Fighting Toxicity from the Inside Out: Dr. Joe Nieusma on Carbon 60, Longevity, and Taking Control of Your Health

In today’s world, we’re surrounded by invisible threats—chemicals in our food, pollutants in our air, and toxins in our water. Yet, despite these challenges, some experts are showing us how to fight back naturally and reclaim our health from the inside out. One of those experts is Dr. Joe Nieusma, a Ph.D. toxicologist with nearly four decades of experience in pharmaceutical safety, toxicology, and human health. As the CEO of Superior Toxicology & Wellness and a leading advisor for Live Longer Labs, Dr. Nieusma has made it his life’s work to educate the public on how to live cleaner, healthier, and longer lives by addressing toxicity at its root.

In this powerful interview, Dr. Nieusma sits down with Stacey Chillemi to discuss how chronic inflammation, dehydration, and everyday toxins silently undermine our health—and what we can do to change that. From his groundbreaking insights on Carbon 60 and Black Seed Oil to his no-nonsense advice on hydration, nutrition, and mindset, Dr. Nieusma offers a science-backed roadmap for longevity and vitality. His message is clear: you don’t have to be at the mercy of your environment—you can take control, reduce your toxic load, and truly thrive.

Thank you so much for joining us Dr. Joe! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thank you for inviting me, Stacey. I’m Dr. Joe Nieusma, a Ph.D. toxicologist with 37 years in the field and 27 years working inside the pharmaceutical industry. My north star has always been human safety—employee safety, patient safety, and helping people understand what happens when the body is exposed to chemicals, microbes, drugs, or environmental toxins. Over time, I arrived at a perspective that may sound unconventional for someone with my résumé: drugs aren’t always the first answer. So much begins in that six-inch space between our ears—mindset, daily behaviors, and the basic inputs we give our bodies. My mission now is to translate complex toxicology into practical steps people can use to live well in an increasingly toxic world.

How toxic is modern life, in practical terms?
We’re swimming in a low-level “soup” of exposure—air, water, food, packaging, household products, even electromagnetic environments. That doesn’t mean we panic; it means we get strategic. If you’re exposed to ten things that tax your biology, and you remove or reduce two or three of them, your body has more bandwidth to heal. That’s the toxicologist’s mindset: reduce dose, reduce harm.

Why do you put so much emphasis on water?
Because it’s the most universal input and most people underestimate its impact. Municipal treatment makes water “safe enough,” but it often still contains chlorine by-products, heavy metals, fluoride, pharmaceutical residues, and total dissolved solids that keep the body’s defenses working overtime. If you do just one thing, filter your water. A five-stage ZeroWater pitcher is a budget-friendly start; reverse osmosis is even better if finances allow. When people taste truly clean water, they naturally drink more—and proper hydration improves energy, cognition, digestion, joint comfort, skin, and detox capacity.

What happens when we’re chronically dehydrated?
The body runs on friction. Dehydration increases that friction—more headaches, brain fog, fatigue, constipation, joint stiffness, and even sugar cravings. Hydration sounds basic, but it’s the keystone. Once people consistently drink clean water, they often find it easier to crowd out soda, sugary coffees, and energy drinks that stoke inflammation.

In toxicology, what does “the dose makes the poison” really mean for everyday decisions?
Everything can be toxic; it’s the concentration and exposure time that matter. Water is essential—yet you can dilute your electrolytes if you massively overconsume it. Cyanide is highly toxic—but used in carefully controlled processes in industry. The practical takeaway: aim for moderation and reduce cumulative exposures. Balance beats fear.

For readers new to it, what is Carbon 60 (C60) and how does it support the body?
C60 is a spherical molecule of 60 carbon atoms—think of a microscopic soccer ball. It’s an exceptionally potent free radical scavenger, with antioxidant power measured far above many common antioxidants. At the cellular level, it neutralizes reactive oxygen species before they can damage membranes, proteins, or DNA. Less oxidative stress means calmer inflammation, better mitochondrial function, and a terrain where the body’s innate healing mechanisms can do their work.

How did Live Longer Labs begin developing C60 for real people?
The founder, Max Champie, was trying to help his mother in the early stages of dementia. He vetted C60, tested safety on himself, then formulated it in oils and gave it to her. She regained mental clarity and lived eight vibrant years beyond where she’d been headed. That origin story matters—it wasn’t a marketing brainstorm; it was a son solving a problem with science and love.

What kinds of outcomes have you personally observed with C60?
More steady energy, deeper sleep, faster recovery after exertion, less joint noise and stiffness, and sharper visual clarity are common. My 85-year-old mom described an easier recovery—less swelling, less pain—after a knee replacement once she’d been on C60. My sister, who struggled with Lyme disease, long COVID, and vaccine-related issues, combined a timed oxidative therapy protocol with C60 and dramatically reduced her pain meds while regaining mobility. These are not miracles—they’re examples of what can happen when oxidative stress is consistently neutralized.

What’s the physiological “why” behind those changes?
Free radicals are like tiny darts. When they overwhelm local defenses, they puncture cellular structures and kick off inflammatory cascades. C60 grabs those radicals before they cause damage. With fewer fires to put out, mitochondria make energy more efficiently, tissues calm down, and systems—immune, neurologic, musculoskeletal—start acting younger than the birth certificate says.

Chronic inflammation is tied to aging and many diseases. How does C60 fit into an anti-inflammatory strategy?
Inflammation is a necessary tool—until it loses the off switch. C60 helps by reducing the sparks that ignite runaway inflammation. Pair that with fundamentals—whole foods, hydration, movement, and sleep—and you’re stacking the deck against the “diseases of aging.”

Your product line also includes C60 Black Seed Oil capsules. What are some of the unique benefits of combining these two ingredients?
Black seed oil, or Nigella sativa, is an ancient natural remedy with incredible modern science behind it. When we combine it with Carbon 60, the synergy is remarkable. Daily intake has been scientifically linked to inhibiting fungal and microbial growth, supporting healthy weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and reducing high blood pressure. It also helps manage asthma attacks, calm allergies, protect the liver, and even expel internal parasites. The beauty of this formulation is that it offers both C60’s antioxidant power and black seed oil’s immune and metabolic benefits in one capsule. And because it’s shelf-stable for up to two years, it’s easy to maintain consistency, which is key to seeing results.

What’s a sensible way to introduce C60 alongside other supplements or medications?
Consistency wins. Most people do well with five softgels daily; some benefit from more initially, then titrate down. Thus far, I haven’t seen C60 interact negatively with common medications, and it’s been used safely by pregnant and nursing women. That said, everyone’s physiology is unique. I publish my contact info because I want people to have a human to ask about dosing nuances, timing with oxidative therapies, or how to simplify an overgrown supplement stack.

How can consumers avoid low-quality products in a “buyer beware” market?
Two red flags: purity and solvents. You want ultra-pure C60 (no stray carbon chains) and a solvent-free process. Impurities can break off and create toxicity; solvent residues are a non-starter. Look for explicit purity specs, transparent manufacturing, and third-party testing. If those details are vague, that’s your answer.

You often quip that humans are “the smartest animals and the only ones who knowingly harm themselves.” What’s the lesson there?
We say we want vitality, then smoke, overdrink, undersleep, and mainline ultra-processed food. Biology rewards alignment. When behavior matches the body’s design—clean water, nutrient-dense food, movement, and real rest—the need for heroic interventions drops dramatically.

What benefits do people most commonly report after a few weeks?
A steadier energy curve (fewer afternoon crashes), improved sleep quality, faster post-workout recovery, less joint ache in the morning, clearer thinking, and, for some, noticeable changes in skin and vision comfort. Because C60 works at a foundational level, the “headline” benefit varies by person.

Beyond supplements, what daily behaviors move the needle for lifespan and healthspan?
Four pillars—eat well, hydrate, move, and rest. None require a subscription. If that base is covered and you still feel worn down, consider targeted support like vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine (a glutathione precursor), liposomal glutathione, and C60. Think: remove roadblocks, then add support.

What’s your simple nutrition philosophy?
“Eat half—and mostly plants.” Portion control plus real food. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store, cook more, and treat ultra-processed products as rare exceptions. That one principle slashes inflammatory load without food dogma.

For beginners who feel deconditioned, what’s a realistic starting plan?
Stack small wins. Do wall pushups, body-weight squats, and planks—little bursts, multiple times per day. Track them with tick marks for accountability. Within a week, clothes feel looser and confidence rises. Meanwhile, replace one sugary drink with clean water, then another. Momentum is medicine.

What is “Dr. Joe for Hope,” and who is it for?
It’s my consulting program for people on multiple prescriptions who want a safer, saner path. I analyze medication lists, highlight drug-drug pitfalls, suggest natural options to discuss with physicians, and help craft a stepwise plan to reduce polypharmacy where appropriate. The goal is empowerment, not rebellion—smarter questions, better conversations, and fewer unnecessary meds.

From your vantage point, what’s broken in how we approach chronic disease?
We over-treat symptoms and under-address root causes like toxic exposure, sleep debt, processed food, and chronic stress. The incentives in pharma lean toward long-term customers, not cures. I’m not anti-medicine—I’m pro-terrain. Improve the terrain and you need less medicine.

If readers remember only one idea from today, what should it be?
Get in front of inflammation—every day. Drink clean water. Sleep like healing depends on it—because it does. Move your body. Eat real food. Then layer in antioxidant support, with C60 as a powerful option, to keep oxidative stress from stealing tomorrow’s health.

How can our readers further follow your work online?
For consulting on medications, exposures, and personalized strategies, visit SuperiorToxicology.com. To explore Carbon 60 science, formulations, and curated research links, visit LiveLongerLabs.com. I’m accessible—people can email, text, or call with specific questions, and I’ll do my best to help.

Dr. Joe, this has been such an insightful and inspiring conversation. I truly appreciate the depth of knowledge and passion you bring to helping others understand how to live healthier, longer lives. Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise and practical wisdom with our readers—I know they’ll walk away feeling more empowered to take control of their health and well-being.
Thank you, Stacey. I’ve really enjoyed our discussion. You asked thoughtful, meaningful questions, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to reach people who are ready to make positive changes in their lives.