JRE #1108 - Peter Attia

4/24/2018

Podcast Topics: #1108 – Peter Attia

This podcast features a conversation with Peter Attia, a physician and longevity expert. Joe Rogan and Attia delve into topics ranging from the science of extreme endurance to the intricacies of human metabolism and aging. The podcast is a captivating exploration of pushing physical limits, optimizing health, and the complex nature of human biology.

1. The Allure of Extreme Endurance:

Attia shares his personal experience with marathon swimming, including his motivation to conquer seemingly impossible distances.
He details the grueling challenges of long-distance swims, emphasizing the mental fortitude required to overcome physical exhaustion.
Attia connects his pursuit of extreme endurance to the concept of emotional acceleration, highlighting the contrast between suffering and triumph.
He discusses the unique physiological challenges of swimming, including buoyancy and the importance of avoiding drag.

2. The Perils and Fascination of Sharks:

Attia recounts a terrifying encounter with a large shark during a swim from Santa Rosa to Santa Barbara, highlighting the inherent risks of open water swimming.
He addresses the prevalence of great white sharks off the coast of California, emphasizing the need for awareness and caution when swimming in their habitat.
Attia discusses shark deterrent technology, including the Sharkbanz device, highlighting the limitations of current solutions.
The conversation touches upon the evolutionary relationship between humans and sharks, emphasizing the vulnerability of humans in the aquatic environment.

3. The Impact of Human-Animal Interactions:

Attia explores the consequences of human encroachment on wildlife habitats, using the example of coyotes in San Diego.
He discusses the surprising adaptability of coyotes, noting their presence even in urban environments like New York City.
The conversation delves into the effects of human feeding on wildlife, highlighting the potential for detrimental health consequences and behavioral changes.
Attia reflects on the complex and often paradoxical nature of the human relationship with animals.

4. The Power of Precision and Discipline:

Attia emphasizes the importance of precision and discipline in activities like archery and marksmanship.
He highlights the mental focus required to achieve perfect technique and eliminate anticipation in shooting.
Attia draws a comparison between archery and meditation, emphasizing the heightened awareness and mental engagement involved.
He discusses the role of dopamine and the satisfaction derived from hitting a target, suggesting a deep-seated connection to human survival instincts.

5. The Science of Intermittent Fasting:

Attia describes his own experience with intermittent fasting, highlighting the benefits he has experienced, including sustained energy levels and dietary flexibility.
He discusses the scientific evidence supporting intermittent fasting, including studies in animals and its potential impact on metabolism and longevity.
Attia acknowledges the limitations of current research and the need for further investigation to fully understand the benefits and risks of intermittent fasting.
He emphasizes the importance of individualizing approaches to fasting, considering factors like genetics, metabolic state, and lifestyle.

6. The Promise and Perplexity of Rapamycin:

Attia discusses rapamycin, a drug known for its immune-suppressing properties and its potential to extend lifespan in animals.
He details the intricate mechanisms of action of rapamycin, focusing on its impact on the mTOR pathway and autophagy.
Attia explains the potential benefits and risks of rapamycin for human health, emphasizing the need for careful research and personalized approaches.
He outlines his ongoing research project to explore the effects of rapamycin on human physiology, highlighting the need for rigorous clinical trials.

7. The Complexity of Human Metabolism:

Attia dives into the concept of fuel partitioning, explaining how the body utilizes different energy sources like carbohydrates and fats.
He describes the metabolic changes that occur with age, highlighting the shift in lipoprotein lipase activity and its impact on fat storage.
Attia addresses the question of why individuals may exhibit varying responses to dietary interventions, suggesting a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding the hormonal drivers of metabolism, including insulin, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen.

8. The Challenges of Weight Loss and Metabolic Health:

Attia distinguishes between weight loss and fat loss, emphasizing the importance of reducing fat cell size rather than just overall weight.
He explains the hormonal mechanisms underlying fat storage and release, highlighting the role of insulin, hormone sensitive lipase, and other key hormones.
Attia discusses the impact of stress on metabolism and weight gain, emphasizing the role of cortisol in fat storage.
He shares a case study of a patient who successfully lost a significant amount of weight through a combination of fasting and dietary changes, highlighting the potential for metabolic reprogramming.

9. The Role of Genetics and Lifestyle in Longevity:

Attia explores the role of genetics in longevity, acknowledging the importance of genetic predisposition but emphasizing the impact of lifestyle choices.
He discusses the potential for future genetic interventions to enhance human performance and longevity, but raises ethical concerns regarding cheating and the creation of “superhumans.”
Attia discusses the importance of finding a balance between performance enhancement and long-term health, highlighting the potential for extreme training to negatively impact cardiovascular health.
He shares his own approach to longevity, emphasizing the need for a holistic strategy that encompasses nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and stress management.

10. The Evolution of Medicine and Longevity Research:

Attia provides a historical overview of medicine, outlining the transition from traditional practices to the scientific method.
He discusses the limitations of current clinical trials for studying longevity, emphasizing the difficulty of conducting long-term studies on human subjects.
Attia highlights the challenges of data analysis in longevity research, emphasizing the abundance of published papers and the difficulty of identifying truly relevant information.
He emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to longevity research, incorporating data from multiple sources, including centenarians, animal studies, and molecular mechanisms.

11. The Search for Optimal Health and Longevity:

Attia discusses the potential benefits and risks of human growth hormone, acknowledging its performance-enhancing properties but questioning its impact on longevity.
He outlines his ongoing research on the role of growth hormone in aging and health, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Attia emphasizes the importance of a balanced and evidence-based approach to hormone replacement therapy, considering both potential benefits and risks.
He shares his perspective on the ethical considerations surrounding hormone use in sports and in general, emphasizing the need for transparency and informed consent.

12. The Importance of Personalization and Continuous Learning:

Attia highlights the importance of individualizing healthcare interventions, acknowledging that one-size-fits-all approaches are often ineffective.
He discusses the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the field of longevity research, emphasizing the ever-evolving nature of scientific understanding.
Attia emphasizes the role of a medical practitioner as a guide and educator, helping patients navigate the complexities of health and wellness.
He shares his own journey of continuous learning and experimentation, embracing the challenges and rewards of pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

13. The Importance of Mindset and Discipline:

Attia emphasizes the importance of mental discipline in achieving optimal health and longevity, noting the influence of stress on metabolism and overall well-being.
He discusses the concept of emotional discipline, highlighting the need for self-control and the ability to manage emotions in challenging situations.
Attia acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly in the face of temptation and stress.
He shares his personal approach to managing his own health and fitness, emphasizing the importance of setting goals, staying disciplined, and embracing continuous improvement.

14. The Unpredictability of Human Longevity:

Attia explores the concept of life expectancy, highlighting the historical trends in increasing longevity and the potential for future breakthroughs.
He cautions against assuming immortality, acknowledging the inherent limitations of human life.
Attia emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest, embracing the present moment and appreciating the finite nature of human existence.
He discusses the ongoing quest for understanding the mechanisms of aging, highlighting the potential for future interventions to extend healthy lifespan.

15. The Power of Curiosity and Tinkering:

Attia highlights his passion for tinkering and mastering new skills, showcasing his dedication to continuous improvement.
He expresses his fascination with activities that require precision and discipline, such as archery and race car driving.
Attia embraces the challenges of learning new skills later in life, recognizing the joy of continuous development and the opportunity to push personal boundaries.
He suggests that the pursuit of mastery and personal growth is a driving force behind his passion for longevity research.

16. The Importance of Community and Support:

Attia emphasizes the importance of community and support in achieving personal goals, highlighting the role of friends and colleagues in his own journey.
He discusses the value of mentorship and learning from others, acknowledging the importance of collaboration in scientific discovery.
Attia reflects on the power of shared experiences, noting the strength derived from connecting with others who share similar passions.
He acknowledges the significance of social connection in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.

Memorable Quotes:

“In life, velocity means very little; acceleration means everything.”
“Happiness is only interesting when it’s juxtaposed with sadness.”
“We didn’t evolve to swim. We’re horrible at it, not really because we swim like this. We drag our hips through the water.”
“If you’re gonna be in the placebo, the 1 a day, the 5 once a week, or the 20 once a week, the 5 once a week was the way to go. Right. Because you got all the benefit of 20, more benefit than 1, and the few side effects.”
“The only thing that steroid is doing is enabling you to recover faster from the brutal work that it takes to actually do those things.”