#46: Introducing the longevity lab – The go-to community for credible and sustainable healthspan and longevity insights
Dr. Nickhil Jakatdar has been working at the cutting edge of preventive health and longevity over the last 10 years with the 3 D's – data, doctors, and dietitians – to go from being diagnosed with heart disease at the age of 41, to now having all his blood markers and body measurements in the green and his epigenetic biological age at 41 while his chronological age is 51. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley and more than 60 patents to his name, Dr. Jakatdar has always believed in a scientific, data driven and practical approach to solving problems. He has founded or run 5 startups in the areas of semiconductors, consumer mobile video and molecular diagnostics and serves on the Advisory Boards of the South Asian Heart Center in California, the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), has been a TEDx speaker and has been the youngest recipient of the esteemed UC Berkeley Distinguished Alumni Award. LESS ... MORE
Every day I am bombarded with conflicting health advice on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Everyone speaks with confidence even when there is nothing to back any of it. Some call themselves 'Harvard-trained scientists' after a four-week course in nutrition. Many 'Longevity Experts' don't follow their own advice.
I have spent the last ten years heavily researching this domain and I have surrounded myself with experts to keep up with the rapid evolution in this space. However, I still find it challenging to know what to believe. Most of us want to lead healthy lives, but we don't know where to begin because of all this misinformation.
That's why I launched The Longevity Lab — the go-to WhatsApp-based community for credible and sustainable healthspan and longevity Insights (click here to sign up for free). There are two objectives:
Offer well-researched and trustworthy guidance on lifestyle and wellness Help you ask the right questions to your doctor at your next appointment
People often say that they will start thinking about their health once they are done with their current work assignment, or next year once the kids are in college, or once they are back from their upcoming vacation. But life keeps happening and health often takes a backseat – until it's too late.
At The Longevity Lab, we understand these realities. Our aim is to add real value without asking for a major time commitment. We focus on explaining not just the 'how' but also the 'why' behind important habits – to inspire you to take action.
For example, did you know?
Protein is the only macronutrient that your body cannot store, so it needs to be consumed everyday to maintain muscle mass. Just 60 minutes of high intensity cardio a week can impact longevity more than any drug known to mankind. 80% – 85% of your cholesterol is made by your body and only 15% comes from food. Fasting insulin is a better early warning biomarker of insulin resistance than fasting glucose levels or HbA1c.
The goal of The Longevity Lab is to raise awareness of such essentials in a science-based, actionable and sustainable way, while helping you stay current with the latest health and wellness research.
What makes the longevity lab unique?
1. Weekly expert-led sessions
Every Thursday, join us live for exclusive sessions – including interviews, AMAs and myth-busting deep dives – hosted by top doctors, clinical dietitians, fitness experts, mental health professionals, and lifestyle medicine specialists.
Past sessions have included:
A top US-based endocrinologist speaking about her own heart disease journey, and what you and your family could do to prevent heart disease
speaking about her own heart disease journey, and what you and your family could do to An India-based experienced dietitian, with a Ph.D. in nutrition science, sharing her favorite food hacks , such as the Indian version of the Mediterranean diet
with a Ph.D. in nutrition science, sharing her favorite , such as the Indian version of the Mediterranean diet A leading lipidologist in India speaking about the key biomarkers to look out for from a healthspan and longevity perspective
And don't worry if you miss a session, because you can watch a recording of it later.
2. Health-specific programs
From mastering the 4-core habits for longevity, to tackling menopause, diabetes, or weight management, we offer targeted short-term, expert-led programs to help you achieve your specific health goals. These are paid programs, and you can join the ones most relevant to your personal journey.
3. Access to a supportive community
You will be part of a community of like-minded individuals, whom you can count on to:
Ask questions ('Best protein powders in the local market?')
Share experiences ('What helped you stick to intermittent fasting?')
Learn from others' real-world wins ('Favorite healthy restaurant hacks?')
4. Personalized digital tools
You also get access to Kai (our AI coach on WhatsApp) and the GeneClinicX app — tools that make tracking simple and easy to integrate into our daily lives. The tools will help you:
Log your food in 5 seconds with a simple photograph, and get feedback on it
Get step-by-step guidance toward your goals
Discover healthy recipes using what's already in your kitchen
Sync with your wearables
Analyze your blood test reports and trends
5. Exclusive access to trusted products
Confused by the endless lists of supplements, wearables, and wellness gadgets in the market? We personally test and vet products and recommend only the best to our community. We ensure the following:
Honest product reviews based on analyzing and using them ourselves
Exclusive member-only discounts
No commissions ever. We don't take a 'cut' to ensure that there is no conflict of interest in what we recommend — your trust is our top priority
I hope you'll join the Longevity Lab community today for free, and invite your friends and family too. To join, scan the QR code below or click on the WhatsApp community link here
Before I end this post, I want to call out a really fun and informative Longevity Lab Expert Session we did last week with the US-based husband-wife team of Dr. Renu Joshi (Endocrinologist) and Dr. Nirmal Joshi (Internal Medicine). They are also co-creators of The Brown Heart, a gripping documentary-drama that confronts the heart disease crisis affecting South Asians head-on through real-life stories and expert insights.
The film spans India, the US, and the UK, featuring over 40 leading health experts, compelling personal testimonies, and powerful voices from the entertainment world. The Brown Heart doesn't just highlight the urgency—it also shares prevention strategies and practical tips. I had a chance to watch the movie as a guest of the South Asian Heart Center and I highly recommend it. I found that it did a masterful job of capturing the big picture as well as the details, all with a good mix of humor, clarity and empathy. The documentary goes live on Jio-HotStar in India on May 3rd and on YouTube in all other countries.
You can watch the interview I did with this amazing couple here.
You can watch the trailer of The Brown Heart here.
As always I welcome your thoughts and would love to have you share your experiences in the comments.
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist says eating turmeric with black pepper is good for your gut health; lists best gut food combos
Some food combinations are better than the rest. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist and 'Harvard and Stanford-trained expert', believes so. The gut doctor often shares nutrition tips, health advisories to fix gut and liver health, and food combinations to fix gut problems online. Per the gastroenterologist, if you combine turmeric with black pepper, the piperine in black pepper will help boost the absorption of curcumin. (Freepik) Also Read | Cardiologist shares 5 five warning signs of poor gut health: Skin issues to sugar cravings and bloating In a video shared on June 22, Dr Sethi listed 4 food combinations that are great for your gut health. 'Best gut health combos from a gastroenterologist,' he wrote. He explained what happens when you combine certain foods and how they can benefit your gut health. Let's find out the combinations he listed: 1. Eat citrusy fruits with iron-rich foods The gastroenterologist advised his followers to combine citrus fruits like oranges with iron-rich foods like lentils. According to him, if you pair the two food groups, the vitamin C in citrus fruits improves the absorption of non-heme iron, helping you absorb more iron from plant-based foods. 2. Eat turmeric with black pepper The gastroenterologist revealed that if you combine turmeric with black pepper, the piperine in black pepper will help boost the absorption of curcumin by 2000 percent. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it helps in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, it may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people. 3. Have avocado with leafy greens Dr Sethi suggested mixing avocado with your leafy greens. He revealed that if you combine the two, the healthy fats in avocado will help your body absorb more fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K from the greens, increasing their benefits. 4. Eat dark chocolate with almonds The gut doctor revealed that if you pair dark chocolate with almonds, the healthy fats and vitamin E in almonds increase the absorption of flavonoids in chocolate, boosting its antioxidant power. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Fitness coach shares why carbs are important for women to reduce belly fat, suggests 20 meal ideas
Cutting carbs is one of the first thoughts when it comes to a weight loss diet. More often than not, it's completely eliminated. But carbs have their benefits too, and villainising them can do more harm than good for your weight loss journey. With belly fat requiring the full throttle of energy and focus, as it's one of the most stubborn areas to lose fat, your body needs essential fuel to power through the workouts while also adhering to the diet. Carbs are one of the fundamental macronutrients that help in retaining your energy while also keeping cravings at bay because carbs make you feel fuller. The fat stored in and around the abdomen is difficult to lose, demanding more energy.(Shutterstock) Akanni Salako, a women's weight loss coach and content creator who frequently shares fitness tips to address weight-related concerns, posted on Instagram on June 22, explaining how cutting back on carbs may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts, sharing much-needed awareness. While figuring out how exactly to add carbs to your diet can leave many scratching their heads, it's actually about identifying and understanding their nutritional value, too. Fitness coach Akanni shared a list of smart carb options that can be added to your plate. Here's what fitness coach Akanni shared, covering the key essentials, from the core reasons behind the requirement of carbs to every carb item that can be included in meals: Why are carbs needed? Carbs like rice are often removed from diet.(Shutterstock) 1. Fuel for workouts and energy Carbs are your body's preferred energy source. Without them, you're dragging, unmotivated, and your workouts suffer, which means slower fat loss. 2. Support hormone balance (especially over 35) Cutting carbs too low can increase cortisol (your stress hormone) and disrupt thyroid function. This leads to more belly fat, not less. 3. Prevent cravings and late-night binges Balanced carbs (like sweet potatoes, oats, and fruit) help regulate your blood sugar so you're not raiding the pantry at 10 PM. Healthy carb meal options Sweet potato is one of the healthy options for adding carbs to the diet.(Shutterstock) Breakfast options 1. Old-fashioned oats (good for gut health and keeps you full): 27 g carbs per ½ cup 2. Sweet potato, mashed or cubed (high in fibre, steady energy): 26 g carbs per ½ cup 3. Ezekiel bread or sprouted grain toast (minimal processing, high fibre): 15 g carbs per slice 4. Berries like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries (low sugar, high antioxidants): 15 g carbs per 1 cup 5. Chia pudding (Chia seeds, almond milk, cinnamon): 12 g carbs per 2 tbsp 6. Quinoa for warm breakfast bowl (gluten-free, complete protein and carb source): 20 g carbs per ½ cup cooked 7. Apples or pears, sliced or cooked (fibre-rich and digestion-friendly): 25 g carbs per 1 medium fruit Lunch/ dinner options (To be paired with protein and veggies) 8. Quinoa (high fibre and complete protein): 20 g carbs per ½ cup cooked 9. Brown or Jasmine rice: Stick to ½ cup cooked to stay in the fat-burning range, 22-26 g carbs per ½ cup 10. Sweet potatoes, roasted, mashed or cubed: 26 g carbs per ½ cup 11. Plantains, boiled or baked: 30 g carbs per ½ medium 12. Black beans or lentils (fibre and slow-digesting carbs): 20-30 g carbs per ½ cup 13. Corn tortilla (for tacos or bowls): 12 g carbs per 1 tortilla 14. Butternut squash or pumpkin (roasted or in stews): 15 g carbs per ½ cup Snacks ( To be paired with protein or healthy fat) 15. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries): 15 g carbs per 1 cup 16. Apple slices and nut butter: 25 g carbs per 1 medium apple 17. Rice cakes with hummus or turkey: 7 g carbs per cake 18. Low sugar granola with Greek Yoghurt (choose with less than 7g sugar per serving): 20 g carbs per ¼ cup granola 19. Dates (1-2) with almonds (fast energy with healthy fat balance): 18 g carbs per 2 dates 20. Roasted chickpeas: 20 g carbs per ½ cup ALSO READ: Fitness coach shares why protein is important for women to lose belly fat and suggests 19 meal options Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Economic Times
11 hours ago
- Economic Times
‘Fear is profitable. Facts are boring': Masala Lab's Krish Ashok debunks seed oil myths in viral rant roasting health influencers
iStock Krish Ashok, author of Masala Lab, dismantled the growing fear around seed oils in a viral Instagram video. With sharp wit and science, he debunked myths promoted by wellness influencers, emphasizing that moderation, not misinformation, should guide our diets. (Image: iStock) 'If the nonsensical fear of seed oils could be used as fuel, our rockets would have reached Jupiter by now.' With that blazing opener, Krish Ashok — author of Masala Lab, science communicator, and self-professed kitchen nerd — tore into the rising tide of fearmongering around seed oils in a recent Instagram video that has since sparked a wave of reactions. In a landscape dominated by influencer-led panic over what to eat and what to fear, Ashok's calm, scathing, and science-backed takedown of the 'seed oils are poison' narrative has stood out. His video doesn't just offer clarity. It delivers a clinic in critical thinking disguised as a witty monologue. Over two minutes, Ashok dismantles the pseudoscientific alarmism that has made seed oils the new villain in wellness circles. 'Yes, but seed oils oxidize when you heat them.' he mockingly mimics the common argument, before adding with sharp logic, 'So does every fat. Including your beloved ghee.' He then explains that in the human body — a steady 37°C — these so-called dangerous molecules are quickly broken down into 'water-soluble metabolites headed for your bladder.' Referencing real-time health data and nutritional science, Ashok adds, 'The data shows people replacing saturated fat like ghee with seed oils consistently drop LDL and prevent cardiovascular death.' His sharpest jab? 'Meta-analysis, not memes or reels, drive dietary guidelines.' The quote, originally part of his Instagram video, has already started circulating as a counterpunch to diet culture misinformation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krish Ashok (@_masalalab) Ashok also challenges the idea that industrial processing makes an ingredient inherently harmful. 'Industrial is not a synonym for diabolical,' he states. 'It's a synonym for I can afford oil today because extraction efficiency and shelf life exist.' He explains that refining seed oils — often demonized as 'industrial' — simply removes undesirable elements like wax, proteins, and odor-causing compounds, which is why food tastes like food and not like bitter oil. 'Pressing, filtering, and deodorizing do not magically make poisons,' he says, calling out the alarmist logic of influencer nutritionists. For those insisting on replicating ancestral diets, he offers a scalding reminder: 'Sure, your ancestors didn't use seed oils. Their life expectancy was also 35.'The final punch lands with a truth too simple to trend. 'If your diet is full of fried food and snacks, it doesn't matter what oil you use… your arteries will get hurt,' he says. In other words, blaming one ingredient while ignoring broader eating habits is both lazy and misleading. He concludes, 'Eating less food is hard. Putting the blame on one ingredient is easy.' The reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially among those tired of food being ruled by hysteria. One user commented, 'Meta-analysis and not memes drive dietary guidelines! 🙌' Another wrote, 'My dad is an oil technologist… and he always says — No oil is good or bad. It's the quantity that matters.'So next time you hear someone whispering that seed oils are 'toxic,' remember what Ashok said while laughing through the science: 'The only thing getting hurt is the feeling of scaremongering influencers who do not benefit if you are calm and sensible about food.'
