136. Dr. Goodenowe: Plasmalogens and the Hidden Science of Longevity
Thu Feb 05 2026
Most people think brain aging is inevitable. What if the real future of longevity is protecting cellular health long before symptoms appear.
In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, neuroscientist and biochemist, to explore the hidden role of plasmalogens in brain health, aging, and all-cause mortality. Dr. Goodenowe shares how his work in advanced metabolomics revealed that declining plasmalogen levels can predict dementia, cancer recurrence, and shortened lifespan years before disease is diagnosed, reframing aging as a loss of health rather than a disease itself.
We explore how restoring cellular membrane integrity can reduce neuroinflammation, rebuild brain structure, and improve resilience, along with how advanced MRI and lipid-based blood testing now make it possible to measure, track, and optimize brain health in a proactive way.
What We Discuss:
(01:39) What plasmalogens are and why cell membranes matter
(11:23) Predicting dementia and mortality years in advance
(14:52) Why aging is about losing health, not getting disease
(16:03) The concept of prodromes and early loss of resilience
(19:13) Plasmalogens, cancer recurrence, and systemic aging
(27:35) Advanced MRI, brain inflammation, and cortical thickness
(36:40) Muscle, mobility, and restoring functional resilience
(40:14) The three M's of longevity: mental acuity, mobility, mood
(53:42) Measuring true brain health beyond standard biomarkers
(59:05) Designing a life focused on function, purpose, and vitality
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
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:https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/
Learn more about Dr. Goodenowe:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drdayangoodenowe/
Website: https://drgoodenowe.com/
Website: https://prodrome.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayangoodenowe/
Keywords:
Longevity Medicine, Plasmalogens, Brain Health, Cellular Membrane Health, Preventive Care, Health Optimization, Aging Mechanisms, Neuroinflammation, Biomarkers, Advanced MRI, Metabolomics, Personalized Medicine, Proactive Health Monitoring, Functional Longevity, Human Potential Optimization, Extend Podcast, Episode 137, Dr. Dayan Goodenowe
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Most people think brain aging is inevitable. What if the real future of longevity is protecting cellular health long before symptoms appear. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, neuroscientist and biochemist, to explore the hidden role of plasmalogens in brain health, aging, and all-cause mortality. Dr. Goodenowe shares how his work in advanced metabolomics revealed that declining plasmalogen levels can predict dementia, cancer recurrence, and shortened lifespan years before disease is diagnosed, reframing aging as a loss of health rather than a disease itself. We explore how restoring cellular membrane integrity can reduce neuroinflammation, rebuild brain structure, and improve resilience, along with how advanced MRI and lipid-based blood testing now make it possible to measure, track, and optimize brain health in a proactive way. What We Discuss: (01:39) What plasmalogens are and why cell membranes matter (11:23) Predicting dementia and mortality years in advance (14:52) Why aging is about losing health, not getting disease (16:03) The concept of prodromes and early loss of resilience (19:13) Plasmalogens, cancer recurrence, and systemic aging (27:35) Advanced MRI, brain inflammation, and cortical thickness (36:40) Muscle, mobility, and restoring functional resilience (40:14) The three M's of longevity: mental acuity, mobility, mood (53:42) Measuring true brain health beyond standard biomarkers (59:05) Designing a life focused on function, purpose, and vitality Thank You to Our Sponsors: 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:https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/ Learn more about Dr. Goodenowe: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drdayangoodenowe/ Website: https://drgoodenowe.com/ Website: https://prodrome.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayangoodenowe/ Keywords: Longevity Medicine, Plasmalogens, Brain Health, Cellular Membrane Health, Preventive Care, Health Optimization, Aging Mechanisms, Neuroinflammation, Biomarkers, Advanced MRI, Metabolomics, Personalized Medicine, Proactive Health Monitoring, Functional Longevity, Human Potential Optimization, Extend Podcast, Episode 137, Dr. Dayan Goodenowe