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We all want to optimize our time on this planet and live the healthiest, longest lives possible. Joel Dudley, Ph.D., and Chris Mason, Ph.D., the founders of Onegevity, an AI-driven health care service, are committed to empowering people to better understand and take charge of their health through data-driven and customized solutions.
Dudley and Mason joined me on the mbg podcast to talk about what they believe doctors should be testing for, what we should be doing daily for our microbiome, and why prevention is critical for the future of health care.
A big topic here at mbg is longevity, and with advancements in genetic, microbiome, and blood testing, we know more than ever before. In this episode, we delve deeper into all that, but here, they offer four things we can all be doing right now, today:
1. Present your body with new challenges.
A simple, cost-effective way to try to reverse the effects of aging is to present your body with new challenges. "Maintaining your body's ability to respond dynamically to the environment is important," explained Dudley. This could be why things like HIIT and cold exposure are linked with greater longevity. It boils down to flexing your body's ability to respond to challenges that will, in turn, build resilience.
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2. Get quality sleep.
When asked about one of the key factors in living a long life, Mason responded that sleep is crucial. As for how much? He says somewhere from six to eight hours is optimal and reminds us that some essential processes occur only during sleep. We discussed the new research on the glymphatic system that connects the brain with our immune system, and he suggested that sleep may be the only time the body can drain unwanted things out of our brains.
3. Move, move, and move.
The scientists point out that while certain diseases such as Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis are genetic and may be difficult to prevent, through lifestyle changes such as exercise, a good diet, and a healthy microbiome, we may be able to move the needle on things like cardiovascular risk, longevity, and cognitive clarity. Dudley says while intense exercise such as HIIT may improve longevity, taking time each day to walk is a great option. It's less about what exactly you're doing and more about getting out and moving in some way.
4. Get baseline testing.
Mason and Dudley recommend getting testing (genetic, microbiome, blood work) done so you can have a baseline of what things look like now, so down the line you and your provider have something to compare to. Whether you have health issues or not, having more information pieced together can help create a picture of what's going on inside you and may mean more effective care.
Whether it's longevity or cardiovascular, gut, or immune health, it's important to remember that every part of our health story is connected. Mason and Dudley explain that it takes the whole picture to understand what's going on inside, and they have us excited about what the future of health looks like.