The Dr. Hyman Show

The Real Reason You Age (And How to Slow It Down) | Dr. Eric Verdin

73 snips
May 6, 2026
Dr. Eric Verdin, physician-scientist and CEO of the Buck Institute known for research on mitochondria and compounds like urolithin A, dives into why aging underlies major diseases. He discusses inflammation, immune aging, mitochondrial health, mitophagy, the microbiome’s role, and daily habits that shape longevity. Short, science-forward conversation about shifting from treating disease to targeting aging’s root causes.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Immune Aging Drives Whole-Body Aging

  • Immune system aging alone can drive organismal aging; organ-specific proteomic clocks show immune system and brain age predict lifespan.
  • The immune system is distributed across tissues and half of it resides in the gut, making it central to whole-body aging.
ADVICE

Feed Your Microbiome With Fiber And Prebiotics

  • Eat a fiber-rich, whole-food diet or supplement with prebiotics to feed beneficial gut microbes.
  • Most people consume far too little fiber; targeting 30–50 g/day (or more) supports a healthier microbiome and immune education.
ADVICE

Do The Foundational Lifestyle Work First

  • Prioritize foundational, evidence-based lifestyle measures before chasing unproven supplements or 'quick fixes'.
  • Sleep, stress management, whole foods, exercise, social connection, and toxin reduction are proven longevity levers.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app