Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

Most people assume losing strength, energy, and bone health is inevitable as we age. But what if maintaining muscle, optimizing hormones, and protecting bone density were about targeting the right systems early rather than treating symptoms later?
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB/GYN and expert in midlife health and longevity. With years of experience merging clinical medicine with functional approaches, Dr. Shepherd shares how resistance training, hormone therapy, nutrition, and modern therapies like GLP-1 medications can work together to help women thrive through midlife and beyond.
We talk about why muscle is the "organ of longevity," how bone quality and hormonal balance impact strength and metabolism, and why small, consistent lifestyle changes such as squats, grip exercises, and functional movement can have massive long-term effects. Dr. Shepherd also explores strategies to boost energy, preserve functionality, and support overall health so you can age stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
 
What We Discuss:
(04:00) Why many physicians leave traditional medicine for longevity-focused care

(07:50) Menopause, the WHI study, and how hormone therapy was misunderstood for decades

(11:45) Perimenopause explained: early symptoms like brain fog, sleep disruption, and emotional changes

(18:45) When women should start thinking about perimenopause and why conversations should begin in the late 30s

(23:30) Patient autonomy: ruling out thyroid, mental health, stress, and nutrition before starting hormones

(27:40) Hormones as optimization fuel for brain, bone, muscle, and metabolic health

(30:15) Why muscle is the organ of longevity and how resistance training protects metabolism and strength

(33:00) Bone health beyond density: early DEXA scans, bone quality, and osteoporosis prevention

(36:30) Functional longevity tests: sit-to-stand, grip strength, farmer's carry, and real-world strength

(39:50) Motivation and quick wins: how HRT and GLP-1 therapies can accelerate lifestyle change

(41:15) The synergy between hormone therapy and GLP-1 medications in perimenopause

(44:40) The future of hormone therapy: individualized delivery and integrated longevity care models

(46:45) Creating a well space for proactive health instead of reactive disease treatment



Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Dr. Jessica Shepherd:
Instagram:  jessicashepherdmd 
Website: https://www.jessicashepherdmd.com/ 
Linkedin: Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG

Most people focus on cholesterol and plaque when thinking about heart health. The truth is, there are hidden drivers that can silently damage your arteries and increase cardiovascular risk.
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Abid Husain, cardiologist and expert in cardiometabolic health, to unpack how microvascular dysfunction, glycocalyx degradation, metabolic disease, and mental stress contribute to heart disease beyond traditional risk factors. We break down the role of nitric oxide, small dense LDL, clotting mechanisms, and the often overlooked impact of stress on cardiovascular health.
We also explore how lifestyle interventions, targeted supplements like nattokinase and chondroitin sulfate, and metabolic management with GLP-1 therapies can strengthen vascular health and reduce hidden cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Abid Husain is a cardiologist specializing in cardiometabolic medicine, who combines cutting-edge research with practical strategies to help patients optimize heart health, manage metabolic risk, and prevent cardiovascular disease.
What We Discuss:
(00:37) The glycocalyx: why it matters for cardiovascular health and how it protects arteries
(08:50) Lifestyle strategies to strengthen the glycocalyx, including exercise and metabolic health
(14:30) Supplements that support vascular integrity: nattokinase, lumbrokinase, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid
(22:10) Testing glycocalyx health: syndecan serum test and ultrasound visualization
(28:45) Thrombotic risk assessment, aspirin considerations, and personalized cardiovascular strategies
(36:20) Metabolic disease as a root cause of heart disease and the role of GLP-1 therapies
(44:00) Hidden liver dysfunction and early detection with fibroscan and imaging
(50:10) Mental health and cardiovascular risk: stress, sympathetic overdrive, and cortisol balance
(55:30) Daily practices to support heart and overall health: breathing, reflection, exercise, and sleep


Thank You to Our Sponsors:
IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. 
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Dr. Abid Husain:
Instagram: dr_abidhusain 
Website: https://boulderlongevity.com/ 
You Tube: @DoctorAbidHusain

Most people assume fatigue, low energy, and age-related decline are unavoidable. What if supporting your body, optimizing recovery, and enhancing longevity were about activating the right systems, rather than chasing symptoms?
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Nathalie Niddam, holistic nutritionist, longevity educator, and host of the Longevity Podcast with Nathalie Niddam, to unpack how bioregulators, mitochondrial peptides, and targeted nutritional strategies can support cellular health, improve energy, and enhance resilience over time.
We also explore how bioregulators influence DNA expression, how mitochondrial peptides restore cellular function, and how small, consistent interventions in nutrition and lifestyle can amplify overall vitality and longevity.
Nathalie Niddam is a longevity educator and holistic nutritionist who hosts the Longevity Podcast, where she shares science-backed strategies, biohacking insights, and practical tools for optimizing health, energy, and long-term performance.
 
What We Discuss:
(00:00) Why Aging Isn't Inevitable and How Bioregulators Work
(06:12) The Russian Origins of Bioregulator Research and Key Studies
(13:45) How Bioregulators Support Organ Function and Longevity
(21:30) Integrating Bioregulators with Peptides for Maximum Benefit
(29:10) Mitochondrial Health: SS31, MOTS-C, Humanin, and Phospholipids
(36:55) Testing and Optimizing Fatty Acids and Deuterium for Cellular Energy
(44:40) Practical Protocols: Stacking Bioregulators for Liver, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic Support
(51:25) The Role of Lifestyle, Stress, and Nervous System in Aging Reversal
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Nathalie Niddam:
Instagram: @nathalieniddam 
Website: https://www.natniddam.com/
Linkedin: Nathalie Niddam

Most people assume joint pain, fatigue, and limited mobility are inevitable with age. But what if protecting your joints, optimizing recovery, and maintaining energy were about targeting the right systems early, rather than treating symptoms later?
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth, co-founder and chief medical officer of the Boulder Longevity Institute and a Stanford-trained sports and spine physician. With over 30 years of experience merging orthopedic expertise with longevity science, Dr. Yurth brings a unique perspective on preventing joint degeneration, accelerating healing, and supporting long-term metabolic and musculoskeletal health.
We talk about why most arthritis isn't caused by overuse, how the MEAT protocol replaces traditional approaches to injury, and why peptides, ketones, and regenerative therapies can dramatically improve recovery and joint function. We also explore strategies to protect joints before pain begins, maintain mobility over decades, and optimize overall energy and performance.
 
What We Discuss:
(00:00) Why Joint Pain, Fatigue, and Brain Fog Are Not Inevitable
(05:38) How Ketones Optimize Mitochondrial Function and Energy Production
(12:05) Hormone Balance for Joint, Bone, and Muscle Health
(19:42) Reducing Inflammation and Activating Stem Cells Naturally
(26:18) How Pentosan Polysulfate Can Regenerate Cartilage and Protect Joints
(33:50) Blood Flow Restriction, Red Light Therapy, and Recovery Tools
(40:27) Practical Strategies for Metabolic Flexibility and Long-Term Healing
(48:15) Common Mistakes in Hormone Replacement and Nutritional Optimization
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
Vitaboom: Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd
 
Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Yurth::
Instagram: Dr. Elizabeth Yurth 
@boulderlongevity
Linkedin: Elizabeth Yurth, MD, ABAARM, FAARM, FAARFM
Boulder Longevity Institute: https://boulderlongevity.com/ 
Human Optimization Academy:  https://bli.academy/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@boulderlongevityinstitute 
https://www.youtube.com/@dryurth
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/BoulderLongevityInstitute 
https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.yurth.3

How much control do you really have over your alcohol consumption and its effects on your health? Many people assume drinking is just part of social life, but science shows there are practical steps to reduce intake while still enjoying your routine.
In this solo episode of Extend, Dr. Darshan Shah, longevity expert and founder of Next Health, breaks down why smarter drinking is a key strategy for improving sleep, metabolism, and long-term wellbeing. He explains how alcohol impacts the body, from disrupting sleep and recovery to impairing executive function, metabolism, and reward pathways. Timing, pace, and intentional strategies are critical, and even small, consistent adjustments can create significant benefits over time.
Dr. Shah shares actionable, science-backed strategies that can be implemented without disrupting your lifestyle. These include stopping drinking hours before bed, slowing your pace, pre-deciding limits, using behavioral substitutions, pairing alcohol with meals, avoiding sugary mixers, tracking intake, and leveraging medical tools like naltrexone or GLP-1 receptor agonists when appropriate. Small, consistent changes over weeks and months can have a major impact on overall health and recovery.



What We Discuss:
(00:00) Introduction: Why Smarter Drinking Matters for Health and Recovery
(02:15) How Alcohol Impacts Sleep, Metabolism, and Reward Pathways
(06:40) Timing and Pace: Stop Drinking Before Bed and Space Drinks Strategically
(11:05) Pre-Deciding Limits and Using Behavioral Substitutions for Social Situations
(15:30) Pairing Alcohol with Meals and Avoiding Sugary Mixers
(20:12) Tracking Intake and Using Data to Make Sustainable Changes
(24:45) Medical Tools: Naltrexone and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Support
(29:30) Putting It All Together: Practical Strategies for Cutting Back Safely
(33:55) Long-Term Benefits: Improved Recovery, Energy, and Overall Health
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.
 
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/
Instagram:@darshanshahmd