EP 1296

1296. Fix What’s Making You Feel Old—From Joints to Mitochondria | Dr. Greg Kelly

In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey sits down with longevity expert and supplement formulator Dr. Gregory Kelly to reveal why joint pain isn’t just about agingit’s a sign your metabolism, mitochondria, and gut may be under attack. They uncover the surprising links between insulin resistance, leaky gut, zombie cells, and collagen breakdown, and explain how these hidden factors accelerate aging from the inside out. You’ll learn how to rebuild youthful mobility using smarter supplements, functional medicine, and real biohacking strategies like sleep optimization, fasting, ketosis, and senolytics—without relying on outdated joint fixes or overhyped trends. 

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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...

You feel stiff, tired, or older than you should—and this episode shows you how to reverse it. Learn how to fix joint pain, restore youthful movement, and upgrade your longevity by hacking the hidden causes of early aging like mitochondrial dysfunction, leaky gut, and chronic inflammation. 

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Gregory Kelly, SVP of Product Development at Qualia Life and a leading authority on functional medicine, nootropics, and anti-aging science. Dr. Kelly is a naturopathic physician, author of Shape Shift, former editor of Alternative Medicine Review, and a university instructor who’s published over 30 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to the Textbook of Natural Medicine. His deep expertise spans cellular regeneration, sleep optimization, metabolism, and the chronobiology of performance. 

They reveal why most joint pain has nothing to do with age, why your cartilage and synovial fluid become insulin resistant, and how biohacking your gut can dramatically improve joint function and brain optimization. You’ll discover how neuroplasticity, metabolism, sleep, and mobility are all tied to your ability to stay pain-free and high performing. Dr. Kelly also breaks down the science behind unconventional joint-support compounds like tamarind seed extract, eggshell membrane, L-carnitine, and senolytics. 

You’ll Learn: 

  • Why joint pain is often a metabolic and mitochondrial issue, not aging
  • How zombie cells and gut toxins silently destroy your cartilage
  • What to take instead of glucosamine to actually rebuild your joints
  • Why most joint supplements fail and what new research says to use instead
  • How to enhance mobility using functional medicine and cutting-edge ingredients
  • How movement, inflammation, and brain health are deeply connected
  • Tools for real recovery without burnout using the smarter not harder method

 This channel explores how ketosis, fasting, cold therapy, and smarter not harder strategies affect movement, inflammation, and longevity. Dave also shares how Danger Coffee and his own supplement routines helped him reverse years of joint damage—and how you can do the same without drugs or surgery. 

This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, human performance, and outsmarting the aging process at any age. 

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. 

Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. 

“I would argue for sure we can reverse it. At any age, our body can repair.”

Dr. Greg Kelly

  • 00:00 Trailer 

Quick preview of what’s coming up in this episode on joint pain, aging, and recovery. 

  • 01:07 Joint Pain vs. Aging 

Dr. Greg explains why joint pain isn’t always caused by aging and what’s really going on. 

  • 04:46 Gut-Joint Connection 

Explore how gut health, leaky gut, and LPS toxins impact joint inflammation and mobility. 

  • 06:33 Diet’s Impact on Joints 

Learn which foods trigger pain, including nightshades and gluten, and how to reset your diet. 

  • 10:14 Smarter Joint Supplements 

Breakdown of overlooked ingredients like carnitine, eggshell membrane, and why they work. 

  • 19:15 Senescent Cells and Pain 

Discover how zombie cells disrupt joint healing and how senolytics can help. 

  • 22:47 Collagen Breakdown 

How glycation and poor metabolism damage collagen and speed up joint aging. 

  • 24:21 Tamarind and Turmeric Benefits 

The science behind tamarind seed extract and turmeric’s anti-inflammatory power. 

  • 26:34 Inflammation Fixes 

How to lower inflammation without drugs and rebuild healthy joint tissue. 

  • 29:39 Mobility and Movement 

Why functional movement is essential for longevity and how to improve it at any age. 

  • 38:26 Sleep and Joint Recovery 

The overlooked link between poor sleep, higher pain, and slower joint repair. 

  • 42:52 Can You Reverse Joint Damage? 

Dave and Dr. Greg share surprising evidence on joint regeneration and real recovery. 

  • 44:48 Final Takeaways 

Parting insights on joint health, metabolism, and smarter not harder strategies. 

  

Resources:  

 

Enjoy the show!

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