Dr. Nir Barzilai: Can This Drug Slow Aging? The Science Behind Metformin

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Feb 7, 2024

Dr. Nir Barzilai, a leading geroscientist and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, dives into the fascinating world of aging research. He discusses the groundbreaking potential of metformin to not only manage diabetes but also to delay aging. The conversation also touches on insights from centenarians, the impact of genetics on longevity, and the role of the microbiome. Barzilai shares his pioneering work with the TAME trial, aiming to convince the FDA that aging can be treated, transforming our understanding of healthspan and lifespan.

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ADVICE

Growth Hormone in the Elderly

Avoid giving growth hormone to elderly individuals, as it may not be beneficial.
The biology of aging differs from younger individuals; growth hormone might be harmful.

INSIGHT

HDL and Longevity

High HDL cholesterol levels are correlated with longevity in centenarians.
However, pharmaceutically raising HDL may not have the same positive effect.

ANECDOTE

Personalized Medicine Example

Jason Fagenbottom, a medical student, cured his cancer using rapamycin.
He identified an mTOR spike and used this drug that inhibits mTOR, showcasing personalized medicine.

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Dr. Nir Barzilai is a geroscientist, Chaired Professor of Medicine and Genetics, and the founder and principal investigator of the Einstein Nathan Shock Center and the Glenn Center for Excellence in Biology of Aging. He also studies families of centenarians that have provided genetic and biological insights on the protection against aging—with several drugs developed based, in part, on these paradigm-changing studies. He is also leading the TAME (Targeting/Taming Aging with Metformin) trial to prove to the FDA that aging can be delayed and to allow for next-generation interventions.

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In this episode we discuss (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

The hallmarks of aging (9:01 / 7:10)
What causes the hallmarks of aging? (15:40 / 13:49)
Dr. Barzilai’s research on centenarians (23:16 / 21:25)
Why living to 100+ years is good for the economy (24:54 / 23:03)
What enables someone to live to 100 years old? (29:30 / 25:20)
Taking growth hormone and Metformin have different effects based on your age (36:58 / 32:48)
The connection between HDL cholesterol and longevity (43:36 / 39:26)
Dr. Barzilai’s research on Metformin (56:23 / 52:13)
How Metformin works in the body and on muscle growth (1:04:51 / 1:00:41)
Dr. Barzilai’s personal longevity (1:42:05 / 1:37:55)

Learn more about the Longevity Genes Project and the TAME Trial.

Get a copy of Age Later: Health Span, Life Span, and the New Science of Longevity