Epigenetics and Cellular Aging

The aging of our bodies begins within our cells. Antiaging advocates contend that this process can be slowed down, but how well has this been proven? Kara Fitzgerald, ND, IFMCP, and colleagues published a peer-reviewed paper documenting antiaging epigenetic effects using a naturopathic protocol. In this interview, Fitzgerald discusses how epigenetics is involved in cellular aging, details of the protocol used in the study, and where we are headed in the future. About the Expert Kara Fitzgerald, ND, IFMCP, is the first-ever recipient of the 2018 Emerging Leadership Award from the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute in recognition of her work on DNA methylation. Receiving her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine, she lectures globally on functional medicine, is on the faculty at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and is an IFM Certified Practitioner with a clinical practice in Newtown, Connecticut. She runs a Functional Medicine Clinic Immersion program for professionals and hosts the podcast New Frontiers in Functional Medicine. Fitzgerald is also actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. Her first study was published in the journal Aging. A consumer book, Younger You, and an application-based program, 3YY, based on the study are scheduled for release January 2022. She lives with her daughter in Connecticut.