nomix.ai

Category: Aging

  • 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!

  • What Is Longevity – And Why Should We Care?

    Since the very beginning of recorded history, humans have seemingly always attempted to maximise their natural lifespan. The Greek philosopher Plato, widely considered to be the founder of Western political philosophy and a pivotal figure in the development of Western religion and spirituality, was also a professional wrestler and sportsman.[1] The exact age at which Plato died is disputed, however it is thought that he lived into his early eighties.[2] Naturally, this is noteworthy given that Plato did not have access to the modern medicines we do today- and that until the industrial revolution the average life expectancy hovered around 35.[3]

    From what we know, Plato, the great thinker that he was, was clearly already practising preventative health measures, a key aspect of longevity, in his daily life. But what is longevity? In this blog post we will be explaining what longevity is, choices that can be made with longevity in mind and, most importantly, why we should care…

    What is Longevity?

    The Cambridge Dictionary definition of ‘longevity’ is ‘living for a long time’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, in modern medical academia, research into the extension of a human lifespan is referred to as ‘longevity’ (or longevity research). So how is this different to the rest of medicine?

    Modern medical advances have largely been the cause of the modern extension of average life expectancy, addressing health conditions that have previously had high mortality rates and considerably lessening child mortality rates.[4] Put short, as the length of a human lifespan has increased – the limit has not. As noted by Harvard Professor of Genetics Dr. David Sinclair in his landmark book ‘Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To’, we have conceded that mortality is a reality and instead turned medicine to other directions. Most particularly, our medicine has been turned toward the treatment of diseases that afflict us as we age – ‘making mortality a medical experience’.[5]

    The main issue with how we address illness, despite the amazing work done by the medical researchers who dedicate their lives to this cause, is that simply stopping one disease does not make it less likely that a person will not be afflicted, or perhaps killed, by another. But – and there is a but – through longevity research we can not just pursue cures for individual diseases. We can instead address a shared underlying factor behind them: Aging.

    “I believe that aging is a disease. I believe it is treatable. I believe we can treat it within our lifetimes. And in doing so, I believe, everything we know about human health will be fundamentally changed.”

    Dr. David Sinclair

    So why should we care about Longevity?

    If you’ve read the above but, understandably, thought that this just sounds like the beginning of a promising development for future generations then you are easily forgiven. Myths about the extension of life have existed for thousands of years and still pervade modern culture today – you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know about the fountain of youth or the holy grail. Yet through modern research, it is increasingly probable that we will find a way to extend the lifespan of a human life – and far, far sooner than you would think.

    It is already thought that someone who is currently alive today will live a longer lifespan than has ever been recorded in human history. The professor emeritus of developmental biology at Stanford, Stuart Kim, has stated that there are people alive today who will live to 200 – and has even made a bet with a colleague on the matter. This bet will be worth around $1 billion in 2150… if either of them live to collect it.[6] Some would say this figure itself is optimistic but Dr. Sinclair has put across a different theory. He believes that we could potentially live forever. But whatever the upper limit, it is obvious that the leading minds of longevity research are increasingly convinced that it is possible for humans to live far longer than the time we have believed is allotted to us.

    To live forever…

    At present however, until the coming gerontological breakthrough, longevity-minded individuals are acting to ensure that they benefit from the coming developments – and live long enough to benefit from each next innovation in the field. This strategy has been described as seeking ‘bridges to immortality’ by the futurist Ray Kurzweil.[7] This involves utilising preventative health choices to pre-empt health conditions, with the theory that if one is able to extend their lifespan for an additional twenty years then they will still be alive to benefit from these longevity treatments.

    Another aspect of the longevity movement is the personal effort to increase what most of us would describe as ‘the good years’. In other words, our healthy and energetic years. It was mentioned above that mortality has been made a medical experience. As we get older, and feel our mortality, we require constant visits to the hospital to deal with medical afflictions that have developed during our lives and the myriad newer health problems that develop alongside or due to these comorbidities.[8] In short, a person who does not die of acute illnesses, such as infections, and survives with chronic illnesses is more likely to develop additional chronic illnesses.[9]

    …Or, to stay forever young…

    So, a significant part of the longevity movement is encouraging individuals to take ownership of their own health – being an active subject caring for themselves, not a passive subject treated by doctors when a problem arises. Longevity is about the prevention of aging, which is the cause of diseases and pre-empting problems before they arise (as opposed to diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases).

    Through this method, we can have a better and longer lifespan and, with the best hope, live to see gerontological advances that can prolong our lives yet further. Longevity in practice is about finding behavioural measures, healthy choices, that work for you so you can build a lifestyle around them – and by doing so prevent or lessen the severity of health problems that you may have in the future. Simply, acting now to prolong your best years and dodge prolonged hospital visits for as long as possible.

    To find out more about how to live with longevity in mind, check out the links below:

    • Practising longevity in your youth (18-30).
    • Practising longevity in your middle age (30-60).
    • Practicing longevity in later life (60+).

    In closing

    The earlier you start making the choice to build longevity-minded habits into your lifestyle, the longer and healthier you will likely live. Leading experts in the medical field already believe that living a lifespan with a length previously unrecorded is within reach. The longer we can remain healthy, the longer we can live. Plus, if aging breakthroughs arrive while we are still healthy, it is very possible that we may live energetic lives well past 100 – potentially even living young forever. By reading this blog post, you’re already making proactive steps toward building healthy habits into your life and are likely researching healthy choices that are available for you.

    Check out the links above for some basic suggestions on how to live life with longevity in mind. Also make sure to keep up to date with our blog here and sign up to all of the NOMIX social channels (Twitter and Telegram) for more news about longevity.

    [1] Some might think it strange for a blog post on the topic of longevity and how to maximise it to mention Plato, given that one of his famous quotes is ‘attention to health is life’s greatest hinderance’, however, Plato actually means that being forced to pay attention to your health – through poor health – is a hinderance.

    [2] Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Plato, II

    [3] Passarino, G., De Rango, F., & Montesanto, A. (2016). Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango. Immunity & ageing : I & A, 13, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-016-0066-z

    [4] I write ‘largely’, as the part played by an increased, reliable food supply and clean water has also played a significant part in increasing human lifespans.

    [5] Sinclair, D., PhD & LaPlante, M.D., Lifespan: Why We Age- and Why We Don’t Have To’, (2019), pXVII.

    [6] Taylor, G. (2017). Scientist thinks that the world’s first 200-year-old person has already been born. Norway Today, 23rd March 2017. https://norwaytoday.info/everyday/scientist-thinks-worlds-first-200-year-old-person-already-born/

    [7] Adler, R. (2010). Ray Kurzweil: Building bridges to immortality. New Scientist, December 27th 2010. https://www.kurzweilai.net/building-bridges-to-immortality

    [8] ‘Comorbidity’ refers to other health problems that a patient can have, when talking about a health problem.

    [9] Divo, M. J., Martinez, C. H., & Mannino, D. M. (2014). Ageing and the epidemiology of multimorbidity. The European respiratory journal, 44(4), 1055–1068. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00059814

  • The Science of Keeping the Brain Healthy

    In this episode of the Lifespan podcast, Professor of Genetics, Dr. David Sinclair, and co-host Matthew LaPlante dissect the topic of brain aging.

    They explore evidence suggesting that the brain ages more slowly than other parts of the body and highlight how cognitive function is impacted by aging. Different interventions aimed at preserving brain health are also discussed, including a plant-based diet, exercise, metformin, NAD boosters, and sufficient sleep.

    Links:

  • What Is Longevity?

    The word “longevity” is sometimes used as a synonym for “life expectancy” in demography. At NOMIX, the term longevity refers only to especially long-lived, and healthy, members of a population, whereas life expectancy is defined statistically as the average number of years remaining at a given age. Longevity is best thought of as meaning ‘typical length of life’. 

    Since most theories in this field, s.a. the disrepair accumulation theory of aging, postulate that the potential for longevity of an organism is positively correlated to its structural complexity, and we human beings belong to the most complex mammals, we are widely considered to have a naturally limited longevity due to aging, which results in a life expectancy of 80-85 years for millennials in developed countries.

    The United Nations has made projections up to 2300, at which point it projects that life expectancies in most developed countries will be between 100 and 106 years and still rising, though more and more slowly than before. Gaps in life expectancy between rich and poor countries may well not exist in the future, due to the exchange of technology and the industrialization and development of poor countries, similarly to the way life expectancies between rich and poor countries have already been converging over the last 60 years as better medicine, technology, and living conditions became accessible to most people. 

    “The possible existence of a hard upper limit, a cap, on human lifetimes is hotly debated,” write Léo Belzile and coauthors in a paper to appear in Annual Review of Statistics and Its Application. “It is sustained and widespread interest in understanding the limit, if there is any, to the human lifespan.” Their own re-analysis of previously incorrectly analyzed data on extreme lifetimes 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.” These analyses “suggest that the human lifespan lies well beyond any individual lifetime yet observed or that could be observed in the absence of major medical advances.”

    However, recent increases in the rates of lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, may eventually slow or reverse this trend toward increasing life expectancy in the developed world. 

  • Reverse Cosmetic Aging: The Science of Looking Younger, Longer

    In this episode of the Lifespan podcast, Harvard Professor of Genetics Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss cosmetic aging and how to improve skin, nails, and hair.

    They talk about why superficial aging occurs and how external signs of aging are often a reflection of biological age. The latest science behind various beautifying therapies is highlighted, including newer interventions like low-level laser therapy and platelet-rich plasma injections.

  • What To Eat And When For Longevity?

    In this episode, Harvard professor Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss how frequently we should eat, what food we should avoid, and what food we should pursue. They discuss the science behind how a “low energy state,” which can be induced by a period of fasting, combats aging and promotes health. They also walk through research that points to the benefits of a mostly plant-based diet for slowing aging and offer key insights into when to eat and what to eat to maximize longevity.

    Links:

    Dietary restriction extends lifespan in dogs – https://bit.ly/3FlDo4y
    Intermittent fasting in patients with metabolic syndrome – https://go.nature.com/3FggKKZ
    Alternate day fasting in healthy, non-obese humans – https://bit.ly/3HXGptH
    Time-restricted feeding in humans with prediabetes – https://bit.ly/3ffZWct
    A 24-hour fast reduces inflammasome activation in humans – https://bit.ly/3fwDc8t
    Fasting and diabetes – https://bit.ly/3rdtRHQ
    Intermittent energy restriction and multiple sclerosis – https://bit.ly/3HV7i1o
    A fasting-mimicking diet in patients with breast cancer – https://go.nature.com/3flcbV2
    Mouse genetics influence how diet affects lifespan – https://bit.ly/3qiBc9R
    Vegetarian dietary patterns and human mortality – https://bit.ly/31OCtMq
    A Mediterranean diet slows biological aging – https://bit.ly/3I1rcbd
    Plant polyphenols regulate lifespan in yeast – https://go.nature.com/3HWWGiB
    A Mediterranean diet is linked to reduced mortality – https://bit.ly/3fdDPDx

  • Why Do We Age?

    In this podcast episode, Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss why we age. In doing so, they discuss organisms that have extreme longevity, the genes that control aging (i.e. mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins), the role of sirtuin proteins as epigenetic regulators of aging, the process of “ex-differentiation” in which cells begin to lose their identity, and how all of this makes up the “Information Theory of Aging”, and the difference between “biological age” and “chronological age” and how we can measure biological age through DNA methylation clocks.

    Links  
Weapon fragments in bowhead whales
Rapamycin extends lifespan in mice
Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial
Metformin improves healthspan and lifespan in mice
Metformin reduces all-cause mortality
Reprogramming to restore vision
DNA methylation age
Genome-wide methylation profiles & human aging rates
Reversal of epigenetic aging in humans
Danish twins study

  • Why We Age, And Why We Don’t Have To

    An interview by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman with David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and an expert researcher in the field of longevity.

    In this podcast episode, Andrew Huberman and David Sinclair discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging and what we all can do to slow or reverse the aging process. They discuss (intermittent) fasting and supplementation with Resveratrol, Metformin, and NMN.

    They also discuss the use of caffeine, exercise, cold exposure, along with food choices for offsetting aging and promoting autophagy, the process of clearing the organism of dead cells. And they discuss the key blood markers everyone should monitor to determine their biological versus chronological age.

    It rarely happens that top scientists talk in easily understandable words and provide such a wealth of useful advice. We therefore strongly recommend listening to or even watching this podcast episode – these two hours might belong to the best investment of your valuable time, ever! Since – who does not want to stop aging?!

    Enjoy!