Dr. David Sinclair, a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, is one of the most well-known researchers in the field of rejuvenation, and his lab is the beneficiary of a successful Lifespan.io campaign.
Today, Dr. Sinclair is releasing his book on Amazon, Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Dont Have To, and on Wednesday, September 18, we hosted a special webinar with Dr. Sinclair as well.
David has recently appeared on shows such as Joe Rogan, not once but twice, the David Pakman show, and Tom Bilyeu. At International Perspectives in Geroscience, a conference hosted at Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) on September 4-5, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Sinclair about his work and his thoughts on the current state of research.
Back in February, you and a group of 16 researchers in the aging field went to the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research with the aim of promoting aging research, fostering the sharing of knowledge between scientists, and helping to guide governments and other key players in the industry. Could you please tell us a little more about the Academy and its current activity?
The Academy is a founding group of scientists who seek to understand the fundamental causes of aging and how to combat it. We have come together to build a society, a group of leaders around the world who will act as one voice to help shape not just the research, but public policy, future economic effects of the research, and medicines that are going to come from this field.
Do you think that aging is a disease or a syndrome or not? Whats your opinion on that?
Well, first of all, theres no correct answer. There is no law that says somethings a disease and something is not. Currently, the medical definition of a disease is something that causes a dysfunction or disability that happens to less than half of the population. Of course, aging happens to most of the population now, but I think that having a cut-off at 50% is arbitrary. Something that causes decline in functionality and eventual death should be worked on just as vigorously as something that only affects a minority of people.
Do you think that recognizing aging as a disease, in, say, the International Classification of Diseases makes sense in order to accelerate the development of new therapies addressing the root mechanisms of aging?
The World Health Organizations new definition of aging as a condition is helpful, but the real change will come when a leading country says that aging is a disease that can have a medicine approved for treatment. Right now, because aging is not a condition thats agreed upon by any regulator, drugs that may slow or reverse aging, and perhaps extend lifespan, healthy lifespan, for many years, doctors are very hesitant to prescribe those medicines. They follow the rule book. Metformin is a good example of a drug that is relatively safe and cheap and could potentially have a big benefit. But, because aging is not a disease, doctors rarely provide it to their patients until they actually become diabetic.
Basically, that means that the position of the government has to change and then once the government declares sort of a war on aging, then there could be some regulation changes, and then it may come to the point when doctors will be mentally ready to prescribe these drugs, right?
Thats right. Also, if aging is a prescriptable condition, then investment in aging-related drugs or longevity medicines will increase by orders of magnitude. The problem today is because aging isnt a prescriptable condition, drugs have to be developed for other diseases first, with the hope that then theyll be used more broadly.
Currently, medicine treats the symptoms, not the causes, of age-related diseases. Do you think that we might soon reach the point where therapies will be taken in a preventive manner to delay the onset of age-related diseases? What do you think might be the turning point for things to change? Basically, prevention is always a problem, even though its one of the most effective strategies, but we seem to never get there.
Well, theres a subset of the population, particularly in the US, but increasingly around the world, who are using the internet to educate themselves and are trying to take action before they become sick. Sometimes with medical supervision, sometimes not. Its a grassroots movement right now; for it to become mainstream, the regulations would have to change so that doctors can feel comfortable prescribing medicines to prevent diseases. But, if we dont change, then we will continue to practice whack-a-mole medicine and only treat one disease at a time after its already developed.
You travel the world a lot. Is there a country that you think is more forward-thinking in how aging is viewed and might take the first move to define aging as a directly treatable condition?
There are a few; the leading contenders right now are Australia, Singapore, and then the US and UK are also talking about it. The first country that does take this first bold step will reap the rewards of that with more investment and, of course, an increasingly productive and healthy population.
You name the countries that seem to have the highest life expectancy, actually. Do you think that its related to the understanding that the problem of population aging is becoming severe enough?
Thats exactly right. The countries that have a problem with the healthcare of the elderly have to do something because of the increased amount of elderly will only continue to raise the percent of GDP those countries spend; right now the US already spends 17%. Theyre not getting any younger, and their life expectancy isnt changing. So, for the US to really make progress, they need a new approach to medicine.
Lets talk a little bit more about your work. You are very well known for your work with NAD+ and its precursors; were often asked whether NR or NMN is better. However, the data seems to suggest that different precursors are more or less efficient in a tissue- or organ-dependent manner. Would it be fair to say that rather than asking which is better, we should instead consider these differences and that both may have their place?
Theyre very similar molecules, and both have been shown to provide a variety of health benefits in mice. That doesnt mean either of them will work to slow aging in humans, and thats why placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to know if one of them, or both of them, will work in certain conditions.
There has been a great deal of debate over the ability of NMN to pass through the plasma membrane to reach the interior of the cell. However, you and your team recently showed that under certain conditions, NMN can indeed enter the cell via a previously undocumented transporter without the need to change back to NR. Have there been any further developments with this? In particular, what does this mean for the efficiency of NMN, given its close proximity to NAD+ in the salvage pathway?
The NMN transporter was recently published by Shin Imais group; I wrote a commentary about it. Im aware of work thats not yet published by a few different labs, looking at how these molecules travel through the body of a mouse. The conclusion is that some tissues have transporters, some dont. It can even vary depending on where in the gut youre talking about. I think, in the end, whats going to happen, like most areas of science, is that everybodys right; it just depends on what youre talking about.
There is a number of human trials in progress for NMN, including one at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Can you tell us anything about that, and when might we expect to see some results?
Those studies began over a year ago, and they are currently Phase 1 safety studies in healthy volunteers. Next year, the plan is to test the pharmaceutical product in a disease area, most likely a rare disease, but also in the elderly to see if we can recapitulate some of the results weve seen in mice, such as increased blood flow and endurance.
Another area that you are involved in is partial cellular reprogramming to reverse age-related epigenetic alterations in cells and tissues. This is a topic that we have written about in the last year or two. Given the success of Belmonte and his team, and the enthusiasm for the approach in general, it really seems to have great potential. Can you please tell us a little bit about this approach and the approach that you are taking and how youre progressing so far?
For 20 years, weve been working on epigenetic changes as a cause of aging, starting with work in yeast and now in mammals. Weve developed viral vectors and combinations of reprogramming factors that appear to be much safer than the Belmonte work, and weve used them to reprogram the eye to restore vision in mice with glaucoma and in very old mice.
Some people argue that epigenetic alterations are similar to the hands of a clock and they only reflect aging, making them not an underlying cause but rather a consequence; do you consider them a cause or a consequence, and when partial programming is initiated, should it be considered to be actual rejuvenation?
Currently, it is believed that the clock is just an indicator of age and not part of the actual aging process, but our recent work that we deposited on bioRxiv strongly suggests that the process of reversing the clock doesnt just change the apparent age of the body, it actually reverses aging itself by restoring the function of the old cells to behave as though theyre young again. Therefore, the clock may not just be telling time; it may actually be controlling time.
That sounds fascinating. So, its actual rejuvenation, right?
Its early days, but this appears to be as close to rewinding the clock and rejuvenating at least parts of the body than anything that weve worked on before.
Back in 2016, when Belmonte and his colleagues demonstrated that partial cellular reprogramming in mice was possible, he estimated that such approaches might reach the public in the next decade. Do you think that we are on track for this to happen?
Were now more than on track. Were actually ahead of schedule. We found an apparently safe way to reprogram tissues, complex tissues, and there are at least two companies now expecting to start clinical trials within the next two years in humans.
Can you tell us a little bit more about that, or is that secret for a while?
One of the companies is called Iduna, and I formed this company with Steve Horvath, Belmonte, and Manuel Serrano in Spain. We have the funding to start a clinical trial next year.
Partial reprogramming is altering ourselves at the cellular level; how do you think the general public might react to such an idea, in your view? Is this going to be a real hurdle to getting people on board with using these treatments?
I found that everyone who hears these results of the Belmonte lab and of my lab is extremely excited because its a very simple but powerful concept of rewinding the clock, and I dont know of anybody who has said that we shouldnt go faster in trying to develop this technology.
In general, whats your usual way of overcoming the initial skepticism regarding the idea of healthy life extension? Because there is this problem with life extension, that people sometimes react weirdly to it.
Ive faced that my whole career since I started; theres always going to be a group of individuals who dont believe that humans are capable of certain things. It was the same with flying back in the early 20th century. I think we know enough now about how aging works and how to slow it and possibly reverse it that its going to be possible in our lifetimes to have a big impact on our healthspan and probably lifespan. Anybody who thinks that its not doesnt know how fast science is moving.
Whats your usual way to deal with skepticism; do you have some favorite arguments?
Mostly, I just go back to the lab and do better research and let the data speak for itself. There are a lot of people who wont be convinced until they see the actual experiments redone many times. What Ive done in the past two years is Ive put all my ideas and the advances in the field into a book, so Im hoping that this book will convince the skeptics or at least make them think hard about whats possible with their lives, what they can do now, and what soon should become possible.
Wonderful. Actually, my next question was about this book; could you please tell us a little bit more about it and what the readers should look forward to.
Lifespan takes the reader on a journey through history, looking at the endeavor of humans to try to live longer and using that historical perspective to look at todays situation and project into the future. The book also takes readers on a journey through the very cutting edge of aging research and things that the reader can do right now to take advantage of these new discoveries in their daily lives with changes in their daily activity, what they eat, when they eat, but also medicines that are currently available on the market that may extend lifespan. The last chapter is about where we are headed, what are the medicines that are in development, and then when these drugs become available, what does the world look like? Is it a better place or a worse place, and how will our lives change?
Wow, that sounds like a book that I would really like to read. You look pretty amazing for being 50 years old. Im 40, and I think you look better than me. Are you doing something to support your health, to feel better, to be more productive and to age slowly?
Im doing an experiment right now in my body. My father, my wife, and my dogs. Its voluntary, of course; my brother recently complained that he was being treated as the negative control in the experiment. I believed in the research and known the risks to be low, so, starting with resveratrol in 2003, I started taking that and Im still taking it, and Ive added to that NMN and some metformin as well. I try not to eat too much. I should exercise more. What I do, and what Ive learned works for me, and for members of my family, is also written down in detail in my book. So, if people would like to know it, they can read it.
Finally, is there a question that no one ever asks you and that you would like us to ask?
Am I afraid of dying?
Are you?
No.
Why not?
Ive been in situations where I thought I could die, planes that have lost their control, that kind of thing. I dont get nervous; Im not worried about that. The reason that Im doing what Im doing is Id like to leave the world a better place than I found it. Im also very curious, Id like to see what we can discover and what the future holds for all of humanity, not just for longevity, but the future of the planet. See if we can point humanity in the right direction and away from the bad scenarios that we seem to be on right now.
We would like to thank Dr. Sinclair for taking the time to make this interview with us and for answering our questions.If you would like to learn more about his work, you may be interested in watching the special webinar we did with Dr. Sinclair in September 2019 which you can see below.
Read this article:
David Sinclair on NMN and Epigenetics | | LEAF
- Scientists believe that aging might be optional - Mail Herald [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2019]
- This Week in Running: November 18, 2019 - iRunFar [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2019]
- Aging as a preventable disease and why living to 100 should be easy - Genetic Literacy Project [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2019]
- David Sinclair on Joe Rogan Podcast - chatting about NMN and ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- NMN and NAD Reverse Aging of Blood Vessels in New Study [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- #70 - David Sinclair, Ph.D.: How cellular reprogramming could ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Lifespan: Why We Age_and Why We Don't Have To: David A ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair supplements and protocol explained NMN ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair's biological age was 58 after taking 1000 mg ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclairs anti-aging science | Harvard Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- David Sinclair Supplements For Anti-Aging - What He Takes & Why [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- What Does David Sinclair Eat and Supplement? (2019 ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- #27 - David Sinclair, Ph.D.: Slowing aging sirtuins, NAD ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Man with string of convictions in his native Poland came to Perth to set up drug den - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Last surviving Viking-inspired boat that served a now- abandoned island goes up for auction - The Scotsman [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Dealer Jailed After Raid Uncovers 44k of Grugs - Daily Record [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Lazarus Effect: Sixteen-year study by Dr. Leis resulted in recovery from West Nile for Dr. Bush - Northside Sun [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2019]
- OZY Takes You Ahead of the Curve in Science and Technology - OZY [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2019]
- The Race To Find A Cure For Aging - Medium [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2020]
- Hard work and dedication honored - Union Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2020]
- Meet the people who think soaking in a frozen Minneapolis lake is the secret to good health - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2020]
- BOYS SWIMMING: Tigersharks top Waconia in conference dual - Crow River Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Brave Cashel Community School get the better of St Augustine's to set-up a Munster hurling final clash with Doon - TipperaryLive.ie [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Diane Francis: Treating aging like a disease is the next big thing for science - Financial Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Letter: Yes to Green Growth | Opinion - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2020]
- Kelty Hearts 4-1 Caledonian Braves: Third straight defeat for Braves - Motherwell Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2020]
- Is soaking in a frozen lake the secret to good health? - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- Letter:Deputy Is Vindicated | Opinion - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- BOYS SWIMMING: Chargers take fifth at WCC Championships; look ahead to sections - Crow River Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2020]
- Lifespan: The New Science Behind Anti-Aging and Longevity that Can Help You Live to 100 - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2020]
- Not fasting is killing us, but fasting can hurt us too. Here's what to do. - Mashable [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2020]
- Anti-Aging Researcher David Sinclair Takes Metformin, NMN ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2020]
- Movers and Shakers Week Ending 2.28.20 - milehighcre.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2020]
- Health inequality in England was bad. It has got worse - The Economist [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2020]
- Southland couple join volunteers to help future proof Southland A&P Show - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2020]
- Pilot Wins Top Honors at Awards Ceremony | Business - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2020]
- Flipping the switch on the ageing process - The Age [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2020]
- 7 books to read while in coronavirus quarantine or isolation - The CEO Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2020]
- Remembering loved ones who have passed away - the 68 death notices in North Staffordshire this week - Stoke-on-Trent Live [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2020]
- Can canine coronavirus drug indomethacin be used in treating humans suffering from COVID-19? - MEAWW [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- Is There Any Legitimate Health Advice in Gwyneth Paltrow's "Goop Lab"? - InsideHook [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- Will Universities, Colleges, And Law School Campuses Be Open In Fall 2020? - Above the Law [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2020]
- 'Refreshingly honest' dealer who ran Perth drug den will be sent home to Poland - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2020]
- Has Harvard's David Sinclair Found the Fountain of Youth? [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2020]
- Carole Carson: Adventures in Aging Seven myths about getting older - The Union of Grass Valley [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2020]
- Hide and Hedonism invite guests to a virtual wine dinner - Spear's WMS [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2020]
- Budget realities from COVID-19 cut $40.6 million from Prince William budgets - Inside NoVA [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2020]
- Drug Use is Transmitted from Old to Young - UPJ Athletics [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2020]
- Fife woman breached Asbo by having illicit party at home during lockdown - The Courier [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2020]
- A Harvard Geneticist Wants To Sell A Magical ... - HuffPost [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2020]
- Jennifer Aniston: How The Morning Show felt like 20 years of therapy - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2020]
- Woods, Waters, and Wildlife: Buy Licenses Now! | FCT News - Freestonecountytimesonline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2020]
- Editorial: Five Birdies That Signal Good Work | Opinion | thepilot.com - Southern Pines Pilot [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2020]
- We all suffer when COVID-19 locks the elderly out of societal participation - The Investment Observer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Immetas Therapeutics Announces Series A Financing to Advance Research on Inflammation Pathways in Aging and Develop Therapeutics for Cancer and... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2020]
- DS4 to rock Morden live at The Sound Lounge - Your Local Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2020]
- How newly unemployed over-50s can start-up again - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2020]
- 100 years old will be the new 60 | Health & Wellness - CL Charlotte [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Brexit casts doubt over UK pension rights - Interactive Investor [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Cancer. How close are we to winning the war? - Switzer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2020]
- Where Sabrina the Teenage Witch cast are now - hit TV shows and unrecognisable star - Mirror Online [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2020]
- Caledonian Braves can 'breathe a bit easier' after first win says boss Ricky Waddell - MSN UK [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2020]
- Why Aren't We Talking More About Nutrition Amid COVID-19? - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2020]
- We should allow ourselves to be #pharmaproud - - pharmaphorum [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- 6 Anti Aging Benefits of Metformin - The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- Hokitika father charged with murder initially claimed son fell out of bed - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2020]
- Scientists Uncover Approach That Could Reverse Age-Related Vision Loss - Science Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- HTLS 2020: A pill that can reverse ageing? Yes, it will be possible, says Dr Sinclair - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Reversing vision loss by turning back the aging clock - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Pill to reverse ageing in 30 years? Why not, says Harvard professor Dr David Sinclair - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2020]
- Get younger reverse ageing and increase your health span - Have a Go News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Over 50s Spending Spree Boosts Economy By Billions - Money International [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2021]
- Hunger in Milwaukee and the World: What We Can Do About It - Wisconsin Public Radio News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2021]
- Woman's 'nasty' skin infection most likely caused by swimming in sea after shaving legs - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2021]
- David Sinclair | The Sinclair Lab [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2021]
- David Sinclair Supplements List Deep Dive - Updated 2021 [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2021]
- Don't Listen to Intermittent Fasting Influencers, The Science Doesn't Back It Up - InsideHook [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2022]
- David Sinclair Post-2022 Canyons by UTMB 100k Interview - iRunFar [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2022]
- Authorized Biography Of The Rolling Stones Charlie Watts Launched In London - uDiscover Music [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2022]
- David Sinclair Supplements (2022 List) | Brands for Anti-Aging! [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2022]