nomix.ai

Author: NOMIX

  • Interventions for Slowing, Stopping, or Reversing Aging and Extending Healthspan

    In the past century, human life expectancy has significantly increased, with over 20% of the world’s 9 billion population expected to live beyond the age of 60 by 2050. Recent research has shown promising results in slowing down aging and extending healthy lifespans (healthspans) n various organisms, from yeast to non-human primates, through interventions that can be classified into lifestyle modifications (lifestyle medicine)and pharmacological or genetic manipulations. 

    Several genetic pathways have been identified as key regulators of aging and lifespan, making them potential targets for anti-aging therapies. Currently, research is focused on developing compounds that mimic calorie restriction, induce autophagy, and enhance cell regeneration, as well as epigenetically modulating gene activity. These anti-aging agents offer exciting opportunities for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Here, we explain the aging process and introduce some bioactive compounds that could benefit healthy aging and the potential role of lifespan extension.

    In this blog post, we will delve into the properties of slow aging and healthy lifespan extension found in natural products derived from diverse biological sources, endogenous substances, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic compounds. We will explore the mechanisms of targets for anti-aging assessment and discuss bioactive compounds that offer benefits in the context of healthy aging, as well as their potential role in extending life span.

    What is Aging?

    Aging is a universal, evolutionarily conserved process that affects almost all living organisms, characterized by multisystem tissue dysfunction and the development of age-related diseases. However, aging is a modifiable process, with interventions available to extend life, improve health, and treat diseases in various organisms. These findings hold immense significance in biomedicine, as they offer the potential for groundbreaking improvements in health.  

    Aging can be viewed as the progressive reduction of hemodynamic space, with survival being a continuous struggle between biochemical damage and repair. Various molecular, cellular, and biochemical pathways and networks determine an organism’s survival and lifespan. Age-related changes, such as hormonal declines and immune system remodeling, may not necessarily be detrimental and could be adaptive responses. Stress can also have both beneficial and detrimental effects, depending on factors like frequency, intensity, and duration, as well as energy expenditure and metabolic disorders.

    Anti-Aging vs Healthy Aging – or: Lifespan vs Healthspan

    This understanding of aging has shifted the focus from “anti-aging” interventions to “healthy aging.” We must move away from disease-oriented research and adopt health-oriented prevention strategies to achieve healthy aging aka longevity. Contrary to the notion that aging is an inevitable part of human nature, numerous interventions have shown promise in slowing aging and increasing healthy lifespan across various organisms, from yeast to non-human primates. Interventions can be categorized into lifestyle changes, such as caloric restriction and exercise, and pharmaceutical/genetic regulation, encompassing a wide range of molecules, including natural products, endogenous substances, approved drugs, and synthetic compounds. There is substantial evidence suggesting that aging interventions can delay and prevent the onset of chronic diseases in adults and older adults, and may safely and effectively extend the healthy lifespan of humans.

    Aging Mechanisms

    Over the past two decades, several genetic pathways have been identified as key regulators of the aging process and lifespan. As a result, genes within these pathways have emerged as attractive and potential targets for anti-aging therapies. Currently, numerous anti-aging drugs are being developed, targeting various aging mechanisms, including calorie restriction mimics, autophagy inducers, putative cell regeneration enhancers, and epigenetic regulators such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors. While evidence on the overall health benefits of these compounds remains limited, epidemiological studies have begun to explore the long-term consequences of exposure to these compounds on human health. Although not yet ready for human trials, further research is warranted, particularly in the context of age-related diseases and conditions. Initial trials should focus on safety and tolerability, using a small number of subjects and a short duration, to provide early insights into promising compounds and potential candidates for more extensive aging studies.

    The Aging Industry

    For centuries, the pursuit of rejuvenation and youth maintenance has been a topic of scientific interest. In recent decades, this interest has accelerated the emergence of the anti-aging industry. This area of biomedical research remains a subject of debate. According to estimates, the economic impact of delayed aging and increased healthspan in the United States is projected to be around $7 trillion over the next 50 years. China’s health industry, including anti-aging products, has grown significantly, with a market size exceeding $1.3 trillion annually and an average annual growth rate of over 10%. By 2050, it is projected that the annual size of the health industry will surpass that of the United States, reaching $3.5 trillion, with the anti-aging industry also growing considerably. This presents a massive opportunity for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries to discover new drug targets based on biogerontology.

    Evaluating Aging

    Conducting clinical trials to evaluate the anti-aging potential of conventional drugs is a challenging task. Older patients often have multiple diseases and are taking multiple medications, leading to drug-drug interactions and comorbidities that make it difficult to assess the full range of effects of these drugs, whether beneficial or adverse. Additionally, the lack of reliable and detectable biomarkers to measure the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions is another significant challenge. To overcome these obstacles, initial trials should be designed to treat age-related diseases and conditions, with a small cohort, short duration, and primary focus on safety and tolerability. Once promising candidates are identified, longer or more detailed studies can be conducted to focus on anti-aging outcomes.

    The criteria for evaluating potential anti-aging drugs include:

    1. A drug that extends the lifespan of a model organism, preferably a mammal.
    2. A drug that delays or prevents age-related diseases in mammals.
    3. A drug that inhibits the senescence transition of cells from quiescence to senescence.

    These criteria may overlap, and if an intervention aims to extend lifespan, it must also retard diseases associated with aging.

    Slow Down, Stop, Reverse Aging

    Many plants and fungi, consumed as food, beverages, and spices, contain natural anti-aging compounds that can extend the lifespan of model organisms. These active molecules regulate cellular and physiological pathways affected by calorie restriction (CR) and exercise, mimicking the effects of CR by reducing insulin/IGF-1 signaling and activating autophagy and other stress-resistance mechanisms. These natural products not only increase lifespan but also improve health and quality of life by reducing the development of chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration.

    Anti-Agent Agents

    In the table below you find natural products, endogenous substances, drugs, and synthetic compounds that could provide benefits in the aspect of healthy aging and the potential role of healthspn extension. We will discuss their specific benefits in our upcoming posts.

    Natural products
    Astaxanthin, Curcumin, Morphine, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid NDGA, Rapamycin, Resveratrol, Sappanone A, Spermidine, Tambulin, Urolithins, Ursolic Acid, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Quercetin, Caffeic Acid, Rosmarinic Acid, Genistein, EGCG, Protandim, Chicoric Acid, Tyrosol, Fisetin, TA-65, Procyanidins

    Endogenous Substances
    Alpha-ketoglutarate, Oxaloacetic Acid, Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA, 17α-Estradiol, S-Linolenoyl Glutathione, Melatonin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide NAD+, Nicotinamide Riboside NR, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide NMN

    Drugs
    Acarbose, Aspirin, (−)Deprenyl, Metformin, Minocycline, Statins, Celecoxib, Doxycycline, Enalapril, Metoprolol, Nebivolol

    Synthetic Compounds
    Nitrons, Pyridoperimidine Derivatives

    Various strategies exist for using these anti-aging agents, including dietary supplements, increasing the intake of foods rich in these molecules, and consuming probiotics and prebiotics to raise blood levels of these molecules. Several nutrients and natural compounds have been linked to increased lifespan in humans, suggesting that these strategies may be feasible for slowing aging and increasing healthspan. Plant and fungal molecules with anti-aging properties in model organisms may also lead to the discovery and identification of new bioactive compounds for the development of improved CR mimetics to slow human aging. 

    In addition to those mentioned above, many other compounds have been reported to show anti-aging activity, such as acetic acid, allicin, apigenin, aspalathin, berberine, capsaicin, catalpol, celastrol, garcinol, huperzine, hydroxycitrate, inositol, naringin, piceatannol, and piperlongumine. 

    These natural products, endogenous substances, drugs, and synthetic compounds are being evaluated and many of them should find their way to consumers as micronutrition. We will discuss their specific benefits in our upcoming posts.

  • AMPK, Sirtuins, mTOR: Pathways to Longevity

    Longevity research has identified three important signaling pathways in the body that slow down the ageing process and promote health. They act as energy and nutrient sensors in the body and react to changes in our cells. Each pathway has its own mechanism that regulates bodily functions and the ageing process. All three pathways work together synergistically and are essential for our organism. However, they have different effects on the processes that influence our longevity and on different metabolic pathways. AMPK, Sirtuins, mTOR: Pathways to Longevity.

    Sirtuins – the switches of longevity
    Sirtuins are special proteins in the body that play an important role in controlling our genes. To understand how they do this, we first need to visualize how our DNA is packaged in cells.
    Imagine our DNA as an incredibly long string – if you strung the DNA of all the cells in our body together, it would cover a thousand times the distance from the Earth to the sun! Ultimately, this enormous length has to fit into our tiny cells. To make this possible, our body winds DNA onto tiny “coils” called histones. The DNA packaged in this way is then neatly stowed away in the cells.
    This is where the sirtuins come into play. They have the ability to modify the histones, which influences which genes can be read and which cannot. They act like switches that can turn certain genes on or off. This is why they are also known as “epigenetic regulators”.

    NAD – without this coenzyme, sirtuins are powerless
    However, in order to operate these switches and activate our longevity genes, the sirtuins require a special coenzyme called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). With increasing age, however, the amount of available NAD in the body decreases. Without this essential cofactor, the sirtuins can no longer work effectively and their activity decreases. It is assumed that this is one of the reasons why we become more susceptible to diseases as we age.

    AMPK – the energy conductor of the cell
    Finally, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) also plays an important role. AMPK is an enzyme in our cells that influences insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in the cells. It is like a guardian that constantly checks whether our cells have enough energy. When energy becomes scarce, AMPK kicks into action and ensures that more energy is made available.

    At the same time, AMPK inhibits the antagonist mTOR (“mechanistic target of rapamycin”), which controls energy production in our cells. If mTOR is too active, the cells use more energy to control anabolic processes. AMPK therefore ensures that our cells use their energy efficiently when food is scarce. However, AMPK does even more for our cells. It helps them extract energy from fats and promotes autophagy, a process in which cells cleanse and rejuvenate themselves.

    AMPK and health: the key role in metabolic processes
    The activation of AMPK can be influenced by various factors, and there are several reasons why many people have difficulty activating AMPK effectively:

    Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity:
    An inactive lifestyle and lack of physical activity can lead to insufficient AMPK activation. AMPK is activated by muscle contractions during exercise, but people who do little or no exercise may have reduced AMPK activity.

    Unhealthy diet:
    An unbalanced diet with an excess of calories, especially carbohydrates and fats, can impair AMPK activation. High-calorie intake, especially from poor sources, can lead to an increase in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and hinder AMPK activation.

    Insulin resistance and obesity:
    People with insulin resistance or obesity often have problems activating AMPK. Insulin resistance can disrupt the signaling pathway of AMPK, leading to decreased activity of AMPK. Obesity can also impair the function of AMPK in fat cells.

    Ageing process
    The aging process tends to lead to a decrease in AMPK activity. This can contribute to older people having difficulty activating AMPK effectively, which can have an impact on metabolism and energy homeostasis. Energy homeostasis describes the balance between supplied and released energy that the body needs for optimal performance.

    Genetic factors
    Individual genetic predisposition can also play a role in AMPK activation. Some people have genetic variations that can affect AMPK function.

    Chronic stress
    Chronic stress can disrupt energy homeostasis and inhibit AMPK activation. Stress hormones can affect AMPK signaling pathways, interfering with normal activation. Insufficient activation of AMPK can accelerate the ageing process and shorten life span and especially health span. The diabetes drug metformin and the natural plant compound quercetin can activate the AMPK signaling pathway in the body and improve insulin sensitivity.

    How you can activate AMPK
    Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation can be achieved in a variety of ways, including lifestyle changes, diet, exercise and certain medications. Here are some strategies to activate AMPK:

    1. Regular physical activity
      • Aerobic training: Endurance training such as running, cycling and swimming can activate AMPK as it affects ATP and AMP levels
      • Resistance training: Strength training can activate AMPK, especially in the muscular system
    2. Calorie restriction and interval fasting
      Reduced calorie intake and intermittent fasting (interval fasting) can activate the AMPK signaling pathway as they lead to an increase in AMP relative to ATP.
    3. Healthy diet
      • Low-fat, high-fiber diet, low in saturated fat and rich in fiber, can support AMPK activation
      • Foods that promote AMPK: Green tea, curcumin (in turmeric), Resveratrol (in red grapes) and Omega-3 fatty acids (in fish) can activate AMPK
    4. Metabolic stressors
      Cold or heat therapy and sauna visits can generate metabolic stress and activate AMPK
    5. Dietary supplements
      Certain supplements can support AMPK, e.g. berberine, alpha lipoic acid and Quercetin. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a chemical that is approved as a dietary supplement in Germany and Europe.
    6. Medications
      Some medications, such as metformin (a diabetes medication) and AICAR (an AMPK activator), can support AMPK activation.

    However, it is important to note that any lifestyle changes, such as taking supplements or medications, should always be made in consultation with a doctor. The individual response to these interventions can vary from person to person and is always dependent on various factors such as health status, genetic predisposition, and current medications.

    Is mTOR the bad cop? Longevity requires a fine balance.
    mTOR, or “mechanistic Target of Rapamycin”, is a key player in our bodies when it comes to cell division and growth. When our body has plenty of energy, mTOR is activated and uses this excess energy to promote muscle and tissue building. An example of the effect of mTOR can be found in people who exercise regularly and consume a lot of animal protein. Through their diet and exercise habits, they increase the activity of mTOR in their bodies, which leads to an increase in muscle mass.

    This is particularly important in old age, as maintaining and building muscle mass can protect against sarcopenia, age-related loss of muscle mass, and general frailty. However, as with many things in life, there is a downside. Excessive activity of mTOR can suppress the activity of our longevity genes. From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense: when there is enough food and therefore energy available, the body focuses on growth and reproduction rather than longevity. In times of abundance, it is more about survival than about the longevity of the individual. It is therefore important to find a balance in mTOR activity to support our health and fitness as well as our longevity.

    Plant-based proteins and intermittent fasting: finding the balance with mTOR and reaping its benefits
    We all need mTOR to build new cells and maintain our muscle mass. But: excessive mTOR activity has a negative effect on our longevity. An effective way to regulate mTOR activity is to practice moderate calorie restriction or intermittent fasting.

    Both strategies can help to temporarily inhibit mTOR and thus maintain balance in the body. It is also important to pay attention to our diet. Animal protein from meat, fish, and dairy products can stimulate mTOR and thus promote cell growth and aging. A healthier alternative is plant-based proteins, which are found in foods such as lentils, beans, and pseudocereals like quinoa. They stimulate mTOR less and should therefore be the preferred main source of protein in our diet.

    Conclusion
    AMPK, sirtuins and mTOR are the three most important longevity players. On a cellular level, their interaction determines whether or not our body is geared towards longevity. Sirtuins are important longevity switches in our cells. They work together with NAD and help to activate our longevity genes.
    AMPK and mTOR are two enzymes in the body that work as antagonists. Studies have shown that increased AMPK activity leads to an increased lifespan and healthspan, promotes autophagy and improves insulin sensitivity. Its counterpart mTOR, on the other hand, is active when there is an energy surplus and uses this to initiate anabolic processes such as muscle building. While mTOR is essential for the body, a sustained increase in mTOR activity is associated with inhibition of longevity genes.

    To promote a balance of AMPK and mTOR, moderate calorie restriction, intermittent fasting or the consumption of plant protein instead of animal protein is suitable. Micronutrients such as Quercetin also help to activate the AMPK pathway, inhibit mTOR and boost longevity processes.

  • Intermittent Fasting – The Impact on Autophagy, Inflammasome, and Senescence

    A recent study published in Human Nutrition & Metabolism explored the molecular effects of prolonged intermittent fasting on human health and longevity markers. The research revealed that fasting can alter the expression of genes linked to autophagy, the inflammasome, and senescence, which are all related to aging and age-related diseases.

    The study recruited 25 healthy young men who intended to fast for the entire month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk. The researchers measured gene expression levels one week before Ramadan, in the middle of Ramadan, in the last days of Ramadan, and one week after Ramadan.

    The study found that intermittent fasting activated autophagy, a cellular process that breaks down components within cells. Autophagy has been linked to longevity, and the researchers observed an increase in ULK1, a gene involved in autophagy, two weeks and one month after starting the fasting period. Another gene, ATG5, involved in autophagy induction, also showed a similar pattern. However, BECN1, a gene essential for autophagy, exhibited a different pattern, with an increase in expression two weeks after the start of fasting and a subsequent reduction in its levels.

    The researchers also measured inflammation and senescence markers, including the inflammasome and senescence mediator p16INK4a. They found that NLRP3 and IL-1β expression increased two weeks and one month after the start of fasting, but ASC levels were lower than basal levels one month after the start of fasting, suggesting that the inflammasome was not activated. The senescence marker p16INK4a did not show statistically significant changes until the end of the observation period, but p21 levels decreased during and after fasting.

    The study’s limitations include a lack of data on food intake, physical activity, and sleeping patterns, which could impact gene expression patterns. Additionally, only young males were included in the study, making the results questionable for other demographic groups. The authors emphasize the need for further research to confirm or refute their findings and to assess the levels of actual proteins rather than just gene expression levels.

    Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the molecular effects of prolonged intermittent fasting on human health and longevity markers. While more research is needed to understand the complex interplay between autophagy, the inflammasome, and senescence, the findings suggest that fasting may contribute to delaying the onset of age-related diseases and promoting overall health and longevity.

  • Lifestyle Impact on Lifespan

    A groundbreaking new study has uncovered compelling evidence that adopting a constellation of healthy lifestyle habits can significantly extend life expectancy. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this landmark research leveraged data from the Million Veteran Program, a vast and long-running population study, to quantify the profound effects of eight specific lifestyle factors on mortality risk and longevity.

    The Relevant Eight Lifestyle Factors

    The study identified eight key lifestyle factors that collectively contribute to a longer lifespan: never smoking, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, restorative sleep, a nutrient-rich diet emphasizing plant-based whole foods, effective stress management, strong social connections, and the absence of opioid use disorder. By analyzing mortality rates and life expectancy estimates across varying combinations of these factors, the researchers unveiled a striking pattern.

    A Continuous Decline in Mortality Risk

    Remarkably, the study found that the more of these eight lifestyle factors an individual adhered to, the lower their mortality risk became – a continuous and incremental effect. Those who exhibited none of the eight factors faced a staggering mortality rate of 70.2 deaths per 1,000 person-years. In contrast, those who embraced all eight factors experienced a mere 6.8 deaths per 1,000 person-years, more than a tenfold decrease in mortality risk.

    The Power of Physical Activity

    Among the eight lifestyle factors, regular physical activity emerged as the most potent determinant of longevity, associated with a remarkable 50% decrease in mortality risk for men and 46% for women. This finding underscores the paramount importance of an active lifestyle in promoting long-term health and well-being.

    Substantial Life Expectancy Gains

    The study’s findings are particularly striking when translated into life expectancy estimates. At age 40, individuals who exhibited none of the eight lifestyle factors had a remaining life expectancy of 23 years for males and 27 years for females. In stark contrast, those who embraced all eight factors could expect to live an additional 24 years for males and 20.5 years for females, extending their life expectancy to an impressive 47 years and 47.5 years, respectively.

    A Call to Embrace a Comprehensive Lifestyle Overhaul

    While the study acknowledges certain limitations, such as the binary categorization of lifestyle factors and the potential for confounding factors, its overarching message is clear: adopting a holistic approach to lifestyle optimization can profoundly impact longevity. By embracing a constellation of healthy habits, individuals can significantly reduce their mortality risk and potentially gain decades of additional life expectancy.

    This pioneering research not only quantifies the remarkable benefits of a healthy lifestyle but also serves as a powerful motivator for individuals to prioritize their overall well-being through conscious lifestyle choices. As the field of geroscience continues to advance, studies like this underscore the immense potential of preventative measures in promoting longevity and quality of life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Longevity and financial provision go hand in hand

    Retirement provision is the term we usually use to describe the financial provision we make to secure our standard of living in retirement. Financial provision for old age includes various measures aimed at saving income or assets to be financially secure in old age.

    From health consumer to health investor

    BIOCOACH applies this financial concept to our health: we don’t just want to be financially secure in old age, we want to enjoy the best possible health – for as long as possible! As we humans are much more familiar with the concept of financial retirement planning than making our health “age-proof”, BIOCOACH offers a 1:1 transfer: we show our users how they can apply individual aspects from the financial sector that have been proven to work to their health.

    Let’s take a look at the key aspects of financial provision for old age and derive appropriate measures to maximize our longevity and healthspan – in other words, to live as long and healthy a life as possible:

    Finance
    Private pension insurance/pension funds/investment funds

    Individuals make regular contributions over a certain period or invest part of their income to receive a lifelong pension or income in return when they retire. The key point is the regularity of manageable investments in the future.  The compound interest effect ensures a significant increase in assets here, far beyond selective individual investments.

    Longevity 
    Regular health activities

    The lifelong pension in our case is called longevity, or maximum healthspan: as long as we live, and for as long as possible, we want to stay healthy and active. Regular contributions can take very different forms – the important thing is that they are made regularly, started as early as possible, and implemented consistently and continuously. The BIOCOACH subscription is such a health investment: with regular, manageable expenditure. Daily physical activities of all kinds, a well-thought-out diet, and attention to various sensible lifestyle factors ensure a daily dose of health with a compound interest effect: as our body renews itself daily through cell division and the aging process, including various age-related signs of wear and tear, is primarily due to errors in cell division, daily investment in longevity slows down the aging process and maximizes our healthspan.

    Finance
    A balanced portfolio

    Financial retirement provision is a combination of several measures to build up a balanced portfolio and protect against various risks. In addition to the pension insurance policies, pension funds, and investment funds mentioned so far, this includes real estate, shares, and other private savings and financial investments. We all have different expectations of the future and start from different positions.

    Longevity
    It’s all in the mix

    It’s the same with our health: our DNA, which is responsible for around 15-20% of our long-term health, makes us unique individuals. This is why the same health recipe does not apply to everyone – even if some pseudo-scientific advice suggests this. Each of us is entitled to an individual assessment of our health situation and corresponding recommendations on longevity and Healthspan. Starting with our BIOCOACH BC1 pilot phase, we are developing a longevity algorithm that will enable individual, personalized longevity recommendations. The longevity algorithm is modified during the BIOCOACH subscription in the same way that investment behavior within financial retirement planning should be adjusted over time: the longevity recommendations are dynamically adjusted depending on the biomarkers analyzed by regular diagnostics.

    Finance
    Unforeseen expenses 

    In old age, unexpected expenses can arise, be it for medical treatment, the need for care or other emergencies. A solid retirement plan can help cover such costs without having to rely on support from family members or government assistance programs.

    Longevity
    Unforeseen accidents and illnesses

    This is where the financial sector and our health are directly intertwined: the older we get, the weaker our immune system, our bone structure, our perception, etc. become. This regularly leads to accidents or illnesses that we could have easily avoided, remedied, or cured when we were younger, but which develop into serious problems as we get older. For people with a weak musculoskeletal system and bone structure, the result of minor falls can mean a lengthy stay in hospital with operations, which in turn further weaken their health. The same applies to our digestive system and our cardiovascular system – as we get older, we slow down. Prevention is therefore the means of choice: regular muscle training, a diet geared towards a healthy skeleton, and endurance training are indispensable components of a good longevity plan: in this way, unforeseen accidents or illnesses become less of a threat.

    Old-age provision done right: From health consumer to health investor

    Overall, adequate financial provision for old age and a good longevity plan is therefore crucial to ensure both financial security and longevity as well as maximum healthspan. If you envision a fulfilling, high-quality life as you age and are interested in a solid plan to maximize your healthspan and become a health investor instead of a health consumer, get on the waiting list for our BIOCOACH BC1 pilot phase!

  • Longevity – Predictive Maintenance for Humans

    When speaking about companies and institutions that take care of our health, we label them the healthcare industry. In less emotional areas than mankind, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), restoring the functionality of a machine or thing is called repair. Transferred to the field of human medicine, we should rather talk of sick-care, instead of health-care.: as soon as the human organism stops functioning as usual, it is taken care of and repaired. If we take the label healthcare seriously we must change from taking care of the already sick to maintaining a healthy status quo – in other words predictively, we must practice Longevity – Predictive Maintenance for Humans.

    What is Predictive Maintenance?

    The Industrial concept of Predictive Maintenance has evolved. Its roots can be traced back to the development of condition-based maintenance practices in the late 1950s. Predictive maintenance techniques are designed to help determine the condition of in-service equipment to estimate when maintenance should be performed. This approach promises cost savings over routine or time-based preventive maintenance because tasks are performed only when warranted. Thus, it is regarded as condition-based maintenance carried out as suggested by estimations of the degradation state of an item.

    The main promise of predictive maintenance is to allow convenient scheduling of corrective maintenance and to prevent unexpected equipment failures. The key is the right equipment lifetime, increased plant safety, fewer accidents with a negative environmental impact, and optimized spare parts handling.

    The connection between Predictive Maintenace and Longevity

    Longevity refers to the long duration of individual human life or the ability of something to last for a long time. It can be used to describe the length of one’s lifetime or the durability of an object or concept. In the context of human life, longevity is often associated with the study of methods to extend life and the factors that influence lifespan, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. It is different from life expectancy, which is the statistical average number of years remaining at a given age for a population. The result of a re-analysis of previously incorrectly analyzed data on extreme lifetimes (in the  Annual Review of Statistics and Its Application) indicates that any longevity cap would be at least 130 years and possibly exceed 180. And some datasets, the authors report, “put no limit on the human lifespan.”

    Why is Longevity the Predictive Maintenace for Humans?

    Predictive maintenance and human longevity are similar in that they both involve proactive measures based on data analysis to predict and avoid potential issues. Predictive maintenance uses advanced analytics and machine learning to predict and avoid machine failure, leading to increased productivity, reduced breakdowns, and lower maintenance costs.  Similarly, estimating human longevity involves analyzing factors such as lifestyle (epigenetics), genetics, and health data to predict an individual’s remaining healthy life, or healthspan, enabling proactive measures to optimize health and potentially extend lifespan. Both predictive maintenance and human longevity estimation rely on data-driven models to make predictions and take proactive actions to avoid unplanned downtime or health issues.

    Most surprisingly, we take predictive maintenance of machines for granted, but we stick with repair services for human beings. Find the error…..

    So – why wait?

    To promote longevity, one should start engaging in longevity activities as early as possible. Regular exercise is a key factor in promoting longevity and overall health. For optimal health and longevity, it’s recommended to engage in regular exercise, maintain a healthy body weight, eat a balanced diet, and engage in healthful behaviors. Research suggests that as few as 15 minutes of exercise per day may help achieve benefits, which could include an additional 3 years of life, and the risk of premature death may decrease by 4% for each additional 15 minutes of daily physical activity. Team sports like tennis and soccer are also recommended for longevity, as they encourage social interaction as well as exercise. Other factors that can contribute to longevity include maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet, adding supplements if needed, and engaging in healthful behaviors.

    It’s never too late to start, as a recent study found longevity benefits associated with both life-long and later-in-life exercise. Therefore, it’s important to adopt these habits early on to maximize their benefits for a longer and healthier life.

  • Dr. Dirk Richter Joins NOMIX As Advisor

    We are happy to announce that Dr. Dirk Richter, Director of Health Sector Innovation of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, has joined NOMIX as a Medical Scientific Advisor! Dirk will support the team in creating synergies between NOMIX and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and advising on the development of CODIS.

    As the Director of Health Sector Innovation in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Richter is part of the team building the Abu Dhabi Life Sciences and Health Tech Innovation Ecosystem in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Government, Life Science corporations, and HUB71.

    Working at the C-level as a surgeon and researcher, management consultant, and healthcare manager in Europe and for the Abu Dhabi Government, Dirk Richter has more than 25 years of international experience across all fields of healthcare and life sciences.

    Dr. Dirk Richter

    Being advised by Dirk Richter, NOMIX will benefit in many ways: Firstly, from Dirk’s overall experience in building and managing health and life sciences projects. Secondly, from his expertise in the United Arab Emirates health sector, specifically regarding the Emirati Genome Programme. Last, but not least, NOMIX benefits from Dirk’s vast experience in health research, healthcare regulations, and drug approval processes.

    The NOMIX team wishes Dirk Richter a very warm welcome and is looking forward to working with him!

  • The Great Longevity Misconception

    Fountain of youth, eternal life, immortality – most people associate longevity with these terms. But at its core it is about something else: the goal of longevity is not the maximization of quantitative lifespan, but the highest possible quality of life. Healthspan instead of lifespan is at the center of longevity research and development. Once this misunderstanding has been cleared up, there is nothing to be said against longevity – all people want to be able to enjoy life as long as possible, healthily, and actively.

    When Harvard University research biologist and epigeneticist David Sinclair titled his 2019 debut book and subsequent bestseller Lifespan – Why We Age, and Why We Don’t Have To, he probably calculated a contradiction to that effect. His research, however, like that of most scientists in the field, is primarily aimed at keeping the human organism healthy for as long as possible. A lifestyle influenced by many epigenetic factors strengthens the body’s immune system, thereby reducing the risk of disease and slowing down the aging process. This epigenetic influence subsequently leads to a higher life expectancy, which, however, is the result of a lifestyle optimized by research findings, but not the primary goal. Man’s highest good is his health – and maintaining this for as long as possible is the endeavor of longevity research.

    The Longevity Trend

    The term longevity has been on everyone’s lips for a few years now: alternating with quantum computing and AI, longevity takes the lion’s share in the technology and innovation categories of the media. Billionaires are founding and promoting start-ups and research centers, pharmaceutical companies are opening longevity divisions, doctors’ surgeries are transforming into “well-aging” centers and an already unmanageable variety of longevity supplements are wooing the inclined consumer. There is no shortage of longevity offers – only the selection of the right product, the best possible treatment or the most sensible lifestyle change presents the individual with a challenge. People interested in longevity who want to positively influence their healthspan sooner rather than later must currently either dive deep into the relevant research reading and become longevity experts, or follow general advice from the media or their circle of friends.

    The Missing Data Problem

    What is missing is individualization, i.e. personalized advice on lifestyle adjustments, taking supplements, or more advanced longevity applications, such as blood plasma cleansing or reprogramming of body cells. To achieve such individualization, it is necessary to collect and process a large amount of health data – provided by as many genetically and epigenetically different people as possible, including the effects of the epigenetic lifestyle adjustments to be studied. Without this data, no sufficiently precise statements can be made about the effectiveness of longevity products, treatments, and lifestyles. Today, such data are only sporadically available, measured in small non-representative groups of humans, or – in larger numbers – animals (mostly mice). As long as this data gap exists, only cautious and general statements can be made about the effectiveness of longevity approaches, but by no means are precise statements tailored to the individual.

    Longevity – Individual and Personal

    The data described must therefore first be procured. Procurement takes a long time and is typically very time-consuming and expensive. With NOMIX, we are facing exactly this Herculean task: We are convinced that we have developed a well-suited method to obtain and analyze data on the current health conditions of as many different people as possible and their changes depending on longevity measures. The data is collected via our BIOCOACH app and supplemented via additional measures such as blood samples, etc. Interested BIOCOACH users take part in regularly conducted studies and tests in which longevity measures and their effects on the participants are collected. All data flows into CODIS, the collective digital immune system. Here, the data is analyzed on the basis of current longevity research with the help of artificial intelligence. The results are presented to the users of the BIOCLOCK app as individualized longevity advice. The BIOCOACH offers each user her personal longevity lifestyle and accompanies her in optimizing her longevity strategy.

    AI-supported Longevity Strategies

    The CODIS database is built up and delivers a higher evaluation quality with increasing data volume with regard to the resulting longevity factors. At the start of the BIOCOACH app, therefore, only general advice can be given – the BIOCOACH does not yet operate at an individualized level. The more people use the BIOCOACH App and the more actively the individual users participate in studies and tests, the faster this level will be reached. In addition, many users can also significantly improve their lifestyles with more general advice, so that the NOMIX team assumes individually perceptible successes of BIOCOACH App use for the individual right from the start.

    The BIOCOACH app will be launched in 2024 – interested users can register on our NOMIX website to participate in the app test in a closed user group. We look forward to seeing you!

  • Mind over Matter? The Link Between Expectation and Healthspan

    Mind over matter is an idiom that has been used across centuries and is usually bandied around when we’re talking about feats of extreme endurance. It’s an idiom that spans across disciplines- from philosophy to spirituality: Mind over Matter? The Link Between Expectation and Healthspan.

    The placebo effect, a well-known phenomenon, was arguably used by Plato and was incorporated into ‘modern’ medicine over the course of the 18th century. Medical science has been investigating the seemingly strange power that our beliefs hold over our physicality since placebos were introduced into medical trials around 70 years ago.

    So, what potential impacts does our mindset have on our health and overall longevity? In this post, we’ll be exploring the placebo effect, and ‘the expectation effect’ and providing some helpful tips on how you can adjust your mindset to maximize health benefits.

    The Placebo Effect

    The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes the placebo effect as a ‘beneficial health outcome resulting from a person’s anticipation that an intervention will help’. Simply, an individual with a health problem (or perceived health problem) will see some positive developments in regard to their condition if they believe that a healthcare professional, special diet or pharmaceutical drug can alleviate their health problem then it will… even if, medically speaking, it won’t.

    Stories regarding the power of the placebo effect abound. One such notable example can be found in Bruno Klopfer’s 1957 paper ‘Psychological Variables in Human Cancer’. This example details the case of Mr. Wright, who had received every treatment and still had terminal, debilitating cancer. A new drug, Krebiozen, was tested on individuals in his position at the hospital. Mr. Wright was excited to try the new drug and following treatment, his tumors shrank dramatically… but, strangely, no other trial patients showed signs of improvement.

    After ten days, Mr. Wright was discharged from the hospital as his tumors had halved in size. After two months, Mr. Wright returned to the hospital with a resurgence of his cancer after having read reports that Krebiozen wasn’t the miracle drug that it had appeared to be. The doctors provided him with a non-Krebiozen injection and he improved even more than he had previously. He was again discharged from the hospital, symptom-free. Mr. Wright would die two months later- days after having read further reports confirming that Krebiozen did not work at all.

    In more recent years, an example of the placebo effect can be found surrounding the GlaxoSmithKline drug Eltroxin. When first released, there were 14 reported cases of side effects from those taking the drug. Years later, GSK changed its manufacturer. The appearance and taste of the tablets changed, but the same ingredients were used and testing showed that the drug’s efficacy and molecular delivery also remained exactly the same. However, following the rollout of the new drug, over 1400 complaints were received over 18 months. The change in the physical appearance of the drug caused people to believe they were more likely to suffer from side effects!

    The above examples of the placebo can seem slightly esoteric, but the placebo effect has recently been shown to positively improve health even when administered with the patient being fully aware that the ‘drug’ they are being given isn’t designed to help- a so-called ‘open-label’ placebo. Research continues in the field but is promising to open up a new field in healthcare provision.

    So we now know what placebos are, we’ve read some examples and they seem to be useful for people who are already suffering from varied health conditions… but how on earth could they assist us to maximize our longevity?

    The Expectation Effect

    Early last year, The Expectation Effect, a book written by David Robson was published. You’ve already seen one of the titbits from the book above- the placebo story about GlaxoSmithKline’s shift in production. This book, ‘The Expectation Effect’ is an interesting, exploratory piece that brings together over 400 meticulously well-vetted studies, illustrating how we can harness the power of our minds to improve our quality of sleep, eat better and even age that bit slower.

    Robson’s book hones in on how our mental expectation of something frequently results in that expectation becoming true. Simply, our mental models influence our physical reality.

    For example, most people would argue that when you’re restless at night then you’re grumpy in the morning. Most people attribute this to the lack of sleep. However, this groggy, grumpy feeling actually turns out to be a result of the expectation effect. Studies that have provided people with incorrect information about their sleep the night before have measured that an individual’s mood can be influenced by being told their sleep pattern was good or bad.

    As a result of the effect, you could be forgiven for thinking that the best thing one can do is to expect happiness. Unfortunately, this probably isn’t the best way to make use of expectations as Robson states ‘a fixation on happiness can lead us to frame the small, inevitable upsets of life as something inherently undesirable and damaging’. So, what is the best way in which we can put the expectation effect into practice? What areas can it assist us in?

    Maximise Your Mindset

    Now we’ve covered ‘the expectation effect’, here are some tips to try in order to take advantage of this interesting concept of mind over matter;

    1. Decrease stress levels. With mainstream ‘positive thinking’ advice, the typical go-to is to simply try and imagine that you’re not actually stressed. However, with the expected effect in mind (pun intended), it is pretty much impossible to change the way you’re feeling. What you can change, however, is whether you see stress as a total negative or whether you can also see that stress serves an evolutionary purpose. By shifting our mental attitude toward how we feel, not our feelings themselves, you can exact a real improvement to your mental and physical health.
    2. Healthy eating. Robson argues that people unrealistically expect healthier foods to contain fewer calories and be the less satisfying choice. When people naturally begin to feel hungry sometimes after a healthy meal, they ascribe this to be a result of their earlier healthy choice. This effect can be seen in the hormonal system- which drives us to make an unhealthier choice following our healthy one! Robson suggests refocusing your mind into a more pragmatic thought process- reflecting on the nutrients your body needs and what that meal has provided you with. He also stresses developing an indulgent mood toward healthier choices, a change in mindset that paints them as more of a luxurious choice for our bodies as opposed to a boring, lesser choice.
    3. Aging. It appears that ageism in society and the stereotyping of the elderly actually yield a negative health benefit for those in older age. Robson cites a study that has shown that the attitude of a person toward old age can affect their healthspan and their longevity, with those that see the positives of aging living for up to seven years longer than those with a negative outlook. Therefore, it’s important to cultivate a positive attitude and to look at the myriad benefits that await us in our older years.
    4. Good vibes. You may have heard a relative or friend talk about ‘energy’ or ‘vibes’ and dismissed it… or you may believe in it yourself! As it turns out, it has been proven that the belief (or energy, or vibe) of an individual can have a tangible effect on those around them. A ‘nocebo’ study mentioned by Robson focused on altitude sickness. A single student of 121 ascending a mountain was told of the effects of altitude sickness- a later survey found that 83% of those talked to by the trigger student complained of an altitude headache… compared to 53% of those who hadn’t been informed of altitude side effects. It may sound alien to those miserable gutses out there (myself included)- but it’s important to try and radiate positivity and to avoid getting caught up in negativity.

    In Closing

    Mind over Matter? The Link Between Expectation and Healthspan

    Our deeply-rooted beliefs and expectations affect our overall longevity to a surprising degree- in some ways, you get what you expect. Because of this, it’s essential to maintain an optimistic attitude and to expect the best for ourselves. Changes will not happen overnight, but a concerted attempt to adjust our outlook can reap wonders in the long run. Our brain is constantly rewiring itself- and neural pathways are not made in a day. Through the utilization of the expectation effect, we can influence our bodies and lifestyle choices in a manner that can extend our healthspan and longevity.

    As always, keep an eye on this blog for more news about both NOMIX and general longevity. Alternatively, you can sign up for our Telegram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

    Stay and expect the positive out there!

  • The Positive Health Impacts of Deep Breathing

    For most of us, breathing is a natural process that we don’t particularly think too much about. At most, for those who aren’t familiar with more intensive breathing techniques, we might inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth when exercising. However, unbeknownst to us modern people, ancient cultures across the world once placed a great deal of importance on how to breathe.

    Across history, there are countless examples of recommendations on how to modulate human breathing in order to influence our minds and bodies. The concept of Qi Gong, emerging in China thousands of years ago, utilises coordinated posture, movement and breathing for health and spirituality. Yoga is another such example of an exercise built around respiratory control and the concept that controlling our breathing is a means for us to increase our longevity.

    In a way, with our onerous modern lives, we’ve almost forgotten the ability to breathe correctly- which obviously may carry some negative connotations for our health. In more recent years, how we breathe has been subject to far more scrutiny, both medical and otherwise. While clinical studies cannot currently quantify the exact usefulness of diaphragmatic breathing, it has been identified as promising treatment method for various disorders and our general wellbeing.[1] Even the American Navy SEALs utilise breathing techniques, specifically box breathing, to stay calm during the high stress situations that they face in the line of duty.

    In this blog post we’ll be exploring the benefits that deep breathing can have on your health, the biological process behind breathing and will provide some actionable tips on the breathing methods you can use to reap these benefits.

    The Benefits of Breathing

    1. Breathing signals to your body that it can relax- this means that breathing techniques can stop stress getting out of control, manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety or lessen the effects of panic attacks. When you are stressed, your nervous system is stimulated- meaning that you’ll breathe faster, your heart rate spikes, your anxiety rises and your body feels tense. By breathing slowly and fully, you can pre-empt your nervous system’s tantrum spiral and slow down your heart rate, preventing an attack of anxiety and calming yourself down.
    2. You can lower your blood pressure by regularly practising breathing exercises. A study has found that breathing exercises may therefore be a potential first treatment for those with prehypertension.[2]
    3. Breathing exercises can improve your lung capacity, which provides many benefits athletically and also for better health in later life.
    4. As mentioned above, breathing deeply into your diaphragm can lessen body tension. This means that utilising breathing techniques can assist with headaches and body pain.
    5. Breathwork improves our body’s resilience, decreasing the effect that stress has upon the body (too much cortisol, the stress hormone, can cause negative long term effects on our health). By utilising breathing exercises regularly, we achieve a sympathovagal balance between the two sides of our body’s nervous system, improving our ability to react to physical and mental stress.[3]
    6. Due to the body’s relaxation response to deep breathing (and potentially the increased flow of oxygen into the muscles), utilising breathing techniques can also increase the amount of physical energy that we can possess at one time.
    7. Breathing deeply through our nostrils can focus us, which is one reason why it can ground us psychologically.[4]
    8. Utilising breathing exercises have been proven to assist with insomnia- and the usage of these techniques for twenty minutes before bed has shown that those with insomnia fall asleep three times as quickly as they would otherwise and also have a better sleep, with less frequent awakenings during the night. For those that do not suffer from insomnia, sleep quality is also improved.

    The Biology Behind Breathing

    When you breathe in, your diaphragm moves down as your lungs fill with air, which pushes your chest out. Your heart grows in size slightly, slowing the flow of blood. Your brain then instructs the heart to speed up the blood flow, and you feel a burst of energy. This is good, in regular circumstances, but coupled with our body’s fight or flight response (induced by stress or anxiety), it can result in a racing heartbeat, nervous energy and your body feeling tight. This is why panicked, deep breaths and weak exhales can exacerbate the stress that our body feels.

    Conversely, when you breathe out, your diaphragm moves back up and your heart shrinks as the air leaves the lungs. Your blood flow speeds back up and your brain instructs the heart to slow it down. This causes you to feel relaxed and signals to your body that you are safe, allowing for rest. This is why controlled breathing, with purposeful exhales, can induce calmness and control over our emotions.

    So, what breathing exercises can we use to control our respiratory rhythm and reap the benefits listed above?

    Breathing Exercises

    1. Box Breathing. Utilised by the Navy SEALs, this method is a mindfulness technique that helps with stress management. The name of the method derives from the four stages that it breaks breathing into- akin to breathing along the four edges of a box.
      • Exhale all of the breath from your lungs.
      • Inhale through the nose while counting to four, fill your lungs and lower abdomen with air. Focus on how the air is filling your body.
      • Hold your breath, counting to four.
      • Then exhale through the mouth while counting to four. Focus on expelling all of the air out of your lungs through this exhale.
      • Hold your lungs empty for four seconds, then repeat the process if required.
    2. Belly Breathing. A simple technique focusing on air flowing into your diaphragm, and retraining your body to take deeper breaths into your diaphragm.
      • Start breathing through the nose, fill your belly with air, breathe out of your mouth at least two to three times as long as your inhale. Make sure to keep your neck and shoulders relaxed.
    3. Pursed lip breathing. As mentioned in our first paragraph, some of you may be familiar with this very simple method as a means to reduce the number of breaths you need and to increase your airflow so that you can be more physically active.
      • Breathe in through your nose and breathe out at least twice as long through your mouth, pursing your lips.
    4. Cardiac Coherence. An exercise that regulates respiratory rhythm, increasing your heart rate when you breathe in and slowing it down when you exhale.
      • Inhale via the nose for six seconds, pause, exhale for four seconds.
    5. The 365 method. Proscribed by therapists to combat long-term stress, this is a great method for unlocking the long-term benefits of breathing well.
      • Three times a day, breathe slowly six times a minute (using the cardiac coherence technique above) for five minutes. Repeat all 365 days of the year.
    6. The Wim-Hof Breathing Method. Famously popularised by Wim-Hof, the extreme athlete known as the ‘Iceman’, who believes that through the usage of breathing techniques we can command the human body to weather extreme temperatures through breath regulation.
      • Inhale deeply through the nose, exhale lightly through the mouth. Repeat for the next 30 breaths. On the 30th such breath, exhale 90% and then hold your breath for as long as you can.
      • When your body needs its next breath, inhale fully and hold for fifteen seconds before releasing it.
    7. An added extra to any of these exercises can be to think reassuring thoughts when breathing, providing a sense of mental wellbeing.
      • With each breath, think a positive thought, such as ‘I am inhaling wellbeing’.
      • With each exhale, picture that you are expelling your concerns, pushing them out of your body.

    In Closing

    Modern research is examining the relationship between how we breathe and the impacts that it has upon our body- but evidence from our ancestors (backed by modern study) has already shown that by controlling our breathing we can unlock numerous immediate and long-term health benefits for our body.

    Hopefully this post will have made you think about your breathing more- and have provided you with methods that will help with anxiety and, overall, increase your longevity. For future news about NOMIX and more longevity tips, make sure to check this blog and follow NOMIX on Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram.

    [1] Hamasaki, Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Health: A Narrative Review, Medicines, 2020.

    [2] Chaddha, Modaff, Hooper-Lane, Feldstein. Device and non-device-guided slow breathing to reduce blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2019.

    [3] Russo, Santarelli, O’Rourke. The Physiological Effects of Slow Breathing in the healthy Human. Breathe, 2017.

    [4] Zaccaro, Piarulli, Laurino, Garbella, Menicucci, Neri, Gemignani. How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Brain Health and Clinical Neuroscience, 2018.