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When most people hear “longevity,” they picture extreme biohacking – pricey gadgets, exotic procedures, and a lot of people on the internet doing questionable things “for science.” But longevity isn’t just about living longer… it’s about living better. More energy, stronger muscles, clearer thinking, steadier moods, and fewer chronic symptoms – so you can actually enjoy the extra years.
In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I interviewed Dr. Darshan Shah, a physician, surgeon, entrepreneur, and the Founder/CEO of Next Health, a health optimization and longevity center with locations across the U.S. I had the chance to visit one of their California clinics and was genuinely impressed by how they combine advanced diagnostics, personalized functional medicine, and supportive therapies under one roof – including options for autoimmune and thyroid patients, hormone support, and even aesthetic services.
Dr. Shah’s story is also a powerful reminder that many of the best practitioners are “wounded healers” first: after years in high-stress surgical medicine, he developed metabolic syndrome and autoimmune/thyroid issues, and reversed his own health in just months by changing the foundations. Then he built a model that helps others do the same.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Longevity is really about healthspan (not just lifespan). Dr. Shah explains why the next decade is likely to bring major improvements in how long we can stay vibrant – with stable blood sugar, good sleep, strength, and mental clarity – rather than simply “adding years.”
- The four lifestyle pillars that move the needle most. Instead of chasing every trend, Dr. Shah focuses on nutrition/metabolic health, movement/exercise, sleep/recovery, and stress/emotional regulation. When these are dialed in, everything else works better – including supplements, hormones, and advanced therapies.
- Why metabolic health is the foundation for almost everything. Blood sugar dysregulation isn’t just about diabetes – it impacts cardiovascular health, brain health, infection risk, inflammation, and even cancer risk. Dr. Shah shares how to measure metabolic health (fasting insulin, A1C, CGMs), and why your mirror can’t tell you the whole story.
- Sleep tracking can reveal issues years before they become diagnoses. Many people think they sleep “fine,” but their data shows minimal deep sleep and frequent wakeups. Dr. Shah shares simple high-impact strategies (like consistent bedtime, phone out of the bedroom, and sauna), and I share how I use tracking to discover what promotes my own deep sleep.
- Peptides, stem cells, and regenerative medicine are exciting, but timing matters. Dr. Shah discusses peptides like GLP-1s (which may support immune regulation beyond weight loss), immune-supportive peptides, and collagen-support tools, plus stem cells, exosomes, and what may be coming next in regenerative science.
- A true “longevity clinic” should help you get healthy first – not just sell biohacks. Dr. Shah breaks down Next Health’s four-part approach: lifestyle optimization, functional medicine root-cause work, prevention/early detection, and then longevity interventions. It’s about becoming the boss of your biology – guided by data.
I’ve got a new book coming out!
Thyroid patients often have other symptoms in the body, including gut issues. Through my thyroid healing journey, I’ve learned so much about healing the gut that I decided to write a book about it! My new book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a comprehensive guide that reveals how irritable bowel syndrome is often a catch-all diagnosis that overlooks treatable root causes. It offers a step-by-step approach to help readers understand what’s really driving gut symptoms, and how to create a personalized plan to restore gut health and overall wellness. The book is available for preorder here and will be released on March 17, 2026! For a limited time, you can claim 3 free preorder bonuses before it’s released!
Freebies
- Get Dr. Shah’s free Biomarker Testing Guide
Guest Resources/Connect with Dr. Darshan Shah
- Visit the Dr. Shah and Next Health websites to learn more about Next Health memberships, Dr. Shah’s Biokit (at-home health optimization testing), and get free guides on sleep, toxins, and fitness
- Follow Dr. Shah on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
- Listen to the EXTEND podcast by Dr. Shah
Supplements We Discussed
- Creatine – a well-studied supplement that supports strength, muscle maintenance, and cognitive resilience with aging.
- IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) – immune-support therapy sometimes used after plasma exchange (clinical use).
- GLP-1 peptides – commonly known for appetite/weight support, with emerging discussion around immune effects.
- TB-500 – discussed as an immune-support and repair-focused peptide option.
- Thymosin alpha (often referenced as Thymosin Alpha-1) – discussed for immune support and resilience.
- GHK-Cu copper peptide – used in skincare/topical or injectable contexts to support collagen/skin health.
- Stem cells (umbilical cord-derived sources) – discussed for repair signaling and tissue regeneration support.
- Exosomes – signaling molecules associated with regenerative communication pathways.
- Yamanaka factors / cellular reprogramming research – discussed as an exciting frontier, still emerging.
Other Tools and Resources
- Continuous Glucose Monitor – Gives you real-time feedback on blood sugar responses to foods, stress, and timing of meals.
- Sleep trackers – Wearable trackers like the Oura Ring can help identify low deep sleep, frequent wakeups, and trends that need intervention.
- Blood pressure cuff – For simple at-home monitoring tied to cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
- Bioimpedance scale – A scale that tracks body composition trends (muscle vs. fat), not just weight.
- Sauna therapy (especially evening sauna) – May support relaxation, sleep quality, and heat-adaptation benefits. Consider Sunlighten Saunas.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) – Used in longevity settings for recovery support and cellular repair signaling. (Learn more about HBOT in podcast episode #41, Healing Brain Fog, Fatigue, Focus & Mood With Methylene Blue & Hyperbaric Oxygen.)
- Cryotherapy – Cold exposure therapy used for recovery and inflammation modulation.
- LED light therapy – Commonly used to support skin health, recovery, and cellular signaling.
- Toxin testing – Evaluates toxin burden that may contribute to inflammation and sluggish healing.
- Gut health testing (leaky gut, sensitivities, infections) – Identifies digestive drivers of symptoms and immune activation.
- Mold exposure – Learning more about where mold might lurk in your home and getting tested for exposure are important if you have persistent symptoms that don’t resolve with diet and lifestyle.
- Heavy metal testing (e.g., mercury) – Can uncover hidden contributors to brain fog and inflammation.
- Plasma exchange + IVIG – Described as an “oil change” approach to reducing circulating inflammatory factors and toxin load; originally used for immune crises. (Learn more about IVIG in this article.)
Articles About Thyroid Health and Root-Cause Medicine
- Why Balancing Blood Sugar is Vital for Hashimoto’s Health
- Sleep Solutions for Hashimoto’s
- 8 Benefits of the Infrared Sauna That Can Reduce Symptoms of Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Hashimoto’s
- Mercury Exposure and Hashimoto’s
- 9 Sneaky Thyroid Toxins Hiding in Your Home
- Mold: A Potential Trigger of Hashimoto’s
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
- Follow me on Instagram: @izabellawentzpharmd
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- Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate it on Spotify!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be released on March 17, 2026, and is available for pre-order here.
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About Our Guest
Dr. Darshan Shah is a physician, surgeon, entrepreneur, and the founder/CEO of Next Health, the world’s first health optimization and longevity center with locations across the U.S. A renowned speaker and thought leader in human performance, Dr. Shah combines cutting-edge science, advanced diagnostics, and personalized medicine to help people live longer, healthier lives. He also hosts EXTEND by Dr. Shah, a top-ranked health podcast, and leads multiple ventures in wellness, technology, and regenerative medicine.
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