Dr. Michael Aziz on Targeting Aging: Diet, Fats, Testing, Hormones, Peptides, and Practical Longevity Strategies Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast and interviews Dr. Michael Aziz about longevity and treating aging as a modifiable biological "syndrome," referencing the hallmarks of aging and the need for broad approaches because organs age at different rates. Aziz highlights major aging accelerators—processed foods, refined carbs/sugar, seed oils, poor sleep, and stress—criticizes low-fat guidelines and the Seven Countries study, and argues saturated fats (e.g., butter, coconut) are not the main driver of heart disease, which he frames as inflammation and oxidized/sticky cholesterol, emphasizing advanced lipid testing. He outlines a basic longevity lab panel (A1C, fasting insulin, hs-CRP, liver tests, advanced lipids) and discusses insulin resistance, GLP-1 drugs and side effects, muscle preservation, exercise/HIIT, and dietary moderation of grains and keto-style choices without processed meats. The conversation covers hormones, bioidentical replacement, peptides, senolytics (fasting, fisetin, quercetin, low-dose naltrexone), NAD/NR/NMN, supplements, sauna, tadalafil, metformin, and berberine. 00:59 Meet Dr Michael Aziz 02:51 Is Aging a Disease 04:14 Hallmarks of Aging 04:54 Measuring Biological Age 05:56 Biggest Aging Accelerators 06:18 Diet Pitfalls Sugar Oils 07:54 Keto Done Right 08:59 Saturated Fat Debate 12:37 Cooking Fats and Seed Oils 14:19 Low Fat Guidelines Myth 15:06 Vegetarian Diet Concerns 16:27 What Really Causes Heart Disease 18:01 Longevity Lab Testing 18:33 Insulin Resistance and GLP1s 19:31 GLP1 Side Effects 20:42 Muscle Mass for Longevity 21:08 Omega 6 Ratio Explained 22:21 Coconut Oil and Cholesterol 24:20 Perfect 10 Diet vs Keto 25:43 Whole Grains and Mediterranean Diet 27:52 Grains And Gluten 28:54 Mediterranean Vs French Diet 29:59 Dairy Benefits And Risks 30:39 Hormones And Aging 31:43 Peptides For Longevity 34:28 Senescent Cells And Senolytics 36:08 Fasting Strategies Explained 37:43 NAD NR And NMN 39:23 Supplements And Mitochondria 41:04 Overhyped Longevity Treatments 43:08 Metformin Berberine And Sugar 45:27 Exercise For Longevity 47:00 Future Of Anti Aging Medicine 48:37 Mediterranean Diet Revisited 50:42 Final Takeaways And Where To Find Him 51:47 Podcast Wrap Up And Next Steps Dr. Aziz is a board-certified internal medicine physician, author, and broadcast media commentator. He practices at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He spent decades integrating conventional and functional medicine with a focus on identifying and treating the underlying causes of chronic diseases. Dr. Aziz first became nationally known with his 2010 book, The Perfect 10 Diet, in which he challenged a number of prevailing ideas about dietary fat and nutrition, and his newest book, The Ageless Revolution. His website is MichaelAzizMD.com. Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.
