Why Centenarians Are Defying Science: Secrets to Living 100+

Why Centenarians Are Defying Science: Secrets to Living 100+

Author: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald August 17, 2025 Duration: 1:22:19
It was a pleasure to sit down with Dr. Nir Barzilai for a conversation that turned out to be both lively and thought-provoking. His decades of research on centenarians, biological age, and the hallmarks of aging have shaped how we think about longevity—and what’s possible when we start targeting aging itself, not just individual diseases.

We get into the science behind why some people live 20–30 years longer and healthier, and what it means to measure the biological age of individual organs. But we also hit a few sparks—especially when it comes to nutraceuticals and the role of metformin in prevention. I don’t agree with everything you’ll hear, and I followed up with Dr. Barzilai afterward to unpack some of the more provocative claims. We may just need a second round for this one... stay tuned.

Check out the show notes at www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for all the relevant links and resources. ~DrKF

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

GUEST DETAILS Nir Barzilai M.D. Director of the Einstein Institute for Aging Research Professor of Medicine and Genetics President of the Academy for Health & Lifespan Research

Website: https://einsteinmed.edu/faculty/484/nir-barzilai

Email: nir.barzilai@einsteinmed.edu

Dr. Nir Barzilai is a pioneer in aging science, known for his work on centenarians, the biology of aging, and the TAME trial. He is Director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and author of Age Later and has published over 330 papers.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

DIAMOND

DUTCH: https://dutchtest.com/for-providers

Biotics Research: https://www.bioticsresearch.com/

GOLD Vibrant Wellness: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/

OneSkin: http://oneskin.co/DRKARA

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS

Find out why MitoQ’s mitochondria-targeting is a critical step for your healthspan and longevity strategy. http://mitoq.com/drkara

OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code DRKARA at oneskin.co/DRKARA

CONNECT with DrKF

Want more? Join our newsletter here: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/newsletter/ Or take our pop quiz and test your BioAge! https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/bioagequiz

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/hjpc8daz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarafitzgerald/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKaraFitzgerald/

DrKF Clinic: Patient consults with DrKF physicians including Younger You Concierge: https://tinyurl.com/yx4fjhkb

Younger You Practitioner Training Program: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/trainingyyi/

Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym

Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw


In each episode of Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics, host Dr. Kara Fitzgerald sits down with leading researchers and clinicians to explore the intricate science that is reshaping our approach to health. These conversations move beyond surface-level advice, digging into the mechanisms of epigenetics and the practical strategies for extending healthspan. You’ll hear detailed discussions on emerging research, with a focus on how our environment and choices influence genetic expression over a lifetime. This podcast is designed for anyone curious about the actionable science behind longevity, from healthcare practitioners seeking clinical insights to informed patients ready to engage deeply with their own wellness. The dialogue is grounded in functional medicine principles, translating complex studies into meaningful information that can be applied both in clinical settings and daily life. Dr. Fitzgerald guides these explorations with a clear and thoughtful perspective, ensuring each episode builds a comprehensive understanding of how modern science is personalizing the path to lasting health. Tune in for a nuanced and evidence-based journey to the forefront of medicine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald | New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Longevity, Epigenetics
Podcast Episodes
Building Resilience for Optimal Functioning with Dr. Stephen Sideroff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:52
Why are we often resistant to tackling stress and preprogrammed thought patterns? It’s a curious phenomenon that occurs even in those of us who really know the central role these psychological factors play in health, dis…
What to Do When Autoimmune Patients Fail Standard Elimination Diets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:10
Functional medicine providers are well versed in addressing the myriad manifestations of autoimmune disease, but while our success rates are remarkably high, we still aren’t always able to help everyone using current too…
Add Superfoods and Epinutrients to Any Diet Using Broths and Tonics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:13
I am always excited to share new and practical ways to bring Younger You principles to your dinner table and/or clinical practice. And this podcast is especially exciting where Jill Sheppard Davenport and I dive into usi…
Measuring Longevity: Latest Bio Age Research with Dr. Morgan Levine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:13
As a longevity aficionado, I am so excited to be talking to Dr. Morgan Levine in this episode of New Frontiers! Renowned for her research on the science of biological aging, Dr. Levine specifically uses bioinformatics to…
Fasting, Longevity, and Biological Aging with Dr. Valter Longo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:25
Eating for longevity. A topic I’m very passionate about and one that has received incredible attention lately. How much protein should we eat to live longer? What about ketones, carbohydrates, and blood sugar spikes? Whe…