Live Long and Master Aging

By Peter BowesImagine reconnecting with an old school friend, reminiscing about the good old days, and discovering you share a deep interest in health and longevity? That's exactly what happened when I caught up with Peter Allison, my classmate from the 1970s. We took a trip down memory lane, discussing our school days  - the good, the bad and the ugly - including our knack for avoiding physical education by playing chess. Beyond the nostalgia, Peter and I explored how to optimize our health as we age, and what we've learned so far. This is the first of a regular series of conversations, not so much turning back, but looking forward to the next chapter in our lives. Peter A. is a geology professor, well used to analyzing scientific papers, and together we will be casting our inquisitive but critical eyes over the latest longevity research.Topics covered in this conversation include:Peter Bowes and Peter Allison discuss their school days and memories of their time together, including their shared dislike of physical education and love of learning.Peter A. recounts the encouragement he received to chase his dreams and how aging could impact his physical aspirations moving forward.Peter A. shares his career journey as an academic and geologist, highlighting his passion for ecological research and diving.Challenges with weight and muscle loss as we grow older,The importance of finding a project to focus on during retirement and shared the lessons learned in pursuit of personal growth.Experimenting with fasting methodsThe importance of resistance training and weight lifting, and how it can help us maintain our health as we age.New research: The potential benefits of taurine for extending life and improving health, noting the dosage of taurine required for potential benefits is much higher than would be practical for human consumption. New research: Napping and long life, plus the role genetics play in our sleep sensitivities. DISCOUNTS▸ The aging process affects our cells much earlier than you might think - it leads to a slower metabolism, lower energy and weaker muscles.  The Swiss longevity brand Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 10% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength. Use the code LLAMA at checkoutFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Tuesdays with Morrie touched countless hearts and inspired millions around the world to try to live better lives. Now, almost three decades later, a new book, The Wisdom of Morrie, written by Morrie Schwartz and edited by his son, Rob, reintroduces us to the man whose wisdom and humanity left an indelible mark. Morrie Schwartz was a writer and a professor of sociology. Late in life he developed Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS. Having seen Morrie on television, talking about his terminal illness, the writer Mitch Albom reconnected with his former professor and began visiting him every Tuesday. They talked about life and death - love, happiness, regret, aging, family, forgiveness, and spirituality. Morrie died, at the age of 78, in 1995. Based on their conversations, Albom wrote Tuesdays and it became a best-seller. Posthumously, Morrie enjoyed a global following and was loved around the world.In this interview, Rob Schwartz reveals how he discovered his late father's completed manuscript for a book on how to live and age well.  He tells us how he set about editing Morrie's words, which explore questions of identity, meaning, purpose, and humanity.  He also shares his thoughts on his dad's unique legacy.   Photos: Courtesy, The Schwartz familyTopics covered in this conversation with Rob Schwartz include: The cultural impact of Tuesdays With Morrie How the book became a global phenomenon How Rob edited his father's unpublished writings, in The Wisdom of Morrie. How this treasure trove of insights aims to help people of any age live more joyfully and creativelyThe value of being intentional about our actions and thoughtsAgeism in society. The importance of celebrating the aging process, embracing the idea that growing older is a privilege, and how an optimistic outlook can lead to a longer and healthier lifeNavigating issues such as time and cherishing every momentDispelling the notion that it is too late in life to do anything The essential role of relationships in our lives and the challenges we face in expressing our emotions and caring for those closest to usAcknowledging our regrets, learning from them, and living our lives in a way that positively looks to the futureDISCOUNTS▸ The aging process affects our cells much earlier than you might think - it leads to a slower metabolism, lower energy and weaker muscles.  The Swiss longevity brand Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 10% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength. Use the code LLAMA at checkoutFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Imagine a future where you can support your body's aging process through nutrition, instead of pharmaceuticals. Chris Rinsch co-founded Amazentis, the Swiss life science company behind Timeline, to do just that. Timeline, as we have previously reported, supports mitochondrial function and muscle strength. The essential ingredient is Mitopure, a synthetic, highly pure form of the gut metabolite urolithin A. At the LLAMA podcast, we have been been following Timeline's progress since before the product went on the market in 2020, although Chris's adventure with the company - and the science - started more than fifteen years ago.  It has been a fascinating journey - from the laboratory to the human body. For this interview, LLAMA host Peter Bowes traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland to meet Chris and the team behind Timeline, which is a sponsor of this episode.Topics covered in this conversation include: The development of Timeline and the science behind functional foodsHow Mitopure, a highly pure form of Urolithin A, can help boost cell health and muscle strength as we age.The potential health benefits of pomegranate phytochemicalsHow advanced nutrition can help us manage the aging process.The importance of industry and research collaboration in bringing innovative products to lifeThe financial involvement necessary for conducting clinical trials. The rise in popularity of the term "longevity" and why a holistic approach to healthspan – living as long as possible with optimum health – is the key to living a long and healthy life. The clinical studies supporting Timeline's effectivenessChris and Peter's personal experiences with the productThe future for next-generation nutrition and longevityDISCOUNT ON TIMELINE▸ Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 10% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength.  Use the code LLAMA at checkoutRelated episodes:Prof. David Marcinek: Improving muscle endurance to age betterProf. Louise Burke: Optimizing big muscle health in athletesDr. Julie Andersen: Could better gut health help prevent Alzheimer’s?Dr. David Katz: Robust health beyond the pandemicProf. Stuart Phillips: Boosting physical strength as we ageDr. Stephanie Blum: Embracing and marketing the science of wellbeingProf. Johan Auwerx: Enjoying youthful vitality as we ageDr. Navindra Seeram: The rejuvenating power of plantsProf. Patrick Aebischer: A novel molecule to promote longevityDr. Anurag Singh: Pomegranates, muscle mass and healthy agingSupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Loneliness kills. Just like cigarettes. Social isolation is such a problem that it is shortening lives and US health officials have declared it to be an epidemic. Earlier this month, the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy said: "It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. We're publishing this interview on Memorial Day in the US - a public holiday which for many people is a day of socialization, family gatherings and fun events away from work.  But what if you're alone today?  What are you thinking? Laura Putnam is the founder of Motion Infusion - a company with a mission to bring movement to the workplace.  She's also an advocate for measures to combat the loneliness and isolation that many people feel through a lack of social connections. In this interview we cover: What if you could ward off the killer diseases of old age by simply strengthening your social connectionsLaura delves into the vital importance of love and connection for happiness and longevity and shares her mission to leverage workplaces to promote better health and well-being.We reveal the surprising link between social isolation and life-threatening diseases.Why poor health and well-being are taking a toll on communities and populations and what can we do to change the situation? The moral case for workplace health improvementLaura debunks the myth of fear-based motivation, and discussed how to use everyday language to engage people and guide them towards making significant lifestyle changes. We bridge the gap between recognizing the value of health and actually taking action to ensure our well-being.The importance of community buildingHow to mitigate feelings of loneliness and isolation.How to discover the benefits of getting out into nature and connecting with people in our neighborhoods.The power of pet ownership, and the idea of creating communities around common interests. We also touch on the practice of positivity resonance, reminding us of the good things that happen in our lives. DISCOUNTS▸ The aging process affects our cells much earlier than you might think - it leads to a slower metabolism, lower energy and weaker muscles.  The Swiss longevity brand Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 10% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength. Use the code LLAMA at checkoutFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

What is the most important thing in your life?  What is the most important thing in your life?  For most of us the answer is a no-brainer - it's our health and the wellbeing of our loved ones. It is a philosophy that Simone Gibertoni carries with him every day, in his role running Clinique La Prairie (CLP) in Montreux, Switzerland.  The medical spa has been nurturing the longevity of its clients and patients for more than ninety years, with science-based interventions to extend healthspan. This episode is brought to you in association with Clinique La Prairie, with whom we share a common goal of helping people pursue a long healthspan.  The award-winning spa clinic and pioneering health and wellness destination, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland,  combines preventative medicine with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, and offers a holistic approach to living fuller, healthier, and longer lives.LLAMA host Peter Bowes recently visited the clinic to learn more about its methods, and the mission of its CEO to promote healthy living opportunities around the world. In this interview we cover: Clinique La Prairie's 92-year historyCLP's mission to change lives based on evolving science, new technology and educationFour pillars to build a better life: Medical, nutrition, movement and well-beingMovement rather than exercise Understanding genetics and epigenetics.Creating a routine to incorporate movementWhat it means to live a holistic lifestyleLiving a life that revolves around good health, beyond the confines of the medical spa Developing longevity hubs around the worldThe daily regime, built around diagnostic testing, including genetic screening, at CLPThe role of a personalized diet Questioning why some of the world's most successful business people overlook their own personal health?Lifespan is falling in the western world.  Why? How Covid has changed attitudes towards everyday healthWhat the phrase 'health is your wealth' means to us allThe longevity economy and the booming interest in healthspanTelling stories around human longevity that resonate with everyoneThe future and Vision 2040Support the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Professor Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California (USC), returns to the LLAMA podcast to discuss his pioneering work and fascination with "youth-span." Over the past 30 years Prof. Longo has published ground-breaking research focussing on the role nutrients play in aging and age-related diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. During this time the age-old practice of fasting has emerged as one of the most powerful interventions to promote good health. A biogerontologist and cell biologist, the Italian scientist is the creator of the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) and the Longevity Diet.  Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) host Peter Bowes first met Dr. Longo at his laboratory in Los Angeles in 2012.  He later took part in a clinical trial, as a volunteer, when USC researchers explored, for the first time, the feasibility and safety of the FMD. Peter also accompanied Dr. Longo on a trip to Ecuador to learn more about a tiny community of people with the genetic disease, Laron syndrome. It results in stunted growth but also appears to protect those with the condition from the killer diseases of old age.For this new interview, Peter returned to the USC School of Gerentology, in Los Angeles, to discuss with Dr. Longo, the milestones of the past decade and the future direction of longevity research.Topics discussed include:Further understanding the implications of a growth hormone deficiency (Laron syndrome) that protects against diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline. New research address cardiovascular diseaseThe connection between of growth hormones and pathways, and long lifeDietary interventions that control the genes that control the aging processThe Fasting Mimicking Diet and its implications for people undergoing chemotherapyWhat and when should people eat in between periodic cycles of the FMD?What are the optimum hours to practice Time Restricted Eating?Is it safe to skip breakfast? Does skipping breakfast affect lifespan?Which family of foods is best to promote longevity? Why Dr. Longo says "don't do" keto dietsDISCOUNTS▸ The aging process affects our cells much earlier than you might think - it leads to a slower metabolism, lower energy and weaker muscles.  The Swiss longevity brand Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 10% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength. Use the code LLAMA at checkoutFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Researchers in Germany have found that a compound found in pomegranates may play a key role in fighting cancer.  Human trials are needed to establish whether findings seen in mice and test tubes also apply to people, but early results look promising. Let's dive into the detail. Pomegranates and other foods, such as nuts, contain ellagitannins. We use them to produce Urolithin A (UA) which is important for the health of our mitochondria, the energy centers of cells. Scientists say it also improves the function of immune cells in their fight against cancer.  We don't all produce UA at the same rate, but a supplement exists, in a highly pure form, which is used to boost cellular energy and muscle strength.  Could it also aid the body's natural defense against cancer?  Dr. Dominic Denk, a physician at Frankfurt University Hospital was part of the team that carried out the latest research with the Frankfurt Cancer Institute.In this interview we cover: The complexities involved in researching and combatting different types of  cancerThe "generous" nature of cancer cells and what drives the disease's progressionThe role of UA and the importance of mitophagy - the renewal of mitochondriaThe different extents to which we produce UA and the impact of agingWhat drives cancer and how the body responds to the diseaseThe impact of exposing the immune system to UA and its impact on cancerous cellsThe next step:  Clinical trials with healthy people to assess the impact of UA, through supplementation, on T cells.The benefit of having already approved forms of UA supplementation to further the researchWhy "cure" is a dangerous word, especially when dealing with cancerA cautious approach to supplementation and the importance of tried and testing health interventions such as optimizing sleep and getting enough exercise. Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Starting a fitness journey is one of the most challenging things we can do.  There are obstacles, excuses and setbacks that many find overwhelming.  Shebah Carfagna, a single mother of an autistic child, knew she had to be strong to confront the challenges she faced - not only for the sake of her son, but her own wellbeing. Pre-dawn workouts and a lifetime of learning led to a career in fitness, with movement at its core. The co-founder of Ageless Workout, a Miami-based health and wellness company, Shebah now empowers others to live their best lives.This episode is brought to you in association with Clinique La Prairie with whom we share a common goal of helping people pursue a long healthspan.  The pioneering health and wellness destination, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland, combines preventative medicine with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, and offers a holistic approach to living fuller, healthier, and longer lives.In this interview we cover: Defining an ageless mindsetA 3:45am gym routine that grew into a career around fitnessWhy movement first, rather than exercise?Addressing the barriers and obstacles to a fitness regimeMaintaining personal strength to care for othersTeaching the Joy PrincipleThe power of walkingCatering for the 80% of people who're lost and can'th fathom exerciseChanging the messaging around fitness to be more inclusiveApplying the Richard Simmons principle towards exercise, to bring people togetherEcotherapy to nurture mind, body and soul. Maintaining power, strength and purpose as we age.Defining a vision of the future for aging individuals in 2030Support the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Aging, according to Bill Rawls, MD, is the loss of functional cells as we go through life. An author and physician, Dr. Rawls is on a mission to elevate the importance of  caring for the basic building blocks of our body.  Our cells, he says, are the key to healthy longevity.   The fourth generation physician, from Raleigh in North Carolina,  confronted a mid-life health crisis of his own that transformed his view of personal wellness.  He now focusses his energies on holistic health interventions and the power of herbal supplements.  In his latest book, The Cellular Wellness Solution, Dr Rawls lays out what he sees as the limitations of modern medicine and the possibilities offered by alternative treatments. In this interview we cover:Confronting a mid-life health crisis that led to a transformative approach to wellnessUnderstanding the link between a lack of sleep and stressAdopting herbal medicine Defining the value of good cellular healthWhat it means to lose cells as we age and why maximum lifespan appears to stop at about 120Carbs, fats and protein.  Getting the balance right. The numbers game and hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c Fasting and keto dietsApplying the science to ourselves and where to start?Personal accountability and healthcareConnect with Dr. Rawls:  Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube  Books: The Cellular Wellness Solution | Unlocking LymeDISCOUNTS▸ DoNotAge is offering listeners to LLAMA a 10% discount on its range of products, including NAD boosters. Use the use code LLAMA for purchases at DoNotAge.orgHealth queries can be answered by emailing: hello@donotage.org▸ Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a $30.00 discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, for red light therapy, which may help your body heal and promote  the health of skin and muscle tissue .  Use the code LLAMA at checkout. ▸ Time-line is offering LLAMA podcast listeners a 5% discount on its Mitopure products - Mitopure Powder, Softgels and Mitopure + Protein. Mitopure supports improvements in mitochondrial function and muscle strength. Use the code LLAMA at checkoutFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Choosing the most appropriate supplementation for optimum health and longevity can be a perplexing process.  This episode is the first of a series, over the coming months, in which we will focus on a single nutrient and its importance for our every day health.  Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.  It is important to maintain the immune system and cellular health. It is found in many foods but do our diets provide enough for our needs?  Dr. Barrie Tan is a leading expert on vitamin E.  A biochemist, he is the President of American River Nutrition, a natural health research and development company, located in Hadley, Massachusetts, and a longtime researcher into the health benefits from a form of the vitamin called tocotrienol. We explore how it differs from the more commonly known form, tocopherol, and why it matters. This episode is brought to you in association with Clinique La Prairie with whom we share a common goal of helping people pursue a long healthspan.  The pioneering health and wellness destination, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux, Switzerland, combines preventative medicine with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, and offers a holistic approach to living fuller, healthier, and longer lives.In this interview we cover:The discovery, in 1922, of alpha-tocopherol vitamin E - and four decades later, tocotrienol. What's the difference?Dr. Tan's journey from Malaysia to MassachusettsThe annatto plant - sometime called the  lipstick plant and its significance as a source of tocotrienol.  The importance of vitamin E for cellular health and especially cell walls.Can we get enough vitamin E from our diets?The relationship between vitamin E and stresses on the bodyShould vitamin E levels be a regular Identifying signs of a vitamin E deficiencyDifferentiating between vitamin E supplements and why they don't all come equalAvoiding snake oil by scrutinizing indepenedent researchLongevity aspirationsAre multi-vitamins worth taking? Support the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.