When we started our conversation with Dr. Eric Topol on this week’s podcast, I expected to talk about the usual “longevity” buzzwords—protein shakes, cold plunges, and whatever new anti-aging trend is on TikTok this week. What I didn’t expect was to walk away feeling something I haven’t felt in a long time when it comes to Alzheimer’s: Hope.
If you’ve been around for a while, you know this topic hits close to home. Penn carries both of the APOE4 genes linked to Alzheimer’s, and we’ve watched our family walk through that disease up close. It’s the shadow that hangs over so many families—quiet, constant, and heartbreaking. So when Dr. Eric Topol said, “We are going to prevent Alzheimer’s,” you can imagine how hard I tried not to cry. (Spoiler: I cried anyway.)
What We Learned
Dr. Topol explained that for the first time, scientists are shifting from treating Alzheimer’s to preventing it. For years, Alzheimer’s has felt like an inevitable story. But Dr. Topol feels like we would be able to change the ending. To hear him talk about it felt revolutionary. Here’s what blew my mind:
It’s not all in your genes. Your DNA plays a role, but what really matters is your immune system—how well it holds up as you age.
There’s a new blood test (P-Tau-217) that can show your risk of developing Alzheimer’s years before symptoms appear—and it’s actually modifiable by lifestyle.
Healthy aging isn’t luck. It’s sleep, diet, stress, connection, and keeping inflammation down. (In other words, all the stuff your mom probably told you when you were 12.)
We’re entering an era of prevention. Large-scale trials are testing medications (like GLP-1s) and supplements to lower brain aging markers before Alzheimer’s starts.
What Does Prevention Look Like
Prevention doesn’t mean we’re all suddenly invincible. It means we can track markers that show how fast our brain is aging. Then we can take steps to slow that down with the right sleep, exercise, nutrition, and even certain vaccines or medications that support immune health. As Dr. Topol said, “We have 20-year runways for diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Why not use them?” That sentence has been stuck in my head.
We ended our conversation with smiles on our faces—something that’s never happened after talking about Alzheimer’s. Dr. Topol believes that with science, empathy, and a little persistence, we’ll get there. And for the first time, I believe it too.
Dr. Topol Keeps It Real
This episode isn’t just science and serious talk—we talk about bringing back landlines and “bat phones” to tips on how to sleep better in middle-age. (And why if I find a solution I probably won’t talk about it.) Dr. Topol also sets us straight on protein, weighted vests, and vibrating plates. And be prepared, he doesn’t hold back!
