What to Eat & When to Eat for Longevity | Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair #2

30 Dec 2023 (11 months ago)
What to Eat & When to Eat for Longevity | Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair #2

Introducing Episode Two: What to Eat & When to Eat for Longevity (0s)

  • Lifespan Podcast discusses the science of aging and ways to be healthier, hosted by Dr. David Sinclair, an aging research professor at Harvard Medical School.
  • Episode two focuses on dietary timing and choices over a 24-hour period and throughout the year to optimize wellness and longevity.
  • Dr. Sinclair shares his own protocols and findings from 20 years of research.

A Starting Place for Longevity: Eat Less Often (4m36s)

  • The key to longevity is to eat less often; this doesn't necessarily mean fewer calories but leads to calorie reduction as a side effect.
  • Eating less often activates the body's defenses against aging, relevant to any weight, although optimal body weights and waist to height ratios (approximately 0.5) are associated with increased longevity.
  • Eating less often tends to naturally result in weight loss and improved health.

Caloric Restriction is an Evolutionarily Conserved Anti-Aging Strategy (8m4s)

  • Caloric restriction is universally the most reliable way to extend lifespan across organisms from yeast to dogs.
  • Studies show that animals live longer when their caloric intake is restricted.
  • While supplementation can complement a diet focused on longevity, it is not a substitute for dietary control.

Dietary Longevity Strategies are Accessible (and Save Money) (9m52s)

  • Dietary strategies for longevity are cost-effective, as they can save money on food expenses.
  • The recommended foods for longevity are relatively inexpensive.
  • Research on yeast shows that caloric restriction can expand lifespan by activating certain genetic pathways.

A Low Energy State Triggers a Genetic Pathway Involving Sirtuin Activation (11m39s)

  • A low-energy state from caloric restriction activates a set of genes called sirtuins, increasing lifespan.
  • Sirtuins are part of a genetic response to low energy and other stressors, improving DNA repair and stabilizing the epigenome.
  • The sirtuin pathway gets boosted during caloric restriction, leading to improved longevity mechanisms at a cellular level.

NAD+ is Elevated by a Low Energy State (13m10s)

  • Low energy activates the PNC-1 gene in yeast and its human equivalent NAMPT, which produces NAD, fueling sirtuins to repair DNA and stabilize the epigenome.
  • NAD levels in the human body increase when hungry, triggering protective actions of sirtuins.
  • The discovery led to the development of NAD boosters, including the red wine molecule resveratrol and NAD precursor supplements such as NR and NMN.
  • Yeasts with artificially activated PNC-1 or NAD boosters have increased longevity, while yeast without sirtuin genes don't benefit from caloric restriction.
  • Low glucose activates cells' natural defenses, a process inherited from ancient organisms.

Fasting, mTOR, and AMPK (15m23s)

  • The activity of sirtuins is increased during fasting, impacting longevity-related mTOR and AMPK genes similarly.
  • mTOR, activated by protein consumption, promotes cellular growth and the building of muscle but inhibits longevity when overactive.
  • Reduced mTOR activity engages autophagy, recycling proteins, and extending lifespan dramatically in studies on flies and mice.
  • AMPK is elevated in a state of hunger, stimulating the production of mitochondria that are vital for metabolism and producing energy.
  • This process combats aging and increases energy and wellness.

Data in Humans vs. Model Organisms (17m37s)

  • Much longevity research comes from model organisms due to the challenges associated with human studies, including smaller sample sizes and longer durations required.
  • Clinical studies, including double-blind trials with NAD boosters, are ongoing and provide scientific validity.
  • Existing evidence for humans suggests that activating body defenses extends longevity, evident in the effects of rapamycin and metformin.
  • Rapamycin appears to mimic fasting and boost immunity, while metformin, a diabetes drug, has been associated with delayed aging-related diseases.

Evidence that Fasting is a Pro-longevity Intervention in Humans (21m24s)

  • Observations from populations and cultural traditions that have practiced fasting suggest its benefits on health and longevity.
  • Studies on populations like the genes in India show a higher number of healthy older individuals.
  • A study from Baylor College of Medicine revealed fasting improves blood pressure, lowers BMI, and increases DNA repair proteins.
  • Periods of fasting not only aid in weight loss but also activate the body's defenses in both obese and regular-weight individuals.
  • Published research indicates various health improvements related to fasting, which viewers can find in the show notes.

Evidence that Fasting can Attenuate Human Disease (24m0s)

  • Fasting shows potential benefits against diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and even cancer, especially when combined with chemotherapy.
  • Prescription of metformin is increasing for cancer patients, as studies show benefits from fasting or fasting-mimicking molecules.
  • The impact of fasting is thought to affect the upstream processes of aging and activate cellular defense mechanisms that fight a range of diseases, including macular degeneration.

Different Fasting Regimens (25m11s)

  • Fasting regimens differ widely and should be individualized based on lifestyle, tolerance, sex, and microbiome.
  • It's crucial to measure the effects of diet changes using tools like Inside Tracker to optimize health over time.
  • The fasting mimicking diet by Valter Longo lowers mTOR activity, is low in certain amino acids, and improves cancer patients' survival and recovery.
  • Intermittent fasting (fasting longer than a day or up to a week) induces autophagy, especially after three days.
  • Time-restricted feeding involves fasting for 16 hours or more and is a method practiced by Dr. David Sinclair, usually skipping breakfast and lunch and enjoying a large dinner.

Focus on Time-restricted Feeding (≥ 16 Hours of Fasting) (29m42s)

  • Aim for at least 16 hours of fasting each day and eat during an 8-hour window.
  • Sleep counts as part of the fasting period.
  • Skipping breakfast is an effective strategy, and the body can adapt to this routine over a few weeks.
  • The process of gluconeogenesis in the liver compensates for lack of food intake, and helps prevent hunger spikes and crashes associated with eating.
  • It's beneficial to gradually skip meals to avoid reactive hypoglycemia caused by sugar and insulin spikes from processed carbohydrate-heavy meals.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (33m26s)

  • Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), such as those provided by Levels, allow individuals to track and manage glucose spikes and crashes.
  • Personal experience with CGMs can help optimize diet by identifying foods that cause unhealthy blood sugar fluctuations.

Genetics Influence How an Intervention Affects Aging (34m24s)

  • Individual responses to dietary interventions can vary due to different genes and lifestyles.
  • A mouse study by Jim Nelson showed that genetic diversity affects the response to caloric restriction, with varying effects on lifespan.
  • Approximately half the mouse strains lived longer, while about a third lived shorter under caloric restriction.
  • This suggests that caloric restriction doesn't always work and depends on genetics.
  • Some mice and likely humans are more sensitive to certain diets.
  • Individual trial and error with self-monitoring can help determine the best dietary approach.

A Trick for Fasting: Filling your Body with Fluids (36m51s) and Intermittent Fasting with Adequate Nutrition (IFAN) (38m44s)

  • Dr. Sinclair struggled with fasting until discovering that staying hydrated with coffee, tea, and water curbs hunger.
  • Consuming nuts can also quickly reduce hunger.
  • Training the liver to produce sugar can eliminate feelings of hunger.
  • The goal is not starvation but intermittent fasting with adequate nutrition (IFAN) to avoid harm.
  • Proper nutrition is essential during fasting to prevent negative health effects.
  • Athletic Greens is mentioned as a source of nutrients during fasting.

Things to Avoid: Excess Sugar and Protein (40m0s)

  • Consuming sugar and high levels of protein should be minimized.
  • Sugar, particularly glucose and fructose, can lead to fatty liver disease and diabetes.
  • High sugar levels deactivate protective mechanisms against disease and aging.
  • Reducing sugar intake supports the body's defenses and minimizes disease risk.
  • Excess protein can inhibit autophagy and negatively impact longevity.
  • While proteins are necessary, they can be obtained from plant sources, which may be more beneficial.
  • Dr. Sinclair has adopted a vegetarian diet and believes it could be advantageous for longevity.

Branched Amino Acids, Red Meat, and mTOR (45m16s)

  • Consumption of red meat leads to digestion into amino acids, particularly branched-chain amino acids like leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
  • These amino acids activate the protein complex mTOR, which signals the body to build muscle and repair cells.
  • Excessive activation of mTOR inhibits autophagy—a beneficial cellular recycling process that helps prevent the accumulation of old proteins related to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's.
  • To promote longevity, it is beneficial to periodically reduce intake of branched-chain amino acids, allowing mTOR downregulation and autophagy.

Plant-Based Diets Protect Against Aging (47m53s)

  • Vegetarian and vegan diets, including Pesco vegetarianism (which includes fish), have been associated with lower all-cause mortality and a reduced hazard ratio for death.
  • The Mediterranean diet, particularly when combined with exercise, has been shown to slow biological aging and potentially even reverse it.
  • Eating the right foods and fasting can slow the ticking of the biological clock and reduce the incidence of diseases typically caused by aging.
  • Plant-based diets with limited meat intake are effective in reducing biological aging.

The Okinawa Diet and Blue Zones (51m44s)

  • The Okinawa diet, which is plant-based with soy and some fish, is associated with longevity and was beneficial to health when personally adopted.
  • Okinawans, who live on an island in Japan, have one of the longest life expectancies, attributed to their diet, social structure, and consistent exercise.
  • Blue Zones are areas around the world where people live longer due to a combination of diet, exercise, and social aspects, despite some critiques about the accuracy of age data in these populations.
  • Lifestyle factors in addition to diet play a significant role in longevity, and this concept is supported even in simple organisms like yeast.

Xenohormesis (54m16s)

  • Xenohormesis is the concept that eating plants which have experienced stress can benefit health and longevity due to their polyphenols like resveratrol.
  • The idea suggests that humans evolved mechanisms to sense the stress in plants, which indicates environmental challenges and scarcity of food.
  • Stressed plants produce more beneficial polyphenols such as quercetin, fisetin, and piceatannol, known to activate and inhibit certain proteins and pathways associated with health.
  • Typically, plants grown organically, without pesticides, and in challenging conditions are likely to be more stressed and have higher levels of these molecules.
  • Specifically stressed grape varieties like Pinot noir used in red wine production have high levels of resveratrol, a beneficial polyphenol.

Main Takeaways (58m16s)

  • Key actions to take for longevity include eating less often, avoiding snacking and sugary drinks, reducing meat intake, and favoring plant-based diets.
  • The consumption of red and processed meats, associated with adverse health effects, should be minimized.
  • The Mediterranean diet is recommended due to its balance and association with reduced mortality, even for older individuals.
  • Dietary changes are never too late and can have significant benefits, even in later life.
  • Meal order matters; sugar should be consumed at the end of meals to minimize blood sugar spikes.
  • The prevalent habit of constant eating, especially in children, can prematurely age the epigenome and accelerate the onset of age-related diseases.

Obesity, Eating Habits, and Aging (1h4m12s)

  • The current food environment promotes constant eating, leading to an obesity epidemic and rapid aging in children.
  • Being overweight turns off survival programs, accelerating aging and predisposing individuals to age-related diseases.
  • Parents are advised to instill healthier eating habits in children, including familiarity with occasional hunger.

Metabolic Winter Hypothesis (1h5m54s)

  • The Metabolic Winter Hypothesis posits that human health and longevity are optimized under conditions of occasional hunger and cold, similar to ancestral environments.
  • Modern lifestyles with constant food availability and temperature control run counter to these conditions, leading to metabolic and health challenges.
  • Introducing elements of a 'metabolic winter' such as periodic hunger and exposure to cold can be beneficial.

Preview for Episode 3: Beneficial Stress (1h6m44s)

  • Episode 3 will discuss methods to induce stress in the body, similar to fasting and certain diets.
  • Topics include exercise and cold therapy, which activate longevity genes.
  • The episode will explore the combination of these methods for optimal longevity benefits.

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