Rooted in Wellness with Mona Sharma 106. Dave Watumull on Inflammaging: The Thing Speeding Up Aging That No ‘Healthy Habit’ Fixes
Most people blame “getting older” when they wake up foggy, achy, and running on fumes—but the real issue is usually inflammaging: low-grade inflammation + oxidative stress quietly stacking up while you’re busy doing “all the right things.” And the wild part is the longevity world keeps selling “more hacks,” when what you actually need is to fix what’s driving the burnout inside your system first.
We dive deeper into this in the Rooted in Wellness with Mona Sharma with Dave Watumull. We also chat about what’s real vs. expensive hype in longevity, why government-funded research matters, and what to look for in an astaxanthin supplement so you’re not wasting money on something your body barely absorbs.
Dave Watumull is the co-founder and CEO of AX3 Life. He has 25+ years of experience in astaxanthin research, development, and commercialization. He has contributed to human clinical research and has been involved in lifespan/healthspan research discussions referenced in the episode.
What’s Discussed:
00:00 — Sugar amounts, pronunciation, background, and the “rooted” theme
03:10 — Feeling rooted vs. uprooted: why mornings spiral when you start with your phone
07:40 — Rapid fire: the biggest longevity myth, what actually moves the needle, and what most people don’t track
12:30 — Oxidative stress + inflammation, explained in plain English (and why it feels like “aging overnight”)
23:20 — Why astaxanthin stands out: how it works differently than common antioxidants
34:10 — Longevity noise check: what’s real science vs. expensive hype (rapamycin, NAD, etc.
44:30 — Supplement quality + bioavailability: why absorption matters and what makes AX3 different
55:20 — Dosing, food sources (salmon), digestion, safety, and who should be cautious
Thank you to our sponsors:
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Learn more about Mona Sharma:
Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.
Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation.
Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma.
Learn more about Dave Watumull:
Website: https://ax3.life
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davewatumull/