Ep 16: Longevity scientist Dr Sophia Pathai: India has ‘Blue Zones’ too

In this episode, Dr. Sophia Pathai, British-Indian physician scientist and co-author of The Longevity Code, decodes biological ageing, from epigenetic clocks that can predict your health trajectory, to organs that age at different speeds. She talks to Gen Seasoned’s Anuradha Varma on the gut-muscle-mind connection, why walking and fidgeting matter as much as the gym, the truth about GLP-1 drugs, and what the Blue Zones can teach us — including what India is getting right.Listen in to understand longevity science without the jargon!About Dr Sophia Pathai:Dr Sophia Pathai is a British-Indian medical doctor with a PhD in the biology of ageing. Trained at University College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, her research was among the first to identify biological markers of accelerated ageing in diverse populations. She has led global medical teams at companies including AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson, and most recently helped advance longevity innovation in the Gulf. The Longevity Code is her first book—blending cutting-edge science with real-world insight to show how we can build resilience, improve healthspan, and live not just longer, but better.Follow Dr Sophia Pathai on: LinkedIn | Instagram The book: The Longevity Code: Science, Strategies and Secrets to Living Better and Longer, by Sophia Pathai with Olympic coach Pullela Gopichand: https://www.amazon.in/Longevity-Code-Science-Strategies-Secrets/dp/0143478621 Timestamps:02:00 About the book04:45 Biological age vs chronological age10:10 Ageing clocks; don’t use Indian data13:45 Need Indian context to data16:37 The Blue Zone, living a longer and healthier life18:10 India’s blue zones – Karnataka and Kerala21:10 The hallmarks of ageing are dynamic23:27 Vivek Oberoi endorsing autophagy; gut-mind connection28:26 Why joy is important, owning the moment36:07 Hormesis, good stress, and NEAT (nonexercise activity thermogenesis - walking, standing, fidgeting)42:16 GLP-1RAs for longevity , the drug of the decade46:24 Approach GLP with caution and context49:00 The future of longevity scienceTo get in touch, email [email protected]: Views are personal. Listener discretion is advised.