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.
I first met Prof. Longo at his laboratory in Los Angeles in 2012 and 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. I 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, I returned to the USC School of Gerontology, in Los Angeles, to discuss with Prof. Longo, the milestones of the past decade and the future direction of longevity research.
Researchers in Germany have found that a compound found in pomegranates may play a key role in fighting cancer. Human trials are needed to established whether findings seen in mice and test tubes also apply to people, but early results look promising.
Let’s look at the detail.
Pomegranates and other foods, such as nuts, contain ellagitannins. We use them to produceUrolithin 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.
Fitness is not just about exercise. It's about movement, joy and nature. That's the message of Shebah Carfagna, a single mother and fitness coach who shares her inspiring story of overcoming challenges and living an ageless lifestyle on the Live Long and Master Aging podcast.
Shebah is the co-founder of Ageless Workout, a Miami-based health and wellness company that offers online and in-person classes, workshops and retreats for people of all ages and abilities. She teaches the Joy Principle, which is about finding joy in every movement and making fitness fun and accessible for everyone.
Shebah's fitness journey started when she was a young single mother of an autistic child. She faced many difficulties and hardships, but she knew she had to be strong for herself and her son. She decided to wake up in the middle of the night to be at the gym by 3:45 am every day to work out. She soon discovered the benefits of movement for her physical and mental health.
She also discovered her passion for teaching and helping others. She became a fitness instructor and later co-founded Ageless Workout with her partner, Nate Wilkins. Together, they created a movement revolution that aims to empower people to live their best lives.
Shebah believes in the power of walking as a simple and effective way to keep the body fluid, the joints moving and the muscles lengthened.
She explains: “Recent studies show that gait speed, as well as the movement of walking, keeps the body fluid, keeps the joints moving, keeps the muscle length longer.”
Shebah also practices ecotherapy, which is about connecting with nature and nurturing mind, body and soul. She has an ageless mindset, which means she does not let her age define her or limit her potential.
Shebah's vision for the future is to create a community of ageless warriors who support each other and celebrate life. She wants to inspire people to move more, eat better, sleep well, meditate, be grateful and have purpose. She wants to show people that aging is not a burden but an opportunity.
"I want to continue to feel great. I see people from years ago that say, 'You haven’t changed,' and I think, 'this really was my passion, my career and what I studied for.'"
Shebah Carfagna is a remarkable woman who has turned her fitness journey into a movement revolution. She is a role model for anyone who wants to live longer and better. She is living proof that movement is life.
The Live Long and Master Aging podcast 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.
Our cells are the basic building blocks of our body. They are responsible for everything that happens in our body, from our heart beating to our brain thinking. They are also the key to healthy longevity. But as we go through life, we lose functional cells due to various factors such as stress, toxins, infections and inflammation. How can we prevent or slow down this loss and keep our cells healthy and happy?
That’s the question that Bill Rawls, MD, an author and physician, explores in his latest book, The Cellular Wellness Solution: Tap Into Your Full Health Potential with the Science-Backed Power of Herbs. Dr. Rawls is a fourth generation physician from Raleigh in North Carolina, who had a mid-life health crisis of his own that transformed his view of personal wellness. He is now is on a mission to help others achieve cellular wellness and longevity through holistic health interventions and the power of herbal supplements.
In his book, Dr. Rawls explains how our cells work and what they need to function optimally. He also reveals the common cellular disruptors that can damage our cells and cause chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s. He then offers practical solutions to restore cellular balance and harmony using natural herbs that have been proven by science to support cellular health.
He explains: “Everything that happens in the body, whether it’s your heart beating, brain impulses, firing thyroid hormone being produced or cartilage being reworked, it’s all done by cells.”
Dr. Rawls also shares his personal story of how he overcame his own health challenges using herbal medicine and lifestyle changes. He suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease for many years, and was frustrated by the limitations of conventional medicine. He decided to take charge of his own health and researched extensively on natural remedies and ancient healing traditions. He discovered the healing power of herbs such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, green tea and ashwagandha, and how they can modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, fight infections and enhance cellular function.
Dr. Rawls also adopted a healthy diet that is rich in plant-based foods and low in processed foods, sugar and salt. He incorporated regular exercise, meditation, sleep hygiene and stress management into his daily routine. He says these lifestyle interventions are essential for maintaining cellular wellness and preventing disease.
Dr. Rawls’ book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to look after their cells and age well. He offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to the science and practice of cellular wellness, with practical tips and tools that anyone can use. He also inspires readers to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing, and to embrace aging as an opportunity rather than a burden.
The Live Long and Master Aging podcast 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.
