Longevity Research 2023

The bleeding edge in longevity science

Current Longevity Landscape

I will be covering some of the topics shown above. Some are more studied/developed than others, but they are all forming a new standard of healthcare and biotech that may soon enable immortality.

Longevity Related Pathways

Sirtuins

GDF11

“Antiaging protein is the real deal, Harvard team claims” (Science.org)

“Lifelong exercise, but not short-term high-intensity interval training, increases GDF11, a marker of successful aging: a preliminary investigation

^ an active lifestyle literally makes you younger

IGF-1

There are conflicting studies about IGF-1: on one hand it has anti-aging and performance boosting effects, while high blood levels have been linked to cancer development and shorter lifespans. However, exercise has been shown to promote local IGF-1 expression but not systematic IGF-1, and lower intensity aerobic exercise is shown to down-regulate IGF-1 and up-regulate IGFBP-1.

“Effect of Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Proteins in Healthy Men” (International Journal of Endocrinology)

“IGFBP-1 plays an important and potentially beneficial role in regulating metabolic and vascular homeostasis.” (NIH)

“Low circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) are closely associated with the presence of macrovascular disease and hypertension in type 2 diabetes” (NIH)

Telomeres

Telomeres (the end caps of our genes) also suffer from accumulated damage due to replication: they gradually get shorter due to imperfect cell division.

Currently there is work to research therapies for telomere lengthening. This would help prevent faulty replication as we age (cancer).

There are definitely numerous more pathways we have yet to discover and it seems the pace of research is accelerating! Evidence shows that longevity lifestyles happen to activate a lot of these pathways as well.

Inflammation

The role of inflammation is an overarching theme among emerging medical research that is attributed to all-cause mortality and quality of life. Both acute and chronic systematic inflammation can accelerate the degradation of our bodies. I am excited to expand upon this growing body of research in my inflammation series! Here’s some breadcrumbs.

• Epstein-Barr virus & autoimmune disease

• HPA axis: gut-brain link & dysbiosis

mRNA Therapies

What is mRNA?

COVID mRNA Vaccine

Developed & manufactured in less than 4 months.

“The fastest vaccine in history” (UCLA Health)

The COVID pandemic took a huge toll on global society, but it just happens to have been the catalyst for one of the biggest technological revolutions in human history! mRNA therapies have been in development for awhile, but pandemic emergency vaccine development has kick-started a whole new forefront of medicine.

“Unlocking the promise of mRNA therapeutics“ (Nature.com, Nov 3, 2022)

^ shows wide variety of applications for mRNA technology

“Cancer and heart disease vaccines ‘ready by end of the decade’” (Apr 8, 2023)

• The success of the Covid jab has escalated the development of vaccines for cancer and other conditions such as heart disease

“NIH launches clinical trial of three mRNA HIV vaccines“ (NIH, March 14, 2022)

“Two U of T teams partner with Moderna to develop new mRNA-based tools to target HIV and other diseases“ (UofT, July 27, 2023)

“Tapping the potential of mRNA in cellular reprogramming and beyond” (Longevity.Technology, June 1, 2023)

“Reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision” (Nature.com, Dec 2, 2020)

“Turn Biotechnologies - We turn back time on age-related diseases“

Longevity Diagnostics

Levels continuous glucose monitor: monitor metabolic health

“Linking interdisciplinary and multiscale approaches to improve healthspan—a new UK model for collaborative research networks in ageing biology and clinical translation“ (The Lancet, Healthy Longevity - May 2022)

“Neurotrack develops cognitive screening tools to help healthcare providers and individuals assess, monitor, and strengthen cognitive health…”

Neurotech

Neuralink

Kernel

Reproductive Longevity

“Improve assisted fertility outcomes” (Gameto)

Longevity Supplementation

Here’s how I would rank the best longevity supplements based on current evidence of benefits & safety. However, addressing any nutritional deficiencies will be far more substantial in benefit! Vitamin D3/K2/B complex are often deficient. Get your blood-work done to know for certain.

1. Creatine (ATP-creatine phosphate system / alactic system)

   1. Saturation levels required = 5g everyday

   2. Improves body composition, anaerobic performance, recovery?

   3. Potential cognitive benefits, studies still coming

   4. Safety proven beyond doubt

   

2. Beta-Alanine (glycolysis system / lactic acid system)

   1. Saturation levels required = 5g everyday

   2. “Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improved 10-km Running Time Trial in Physically Active Adults” (Frontiersin.org)

   3. Possible induced taurine deficiency

   “Taurine deficiency is probably not a practical concern with conservative beta-alanine supplementation (with breaks, to let cells accumulate taurine). Excessive usage of beta-alanine over a long period of time has not been studied in humans, however, so the possibility that it could lead to taurine deficiency cannot be ruled out. Severe muscle cramps can be a symptom of taurine deficiency and could serve as an indicator.” (Examine.com)

   1. Good safety profile so far, needs long term studies

   2. Combination with creatine appears to have even better results than either alone: increased muscle tone/performance

      “Effect of creatine and beta-alanine supplementation on performance and endocrine responses in strength/power athletes” (NIH)

3. [NMN] Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (aerobic system)

   1. Disclaimer: This is an emerging supplement, keep up to date on studies!

   2. Increases health-span significantly, increase lifespan slightly (in rats)

   3. Other metabolic health benefits: insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, anti-inflammatory, improved neuronal function, and more!

   4. NMN appears to boost endurance in amateur runners, study finds

   5. Studies are showing good safety profile in early human trials

4. Hydrolyzed Collagen

   1. Supports skin, joint, hair, nail growth

   2. Improves exercise recovery

   3. Better absorption / function with vitamin C / hylauronic acid

5. Magnesium Bisglycinate / Threonate (brain health, relaxation)
   Magnesium Citrate (muscle recovery, relaxation)

   1. Well tolerated (no stomach irritation) bio-available forms

   2. Supports muscle recovery, brain health, and more

6. GlyNAC (amino acid antioxidant) [Highly recommended for ages over 40]

   1. Glycine + NAC (N-acetyl cysteine)

   2. Reverses aging hallmarks

   3. Promotes healthy aging in various ways

   4. Polyphenols are similar

      1. I’m young so I just drink Japanese green tea/matcha

NAD+

• Related to vitamin B complex (multiple vital body functions)

• Significant role in mitochondria function therefore energy production

• Low levels lead to fatigue, neurodegenerative disease, and poor mental health

• Supplementation can help multiple sclerosis

• NAD+ precursors = NMN, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Niacinamide

“The Role of NAD+ and How Increasing NAD+ Benefits Your Brain“ (June 17, 2023)

NMN

Glutathione

• Antioxidant effects

  • Pterostilbene might be better (found in blueberries, almonds)
    → more lipophilic, so able to enter cell membranes easier

• Precursor = NAC

“Glutathione-related antioxidant defence, DNA damage, and DNA repair in patients suffering from post-COVID conditions“ (July 9, 2023)

“Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial” (Aug 17, 2022)

Dog Life Extension

“The secret to helping your dog live longer” (Mar 9, 2023)

• Dogs age seven times faster than humans – but new research into canine longevity could offer the key to extending their lifespan

“Loyal announces the first longevity clinical study design supported by FDA“ (Mar 15, 2023)

Cancer Diagnostics/Treatments

“Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells Transform Into Cancer Stem Cells and Are Novel Candidates for Detecting/Monitoring Cancer by a Simple Blood Test” (April 2023)

Universal cancer detection

“'Cancer-killing pill' that appears to 'annihilate' solid tumours is now being tested on humans” (Aug 2, 2023)

“A Universal Cancer Treatment?” (Oct 5, 2022)

• A medicine that disrupts the DNA replication of cancer cells may be within reach.

“Stanford Medicine scientists transform cancer cells into weapons against cancer” (Mar 1, 2023)

• Researchers found that when they turned cancer cells into immune cells, they were able to teach other immune cells how to attack cancer.

“Sound Waves Trigger Anti-Cancer Immune Responses in Mice” (Feb 1, 2023)

• "We found that histotripsy somehow not only kills cancer cells, but causes them to undergo a unique pathway of cell death that draws the attention of the immune system”

Neurodegenerative Disease

“Two decades of Alzheimer's research may be based on deliberate fraud that has cost millions of lives” (July 22, 2022)

• Amyloid plaque =/= proper therapeutic target for curing Alzheimers

“Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer disease: pathobiology and targeting strategies” (July 31, 2019)

• APOE = accurate diagnostic marker for alzheimers

“Alzheimer’s disease large-scale gene expression portrait identifies exercise as the top theoretical treatment” (Oct 13, 2022)

“Reprogramming the Brain’s Cleaning Crew to Mop Up Alzheimer’s Disease” (Aug 11, 2022)

• New CRISPR Technology Puts Diseased Microglia Back on Track

Bryan Johnson

There are things I disagree with regarding optimization in his routine, but there are definitely many aspects that hold real merit given the emerging evidence.

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