Heyhey, not long ago I asked you what you’d ask from Matt Kaeberlein for my conversation with him: What would you ask from Matt Kaeberlein?
You provided many questions and I did manage to touch many of the topics you brought up, but also asked his opinions about this very forum itself. Enjoy!
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A fun interview to listen to! Well done @nopara73
A summary by : getrecall.ai
Introduction to Aging and Longevity Research
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Rapamycin is still considered the gold standard for slowing aging in laboratory animals, as it increases lifespan and health span metrics in various organisms 00:00.
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The hallmarks of aging have been a useful framework, but they have also narrowed the research focus, with 99.9% of studies falling within this framework, potentially limiting the discovery of new mechanisms and pathways 00:38.
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Despite the lack of progress in increasing mouse lifespan in laboratory settings, it’s possible to achieve extreme lifespan extension, but it may require a different approach, such as unbiased discovery science and the use of new tools like AI 07:49.
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Large impacts on lifespan may not be achieved solely by using AI tools, and a new approach is needed, combining AI with large data sets and discovery science to enable breakthroughs in the field of longevity 11:29.
New Approaches to Longevity Research
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There is optimism about the allocation of resources, with significant investments from the private sector, such as Altos Labs and Calico, and potential involvement from big pharma, which could lead to a greater focus on the science of longevity 12:26.
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The idea of using gamification to motivate people to work towards reversing their biological age is being explored, with the potential to achieve significant progress in longevity by making health and aging a competitive goal 14:35.
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However, it is noted that gamifying health may not be enough to achieve the goal of longevity escape velocity, and a deeper understanding of aging and its mechanisms is necessary to make significant progress in the field 18:06.
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The bodybuilding analogy is discussed, where individuals achieved significant physical changes through experimentation, but it is highlighted that this was still based on scientific principles, and the goal of maximizing health span and lifespan requires a different approach, considering long-term consequences 19:02.
Research Opportunities and Challenges
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The realization that it’s possible to slow aging in dogs and make them live longer, healthier lives was a major reason for looking outside of academia for research opportunities, as it took 10 years to get the project funded 23:10.
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The Triad study, which aims to slow aging in dogs, is expected to take four years to complete due to funding issues and the complexity of setting up a multi-site clinical trial 24:58.
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Keeping up with the field of nutrient medicine and aging biology can be challenging due to the vast amount of research and the breadth of the field, which incorporates most major chronic diseases and spans multiple model organisms 31:16.
Navigating the Field of Longevity
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To learn the truth about topics without being an expert, it’s essential to understand the limitations of one’s knowledge and recognize good information from bad, which can be achieved by being critical, utilizing available tools, and acknowledging the boundaries of one’s expertise 32:49.
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To recognize honest and expert sources of information on longevity, look for credentials and beware of those who speak in certainties, as they may not have sufficient knowledge to recognize the complexity of the topic 33:08
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Be cautious of people trying to sell products, as they may provide misleading information to make a sale, and instead, seek information from credible sources such as the scientific literature 35:16
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To build expertise, recognize the limitations of your knowledge, be curious, and use tools like AI-based tools to gather information, while always taking a skeptical approach and considering alternative explanations 35:33
Supplements and the Longevity Industry
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The technology of supplements is improving faster than the technology of lifestyle due to lower costs and easier research, but the incentive structure in the supplement industry prioritizes making money over conducting high-quality research 44:25
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The lack of regulation in the over-the-counter supplement industry leads to dishonest claims and a lack of understanding of which supplements provide value, with risks associated with combinatorial interactions and manufacturing processes 46:26
Rapamycin and its Potential Benefits
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Rapamycin, a prescription medication, has a unique online forum where users discuss longevity science, with a core group of scientifically literate individuals who are interested in understanding the biology of aging 50:13
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Rapamycin has been shown to increase lifespan and health span metrics in laboratory animals, but its effectiveness in improving health span and lifespan in people is still unknown, with ongoing research and off-label use providing some insights into its safety and potential benefits 52:42
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Rapamycin may have benefits for people with high levels of chronic inflammation, such as those with chronic fatigue syndrome or long COVID, and for individuals at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, with improvements seen in cerebral blood flow and brain volume 55:13.
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Clinical trials are ongoing to investigate the effects of rapamycin on various age-related outcomes, including periodontal disease, ovarian function, and muscle function, with results expected to provide insight into its potential benefits or drawbacks 56:13.
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The optimal dosage and administration route of rapamycin are still being explored, with considerations including taking it with a meal to enhance bioavailability and the potential impact of formulation on its effectiveness 58:04.
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Combining rapamycin with certain supplements, such as berberine or senolytic drugs like quercetin, may be beneficial, as they may synergize to enhance its effects, although more research is needed to confirm these potential interactions 01:03:08.
Understanding MTOR and its Role in Longevity
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MTOR is a primary decision maker for growth versus stress resistance, and high MTOR activity promotes growth, but chronic activation can lead to problems such as cancer and chronic inflammation 01:06:36
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The goal is to optimize the system by turning MTOR on when needed for growth and regeneration, and turning it down when needed for repair and stress resistance, but the exact timing and dosage are still unknown 01:07:54
Criticisms and Concerns in the Longevity Field
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Brian Johnson has raised awareness about taking control of health, but his approach is not scientific, and he often spreads misinformation, which can be harmful to the credibility of the longevity field 01:10:29
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@RapAdmin Thanks for this