#422: Lessons from Centenarians: Immunity, Lifestyle, and Changing the Aging Game With Dr. Jeffrey Bland

Today, I'm joined by the legendary Dr. Jeffrey Bland, widely known as the "father of functional medicine" and a true pioneer in the science of longevity and immune resilience. In this conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Bland opens up about his decades-long journey questioning the conventional medicine model, the personal moments that shaped his mission, and how his passion for asking the right questions ultimately led him to reshape the future of healthcare. Visit Bigboldhealth.com/NAT and get 15% off automatically at checkout.   Episode Timestamps: Focus on immune system aging ... 00:00:00 Questioning conventional medicine and the roots of chronic disease ... 00:05:00 Functional medicine and influences like Linus Pauling ... 00:12:39 Dangers of oversimplification and the limits of biohacking ... 00:17:21 Evolving thinking on supplements and the power of cycling and personalization ... 00:19:37 Why immune resilience trumps immune boosting for longevity ... 00:25:21 Diet's impact on immune cell turnover and long-term health ... 00:28:57 Autoimmunity, CHIP cells, inflammaging, and biological individuality ... 00:32:04 Microbiome, mitochondria, and immune-driven fatigue ... 01:00:07 The 4R gut and immune program as a starting point ... 01:06:26 Movement, lymphatics, and rejuvenation ... 01:08:35 Food as information, epigenetics, and practical recommendations ... 01:11:25 90-day immune system renewal and rapid-fire takeaways ... 01:31:40   Our Amazing Sponsors: Quantum Upgrade - Supports nervous system balance without wearables or apps—just effortless, 24/7 quantum energy streaming. With 21+ studies showing measurable improvements in stress and cellular function, it's easy to try for yourself. Visit quantumupgrade.io/NAT and use code NAT15 to start the free 15 day trial.   Primeadine by Oxford Healthspan — A food-derived spermidine supplement that supports autophagy and cellular renewal without fasting, made from Japanese wheat germ with clean, rigorously tested ingredients (including a gluten-free option); visit oxfordhealthspan.com/BIONAT20 and use code BIONAT20 at checkout.   PW1 by Puori — A clean, high-quality whey protein that's third-party tested for over 200 contaminants and smooth enough to feel like a treat while supporting muscle, metabolism, and bone strength. Go to puori.com/NAT and use code NAT for 32% off your first subscription or 20% off anything on the site.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Aimie Apigian, an innovative leader in the biology of trauma, whose work bridges the worlds of science, medicine, and lived experience. In our conversation, Dr. Apigian opens up about her journey from conventional medicine—where symptom management was the norm—to uncovering the physiological roots of trauma and the crucial role our nervous system plays in resilience and healing. She shares how her own health struggles, her work with adopted children, and a relentless curiosity led her to re-examine everything she thought she knew about stress, autoimmunity, and capacity. The 7-Day Somatic Healing for Stored Emotions - https://traumahealingaccelerated.mykajabi.com/a/2148170319/wdrhGYaY 21-Day Journey, a daily live session program that helps participants understand how much trauma their body may be holding - https://traumahealingaccelerated.mykajabi.com/a/2147704575/wdrhGYaY Episode Timestamps: Introduction, host's mission, and episode theme ... 00:00:00 Science behind trauma, limits of traditional medicine, and autoimmune experiences ... 00:06:11 Attachment, symptom management, functional medicine, and healing journey ... 00:08:17 Mold exposure, state triggers, brain inflammation, and capacity blocks ... 00:14:22 Medical gaslighting, trauma validation, and biological capacity ... 00:18:25 Safety, resilience, and chronic survival state effects ... 00:19:32 Misconceptions about chronic stress—emergency brake and vagus nerve ... 00:22:27 Attachment patterns, autoimmunity, and shrinking world ... 00:28:47 Chronic survival loop, exhaustion, coping strategies, and shutdown ... 00:31:11 Moving to repair: phases of healing and gentle approaches ... 00:34:08 Somatic practices, art therapy, and different expressions of trauma ... 00:39:01 Shifts in sleep, digestion, anxiety, and felt safety ... 00:42:06 Tracking nervous system state: strategies and awareness ... 00:46:41 Therapy limitations: biology and somatic integration ... 00:48:42 Retraining vs. managing symptoms, stabilization, and healing ... 00:54:53 Capacity, resilience, lessons from centenarians, and longevity ... 01:00:06 Trauma's impact on mitochondria, telomeres, and generational health ... 01:06:27 Gut microbiome and trauma: two-way connection ... 01:08:03   Our Amazing Sponsors: Manukora Honey - rich, creamy Manuka honey packed with powerful bioactives, all in just one heaped teaspoon a day. Go to MANUKORA.com/NAT to save up to 31% plus $25 in free gifts with the Starter Kit.   Mitopure Longevity Gummies by Timeline — Clinically backed Urolithin A supports mitochondrial health to boost energy, recovery, and healthy aging, all in an easy daily gummy instead of another pill; go to timeline.com/nat20 for 20% off Mitopure Gummies.   Ozlo - use smart sound engineering and sleep detection to help you stay in deeper, more stable sleep all night. Create your ideal sleep environment anywhere: go to ozlosleep.com/nat and use code NAT to get $75 off.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the inspiring Leslie Kenny, Oxford-based longevity expert and a living example of turning adversity into vitality. After being told at 39 that she had lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and just five years to live, Leslie defiantly forged a new path—reversing her diagnoses, restoring her thyroid health, and even welcoming a healthy baby girl at 43. Her story is a testament to the power of questioning the status quo, honoring the wisdom within our bodies, and refusing to accept decline as inevitable.   Leslie has a generous offer for you, when you visit oxfordhealthspan.com/BIONAT20 and use code BIONAT20 at checkout you'll get 20% off.   Episode Timestamps: Welcome, show intro, and overview ... 00:00:00 Leslie Kenny's health journey and reversing disease ... 00:00:30 Biological vs. chronological age and the immune system ... 00:04:55 Impact of trauma and stress on aging ... 00:11:51 Overcoming prognosis: lifestyle and scientific interventions ... 00:18:02 Diet, tracking, and removing triggers ... 00:22:21 The overlooked importance of thyroid health ... 00:32:23 Dangers of overdoing fasting and hormesis ... 00:40:21 Autophagy basics and the cellular cleanup crew ... 00:44:06 Spermidine's role, sourcing, and supplement quality ... 01:10:19  Optimizing longevity habits and daily routines ... 01:29:44   Our Amazing Sponsors: Tro Zzz by Troscriptions – A fast-acting sleep troche that dissolves in your cheek and combines melatonin with compounds like honokiol, adenosine, cordycepin, CBD, CBN, and 5-HTP to support deep, restorative sleep when travel, stress, or late workouts throw things off. Head to troscriptions.com and use code NAT10 for 10% off your first order.    BEAM Minerals - Low energy often starts in the mitochondria. Support cellular energy with a bioavailable liquid mineral supplement — and get 20% off at beamminerals.com with code NAT20. Nature's Marvels Bioregulators - provide gentle, organ-specific support — and the Liver Bioregulator is a favorite this season for supporting detox pathways and metabolic flow. Head to http://www.profound-health.com/?Aff=Longevity15 and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the extraordinary Dr. Natalie Yivgi-Ohana, a pioneering scientist whose passion for mitochondria unlocks new frontiers in longevity medicine. Our conversation truly blew my mind—Dr. Yivgi-Ohana brings decades of expertise to demystify these tiny, ancient powerhouses that fuel every cell in our bodies, impact our hormones, drive immunity, and, as it turns out, play a central role in how we age.   Episode Timestamps: Welcome to the Longevity Podcast and today's focus on mitochondria ... 00:00:00 Maternal inheritance and critical functions of mitochondria ... 00:05:56 Mitochondria as energy producers and hormone regulators ... 00:07:03 Aha moments: mitochondria control life, death, and disease ... 00:08:55 Endosymbiotic theory: how mitochondria originated ... 00:10:19 Chronic disease, aging, and the connection to mitochondria ... 00:16:10 Substrate fuels: carbs, fats, and importance of metabolic flexibility ... 00:20:18 Mitochondria's control over immune system and signaling ... 00:26:39 Mitochondrial transfer: how cells share organelle "powerhouses" ... 00:32:42 Groundbreaking therapy: transplanting mitochondria for rare diseases ... 00:36:40 Expanding mitochondrial therapies to age-related diseases ... 00:42:57 Aging in women: hormones, mitochondria, and inflection points ... 00:51:00 Stem cell exhaustion and cellular renewal ... 00:52:24 Biomarkers: ways to measure mitochondrial health ... 01:03:11 Supplements, lifestyle, and emotional health for mitochondria ... 01:15:47 Medication choices and minimizing mitochondrial toxicity ... 01:24:04   Our Amazing Sponsors: O₃RACLE by Wizard Sciences — A daily ozonated oil capsule designed to support immune balance, cellular communication, and antioxidant production without clinics, machines, or complicated routines; learn more at wizardsciences.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off.   Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers — A full-spectrum magnesium supplement combining seven highly absorbable forms to support sleep, stress, muscle recovery, and nervous system balance in one nightly habit. Save 15% at bioptimizers.com/bionat with code BIONAT   Vitali - combines pharmaceutical-grade copper peptides with zero-age exosomes to support clearer cellular signaling and long-term skin resilience, working with your biology instead of forcing change. Visit VitaliSkincare.com and use code NAT20 for 20% off.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the insightful Courtney Van Bussum, a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur who has become a rising force in longevity science. Courtney shares how growing up in a family of healthcare innovators shaped her journey, and how she pivoted from startup life to tackling age-related challenges—especially when COVID brought her back to her roots and reignited her passion for cellular health. If you want to try Endotelio 1-MNA and save 10% click here and code NAT10 will be entered for you at checkout.    Episode Timestamps: Welcome and introduction to Longevity Podcast ... 00:00:00 Challenging beliefs about aging and cellular health ... 00:12:00 Deep dive into NAD+ biochemistry and cellular function ... 00:13:08 NAD+/NADH balance: Why both matter ... 00:15:24 Why NAD+ declines: Not just aging, but increased degradation ...00:18:26 The role of CD38 and NMNT enzymes in NAD metabolism ... 00:20:14 Controversy and confusion: NAD+ precursors (NR, NMN) and IVs ... 00:22:28 Methylation's hidden importance in NAD supplementation ... 00:30:55 Supplementing 1-MNA: Understanding dosages and applications ... 00:50:54 Assessing NAD+ status: Biomarkers and limitations of testing ... 00:53:01 Lifestyle ROI: Sleep, exercise, and circadian rhythm for NAD preservation ... 00:57:14 Ketones: Beyond performance, supporting cellular energy and longevity ... 01:06:03 Future of NAD science: Anticipating new insights and risks ... 01:11:45 Confidence and humility: Advice for navigating the longevity field ... 01:18:52   Our Amazing Sponsors: Qualia Creatine+ by Qualia Life – A clinically formulated blend of two highly bioavailable forms of creatine plus magnesium and electrolytes to support lean muscle, cellular energy, and brain health—especially for women over 40 who naturally produce less with age. Go to qualialife.com/nathalie and use code NATHALIE to save up to 50%, plus an additional 15% off.   Complete Liver Complex by LVLUP Health - supports your liver's natural detox pathways so your body can reset after the holidays without suffering. Go  to lvluphealth.com and use code NAT for 20% off. Gut Essentials Bundle by Just Thrive Health – This powerhouse duo pairs the only probiotic clinically proven to arrive 100% alive in your gut with science-backed Digestive Bitters to reduce bloat, curb cravings, and support better energy fast. Take the Just Thrive Feel Better Challenge and save 20% at justthrivehealth.com/NAT20 with code NAT20.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the innovative Dr. Cynthia Keller, a pediatrician whose passion for integrative and functional medicine has reshaped how we understand post-COVID health challenges. Dr. Keller opens up about her journey from conventional medicine to designing unique solutions for children and families, revealing how her care, presence, and determination to "solve the unsolvable" led to breakthroughs in treating mood changes, weight gain, and energy loss after COVID. Special Offer: If you go to  alchemicmedicinals.com and use code NatRocks at checkout, you'll get a whopping 50% off of the Tryptophan Re-Genesis™ Powder while supplies last! (Capsules not included). Episode Timestamps: Introduction and host's mission ... 00:00:00 From standard care to integrative pediatrics ... 00:05:05 Patterns in pediatric development and disease ... 00:09:19 Gut health, emotional factors, and parenting ... 00:10:44 Clinic model and multidisciplinary care ... 00:15:04 Post-COVID nutrient depletion: clinical discoveries ... 00:18:03 Key depleted cofactors and rapid recovery ... 00:19:31 COVID's ongoing impact on gut and microbiome ... 00:24:39 Grassroots collaboration and evolving strategies ... 00:26:28 Clinical patterns: mood, weight, thirst ... 00:36:02 Family-wide interventions and quick results ... 00:46:24 Symptoms-based approach, minimal testing ... 00:52:07 Supplementation protocol and cautions ... 00:57:14 Product development and access ... 01:08:22 Infant microbiome and generational shifts ... 01:10:28 Pediatricians: importance of listening and presence ... 01:20:09 Love and connection in clinical care ... 01:21:01 Modern dysregulation: loss of boredom ... 01:22:28   Our Amazing Sponsors: Ozlo - use smart sound engineering and sleep detection to help you stay in deeper, more stable sleep all night. Create your ideal sleep environment anywhere: go to ozlosleep.com/nat and use code NAT to get $75 off.   Youth Daily by Young Goose — An all-in-one moisturizer powered by NAD+ nano precursors to boost elasticity, smooth wrinkles, and keep your skin looking fresh, dewy, and full of life; grab yours at younggoose.com and use code Nat10 for first orders or this link and code 5NAT for returning customers.   Mitopure Longevity Gummies by Timeline — Clinically backed Urolithin A supports mitochondrial health to boost energy, recovery, and healthy aging, all in an easy daily gummy instead of another pill; go to timeline.com/nat20 for 20% off Mitopure Gummies.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the remarkable Cathy Eason, whose work in the nitric oxide and vascular health space is changing the conversation around resilience and heart health for midlife women. Cathy dives into why cardiovascular disease is still the number one threat to women globally, and how the drop in estrogen during menopause impacts nitric oxide production—an overlooked factor that quietly influences everything from energy to cognition. Visit https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/NIDDBL and use code NAT20 for 20% off.   Episode Timestamps: Podcast welcome and cardiovascular focus ... 00:00:00 Introducing Cathy Eason, nitric oxide updates ... 00:03:26 Menopause as a vascular event ... 00:08:50 Everyday signs of cardiovascular decline ... 00:11:19 Body awareness and tracking health metrics ... 00:14:15 Healthy labs but low resilience ... 00:16:56 Defining and understanding menopause ... 00:22:48 Systems affected during menopause ... 00:25:26 Nitric oxide's critical role ... 00:44:24 Testing and optimizing blood flow ... 00:48:14 Value of health patterns over labs ... 00:55:09 Communicating health trends to providers ... 00:56:32 Berkeley Life supplement recommendation ... 00:59:02 Prioritizing basic health habits ... 01:01:58 Longevity reframe: thriving with age ... 01:06:46 Advice for early action ... 01:07:09   Our Amazing Sponsors: Primeadine by Oxford Healthspan — A food-derived spermidine supplement that supports autophagy and cellular renewal without fasting, made from Japanese wheat germ with clean, rigorously tested ingredients (including a gluten-free option); visit oxfordhealthspan.com/BIONAT20 and use code BIONAT20 at checkout. Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers — A full-spectrum magnesium supplement combining seven highly absorbable forms to support sleep, stress, muscle recovery, and nervous system balance in one nightly habit. Save 15% at bioptimizers.com/bionat with code BIONAT Nature's Marvels Bioregulators - provide gentle, organ-specific support — and the Liver Bioregulator is a favorite this season for supporting detox pathways and metabolic flow. Head to profound-health.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by Erin Ryan, my producer and long-time collaborator, for a special Q&A episode powered entirely by your questions. After our bioregulator deep dive with Dr. Bill Lawrence, the response was overwhelming—so many of you reached out with insightful queries about bioregulators, peptides, and the nuances between natural and synthetic options. Erin and I decided to tackle the most common themes, unpacking everything from organ versus system signaling to how bioregulators actually survive digestion.   Nat's favorite Bioregulators:  Nature's Marvels Bioregulators and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order. The Bioregulator Company and use code NAT10 for 10% off.  Nanopep and click "shop" and use code NAT for 10% off.   Episode Timestamps: Episode introduction and Q&A format ... 00:00:00 Natural vs. synthetic bioregulators ... 00:08:24 Peptide signaling and digestion ... 00:11:35 Brand reliability and BPC-157 oral benefits ... 00:20:18 Organ/system signaling basics ... 00:25:42 Bioregulator priorities and cycle protocols ... 00:29:51 Healthy, preventative, and age-related use ... 00:38:44 Are organ meats enough? Food vs. supplements ... 00:41:46 Clinical evidence and biggest impact ... 00:47:57 Resilience, wrap-up, and sourcing info ... 00:52:09   Our Amazing Sponsors: Ozlo - use smart sound engineering and sleep detection to help you stay in deeper, more stable sleep all night. Create your ideal sleep environment anywhere: go to ozlosleep.com/nat and use code NAT to get $75 off.   Vitali - combines pharmaceutical-grade copper peptides with zero-age exosomes to support clearer cellular signaling and long-term skin resilience, working with your biology instead of forcing change. Visit VitaliSkincare.com and use code NAT20 for 20% off. O₃RACLE by Wizard Sciences — A daily ozonated oil capsule designed to support immune balance, cellular communication, and antioxidant production without clinics, machines, or complicated routines; learn more at wizardsciences.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the trailblazing Dr. Regina Druz, a cardiologist who reimagined heart health after years in elite academic medicine. In this episode, Dr. Druz opens up about her journey from the traditional halls of Cornell and New York Presbyterian to creating truly personalized, preventive, and holistic programs for her patients—even when it meant leaving behind the medical mainstream.   Episode Timestamps: Podcast intro and Dr. Druz's background ... 00:00:00 The value of female perspectives in cardiology ... 00:04:11 Moving from traditional to integrative cardiology ... 00:13:17 Upsides of personalization vs. "fire and forget" ... 00:22:15 Prevention through personalized genetics ... 00:26:11 Population vs. individual risk and aging ... 00:38:05 Impact of genetics and nutrition on heart health ... 00:45:07 Healthcare's prevention gap ... 00:48:38 Deeper causes: treating the "why," not just blocked arteries ... 00:50:18 Screening earlier and understanding vascular age ... 01:05:30 Epicardial fat, inflammation, and menopause's impact ... 01:10:39 Wearables, AI, and the future of cardiology ... 01:22:18 Heart-brain connection: stress, trauma, and longevity ... 01:26:35   Our Amazing Sponsors: Cozy Earth – Thoughtfully designed bedding and bath essentials that turn your home into a calm, elevated retreat and actually hold up wash after wash. Give your space a reset at cozyearth.com with code LONGEVITY for up to 20% off, and don't forget to mention this podcast in the post-purchase survey.   Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers — A full-spectrum magnesium supplement combining seven highly absorbable forms to support sleep, stress, muscle recovery, and nervous system balance in one nightly habit. Save 15% at bioptimizers.com/bionat with code BIONAT Complete Liver Complex by LVLUP Health - supports your liver's natural detox pathways so your body can reset after the holidays without suffering. Go  to lvluphealth.com and use code NAT for 20% off.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Today, I'm joined by the thoughtful Dr. Clement Lee, a naturopathic doctor blending ancient wisdom from Chinese medicine with cutting-edge regenerative therapies. In this episode, Dr. Lee gets real about why people can feel deeply unwell long before anything shows up on standard labs—and how subtle issues like limbic system stress, toxins, and chronic inflammation quietly undermine our vitality.   Episode Timestamps: Welcome and episode overview ... 00:00:00 Prolotherapy, Chinese medicine, and complex healing cases ... 00:05:16 Common misconceptions in chronic illness treatment ... 00:13:15 Why mindset and the limbic system affect healing ... 00:18:02 Early warning signs of chronic illness ... 00:22:50 Evaluating toxins, hormones, and inflammation in root cause medicine ... 00:26:03 Toxic overload concerns in children ... 00:27:09 First steps for chronic, hard-to-treat cases ... 00:31:56 Top interventions for longevity now ... 00:33:43 Testing for heavy metals and toxins ... 00:35:12 Inflammation loops and surprising causes like mold ... 00:38:12 The role of cellular healing and the nervous system ... 00:47:09 Advanced therapies: peptides, IV nutrients, and more ... 00:52:01 Mast cell activation and immune overdrive signals ... 01:08:23 Key takeaways and easy strategies for stress ... 01:26:40   Our Amazing Sponsors: Mitopure Longevity Gummies by Timeline — Clinically backed Urolithin A supports mitochondrial health to boost energy, recovery, and healthy aging, all in an easy daily gummy instead of another pill; go to timeline.com/nat20 for 20% off Mitopure Gummies.   BEAM Minerals - Low energy often starts in the mitochondria. Support cellular energy with a bioavailable liquid mineral supplement — and get 20% off at beamminerals.com with code NAT20.   Youth Daily by Young Goose — An all-in-one moisturizer powered by NAD+ nano precursors to boost elasticity, smooth wrinkles, and keep your skin looking fresh, dewy, and full of life; grab yours at younggoose.com and use code Nat10 for first orders or 5NAT for returning customers.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode