Aging: A Disease of Cellular Information Loss

Resources

Books

• "Lifespan: Why We Age--and Why We Don't Have To" by David Sinclair - This book likely delves into the concepts discussed in the podcast regarding aging as a disease and potential interventions.

Videos & Documentaries

• Scientific literature on sirtuins - Mentioned as a group of longevity genes that protect against aging and disease, with research dating back to 2005.
• Research on chaperone-mediated autophagy - Highlighted for its role in a deep cellular cleanse that kicks in during longer fasts (day two/three) and has shown to extend lifespan in old mice.

Research & Studies

• Horvath clock study - Referenced as a biological clock that measures epigenetic changes and can predict mortality, showing accelerated aging in early life.
• Growth hormone studies - Indicate that lower growth hormone levels are associated with longer lifespans in animals.
• Caloric restriction studies (Clive McKay, 1930s) - Early research demonstrating that rats fed a restricted-calorie diet lived significantly longer.
• Sirtuin 1 gene activation research (2005 Science paper) - Showed that low levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor activate longevity genes like sirtuin 1.
• Studies on NMN and NAD+ levels - Indicate that NMN supplementation can double NAD+ levels in humans within two weeks, with anecdotal evidence of improved cognitive function and reduced aging symptoms.
• Manuel Serrano's lab research on iron - Found that excess iron increases senescent cells, accelerating the aging process.
• Mayo Clinic studies on humans and senescent cells - Provide human data related to senescent cells and their impact on aging.
• Aerobic exercise studies in mice and rats - Show that aerobic exercise increases NAD+ levels and the expression of sirtuin genes (1 and 3).
• Studies on female mammals and fertility preservation through fasting/caloric restriction - Demonstrated that fasting or caloric restriction can delay infertility and even restore fertility in older female mice.
• NMN study on old mice and fertility - Showed that old mice treated with NMN became fertile again, rejuvenating their reproductive systems.
• Peer-reviewed studies on Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) - Indicate that NSDR can restore mental and physical vigor and improve sleep.

Tools & Software

• Eight Sleep Autopilot AI engine - An AI that learns sleep patterns to adjust bed temperature and optimize sleep stages, and can elevate the head if snoring.
• Eight Sleep integrated speaker - Plays audio to support relaxation and recovery, including NSDR scripts.

Articles & Papers

• "Science" paper (2005) - Published research showing that low levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor activate longevity genes like sirtuin 1.

People Mentioned

• Dr. David Sinclair (Professor at Harvard Medical School) - Guest on the podcast, specializing in aging and longevity research.
• Clive McKay - Researcher who conducted early caloric restriction studies in the 1930s.
• Anna Maria Cuervo (Albert Einstein College of Medicine) - Researcher who discovered chaperone-mediated autophagy.
• Heim Cohen - First postdoc of Dr. Sinclair at Harvard, published a paper on the potency of the sirtuin 6 gene in extending lifespan.
• Manuel Serrano (Spain) - Led research showing excess iron increases senescent cells.

Organizations & Institutions

• Harvard Medical School - Where Dr. Sinclair began his research.
• MIT - Where Dr. Sinclair's lab first discovered sirtuin genes in yeast cells.
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Affiliation of researcher Anna Maria Cuervo.
• Mayo Clinic - Conducted studies on humans related to senescent cells.

Courses & Educational Resources

• NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) scripts - Audio scripts designed to promote deep relaxation and breathing exercises for mental and physical restoration.

Websites & Online Resources

• davidprotein.com/huberman - Website for David protein bars.
• drinkagz.com/huberman - Website for AGZ, a nightly sleep drink.
• eightsleep.com/huberman - Website for Eight Sleep smart mattress covers.

Other Resources

• NAD+ levels - A molecule crucial for keeping sirtuin defenses at a useful level.
• NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) - A precursor to NAD+ that Dr. Sinclair takes to boost NAD+ levels.
• Senescent cells - "Zombie cells" that accumulate with age and cause inflammation and can lead to cancer.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) - A marker for inflammation and a predictor of longevity.
• Hormone levels (testosterone, estrogen) - Mentioned in relation to maintaining muscle mass and reproductive system health.
• DNA damage (broken chromosomes) - Accelerates the unwinding of DNA loops and aging.
• Cellular damage/stress - Can accelerate the aging process.
• Growth hormone - Described as "pro-aging" despite short-term benefits.
• Insulin - High levels are associated with reduced longevity gene activation.
• Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) - Low levels are associated with longevity gene activation.
• mTOR pathway - Sensed by amino acids and involved in cellular growth; downregulating it is beneficial for longevity.
• Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine - Specific amino acids that, when lacking, downregulate mTOR.
• Magnesium, L-theanine, Chamomile extract, Glycine, Saffron, Valerian root - Supplements that can help with sleep.
• Olive oil, Yogurt - Mentioned as items that might have minimal impact on fasting if consumed in small quantities.
• Iron - Excess iron can increase senescent cells and accelerate aging.
• Hemoglobin, Ferritin - Blood markers related to iron levels.
• EPIC (Epigenetic Clock) - A measure of biological age.
• HBA1c - A measure of average blood glucose levels over a month.