Decoded: The Future of Health with Guest Prof. Nir Barzilai

Описание: Join us on Decoded: The Future of Health with hosts, Dr. Vinod Gauba and Alex Kummerman, as we explore the cutting-edge science of longevity with Professor Nir Barzilai.

Guest Bio:
Professor Nir Barzilai is the President of the Academy of Health and Lifespan Research and the Director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is a pioneering researcher in the genetics of human longevity, known for discovering the first longevity gene linked to exceptional aging. His interest in aging began at a young age, observing the variability in how people age. He realized that biological age and chronological age are not the same, and that some people age quicker or slower, which matters for health outcomes. This led him to believe that if aging is so variable, there is hope to intervene.

Key conversation points & messages:
The discussion delves into the science of aging and longevity, starting with Professor Barzilai's personal motivation and the "eureka moment" inspired by research showing a single gene mutation could extend lifespan in worms. This led to the discovery that a significant percentage of centenarians have genetic factors that impair the activity of the growth hormone and IGF-1 pathway, which is linked to longevity. He explains the concept that while growth is important early in life, later in life, protecting against breakdown is key, and inhibiting growth pathways can lead to longer, healthier lives, as shown in animal studies. Professor Barzilai emphasizes that centenarians not only live longer but also healthier, delaying the onset of age-related diseases and experiencing a compression of morbidity at the end of life. He asserts that death is inevitable, but aging is not, and its variability suggests it can be targeted. The concept of "gerotherapeutics" is introduced as targeting the biological hallmarks or drivers of aging, which can have a global impact on health. The conversation also touches on the non-linear nature of aging and how different organs can age at different rates, a discovery made possible by analyzing proteins in blood samples. Regarding supplements, Professor Barzilai expresses skepticism about the efficacy of many, highlighting the lack of rigorous clinical studies and potential for antagonistic effects when taking multiple supplements. He advocates for using FDA-approved drugs with known safety profiles that show potential gerotherapeutic effects, such as metformin, which has been shown to prevent multiple age-related diseases and has been repurposed for various conditions. The potential of multi-omic testing and artificial intelligence in identifying biomarkers of aging and accelerating the development of interventions is discussed, though he cautions about the need for a human layer of expertise to guide AI analysis. Finally, he stresses that targeting aging is relevant not just for older adults but also for individuals who experience accelerated aging due to disease or medical treatments, and even for enabling future endeavors like space travel.

Key takeaways:
Aging is a plastic process influenced by genetics and environment, and its variability suggests it can be targeted.
Centenarians provide a model for healthy longevity, demonstrating that delayed disease onset and compressed morbidity are possible.
Targeting the biological hallmarks of aging with "gerotherapeutics" offers a holistic approach to improving healthspan.
FDA-approved drugs with known safety profiles, such as metformin, show promise as repurposed gerotherapeutics.
While promising, multi-omic testing and AI require expert guidance to effectively identify aging biomarkers and inform interventions.
Interventions should be based on rigorous clinical studies, and a personalized approach is needed to determine the most effective strategies for individuals.
Targeting aging has broad implications, extending beyond older adults to those with accelerated aging and even for enabling future human endeavors.