The super-rich are trialling innumerable whacky theories to radically extend their lives, from not eating after 11pm to taking hundreds of supplements a day and even blood transfusions from their children. But what does the science tell us? Could some of these ideas actually prove effective? And why are we still so obsessed with the quest that is as old as mankind itself: immortality?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan, scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge and author of Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: WIRED UK, Valuetainment Clips, Diary of a CEO, TalkTV.

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.