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Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Effect on the Gut Microbiota?

When the National Institute for Aging tested over a dozen longevity molecules, acarbose was one of five molecules shown to increase lifespan. The intrigue around acarbose stems from its dual function: it influences metabolic health and reshapes our gut microbiota. But how does this alteration in microbial balance translate to enhanced healthspan? This article probes the notion that the healthspan-promoting benefits of acarbose are intrinsically linked to its role in diversifying the gut microbiome and amplifying the production of short-chain fatty acids.

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September 17th 2023

• 14 min read

Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Effect on the Gut Microbiota?

September 10th 2023

• 27 min read

How Skeletal Muscle Mass Impacts Cognitive Health

Sarcopenia, commonly associated with the frailty of advanced age, goes beyond mere muscle weakness—it holds potential implications for our cognitive faculties. But what links the muscle's decline to the brain's? The answer, it seems, could lie in the realm of myokines—specific chemicals our muscles dispatch during exercise, intricately connected to brain health. Factor in disturbances like insulin imbalances, protein metabolism anomalies, compromised mitochondrial functions, mounting inflammation, and a portrait of cognitive erosion emerges. In their recent review, Oudbier et al. dissect these connections. In this research review, we dive into their analysis, revealing the biochemical and physiological connections between skeletal muscle and the brain, and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive decline.

September 3rd 2023

• 20 min read

Understanding LDN's Impact on Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

The persistent battle against chronic inflammatory ailments highlights an unyielding hyperactivity of our immune system. But could the answer lie in LDN, a promising anti-inflammatory agent? In this comprehensive review, we dive deep into the mechanisms by which LDN modulates our immune response, revealing not just its interaction with opioid receptors, but its profound influence on endorphin levels and inflammation. Delving further, we scrutinize LDN's effects on three prominent chronic inflammatory diseases: Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

August 27th 2023

• 15 min read

The Role of Senescence in Crafting Cancer-Friendly Microenvironments

The incidence of cancer increases exponentially as we age. One link between age-related cancer and degeneration could be an inflammatory tissue environment driven by MTOR in senescent cells. In her pivotal 2010 research paper, "The Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype: The Dark Side of Tumor Suppression," Dr. Judith Campisi delves into how senescent cells create to a cellular 'microenvironment' favorable for cancer progression. In this article, we review Campisi's important insights and explore the potential of rapamycin to mitigate the cancer-promoting tendencies of these dysfunctional senescent cells.

August 20th 2023

featured

• 18 min read

Nature's Design Paradox: Aging as an Inherent Software Flaw

Aging, that inevitable march towards senescence, has puzzled and intrigued scientists for centuries. Traditionally, our understanding of aging has centered on wear and tear, with the belief that our cells and tissues break down over time due to accumulated damage. However, a fresh perspective by Dr. João Pedro de Magalhães challenges this narrative, suggesting that the very processes responsible for our growth and development might also be driving our decline after we hit our reproductive prime.

August 13th 2023

• 12 min read

mTOR Signaling and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Rapamycin

As the scientific community grapples with neurodegenerative disorders, the study of mTOR signaling provides a glimmer of optimism. But what's the connection between mTOR and debilitating conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's? And how can we leverage this knowledge to stave off cognitive decline? In this article, we dive deep into the molecular intricacies of mTOR pathways and their potentially profound implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, we delve into the therapeutic promise of rapamycin, a molecule that may herald a paradigm shift in neurodegenerative disease management and prophylaxis.

August 6th 2023

• 22 min read

Endorphins and Anti-Inflammation: A Review of Low-Dose Naltrexone's (LDN) Potential in Extending Healthspan and Treating Chronic Diseases

As longevity science uncovers surprising connections between seemingly unrelated drugs and health outcomes, the curious case of Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has captured researchers' attention. Originally designed as a treatment for addiction, LDN's impact on our biological systems has revealed unexpected benefits in modulating the immune response and fighting chronic inflammatory diseases. Through subtle increases in endorphin production and a cascade of anti-inflammatory responses, LDN presents an intriguing opportunity for enhancing overall well-being. In this article, we explore the multifaceted potential of LDN in extending healthspan, delve deeper into its proposed mechanisms of action, and examine its therapeutic applications in conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)—highlighting an unlikely candidate turned powerful ally in the pursuit of longevity and health.

July 30th 2023

• 14 min read

Examining Rapamycin's Role in Cancer Prevention: Insights from Dr. Mikhail Blagosklonny's Research

Mikhail Blagosklonny's theory of cellular hyperfunction has shifted our understanding of aging by proposing that it's not a result of cellular decline or damage accumulation but rather an overactive state of cellular metabolism. One of the most infamous examples of this is cancer. In a recent research perspective article, Blagosklonny outlined the role of rapamycin in slowing both the progression and delaying the onset of cancer. In this week’s research review, Jacob Rose, from the Buck Institute for Aging Research, discusses the multiple mechanisms of rapamycin that impede cancer development and formation.

July 26th 2023

• 1 min read

Breaking Down the Science of Longevity: A Discussion with Healthspan's Founder and CEO, Daniel, on the Wise Athletes Podcast

In a recent episode of the Wise Athletes Podcast, Healthspan's founder and CEO, Daniel, shared his story. He talked about how his research on mTOR-driven aging and his wife's lymphoma relapse led him to create Healthspan. Daniel also explained the scientific research that informs the rapamycin protocol offered by Healthspan.

July 23rd 2023

science

• 9 min read

Decoding Disease: The Power of Advanced Microscopy Techniques

In this installment of the Science Literacy Series, Jacob Rose, from the Buck Institute on Aging, dives into the fascinating world of microscopy, charting its evolution from a simple tool for viewing thin tissue sections to a powerful instrument capable of illuminating complex cellular interactions. He explores how innovative staining techniques and fluorescence microscopy are revolutionizing our understanding of diseases, particularly cancer, and guiding the development of targeted treatments. This article aims to simplify the understanding of these advanced microscopy techniques and highlight their critical role in diagnosing diseases and conducting research.

July 16th 2023

• 12 min read

The Science of Cold Exposure: Understanding its Impact on Human Health through Cold Water Swimming, Plunge Pools, and Cold Showers

The recent rise in interest around cold exposure therapy has not only gripped the health-conscious circles on social media, but has also sparked crucial conversations among experts. But what underlies the health benefits of cold exposure therapy? In this review, Dr. Ryan Marshall, from the Metabolic & Molecular Physiology Research Group at the University of Birmingham, explores the latest research findings on cold exposure to shed light on the science behind the benefits and the underlying mechanisms that make this therapy effective.

July 9th 2023

• 11 min read

How Rapamycin Optimizes Immune System Function and Fights Immunosenescent Cells

As immune function declines with age, a ripple effect ensues that accelerates aging. In an attempt to improve immune function, Dr. Joan Mannick's research has led her to examine the effect of mTOR inhibition on improving the aging immune system’s function. Mannick's trials have shown that the use of very low doses or intermittent doses of mTOR inhibitors actually enhances immune function. Despite this, the paradoxical nature of rapamycin's effects raises fascinating questions about the intricate relationship between immunity and aging. In this article, we explore the profound implications of Mannick's findings and delve deeper into the curious case of rapamycin—an immunosuppressant turned ally in enhancing immunity.

July 2nd 2023

• 22 min read

Exploring the Antagonistic Hallmarks of Aging and Potential Interventions

In the second part of our Hallmarks of Aging series, we explore the "Antagonistic Hallmarks," which include Cellular Senescence, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Deregulated Nutrient Sensing, Dysbiosis, Chronic Inflammation, Altered Cellular Communication, and Stem Cell Exhaustion. We uncover how these processes intricately shape our aging trajectory. Additionally, we'll explore interventions that have shown promise in reducing the harm caused by these hallmarks, paving the way for a better understanding of potential strategies to slow down the aging process.

June 24th 2023

• 15 min read

The Hallmarks of Aging: 12 Starting Points for Healthy Aging

The "Hallmarks of Aging" represent a crucial turning point in the scientific understanding of the aging process. These hallmarks, first articulated in a landmark 2013 paper and recently expanded, capture the key physiological and molecular shifts that occur as we age. In this two-part article, we'll delve into these revised hallmarks, focusing first on the 'Primary Hallmarks,' and the age-related pathways they affect. To begin, we will start with the “Primary Hallmarks” of aging: Telomere Attrition, Genomic Instability, Epigenetic Alterations, Loss of Proteostasis, and Disabled Macroautophagy.

June 18th 2023

• 12 min read

Zone 2 Endurance Training and Its Relationship With Longevity, Cardiovascular, and Musculoskeletal Health

For a decade, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has dominated the fitness world, thanks to its touted ability to enhance health and performance. Recent advances have begun to explore the impact of much slower endurance-based training on metabolic health and potentially longevity. We will deep dive into this training practice to discuss how to incorporate this into your daily life and what's going on at the cellular, molecular & whole-body level when you train in zone 2 & 5. Lastly, we'll look at how these training modalities impact longevity, reduced risk of all-cause mortality, and the benefits of maintaining endurance exercise your entire life.

June 11th 2023

• 15 min read

Clearing out the Cellular Trash: The Importance of Mitophagy in the Removal of Damaged & Dysfunctional Mitochondria

As the lexicon of health, longevity, and anti-aging enthusiasts continues to evolve, one term - 'autophagy' - has solidified its place within the discourse. Nonetheless, a relatively lesser-known offshoot, 'mitophagy,' or mitochondrial-specific autophagy, remains more obscure despite its critical significance. Recent evidence has begun to show how critical this process is in maintaining proteostasis within a cell or tissue and how dysregulation of this process can result in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria.

June 4th 2023

• 11 min read

Rethinking NAD and Sirtuins: How Flawed Assumptions Reinforce Good Research Practices

Science and discovery are typically slow and painstaking processes, particularly when the goal is to produce factual results. The human tendency to seek swift solutions, especially in confronting mortality and disease, can lead to hasty conclusions. One example of this phenomenon was the pervasive belief in sirtuins as conserved longevity drugs—a viewpoint that has resulted in the considerable expenditure of time and resources. It's a cautionary tale for the scientific community—reminding us that the pursuit of knowledge should prioritize accuracy over expediency.

May 28th 2023

• 12 min read

The Hidden Consequences: How GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Weight Loss Drugs Affect Lean Mass

Since GLP-1 was first discovered in the 1970s its role in human physiology remained largely unexplored for decades. However, in early 2005, the development of GLP-1 receptor agonists took the world by storm. Recent studies have shown their potential to significantly reduce body mass, particularly body fat in patients with obesity and type II diabetes. Despite this, Dr. Peter Attia has raised concerns about possible adverse effects on muscle mass. We explore Dr. Attia's perspective and delve into the relationship between GLP-1 and muscle mass in this piece.

May 21st 2023

• 10 min read

The Role of Rapamycin in the Preservation of Female Fertility and Ovarian Health

Among the several benefits of rapamycin to human health, recent research has begun to demonstrate that rapamycin may have significant benefits for women's health, particularly in preserving ovarian function, extending fertility, and delaying menopause. How does rapamycin work to promote ovarian function? In this article, Dr. Ryan Marshall from the Metabolic & Molecular Physiology Research Group at the University of Birmingham reviews these latest findings and how rapamycin may be utilized to enhance reproductive health and longevity in women.

May 17th 2023

• 5 min read

Rapamycin and Muscle Growth: A Review of the Glass Lab's use of Rapamycin to Reverse Sarcopenia and Anabolic Resistance

As we age, our bodies exhibit a reduced capacity to construct new muscle protein, even in the presence of anabolic stimuli like resistance exercise or protein intake. This perplexing state has captivated scientists for decades, yet the molecular mechanisms behind anabolic resistance have remained ambiguous. Emerging evidence from the pioneering lab of Dr. David J. Glass, MD, sheds light on a potential player in this enigma: the dysregulation of a signaling pathway known as mTOR. By delving into the intricacies of mTOR signaling, Dr. Glass and his team have begun to unravel the mysteries of anabolic resistance, providing insights into the cellular processes that underlie this physiological phenomenon.

May 14th 2023

• 12 min read

Dr. Rhonda Patrick on DHA in Phospholipid Form for Alzheimer's Prevention in APOE4 Carriers

Dr. Rhonda Patrick proposes a mechanism for the phospholipid form of DHA to play a role in the prevention of APOE4-associated Alzheimer's Disease.

May 7th 2023

• 8 min read

Exploring the Impact of High-Protein Diets on Longevity and Metabolic Function

A common belief is that a high-protein diet will facilitate an increase in muscle mass, strength, and function across the lifespan. However, is a high-protein diet still beneficial in the absence of any resistance-type exercise? Recent evidence from the world-leading laboratory of Professor Dudley Lamming at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown a high-protein diet, without any exercise, causes insulin resistance and an accumulation of white adipose tissue in as little as 18 weeks, even when matched for caloric intake. Here we discuss these provocative findings, their mechanisms, and how to prevent them.

April 30th 2023

• 11 min read

Inhibiting Skin Senescence with Topical Rapamycin (Sirolimus): A Novel Approach to Anti-Aging Skincare

A recent study investigated the potential of rapamycin to slow down skin senescence when applied topically as a cream. The results were striking—patients who underwent the treatment exhibited a significant reduction in senescence markers and an overall younger skin phenotype. But how does it work? The study found that the treatment either prevented cells from entering senescence or increased the clearance of senescent cells. These findings could have far-reaching implications for the broader quest to deaccelerate the aging process across the body.

April 23rd 2023

• 22 min read

The Paradox of Senescence: The Interplay Between Rapamycin, Autophagy, and Aging

Although inflammation represents a hallmark of aging, to grasp the underlying mechanisms of aging, we must delve deeper into the cellular state of senescence and the evolutionary pathways that culminate in a dysfunctional state. Indeed, the story of aging is fraught with paradoxes - the same cellular programming that once safeguarded us is ultimately responsible for driving us toward a state of dysfunction.

April 16th 2023

• 12 min read

Exploring the Role of Senescent Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritis and the Promise of Rapamycin

As researchers continue to search for a cure for osteoarthritis, recent studies have uncovered a fascinating link between hypertrophic and senescent chondrocytes - the cells that make up our cartilage - and the progression of the disease. But what causes this degenerative condition, and how can we stop it in its tracks? In this article, we delve into the science behind these cranky chondrocytes and explore their pivotal role in this debilitating condition. We also explore the exciting potential of microparticle rapamycin therapy, which delivers the drug directly to the affected joints and encourages a shift towards greater joint health and improved mobility.

April 9th 2023

• 10 min read

Rapamycin's Role as a Molecular Brake for Cellular Hyperfunction and Runaway Cells

Mikhail Blagosklonny's theory of cellular hyperfunction has shifted our understanding of aging by proposing that it's not a result of cellular decline or damage accumulation, but rather an overactive state of cellular metabolism. This idea challenges conventional wisdom and suggests that aging is a reversible phenomenon that can potentially be slowed down or even reversed. This shift in understanding has significant implications for how we approach the aging process.

March 26th 2023

• 7 min read

Unlocking the Link Between Nutrients, TOR Pathway, and Obesity: Can Rapamycin be the Key to Fighting Metabolic Syndrome?

New research reveals a surprising link between mTOR inhibition and the prevention of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. This complex story of mTOR's involvement in metabolic disorders unlocks new insights into the link between mTOR and obesity, and raises the potential for mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin to play a crucial role in preventing and treating these conditions.

March 17th 2023

• 8 min read

Unlocking the Bone-Building Potential of Rapamycin: How mTOR Inhibition Could Treat Osteoporosis

As researchers delved into the promising role of rapamycin in promoting bone growth, they sought to unravel the underlying mechanisms at play. The story of rapamycin as a bone growth molecule and treatment for osteoporosis centers around its capacity to subtly adjust bone cell activity, encouraging a shift toward greater bone formation and improved skeletal health.

November 28th 2022

• 10 min read

Exploring the Anti-aging Potential of Acarbose and Rapamycin: Insights from the NIA Interventions Testing Program

When the NIA tested over a dozen longevity molecules, acarbose was one of five molecules shown to increase lifespan, but how does it work? The story of acarbose as a longevity molecule lies at the intersection of its ability to augment our metabolic health and remodel our gut microbiota.

October 12th 2022

• 5 min read

Reducing Senescent Cell Burden in Aging and Disease

We'll be covering how you can reduce senescent cell burden with respect to aging and disease.

September 29th 2022

• 24 min read

Rapamycin For Longevity: series 4 part 2

The fourth installment of our Rapamycin for Longevity series where we explore rapamycin and its effect on human longevity. In series 4 we go over the paper "Effect of rapamycin on aging and age-related diseases - past and future" written by Ramasamy Selvarani, Sabira Mohammed, and Arlan Richardson

September 29th 2022

• 16 min read

Rapamycin For Longevity: series 4 part 1

September 28th 2022

• 7 min read

Rapamycin for Longevity: series 3

A continuation of our Rapamycin for Longevity series, where we explore rapamycin and its effect on human longevity. A brief explanation and overview of Harrison et al’s groundbreaking rapamycin study, aptly titled “Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice.”

September 28th 2022

• 12 min read

Rapamycin for Longevity: series 2, part 2

Part 2 of our second series on Rapamycin for Longevity, where we explore rapamycin and its effect on human longevity. Part 2 of 2.

September 28th 2022

• 16 min read

Rapamycin for Longevity: series 2, part 1

A continuation of our Rapamycin for Longevity series exploring rapamycin and its effect on human longevity. Part 1 of 2.

September 28th 2022

• 22 min read

Short term treatment with a cocktail of rapamycin, acarbose and phenylbutyrate delays aging phenotypes in mice

Pharmaceutical interventions with regards to aging requires targeting multiple pathways, thus there is rationale to test combinations of drugs that target different but overlapping processes. A multifaceted approach to treatment of aging in order to determine if combining drugs shown to extend lifespan and healthy aging in mice would have greater impact than any individual drug.

September 27th 2022

• 17 min read

Cell senescence, Rapamycin and Hyperfunction Theory of Aging

Learn about cellular senescence and the hyperfunction theory of aging and how rapamycin treatment ties into these subjects.

September 27th 2022

• 12 min read

How Sleep Impacts Aging

Sleep is incredibly important for the human body as a whole as well as on the cellular level. What causes alterations in the quantity and quality of sleep and what are the consequences of these changes are quite important questions. What changes exacerbate aging and a more dysfunctional physiology and what changes are caused by aging that are detrimental to your health as well. We will cover the characterization of related changes in sleep structure on both the macro and micro scale and cover the differences between men and women when it comes to sleep and age.

September 26th 2022

• 11 min read

Rapamycin Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss

Rapamycin Added to Diet in Late Mid-Life Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss in UMHET4 Mice

September 18th 2022

• 13 min read

Rapamycin for Longevity: series 1

The first of our Rapamycin for Longevity series where we explore rapamycin and its effect on human longevity.