We brought George Sutphin back on the podcast to bare his soul—or at least his DEXA scan and VO2 max test results.

A DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is an advanced imaging procedure for measuring bone density and composition. DEXA scans utilize two different energy levels of low-dose X-ray beams—one absorbed mostly by soft tissue, and the other absorbed mainly by bone—to differentiate between bone, fat, and lean tissue. In so doing, they provide noninvasive and detailed information about bone health, risk of osteoporosis or fractures, and body composition. While medical practioners typically perform DEXA scans on the lower spine and hips, they can also perform DEXA scans on the whole body for the purposes of early detection and intervention.

A VO2 max test measures the maximum volume of oxygen an individual can utilize during high-intensity exercise. At its core, it provides an assessment of a person's cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance. During the test, the subject performs a graded exercise protocol, typically on a treadmill or stationary bike, while wearing a mask connected to a metabolic cart. The cart measures the volume and gas concentrations of inhaled and exhaled air. As the exercise intensity increases, the test measures the point at which oxygen consumption plateaus, despite further increases in workload. This point is the VO2 max, indicating the person's aerobic capacity and endurance potential. The results can provide valuable information for athletes to tailor their training programs, for clinicians to assess the efficacy of treatments, and for researchers studying the effects of various interventions on cardiovascular health. VO2 max levels are strongly correlated with all-cause mortality.

In this episode, we chat with George about what he did to change his readouts with time, how his body composition tracks his deadlines, his experiences with Ozempic, and more.

University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology George Sutphin runs a lab that investigates genetic determinants of longevity, the effects of kynurenine-based interventions on lifespan, and environmental regulators of the aging process. George, who was an aerospace engineer before he discovered the promise of geroscience, completed his PhD at the University of Washington and worked as a postdoctoral associate at the Jackson Laboratory prior to his current faculty position. He currently serves as Chairperson of the American Aging Association.

Check out the links below for further information and/or reading about some of the things we discussed in this podcast episode. Note that we do not necessarily endorse or agree with the content of these readings, but present them as supplementary material that may deepen your understanding of the topic after you listen to our podcast. This list is in no way exhaustive, but it’s a good start!

Optispan uses the BodySpec DEXA scan in its concierge and corporate offerings.

What Is a DEXA Scan and How Can It Help You?

This is an introduction to DEXA scans that covers the history of DEXA scans, how DEXA scans work, what happens during a DEXA scan, and how DEXA scans compare to imaging techniques such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and x-rays.

DEXA FAQ

This list of FAQs covers many questions people have about DEXA scans, including how much radiation exposure we receive from DEXA scans, height and weight limits, the safety of DEXA scans for pregnant women, and more.

Unexpected DEXA Scan Results? Here are Some Potential Causes

You may have gotten your DEXA scan results back and balked at what you saw. This list addresses some possible reasons for DEXA scan surprises.

Role of Visceral Adipose Tissue in Aging

This paper reviews and summarizes evidence suggesting that visceral fat accumulation and abdominal obesity predict high disease and mortality risk. It describes studies demonstrating that visceral fat removal from rats extends lifespan, and discusses the potential role visceral fat plays in the lifespan-extending effects of caloric restriction. It also reviews several treatment strategies for tackling visceral fat such as leptin administration.

VO2 Max

This is a useful collection of resources from Peter Attia about what VO2 max is, its relationship with longevity, training to improve your VO2 max, and more.