Longevity Genes, Blood Biomarkers of Aging, & Targeting Aging with Metformin with Dr. Nir Barzilai

Aging is inevitable, but can we influence how we age? In this episode of Longevity by Design, hosts Dr. Gil Blander and Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD,  interview Dr. Nir Barzilai—the Director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Human Aging Research and of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging—during which he discusses groundbreaking research on aging.

This is an enlightening discussion with Dr. Barzilai on factors influencing healthspan and lifespan, and the paradigm-shifting idea of targeting aging to extend healthspan and lifespan. He shares fascinating insights from his research on the influence of genetics and lifestyle on healthspan and lifespan, and blood biomarkers of aging. The conversation sheds light on the emerging scientific evidence and paradigm-shifting concept for medical interventions (gerotherapeutics) to extend healthspan and lifespan by targeting the underlying biology of aging.

The episode wraps up with actionable insights for listeners interested in enhancing their healthspan and longevity. Dr. Barzilai discusses the importance of personalized health strategies, integrating cutting-edge research with everyday health practices while emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach. As a listener, you will leave equipped with knowledge and science-backed ways to navigate your personal health journey and help you live healthier longer.

Timestamps:

• Introduction: 00:00-04:13
• Why Dr. Barzilai’s studies centenarians and their children?: 04:14-10:07 
• Do centenarians live longer with poor health or live healthier longer? 10:08-13:07
• Does becoming a centenarian have a strong genetic influence?: 13:08-15:41
• How do growth hormone and IGF-1 affect healthspan and lifespan?: 15:32-23:39
• What other genes affect healthspan and lifespan?: 23:40- 26:51
• Does low IGF-1 negatively impact muscle and physical functioning?: 26:52-28:40
• What are the effects of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on longevity: 28:41-30:57
• What is the effect of lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise on the longevity of centenarians?: 30:58-34:07
• Do women or men live longer?: 34:08-37:55
• Why do women live longer than men?: 37:56-41:38
• Biomarkers of aging and biomarkers of organ aging: 41:39-47:07
• What is metformin, and what is the purpose of the TAME trial?: 47:08-51:37
• Do you think metformin will improve healthspan and lifespan?: 51:38-54:20
• Does metformin only improve blood glucose control, or does it benefit health and aging in other ways? 54:21-56:50
• Is metformin good for older adults but not young adults?: 56:51-57:45
• How does the combination of metformin and exercise impact muscle size (hypertrophy) and strength?: 57:46-01:00:45
• Should everyone take metformin?: 01:00:46-01:03:13
• Dr. Gil Blander’s and Dr. Nir Barzilai’s personal humorous anecdotes on exercise: 01:03:14-01:04:32
• Is there a reason and explanation for why metformin did not show an effect on lifespan in mice in the Interventions Testing Program (ITP)?: 01:04:33-01:07:01
• Are GLP-1 agonists beneficial for healthspan and lifespan?: 01:07:02-01:10:55
• Are there tradeoffs with using GLP-1 agonists?: 01:10:56-01:11:43
• What are the top 5 gerotherapeutic candidates for improving healthspan and lifespan?: 01:11:44-01:15:10
• Dr. Nir Barzilai’s top tip for improving health: 01:15:11-01:19:29