logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
1h 38m

#274 Why we age and what we can do to st...

DR RUPY AUJLA
About this episode

Six conditions cause the majority of deaths in the world, these include dementia and cardiovascular disease. Traditionally, we’ve looked at these conditions through the lens of what goes wrong individually, such as blocked arteries around the heart or tangles of proteins that impair electrical signalling in the brain. But the common denominator is actually ageing.


As grandiose and esoteric as that sounds, ageing and the processes that govern ageing are what we need to be tackling if we want to better manage or even prevent these conditions of older age.


And with me to discuss why and how we age is Richard Faragher. He’s Professor of Biological Gerontology at the University of Brighton, and has dedicated his career to understanding the ageing process and what we can do to improve this inevitable phase of life.


As you can tell from today's episode, Richard is a passionate advocate for older people and can wax lyrical about the history of the gerontology field.


A few definitions before we dive into the episode I think will be helpful for people who are new to the research.


There are agreed “hallmarks” of ageing that are a description of processes, such as metabolism and DNA repair functions, that go awry as we grow older. Ageing is caused by these changes at the molecular level that lead to downstream effects like disease and degeneration.


Cell senescence is what happens at the end of a cell's lifespan, where they become dysfunctional and need to be removed by immune cells. However in older age, it can become more troublesome for your immune system to clear away these senescent cells and increasing inflammation ensues.


Senolytics are compounds or drugs that have been designed to selectively eliminate these senescent cells. And the hope is that they can mitigate a range of age-associated conditions like arthritis, cataracts, dementia and more.


Trigger warning. We discuss a graphic analogy for senescent cells using suicide, so I just wanted to give a heads up for anyone who might find that analogy uncomfortable.



🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here

📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app for free*

🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website


*The Doctor's Kitchen App gives you access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs and new recipes added every month. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far and we have new features being added all the time - check it out with a 14 day free trial too.


Do check out this week’s “Eat, Listen, Read” newsletter, that you can subscribe to on our website - where I send you a recipe to cook as well as some mindfully curated media to help you have a healthier, happier week.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
#305 How to Choose the Right Probiotic for You and How They Work | Dr. Megan Rossi PhD
Let’s unpack the world of probiotics. What they are, how they work, and who might actually benefit from taking them.Today you’ll learn about the science behind probiotic strains, explore whether fermented foods like kefir and kimchi are enough, and discuss when probiotics may hel ... Show More
1h 17m
Jul 2
#304 Is Red Meat Actually That Unhealthy? with Dr Kevin Maki PhD
If you ordered a steak at a restaurant are you essentially ordering a heart attack or a nutrient-rich whole food?Few foods spark more debate than red meat. It’s been blamed for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, but some people praise it for being high in iron, zinc, vitamin B12 ... Show More
1h 35m
Jun 25
#303 Allergies, Intolerances and Food Fear: What You Really Need to Know about Testing and Treatment with Dr Helen Evans-Howells
Are you truly allergic to dairy or just intolerant? Can headaches, joint pain or fatigue be signs of hidden allergies? And what about those online food intolerance tests? Can you trust them?In this episode, Dr Helen brings clarity and evidence to the confusing world of food aller ... Show More
2h 7m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
260: How to Slow Down Aging with Chris Mirabile
Can you really slow down the rate at which you age? In this episode, we delve into the realm of longevity health with Chris Mirabelli, a renowned entrepreneur and longevity expert. Tune in to discover actionable tips for optimizing your own health span, including why the Mediterr ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2024
Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity with Dr. David Sinclair
In this episode of Longevity by Design, our host Dr. Gil Blander speaks with Dr. David Sinclair, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, about the science behind aging and how we can extend both lifespan and healthspan. Dr. Sinclair shares his groundbreaking research o ... Show More
46m 23s
Jun 2019
#046 Dr. Elissa Epel on Telomeres and the Role of Stress Biology in Cellular Aging
Elissa Epel Elissa Epel, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco where she serves as the director of the Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center. Her research centers on the mechanisms of healthy aging and the associations ... Show More
1h 13m
Sep 2024
Unlock the Secrets to Healthy Ageing, Surprising Heart Health Risks, and Anti-Inflammatory Superfoods
Are you starting to notice the signs of ageing? Worried about the changes happening in your body as you hit your 40s and beyond? In this week’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Susie Burrell and Leanne Ward reveal groundbreaking research that identifies two key life sta ... Show More
34m 52s
Feb 2025
The Best Kept Secret About Aging Powerfully
The statistics about aging can be frightening – from plummeting bone density to cognitive decline and muscle loss. But I'm here to tell you there's a revolutionary approach to aging that turns these scary numbers on their head. Today, I share how a positive mindset alone can add ... Show More
25m 14s
Feb 2025
Transform Your Metabolism: The Mind-Body Connection You Can't Ignore with Ben Azadi
"It's a victim mindset to identify yourself with something that's holding you back." -Ben Azadi I had an incredible in-person conversation with Ben Azadi that's going to revolutionize how you think about your metabolism. Ben's journey from obesity and depression to becoming a lea ... Show More
1h 13m
Dec 2024
Reverse Aging Now: The Latest Longevity Breakthroughs | Dr. Eric Verdin
What if aging wasn’t inevitable, but something you could slow—or even reverse? In this episode of “The Dr. Hyman Show,” Dr. Eric Verdin, the president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and I dive deep into the science of longevity. Discover how lifestyle choices, mitoc ... Show More
1h 12m
Oct 2024
How To Use Food To Heal Your Body, Boost Brain Health, Improve Circulation & Live Longer with Dr William Li #485
How much power do your food choices really have over your health? You probably already know that your diet can hugely influence how well you feel, but did you know that the food you choose to eat can change the make-up of your entire body, all the way down to the health of your c ... Show More
1h 44m
Mar 2025
#342 ‒ Aging well: Peter shares strategies for improving longevity with residents at a senior living center
View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter’s Weekly Newsletter In this special episode of The Drive, Peter joins a unique conversation inspired by his daughter’s volunteer experience at a senior care center, whe ... Show More
43m 33s
Apr 2022
Q & A Podcast on Healing From Long COVID, Seasonal Allergies, Hashimoto's & Liver/Gallbladder Health
Today’s episode is brought to you by Paleovalley’s Organ Complex, my favorite way to get a full spectrum of traditional superfoods, loaded with nutrients, into your body faster, easier, and without having to tolerate the taste (or cooking for that matter). Here's the part you'll ... Show More
58m 12s