The secrets to aging well with Zeke Emanuel

In this episode of TED Health, host Dr. Shoshana Ungerleiter speaks with Dr. Zeke Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, and author of the New York Times bestseller 'Eat Your Ice Cream,' about redefining what it means to age well. Emanuel challenges the modern obsession with longevity at all costs, arguing instead for maximizing 'years of good function, connection, and enjoyment.' He emphasizes that simple, pleasurable habits—like socializing, moving regularly, eating well, and getting enough sleep—are far more impactful than extreme biohacking or self-optimization. Drawing from decades of clinical and policy experience, he stresses that health is not about self-denial but about integrating wellness into life in a sustainable, joyful way. The conversation also explores the ethical and societal dimensions of health, including how food systems and healthcare policies shape access to wellness. The episode concludes with a TED-Ed lesson on the science of aging, explaining how biological age is measured through telomeres, epigenetic changes, and inflammation—markers that reveal more about true health than chronological age alone.