Curious about the science of aging? Join me as I explore ways to improve healthspan and longevity.
The systems that control the rate of aging may be ‘hackable’.
All animals have a normal lifespan for their species. Small animals, such as a mouse, live shorter lives than large animals, such as elephants.
When you look at the outliers, the animals that live 5 to 20 times longer than they should, it becomes apparent that there is more to lifespan than just size and similarity.
Understanding how to reverse or slow cellular aging is a tantalizing concept for which scientists are coming closer and closer to the solutions.
I’m not willing to wait for decades while common medical practice catches up with the research. Frankly, I don’t have that kind of time. Instead, my goal is to apply current research now in order to prevent the disease of aging.
Targeted solutions for healthspan:
Aging isn’t something we can tackle with one pill or one lifestyle change; instead, we need a multi-pronged approach. These articles address various aspects of aging, including possible supplements to target different pathways.
- Longevity and Genetic Trade Offs
Genetic variants, or polymorphisms, are the common changes that can affect gene function a little bit. These changes make us all unique – from traits like hair color or eye color to the things that ‘run in the family’, like diabetes or heart disease. It has been theorized that our human lifespan is a compromise … - Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer’s Disease: Genetic Association Study
The following is a summary of a new study published in Nature scientific reports titled “Genetic correlations between Alzheimer’s disease and gut microbiome genera” Summary: Research has shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiota is linked to Alzheimer’s disease through neuroinflammation across the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Observational studies have also found that Alzheimer’s patients have … - Supplementing with Glycine and NAC: reduce oxidative stress, increase mitochondrial function
Mitochondrial dysfunction and elevated oxidative stress are part of the root cause of aging. With poor mitochondrial function, cells can’t perform at an optimal level, leading to an increase in ROS (reactive oxygen species). Oxidative stress, due to an increase in ROS, increases the risk of cognitive decline, inflammation, heart disease, and insulin resistance. So … - Stopping Inflammaging: SPMs to the rescue?
Inflammaging: What is it and how can you prevent it Inflammaging refers to low-grade, sterile, chronic inflammation that increases with age and can contribute to health declines, age-related diseases, and frailty. The exact causes are still unclear, but one theory called “garb-aging” suggests that damaged molecules accumulate in cells, triggering inflammation through immune signaling. While … - HMB and Vitamin D: Improving functionality in older adults
In aging, muscle mass declines, as does physical performance. Stopping age-related muscle loss is important for healthspan and overall wellness in aging. For example, more muscle mass may protect you from falls and from osteoporosis. Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of leucine, an amino acid. Studies have shown beneficial effects of supplements hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate on muscle … - Alzheimer’s as an Autoimmune Disease
To me, the idea of living longer is only appealing without the prospect of age-related neurodegeneration. Healthspan is my goal, and the prevention of Alzheimer’s is a major focus. For decades, research on Alzheimer’s has focused on amyloid-beta plaques and how to reduce them in the brain. Billions have been spent trying to find drugs … - Alzheimer’s Trial with 4 Common Supplements: Potential Benefits
A recent phase II clinical trial showed significant improvements in cognitive scale scores for Alzheimer’s patients. Importantly, these are natural supplements that are readily available. Plus, it is rare to see a clinical trial with positive results in Alzheimer’s after just 3 months! I’m going to break down what was used in the clinical trial … - Methylene Blue: Mitochondrial function, cognitive benefits?
Methylene blue (Methylthioninium chloride) has been used in pharmacology for over a century. It is a fascinating compound that was first synthesized as a blue dye. In 1891, it was discovered that it could treat malaria. It is also used as a stain for microscope slides.[ref] Currently, methylene blue is an FDA-grandfathered drug. It is … - Genetics and Healthspan: Teasing out what is important
Genetic studies, especially large genome-wide association studies, can be informative when looking at what is really important for healthspan. Essentially, these types of studies look to see which genetic variants are linked to outcomes — real-life people, real outcomes, and large data sets. A new study recently published in Nature Medicine estimated the effects of … - Spermidine and Healthspan
Spermidine is a biogenic amine with many potential anti-aging benefits, ranging from extending healthspan to improving vaccine efficacy in older adults. I’ll dig into the research on the topic, explore the clinical trials, and explain why increasing spermidine can sometimes be a bad idea. For this supplement, it is essential to go beyond the headlines … - Glymphatic brain clearance system – draining the brain
The glymphatic system, which was identified in 2012, is the network that clears out waste products from the brain and central nervous system. Essentially, this system is the way that fluid surrounding the brain and spinal column moves out of the brain, carrying waste products with it. The glymphatic system is found in the areas … - Low dose lithium reduces cellular senescence
A recent study shows that low-dose lithium may act as a senolytic.[ref] This has important implications in healthy aging – including preventing mortality from respiratory diseases, such as COVID, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. First, let me go into a little background information on lithium and then cellular senescence. Next, I’ll explain the new study … - Targeting Cellular Senescence Due to Covid
New research on COVID-19 shows the important role of cellular senescence in the high mortality rates in the elderly. Elderly people are much more vulnerable to the flu, respiratory infections, and sepsis than middle-aged or younger adults. We all know that when grandma gets the flu in the nursing home, it is a serious matter. … - Clinical trial showing reversal of early Alzheimer’s
A pre-print study posted in May 2021 shows positive results in a clinical trial with the goal of reversing early Alzheimer’s disease. This is big! An attitude of acceptance that Alzheimer’s is a non-reversible fate prevails in medical practices, and a positive clinical trial showing marked improvement in many participants is wonderful to see. The … - Preventing muscle loss in aging
Kind of like pornography, we all know aging when we see it. There is a specific point when suddenly someone looks old. Like they have crossed some invisible threshold, moving from healthy and older into the twilight area at the end of life. I’m not talking about gray hair or laugh lines that became more …