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Why do our bodies slowly break down, even if we eat right and exercise? We dive deep into the biological switch at the cellular level that determines human longevity.

I spoke with Dr. Bill Andrews, the father of telomere biology and a co-discoverer of telomerase. He explained why aging happens: telomeres, the protective caps on our DNA, shorten every time a cell divides, acting like a cellular clock. We talked about an obsession with curing aging. We discussed methods to re-lengthen telomeres, primarily using plant extracts to turn the telomerase gene back on in normal cells, a process currently being researched by his company, Sierra Sciences. We also discussed the biggest myth in anti-aging science and how certain types of exercise can accelerate aging by increasing cell division.

Key Takeaways

• Telomeres are DNA sequences found at the tips of chromosomes; they function as protective caps (like shoelace aglets) and control gene expression.

• The shortening of telomeres occurs every time a cell divides because the cell lacks the ability to duplicate the entire DNA strand to the very end (analogous to a bricklayer falling off the end of a wall before placing the last brick). This phenomenon represents a hard, fast limitation on our lifespan.

• Telomerase is the enzyme responsible for preventing telomere shortening. Reproductive cells (primordial germ cells) possess this enzyme, which prevents the species from going extinct with ever-shorter telomeres.

• The primary mission of current research is to reactivate the telomerase gene in somatic cells (non-reproductive body cells), where the gene's "dimmer switch" is currently turned off.

• Sierra Sciences focuses 95% of its efforts on screening fractionated nutraceuticals (plant extracts), looking for small molecules that can bind to and dislodge the repressor protein that keeps the telomerase gene turned off.

• Dr. Andrews states that the biggest myth in longevity is the claim that a product reverses aging simply because it reverses a biomarker correlated with aging. He uses the "Betty White Test" to demonstrate that no product currently exists that truly reverses aging.

• Activities that force extensive cell division, such as muscle bodybuilding, microdermabrasion (using acids or lasers on the face), and immune boosters, accelerate telomere shortening and therefore accelerate aging.

• When pursuing endurance exercise (running, biking, kayaking), it should be done consistently and kept fun; too little or too much intensity accelerates aging (a "Goldilocks effect").

Resources

• Documentary: The Immortalist https://theimmortalists.com

• Company/Website: Touchstone Essentials https://thegoodinside.com

• Company/Website: Sierra Sciences https://sierrasci.com

• Contact: Bill Andrews' email [email protected]

Nate Palmer:

The founder of The Million Dollar Body and author of "The Million Dollar Body Method", Nate has been coaching for over 15 years and has worked personally with over 1,000 clients.

• Website: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/

• Book: The Million Dollar Body Method

• Lean Energy Stack: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/pages/lean

• Instagram: @_milliondollarbody