Everything Epigenetics

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Dr. Toinét Cronjé about what epigenetics can do for the field of epidemiology.  Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. By studying epigenetics and epidemiology in tandem, Dr. Cronjé seeks to understand pa...

In this week's Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Michael Lustgarten on tracking and measuring biomarkers to maximize longevity. His long-standing goal is to live longer than everyone that has ever lived. To do that, he plans on using the best available science to “biohack” his way to super-longevity. Contrary to the prevailing belief that aging is an inescapable and uncontrollable...

You may be familiar with polygenic risk scores (PRS), but have you ever heard of methylation risk scores (MRS)? MRS are crucial to understand, as they’re a tool that quantifies DNA methylation levels at specific genomic regions linked to particular conditions, shedding light on the potential impact of epigenetic modifications on disease susceptibility. In contrast, PRS calculates an individual&apo...

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, Dr. Jeffrey Bland and I discuss his significant contributions to functional medicines and how he has shaped this field. We also define functional medicine as a multidisciplinary approach that draws on the expertise of various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nutritionists, and researchers, to address complex health issues from a holistic perspect...

The reliability of testing epigenetic DNA methylation using Illumina beadchips is of paramount importance due to the specific intricacies of this technology.  Illumina beadchips are widely used platforms for high-throughput epigenetic analysis, employing thousands of probes to measure DNA methylation levels at specific genomic loci.  In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Karen Sugden...

Various aging clocks have been developed to quantify the aging process and predict age-related diseases. These biological age clocks are powered by different types of omics data and clinical biomarkers, and they’re especially useful for observational studies, clinical trials, and basic science aimed at combating biological aging.  Nonetheless, current research indicates that there is significant v...

Risk stratification in surgery is a crucial aspect of modern medical practice that involves assessing the potential risks and benefits associated with a surgical procedure for an individual patient. The goal is to optimize patient outcomes and improve decision-making by identifying those who may be at higher risk for complications. While vital for guiding clinical decision-making, current risk str...

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald's work in epigenetics revolves around the concept of "nutrigenomics" and "nutrigenetics," which are areas that investigate how nutrients and dietary factors can influence gene expression and how an individual's genetic makeup may affect their response to different nutrients. She has been at the forefront of applying epigenetic principles in the con...

According to Dr. Daniel Belsky at Columbia University, there are three limitations of epigenetic biological age clocks: 1. Mortality selection  Essentially, biological age measures may underestimate true aging because older participants represent slower agers.  2. Cohort Effects Biological age measures may overestimate true aging because older participants carry an excess burden of early-life expo...

As we age, physical fitness tends to decline. This decline can be attributed to various factors such as changes in body composition, reduced muscle mass and strength, decreased flexibility, and diminished cardiovascular endurance. Additionally, the body's ability to recover from physical exertion also tends to slow down with age. It has been well validated that the rate at which this decline...

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of adults (around 51.5 million people) experience a mental illness each year. I believe that is 51.5 million people too many! There is a HUGE need for the ability to predict mental illness, as the current diagnostic process has many limitations and challenges.  By analyzing epigenetic markers associated with mental disorders,...

Epigenetic coaching is a revolutionary approach to health and wellness that leverages the latest research on epigenetics to optimize gene expression. As you all know, epigenetics refers to changes in gene activity that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence, but rather by environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exercise. With the help of an epigenetic coach, like Lindsey...

I hate to break it to you, but yes - what your grandmother did directly influences how your DNA is regulated today.  This is called epigenetic transgenerational inheritance.  Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance refers to the transmission of epigenetic marks from one generation to the next. This phenomenon can occur through the germline and affect the development and health of future generatio...

Cancer acts as an accelerator of aging. Furthermore, we know that cancer and cancer therapies can elicit aging-associated cognitive phenotypes and reveal or exacerbate underlying cognitive deficits, increase the risk of physical impairment, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions, and accelerate the hallmarks of aging.  Dr. Christin Burd and her team, from The Ohio State Univer...

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, as it is closely linked to overall physical function and quality of life. As we age, our bodies naturally experience a decline in muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia. This loss of muscle mass can lead to a range of negative health outcomes, including decreased mobility, increased risk of falls and fractures, and decreased metabolic ra...

It’s always a pleasure speaking with Dr. Habib, and in this podcast he doesn’t disappoint. His mantra of “The right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time” has revolutionized the way healthcare providers should approach clinical care. He takes an integrated approach to healthcare, and notes that Next Health is not “married” to a single treatment method or restricted by conventional me...

The proteome is the collection of proteins that are present within a specific cell, tissue, or system within the body. Our circulating proteome refers to the proteins circulating in our bloodstream and is made up of proteins that are either produced in the circulatory system, or proteins that enter the bloodstream from other organs and tissues in the body. Why do we care about this? As we know, pr...

If you’re human, I’m sure you’ve been stressed out at some point in time. Unfortunately, it is an inevitable occurrence during any stage of life. Not only does stress make you feel older, in a very real sense, it can speed up aging. But, what if you could reverse your increased aging following recovery from that stress?  In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Jesse Pognaik speaks with...

Measuring your Biological Age has been extremely popularized because of how highly correlated it is to almost every chronic disease and death. However, the Biological Age of a person is limited in the sense that it is a “historical-based” age, meaning it only captures how quickly you’ve been aging since your inception up until the present moment. Have you ever wondered how quickly you’re aging at...