July 2, 2025 • 18 mins
Aging isn't just about the number of birthdays you celebrate—it's about how vibrantly you live through each one. The cutting-edge intersection of regenerative and redox medicine offers a revolutionary approach to extending not just how long we live, but how well we thrive during those years.
Dive with us into the fascinating world of cellular balance, where tiny chemical reactions called reduction-oxidation (redox) shape everything from energy production to immune function. At this microscopic level, the delicate dance between oxidation and reduction determines whether our cells age gracefully or deteriorate prematurely. When this balance tips toward excessive oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage crucial cellular components, accelerating aging and contributing to disease.
Your body's built-in defenses against this damage—endogenous antioxidants like glutathione and enzymes like superoxide dismutase—work tirelessly to neutralize threats. But they need reinforcement from dietary sources: colorful fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols and other protective compounds. Meanwhile, your mitochondria, cellular powerhouses generating energy, play a dual role as both potential sources of damage and targets for protective strategies. Supporting these vital organelles through targeted approaches, fasting protocols, and regular exercise becomes a cornerstone of extending healthspan.
We explore how NAD+, a critical coenzyme that declines significantly with age, powers sirtuins—master regulators of cellular health and longevity. This connection explains why restoring NAD+ levels has become a major focus in longevity research, achievable through both lifestyle practices and targeted supplementation. Equally fascinating is the revelation that ROS aren't simply destructive forces but also essential signaling molecules—messengers carrying important information throughout your cellular network.
From hormesis (beneficial adaptive responses to mild stressors) to inflammaging (chronic low-grade inflammation), we unpack the science-backed strategies that can transform your approach to aging. While advanced interventions like senolytics and mitochondrial-targeted compounds represent exciting frontiers, the foundations of Mediterranean eating, quality sleep, stress management, and physical activity remain your most powerful tools for cellular resilience.
The future of longevity medicine lies in personalization. Your genetics, metabolism, environment, and lifestyle create a unique cellular blueprint requiring tailored interventions. What would it mean to redefine what healthy aging looks and feels like specifically for you? Join us in discovering how to add not just years to life, but vibrant life to those years.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your supplement regimen or health routine. Individual needs and reactions vary, so it’s important to make informed decisions with the guidance of your physician.
Connect with Us:
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. For more insights and updates, visit our website at Lifewellmd.com.
Stay Informed, Stay Healthy:
Remember, informed choices lead to better health. Until next time, be well and take care of yourself.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
We're here to break downcomplex health topics and
insights, you know, things youcan actually use.
And today we're looking atsomething pretty universal this
desire we all have not just tolive longer, but to live better.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
With real vitality, sharp minds staying resilient
year after year.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Yeah, not just adding years but adding life to those
years.
Like you said, quality of life.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
That's the goal.
It's what we call optimizingyour health span, making sure
those extra years are genuinelygood years.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
So to get there, we're diving into, well, a
really fascinating intersectionregenerative medicine meeting
this newer field called redoxmedicine.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's a powerful combination and, as we'll unpack
, it really holds somesurprising keys to boosting your
health, your wellness, evenyour performance.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Our mission today, then, is to sort of demystify
this redox medicine idea.
What is it?
How does it impact aging soprofoundly?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
And, crucially, what can you actually do about it?
We'll cover actionablestrategies from the basics the
lifestyle stuff, right up tomore advanced personalized
approaches.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
We're drawing on the latest research, including work
from pioneers like Dr RameshKumar.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yes, he's a real leader in this space, the
driving force behindLifeWellMDcom, and his insights
are shaping how we approach this.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Okay, so let's get into it.
Redox medicine.
It centers around these thingscalled reduction oxidation
reactions.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
That's the core of it .
Redox for short, Don't let theterm scare you off.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Think of it like a constant dance inside your cells
, tiny chemical reactions whereelectrons are passed back and
forth billions of times a secondin every cell, billions.
It's incredible.
And these electron transfers,they're fundamental, they power
everything, making energy, atp.
That's redox.
How your cells talk to eachother, sending signals also
(01:48):
redox.
Even your immune system relieson it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So it's everywhere basically.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Everywhere.
The absolute key is keeping adelicate balance between
oxidation that's, losing anelectron and a reduction gaining
one.
This balance is critical forwhat we call cellular
homeostasis keeping thingsstable and running smoothly.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
OK.
So if balance is the key, whathappens when things get out of
whack?
Does it like gum up the works?
Speaker 2 (02:13):
It absolutely does.
That's when you run intotrouble.
When that balance tips too fartowards oxidation, you get
what's called oxidative stress.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Oxidative stress.
Heard that term a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Right.
It happens when these highlyreactive molecules called
reactive oxygen species, or ROS,start to overwhelm your body's
natural defenses.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Imagine too many of these little troublemakers
running around unchecked, theystart damaging really important
stuff your DNA proteins, thefats in your cell walls.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Yikes.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And that damage.
It's a major driver, maybe themajor driver of accelerated
aging, and it contributes topretty much all the age-related
diseases we worry about.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Okay, that sounds like our cells are under
constant attack, then how do wedefend ourselves?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Well, fortunately our bodies are smart.
We have built-in defensesystems.
The main players areantioxidants.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Right.
Antioxidants we hear aboutthose too.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
They're your body's shield.
Their job is to neutralizethose ROS, those reactive
molecules, before they causedamage.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
And our body actually makes some of these itself,
doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It does, and that's a really important point.
We have what are calledendogenous antioxidants, the
ones your body producesinternally.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
A homegrown hero.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Exactly.
And the big star is glutathione, often called the master
antioxidant because it does somuch.
But others like superoxidedismutase, sod and catalase are
also crucial.
They work together like a team.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And then they're the ones we eat.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yes, the exogenous antioxidants.
These come from your diet.
Think vitamins C and E.
Think about all those colorfulfruits and vegetables.
They're packed with polyphenols.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Ah, the eat the rainbow idea.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Precisely.
Flavonoids from things like tea, cocoa berries, Carotenoids
from carrots, tomatoes.
Getting plenty of these throughyour diet really bolsters your
defenses.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
So boosting both kinds, the ones we make and the
ones we eat, that can reallyhelp slow down that cellular
damage.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Definitely.
It's a fundamental way toimprove your health span.
Build resilience from theinside out.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Okay, now this is where I think it gets really
interesting.
Mitochondria, the powerhousesof the cell right.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
The absolute powerhouses.
They generate almost all theenergy your cells need to
function.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
But I heard you say they're kind of a double-edged
sword.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
They are in a way, because in the process of making
all that energy, theyinevitably produce some of those
reactive oxygen species, ros,as a byproduct.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Oh, okay, so they make the power but also some of
the pollution, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
That's a good way to think about it.
And here's the catch-22.
If those ROS aren't dealt withproperly, they build up and
damage the mitochondriathemselves.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Oh wow, A vicious cycle.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Exactly Damaged mitochondria mean less energy
production and more oxidativestress.
It's a downward spiral thatreally accelerates aging and
decline.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
So keeping those mitochondria healthy and happy
seems absolutely crucial then.
It's probably one of the mosteffective things we can focus on
for extending healthspan, maybeeven lifespan.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
It's that central and the good news.
The good news is we have smartways to support them, both with
cutting-edge science and,importantly, through lifestyle
choices.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Okay, so what works?
What can we actually do to helpour mitochondria?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Well, one exciting area is mitochondrial-targeted
antioxidants.
These aren't just your averageantioxidants.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
How are they?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
different Compounds, like MitoQ or SkQ1, for example,
are specifically designed toget inside the mitochondria.
They go right to the source ofthe ROS production and
neutralize them there.
It's very targeted protection.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Interesting.
What about more accessiblethings?
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Oh yeah, Some of the most powerful tools are things
like caloric restriction ordifferent types of fasting.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
How does that help mitochondria?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It seems to reduce the overall oxidative load,
makes the existing mitochondriawork more efficiently and this
is really cool.
It promotes mitophagy.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Mitophagy.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, it's your body's natural cleanup process.
It identifies and removes old,damaged mitochondria, making way
for healthy ones, like takingout the cellular trash.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
So fasting helps the body clean house.
Does exercise play a role theretoo?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
A huge role.
Regular exercise is fantasticfor mitochondrial health.
It actually stimulates yourbody to create new, healthy
mitochondria.
That's called mitochondrialbiogenesis.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
More powerhouses.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Exactly and it improves their efficiency,
reduces ROS production.
Overall, it's one of the bestmitochondrial boosters available
.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Honestly, Okay, let's shift gears slightly.
Sirtuins I've heard thesementioned in longevity circles.
What are they?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Think of sirtuins as like the master regulators or
conductors inside your cells.
There's a family of them,SIRT01 through 7.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
And what do they conduct?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Critically important stuff for health and longevity
Things like DNA repair,controlling inflammation,
managing your metabolism.
They basically orchestrate howwell your cells cope with stress
and aging.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
So very important proteins.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Extremely.
And here's the crucial linktheir activity, their ability to
do their jobs depends onanother molecule called NAD plus
T nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
NAD plus Okay, hearing a lot about that one too
.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Rightly so.
Nad plus is an essentialcoenzyme, like fuel for the
sirtuins.
But here's the problem Ournatural levels of NAD plus
decline quite significantly aswe age.
Ah, so less fuel means lessactive sirtuins, and that
decrease in sirtuin function isdirectly linked to many aspects
of the aging process.
It speeds things up,unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Okay, so the logical next step is if we could boost
NAD plus levels, could we keepthose sirtuins working better
longer, potentially slow downaging.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
That's exactly the strategy, and it's one of the
most exciting areas in longevityscience right now.
Restoring NAD plus levels looksvery promising for enhancing
sirtuin activity and promotinghealthier cellular function as
we get older.
(08:03):
How do we do that?
Is it just supplements or Both?
Supplementation is definitelyan option.
You hear about NAD plus.
Even niacin, which is vitaminB3, plays a role.
But the great news is,lifestyle is huge here too.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Regular aerobic exercise is a proven NAD plus
booster.
Intermittent fasting andcaloric restriction also work.
Even things like using a saunathat heat exposure can help
increase NAD plus levels,naturally.
Wow, so many connections backto those foundational health
habits?
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Absolutely, they all work together synergistically.
Okay, let's circle back tothose reactive oxygen species,
the ROS.
We've mostly talked about themas damaging bad guys.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right the traditional view.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
But you mentioned earlier, they might also be
messengers.
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, and this is a really important shift in
thinking.
Right, yes, and this is areally important shift in
thinking.
We now understand that ROSaren't just accidental damage.
In the right amounts, at theright times, they act as crucial
signaling molecules.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Signaling what?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
All sorts of things Telling cells when to grow, when
to differentiate intospecialized types, how to adapt.
To stress, it's a sophisticatedcommunication system called
redox signaling.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So just blindly trying to eliminate all ROS with
mega doses of antioxidantsmight actually be
counterproductive, likesilencing important messages.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
That's the concern.
Yes, it's not about eliminatingthem entirely.
It's about maintaining theright balance and ensuring the
signaling works correctly.
This system relies on veryprecise temporary oxidation of
certain parts of proteins,mostly cysteine bits.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Okay, so it's like flipping a switch on a protein.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Kind of it's a four-step dance.
Signal starts, controlled ROSproduction, target protein gets
modified, oxidized, the signalspreads and then, crucially, the
signal stops.
Antioxidants reset the protein.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
And if that signaling goes wrong?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
That dysregulation definitely contributes to
age-related problems.
So optimizing the signaling,not just wiping out ROS, is key.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
How do we optimize it then, if not just mega
antioxidants?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
We use more nuanced approaches.
We look at influencing keycellular pathways.
Two big ones are nutrientsensing pathways.
Nutrient sensing, yeah,pathways like mTOR and AMPK
cellular pathways.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Two big ones are nutrient sensing pathways,
nutrient sensing.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah, Pathways like MTOR and AMPK.
They're like internal sensorschecking energy levels and
nutrient availability.
They control basic things likegrowth and cellular cleanup
autophagy.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
And we can influence those.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Yes, things like the drug rapamycin can inhibit MTOR.
Metformin, often used fordiabetes, activates AMPK.
But guess what else activatesAMPK powerfully?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Let me guess, exercise.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
You got it Exercise is a great AMPK activator.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Okay, and you also mentioned something called
hormesis.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Ugh, hormesis.
Fascinating concept.
It basically asks can a littlebit of stress actually be good
for you, Make you stronger?
Speaker 1 (10:45):
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Sort of, but on a cellular level.
Hormesis is when low doses of astressor actually trigger
beneficial adaptive responses inyour cells.
They gear up their defenses,become more resilient.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What kind of stressors are we talking about?
Not, like you know, work stress?
Speaker 2 (11:01):
No, think biological stressors.
The temporary oxidative stressfrom intense exercise is a
perfect example.
Intermittent fasting or caloricrestriction puts mild metabolic
stress on cells, even exposureto heat, like in a sauna, or
cold, like a cold plunge.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So these things challenge the system slightly.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And the system responds by becoming tougher,
improving antioxidant defenses,enhancing repair mechanisms.
Certain plant compounds,phytochemicals, can also act as
hormetic stressors.
It's about strategic beneficialchallenges.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Let's tackle another big term inflammaging.
The name itself kind of says itall right Inflammation and
aging.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Exactly.
It refers to the chroniclow-grade inflammation that
tends to increase as we age.
It's not like the acuteinflammation you get with an
injury.
It's a persistent simmeringbackground inflammation.
You know it an injury, it's apersistent simmering background
inflammation.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
You know it's bad.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
It's a major driver of aging.
It creates this pro-oxidantenvironment, feeding that cycle
we talked about.
Oxidative stress causesinflammation and inflammation
generates more oxidative stress.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Another vicious cycle .
Speaker 2 (12:02):
A really damaging one .
This low-grade fire, driven bycellular damage and an
overactive immune systemreleasing inflammatory signals
like IL-6 and TNF-alpha,accelerates aging processes
throughout the body.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
So breaking that inflammation oxidation cycle is
critical.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Absolutely Targeting both sides of that equation is a
powerful strategy for improvinghealth span and tackling
multiple age-related issues atonce.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
What helps with that?
Are there specificanti-inflammatory approaches in
redox medicine?
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Definitely, we look at natural compounds with proven
effects.
Curcumin, the active part ofturmeric, is a great example.
It hits multiple inflammatorypathways and is also an
antioxidant.
Resveratrol, found in grapesand red wine, is another.
It activates ART1, which hasanti-inflammatory effects and
boosts antioxidant enzymes.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And omega-3s.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Essential Omega-3 fatty acids don't just help
resolve inflammation, they alsodirectly modulate oxidative
stress.
The best approach oftencombines strategies to tackle
both inflammation and oxidativestress for a synergistic effect.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Okay, this has been fascinating, exploring all the
science, but let's bring it backhome For the listener.
What does this mean for dailylife?
What are the absolute must-do,foundational things?
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Right, because the science is useless if we don't
apply it.
And honestly, the foundationallifestyle stuff is incredibly
powerful, often more powerfulthan any single pill.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
So give us the highlights.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Well, diet is huge.
The Mediterranean diet is aclassic example for a reason
it's naturally rich in thoseexogenous antioxidants we talked
about.
Healthy fats like omega-3s,tons of fiber.
It directly supports redoxbalance and fights inflammation.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Makes sense.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
What else?
Regular physical activity wekeep coming back to it because
it's crucial.
It triggers that beneficialhormesis, strengthens
antioxidant defenses, hasanti-inflammatory effects.
It tunes up the whole system.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Okay, Diet exercise.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Stress management.
Chronic stress absolutely fuelsoxidative stress and
inflammation.
So practices like mindfulness,meditation, yoga they aren't
just woo-woo, they havemeasurable positive effects on
these markers.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
And sleep.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Non-negotiable Quality sleep is when your body
does major repair work.
It's critical for antioxidantfunction, immune regulation,
clearing out cellular debris.
You simply can't optimize yourhealth without good sleep.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
It sounds like consistency with these basics
really adds up.
It's not about perfection, butjust consistently doing these
things.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Exactly.
The cumulative, synergisticeffect of these practices is
profound.
They build the foundation uponwhich everything else rests.
Honestly, nailing theselifestyle factors can sometimes
have a bigger impact than manyfancy interventions.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
That's really empowering.
Now, beyond those foundations,you also touched on some more
cutting edge things advancedinterventions.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yes, briefly, the field is moving incredibly fast.
We're seeing pharmacologicalapproaches being studied for
longevity, drugs like rapamycinor metformin.
Compounds called senolytics,designed to clear out old,
dysfunctional zombie cells.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Zombie cells.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Senescent cells.
Technically, they hang aroundand spew out inflammatory
signals.
Getting rid of them is a hotarea of research.
And then those mitochondrialtargeted compounds like MitoQ we
mentioned earlier.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Very futuristic sounding.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
It is exciting, but it also brings up a crucial
point why a one size fits allapproach just doesn't work
optimally here, right, Becausewe're all different.
Exactly your genetics, yourmetabolism, your environment,
your lifestyle.
They all interact to determineyour unique redox balance and
how you age.
What works perfectly for oneperson might not be the best
approach for another.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
So personalization is key, using technology to figure
out what your body needs.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Precisely that's where the field is heading and
it's what we focus on Usingadvanced tools like detailed
genomic testing, looking atmetabolites, using wearable
sensors, to get a really deep,comprehensive picture of your
individual redox status, yourinflammation levels, your
genetic predispositions.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Like getting a personalized cellular blueprint.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
That's a great way to put it and based on that unique
blueprint, we can develop trulytailored plans.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
So not just generic advice, but specific
recommendations.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Exactly Personalized protocols combining very
specific dietary tweaks,targeted supplements if needed,
the right kind and amount ofexercise for you, specific
lifestyle adjustments.
It's about precision.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Tailored to the individual.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Yes, and it's not a one and done thing.
It involves ongoing monitoring,tracking how your body responds
and adjusting the plan asneeded.
This kind of precision medicineholds huge promise for truly
optimizing longevity foreveryone.
It's central to the philosophyat places like LifeWellMDcom.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Wow, we've covered so much ground today From the
basics of redox, balance,antioxidants, mitochondria, nad,
plus certainants.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Through redox signaling hormesis.
The challenge of inflammaging.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Right up to foundational habits and the
future of personalizedstrategies.
It really underscores that aholistic approach is needed.
Lifestyle targeted support,personalization it all fits
together.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
It's about taking this cutting-edge science and
making it actionable, empoweringyou to really take charge of
your health span.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Absolutely, and if you've been listening and you're
intrigued by these ideas, ifyou feel ready to move beyond
generic advice and start a trulypersonalized wellness journey,
you might want to explore how aspecialized clinic can help.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Clinics like LifeWellMDcom focus specifically
on integrating regenerativemedicine with redox medicine,
educating people and creatingthose personalized plans for
better health, wellness and peakperformance.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
So if you're ready to take that next step, to start
your own wellness journey todayand really unlock your potential
, you can give them a call.
Number is 561-210-9999.
It's about investing in yourfuture health.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Definitely and maybe a final thought to leave you
with.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Go for it.
Beyond just adding years toyour life, what would it mean to
you personally to proactivelybuild your cellular resilience,
to fundamentally redefine whathealthy aging actually looks and
feels like for you?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Something to really ponder.
How can you use these insightsto transform your own approach
to well-being?
We hope this deep dive gave yousome powerful ideas.
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
We're here to break downcomplex health topics and
insights, you know, things youcan actually use.
And today we're looking atsomething pretty universal this
desire we all have not just tolive longer, but to live better.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
With real vitality, sharp minds staying resilient
year after year.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Yeah, not just adding years but adding life to those
years.
Like you said, quality of life.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
That's the goal.
It's what we call optimizingyour health span, making sure
those extra years are genuinelygood years.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
So to get there, we're diving into, well, a
really fascinating intersectionregenerative medicine meeting
this newer field called redoxmedicine.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's a powerful combination and, as we'll unpack
, it really holds somesurprising keys to boosting your
health, your wellness, evenyour performance.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Our mission today, then, is to sort of demystify
this redox medicine idea.
What is it?
How does it impact aging soprofoundly?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
And, crucially, what can you actually do about it?
We'll cover actionablestrategies from the basics the
lifestyle stuff, right up tomore advanced personalized
approaches.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
We're drawing on the latest research, including work
from pioneers like Dr RameshKumar.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yes, he's a real leader in this space, the
driving force behindLifeWellMDcom, and his insights
are shaping how we approach this.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Okay, so let's get into it.
Redox medicine.
It centers around these thingscalled reduction oxidation
reactions.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
That's the core of it .
Redox for short, Don't let theterm scare you off.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Think of it like a constant dance inside your cells
, tiny chemical reactions whereelectrons are passed back and
forth billions of times a secondin every cell, billions.
It's incredible.
And these electron transfers,they're fundamental, they power
everything, making energy, atp.
That's redox.
How your cells talk to eachother, sending signals also
(01:48):
redox.
Even your immune system relieson it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So it's everywhere basically.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Everywhere.
The absolute key is keeping adelicate balance between
oxidation that's, losing anelectron and a reduction gaining
one.
This balance is critical forwhat we call cellular
homeostasis keeping thingsstable and running smoothly.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
OK.
So if balance is the key, whathappens when things get out of
whack?
Does it like gum up the works?
Speaker 2 (02:13):
It absolutely does.
That's when you run intotrouble.
When that balance tips too fartowards oxidation, you get
what's called oxidative stress.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Oxidative stress.
Heard that term a lot.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Right.
It happens when these highlyreactive molecules called
reactive oxygen species, or ROS,start to overwhelm your body's
natural defenses.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Imagine too many of these little troublemakers
running around unchecked, theystart damaging really important
stuff your DNA proteins, thefats in your cell walls.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Yikes.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And that damage.
It's a major driver, maybe themajor driver of accelerated
aging, and it contributes topretty much all the age-related
diseases we worry about.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Okay, that sounds like our cells are under
constant attack, then how do wedefend ourselves?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Well, fortunately our bodies are smart.
We have built-in defensesystems.
The main players areantioxidants.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Right.
Antioxidants we hear aboutthose too.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
They're your body's shield.
Their job is to neutralizethose ROS, those reactive
molecules, before they causedamage.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
And our body actually makes some of these itself,
doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It does, and that's a really important point.
We have what are calledendogenous antioxidants, the
ones your body producesinternally.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
A homegrown hero.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Exactly.
And the big star is glutathione, often called the master
antioxidant because it does somuch.
But others like superoxidedismutase, sod and catalase are
also crucial.
They work together like a team.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And then they're the ones we eat.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yes, the exogenous antioxidants.
These come from your diet.
Think vitamins C and E.
Think about all those colorfulfruits and vegetables.
They're packed with polyphenols.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Ah, the eat the rainbow idea.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Precisely.
Flavonoids from things like tea, cocoa berries, Carotenoids
from carrots, tomatoes.
Getting plenty of these throughyour diet really bolsters your
defenses.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
So boosting both kinds, the ones we make and the
ones we eat, that can reallyhelp slow down that cellular
damage.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Definitely.
It's a fundamental way toimprove your health span.
Build resilience from theinside out.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Okay, now this is where I think it gets really
interesting.
Mitochondria, the powerhousesof the cell right.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
The absolute powerhouses.
They generate almost all theenergy your cells need to
function.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
But I heard you say they're kind of a double-edged
sword.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
They are in a way, because in the process of making
all that energy, theyinevitably produce some of those
reactive oxygen species, ros,as a byproduct.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Oh, okay, so they make the power but also some of
the pollution, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
That's a good way to think about it.
And here's the catch-22.
If those ROS aren't dealt withproperly, they build up and
damage the mitochondriathemselves.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Oh wow, A vicious cycle.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Exactly Damaged mitochondria mean less energy
production and more oxidativestress.
It's a downward spiral thatreally accelerates aging and
decline.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
So keeping those mitochondria healthy and happy
seems absolutely crucial then.
It's probably one of the mosteffective things we can focus on
for extending healthspan, maybeeven lifespan.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
It's that central and the good news.
The good news is we have smartways to support them, both with
cutting-edge science and,importantly, through lifestyle
choices.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Okay, so what works?
What can we actually do to helpour mitochondria?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Well, one exciting area is mitochondrial-targeted
antioxidants.
These aren't just your averageantioxidants.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
How are they?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
different Compounds, like MitoQ or SkQ1, for example,
are specifically designed toget inside the mitochondria.
They go right to the source ofthe ROS production and
neutralize them there.
It's very targeted protection.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Interesting.
What about more accessiblethings?
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Oh yeah, Some of the most powerful tools are things
like caloric restriction ordifferent types of fasting.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
How does that help mitochondria?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It seems to reduce the overall oxidative load,
makes the existing mitochondriawork more efficiently and this
is really cool.
It promotes mitophagy.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Mitophagy.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, it's your body's natural cleanup process.
It identifies and removes old,damaged mitochondria, making way
for healthy ones, like takingout the cellular trash.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
So fasting helps the body clean house.
Does exercise play a role theretoo?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
A huge role.
Regular exercise is fantasticfor mitochondrial health.
It actually stimulates yourbody to create new, healthy
mitochondria.
That's called mitochondrialbiogenesis.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
More powerhouses.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Exactly and it improves their efficiency,
reduces ROS production.
Overall, it's one of the bestmitochondrial boosters available
.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Honestly, Okay, let's shift gears slightly.
Sirtuins I've heard thesementioned in longevity circles.
What are they?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Think of sirtuins as like the master regulators or
conductors inside your cells.
There's a family of them,SIRT01 through 7.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
And what do they conduct?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Critically important stuff for health and longevity
Things like DNA repair,controlling inflammation,
managing your metabolism.
They basically orchestrate howwell your cells cope with stress
and aging.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
So very important proteins.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Extremely.
And here's the crucial linktheir activity, their ability to
do their jobs depends onanother molecule called NAD plus
T nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
NAD plus Okay, hearing a lot about that one too
.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Rightly so.
Nad plus is an essentialcoenzyme, like fuel for the
sirtuins.
But here's the problem Ournatural levels of NAD plus
decline quite significantly aswe age.
Ah, so less fuel means lessactive sirtuins, and that
decrease in sirtuin function isdirectly linked to many aspects
of the aging process.
It speeds things up,unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Okay, so the logical next step is if we could boost
NAD plus levels, could we keepthose sirtuins working better
longer, potentially slow downaging.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
That's exactly the strategy, and it's one of the
most exciting areas in longevityscience right now.
Restoring NAD plus levels looksvery promising for enhancing
sirtuin activity and promotinghealthier cellular function as
we get older.
(08:03):
How do we do that?
Is it just supplements or Both?
Supplementation is definitelyan option.
You hear about NAD plus.
Even niacin, which is vitaminB3, plays a role.
But the great news is,lifestyle is huge here too.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Regular aerobic exercise is a proven NAD plus
booster.
Intermittent fasting andcaloric restriction also work.
Even things like using a saunathat heat exposure can help
increase NAD plus levels,naturally.
Wow, so many connections backto those foundational health
habits?
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Absolutely, they all work together synergistically.
Okay, let's circle back tothose reactive oxygen species,
the ROS.
We've mostly talked about themas damaging bad guys.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right the traditional view.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
But you mentioned earlier, they might also be
messengers.
Is that right?
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, and this is a really important shift in
thinking.
Right, yes, and this is areally important shift in
thinking.
We now understand that ROSaren't just accidental damage.
In the right amounts, at theright times, they act as crucial
signaling molecules.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Signaling what?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
All sorts of things Telling cells when to grow, when
to differentiate intospecialized types, how to adapt.
To stress, it's a sophisticatedcommunication system called
redox signaling.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
So just blindly trying to eliminate all ROS with
mega doses of antioxidantsmight actually be
counterproductive, likesilencing important messages.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
That's the concern.
Yes, it's not about eliminatingthem entirely.
It's about maintaining theright balance and ensuring the
signaling works correctly.
This system relies on veryprecise temporary oxidation of
certain parts of proteins,mostly cysteine bits.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Okay, so it's like flipping a switch on a protein.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Kind of it's a four-step dance.
Signal starts, controlled ROSproduction, target protein gets
modified, oxidized, the signalspreads and then, crucially, the
signal stops.
Antioxidants reset the protein.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
And if that signaling goes wrong?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
That dysregulation definitely contributes to
age-related problems.
So optimizing the signaling,not just wiping out ROS, is key.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
How do we optimize it then, if not just mega
antioxidants?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
We use more nuanced approaches.
We look at influencing keycellular pathways.
Two big ones are nutrientsensing pathways.
Nutrient sensing, yeah,pathways like mTOR and AMPK
cellular pathways.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Two big ones are nutrient sensing pathways,
nutrient sensing.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Yeah, Pathways like MTOR and AMPK.
They're like internal sensorschecking energy levels and
nutrient availability.
They control basic things likegrowth and cellular cleanup
autophagy.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
And we can influence those.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Yes, things like the drug rapamycin can inhibit MTOR.
Metformin, often used fordiabetes, activates AMPK.
But guess what else activatesAMPK powerfully?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Let me guess, exercise.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
You got it Exercise is a great AMPK activator.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Okay, and you also mentioned something called
hormesis.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Ugh, hormesis.
Fascinating concept.
It basically asks can a littlebit of stress actually be good
for you, Make you stronger?
Speaker 1 (10:45):
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Sort of, but on a cellular level.
Hormesis is when low doses of astressor actually trigger
beneficial adaptive responses inyour cells.
They gear up their defenses,become more resilient.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What kind of stressors are we talking about?
Not, like you know, work stress?
Speaker 2 (11:01):
No, think biological stressors.
The temporary oxidative stressfrom intense exercise is a
perfect example.
Intermittent fasting or caloricrestriction puts mild metabolic
stress on cells, even exposureto heat, like in a sauna, or
cold, like a cold plunge.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So these things challenge the system slightly.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And the system responds by becoming tougher,
improving antioxidant defenses,enhancing repair mechanisms.
Certain plant compounds,phytochemicals, can also act as
hormetic stressors.
It's about strategic beneficialchallenges.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Let's tackle another big term inflammaging.
The name itself kind of says itall right Inflammation and
aging.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Exactly.
It refers to the chroniclow-grade inflammation that
tends to increase as we age.
It's not like the acuteinflammation you get with an
injury.
It's a persistent simmeringbackground inflammation.
You know it an injury, it's apersistent simmering background
inflammation.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
You know it's bad.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
It's a major driver of aging.
It creates this pro-oxidantenvironment, feeding that cycle
we talked about.
Oxidative stress causesinflammation and inflammation
generates more oxidative stress.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Another vicious cycle .
Speaker 2 (12:02):
A really damaging one .
This low-grade fire, driven bycellular damage and an
overactive immune systemreleasing inflammatory signals
like IL-6 and TNF-alpha,accelerates aging processes
throughout the body.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
So breaking that inflammation oxidation cycle is
critical.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Absolutely Targeting both sides of that equation is a
powerful strategy for improvinghealth span and tackling
multiple age-related issues atonce.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
What helps with that?
Are there specificanti-inflammatory approaches in
redox medicine?
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Definitely, we look at natural compounds with proven
effects.
Curcumin, the active part ofturmeric, is a great example.
It hits multiple inflammatorypathways and is also an
antioxidant.
Resveratrol, found in grapesand red wine, is another.
It activates ART1, which hasanti-inflammatory effects and
boosts antioxidant enzymes.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And omega-3s.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Essential Omega-3 fatty acids don't just help
resolve inflammation, they alsodirectly modulate oxidative
stress.
The best approach oftencombines strategies to tackle
both inflammation and oxidativestress for a synergistic effect.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Okay, this has been fascinating, exploring all the
science, but let's bring it backhome For the listener.
What does this mean for dailylife?
What are the absolute must-do,foundational things?
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Right, because the science is useless if we don't
apply it.
And honestly, the foundationallifestyle stuff is incredibly
powerful, often more powerfulthan any single pill.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
So give us the highlights.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Well, diet is huge.
The Mediterranean diet is aclassic example for a reason
it's naturally rich in thoseexogenous antioxidants we talked
about.
Healthy fats like omega-3s,tons of fiber.
It directly supports redoxbalance and fights inflammation.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Makes sense.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
What else?
Regular physical activity wekeep coming back to it because
it's crucial.
It triggers that beneficialhormesis, strengthens
antioxidant defenses, hasanti-inflammatory effects.
It tunes up the whole system.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Okay, Diet exercise.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Stress management.
Chronic stress absolutely fuelsoxidative stress and
inflammation.
So practices like mindfulness,meditation, yoga they aren't
just woo-woo, they havemeasurable positive effects on
these markers.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
And sleep.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Non-negotiable Quality sleep is when your body
does major repair work.
It's critical for antioxidantfunction, immune regulation,
clearing out cellular debris.
You simply can't optimize yourhealth without good sleep.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
It sounds like consistency with these basics
really adds up.
It's not about perfection, butjust consistently doing these
things.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Exactly.
The cumulative, synergisticeffect of these practices is
profound.
They build the foundation uponwhich everything else rests.
Honestly, nailing theselifestyle factors can sometimes
have a bigger impact than manyfancy interventions.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
That's really empowering.
Now, beyond those foundations,you also touched on some more
cutting edge things advancedinterventions.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Yes, briefly, the field is moving incredibly fast.
We're seeing pharmacologicalapproaches being studied for
longevity, drugs like rapamycinor metformin.
Compounds called senolytics,designed to clear out old,
dysfunctional zombie cells.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Zombie cells.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
Senescent cells.
Technically, they hang aroundand spew out inflammatory
signals.
Getting rid of them is a hotarea of research.
And then those mitochondrialtargeted compounds like MitoQ we
mentioned earlier.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Very futuristic sounding.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
It is exciting, but it also brings up a crucial
point why a one size fits allapproach just doesn't work
optimally here, right, Becausewe're all different.
Exactly your genetics, yourmetabolism, your environment,
your lifestyle.
They all interact to determineyour unique redox balance and
how you age.
What works perfectly for oneperson might not be the best
approach for another.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
So personalization is key, using technology to figure
out what your body needs.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Precisely that's where the field is heading and
it's what we focus on Usingadvanced tools like detailed
genomic testing, looking atmetabolites, using wearable
sensors, to get a really deep,comprehensive picture of your
individual redox status, yourinflammation levels, your
genetic predispositions.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Like getting a personalized cellular blueprint.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
That's a great way to put it and based on that unique
blueprint, we can develop trulytailored plans.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
So not just generic advice, but specific
recommendations.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Exactly Personalized protocols combining very
specific dietary tweaks,targeted supplements if needed,
the right kind and amount ofexercise for you, specific
lifestyle adjustments.
It's about precision.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
Tailored to the individual.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Yes, and it's not a one and done thing.
It involves ongoing monitoring,tracking how your body responds
and adjusting the plan asneeded.
This kind of precision medicineholds huge promise for truly
optimizing longevity foreveryone.
It's central to the philosophyat places like LifeWellMDcom.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Wow, we've covered so much ground today From the
basics of redox, balance,antioxidants, mitochondria, nad,
plus certainants.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
Through redox signaling hormesis.
The challenge of inflammaging.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Right up to foundational habits and the
future of personalizedstrategies.
It really underscores that aholistic approach is needed.
Lifestyle targeted support,personalization it all fits
together.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
It's about taking this cutting-edge science and
making it actionable, empoweringyou to really take charge of
your health span.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Absolutely, and if you've been listening and you're
intrigued by these ideas, ifyou feel ready to move beyond
generic advice and start a trulypersonalized wellness journey,
you might want to explore how aspecialized clinic can help.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Clinics like LifeWellMDcom focus specifically
on integrating regenerativemedicine with redox medicine,
educating people and creatingthose personalized plans for
better health, wellness and peakperformance.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
So if you're ready to take that next step, to start
your own wellness journey todayand really unlock your potential
, you can give them a call.
Number is 561-210-9999.
It's about investing in yourfuture health.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Definitely and maybe a final thought to leave you
with.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Go for it.
Beyond just adding years toyour life, what would it mean to
you personally to proactivelybuild your cellular resilience,
to fundamentally redefine whathealthy aging actually looks and
feels like for you?
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Something to really ponder.
How can you use these insightsto transform your own approach
to well-being?
We hope this deep dive gave yousome powerful ideas.
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