#311 ‒ Longevity 101: a foundational guide to Peter's frameworks for longevity, and understanding CVD, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and more
Release Date: 07/29/2024
The Peter Attia Drive
In this special episode of The Drive, Peter joins a unique conversation inspired by his daughter’s volunteer experience at a senior care center, where she formed meaningful relationships with residents curious about healthspan, lifespan, and strategies for living well as they age. Peter engages directly with the residents, covering critical topics like the profound impact of exercise—particularly strength training— for maintaining mobility, preventing falls, and preserving independence later in life. He also discusses the importance of nutrition, emphasizing adequate protein intake,...
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Ashley Mason is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor at UCSF, where she leads the Sleep, Eating, and Affect (SEA) Laboratory. In this episode, Ashley provides a masterclass on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), detailing techniques like time in bed restriction, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring to improve sleep. She explains how to manage racing thoughts and anxiety, optimize sleep environments, and use practical tools like sleep diaries to track progress. She also offers detailed guidance on sleep hygiene; explores the impact of temperature...
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In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter explores the complex world of supplements by introducing a practical framework for evaluating their effectiveness and relevance to individual health needs. Rather than providing a simple list of recommendations, Peter aims to equip listeners with the tools to critically assess supplements on their own. He then applies this framework to discuss research on several popular supplements, including creatine, fish oil, vitamin D, B vitamins, and ashwagandha. Additionally, he covers key factors in assessing supplement quality, helping listeners...
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Jeff English is a trauma-focused clinical counselor with extensive experience working with adults, teens, families, and groups across various settings, including career counseling, life coaching, addiction recovery, professional workshops, and private practice. In this episode, Jeff shares insights from his work as a trauma therapist, exploring how moments of perceived helplessness shape behaviors and how adaptive strategies can become maladaptive over time. He discusses the concept of the “trauma tree,” examining its roots (causes) and branches (consequences), and highlights a powerful...
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In this quarterly podcast summary (QPS) episode, Peter summarizes his biggest takeaways from the last three months of guest interviews on the podcast. Peter shares key insights from his discussions on diverse topics such as aerobic efficiency and VO2 max with Olav Aleksander Bu; insulin resistance with Ralph DeFronzo; economics of the US healthcare system and cost-saving strategies with Saum Sutaria; diagnosis and treatment of autism, ADHD, and anxiety in children with Trenna Sutcliffe; and strength training with Mike Israetel. Additionally, Peter shares any personal behavioral adjustments...
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Ralph DeFronzo is a distinguished diabetes researcher and clinician whose groundbreaking work on insulin resistance has reshaped the understanding and treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this episode, Ralph shares insights from his five decades of research, including his pivotal role in bringing metformin to the U.S. and developing SGLT2 inhibitors. Ralph explores the impacts of insulin resistance on specific organs, the pharmacologic interventions available, and the gold-standard euglycemic clamp method for measuring insulin resistance. This episode is a masterclass in the pathophysiology and...
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In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter tackles a diverse set of listener-submitted questions, covering a wide range of health and performance topics. He dives into assessing cardiovascular health, discussing key biomarkers and risk factors, and breaks down various fasting approaches, including time-restricted eating and prolonged fasting. The conversation also explores the impact of alcohol on health and disease risk, fundamental principles of nutrition, and optimal protein intake. Additionally, he examines the pros and cons of ketogenic and low-carb diets, strategies for...
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Mike Israetel is a sports physiologist, competitive bodybuilder, and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, where he coaches athletes and professionals in diet and weight training. In this episode, Mike shares his journey from powerlifting to academia, breaking down the core principles of resistance training, including exercise selection, volume, intensity, and frequency. He debunks common misconceptions about strength training, explains how to structure an effective program for beginners and advanced lifters, and provides candid insights into his experience with anabolic steroids,...
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Tom Dayspring is a world-renowned expert in clinical lipidology and a previous guest on The Drive. In this episode, Tom explores the foundations of atherosclerosis and why atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide for both men and women. He examines how the disease develops from a pathological perspective and discusses key risk factors, including often-overlooked contributors such as insulin resistance and chronic kidney disease. He breaks down the complexities of cholesterol and lipoproteins—including LDL, VLDL, IDL, and HDL—with an in-depth...
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In this special episode of The Drive, Peter introduces a brand-new roundtable format. Joined by three renowned experts in longevity science—Steven Austad, Richard Miller, and Matt Kaeberlein—the group explores the rapidly evolving field of geroscience. Together, they dive deep into topics like the relationship between healthspan and lifespan, evaluating interventions like rapamycin and senolytics, the role of epigenetic changes in aging, and whether GLP-1 receptor agonists hold geroprotective potential. They also tackle major challenges in funding and public acceptance of longevity...
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In this special episode, Peter provides a comprehensive introduction to longevity, perfect for newcomers or those looking to refresh their knowledge. He lays out the foundational concepts of lifespan, healthspan, and the marginal decade. Additionally, Peter discusses the four main causes of death and their prevention, as well as detailing the five key strategies in his longevity toolkit to improve lifespan and healthspan. Detailed show notes provide links for deeper exploration of these topics, making it an ideal starting point for anyone interested in understanding and improving their longevity.
We discuss:
- Key points about starting exercise as an older adult [2:45];
- Overview of episode topics and structure [1:45];
- How Peter defines longevity [3:45];
- Why healthspan is a crucial component of longevity [11:15];
- The evolution of medicine from medicine 1.0 to 2.0, and the emergence of medicine 3.0 [15:30];
- Overview of atherosclerotic diseases: the 3 pathways of ASCVD, preventative measures, and the impact of metabolic health [26:00];
- Cancer: genetic and environmental factors, treatment options, and the importance of early and aggressive screening [33:15];
- Neurodegenerative diseases: causes, prevention, and the role of genetics and metabolic health [39:30];
- The spectrum of metabolic diseases [43:15];
- Why it’s never too late to start thinking about longevity [44:15];
- The 5 components of the longevity toolkit [46:30];
- Peter’s framework for exercise—The Centenarian Decathlon [47:45];
- Peter’s nutritional framework: energy balance, protein intake, and more [58:45];
- Sleep: the vital role of sleep in longevity, and how to improve sleep habits [1:08:30];
- Drugs and supplements: Peter’s framework for thinking about drugs and supplements as tools for enhancing longevity [1:13:30];
- Why emotional health is a key component of longevity [1:17:00];
- Advice for newcomers on where to start on their longevity journey [1:19:30]; and
- More.
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