Get Make Change That Lasts

Pre-order my new book for exclusive access to my masterclass and worksheet.

Here are the basics

Subscribe/favorite the shows you want to keep up with. Download any episodes you want saved to your device so you can listen to them anytime (with or without wifi); otherwise, just hit play. See? Easy.

If you’re on an iphone or ipad

You can head directly to Feel Better, Live More page on the Apple Podcasts app and hit SUBSCRIBE. (The app comes loaded on Apple devices.) You can also search for Feel Better, Live More Podcast or any other show from within the app.

Podcast

The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life with Professor Rose Anne Kenny

by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee   /  November 8, 2023

Longevity is a hot topic these days. We’re obsessed with anti-ageing, as if getting older should be avoided or even reversed at all costs! Of course, we can’t do that and I’m not sure we’d really want to. But today’s guest brings valuable insights about what we can do, to make sure we age healthily and happily. 

Professor Rose Anne Kenny is a medical gerontologist and Regius Professor of Physic and Chair of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin. She’s the Founding Principal Investigator of Ireland’s largest population study of ageing (TILDA) and the author of the international bestseller Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life.

In today’s conversation, Professor Kenny reveals that while 20 percent of ageing is genetic and can’t be changed, 80 percent is epigenetic – in other words, we have the power to influence how quickly or how slowly we age.

Her number one recommendation is to have good quality friendships and relationships throughout our lives. Then follow a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and reduce stress. So nothing too surprising, perhaps. But what might surprise you is just how far reaching the effects of these relatively simple measures can be – and how much what you do in your 20s can impact your 80s.

We talk about how to avoid metabolic syndrome and why it’s important to know key biological markers throughout life. We take a deep dive into the benefits of community, family, volunteering and inter-generational friendships, and discuss the undercurrent of ageism that prevails in society.

Loneliness increased threefold during the pandemic, according to the TILDA study, and it’s left some people feeling afraid to reconnect. Yet isolation is known to cause inflammation, suppress immunity and speed ageing.

Professor Kenny believes we should flip convenience on its head when it comes to exercise. Instead of taking the easy option which means moving less, we should look at the ‘harder’ options, such as taking the stairs or carrying heavy bags, as convenient ways to build activity and strength training into our lives. She also shares excellent advice on sex and intimacy, sleeping better, laughing more, and finding purpose all around you.

This really is a wonderful and practical conversation that is going to give you a variety of simple ways to play the long game when it comes to ageing. And the empowering message is that it’s never too early and it’s never too late to start. 

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

Check out our NEW sponsor hunterandgatherfoods.com/livemore

Click here for more on our sponsor drinkAG1.com/livemore

Find out about our NEW sponsor naturalmat.co.uk/livemore

Watch the video version of the conversation here:

Connect with Professor Kenny:

Twitter     Instagram

Professor Kenny’s book:

Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life

Related Feel Better Live More Episodes:

#394 A 102-year-old Doctor’s Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age with Dr Gladys McGarey

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter

Click here to subscribe to Friday Five

Subscribe to Feel Better Live More:

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts. For other podcast platforms click here.

Dr Chatterjee’s books and resources:

para

*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

†Disclosure: All books marked with a † are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee MbChB, BSc (Hons), MRCP, MRCGP