In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison is joined by Dr. Rekha Kumar, endocrinologist and primary care physician at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, to unpack the science behind aging well. They discuss biohacking, longevity, and health span, separating evidence-based strategies from social media hype and exploring what truly helps us age well.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What “biohacking” really means

● How biohacking ranges from simple lifestyle optimization to high-tech, experimental interventions

● The difference between lifespan (how long you live) and health span (how long you live well)

The Longevity Pyramid

● Why the foundation of healthy aging is built on:

• Sleep
• Movement and strength training
• Nutrition
• Stress management
• Social connection

● How advanced tools and supplements sit at the top—and why they should never replace the basics

Wearables and Tracking

● How devices like smartwatches, glucose monitors, and fitness trackers can support behavior change

● When tracking becomes counterproductive or stressful

Peptides and “Anti-Aging” Supplements

● What’s proven (e.g., metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists)

● What’s still experimental or under-studied (BPC-157, sermorelin, NAD boosters)

Nootropics and Cognitive Enhancers

● Everyday nootropics like caffeine

● The role of L-theanine for “calm focus”

● Myths around perfectly timed caffeine and cortisol rhythms

Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition

● How genes can influence responses to foods (e.g., lactose intolerance, APOE and saturated fat)

● Why many direct-to-consumer genetic tests may overpromise

The Gut Microbiome

● The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in metabolic health

● How medications like metformin and GLP-1s may positively shift gut bacteria

● What’s still unknown about probiotic supplementation

Genetic and Biomarker Testing

● The difference between actionable medical insights and “information overload”

● Why results of unknown significance can cause unnecessary anxietyThe Big Takeaways

● There are no true shortcuts to longevity

● Sustainable habits beat quick fixes

● Our biology is built for rhythms, not constant optimization

Featured Expert

About Rekha B. Kumar, M.D., M.S.

Dr. Rekha B. Kumar is an attending endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and an associate professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. She specializes in adult primary care and endocrinology and has academic expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of various endocrine disorders, including obesity/weight management, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, as well as metabolic bone disease.

Dr. Kumar completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University and received her masters degree in Physiology from Georgetown University. She received her M.D. from New York Medical College and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Kumar obtained her clinical fellowship in the combined Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism program at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Kumar is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, and Obesity Medicine.

Coming Up Next

In the next episode of Health Matters, we’ll explore brain health and the short- and long-term effects of alcohol on the brain with Dr. Hugh Cahill. Subscribe and follow Health Matters on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to stay up to date with expert-driven conversations on living well at every stage of life.

About Health Matters

Health Matters is your bi-weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, we’re sharing an episode of NewYork-Presbyterian’s Advances in Care, a show for listeners who want to stay at the forefront of the latest medical innovations and research. 

On this episode of Advances in Care, host Erin Welsh first hears from Dr. Richard Friedman, a clinical psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine. Using his background in psychopharmacology, Dr. Friedman distinguishes between psychedelics and standard antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs, explaining the various mechanisms in the brain that respond uniquely to psychedelic compounds. Dr. Friedman also identifies that the challenge of proving efficacy of psychedelic therapy lies in the question of how to design a clinical trial that gives patients a convincing placebo. 

To learn more about the challenges of trial design, Erin also speaks to Dr. David Hellerstein, a research psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. Dr. Hellerstein contributed to a 2022 trial of synthetic psilocybin in patients with treatment resistant depression. He and his colleagues took a unique approach to dosing patients so that they could better understand the response rates of patients who use psychedelic therapy. The results of that trial underscore an emerging pattern in the field of psychiatry – that while psychedelic therapy has its risks, it’s also a promising alternative treatment for countless psychiatric disorders. Dr. Hellerstein also shares more about the future of clinical research on psychedelic therapies to potentially treat a range of mental health disorders.

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Dr. Richard Friedman is a professor of clinical psychiatry and is actively involved in clinical research of mood disorders. In particular, he is involved in several ongoing randomized clinical trials of both approved and investigational drugs for the treatment of major depression, chronic depression, and dysthymia.

Dr. David J. Hellerstein directs the Depression Evaluation Service at Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, which conducts studies on the medication and psychotherapy treatment of conditions including major depression, chronic depression, and bipolar disorder.

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney is joined by Erin Welsh, host of NewYork-Presbyterian’s medical research podcast, Advances in Care, to recap an amazing year of health and wellness conversations. They share highlights and discuss the top takeaways from their dozens of conversations with clinicians, researchers – and even a former New York Mets All-Star. This conversation is a great rundown of important health reminders and tips for all of us concerned with staying healthy during the holidays and starting the new year off on the right foot. 

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney sits down with Dr. Braden Kuo, Chief of the Division of Digestive & Liver Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. Dr. Kuo covers common gut problems during the holiday season, a time of indulgent meals and treats. From bloat to heartburn to travel-related stomach issues, Dr. Kuo is a trove of information and practical tips for navigating holiday festivities with good choices for your gut.  

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Dr. Braden Kuo is a leading neurogastroenterologist specializing in gastrointestinal motility and the relationship between the brain, nervous system and digestive system. He is the Chief of the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Kuo received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center before arriving at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he served as director of the Center for Neurointestinal Health. He also completed formal training in clinical research, earning a Master of Science from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and subspecialty training in neurogastroenterology and motility at Mayo Clinic.

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney talks with Dr. Warren Ng, a psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian and Columbia, and the Community Health Director for the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian. Dr. Ng explains what makes narcissistic traits distinct from narcissistic personality disorders, and offers an in-depth explanation of the symptoms and management strategies for navigating relationships with narcissists, whether colleagues, friends, or family members. 

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Dr. Warren Ng is a psychiatrist for children, adolescents, and adults with an interest in HIV, public psychiatry, and family issues. He is the Medical Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health and the Director of clinical services for the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. He is also the NYP Behavioral Health Service Line Clinical Innovation Officer. He is the President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has been past president of the New York Council on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He served on the Assembly and the Council on Children, Adolescents, and Families at the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney talks with Dr. Robert Brown, the chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, to discuss the benefits and risks of taking dietary supplements, for our liver and our overall health. Dr. Brown offers tips for deciding which supplements to take, which to avoid, and ways we can optimize our liver health. 

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Dr. Robert Brown is an expert in liver diseases, including alcohol-related liver disease, which affects up to 20 percent of the population, chronic hepatitis C infection, which affects an estimated 2.4 million Americans and cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver that is the third most common disease-related cause of death in the United States. He co-founded the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, a joint program with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, in 1998. Dr. Brown will continue as medical director of this program, the largest for liver transplantation in New York City.

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, we return to Courtney Allison’s conversation with sports cardiologist Dr. Sonia Tolani, who explains how exercise changes the heart. These changes are easy to see in elite athletes, Dr. Tolani gives a behind-the-scenes look at the screening process for athletes to ensure their safety in high-level competition. She also describes how teams can prepare for emergency response, and the life-saving measures that everyone should know when it comes to caring for our hearts. 

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Dr. Sonia Tolani received her medical degree with honors from New York University School of Medicine. She completed her internship, medical residency and her fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Tolani's areas of expertise include consultative cardiology, preventative medicine and women's heart disease including the treatment of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Echocardiography. Dr. Tolani is the co-Director of the Columbia Women's Heart Center, a unique program focusing on providing state of the art treatment and preventative care to women of all ages. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Tolani is also working on developing digital tools to better educate health care providers about heart disease in women and to improve heart disease awareness in women globally.

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney talks with dermatologist Dr. Victoria Perez of NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia to discuss what cause shingles, how it's treated, and what to expect if you start to see symptoms. 

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Dr. Victoria Perez earned her medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed her dermatology residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she served as chief resident in her final year. Dr. Perez is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the Skin of Color Society, where she serves on the Center for Leadership Learning Collaborative. She has authored numerous publications and presented research at both national and local conferences. She is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to all patients. 

Dr. Perez provides dermatology services at NewYork-Presbyterian The One, a state-of-the-art center for advanced care with doctors from Columbia in Westchester. NewYork-Presbyterian The One is now accepting appointments and opens in September 2025. The facility will offer adult and pediatric care spanning more than 90 specialties and subspecialties, so patients can find the care they and their families need in one convenient location.

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, Courtney talks with ophthalmologist Dr. Lisa Park about the best ways to take care of our eye health as we age.  Dr. Park shares tips on ways to protect eye health and preserve vision, as well as some common conditions to watch out for. 
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Lisa Park, MD is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center and an Attending Ophthalmologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Park joined Columbia's Department of Ophthalmology in 2017, and is a well-recognized cataract surgeon with a flourishing practice on Manhattan's west side. She is an expert in the latest surgical techniques including femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery and the use of astigmatism and presbyopia correcting intraocular lens implants. Dr. Park lectures nationally and internationally on complex cataract surgery techniques. Her interests include global ophthalmology, and she travels regularly to Guatemala and East Africa to teach and perform humanitarian eye surgery in developing countries, serving on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations dedicated to combating world blindness. 
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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org

This week on Health Matters, we revisit Courtney Allison’s conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Stone, assistant director of transfusion medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. Unprecedented blood shortages mean that the need for donated blood is as critical as ever. Dr. Stone demystifies the process of giving blood, explains blood types, and shares how both the recipient and the donor can benefit from a single donation.

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Dr. Elizabeth Stone is Assistant Director of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy at NYP Columbia University, Medical Director of Clinical Pathology at NYP Westchester Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Stone’s research focuses on platelet storage conditions and platelet utilization. With advances in medical care, the demand for platelets continues to increase. She is particularly interested in investigating how platelet storage conditions may affect transfusion in different clinical scenarios and in platelet alloimmunization, with the ultimate goal to improve clinical outcomes for patients requiring platelet transfusions.
 

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Health Matters is your weekly dose of health and wellness information, from the leading experts. Join host Courtney Allison to get news you can use in your own life. New episodes drop each Wednesday.

If you are looking for practical health tips and trustworthy information from world-class doctors and medical experts you will enjoy listening to Health Matters. Health Matters was created to share stories of science, care, and wellness that are happening every day at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems. In keeping with NewYork-Presbyterian’s long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, Health Matters features the latest news, insights, and health tips from our trusted experts; inspiring first-hand accounts from patients and caregivers; and updates on the latest research and innovations in patient care, all in collaboration with our renowned medical schools, Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more visit: 

https://healthmatters.nyp.org