Diet and Death | Dr. Peter Attia | EP 360

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and Dr. Peter Attia discuss healthspan, lifespan, obesity, the profound difference simple changes can make, diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and realistic ways you can actively work toward a higher quality of life.

Dr. Peter Attia is a renowned physician and longevity expert, specializing in metabolic health and performance optimization. With a background in mechanical engineering and a medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Attia brings the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. Through his podcast, "The Drive," and his website, he shares insights on longevity, nutrition, and human performance. Possessed by his passion for helping individuals achieve optimal health, he combines science, data analysis, and personalized care to inspire others to prioritize metabolic health and lead fulfilling lives.

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(0:00) Coming up
(0:11) Intro
(1:23) Lifespan v. healthspan
(5:18) Cognitive decline and exercise
(10:30) Why exercising is difficult to start
(12:10) The benefit from going zero to three hours a week
(14:33) Setting positive behaviors
(17:36) Weightlifting and Cardiovascular exercise
(20:33) Grip strength is a great marker for life span
(22:03) Sarcopenia: loss of muscle mass due to age
(23:10) Rucking as a means to bypass cardio plateaus
(25:20) The best exercise for your lower body
(26:00) Eccentric strength: why the elderly fall
(27:37) Working up to height
(28:47) Diabetes, metrics of testing
(32:13) Decline in insulin sensitivity
(35:01) The difference between healthy and nearly dying
(38:47) What your eye doctor can see
(41:34) How much fat your body can actually store
(45:30) In awe of the liver, how glucose is stored in fat
(48:01) The food pyramid was not produced by scientists
(50:35) The Standard American Diet is SAD
(54:04) Are all calories created equal?
(58:23) Arthritis and diet
(1:00:01) Scientific literature on the carnivore diet
(1:02:41) Restrictive diets, weight loss and inflation
(1:09:09) Appetite and endurance on restriction diets
(1:11:52) Concentration benefits
(1:14:35) Cancer hits its peak first
(1:16:57) What’s happening when cancer spreads, self v. non self
(1:20:14) What you can do about cancer prevention
(1:24:12) The challenge in optimal screening
(1:27:32) Lesser known drivers for cancer
(1:29:05) Almost no research funding goes towards prevention
(1:30:51) Where should the resources go?
(1:33:30) Youth and exercise, standing desks
(1:34:37) The system does not do what the name says it does
(1:35:33) Emotional health and longevity
(1:37:33) Fear, lockdowns, and mental impact
(1:38:46) Self care
(1:41:04) Through the lens of a patient
(1:43:05) Self Authoring and Future Authoring
(1:46:30) A three pronged plan for healthspan
(1:47:31) The marginal decade exercise
(1:49:18) You need a reason to change

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#TheJordanBPetersonPodcast

[mathieuboilard]

I'm a professional researcher in cell biology and I consider this interview to be some of the best info you can find on the web.

[rosemariekimball]

I am 72 female with a family history of severe depression and bipolar disorder. In addition, type 2 diabetes is rampant in my family. I have been exercising almost daily for over 35 years. Exercise has been my savior. I've never needed medication to manage my depression and thankfully, I am healthy.

[wngimageanddesign]

At 50, I was convinced to become a vegan to preserve my perfect health and excellent fitness, following a successful solo bike tour of the US Pacific coast. My physique was better than I was at 18, and I was in great shape as a very active teen. 7 years of vegan dieting destroyed my life, my body, and my health. First signs were arthritis, Lupus. Then skin disorders, vision problems, muscle mass loss, joint pains, and nervous twitches. Hashimoto's Disease followed. Night sweating. constipation. tinnitus. I double-downed on my vegan diet, fully convinced I was doing the best for myself. I developed insulin resistance/per-diabetes, triple-vision. I was literally legally blind. I couldn't ride a bike, barely able to drive a car safely. I had Cushings Syndrome. gastro-intestinal disorders, rectal bleeding. I had insomnia, and would pass out after I ate. And I at 4-6x a day, feeling a need to snack as I got hungry after main meals. My hair was falling out. I had periodontal disease with bleeding gums and I lost a molar! I was 57, looked 67, and felt like 77. My skin hung off my limbs. My rear end is totally gone, all the muscle. It hurts to sit for a long time. I was prepared to kill myself just to end the suffering and deterioration. Then I contracted Omicron and suffered it for a week. I recovered quickly and it changed my mental state. I was fed up with my condition. Then I discovered your daughter's TedX video on her journey and struggle and her Lion Diet. I jumped head on into carnivore diet. I began eating beef after a 10 year absence. Red meat, eggs, cheeses. Cut sugars, reduced starches/carbs, limited most produce and fruit. No potatoes, no coffee, no vegetable oils. The transformation in 3 months was remarkable! During my vegan diet, I gained 6 inches to my waist of visceral fat. 37+" and dropped to 31" waistline. All of my visceral fat is gone. My hair grew back thick, my vision improved, my arthritis disappeared, and my gums stopped bleeding. I slept better, my mental state improved dramatically. I'm still on my road to recovery. But without Mikhaila Peterson's efforts, none of this would have happened. And for that, I'm so grateful to your family. Keep up with your important and needed good work.

[nvarras]

I turned 50 this year. I began listening to Dr. Attia. I joined a functional fitness gym. It is like my mind got a tune up. My body also. My problems seemed to become smaller and easier to deal with . I have neglected my health for years. My wife says I seem 15 years younger. I’m now starting to also clean house with toxic personalities around me. Tolerating people who are narcissistic is as toxic as drinking cyanide.

[janealan]

After a second viewing of this excellent podcast and hearing Dr Attia say that exercise is the most important element of health on longevity I can't help but think that we should promote dance for a whole variety of reasons from preschool to retirement home. Dance teaches coordination, burns calories, increases cardio vascular output, promotes cooperation, provides socialization and is fun. It has spin off benefits for music and musicians and costume designers. It's adaptive to all ages and abilities from recreational to competetive. Dance covers it all.

[Tyrell-do]

"Dont let perfect be the enemy of good" - what a powerful but simple phrase, I had never heard it before. It motivated me into working out today, let it be known.

[Roman-htrx]

Damn, every once in a while Dr Peterson gives us all these precious gems of knowledge for free. What an impact on society. Thank you, sir

[maristelasantos]

When your favourite psychologist meets your favourite doc for a chat. Thank you both for putting so much insightful content on the internet for free, so we can all work on ourselves and become better humans.

[vondabethel]

Turned 49 this year, both parents passed with diabetes and hypertension and the chronic illnesses that those contribute too...I absolutely needed this information, God sent this video to me today, I already have type 2 diabetes and hypertension...3 hours a week is a miracle for me, and the changes I will be making after this video is as if I have recommitted my life to Christ after being a Christian for my entire life. Thank you so much! I am changed!

[tonkajahari]

This is good information. I’m a trainer/nutritionist and I use a habit-based approach with my clients, as well. It usually starts with morning cardio. Doesn’t matter how long. Literally 2min is fine. Just DO that and build the habit. Having done that every morning, you set yourself up psychologically to be more likely to modify your other behaviors throughout the day. “I worked out today” is already programmed into your mind as a pre-script for your other decisions. That’s a huge modifier on your day. “What’s for lunch? I worked out today, so I should go for a chicken salad instead of a sandwich. Maybe I’ll eat it outside and get a little walk while I’m on break.”

Little daily victories build massive results over time.

[gioxpfr]

I started Keto about 2 months ago. Then saw videos on Carnivore diet. I saw JP's video on Joe Rogan about his experience on the Carnivore diet. Also his daughter's video. I've been following Dr Chaffee, Dr Ken Burns, and Dr Shawn Baker. Also a regular guy tracking his personal experience with Carnivore at Homestead Now on YouTube. They convinced me to try it. I'm having the same experience as JP on it. I'm almost 60. My energy level is through the roof. I'm power walking every day. I've hit the gym 3 days this week lifting weights like a 20yr old. I haven't felt like this in about 20 years. I just had lab work done and everything was great. I'm type 2 diabetic and have struggled keeping my A1C below 8.5. My medicine wasn't doing it. Now I'm 5.5 in the normal range. My triglycerides were about 300. Now around 100. The only thing out of range was my B12. It was high which the doc said was not bad. I'm usually very low in B12. I'm feeling so good now. I had fibromyalgia, arthritis. After working out to my max on everything, I'm not sore at all. Joints and muscles feel great. I've eaten a few carbs here and there and when I do, it has a very noticeable negative effect on my body in a very short time. Bloating, gas, reflux, heartburn, tired. My sinuses have been crystal clear. Last night I had some of a dish with noodles and an hour later, my sinuses got stopped up and I was coughing up a ton of mucous. I've put my dog on carnivore too. A 7yr old black lab who was very overweight, always hungry, had bad joint pains, very sluggish. She shed hair like crazy and had a lot of eye goop every day in both eyes. I feed her bacon and eggs, Ribeyes. We walk every day. She has literally lost half her weight and looks like she did when she was a puppy. She's full of energy now. No joint pain. She can jump and run again. No more eye goop and shedding is almost stopped. She's a very happy pup and doesn't beg me for food all day. No more kibble for her. No more dog food with plants in it anymore. She's getting the proper diet. As for cost, we both are eating much less so I think it all evens out. I'm planning on coming off all meds soon. All supplements too. Just red fatty meat. Beef!

[davidstair]

Another antidotal: been on Carnivore for 3 weeks, wife on Keto the same. We have both stopped snoring, I’ve lost 10 lbs, my wife 5 lbs, my wife stopped using insulin as her fasting was the same as if she had taken her Lantis… pain in my kidneys, back, knees, is GONE, my memory has suddenly become really sharp… holy smokes! The changes are astounding and really quick!

I have this strange quietness that has come over my whole body… I notice it especially when I am going to bed. I used to twitch and feel sudden jolts that made we always feel on edge. After about 3 days in, I noticed it and I almost cried. I told my wife it felt as if I was a little kid or something long lost that I felt in my body! Also, chill emotions… no dips or hangry episodes. Total lack of hunger throughout the day… knowing that I can eat anytime my snacks of cheese and meat sticks.

Oh, and I stopped farting! Oh! And reduced my bms from 5-6 a day to one!

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?! I feel so good!!

[exxosetty]

It induces anger in me when I hear “Covid” blamed for the loneliness/suicide/mental health/overdose death epidemic underway currently. It wasn’t “Covid, ” it was the response to Covid by the government.

[adrian__baxter]

One of the most crucial discussions the world needs at the moment. Hope this gets the views it deserves.

[karenkaren]

I worked as an Oncology nurse for decades and exercise was my super power. It frustrates and saddens me that so many nurses are so obese.

[jeffreydaniels]

I’m a 62 year old man, I have loved this lovely, extremely informative vlog with this gentleman. I have decided several years back never to retire but instead do menial tasks most men my age would rarely still do and strike a balance that keeps me energetic and young in spirit. My routine is waking up at 4:00 a.m. green juice, red juice, supplements. Dry brushing for the lymphatic health. Prayers of gratitude, shower, shave then walking 1.5 miles to the gym where I put in a vigorous workout rotation between HIT or high-intensity trading and weight lifting. Then I walk to work across the street where I prep food, cook, do dishes, mop and sweep everyday. My employer schedules me for 6 hour days but gives me the option to do more if I want, and often do. After years of this I have never called in sick, never showed up or called in late and almost consider my two consecutive days off enough of a vacation for me. I eat what I want but find that this lifestyle creates a greater momentum towards healthier foods. I can drink or smoke cigars if I want to but get greater enjoyment doing much less, like once or twice a month. I have always woke up early and made my bed ever since I was young. My son who is now 28 is also an inspiration to me by following my path to greater health by passing me up in almost every way. God Bless you Jordan Peterson for being the man you are. And the strength and fortitude to challenge the ensuing madness!

[typedesign]

As an adult diagnosed Type 1 diabetic this is arguably the most interesting episode I've ever listened to.

[noahsheehan]

This is an amazing interview. After hearing about the carnivore diet through Jordan, I decided to try it myself. The results were just outstanding. I was 30, and weighed 360lbs at the time of starting the diet. Within a year, I lost 135lbs and dropped from a waits size 44 to 36. I had lots of different health issues including gastric reflux disease, insomnia, depression, lathargy, daily headaches, gum disease, and overall unhealthiness. Since Ive been on the carnivore diet for 2 years now, ALL of my health issues/symptoms have disappeared. I have never felt better in my life, I have what seems like unlimited energy, and my cognitive ability has improved dramatically. I would love to see more studies done on the carnivore diet. I can absolutely say it worked for me.

[aliciai.]

I'm 41 years old. I used to be very active and had a clean bill of health. I lost track, became a mother and my health took a back seat to raising my child. Long story short I have high blood pressure that I have to control. I changed my diet, starting moving my body more. My blood pressure has dropped to normal levels. I will never let anyone tell me I can't change my health with diet and exercise. Pharmaceuticals are not the answer.

[rhondatracy]

So glad I took the time to listen. I have been on the keto/carnivore diet for 4 months and I am now 118lbs. At 5' tall, it put me at a Normal wt and bmi for the first time in years. I am mentally sharper, I feel good, active. I should probably mention I am 67 yrs old.