In this episode, Matt sits down with Thomas Seager, an Associate Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), to explore the challenges and future directions of healthcare. Drawing from his background in environmental engineering and public health, Thomas discusses the pressing health issues affecting longevity in Americans and a potential shift from a reactive healthcare model to one that emphasizes proactive health management. Together, Matt and Thomas examine the complexities of early disease detection, the promise and limitations of AI in analyzing biomarkers, and the difficulties of separating reliable information from misinformation in today’s digital landscape. Thomas shares his personal experiences with biomarkers and resilience practices, such as cold exposure therapy, while he and Matt discuss biases in medical research and differing approaches to health.

Thomas is an Associate Professor at ASU in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. His research focuses on sustainable engineering and resilience, addressing topics such as infrastructure resilience, sustainable energy systems, and environmental ethics. He is also the co-founder of Morozko Forge, a company that promotes cold immersion therapy as a means of supporting metabolic resilience.

Check out the links below for further information and reading about some of the topics 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 to deepen your understanding of the subject. This list is in no way exhaustive but offers a good starting point.

How scaling interventions can improve the lives of those with brain health conditions. | McKinsey

Matt and Thomas discuss the influence of mental health, suicide, and drug overdose as a “hidden mortality risk factor” contributing to the recent decline in life expectancy in the U.S., particularly among young adults. This article by McKinsey Health Institute and Healthy Brains Global Initiative highlights how mental health and substance use disorders account for 15% of the global disease burden, ranking alongside cardiovascular disease as one of the top three most burdensome conditions in society. The authors use interactive graphs to demonstrate that no “silver bullet” exists for mental health disorders. Effective treatment typically requires a personalized and integrated approach combining psychotherapy, behavioral modifications, pharmacotherapy, and social support. Breaking down barriers like stigma and accessibility while strengthening support systems is critical.

From “Sick Care” to Health Care: Reengineering Prevention into the U.S. System - PMC

Matt and Thomas explore the rising incidence of chronic age-related diseases and how the U.S. healthcare system’s “repair shop mentality” often impedes progress. This system addresses diseases and symptoms as they arise rather than adopting a preventative approach. This review article outlines several systemic challenges, including unsustainable healthcare costs, poor outcomes, medical errors, and worsening health disparities.

The authors attribute these issues to:

1. A task-based healthcare model reimbursing for “sick visits” aimed at addressing acute conditions or symptoms of chronic conditions.

2. Economic incentives that prioritize procedures and drugs over lifestyle and behavioral counseling.

3. A preference for specialty care over primary care.

The authors propose that integrating prevention into the healthcare system will require a comprehensive approach emphasizing homeostasis and overall health, rather than focusing solely on disease and diagnosis.

https://www.morozkoforge.com/post/biological-age

Thomas authored this blog post about his experience undergoing a comprehensive health assessment at Optispan HQ. He discusses how this experience changed his perspective on his own health and aging journey. Particularly, Thomas focuses on reviewing the different theories of aging and his intrigue with the metabolic theory of aging and the importance of mitochondrial health for longevity. He concludes by examining evidence for fasting, caloric restriction, exercise, and cold therapy for improving mitochondrial health and how this may translate to improvements in human longevity.

Cold temperature extends longevity and prevents disease-related protein aggregation through PA28γ-induced proteasomes - PMC

This study demonstrates that exposure to cold temperature enhances proteasome function and the clearance of toxic protein aggregates by activating a molecular pathway (PA28y) conserved in nematode worms (C. elegans) and human cells. The authors go on to show that this pathway is required for both cold-induced lifespan benefits and reduction of protein plaques in worm models of neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cold temperature and/or drugs that activate PA28y may hold potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, but clinical trials are needed to validate these findings in humans.

Do Ice Baths Increase Testosterone? | Morozko Science

Thomas authored this blog post outlining anecdotal evidence from case studies he’s collected over the years suggesting that cold plunge therapy increases testosterone levels, with associated improvements in emotional health, perceived pain, energy and quality of life. Thomas also talks about his own experience boosting his low testosterone levels and reducing his high prostate-specific antigen levels (associated with prostate cancer risk) which he believes is due to his ice bath regimen. Despite the potential promise, well designed clinical trials have not been conducted to validate the effects of cold therapy on testosterone levels. However, such studies are warranted given the favorable risk-to-benefit ratio of cold therapy, preliminary data from aggregate n-of-1 studies, and supporting preclinical evidence.