Diving deep into the science of longevity is what we do every day at AVEA—but this time, we’re mixing things up.
We put our Scientific Advisory Board in the hot seat, asking them everything from the biggest ageing myths to their personal longevity secrets (and even their guilty pleasures).
Today, we’re sharing insights from Dr. Shirin Hund—a Harvard trained board-certified internal medicine physician, now practising in Zurich.
After years of treating patients in the late stages of disease, she realised modern healthcare is far too focused on reactive medicine rather than prevention.
Now, she’s on a mission to change that, empowering people to take control of their health before illness develops.
She recently led a vital conversation on the future of healthcare at TEDxZurich. In this inspiring TEDx talk, Dr. Shirin introduces The Biological Footprint—a transformative concept redefining how we approach health, ageing, and resilience.
And that’s just the beginning. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Shirin shares her longevity philosophy with AVEA—shall we?
Q1. Tell us about yourself—what’s your background, and how did you end up in the world of longevity science?
I am an American board certified internal medicine physician, now living and practicing medicine in Zurich. During my medical residency training at a Harvard academic hospital, I was confronted with trying to alleviate the tragic outcomes of disease, pain, and suffering on a nonstop basis.
Sometimes, it seemed that counselling patients on how to live a healthier life based on preventative habits and education about basic health principles was inevitably pushed to the last few minutes of my time with my patients.
The health care system unfortunately prioritises and compensates doctors and hospitals on firstly managing the symptoms of disease and prescribing medication.
When I moved to Switzerland, I was one of the first doctors employed at the newly opened Chenot Palace Weggis, and it was a wonderful introduction and training into the principles of epigenetic modification and preventative health counselling.
It is a pleasure and a fulfilling educational challenge to teach patients how to change their habits with the goal of living healthier while living longer.
Q2. What’s the biggest lie we’ve been told about ageing? (And why is it completely wrong?)
The biggest lie we have been told is that ageing is always accompanied by suffering, disease, pain, and the loss of physical and cognitive ability.
While ageing is inevitable, how we age is a choice we make based on how we live today. We all know people who have reached their 70s, 80s, and 90s with incredible health. It can be achieved by how we proactively act in our youth.
Q3. What’s one thing about longevity science that you wish more people understood?
The principles of longevity science are not exclusive to those with financial privilege. Living healthier is accessible and feasible to all people.
Q4. If you had to explain longevity to an 8-year-old, how would you do it?
What do you like to do? Do you like to play, jump, run, climb? Do you like to explore the world by touching/seeing/smelling/tasting, learning new skills, playing music, kicking a soccer ball, skiing in the mountains, chasing your friends on the playground?
Do you wake up every day feeling energised and ready to start the day? Do you feel ready for the next adventure of the day after you eat the healthy food your parents made?
I want you to always have this feeling of youth, of health, of vigour, of energy after a restorative night of sleep, of vitality and activity, not just when you are 8, but when you are 98. But I have to teach you how to do it, starting now.
Q5. Be honest—what’s your favourite AVEA supplement and why?
Since my pregnancies and in my postpartum period, I enjoy taking the Collagen Activator and notice it has helped me especially avoid hair loss after giving birth and my skin integrity is very strong: no stretch marks!
AVEA’s Collagen Activator
- 100% vegan proprietary formula developed with scientists from ETH Zurich
- Activates collagen synthesis 4x more efficiently than regular collagen
- Promotes smoother, more radiant and better hydrated skin within 30 days
- No sugar, artificial flavour or colour. Sweetened with Stevia.
Does Avea’s Collagen Activator really work? A 30-day skin transformation review
Q6. Is there a particular nutrient or compound in longevity research that excites you? (Something people should be talking about more!)
I think curcumin, ginger, and cinnamon (though they have been used for thousands of years) have incredible anti-inflammatory properties and are underutilised/underestimated in their potency. I am glad they are being used more in preventative medicine and longevity research.
Q7. What’s a misconception about supplements that you wish people would finally stop believing?
One does not need to overdo it with supplements. More is not necessarily more effective. It is more important to identify your goals and needs and choose your supplement accordingly, and then reevaluate once you have your next examination/blood analysis.
Q8. What’s one thing most people do daily that secretly speeds up ageing?
Snacking constantly. When we snack instead of eating to 80% satiety during meal times, we deny our digestive system the ability to properly digest and absorb the nutrients, and we impair the body’s ability to initiate autophagy (the body’s mechanism to remove damage).
Q9. If you had to rank sleep, exercise, and diet for longevity—knowing all three are essential—what would be your 1, 2, and 3?
This is a really hard question to answer, but for me, it is
- Diet
- Exercise
- Sleep
Q10. What’s the strangest or most unconventional thing you do to boost your longevity?
I did two Panchakarmas (an intense Ayurvedic detoxification retreat) and had to do the Vasti (or medicated enema). That was an interesting experience! No swimming for me that day.
Q11. What’s your guilty pleasure that technically isn’t longevity-friendly, but you still won’t give it up?
When I go to the movies, I do indulge! (nachos, sweet and sour candy, buttered popcorn). Then, it’s back to my usual habits the next day 🙂
Q12. If you had 30 seconds to convince someone to take their longevity seriously, what would you say?
The ability to influence our ageing destiny through living healthier is the greatest choice and responsibility we have: for us, for our families, for our community, for our economy.
AVEA’s Collagen Activator
- 100% vegan proprietary formula developed with scientists from ETH Zurich
- Activates collagen synthesis 4x more efficiently than regular collagen
- Promotes smoother, more radiant and better hydrated skin within 30 days
- No sugar, artificial flavour or colour. Sweetened with Stevia.
