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Preventing Chronic Disease

One of the foundational lessons we can take away from studying centenarians — those who have lived to the age of 100+ — is that if you want to live longer, you have to live longer without chronic disease, not live longer with chronic disease. Unfortunately, our current healthcare system is primarily geared toward helping you live longer once you develop chronic disease. This, of course, is the opposite of the approach I take with my patients. 

Over 80% of deaths in people over 50 who do not smoke can be grouped into 4 main categories, what I like to call the four horsemen of chronic disease. These are: (1) atherosclerotic disease (comprised of cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease), (2) cancer, (3) neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease being the most common), and (4) metabolic disease (a spectrum of everything from hyperinsulinemia to insulin resistance to fatty liver disease to type 2 diabetes).

We have five main longevity tactics at our disposal to affect our longevity: (1) exercise, (2) sleep, (3) nutrition, (4) medications & supplements, and (5) distress tolerance. Below is a collection of podcasts and articles discussing how we can use these tactics to mitigate, prevent, and reverse chronic disease.

#97 – Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.: COVID-19: transmissibility, vaccines, risk reduction, and treatment

“The next two weeks will be the critical period where we may start to see this reach a peak.”  —Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.

Alzheimer’s disease and glucose metabolism

“In Alzheimer’s Research, Glucose Metabolism Moves to Center Stage.”

Qualy #106 – Does LDL cause heart disease?

Today’s episode of The Qualys is from podcast #03 – Ron Krauss, M.D.: a deep dive into heart disease.

#91 – Eric Topol, M.D.: Can AI empower physicians and revolutionize patient care?

“If we lean on machines more. . .we can free up time with patients and we could get the doctor-patient relationship back to where it ought to be.” —Eric Topol, M.D.

#87 – Rick Johnson, M.D.: Metabolic Effects of Fructose

“Fructose turns out to be used by animals as a mechanism to store fat.” — Rick Johnson

Qualy #82 – What is the most common first presentation of heart disease?

Today’s episode of The Qualys is from podcast #03 – Ron Krauss, M.D.: a deep dive into heart disease.

#85 – Iñigo San Millán, Ph.D.: Zone 2 Training and Metabolic Health

“What I have been seeing for 25 years, working with elite athletes, is that [zone 2] is the exercise intensity where I see the biggest improvement in fat burning and the biggest improvement in lactic clearance capacity. Therefore, that means that the mitochondria is where you see the biggest improvement.” —Iñigo  San Millán, Ph.D.

Measuring cardiovascular disease risk and the importance of apoB

Millions of Americans schedule an annual physical health examination. During their visit, many can expect to get their blood drawn for…

Coronary artery calcium scan

After last week’s deep dive into the relationship between LDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, I thought it…

Qualy #61 – Rapamycin in cancer treatment

Today’s episode of The Qualys is from podcast #10 – Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D.: rapamycin and dogs — man’s best friends?…

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