27-05-2025
A longevity expert says he lowered his biological age by moving his entire family to the forest
A longevity expert has revealed how he managed to de-age himself by a decade simply by changing his address.
Ten years ago, Dr David Furman, an associate professor and head of Stanford University's 1000 Immunomes Project, was living in a California city where he suffered migraines and relied on ibuprofen to dampen the pain.
Claiming his life was 'pretty stressful', the anti-aging expert believed his body was aging in 'hyperdrive' and he knew his constant headaches were a sign of something more sinister.
So, he decided to check if his theory was true and tested his blood for inflammatory markers.
Much to his shock, he found while his biological age was 39, his body had the 'inflammatory age' of a 42-year-old man.
Disappointed in his results, the scientist knew if he continued to live his life as it was, he would be more susceptible to premature aging, chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as well as mental decline.
To prevent this, Dr Furman decided to move to the woods in Southern California with his wife and two kids to improve their health.
And with a few lifestyle and dietary changes, in the three years the family lived in the woods, the professor managed to de-age his body by 10 years.
Reflecting on his initial diagnosis, Dr Furman told Business Insider: 'I freaked out. Any species that you put in a new environment will develop inflammation as a response to something foreign; we do not escape that reality.'
In 2016, the expert and his family moved to a two-bedroom cabin close to a creek in parts of a nearby forest in the San Gregorio area of Northern California that was about a half-hour drive from Stanford.
Their house had no chairs, no plastics and no industrial cleaning products.
The couple also stopped using all electronics and turned off bright overhead lights at 7.30pm every night, instead lighting candles to start winding down for bed.
Dr Furman recalled: 'We haven't evolved looking at a screen and having an electrical light and sitting in a chair.'
Several studies suggest excessive screen time, particularly from phones, tablets, and computers can negatively impact cognitive function, decrease physical activity and damage retinal cells, as well as disrupt sleep.
A 2021 Springer Nature study found increased use of screens among adults between 18 to 25 years old may harm learning, memory and mental health, as well as increase the risk of early neurodegeneration.
A 2024 study in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found adults who watched television for five hours or more per day had a 28 percent increased risk of developing brain-related diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
Dr Furman would also complete a daily workout of 10 to 15 pull-ups before work every day, and on his days off, he would play in the dirt with his kids, fish for salmon in the creek and forage for berries.
The anti-aging expert would also pack healthy lunches of salmon lettuce wraps with a side of blueberries for work - all of which have been proven to be full of magnesium, omega-3 and antioxidants that can help improve brain health.
Dr Furman also opted to rely on fresh, organic foods like raspberries and broccoli to 'feed the microbiome' rather than take vitamins and mineral supplements - and a balanced microbiome has been associated with improved mental health and a decreased risk of cancer.
Raspberries are known to be a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C while broccoli is a rich source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and sulforaphane - a plant compound with potential cancer-fighting properties.
Dr Furman reflected: 'I was feeling great, very energetic, and no more headaches.'
His health wasn't the only thing that improved. Dr Furman told Business Insider: 'I was sharp, better than ever. Just a lot of productivity.'
He had managed to publish three papers within a year - which was times more than his normal amount.
After spending three years in the forest, Dr Furman decided to once again check his blood for inflammatory markers and see if his health had improved.
Much to his surprise, the now 42-year-old scientist had managed to bring down his 'inflammatory age' to 32 - a whole decade younger than his actual biological age.
And he may have the forest to thank.
A 2019 study found 'forest bathing' -immersing yourself in nature - for at least 120 minutes every seven days promotes wellbeing.
The research was carried out by the University of Exeter and it analyzed two-year's worth of data from more than 20,000 people who took part in the Natural England's Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment Survey.
Results - published in the journal Scientific Reports - revealed those who spent at least two hours a week in nature were more likely to report being in good health.
This is compared to those who did not venture into the outdoors at all on a typical week.
The study's forest bathers also reported having a higher psychological wellbeing. Even those with chronic illnesses or disabilities benefited from time outside.
The scientists said two hours a week is a 'realistic target' for most, particularly when it can be broken up into several short visits over the seven days.
Dr Mathew White, an environmental psychologist and senior health and wellness lecturer at the University of Exeter, said: 'You could go for a walk for two hours on a Sunday or you could go for four lots of 30 minute [walks] during lunchtimes during the week.
'And it didn't matter where in nature you went. It could be on the beach, it could be in an urban park or it could be in a woodland.
'Doing 60 or 90 minutes didn't seem to have the same benefits at all. It really needed to be at least two hours a week.'
The results applied to both men and women, as well as across adults of all ages, occupations and ethnicities.
