Charles Brenner - scientist explains “age better” vitamin B3 supplement

Episode 53 - Live Long and Master Aging 

There has been a lot of buzz recently surrounding a new supplement that could boost our energy levels as we grow old. It is a recently discovered form of vitamin B3 and has been widely touted as a possible tool to enhance the aging process. We are going to take a deep dive into what it is and how it works. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is converted by the body into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) which is an essential molecule found in every living cell and plays a significant role in energy production, regulation of the circadian rhythm and cognitive function. Dr. Charles Brenner is one of the world’s leading authorities on the biochemistry behind NR and its potential to extend life in some organisms. 

In this in-depth interview, Dr Brenner explains the significance of NAD and why he believes supplementation with NR could help us “age better.” He also elaborates on why he refuses to describe NR as “miraculous or magic” and explains why he is uncomfortable with the often-heard expression, ‘anti-aging,’ in the marketing of human longevity.

Dr. Brenner is the Roy J. Carver Chair and Head of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa and founding co-director of the University of Iowa Obesity Initiative. He is also chief scientific adviser to Chromadex, a California-based company behind the NR supplement, TRU NIAGEN - Niacin (Vitamin B3) | Advanced NAD+ booster | Nicotinamide Riboside NR | Increases Energy & Promotes Anti Aging (30 capsules/125mg).

Fact or fiction - which health studies should we believe? LLAMA52

Episode 52 - Live Long and Master Aging 

The specter of so-called fake news is omnipresent these days. Headlines are scrutinized more than ever.  We can never be quite sure that the facts behind them are actual facts or a distorted truth. It is a worrying trend that has plagued the world of health news for some time. Sifting through the plethora of new studies, to find reliable and useful information, can be daunting and demoralizing. Dr. Sara Gorman is a public health and mental health expert, based in New York.  Her first book, Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us, explores the psychology behind irrational health beliefs and decisions.  It also includes tips for the general public on how to discriminate between valid and invalid science.  Sara is also a co-founder of Critica, a community committed to making rational decisions about health and security.   In this in-depth interview, recorded at TED MED 2017, in California, Sara explains why we often have difficulty challenging long-held beliefs about our health; the tactics she uses to filter new scientific studies and how she views claims about nutrition habits that are tied to longevity claims.

Doug Jones: Actor

Meet Doug Jones, the man behind The Shape of Water's sea creature - the film's lovable leading man. In our pre-Oscars chat we hear about Doug's long history with the making of the movie, how he predicted its Oscars success (13 nominations), the perils of being wrapped in a latex rubber body suit all day and why Doug would rather watch the Academy Awards from his sofa. Photo Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

February 20, 2018 | LISTEN

Biohacking and human longevity - shared goals, different tactics. LLAMA51

This is a special edition of Live Long and Master Aging, in partnership with the HVMN (pronounced human) Enhancement podcast. LLAMA is re-publishing an interview between host Peter Bowes and HVMN’s Geoffrey Woo, in which they swap stories and share their human longevity goals. In a reversal of roles, Peter is in the hot seat and Geoff poses the questions.

Original episode description: We all know a healthy diet is essential for all aspects of health, but what if we can further hack our lifespans by controlling our feeding windows? You can...it's called intermittent fasting! If the direction current science is heading is any indication, taking charge of when to eat means taking charge of many levers in your biology that can lead to a long, healthy life. Episode 44 features Peter Bowes, a BBC reporter and host of the LLAMA Podcast. One of the earliest supporters of HVMN's foray into intermittent fasting, Peter shares our core value of creating an open forum for the community to support and become educated. Peter has always had a foundational interest in longevity, spurring him to experiment with various practices and connect with thought-leaders around the world. The experimentation will never end, but it's safe to say that Peter, like many biohackers, found intermittent fasting to be a biohack he will implement for the rest of his life.

Geoffrey Woo and Peter discuss the biological mechanisms of fasting (such as lowering IGF-1 levels, a hormone that has been linked to cancer when it reaches higher levels), the difference between working towards a long health-span vs. a long life-span, ponder how to keep that "spark" in you alive as you age, and answer questions from the community.

Harith Rajagopalan - solving the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes. LLAMA50

Harith Rajagopalan is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and co-founder of Fractyl, a biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts. Fractyl's stated mission is to solve the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes, a disease that stands in the way of a long and healthy life for so many people.  Dr. Rajagopalan’s work focusses on a better understanding of the root cause of the disease and how diet-related damage to the inner surface of the small intestine leads to insulin resistance. The company has developed a clinical procedure to rejuvenate the duodenal surface, which helps patients reverse or even halt the progression of their diabetes.

In this in-depth interview, recorded at TEDMED, Dr. Rajagopalan explains how the minimally invasive treatment works and how it could give hope to millions of patients who view diabetes as a progressive condition.  He shares his evolving understanding of dietary practices, such as fat consumption and fasting - and explains why birthday cake should play a role in our lives.