Summary
The Huberman Lab Podcast features a conversation between Andrew Huberman and David Sinclair about the biology of aging and tools to intervene in the aging process. Sinclair's research focuses on the cellular and molecular pathways that exist in all cells of the body and how to slow or reverse the effects of aging. Aging is caused by a loss of information in the body, including genetic and epigenetic information that controls which genes are switched on and off in response to external factors. The causes of aging include broken chromosomes, DNA damage, and massive cell damage or stress.
The conversation delves into the relationship between body size, food, and longevity. Animals with low growth hormone or dwarf mutations tend to live longer, and fasting can turn on longevity genes, particularly SIRT1. Sinclair takes Metformin, berberine, and resveratrol to boost his NAD levels and slow down aging. He recommends looking for companies that have high levels of quality control and good manufacturing practices when purchasing supplements. The speakers also discuss the importance of personalizing medicine and tracking data over time to understand what works for an individual's optimal health.
The conversation also touches on the difficulty of obtaining comprehensive blood tests due to financial reasons and lack of knowledge on how to approach the conversation with doctors. They suggest using companies like InsideTracker to obtain blood tests and share the results with doctors. The guest recommends eating plants that have gone through stress, such as those that are organic or locally sourced, as they likely have high concentrations of beneficial molecules. Supplements such as resveratrol and quercetin can also activate the body's defenses.
The conversation ends with a discussion of various topics related to longevity and health, including the practice of ingesting methylene blue and the dangers of excessive exposure to x-rays. The speakers emphasize the importance of measuring biological age and monitoring health through various devices. They also discuss the need for trusted sources of information and public health education efforts to bridge the gap in understanding between scientists and the general public.
