models (like ChatGPT) are already reshaping diagnostics and documentation. Why we should worry less about AI replacing doctors—and more about bad doctors using AI. The shocking inefficiencies still plaguing hospitals (hello, fax machines). What med schools might look like in the near future—and why humility should be part of the curriculum. — Want more Dr. Eric Topol? X: @EricTopol To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can't get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact. For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G's and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit http://www.EyelidCheck.com for more information. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Imagine a future where the aging process can be delayed and more people live active, healthy and disease-free lives well into their 90s. That reality may be sooner than you think, according to Dr. Eric Topol, author of the new book “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Ali Rogin speaks with Topol about the rapidly advancing science of healthy aging. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Imagine a future where the aging process can be delayed and more people live active, healthy and disease-free lives well into their 90s. That reality may be sooner than you think, according to Dr. Eric Topol, author of the new book “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Ali Rogin speaks with Topol about the rapidly advancing science of healthy aging. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Imagine a future where the aging process can be delayed and more people live active, healthy and disease-free lives well into their 90s. That reality may be sooner than you think, according to Dr. Eric Topol, author of the new book “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Ali Rogin speaks with Topol about the rapidly advancing science of healthy aging. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
“Pandemics are a political choice. We will not be able to prevent every disease outbreak or epidemic but we can prevent an epidemic from becoming a pandemic,” says Dr. Joanne Liu, the former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders and a professor in the School of Population and Global Health at McGill University. You are in for a lot of that sort of frank and clear-eyed analysis in this episode of Raise the Line from Dr. Liu, whose perspective is rooted in decades of experience providing medical care on the frontlines of major humanitarian and health crises across the globe, as well as wrangling with world leaders to produce more effective responses to those crises and to stop attacks on medical facilities and aid workers in conflict zones. Firsthand accounts from the bedside to the halls of power are captured in her new book Ebola, Bombs and Migrants, which focuses on the most significant issues during her tenure leading MSF from 2013-2019. The book also contains insights about the geopolitical realities that hamper this work, including lax enforcement of international humanitarian law, and a focus on national security that erodes global solidarity. Join host Lindsey Smith as she interviews this leading voice on our preparedness to meet the needs of those impacted by violent conflict, forced migration, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other grave challenges. If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
On this week's Tech Nation, Moira speaks with Dr. Eric Topol, professor and executive vice president at Scripps Research, about his book, “Super Agers … An Evidence‑Based Approach to Longevity.” Then, Dr. Raza Bokhari, the CEO of Medicus Pharma, discusses an innovative treatment that could replace Mohs surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
In part two of our interview with Eric Topol, author of the New York Times bestseller Super Agers, we cover how to get a good night's sleep, why one day everyone may take GLP-1s, and how AI is poised to transform medicine. 1️⃣ Missed Part 1? Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
“As parents dedicated to getting a treatment for our children in their lifetimes, we have turned the rare disease drug development landscape upside down and created a new model,” says Nicole Johnson, co-founder and executive director of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. That's not an exaggeration, as the foundation is on track to make history as it begins patient clinical trials on a gene replacement therapy next year. The former TV news producer and media executive unexpectedly entered the world of patient advocacy and drug research after her daughter, Josie, was born with FOXG1, a genetic disorder which causes severe seizures and impedes normal movement, speech, and sleep among other problems. Johnson is also making an impact in another important dimension of the rare disease space in her efforts to educate parents, teachers, and students about disability inclusion through her Joyfully Josie book series and “Live Joyfully” education programs. Tune-in to this fascinating Year of the Zebra conversation with host Lindsey Smith to find out how the foundation is aiming to bring a drug to market in less than half the time and at a fraction of the cost than the industry standard, and how this model might impact research on other rare disorders. Mentioned in this episode:FOXG1 Research FoundationJoyfully Josie Book If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
On this episode of The Doctor Hyman Show, I sit down with Dr. Eric Topol—renowned cardiologist, geneticist, and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute—to talk about the future of disease prevention. From AI diagnostics to genetic risk scoring, we explore the tools that could help stop Alzheimer's and other chronic diseases before they start. This is one of the most hopeful conversations I've had about what's ahead. Watch it on YouTube here. We discuss: • How new diagnostics and AI tools could help detect Alzheimer's early • The key lab tests and biomarkers to know—and how to talk to your doctor about them • Why tracking your health data over time matters more than you think • What you can do to strengthen your immune system and lower disease risk We have more power than ever to take control of our health. This episode shows you where to start. View Show Notes From This Episode Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman's Weekly Longevity Journal https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Resultshttps://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Seed, Pique, fatty15 and AirDoctor. Visit seed.com/hyman and use code 25HYMAN for 25% off your first month of Seed's DS-01® Daily Synbiotic. Receive 20% off FOR LIFE + a free Starter Kit with a rechargeable frother and glass beaker at Piquelife com/Hyman. Head to fatty15.com/hyman and use code HYMAN for 15% off your 90-day subscription Starter Kit.Get cleaner air. Right now, you can get up to $300 off at airdoctorpro.com/drhyman.
Today's episode is the cheat sheet you've been waiting for.If you're confused by all the conflicting health advice – from keto to vegan, biohacking, to hormone tracking – this is your reset. Mel did the heavy lifting for you, analyzing 53 conversations with the world's leading health experts to pinpoint exactly what matters most for your health, energy, and longevity. The result? 3 simple, science-backed habits that every single expert agrees are the most important for your health and happiness.You'll hear directly from:-Dr. Eric Topol, one of the most renowned health researchers in the world, on how exercise can reverse your biological age. -Dr. Vonda Wright, top orthopedic surgeon and women's health expert, with a simple, no-cost workout plan you can do at any age with no gym required. -Dr. Shefali, top clinical psychologist, on how your devices are stealing your time, energy, and peace of mind, and what to do about it -Dr. Laurie Santos, the top professor at Yale and a happiness expert, on the surprising secret to happiness — and better health. Forget complicated routines or expensive supplements. If you've ever thought, "Could someone please just tell me what works?", consider this your answer. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, you'll love the full episodes with each of the doctors interviewed today:Dr. Eric Topol: Advice From the #1 Longevity Doctor: Add 10 Years to Your Life With 3 Simple HabitsDr. Vonda Wright: Look, Feel, & Stay Young Forever: #1 Orthopedic Surgeon's Proven ProtocolDr. Shefali: You Learn This Too Late: This One Idea Might Change Your Entire LifeDr. Laurie Santos: The Science of Well-Being: Powerful Happiness Hacks That 5 Million People Are UsingConnect with Mel: Get Mel's #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel's personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer
On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 22nd of July, a new medical school in Waikato has finally been greenlit – the Waikato University Vice Chancellor and Health Minister discuss the course. Netball New Zealand is changing the eligibility rules to allow players to play in Australia for the domestic season and still represent the Silver Ferns. Longevity expert Dr Eric Topol talks our health habits, red wine, chocolate, and if blue zones are fact or fiction. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People are becoming increasingly more interested in living longer. Health, wellness, dieting, and fitness are more and more prominent on social media, and health monitoring technology are becoming increasingly popular. Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol has been researching longevity for decades, and is considered to be one of the top five voices on the subject. He's just released his latest book, ‘Super Agers', a detailed guide to living a longer, healthier life. Topol told Mike Hosking it's not necessarily about living longer, but rather extending the years someone lives with intact health. He says living to 90 and being perfectly health throughout ought to be more important than trying to live to 110 and having many years of dementia, or profound frailty, or poor quality of life. Although there are revolutions happening in regards to anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications, Topol says it's never going to be as simple as a pill. Things like lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, microplastics, and forever chemicals also need to be controlled, he explains. Listen to the full interview for a detailed explanation of health, longevity, and the new developments in the medical sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For years, cardiologist Eric Topol hunted for the rarest people in America: those over 80 who had never been sick. When he finally found 1,400 of them, he made a shocking discovery. It wasn't their genes. These "super agers" were often the last ones standing in families where everyone else died decades earlier. So what separates people who live into their 80s or 90s feeling great from those who battle chronic disease? In his new book, Super Agers, Eric reveals what the science actually shows, shares practical advice you can use at any age, and takes on the bro scientists selling false promises along the way. This is part one of our interview with Eric. Part two will be available right here next week. If you can't until then, you can listen now on the Next Big Idea app: https://nextbigideaclub.com/app/
Today on Raise the Line, we bring you the unlikely and inspiring story of a woman who was afraid of blood as a child but became an accomplished nurse; who struggled with learning disabilities but became an effective educator; and who, despite lacking business experience or knowledge of graphics, built a successful company that produces visually rich educational materials for nurses and other providers. “I think the theme of my life has been I have struggled with learning, and I didn't want other people to struggle,” says Jennifer Zahourek, RN, the founder and CEO of RekMed which has developed a sequential, interactive learning system that includes illustrated planners, books, and videos used by millions of students and providers. The initial focus was to provide nurses with everything they needed to know from “the basics to the bedside” but RekMed now offers content for medics, respiratory therapists, medical assistants, and veterinarians as well. Driven by her belief in the power of visual learning and her “just freakin' do it” attitude, Jennifer overcame her fear of launching a business and quickly realized just how well nursing had prepared her for the hard work and unpredictability of entrepreneurship. “Nursing teaches you how to just be resilient, to pivot, to delegate, to work on a team and to handle high stress. I think nurses could literally be some of the best entrepreneurs on the planet,” she tells host Lindsey Smith. Tune in to this lively and valuable conversation as Jennifer shares lessons from bootstrapping a publishing company, insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare education, and advice on embracing change in nursing, especially with the expanding role of AI. Mentioned in this episode:RekMed If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
Cardiologist and author Eric Topol discusses his article, "What super agers can teach us about longevity and health span," which is an excerpt from his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. He introduces the critical difference between lifespan (total years lived) and health span (years lived in optimal health). Eric shares the surprising results of his "Wellderly" study, which sequenced the genomes of over a thousand healthy adults over age eighty. The study found that their exceptional health was not primarily due to protective genes, but was instead strongly correlated with lifestyle factors like being thinner, exercising more, and having robust social connections. Contrasting this group with the 60 percent of U.S. adults who have at least one chronic disease, he argues that the goal shouldn't just be a long life, but a long and healthy one. The conversation clarifies two paths to this goal—slowing aging itself or delaying disease—and makes the case that focusing on preventing and delaying chronic illness is the most evidence-based approach we can all take to maximize our health span. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
Daphne Koller, Noubar Afeyan, and Dr. Eric Topol, leaders in AI-driven medicine, discuss how AI is changing biomedical research and discovery, from accelerating drug target identification and biotech R&D to helping pursue the “holy grail” of a virtual cell.Show notes
“Very often, doctors try to suppress what they feel or don't even have the vocabulary to describe their emotions,” says Professor Alicja Galazka of the University of Silesia, an observation based on decades of work with physicians to enhance their emotional intelligence and resilience. Galazka, a psychotherapist, psychologist, lecturer and coach, believes this deficit is rooted in part in a lack of instruction in the internal and external psychological dimensions of being a medical provider. “There is not enough space created in medical school for teaching and training students about how to deal with their own stress and all of the skills connected to building relationships with patients,” she tells host Michael Carrese. Those same skills are also critical to working effectively as a member of a care team, which is an increasingly common arrangement in hospitals and clinics. Galazka employs simulations, dramatic role-playing, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other methods in her work with an eye on increasing the emotional agility and sensitivity of her trainees and clients. Tune in to this thoughtful episode of Raise the Line to hear Galazka's ideas on how to reshape medical training, why she is a proponent of narrative medicine, and the merits of embedding psychologists on care teams as a resource for both patients and providers. Mentioned in this episode:University of SilesiaInternational Association of Coaching Institutes If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast
When it comes to medical science, there's never been a better time to be alive than now… other than maybe a few months ago before the new Trump administration. Americans today are living longer than ever before, and that's owed in no small part to the National Institutes of Health—a government organization that has been responsible for some of the most significant biomedical advancements in the history of healthcare. Unfortunately, the Trump administration just virtually annihilated the NIH, and sentient gob of clay and anti-vax charlatan RFK Jr. is now in charge of the future of American health. To figure how how to navigate this insane dichotomy of medical potential and squandered medical possibility, Adam speaks with Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and scientist, and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. Dr. Topol's book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity, explores the cutting edge advancements in living longer, healthier lives—advancements which are now in jeopardy. Find Dr. Topol's book at factuallypod.com/books--SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconoverSEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdates/SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Factually! on:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factually-with-adam-conover/id1463460577» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fK8WJw4ffMc2NWydBlDyJAbout Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum» Advertise on Factually! via Gumball.fmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Gil and Eric discuss Eric's book, Super Agers, and the inspiration behind it: a 98-year-old patient who exemplified healthy aging. They explore the five dimensions of healthspan optimization: lifestyle, omics, the immune system, and the role of data and AI in personalized medicine. Eric highlights how AI can analyze multi-layered data to provide personalized recommendations for preventing age-related diseases.The conversation also explores the importance of exercise, sleep, and social connection for healthy aging, as well as the risks associated with high-dose statins. Eric emphasizes the need for a shift towards preventative care, using data and AI to identify and address individual risks. He stresses the power of lifestyle changes, rather than supplements, in improving long-term health outcomes. Guest-at-a-Glance
We need to redefine what a vacation is and make certain it is something more than just a trip or time off. Let's get serious about supporting our well-being and creating the conditions so that we can grow our mind, body, spirit and soul. Join us as we reframe taking a vacation and create moments that just "take you away" from the things in life that don't add to who you are. Books: Careless People, Sarah Wynn Williams On Character, Gen. Stanley McCrystal Casting Forward, Steve Ramirez Super Agers, Eric Topol
Bruce the Bat Dog ‘swings' by Studio 1A with trainer, Josh Snyder to spread paw-sitivity – and love for Dylan. Also, NYT best-selling author Dr. Eric Topol delves into the science behind long, healthy living in new book ‘Super Agers.' Plus, Luna Blaise dishes on intense filming and muaythai boxing classes for ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth' role. And, 3rd Hour taps into summer plant care with propagation expert and author, Hilton Carter.
What if we could delay--or even prevent--Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart disease? What if much of what you know about aging is wrong? Listen as cardiologist and author Eric Topol of the Scripps Research Institute talks about his new book Super Agers with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. They discuss why your genes matter less than you think, how your immune system can help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's, and why a simple shingles vaccine could reduce the risk of dementia. From the surprising anti-inflammatory powers of Ozempic to the critical importance of deep sleep for brain detoxification, Topol shares insights that can extend your healthy lifespan.
Ever noticed how some people get to their 80s and 90s and continue to be healthy and active? They spend their days playing mahjong, driving to lunch, learning shuffle dancing, and practicing Portuguese. Those are “super agers,” seniors who stay fit well into old age. How do they do it? Is it luck or genetics? In this live broadcast, Hosts Flora Lichtman and Ira Flatow discuss the science of aging with two experts on the topic, cardiologist Eric Topol and neuroscientist Emily Rogalski.Guests:Dr. Eric Topol is an author, practicing cardiologist at the Scripps Clinic, and a genomics professor at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.Dr. Emily Rogalski is a clinical and cognitive neuroscientist, and the director of the Healthy Aging & Alzheimer's Research Care Center at the University of Chicago.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
Americans are unusually overweight and chronically ill compared to similarly rich countries. This episode presents a grand, unified theory for why that's the case. Our food environment has become significantly more calorie-rich and industrialized in the past few decades, sending our obesity rates soaring, our visceral fat levels rising, and our chronic inflammation surging. The result is an astonishing rise in chronic illness in America. That's the bad news. The good news is that GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic and Zepbound, seem to be astonishingly successful at reversing many of these trends. This episode blends two interviews with Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Eric Topol. Kessler was the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under the Bush and Clinton administrations, from 1990 to 1997. He helped lead Operation Warp Speed in its final months. He is the author of the book 'Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine.' Topol is a cardiologist and the founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. He is the author of the book 'Super Agers.' If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guests: Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Eric Topol Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our genes don't really determine how well we'll age in later life — and that's good news. Dr. Eric Topol is executive vice president and a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, the largest nonprofit biomedical institute in the United States. He's also a practicing cardiologist, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the study of what he calls the “wellderly” – those people who age to 80 without chronic disease – and the findings that he says can help us all reach that milestone. His book is “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Can you maintain good health into your 80s and beyond? Cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol says yes. He joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta explain why preventing the onset of major diseases is key to extending your life and health-span. And he shares the new screening tools that might help us do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Eric Topol (Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity) is a cardiologist, researcher, and author. Eric returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss being Monica's epilepsy consultant after their early interview, recent findings suggesting that AI aids doctors in providing better care, and an intense gag order suppressing getting a detrimental drug taken off the market. Eric and Dax talk about hospital beds that can monitor people as they sleep, no one having yet done a healthy aging study of genomics, and the true anecdote that inspired him to write his new book. Eric explains creating a segue to effectively prevent diseases we never could before, how Viagra was initially a failed blood pressure medication, and why despite troubling trends in diseases he remains optimistic about the future of aging.Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Newt talks with Dr. Eric Topol about his new book, "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity." They discuss the revolution in human longevity driven by medical breakthroughs, highlighting the importance of addressing chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration earlier in life. Dr. Topol emphasizes a broader definition of a healthy lifestyle, incorporating factors such as pollution, loneliness, and social connection. He advocates for personalized nutrition over a one-size-fits-all approach and warns against the dangers of ultra-processed foods, which contribute to inflammation and age-related diseases. Their conversation also addresses the role of artificial intelligence in transforming healthcare from a reactive system to one focused on prevention, utilizing AI to assess individual risks and promote healthy aging. Dr. Topol discusses the significance of deep sleep, nature exposure, and social interactions in maintaining mental and physical health. Their discussion concludes with a call to action for a healthcare revolution, prioritizing prevention and lifestyle changes to extend health span and reduce healthcare costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.