Imagine flushing your engine oil and coolant to make an old car run like new; now imagine doing that for your bloodstream. That's the idea behind therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), a treatment for autoimmune and blood disorders that's now being explored as a tool to slow biological aging and clear the body of inflammatory buildup. In this episode of Healthy Longevity, Brad Younggren, MD, CEO and co-founder of Circulate Health, joins the show to unpack groundbreaking new research co-conducted with the Comite Center showing that TPE can measurably reduce microplastic levels in human blood. Younggren, a former U.S. Army combat physician who served in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star, walks through how his path from the battlefield to health tech led him to Circulate, what actually happens during a plasma exchange session, and why he believes rigorous data (not hype) should drive the longevity field forward.

You'll learn…

• Circulate's newly published trial found that patients with high microplastic burden saw a significant reduction in circulating plastics after therapeutic plasma exchange.
• Microplastics don't just enter the body through plastic bottles and food containers. Inhalation and even certain stretchy clothing fabrics may be significant sources.
• Regional water sources may meaningfully affect a person's baseline plastic exposure.
• The federal government recently issued a $144 million grant (STOMP) to accelerate research into the health effects of micro and nanoplastics.
• Why Younggren believes blood-based PFAS testing may better reflect the body's true "forever chemical" burden than standard urine tests.
• How Younggren's early career, including pioneering one of the first FDA-cleared mobile ultrasound devices and championing telemedicine before it was mainstream, shaped his approach to bringing new medical technology to patients responsibly.

We return to Healthy Longevity for Part 2 of our discussion about brain health with special guest neurologist Shelly Jordan, MD.

In this segment, Drs. Comite and Jordan talk about inflammation in the brain, natural killer cells, the APOE4 gene variant, and advanced imaging techniques for predicting cognitive decline. Dr. Jordan also summarizes the practical steps you can take to optimize your brain power, including building muscle through resistance training, improving your sleep, managing your environment, even controlling the air you breathe, and avoiding ingesting microplastics that can make their way to the brain.

If you've ever misplaced your keys or cell phone or forgotten the name of a friend you've known for decades, you've probably wondered, "is it early dementia?"

Fear of cognitive decline is at an all-time high. A few years back, an AARP survey found that nearly half of adults over age 40 believe they will likely develop dementia. And Alzheimer's Disease International reports nearly 80% of the public is worried about the disease.

Are you?

Brain fog, memory loss, and dementia are among the seven common patterns of aging I write about in my new book, Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer, because so many people are concerned, and there are steps you can take today to minimize risk.

On today's podcast, I'm delighted to welcome one of the leading experts in the field of brain longevity--board-certified neurologist, Dr. Sheldon Jordan, who is visiting us from Santa Monica, California where he has the private practice—Neurological Associates, The Interventional Group.

Dr. Jordan is also the founder of The Regenesis Project, a clinical research initiative focused on advancing brain health, neurological regeneration, and interventions that target the biology of aging and neurodegeneration.

Disclaimer: This podcast has not been approved by the FDA. The information in this presentation is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.