The Science Behind Why We Age | Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair #1

In this episode, Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss why we age. In doing so, they discuss organisms that have extreme longevity, the genes that control aging (mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins), the role of sirtuin proteins as epigenetic regulators of aging, the process of "ex-differentiation" in which cells begin to lose their identity, and how all of this makes up the "Information Theory of Aging", and the difference between "biological age" and "chronological age" and how we can measure biological age through DNA methylation clocks.

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Matthew LaPlante's Social:
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:14 Goal of the Lifespan Podcast
00:07:11 Acknowledgement of Sponsors
00:10:45 Aging is a Controllable Process that can be Slowed & Reversed
00:16:42 Organisms with Extreme Longevity
00:21:47 Genes that Regulate Aging: mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins
00:21:55 mTOR & Rapamycin
00:24:33 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) & Metformin
00:30:57 Sirtuin Proteins as Epigenetic Regulators of Aging
00:35:33 Ex-Differentiation
00:43:30 Measuring Aging - Biological Age vs. Chronological Age
00:49:30 "No Law That Says We Have To Age"
00:50:33 Episode Summary & Key Takeaways - Why Do We Age?
00:54:00 Information Theory of Aging
00:57:59 Aging is a Medical Condition
01:01:00 Aging Myths - Telomeres & Antioxidants
01:01:55 Options for Subscription and Support

Links:
Weapon fragments in bowhead whales - https://bit.ly/3eP7rqP
Rapamycin extends lifespan in mice - https://go.nature.com/3F0yud3
Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial - https://bit.ly/3eU9ABk
Metformin improves healthspan and lifespan in mice - https://go.nature.com/3JSRZbs
Metformin reduces all-cause mortality - https://bit.ly/3pWNiWc
Reprogramming to restore vision - https://go.nature.com/335iysI
DNA methylation age - https://bit.ly/3sUAUYB
Genome-wide methylation profiles & human aging rates - https://bit.ly/3ETPXnK
Reversal of epigenetic aging in humans - https://bit.ly/3eUior3
Danish twins study - https://bit.ly/3eToU13

Please note that Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair is distinct from Dr. Sinclair's teaching and research roles at Harvard Medical School. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com

Special thanks to our research assistants, Adiv Johnson & Sarah Ryan.