Key Takeaways
Advancements in Healthcare: Longevity research focuses on enhancing both lifespan and "health span," aiming to improve quality of life as people age. Recent advances in technology and genetics seek to slow, halt, or reverse the aging process. Scientists aim to promote overall well-being and vitality, transitioning from extending life to ensuring a better life as we age.
Nine Hallmarks of Aging: The Nine Hallmarks of Aging outline key factors contributing to aging which enable sciencits to identify possible interventions that may extend both lifespan and healthspan. From genomic instability to altered intercellular communication, these hallmarks reveal intricate cellular mechanisms.
Where we are today: The quest for longevity enters a pivotal phase, marked by groundbreaking research and significant investments. Optimists like Harvard Professor, David Sinclair, predict the approval of human longevity therapies offering possible age reversal within a decade. Other experts are less optimistic, like Nir Barzilai and Judith Campisi, who still see a possibility of adding another ~20 years average lifespan during the next 20-30 years.
What is Longevity?
What would you do if you could live to 200?
With a little luck and a few breakthroughs in current research, it may just be possible. The last two centuries have witnessed remarkable healthcare innovations, propelling humanity into an era of extended lifespans. Now, we stand at the precipice of a new era, where aging is no longer seen as inevitable. Exponential technologies such as artificial intelligence, sensors and groundbreaking advancements in genomics, stem cell research, and chemistry have converged to tackle the profound question of aging. But if you're here you probably already know this.
A step back; longevity is the study of lifespan and how to extend it. It is a field that has been around for centuries, but it is only in recent years that it has really started to take off.
Right now we are adding a potential of 0.3 years to the average human lifespan each year.
Why? Well, for one thing, we are living longer than ever before. In 1900, the average life expectancy in Western Europe was just 45 years old. Today, it is 83. Though growth has tapered off, some people in the field believe we are seeing a re-acceleration and that we are right now adding an average of 0.3 years to the average human lifespan each year. This means that if you are 50 or below today, chances are you will be one of the many to also cross 100.
But there is more to longevity than just living longer. It is also about living better. As we age, we want to stay healthy and active, and we want to maintain our independence and quality of life.
That is is a significant part of current longevity research as scientists are working hard to develop new ways to extend both our lifespan and our "health span" - the number of years we live free of chronic diseases and disability.
The allure of extending human lifespan has led to an unprecedented focus on understanding the biological intricacies of growing old. In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific discovery, our understanding of aging has entered a new era. Rather than an inevitable decline, aging is now dissected at the cellular level, revealing a complex interplay of mechanisms that shape our journey through life.
This is in parts driven by the multi-billion-dollar investments pouring into research laboratories, biotech startups, and academic institutions globally. Not least from tech billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and their ilk.
Why Do We Age?
The true answer is we don't really know. But we have a theory. Or we have a series of theories about the elements that contribute to aging which we collectively refer to as The Nine Hallmarks of Aging.
The Nine Hallmarks of Aging represent a holistic framework, delving into the cellular processes that underlie the aging phenomenon. From genomic instability, where our genes suffer wear and tear, to telomere attrition, the gradual shortening of our genetic protectors, each hallmark unveils a unique facet of the aging process.
For normal people, the hallmarks are relatively abstract, but they give scientists a framework for designing studies to identify interventions to slow, stop or even reverse the aging processes, which can lead to insights and supplements down the line that we can leverage to extend both our lifespan and healthspan.
Without belaboring the point here is a brief overview of the hallmarks;
Genomic instability: As we age, our DNA accumulates damage from radiation, free radicals, and other environmental factors. This damage can lead to mutations that contribute to aging and age-related diseases.
Telomere attrition: Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes. They shorten each time a cell divides, and eventually become too short, which causes the cell to die.
Epigenetic alterations: Epigenetic changes are modifications to our DNA that do not change the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by environmental factors such as diet, exercise, and stress. Epigenetic changes can affect gene expression and contribute to aging and age-related diseases.
Loss of proteostasis: Proteostasis is the ability of cells to maintain a balance between the production, folding, and degradation of proteins. As we age, proteostasis declines, which can lead to the accumulation of misfolded proteins. This can contribute to a variety of age-related diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Deregulated nutrient sensing: Nutrient sensing is the ability of cells to detect and respond to changes in nutrient levels. As we age, nutrient sensing becomes less efficient. This can lead to a variety of problems, including insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Mitochondrial dysfunction: Mitochondria are the power plants of our cells. As we age, mitochondria become less efficient at producing energy. This can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, and other age-related health problems.
Cellular senescence: Senescent cells are cells that have stopped dividing but remain alive in the body. Senescent cells can secrete inflammatory molecules that can damage surrounding cells and tissues. Senescent cells are thought to play a role in a variety of age-related diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Stem cell exhaustion: Stem cells are cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells. As we age, the number and quality of our stem cells decline. This makes it more difficult for our bodies to repair damage and maintain healthy tissues.
Altered intercellular communication: As we age, communication between cells becomes less efficient. This can lead to a variety of problems, including tissue dysfunction, organ failure, and age-related diseases.
How Far Advanced Is the Science?
The truth is, that this is a topic of much heated debate, even among leading scientists.
Rather than try and overreach and overpromise on the benefits, we have opted to collect some of the latest statements and opinions of top research scientists for you to form your own impression [up to date as of october 11th, 2023].
Dr. David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School Sinclair believes that we could see the first human longevity therapies approved for use within the next 10 years. He has also said that he believes that we could eventually double the human lifespan. Based on a study released from his lab in July 2023 he stated: "Until recently, the best we could do was slow aging. New discoveries suggest we can now reverse it.”
Peter Diamandis, Investor and Entrepeneur
Peter, while not a researcher, has spent a lot of time pursuing the longevity topic. In a recent write-up based on conversations with longevity experts he predicts that "In the near future, science will extend your lifespan by more than a year for every year you remain alive. Once that happens, we can begin to think about true longevity."
Nir Barzilai, MD, Director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Barzilai has said that he believes that we could see the first people living to be 120 years old within the next 20 years and possibly longer over time.
Judith Campisi, PhD, Professor of Biology at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Campisi has said that she believes that we could see the first senolytic drugs (drugs that target senescent cells) approved for use within the next 5-10 years. She has also said that she believes that senolytic drugs could have a significant impact on human lifespan and healthspan.
What Can You Do While You Wait?
The good news is that addressing the hallmarks, and implementing practical interventions can be started already today. While we have yet to invent the fountain of youth, you can add an estimated decade to your life by just living a healthier life while medical interventions are being developed.
The goal is to live long enough to live forever.
So what can you do now?
Regular exercise
Right nutrition
Good sleep
Temperature shocks
Mindfulness, and
Supplements (few are beginning to show promise)
Keep abreast of our latest takeaways on each of these topics in our takeaway section: centenarian.eu/takeaways
Want to delve in deeper?
Check out Harvard Lead Researcher David Sinclair's book on longevity research, 'Lifespan'.
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