Peter Allison and Peter Bowes – school friends 50 years ago, now contemplating the next chapter in life - return with another conversation about the latest science that could help us achieve a longer healthspan.

In this episode: Optimum diet for longevity - a  new study suggests that focusing on consuming protective foods rather than avoiding damaging foods may lead to better health outcomes.

And what can be done to improve our memories as we grow older? The latest longevity science suggests help could be on the way. There’s also a new drug that appears to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.

Topics covered in this conversation include

·      The importance of memory and concerns about forgetfulness as people age.

·      A study published in the European Heart Journal highlights the benefits of a healthy diet, particularly one that includes fruits, nuts, legumes, fish, and dairy.

·      The study suggests that focusing on consuming protective foods rather than avoiding damaging foods may lead to better health outcomes.

·      Peter and Peter discuss their own experiences with diet and how it has changed over time.

·      A study in monkeys that demonstrates the cognitive benefits of the protein klotho, which is associated with lower levels in people with dementia.

·      The study shows promising results in improving cognitive abilities in the monkeys, but further research in humans is needed.

·      Another study highlights a new drug that shows potential in treating Alzheimer's disease by reducing brain plaque.

·      The drug has shown to slow cognitive decline by one-third in human studies, but it also has potential side effects.

·      The discussion touches on the financial aspects of research in dementia and Alzheimer's, as there is a growing need for effective treatments.

·      The importance of collaboration and social interaction for mental health and cognitive abilities is emphasized, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. 
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Support the show

The 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.

Could red light therapy be used to help us sleep and help us relax more? In this second installment of our series exploring the technology behind the handheld red light device we discuss the significance of the circadian rhythm and our ability to release the hormone melatonin.  We also explore the longer-term implications for our energy levels during the day and healthspan. Dr. Zulia Frost is a medical doctor and clinical director at Recharge Health, creators of a targeted red-light device, known as FlexBeam. 

In this conversation we cover:

• Dr. Frost explains that the technology has many applications, including the treatment of sports injuries, therapy for age-related aches and pains and as way to help improve sleep.
• Sleep disorders can be caused by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which controls our sleep-wake cycle.
• Lack of sleep can lead to physical and mental fatigue, decreased cognitive function, and increased risk of accidents and mistakes.
• Technology and exposure to artificial light, especially blue light from screens, can disrupt our natural sleep patterns.
• Red light therapy, such as the FlexBeam device, can help improve sleep by stimulating the release of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.
• Melatonin is released by the pineal gland, as well as various cells throughout the body, in response to red light.
• Red light therapy can also improve mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to sleep disturbances.
• The optimal time and duration of red light therapy for sleep improvement may vary depending on individual needs and responses.
• Using red light therapy on specific areas of the body, such as the stomach, thymus, back of the neck, and sacrum, can target the release of melatonin and promote relaxation.
• Red light therapy should be used consistently, but not excessively, to allow the body to adapt and self-regulate melatonin production.

Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. 
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Support the show

The 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.

Do we live longer if we live next to green spaces? And what can we learn about longevity from squishy creatures in the sea?

Peter Allison and Peter Bowes - school friends in North East England 50 years ago - discuss the latest science that could help us achieve a longer healthspan.

Topics covered in this conversation include:

• Peter A. shares his goals for the next 15 years, which include scuba diving and hiking.
• The goal of healthspan over lifespan
• A discussion of a study on the regrowth abilities of simple organisms in the sea.
• The study found that these organisms have a high level of cellular plasticity and can regenerate body parts.
• A connection between senescence (aging) and the healing process in these organisms.
• The second paper discussed in the podcast explores the impact of living near green spaces on longevity.
• The study found that living near green spaces can add two and a half years to life due to biological changes.
• The benefits may come from enhanced social interactions and a sense of peace and relaxation in green spaces.
• The podcast highlights the importance of mindfulness and avoiding negative behaviors in order to improve healthspan.

Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. 
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Timeline Nutrition

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 checkout
-

Support the show

The 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.

Photobiomodulation has long been a potent tool in the promotion of good health,  but now it is easier than ever to benefit from the healing power of light.  This is the first of four LLAMA podcast episodes exploring the benefits of red light therapy. Dr. Zulia Frost is a medical doctor and clinical director at Recharge Health, creators of a targeted red-light device, known as FlexBeam. Dr. Frost explains that the technology has many applications, including the treatment of sports injuries, therapy for age-related aches and pains and as way to help improve sleep. 

FlexBeam is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent specific diseases or medical conditions.

In this conversation we cover:

• How to navigate the complexities of photobiomodulation
• Dr. Frost shares her experience of recovery from a severe accident, and how it sparked her interest in creating the Flexbeam.
• The impact of different parts of the light spectrum on our bodies. 
• Why red and near-infrared light are the most researched forms of photobiomodulation
• The intricate connection of our circadian rhythm with the light we're exposed to. 
• The role of the hormone melatonin in managing our body's 24-hour cycle. 
• A comparative discussion on lasers and LEDs 
• Flexbeam, a user-friendly device that can be used on-the-go. How the the belt-like device targets joints, stimulating energy production, increasing oxygen binding, and reducing inflammation. 
• Safety and the potential consequences of energy overdose.

Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. 
-

Support the show

The 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.

How do we create tasty food that is not only satisfying but promotes good health? At the Swiss longevity-focussed medical spa, Clinique La Prairie (CLP), Chef David Alessandria caters for diners who want to nurture their healthspan while also enjoying a gourmet experience.

CLP's SEEDS restaurant has a plant-based menu, serves modestly sized dishes and discourages alcohol and coffee consumption. Live Long and Master Aging host Peter Bowes recently spent a week at the clinic to meet the team behind its holistic approach to good health.

David is a French chef by training. In this interview he discusses the relationship between the food we eat and the quest to live a longer, healthier life. He also explains how his thinking towards food has evolved and the challenges involved in creating healthy, plant-based dishes while still maintaining flavor and satisfaction.

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.

In this interview we cover:

• David's culinary journey and life as a French chef before joining CLP
• Embracing vegan and vegetarian diets while reducing meat consumption
• Inflammation in the body and meat-eating
• Transitioning from using butter and cream in traditional French cooking to working with different fats; and removing animal proteins and dairy products from dishes. 
• The focus is on using seasonal, high-quality ingredients to extract and concentrate flavors, creating appealing presentations that make vegan and vegetarian options more enjoyable. 
• The negative impact of red meat and processed foods on health, as well as the importance of reducing sugar intake. 
• Tips for cooking healthy meals at home. Meal planning, using natural sugars from fruits and vegetables, and taking time to cook and prepare food instead of relying on processed options. 
• Encouraging a shift towards sustainable, plant-based diets for the well-being of individuals and the environment.

Support the show

The 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.

By Peter Bowes

Imagine 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 methods
• The 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 checkout

Support the show

The 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 family

Topics 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 creatively
• The value of being intentional about our actions and thoughts
• Ageism 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 life
• Navigating issues such as time and cherishing every moment
• Dispelling 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 us
• Acknowledging our regrets, learning from them, and living our lives in a way that positively looks to the future

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 checkout

Support the show

The 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 foods
• How 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 phytochemicals
• How advanced nutrition can help us manage the aging process.
• The importance of industry and research collaboration in bringing innovative products to life
• The 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 effectiveness
• Chris and Peter's personal experiences with the product
• The future for next-generation nutrition and longevity
  
  DISCOUNT 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 checkout

Related episodes:

• Prof. David Marcinek: Improving muscle endurance to age better
• Prof. Louise Burke: Optimizing big muscle health in athletes
• Dr. Julie Andersen: Could better gut health help prevent Alzheimer’s?
• Dr. David Katz: Robust health beyond the pandemic
• Prof. Stuart Phillips: Boosting physical strength as we age
• Dr. Stephanie Blum: Embracing and marketing the science of wellbeing
• Prof. Johan Auwerx: Enjoying youthful vitality as we age
• Dr. Navindra Seeram: The rejuvenating power of plants
• Prof. Patrick Aebischer: A novel molecule to promote longevity
• Dr. Anurag Singh: Pomegranates, muscle mass and healthy aging

Support the show

The 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 connections
• Laura 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 improvement
• Laura 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 building
• How 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 checkout

Support the show

The 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 history
• CLP's mission to change lives based on evolving science, new technology and education
• Four pillars to build a better life: Medical, nutrition, movement and well-being
• Movement rather than exercise 
• Understanding genetics and epigenetics.
• Creating a routine to incorporate movement
• What it means to live a holistic lifestyle
• Living a life that revolves around good health, beyond the confines of the medical spa 
• Developing longevity hubs around the world
• The daily regime, built around diagnostic testing, including genetic screening, at CLP
• The 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 health
• What the phrase 'health is your wealth' means to us all
• The longevity economy and the booming interest in healthspan
• Telling stories around human longevity that resonate with everyone
• The future and Vision 2040

Support the show

The 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.