How to Take Control of Your Health Beyond DNA Destinies with Naveen Jain

A Note from James:

“Oh my gosh. What a podcast with Naveen Jain. I first had Naveen on in 2014 or 2015, and he remembered it perfectly. That conversation was so fun, I still remember it like it was yesterday. It’s crazy because I’ve done over 1,500 episodes, but that one stuck with me.

Back then, we talked about Moon Express and his journey building rockets to the moon. Now, almost ten years later, Naveen has built several other companies, including Viome, which uses cutting-edge technology to analyze your microbiome and help people live longer healthier lives. Today, we’re talking about his new book, The Youth Formula: Outsmart Your Genes and Unlock the Secrets to Longevity.

At first, I’ll admit, I was tired of hearing about longevity—everyone seems to be saying the same thing—but Naveen has such a unique take on it. We got into everything: from the role of microbes in our health to fecal transplants (yes, really) and how bacteria can influence personality traits. It was fascinating. We even talked about how changing your microbiome could literally alter your personality.

There’s so much in this episode that it’s going to blow your mind. I hope it’s not another ten years before we get Naveen back on the show. I’m definitely going to take him up on some of his suggestions, and maybe I’ll have some results to share in a few months. Here’s Naveen Jain.”

Episode Description:

In this episode, James Altucher is joined by serial entrepreneur Naveen Jain to explore the cutting-edge science of longevity, gut health, and human potential. Naveen, the founder of Viome and author of The Youth Formula, dives deep into how the microbiome shapes our health and even our personality. He explains why genes aren’t destiny, how microbes may play a more important role in our health than DNA, and what steps we can take to live longer healthier lives. James and Naveen also discuss the surprising science behind fecal transplants, the future of personalized nutrition, and why finding purpose might be the ultimate key to longevity.

What You’ll Learn:

• How the microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health—and might even affect your personality.
• Why DNA isn’t as important as you think when it comes to disease and longevity.
• The latest research on fecal transplants and their impact on treating various diseases.
• How personalized nutrition can help you optimize your health based on your unique biology.
• The connection between purpose, community, and living a longer life.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [01:30] Introduction: Reconnecting with Naveen Jain after 10 years
• [02:44] The Youth Formula and Viome: Outsmarting your genes
• [03:17] Microbiome’s role in health: 99.999% of your body is microbes
• [04:02] Fecal transplants and personality: Can you inherit personality traits?
• [06:00] Personalized nutrition: Why “healthy” food isn’t healthy for everyone
• [12:00] The power of purpose: Why having a reason to live is crucial for longevity
• [21:32] Changing the microbiome to treat disease: Fecal transplants and immunotherapy
• [29:24] How microbiomes affect mental health: Serotonin and gut-brain connections
• [39:51] The role of AI in personalized health recommendations at Viome
• [46:00] Stress and the sympathetic/parasympathetic modes: Modern stressors vs. ancient survival instincts
• [48:01] The role of exercise: Why 30-45 minutes of movement is enough
• [49:00] Sleep and health: The importance of quality over quantity
• [56:58] Entrepreneurial insights: Why a smooth life isn’t what you want as an entrepreneur
• [58:07] Long-term vision: How Viome is focused on extending life by improving microbiome health
• [65:00] Wrap-up: James’s thoughts on the future of health and Naveen’s closing remarks