This week on the SuperAge podcast, vascular biologist Dr. William Li joins us. Dr. Li emphasizes the importance of specific foods that support vascular health, including brassica vegetables, green tea, and nuts. We discuss the critical role of blood vessels in overall health. He shares insights into how our circulatory system impacts major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. He also addresses the role of inflammation and offers practical dietary advice for maintaining optimal health.
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Key Moments
“Keeping our blood vessels in a healthy state is the beating heart of what I actually study… And the good news is that there are foods that can actually help us achieve that.”
“One of the biggest myths about inflammation is that it is categorically bad. And that’s just not true. And I can tell you this, as a physician, as a doctor, and also as a scientist. Thank goodness we’ve got inflammation in our body. Inflammation is our first responder system of the body.”
“There are foods that can actually lower inflammation, boost immunity, and cut off the blood supply that feeds cancers. There is a type of definition around “prescription foods” for people with diabetes, etc. for medically tailored meals. That makes sense. What I’m talking about, this is a food as medicine approach. It is an every person approach. You could be at any age. You could be healthy, you could be sick. This is something that’s going to actually be in your best interest, to be able to optimize your health at any point in your lifespan, as definitely as you age.”
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Understanding the Role of Blood Vessels in Health
In this episode of the SuperAge podcast, vascular biologist Dr. William Li shares his extensive knowledge on the importance of blood vessels in maintaining overall health. As a physician and scientist, Dr. Li has dedicated his career to understanding the critical role that our circulatory system plays in both health and disease. His insights offer a fresh perspective on how dietary choices can significantly impact our wellbeing.
The Connection Between Blood Vessels and Major Disease
Dr. Li explains that our bodies contain approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels, which serve as the highways and byways of health. He emphasizes that healthy blood vessels are essential for optimal health, while unhealthy vessels contribute to major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. These conditions, among the top causes of death globally, all have a vascular component. For instance, tumors hijack blood vessels to feed themselves, while blocked vessels can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Dietary Recommendations for Vascular Health
One of the key points Dr. Li discusses is the impact of diet on vascular health. He suggests focusing on foods that keep blood vessels healthy and slippery, preventing clots and blockages. Some of his top recommendations include:
Brassica Vegetables: Foods like broccoli, bok choy, and Swiss chard contain bioactives that maintain the endothelial lining of blood vessels, ensuring they remain smooth and unclogged.
Green Tea: Rich in polyphenols and catechins, green tea helps maintain the health of blood vessels.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other tree nuts provide dietary fiber and nutrients that support vascular health and reduce inflammation.
The Role of Inflammation
Dr. Li also highlights the dual nature of inflammation. While acute inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and is beneficial, chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues, including cancer growth. He advises consuming foods high in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce chronic inflammation and promote overall health.
Practical Takeaways
Dr. Li’s approach to health emphasizes the practical application of scientific knowledge. He encourages individuals to incorporate anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and anti-angiogenic foods into their diets. These dietary changes can help prevent the development and progression of diseases by maintaining healthy blood vessels and reducing chronic inflammation.
By focusing on practical dietary changes and understanding the science behind them, Dr. William Li provides valuable insights that can help individuals maintain their health and prevent disease.
The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.
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