Why Muscle Is the Organ of Longevity (and How to Build It at Any Age)

Food, We Need To Talk

Juna Gjata

Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Health

4.8 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, we’re diving deep into what it really takes to age well—and why it's never too late to start. We’re joined by Dr. Mary Ní Lochlainn, a geriatrician and researcher at King’s College London, who explains why your muscle mass is basically a fountain of youth, why protein matters more as you age, and how your gut microbiome might hold the key to both physical and cognitive health. She also shares what she's learned from studying people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s—including the surprising habit they all seem to have in common. Whether you're in your 30s wondering if your best days are behind you (spoiler: they’re not) or you're helping a parent stay healthy, this episode is packed with real, practical tips.

For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!

Check out our book!

Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!

Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	So we've been on a bit of a healthy aging kick lately.
0:04.7	Well, you know, it's something we get asked about a lot.
0:07.0	I don't think that's what happened, Eddie.
0:09.1	What do you mean? What do you mean?
0:10.3	I think you got jealous because I always make it about me, and now you're making the show about you.
0:15.8	What does aging have to do with me?
0:18.4	Uh, nothing, Eddie.
0:20.4	You're not aging, Eddie.
0:22.6	You're getting younger.
0:24.6	Well, not younger, but maybe better.
0:26.6	Well, either way, regardless of whatever you're trying to imply,
0:31.6	I have some news for you, young lady.
0:33.6	Young lady?
0:34.6	Oh my.
0:35.6	Oh, my.
0:36.6	Yes, I'm just going to embrace the whole aging thing. The news is, young lady. Young lady. Oh, my. Oh, my.
0:40.6	Yes, I'm just going to embrace the whole aging thing.
0:42.8	The news is, we are all aging.
0:43.6	And guess what?
0:44.0	What?
0:47.4	The more you know about aging, the better you'll age.
0:50.7	Okay, okay, I guess I do want to age better.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 12 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Juna Gjata, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Juna Gjata and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.