Harnessing nature for better human health | Davide D’Amico

Could we one day cheat death? Are we hurtling towards a time when science will be so advanced that aging can be prevented or halted in its tracks? Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan takes a skeptical view in a fascinating exploration of longevity research. In Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality, the acclaimed scientist delves into the complexities of aging and the pursuit of extending healthy lifespan.

A former president of the Royal Society in London, Ramakrishnan is a group leader at the Medical Research Council's Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.  He shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for his work uncovering the structure and function of tiny cellular particles called ribosomes and was knighted in 2012.

In this interview with Peter Bowes, the molecular biologist provides a critical perspective on the dilemmas of aging research; questions the hype and financial interests linked to some aspects of longevity science; delves into the concept of compressed morbidity and its challenges, and explains his belief that dramatic life extension is not imminent.

Read a transcript:  LLAMA podcast website
Photo credit: Kate Joyce and Sante Fe Institute

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Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen.
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▸ Movement & resistance training have long been associated with living a long, healthy life - along with a balanced diet and good sleep. Which is why we're delighted to be working with Hampton Fitness to provide a 15% discount on essential workout gear. Use code: llamapodcast15 at checkout
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Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Ron Kastner experienced what he called a "mortality moment" in his late 50s. A new dad, with two young daughters, it was a "profound realization" that he was entering the third act of his life and that to make the most of it, he had to make significant changes. 

A businessman who drank too much and was challenged by the stresses of the corporate world, Ron embarked on a journey to discover the life he wanted to live. He embraced new practices for health and longevity and discovered that it was possible to be fitter, stronger, more energetic, more grounded and happier than ever before. Now in his mid 70s, he says: "The feeling of being alive is just so visceral and so joyous....the wonder, that is our bodies, is just like a ceaseless source of amazement for me."

Ron shares his story in the book, A Life Yet to Live: Finding Health, Vitality and Joy. 

In this interview he reveals the backstory to his transformation - becoming a father at an older age, significant lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, adopting a healthier diet, abstaining from alcohol, and an holistic approach to longevity that encompasses both physical and emotional health. 

Read a transcript:  LLAMA podcast website

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Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen.
-
Hampton Fitness

Movement & resistance training have long been associated with living a long, healthy life - along with a balanced diet and good sleep. Which is why we're delighted to be working with Hampton Fitness to provide a 15% discount on essential workout gear. Use code: llamapodcast15 at checkout
-

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

By Peter Bowes

I lost a dear friend last week. In fact the UK, my home country, lost a national treasure.

Steve Wright was much more than a DJ on the radio. He was a wonderful communicator, entertainer and soul-mate. He was everyone's pal during more than four decades on the air and was the best at what he did. Millions tuned in to his shows but it was Steve's kindness away from the studio and his friendship over the past 30 years that I will forever cherish.

This is a podcast about living as long as possible while enjoying the best life we can. Steve's death, at the age of 69, was sudden and has been hard to come to terms with.

This episode is devoted to his memory.

Joining me, once again, is Peter Allison. We were friends at school in North East England 50 years ago. Mid-life we lost touch but thanks to social media we now talk regularly and for the past few months have been sharing our thoughts about life, fitness and aging through this podcast.

We share a common interest in the science behind human longevity and the lifestyle interventions that could help us live longer and better. We review the latest research, media stories and personal hacks in pursuit of a long healthspan.

Peter has also suffered a recent bereavement, with the loss of his mother, just before Christmas. My sincere condolences to Peter and his family.

In this conversation we reflect on the loss of loved ones, in the context of this podcast, which at its core, is about living a long, purposeful and fulfilling life. 

Peter spent much of his life working as a professor of geology in London.  He is an experienced diver and keen to optimize his health and vitality to continue with his physically demanding pastime. 

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Coleen T. Murphy, a professor at Princeton University, specializes in genomics and molecular biology and is the author of How We Age: The Science of Longevity. 

In this wide-ranging interview we discuss the significance of declining cellular repair mechanisms that over time lead to visible signs of aging. Prof. Murphy has a particular interest in reproductive aging and cognitive function during aging, considering the former as an often overlooked aspect that begins midlife. 

Prof. Murphy also expresses concern about the way longevity science is portrayed and criticizes some researchers for failing accurately to describe the true implications of their work. She says there is a need for honesty and realism from scientists to maintain public trust, especially in the field of aging and longevity where bold claims can often outpace reality. Researchers, she insists, should not over-promise results that science cannot yet deliver. 

We also address the potential for 'exercise in a pill' while Prof. Murphy argues that without taking care of our planet and its inhabitants, the quest for longevity loses much of its significance.

Discounts & Affiliation disclosure: This podcast is supported by sponsorship and affiliate arrangements with a select number of companies. The income helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen
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Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Are you annoyed by the use of acronyms in longevity science?  Does conflicting advice about diet and exercise drive you crazy?  No wonder we're confused about the best ways to live longer and healthier, when much of the information we receive is contradictory or overly complicated.

Brad Inman, founder of Inman News, has spent much of his career staging world class events, focussing on real estate. But now, at the age of 71, the award winning journalist and businessman is turning his attention to health and longevity. 

Motivated by a desire to continue his enjoyable and fulfilling life - along with a frustration about a lack of accessible information - Inman is launching a new event to try to demystify longevity science. The Live Long and Master Aging podcast will join some of the world's leading experts at the two-day summit in Palm Beach, Florida, in March. 

In this interview, a co-production with Livelong Media™, we unravel Inman's mission to bring transparency and simplicity to the longevity space. How should we explain complex research findings, so that everyone can benefit from it? And who can we trust?

The Livelong Summit will take place at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fl., on March 15th and 16th.  The event is open to everyone, offering in-person access to leading experts, with the goal of challenging and explaining the latest innovations. 

Our conversation ventures beyond his personal journey and grapples with the complexities of credible information about aging research.  We explore how Brad's mission, at the heart of the Live Long Summit, could herald an era where longevity science echoes in every household, emboldening people from all walks of life to stay healthy for longer.

The Livelong Summit will take place at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fl. , on March 15th and 16th. 

The event is open to everyone, offering in-person access to leading experts, with the goal of challenging and explaining the

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Deborah Maragopoulos, a nurse practitioner and self-described intuitive healer, believes health and longevity starts with the hypothalamus region of the brain. In her book, the Hypothalamus Handbook, she bridges the gap between traditional medicine and complementary therapies, revealing how a blend of botanicals, nutraceuticals, and intuition not only works alongside evidence-based medicine but can profoundly impact our health. 

Deborah, a past president of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners, is the founder of Genesis Health Products, Inc. and creator of the nutraceutical supplement, Genesis Gold®. 

In this interview, we travel through the body's complex systems, controlled by the hypothalamus, and explore the role this part of the brain plays in every day health and wellbeing.

Deborah discusses the power of targeted nutrients and her own botanical formulations, for rebalancing our body's systems. She recounts patient stories, emphasizing the importance of early detection of hypothalamic imbalances that could be the key to longevity and a 'harmonious life.' 

Check out Genesis Health products, here

Watch the interview at YouTube

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

It is that time of the year when we are all acutely aware of the importance of our immune system. But it's about more than catching a winter cold. The health of our natural defense system is crucial to long-term health.

Dr. Nicola Vannini is a researcher in the Department of Oncology at the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland. 

In this conversation we discuss new research that suggests dietary supplementation with Urolithin A could help boost the immune system. The study (in mice) suggests the compound, which targets mitochondria, is able to reverse the decline in hematopoietic stem cells, which play an essential role in blood health.

Could these findings offer hope to older adults as they experience a decline in the efficiency of their immune system?

READ THE PAPER
Induction of mitochondrial recycling reverts age-associated decline of the hematopoietic and immune systems (Nature Aging)

Watch the interview at YouTube

This interview includes: 

• Recap of urolithin A and its role in promoting metabolic fitness and reducing the accumulation of waste in the cells. 
• Discussion of hematopoietic stem cells and their decline in function with age. 
• Description of Vannini's research on urolithin A and its effects on hematopoietic stem cells in two sets of experiments: ex-vivo and in mice. 
• "Astonishing" results of the experiments, showing that urolithin A treatment improved the function of old hematopoietic stem cells to match that of young stem cells, and enhanced immune response in mice. 
• Potential applications of urolithin A in reversing immunosenescence and improving immune function in elderly individuals and cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy. 
• Broad impact of urolithin A on various organs and diseases due to its effects on the immune system. 
• Discussion on the role of exercise and nutrition in conjunction with urolithin A supplementation for overall metabolic health. 
• Positive response from the scientific community to Vannini's research and the potential of urolithin A. 

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The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

As healthy aging science evolves, researchers are able to focus on the lifestyle interventions that have the biggest impact on our lives.  A good, balanced diet and consistent exercise top of the list of daily must-dos, but paying attention to our cellular health is also essential.  It is a pillar of healthy longevity that has emerged as central to our ability to stave off disease and remain physically strong. Dr. Anurag Singh, Chief Medical Officer at the Swiss life science company, Timeline Nutrition, studies the role of the gut metabolite, Urolithin A, which recent research has shown to have wide benefits, including muscle strength, skin health and a potential to protect our immune systems.  

For this interview, LLAMA host Peter Bowes met Dr. Singh at his office in Lausanne, Switzerland, to learn more about his quest to understand how Urolithin A impacts human health.

Timeline make Mitopure, which is a highly pure form of Urolithin A.

This episode is produced in association with Timeline, with which LLAMA has an affiliate relationship. 

DISCOUNT

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Timeline is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout

In this conversation we cover:

• More than a decade of research to bring a biotech approach to nutrition
• Deconstructing the pomegranate, its juices and extracts
• Distinguishing Urolithin A, from Urolithin B, C and D
• Why Urolithin A outshines other molecules
• Reasons to produce pure Urolithin A
• Anurag's training as a physician and his introduction to the field of biotechnology
• Identifying sources of ellagitannins, the precursors to urolithin A
• Why to some people have gut microbiomes that seem to be incompatible with Urolithin A production.
• Enabling the consumer through precision nutrition
• Trial data and real world stories - understanding how anecdotal evidence seeds new ideas in science
• Dosage levels - the current state of research with Urolothin A recommendations
• Explaining autophagy and mitophagy and why their essential for life
• Is it possible to do harm by overdosing with Urolithin A?
• The multiple ways to boost mitochondrial heath - finding the optimum regime
• Pilars of a healthy lifestyle - diet, exercise and boosting cellular health
• Targeting skin as a longevity organ and the impact of topical Mitopure
• Future research; brain health, cognitive ability and possible supplement combinations
• The intricacies and complexities of conducting clinical trials

Watch the interview at YouTube

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

The Next Chapter

Peter Allison and Peter Bowes – school friends 50 years ago - discuss science-based lifestyle interventions as they pursue the next chapter. 

Peter A. has spent much of his life working as a professor of geology in London.  He is a keen diver and keen to optimize his health and vitality to continue with his physically demanding pastime.

Peter B. is a journalist and broadcaster with a longtime interest in the science of healthy aging and the hacks we can employ to live life to the full, for as long as possible.

In regular conversations they review the latest data that could help us achieve a longer healthspan. 

This episode includes:

- A study from the University of Barcelona that found a Mediterranean diet rich in healthy fats was associated with reduced cognitive decline in older adults.
A Mediterranean Diet-Based Metabolomic Score and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Case–Control Analysis Nested within the Three-City Cohort Study
Molecular Nutrition Food Research journal
Published: 24 October 2023
- The study used biomarkers in blood tests to confirm dietary habits, providing more reliable evidence than self-reported diaries.
- Potential systemic bias in self-declarations of exercise and diet habits.

- The impact of positive mindset on healthy aging, referencing a study that found those with positive beliefs about aging lived longer and had lower blood pressure.
People who think positively about getting older often live longer, healthier lives. Here is how to reconsider your perspective.
Published:  20 September, 2023

- And finally: The centenarian sisters who embrace modern technology and emphasize the importance of movement.
Centenarian sisters celebrate life together
Published: 22 November, 2023

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

As a teenager Chris Mirabile developed a "humble appreciation of life" that turned into a life-long dedication to biohacking and self-experimentation.   He survived a brain tumor at the age of 16 - an experience that piqued his interest in longevity research and eventually to the launch of NOVOS, a nutraceutical company that targets the biological causes of aging to increase longevity.  An appreciation of science and peer-reviewed research has seen Chris emerge as a leading voice in the pursuit of healthy aging and longevity. 

In this interview we cover:

• Recovering from a brain tumor - Chris's lightbulb moment.
• Evolving interest in human longevity - seminal article Cell - Hallmarks of Aging
• How an invincible attitude as a teenage morphed into a humbling appreciation of life
• Tacking the US Marine Corps benchmark for fitness
• Nurturing an interest in biohacking through citizen science and self experimentation
• The lifestyle interventions to make the biggest impact on health
• The value of strong healthy relationships and social tied to the community
• How our definition of moderation (in everything) is shifting and changing
• The value of recovery over pushing too hard to achieve optimum fitness
• Adding a billion years of healthy life to humanity
• How longevity plays a role in how your look
• Clarifying the differences between biological and chronological age

Read a transcript:  LLAMA podcast website

-
Affiliation disclosure: This podcast receives a small commission when you use the code LLAMA for purchases from companies below which support our mission.   It helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen. 
-

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Time-line

Mitopure (a highly pure form of Urolithin A) boosts the health of our mitochondria – the battery packs of our cells – and improves muscle strength. Time-line is offering LLAMA listeners a 10% discount on its range of products – Mitopure powders, softgels & skin creams.  Use the code LLAMA at checkout
-

FlexBeam red light therapy

Recharge Health is offering LLAMA listeners a discount on the purchase of FlexBeam, the wearable red light therapy device which targets key parts of the body to improve sleep, treat injuries and sooth aches and pains associated with aging. Discounts vary - see details of the current offer here

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.