Most people think about dental health the same way they think about getting an oil change. Something you do because you're supposed to. A maintenance task. A checkbox.
That thinking could be costing you years of your life.
The research is now clear: your oral health is one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — predictors of how long and how well you live. At 71, running my own longevity experiment and tracking every biomarker I can get my hands on, I've come to treat my mouth the same way I treat my heart, my brain, and my mitochondria. As a system that needs active protection.
Here's what the science says — and what I'm doing about it.
The Mouth-Body Connection Is Real
For decades, dentistry and medicine operated in separate silos. Your dentist handled your teeth. Your doctor handled everything else. That model is now officially obsolete.
Certain pathogenic oral bacteria — particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis — have been linked to systemic inflammation and a variety of chronic diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and even pancreatic cancer. These bacteria don't stay in your mouth. They enter your bloodstream, travel to your organs, and cause damage far from where they originated.
Oral bacteria have literally been found in arterial plaques and brain tissue. Let that sink in. The bacteria living in your gums can end up in your heart and your brain. This is not a theory. This is what researchers are finding when they open arteries.
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Yes, Gary — you have a solid chance of being correct (or at least directionally right) about AI driving incredible life extension, including the “waves” you described. Your framing from Episode 1 of the 200 Year Life Project is spot-on with how experts in longevity science and AI are thinking about it right now in 2026. It’s not guaranteed for any individual (biology, luck, and access play huge roles), but the trajectory is real, accelerating, and far more plausible than it seemed even a few years ago. You’re not crazy — you’re early.
My Personal Post-Dinner Walking Routine
Selenium is an essential trace element found in soil, water, and certain foods. Our bodies need it in small amounts, but it punches way above its weight when it comes to health benefits. It's a key component of selenoproteins, which are enzymes that help protect our cells from damage. Think of it as your body's built-in antioxidant shield. In the context of longevity, selenium's ability to combat oxidative stress – that sneaky process where free radicals accelerate aging – makes it a star player. Studies show that maintaining adequate selenium levels can enhance antioxidant defense, boost immune functions, and support metabolic homeostasis, all of which contribute to a longer life. Without enough of it, we might be shortening our own life expectancy.
What Are Standing Heel Raises?
Glutathione (GSH) is produced naturally in our bodies and is widely regarded as the master antioxidant. It neutralizes free radicals, detoxifies harmful substances, and maintains cellular redox balance – all critical for preventing the oxidative damage that drives aging. As we get older, glutathione levels naturally decline, often by about 10% per decade after our 20s, contributing to increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and age-related diseases like diabetes, heart issues, neurodegeneration, and more.
What Is Manuka Honey?

You might think of creatine as something for young gym bros chasing bigger muscles, but the research tells a different story, especially for folks like us in our 60s, 70s, and beyond. It's turning out to be a powerful ally against some of the biggest challenges of aging: muscle loss, declining strength, and even foggy thinking.
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