Medical Interventions (TRT, HGH, Stem Cells, etc.) For Longevity | Lifespan w Dr. David Sinclair #5

David Sinclair2 minutes read

The Lifespan podcast delves into aging science, discussing potential longevity solutions like testosterone replacement therapy, growth hormone supplementation, peptides, exosomes, and stem cell therapy, with a focus on balancing benefits against risks for maintaining health. Cutting-edge research shows promise in reversing aging processes, such as rejuvenating nerves in mice and resetting genes to a youthful state, leading to potential human trials for restoring vision and achieving age reversal without negative side effects.

Insights

  • Hormone supplementation like testosterone and growth hormone can offer short-term benefits but may pose long-term health risks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy balance to avoid complications.
  • Cellular reprogramming utilizing specific genes has shown success in reversing cellular aging without negative side effects, with potential applications in treating age-related conditions and diseases.

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Recent questions

  • What is discussed in the Lifespan podcast?

    Aging science and health improvement strategies.

  • What are the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?

    Improved libido, muscle mass, and vitality.

  • How can hormone balance impact aging?

    Excessive supplementation may accelerate aging.

  • What are peptides and their benefits?

    Amino acid chains aiding cellular communication.

  • How are exosomes utilized in anti-aging efforts?

    Cellular signalers promoting longevity.

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Summary

00:00

"Longevity Solutions: Balancing Hormones for Health"

  • The Lifespan podcast discusses aging science and ways to improve health at any life stage, hosted by David Sinclair, a genetics professor at Harvard Medical School.
  • The podcast explores aging biology, home-based health practices, and the need for medical supervision for certain interventions.
  • Stem cell therapy, peptides, exosomes, testosterone, growth hormone, and epigenetic reprogramming are discussed as potential longevity solutions.
  • Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is popular for addressing age-related testosterone decline, with benefits for libido, muscle mass, and vitality.
  • TRT may have side effects like sleep apnea, breast enlargement, prostate issues, and blood clot risks, potentially impacting longevity.
  • Human growth hormone (HGH) supplementation is common for muscle growth and fat reduction but may pose long-term health risks like cancer and heart disease.
  • Studies on growth hormone signaling in animals suggest lower levels may promote longevity, contrasting with the short-term benefits of HGH.
  • Immediate side effects of HGH include joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, insulin resistance, and increased diabetes risk, resembling aging symptoms.
  • Excessive hormone supplementation can accelerate aging by signaling abundance to the body, potentially leading to health complications.
  • Maintaining a healthy balance of hormones is crucial, as excessive supplementation may provide short-term benefits but pose long-term health risks.

12:48

"Peptides: Natural Hormone Boosters for Health"

  • Working out bigger muscles like thighs and back can naturally increase testosterone levels.
  • Eating at the right time and getting good sleep can boost growth hormone levels.
  • If natural methods fail, consult a doctor for supplementation to maintain healthy hormone levels.
  • Peptides, smaller amino acid chains, aid cellular communication and can be synthesized for various benefits.
  • Peptides can enhance cellular communication, potentially aiding in anti-aging efforts.
  • Peptides can be adversity or abundance mimetics, with insulin being a well-studied example.
  • Peptides have been synthesized using recombinant DNA technology since the 1970s.
  • Peptides are relatively safe due to being naturally found in the body and are metabolized quickly.
  • Peptides can promote regenerative signaling, aiding in recovery, wound healing, and mitochondrial activity.
  • Various peptides like MOTS-C, BP-157, and GHK-Copper have shown potential benefits, but scientific validation is still needed.

24:55

Exosomes and Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

  • MOTS-C is a peptide with promising potential in mimicking adversity.
  • Peptides and exosomes are both cellular signalers, but exosomes are membrane-bound vesicles containing various messages like peptides, DNA, RNA, and micro RNAs.
  • Exosomes can be used for diagnosing diseases, including cancer, and potentially simulating adversity to promote longevity.
  • Exosomes can be collected from blood for diagnosing injuries and diseases, with companies like Zar Therapeutics analyzing their cargo for specific signatures.
  • Injecting exosomes into mice has shown benefits in injury recovery and longevity, with potential applications in reversing aging-related diseases.
  • Exosomes have been used to rejuvenate senescent cells, potentially reversing aging effects and promoting healthy cell growth.
  • Stem cells are cells that can divide to produce different tissues, with pluripotent stem cells capable of becoming any cell type.
  • Yamanaka factors, including KLF4, SOX2, c-MYC, and LIN28, can reprogram adult cells into pluripotent stem cells for tissue regeneration.
  • Reprogramming cells with Yamanaka factors can be done using viruses like adeno-associated viruses, allowing for efficient gene delivery and manipulation.
  • Pluripotent stem cells offer potential for treating conditions where cells are not functioning correctly, providing a promising avenue for regenerative medicine.

37:01

Stem Cells: Cancer Risk and Aging Factors

  • Pluripotent cells, particularly induced pluripotent cells, can lead to cancer if allowed to grow unchecked in a body, resulting in teratomas, a dangerous form of cancer.
  • Stem cell therapies currently favor harvested stem cells over induced pluripotent stem cells due to the cancer risk.
  • Autologous stem cells, taken from various body parts like fat cells, are commonly used in therapies after purification and freezing.
  • Stem cells age and undergo epigenetic changes, affecting their ability to regenerate tissues, leading to issues like gray hair and hair loss.
  • Cord blood, captured at a young age, can be banked for future use in replacing blood or growing new tissues.
  • Stem cells can be isolated from adults, but their aging process can lead to dysfunction and competition with other cells.
  • Hematopoietic stem cells should be banked when young to potentially replace the immune system in old age.
  • Stem cells are utilized in various diseases for tissue regeneration, including spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Parkinson's, and heart disease.
  • Stem cell therapies have shown promise in improving mobility, reducing cytokine levels, and enhancing quality of life in older patients.
  • Cellular reprogramming using specific genes has shown success in reversing the age of cells and tissues, offering a potential anti-aging solution without negative side effects.

48:54

Age Reversal Restores Vision in Mice

  • Mice aged to one year were blind, confirmed by their opto-motor response to moving lines.
  • Nerves in mice were rejuvenated, genes reset to a youthful state, restoring vision almost fully.
  • Rejuvenation not limited to nerve cells; skin, muscle cells, and eye structures also reset to a youthful state.
  • Human trials to restore vision in patients with glaucoma or genetic diseases are anticipated within a year or year and a half.
  • Rejuvenation process involves resetting the epigenetic code, not the genetic code, to a youthful state.
  • Triple treatment involving growth hormone, DHEA, and Metformin reversed biological age by two and a half years in men aged 51 to 65.
  • Various clocks like the Horvath or proteomics clock are used to measure aging in different tissues, not just blood.
  • Ongoing research aims to understand the mechanisms behind age reversal and develop potential treatments like pills instead of gene therapy.
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