In this podcast, Dr. Michael Greger explores the science of epigenetic clocks and their role in predicting biological age, health outcomes, and lifespan. He emphasizes the influence of diet and lifestyle on cellular ageing and disease prevention.

Key Points:

This podcast highlights the power of lifestyle and diet in slowing biological ageing and preventing age-related diseases. Emphasizing the science of epigenetics, it calls for adopting evidence-based, plant-focused diets to promote longevity and intergenerational health.

• Epigenetic Clocks as Ageing Predictors: Epigenetic clocks measure DNA methylation patterns to predict biological age more accurately than telomere length, reflecting the impact of lifestyle on ageing.
• Impact of Lifestyle on Epigenetic Age: Unhealthy lifestyles can accelerate biological ageing, increasing mortality risk, while healthier choices can slow or reverse ageing processes.
• Diet’s Role in Cellular Ageing: High-fiber, plant-based diets with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are linked to longer telomeres and reduced ageing. In contrast, diets high in saturated fats and processed foods accelerate ageing.
• Epigenetics vs. Genetics: Epigenetic changes, influenced by diet and environment, explain why identical twins with the same DNA can age and develop diseases differently.
• Intergenerational Epigenetic Effects: Maternal weight and diet during pregnancy can influence the obesity risk of offspring, demonstrating how epigenetics can impact future generations.
• Research Breakthroughs: Studies show lifestyle changes, including plant-based diets, can not only halt but reverse telomere shortening, a marker of cellular ageing.