Longevity 101: The Latest Science on Improving Lifespan

With science and medicine evolving at an unprecedented pace, humans have barely scratched the surface when it comes to the truth about longevity and improving lifespan. The popular narrative among many is that our lifespan is ‘written on the wall,’ so to speak, and our genetic makeup is largely responsible for our overall health and longevity.

 

Today's latest science demonstrates that it is not necessarily so simple. Emerging research empowers us to extend lifespans through means that are more within our control than we ever thought possible.

 

Today, we understand the mechanism of aging better than we ever have, and in this article, we’ll unravel three major themes to inspire you to take the reins when it comes to your health, wellbeing, and lifespan: epigenetics, senescent cells, and preventative healthcare.

 

Defining Aging 

 

Aging is the natural and progressive process of change that occurs in our bodies over time. It involves a gradual decline in cellular repair, shifts in physical appearance, and changes in the function of our organs. 

 

While aging is inevitable, its pace, impact, and the quality of our lives as we age are more within our control than ever before.

 

Targeting Senescent Cells

 

Senescent cells, also known as ‘zombie cells,’ are cells that have stopped dividing but remain active in the body.

 

Dr. Judith Campisi, known for her impressive work on the role of senescent cells in aging and age-related diseases, is the pioneer in this space. Her research helped us understand the idea that senescent cells accumulate over time and contribute to inflammation, tissue dysfunction, and the aging process.

 

With this newfound knowledge, scientists have found that removing senescent cells can extend the healthy lifespan in mice. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that drugs reducing the number of these cells helped mice live longer and maintain their physical abilities.

 

Putting the use of drugs aside, I always advocate for natural ways to achieve similar outcomes, and it turns out that there are known compounds within certain foods that have senolytic properties—you guessed it: the ability to flush out senescent cells. Foods with senolytic properties include strawberries, apples, and grapes (rich in fisetin), pomegranates (which contain compounds like ellagic acid), and green tea (high in the polyphenol EGCG).

 

For my ‘skinthusiasts’: one of the most exciting parts about senescent cell research is that certain peptides such as epithalamin (still very much in the research phase), and others, might be able to slow down and potentially reverse skin aging through the removal of senescent cells in the future. While products are making such promises today, always do your research and check the studies before investing.

 

Taking Control Through Epigenetics

 

Dr. David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and a leading researcher in the field of aging and longevity, has been at the forefront of this topic, and his research findings are promising.

 

Much of his research is focused on epigenetics, the study of how lifestyle and environmental factors can affect how our genes are expressed without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

 

The latest research driven by Sinclair states that only 10% to 20% of our health and lifespan are determined by genetics, with 80% to 90% being determined by epigenetic factors such as lifestyle (source). With this, Sinclair advocates for a wide range of lifestyle habits and supplements, such as intermittent fasting, NMN supplementation, cold exposure, and more, always supporting his recommendations with science-backed logic.

 

Acting Before It’s Too Late With Preventative Healthcare

 

Finally, regarding longevity, Dr. Peter Attia is a renowned physician with expertise in metabolic health and functional medicine. He emphasizes the power of prevention over reaction.

 

In his book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity (a must-read!), Attia introduces a concept that he calls Medicine 3.0, which focuses on proactive care and early screenings. Rather than waiting for age-related diseases to manifest and treating symptoms rather than root causes, he advocates for optimizing physical and emotional well-being to prevent chronic conditions and slow down aging.

 

In Outlive, Dr. Attia points out that standard blood sugar ranges, which are considered ‘normal’ because they are average, might be a bit too high. This means we often miss early warning signs of metabolic issues (a key factor that contributes to aging).

 

The good news is that by educating ourselves and setting higher standards when it comes to our medical consultations, we can become our own best advocates. Instead of waiting for prediabetes to set in, for example, he encourages us to be proactive with better screening and smarter lifestyle choices.

 

By taking control through the power of epigenetics, incorporating senolytic compounds, and taking preventative healthcare into our own hands, we can strive for a longer lifespan and better quality of life. 

 

Hoping this inspires you—

 

Gabriella