The standard “wear and tear” story of aging may be incomplete. Dr. Peter Lidsky—a virologist and evolutionary biologist argues that aging is programmed. He says aging can be an adaptive strategy for controlling pathogens, a concept he calls the “pathogen control hypothesis.”
In this episode, we dig into the evidence behind this idea, the immune system in aging, and what his theory means for longevity interventions.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/plidskyFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 — Aging ≠ Wear-and-Tear
3:44 — The Case for Programmed Aging
8:48 — Why Program Aging at All?
11:09 — The Pathogen-Control Hypothesis
14:26 — Why We Get “Sick Time”
24:37 — Rising Lifespans, Explained
27:36 — Bowhead Whales’ Longevity Edge
31:15 — Why Lone Animals Don’t Live Forever
34:00 — Planaria: The “Immortal” Worm
35:00 — Do Infections Speed Up Aging?
36:46 — When Immunity Starts to Slide
38:17 — Why Fertility Has a Deadline
42:49 — Extending Life via the Immune System
1:00:35 — How Honey Bees Rejuvenate
1:10:50 — Can We Tackle Aging? Healthspan to 90s+AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/Peter Lidsky: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/bms/profile/peterlidsky.htmRELATED:Dr. Geoffrey West | Scaling Laws in Longevity & Aging: https://youtu.be/T67U8IK_1RU?si=ajq5AbjM6ufBQ7WfDr. David Gems | Hyperfunction & Programmatic Theory of Aging & Critique of Hallmarks of Aging: https://youtu.be/rLD-8UhHEZM?si=R_x_mLguTAKfdXtQDr. Bjorn Schumacher | DNA Damage & Aging, p53 & Cancer, and DNA repair in Reproductive Cells: https://youtu.be/kjQ-SwEP1bo?si=G2mEtNZs1O7TsLKe
“We can use the rule of evolution to optimize cancer therapy. The standard practice is that any therapy is given at maximum tolerated dose continuously until progression. It's almost a mantra that they have. Evolutionarily, you could hardly do it worse.” The current treatments on cancer do not account for how evolution works. Dr. Robert Gatenby has been studying evolutionary and game theory dynamics in the progression of cancer. He established the first cancer biology and evolutionary program in the U.S. We can leverage this evolutionary information to provide more effective cancer treatment, which he discusses in this episode. Dr. Michael Levin is my co-host.Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/rgatenbyFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Cancer as Tissue Damage, Not Just Mutations8:48 – How Evolution Supercharges Cancer Cell Fitness11:04 – Debunking the “Primitive Cell” Myth12:06 – The Herd Mentality of Cancer Cells14:57 – Why Cancer Dynamics Go Beyond the Genome22:27 – Networks and Information Flow Inside Cells26:56 – Shared Goals: The Secret to Cellular Cooperation29:55 – Genome = Hardware, Information = Software36:26 – Healthy vs. Cancer Cells: Competing Information Systems39:05 – Evolution Turns Harsh After Reproduction41:03 – How Cancer Rewrites Its Own Information Playbook43:07 – Adaptive Therapy: A Patient’s Guide50:45 – The Limits of Adaptive Therapy53:12 – Hunting for Better Cancer Biomarkers55:11 – The Tumor Microenvironment’s Hidden Role59:42 – Why We Must Look Beyond Genetic DataAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/LINKS:Michael Levin: https://x.com/drmichaellevinRobert Gatenby: https://www.moffitt.org/inspiring-stories/dr.-gatenbys-storyEpisode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/rgatenbyALSO WATCH:The First Cancer Cell: A Revolution in Early Detection | Michael Levin & Azra Raza: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7yW6ZVVdQkboWpldUZyenD?si=obYEC22NSsSyy7j09JBf7QKeto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=Yz9CQ-wNQ3WdcwjKw3lXGwWhy Viruses Could Be the Cause of Chronic Disease | Dr. Paul Ewald: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OdYInlzTy2zG3Mi6TgADY?si=BtishVk_R-28K2KypODIog
Mitochondria might be one of the most important organelles inside our cells. Best known as the cell’s powerhouse, they don’t just make energy; they regulate metabolism, control cell death, drive immune function, and may even be the reason multicellular life exists at all!
It’s no surprise they’re implicated in nearly every major disease, from heart disease and cancer to neurodegeneration, especially as they decline with age. What if we could slow or even reverse that decline by giving cells fresh, healthy mitochondria? That’s the promise of mitochondrial transplantation—a groundbreaking approach Mitrix Bio is pioneering.
In this episode, I talk with CEO Tom Benson about the science, the potential, and the early results from people already lining up for their trial.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/tbenson
Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs
My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Injecting new mitochondria into your body
01:39 - Mitochondria’s evolutionary role in aging
04:35 - What happens to old mitochondria?
06:18 - Why humans live longer than other animals
11:30 Why cardiovascular disease is #1 killer
12:30 - Why does the brain remain sharp with age?
15:30 Why does energy decline after age 30?
19:04 Why doesn’t the body correct mitochondrial mutations?
22:42 Mitochondrial defects in children
24:14 Diagnostics for mitochondrial health
27:36 Mitochondrial DNA is eternal
33:18 Where does mitochondria come from in mitochondrial transplantation?
34:59 Growing mitochondria in a bioreactor
39:07 How neurons grow their mitochondria
40:52 Mitochondrial theory of cancer
44:23 Mitochondria and psychobiology
48:32 Chemotherapy and radiation damage mitochondria
50:38 Evidence that mitochondrial transplantation works
56:06 Caloric restriction, sauna, sunlight, and mitochondria
1:00:01 Mitochondria and races
1:02:57 Why stop at 130 years old?
1:04:48 Why might this not work?
1:10:03 Volunteers for Mitrix trial
AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
X: https://x.com/aasthajs
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/
Mitrix Bio:
https://mitrix.bio/
Tom Benson: https://mitrix.bio/team/tom-benson/
RELATED:
New Spin to the Free Radical Theory of Aging: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/ros
Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=biOOH1e5RpeZduLJv2fPHw
Boost Mitochondria with Sunlight and Infrared light: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jGfhzX1P245LU2kLwgHTq?si=yPOC3bViRnmOUeR-P0jeWA
Can we detect cancer so early such that we find the very first cell of cancer? Not just stage 1 cancer, but the first cell of cancer.
In this episode, Dr. Michael Levin and I speak with Dr. Azra Raza. She is an oncologist pioneering early detection of cancer using electric signals. So far, our best solution to curing cancer has been to detect it early, and she wants to take this further, by nipping cancer at the very first cell.
Her story with cancer is also deeply personal as she lost her husband to the disease. You can see in the episode how much she cares about solving cancer through early detection, and how aggrieved she is about the fact that not only have we made zero progress on cancer in the last 100 years, but doctors are also not focused on cancer prevention.
Dr. Raza is also the author of the book The First Cell: And the Human Costs of Pursuing Cancer to the Last.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/araza
Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs
My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 New theory of cancer
1:45 What causes cancer?
5:39 Hybrid cells in cancer
11:16 Why do cancer cells become immortal?
14:14 Detecting the first cell of cancer
17:09 Stress causes cancer cells to fuse
21:40 Cancer drugs don’t work universally
25:54 Personalization of early cancer detection
29:29 Detect cancer early using electrics
35:46 Anguish of cancer patients
39:06 Cancer progress hasn’t moved in 100 years
44:04 Doctors don’t think of cancer prevention
46:54 First Cell Therapeutics - Azra’s company
50:55 What is the first cell stage of cancer?
54:55 Advice for cancer patients
AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/
LINKS:
Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin
Azra Raza: https://azraraza.com/
Azra Raza book The First Cell: https://amzn.to/4jGJzoJ
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/araza
RELATED EPISODES:
Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=gboyPAiLQrqg-y5YEKQiQQ
Why Viruses Could Be the Cause of Chronic Disease | Dr. Paul Ewald: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OdYInlzTy2zG3Mi6TgADY?si=Gnbg7efNSy21bS3q0c23jg
What if chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are caused by infections we’ve overlooked?
We assume chronic disease is caused by genetics and / or lifestyle. However, evolutionary biologist Dr. Paul Ewald says latent viruses and pathogens play a critical hidden role in many diseases.
For example, we already know that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. And research indicates how the EBV virus shows up in Multiple sclerosis, and chlamydia pneumonia shows in Alzheimer’s. Deeper investigation into viruses and disease is warranted and will help with better diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Paul Ewald is also the author of Plague Time: The New Germ Theory of Disease, and Evolution of Infectious diseases. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/pewaldFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Role of infection in chronic disease is neglected
2:40 Role of viruses in Alzheimer’s
10:50 Connections between Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease
15:57 Genes cannot explain the full reason for disease
20:47 Strong association between Alzheimer’s, chlamydia pneumonia, and APOE4
28:16 Multiple sclerosis and EBV virus
35:08 Latent viruses may in fact be active & cause cancer
41:41 Sexually- transmitted pathogens correlated with cancer
46:50 Viruses that cause cancer (EBV & breast cancer)
53:09 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and virus
57:15 Stanford study showing EBV as leading cause of MS
1:00:19 Do viruses attack the mitochondria and cause cancer
1:01:38 Glioblastoma and virus / antiviral treatment
1:07:07 Virus vs. oncogenes causing cancer
1:14:17 Breast cancer BRAC1 mutations & virus association
1:15:59 Vaccines against viruses
1:17:56 Practical steps if you test positive for infectious viruses
1:24:57 Could cancer relapse be due to persistent virus
1:27:48 Protect the immune system
1:29:38 Areas Dr. Ewald is excited aboutAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/PAUL EWALD LINKS:Plague Time: The New Germ Theory of Disease: https://amzn.to/3FXjOSuEvolution of Infectious diseases: https://amzn.to/3FYaqOvEpisode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/pewaldALSO WATCH:Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=biOOH1e5RpeZduLJv2fPHw
What if our cells have memory and cognition, which changes how medicine is done?
In this conversation with Dr. Pamela Lyon and Dr. Michael Levin, we discuss:
- Cognition and creativity is not merely associated with the brain and nervous system
- Implications of this view of cognition for regenerative medicine and longevity
- Is stress response the source of our creativity?
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/plyon
Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs
My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro, Basal cognition
1:00 Our view of cognition is incorrect
8:50 What does biology have to say about cognition?
12:12 Cognition in xenobots
14:20 Cognition and cooperation in microbes
30:03 Bioelectricity and cognition
33:58 Is stress response the source of our creativity?
43:27 Mike’s paper: Stress-sharing as a cognitive glue
47:31 Implications of cognition not only being associated with brain
56:55 Cognition in AI
1:02:33 View of cognition in the East
AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/
LINKS:
Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin
Pamela Lyon: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/pamela.lyon#
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/plyon
ALSO WATCH:
Michael Levin & Denis Noble on What Biology Needs to Advance Longevity: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49WaTa4Vl67FU4zjjX1H6F?si=x1rjzVocS2OjSVdxpzNt5g
We’re only just waking up to the benefits of sunlight and red light for mitochondrial health, lowering blood glucose, and potentially treating Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
Dr. Glen Jeffery is at the leading edge of this research.
We discuss:
- Health benefits of sunlight and red light
- Harmful effects of blue light & LEDs
- In the 2nd half of the podcast, I ask him rapid fire practical questions that everyone wants to know about light, ranging from how much sunlight should one get to what time of day is best for infrared light exposure.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/gjeffery
Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs
TIMESTAMPS: 0:00
Intro
0:59 Light impact on public health
3:08 Light research is understudied, mitochondria is impacted by light
6:05 Red and blue light impacts on mitochondria
8:25 Benefits of red light - wound healing, lower glucose
15:09 Are there downsides to red light?
16:59 Does time of day impact red light benefits?
22:05 Red light and cancer
26:00 Blue light is making you pre-diabetic
37:46 n=1 light experiments
39:22 Mitochondria & Longevity
46:21 “Sunlight offers a unique package”
Rapid fire questions:
53:40 Is sunlight good enough for red light?
55:10 How much sunlight do we need?
56:07 When should you get sunlight?
56:55 Should you worry about afternoon sunlight?
58:57 Can you get sunlight on cloudy days?
59:38 Does sunscreen mitigate benefits of sunlight?
1:00:12 Should you not wear caps and sunglasses in sunlight
1:01:43 Clothing and sunlight
1:05:52 Sunlight through window?
1:06:16 Are blue light blocking glasses helpful? (see 1:19:31 for more context)
1:08:17 Do Artificial sunlight lamps work?
1:08:51 What wavelength red light is the best?
1:10:56 Time in front of red light device
1:12:41 Body exposure to red light
1:15:37 Lighting at home at night
1:19:31 Differences in blue light for mitochondria vs. circadian biology
1:24:18 Stop using LEDs
1:25:24 Does light impact the bioelectrics of the mitochondria?
1:26:55 Mitochondria in melatonin mop up ROS
1:31:29 Benefits of fire light?
1:35:33 Open questions on light and health
1:37:28 Support Live Longer World
AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
X: https://x.com/aasthajs
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/
DR. GLEN JEFFERY:
Bio page: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/7465-glen-jeffery/publications
ALSO WATCH:- Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=rHlCwLVqQHqiOB7yTVBtgQ
Dr. Thomas Seyfried challenges the existing paradigm that says cancer is a genetic disease. He says that instead cancer is caused by damage to the mitochondria. Understanding this completely overturns the management and prevention of cancer.
He is a Professor of biology, genetics, and biochemistry at Boston College. He has over 150 peer-reviewed publications and is also the author of books such as, ‘Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer’.
WE DISCUSS:
- Why cancer is not a genetic disease
- Why cancer is a metabolic disease originating from damage to the mitochondria
- How metabolic therapy, management of glucose and glutamine, can be used to manage cancer
- His December 2024 paper outlining a proposal for ketogenic metabolic therapy in glioblastoma
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/tseyfried Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs
TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Cancer is not a genetic disease
5:04 Origins of somatic mutation theory of cancer
8:04 Mitochondrial damage causes cancer
13:42 Is mitochondrial dysfunction involved in every cancer
16:14 Mitochondria in cancer cells ferment
21:52 Target glucose and glutamine to manage cancer
28:51 Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy for cancer
31:04 December 2024 study: Role of glutamine in cancer
33:35 Can metabolic therapy be done at any stage of cancer
36:44 Combine chemotherapy with metabolic therapy
38:05 Drugs to target glutamine
40:30 People will say “I want metabolic therapy”
44:04 “Failure to understand biology”
47:48 National Cancer Institute’s take on Dr. Seyfried’s theory
49:34 Why does Peter Attia think cancer is a genetic disease
53:09 “I think about this 24/7; we’re right!”
55:56 Glioblastoma treatment protocol study
59:22 Resistance to breakthrough ideas in science
1:01:40 Radiation fuels cancer!
1:04:52 Current standard of care is responsible for poor survival rate in glioblastoma
1:07:14 Metabolic therapy for epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
1:12:22 How to prevent cancer
1:13:49 Young, healthy individuals in their 20s, 30s with cancer
1:15:05 Resources on following metabolic therapy
1:17:43 How to support Dr. Seyfried’s research
1:18:51 New cancer questions Dr. Seyfried is researching
1:21:32 Closing thoughts AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. THOMAS SEYFRIED: X: https://x.com/tnseyfried Bio page: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/biology/people/faculty-directory/thomas-seyfried.htmlCancer as a Metabolic disease book: https://amzn.to/3WBF31D
RELATED EPISODES:
Denis Noble and Michael Levin - two great minds in biology come together on Live Longer World. Denis Noble is a renowned biologist and pioneer in systems biology, known for his groundbreaking work on the electrical activity of the heart and his influential contributions to the understanding of biological systems. Denis is an advocate for taking a systems integrative approach to biology, as opposed to the reductionist gene-centric view that has dominated the field due to Neo-Darwinism.
The gene-centric view has failed us in advancing progress on many diseases, and we need to now take a systems based approach focused on functional networks within biological systems.
Michael Levin is an American developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University, where he is the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor. His research is focused on bioelectricity and he is my co-host for this podcast. We discuss: - DNA is not the blueprint of life - Why biology’s reductionist approach is flawed - The errors in Neo-Darwinism - Epigenetic inheritance - How to advance the cure of diseases Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/dnoble Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Denis as Mike Levin’s hero
0:10 Denis’s journey to systems biology; cell voltage is a global property of the cell
3:45 Advice to young researchers pursuing systems biology
7:00 “Absolutely everything is wrong with Neo-Darwinism”
14:10 Epigenetic inheritance
19:12 Genetic vs. other information used by organisms
23:48 Biology textbooks have to expand beyond DNA in 50 years
25:03 Epigenetic processes are ubiquitous
28:58 If not DNA, what is the blueprint of life
36:15 Rewriting biology textbooks is fundamental
39:57 “A lot of time has been wasted” (in biology)
46:52 Darwin on the “Origin of Species”
55:38 “Unfortunate that Philosophy and science have diverged”
1:00:31 Importance of Functional networks; DNA does not predict disease AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ LINKS: Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Denis's book Dance to the Tune of Life: https://a.co/d/3hvh5JW Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/dnoble
Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm
This interview is part of my series with Dr. Michael Levin where we interview significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Dr. Mustafa Djamgoz was one of the first people to study the role of ion channels and bioelectricity in cancer, which he initially documented in a 1995 paper. His research showed that there was an uptake in voltage-gated sodium channels in all types of cancer metastasis, except prostate cancer, highlighting the significant role of studying ion channels in cancer. Simply put, the spread of cancer cells is linked to increased activity in sodium ion channels, which regulate electrical currents in our cells. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/mdjamgoz Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs Background on the bioelectricity series & 1st episode with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli: https://youtu.be/DtUqOwTRvz0?si=3OJryM0yJjzfQtfo TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Playing with radios at age 17 to bioelectricity cancer research 4:31 Advice for young people entering bioelectricity 9:02 Biophysics and Cancer neuroscience 17:55 Role of bioelectricity in cancer 27:02 Cancer metastasis and ion channels 28:49 Sodium channel uptake and cancer invasiveness 36:59 Ranolazine, potential anti-metastatic drug 43:45 Funding for bioelectricity cancer research 50:21 Advice for cancer patients AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Mustafa's publications: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/m.djamgoz/publications Mustafa's book Beat Cancer: https://www.amazon.com/Beat-Cancer-Regain-Control-Health-ebook/dp/B00CU8QBAS Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/djamgoz Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm
Dr. Alfonso Martinez Arias is a development biologist and the author of the book The Master Builder: How the New Science of the Cell Is Rewriting the Story of Life. He also co-authored the biology textbook Principles of Development, which was awarded the Royal Society of Biology book prize. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/aarias OVERVIEW: Each of our cells has the same DNA. Yet they somehow differentiate into different body parts - eyes, ears, skin, and so on. There is no information in the DNA that tells our cells what to be. How then do they do it? This is just one example of how contrary to what many might think, DNA does not explain every problem state in biology. Biology has placed too much emphasis on our genes, trying to explain every disease state using genes, when the answer might not reside with them. What if answers to these questions lies with cells? Even though Dr. Martinez started off as a geneticist, he decided to pivot to understand the properties of cells better. By understanding our cells better, we can make further progress in understanding disease, longevity, and development.
Towards the end, we also talk about Alfonso's fascinating work on gastruloids which are a model to unravel the mysteries of embryonic development, and understand how humans are formed. This conversation is about the cell’s eye view of biology, and how the gene's eye view of biology might have mislead us. We also talk about why the popular selfish gene theory espoused by Richard Dawkins is incomplete. Looking beyond genes is instrumental to making progress in longevity.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/aarias Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 1:15 DNA does not make us unique 5:28 Cells use our genes 10:42 “We have overstretched what genes can explain” 15:41 Relation between genes and cells 20:28 What about the role of epigenetics? 22:42 Cells use mechanical and chemical signals 27:34 Thoughts on bioelectricity and Michael Levin 32:28 Emergence of cells 38:10 Importance of biophysics; What is life? 42:32 Is cancer when cells lose control? 47:58 Richard Dawkins’ Selfish Gene is Incomplete 54:11 But what if genes control development? 57:29 How to complete the selfish gene view? 1:02:05 Cell’s eye view of biology 1:04:48 Understanding embryonic development; gastruloids 1:18:15 Questions Dr. Alfonso is pursuing1:19:47 Thoughts from Feynman AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. ALFONSO MARTINEZ ARIAS: Master Builder book: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Builder-Science-Rewriting-Story/dp/1541603273 X: https://x.com/AMartinezArias Bio page: https://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/alfonso-martinez-arias-352001
The following is a fascinating interview with Dr. Charley Lineweaver, who worked with Paul Davies on his work on cancer which we discuss. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/clineweaver Topics include: - the evolutionary and atavistic theory of cancer - the incorrectness of the somatic mutation theory of cancer - a novel take on attacking the weakness of cancer - how embryogenesis could be viewed as cells reverting to old memory - the origins of multicellularity - “Cancer cannot do anything new” The atavistic theory of cancer states that cancer cells revert to an old memory they have from billions of years, but forget the new memory. The old memory pertains to constant cell proliferation, which happened as single-celled creatures, and in fact in embryogenesis as well. The new memory pertains to regulating cell proliferation and cells knowing when to stop cellular division. In cancer, it seems like cells forget this new memory and revert to the old memory. This theory has many interesting explanations and predictions which we dive into in the conversation. Enjoy! Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/clineweaver Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Background in astrobiology 1:53 Evolutionary theory of cancer 6:22 Atavistic model: Cancer cells go back to “original state” 9:50 Atavistic theory vs. Cancer 14:44 Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer is Wrong 22:36 Disagreement with Mike Levin’s work 24:17 Attack the weakness of cancer 27:45 Vaccine for cancer 38:08 Wound healing and cancer 41:23 Why new genes are more susceptible to damage 45:26 Origins of multicellularity 48:49 Predictions of Atavistic model 53:45 Cancer cells spread 56:52 Cell proliferation, Cancer, Hayflick limit 58:54 Doctors are not trained in evolution AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. CHARLEY LINEWEAVER: Website: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/lineweaver-ch Papers referenced: - Cancer progression as a series of atavistic reversions: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8860064/
- Targeting cancer's weaknesses, not its strengths: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4282648/
This is the third in my series with Dr. Michael Levin where we interview significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Ken Robinson has a long list of accomplishments in the bioelectricity field, covering the role of electric fields in guiding cell migration and more generally the function of electrogenic epithelia in embryogenesis. This is about a ~1 hour conversation in which he talks about his background, the history of the field, and his time in Lionel Jaffe's lab. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/krobinson Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs Background on the bioelectricity series & 1st episode with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccitelli TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro
0:38 Ken’s background - From physics to bioelectricity
6:10 Bioelectricity in the era of the “genetic code”
10:27 Ken’s first experiments in ion movement using light
23:25 Proton pump and its significance
26:07 Neurons respond to electrical signals
36:26 Working in Lionel Jaffe’s lab
47:39 Mike Levin as an undergrad
48:49 Membrane potential left-right asymmetry in cells
52:59 Epithelia is powerfully electrogenic
57:49 Advances for bioelectricity
59:27 Underrated people in the field AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Mike's bibliography of bioelectricity: https://thoughtforms.life/my-reference-lists-whole-endnote-library-and-bibliography-on-bioelectromagnetics/ Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/krobinson Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm
This is the second of several interviews Michael Levin and I will do with significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Min Zhao's work is focused on the role of ion currents and applied electric fields in cell migration and wound repair. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/mzhao Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs Background on the bioelectricity series & 1st episode with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli: https://youtu.be/DtUqOwTRvz0?si=3OJryM0yJjzfQtfo TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Min’s background from trauma surgery to bioelectricity 5:14 Bioelectricity in wound healing 13:51 Potential and challenges of bioelectricity in wound healing 21:40 Min’s take on Robert Becker’s work 24:53 Scientists in the field Min drew got inspired by 29:36 The era before Lionel Jaffe 32:39 Experiments in wound healing using bioelectricity 45:43 Min’s current explorations AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Min Zhao: https://health.ucdavis.edu/dermatology/faculty/zhao.html Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/mzhao Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm
Stephanie Seneff is the pioneer in raising concerns around glyphosate, a chemical and active ingredient in RoundUp and other pesticides, which has practically infiltrated our food system, water bodies, and soil. Glyphosate has been linked to several diseases including liver disease, autoimmunity, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, microbiome problems, and more. Dr. Stephanie Seneff has spent 10+ years researching glyphosate’s harmful impact on our health, and documented her findings in her book Toxic Legacy: How the Weedkiller Glyphosate is Destroying our Health and the Environment. More recently, Stephanie has been doing research on deuterium (a hydrogen isotope in the body) and how glyphosate can cause an excess of deuterium, potentially leading to cancer and other health consequences. Glyphosate is affecting each one of us. It’s worth paying attention to this toxic chemical. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/sseneff Find me (Aastha) on X: https://x.com/aasthajs DR. STEPHANIE SENEFF LINKS: Website: https://stephanieseneff.net/ X: https://x.com/stephanieseneff Book: https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Legacy-Stephanie-Seneff/dp/1603589295/ AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Autism in children, vaccines, glyphosate 2:30 Aluminum and fluoride in water 3:47 Glyphosate in our food and its toxicity 6:05 Celiac’s link to glyphosate 8:25 Glyphosate impacting collagen in our bodies 12:55 Soil regeneration after glyphosate 15:24 Breaking down glyphosate in our waterways 16:36 Glyphosate causing sulfate deficiency; cruciferous veggies 18:43 Sulfate powers bioelectricity in our cells; Gerald Pollack 21:23 Avoid sunscreen? 22:25 Deuterium and its toxicity 25:20 How Stephanie started looking at Deuterium 26:36 Low deuterium water good for health? 29:25 Excess deuterium causing cancer 30:52 Stephanie’s wild theory on curing cancer 35:19 What else causes increase in deuterium 35:38 Glyphosate in rain water 36:25 PSCSK9 inhibitors harmful with glyphosate 38:49 Solutions to avoid glyphosate 42:23 U.S. stopped Mexico banning glyphosate Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/sseneff
This is the first of several interviews Michael Levin and I will do with significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity.
Richard Nuccitelli is a legend, having invented (with Lionel Jaffe, in 1974) the Vibrating Probe - a technique that allowed the non-invasive sensing of ion currents around living tissues. This is about a ~1 hour conversation in which he talks about his background, the history of the field, and his current clinical work on the bioelectrics of cancer. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccitelli
Find me: https://twitter.com/aasthajs BACKGROUND: In 2022, I interviewed Dr. Michael Levin on his work on bioelectricity in cells and how that has the potential to solve cancer and aging. Since then, Mike has also appeared on Lex Fridman and many other podcasts talking about his revolutionary work. Amongst all the podcasts I did, Mike’s work struck me as profound yet underappreciated. The field of biology has focused on the DNA and the relevance of the electric currents in our cells is not appreciated. Yes, the electrical energy powering our cells is what keeps us alive! Earlier this year, I decided to dive deeper into bioelectricity. I’m starting by exploring the history of the field in conjunction with Michael Levin. We’re doing a series of interviews talking to scientists in the field to understand the origins of the field, bottlenecks, progress so far, and what the future could look like. Today's interview is the first in the series with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro to History of Bioelectricity Series 1:09 How Rich got interested in bioelectricity 4:34 Bioelectrics didn't make it to biology literature 7:55 Vibrating probe use cases 10:20 Bioelectrics in 1970s 13:37 Why is bioelectrics underrated? 22:50 Field progression 29:02 Ultra high voltage in treating cancer 39:00 Understanding significance of bioelectrics from 1900s 44:40 Working with Lionel Jaffe 50:27 How Mike entered bioelectrics 54:02 Criticism received by bioelectrics? 57:04 Missing technology to advance bioelectrics 1:00:52 Electrical patterns in cells with age 1:03:12 Image of electrics in organisms AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/aasthajs Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Richard Nuccitelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuccitelli/ Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccitelli
Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm
Dr. Mikkael Sekeres is the author of the book The Drugs and FDA. He served as the chair of the Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA, and was on the jury for the controversial trial of the breast cancer drug Avastin. We discuss: - The history of the FDA, - The trial of Avastin which got FDA approval in 2008 and revoked in 2011 - FDA's funding mechanisms - FDA ties to big pharma - What can be improved about the FDA and the criticisms it receives
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/msekeres TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Surprising finding about the FDA 2:38 Why did the FDA get established in 1938? 11:48 1962 turning point in the FDA & Thalidomide 19:57 Kennedy’s efficacy act on drugs approval 25:40 FDA’s accelerated approval; HIV & AIDS 33:23 Avastin breast cancer drug controversy 41:13 Why was Avastin trial contentious? 45:23 Genentech’s argument 50:00 Media reaction 53:21 FDA funded by big pharma 56:39 FDA vs. patient activist groups 59:50 Opioid crisis 1:03:30 Does the FDA go against advisory committee? CONNECT WITH AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/aasthajs DR. MIKKAEL SEKERES LINKS: Website: https://www.mikkaelsekeres.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikkaelSekeres
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Drugs-FDA-Safety-Efficacy-Publics/dp/0262047314 If you enjoyed the episode, please share it and leave a rating. Best, Aastha.
Dr. Jennifer Garrison is a an Assistant professor at the Buck Institute for research on aging where she studies women's reproductive aging. In today’s conversation we discussed menopause and it’s effect on women’s health, hormone replacement therapy, and how increasing the number of quality eggs a woman has at age 40 by just 1% can be a game changer.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/jgarrison
Find the previous podcast episodes & subscribe to be notified: https://livelongerworld.com/ Find me (Aastha) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs
DR. JENNIFER GARRISON LINKS: Lab: http://garrisonlab.com/ Donate to her research: https://gcrle.org/ CONNECT WITH AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/aasthajs
TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 1:38 Jennifer Garrison Intro 2:32 Ovarian aging & health risks 5:23 Progression of Ovarian aging 8:49 Menopause and negative health effects 10:34 Hypothalamus & Mind body communication 14:40 Reproductive & Equality Initiatives 18:21 Biological Clock for Reproductive aging 20:20 Tweaking hormonal cues 22:07 Number of eggs vs. Quality of eggs 25:00 Genetics in ovarian aging 26:21 Understanding family history 27:39 Evolutionary benefit to Menopause? 32:33 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & its benefits 38:28 Narrow window for HRT 40:08 Perimenopause 42:56 Women’s health funding 45:14 Average age girls start menstruating is declining 49:10 PCOS 52:42 Athletes and irregular cycles 56:36 Individualized menopause symptoms 1:00:38 Exercise and ovarian aging 1:02:00 Support Jennifer's work
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/jgarrison POPULAR EPSIODES: - Richard Miller on Longevity Supplements: https://youtu.be/42PzfNs9egA - Matt Kaeberlein on Rapamycin: https://youtu.be/BL67DhNepfg - Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8 - Nir Barzilai on Metformin & Centenarians: https://youtu.be/YlkBE8N7sl8 - Morgan Levine on Epigenetic Clocks: https://youtu.be/am3YKiTpCHo
Thanks for watching & if you enjoy the episode, let's spread the message on longevity. You can support my work by sharing, liking, subscribing, leaving a review on Apple podcasts, or signing up as a premium member.
Aging is universal. Let's unite in this fight. Stay in good health - Aastha.
Dr. Geoffrey West is the author of the bestselling book Scale, the Universal Laws of Life Growth and Death in Organisms, cities and Companies. He is a physicist who got fascinated by the field of aging and longevity and asked the question of why we live as long as we do and no longer. In today's episode, we dive into his research on the scaling laws in biology and longevity.
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/p/gwest Find the previous podcast episodes & subscribe to be notified: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/
Find me (Aastha) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs
DR. GEOFFREY WEST LINKS: Profile: https://www.santafe.edu/people/profile/geoffrey-west Book: https://amzn.to/3Xtl7wU CONNECT WITH AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/
Airchat: https://www.getairchat.com/aasthajs
TIMESTAMPS: 1:35 Context on Dr. West's book Scale 9:00 Networks in biology & cities 22:50 Scaling laws in longevity
32:33 Upper limit to human age?
39:08 Quantifying Caloric restriction
41:52 Metabolism & Body temperature
49:05 Scaling laws in age-related damage
56:35 Scaling body sizes across species
1:01:38 Scaling laws in drug dosage (LSD & Elephants)
1:11:06 Drug dosage in children (Tylenol & babies)
1:13:44 Vaccine dosage scaling laws
1:17:51 Sleep & Aging in different organisms
1:31:22 Early stimulation for child development
1:36:35 Fasting, meal frequency & digestive time
1:39:10 Sleep demands with work & physical activity
1:43:40: Scaling laws in cities, companies & universities
2:02:00 Outro
POPULAR EPSIODES:
Richard Miller on Longevity Supplements: https://youtu.be/42PzfNs9egA
Matt Kaeberlein on Rapamycin: https://youtu.be/BL67DhNepfg
Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8
Nir Barzilai on Metformin & Centenarians: https://youtu.be/YlkBE8N7sl8
Morgan Levine on Epigenetic Clocks: https://youtu.be/am3YKiTpCHo
Thanks for watching & if you enjoy the episode, let's spread the message on longevity. You can support my work by sharing, liking, subscribing, leaving a review on Apple podcasts, or signing up as a premium member. Aging is universal. Let's unite in this fight. Stay in good health - Aastha.
All platforms / Episode Transcript: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/p/saustad
Dr. Steven Austad is a professor in the Healthy Aging department at the University of Alabama and also scientific director of the American Federation for Aging research. He has a fascinating entry into the world of aging research - it all began with training lions!
There are many open questions on the caloric restriction research for enhancing longevity and we dive into that. Further, a lot of Dr. Austad’s work focuses on what long-lived animal species can teach us about living longer and healthier lives. His lab works on exotic species, like clams that live more than 500 years, and hydra that don’t age at all, in order to discover aging treatments. He also tries to uncover the mysteries around why men and women respond differently to longevity therapeutics.
Find the previous podcast episodes & subscribe to be notified: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/
Find me (Aastha) on Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajz
DR. STEVEN AUSTAD LINKS:
Website: https://www.stevenaustad.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenAustad
Faculty page: https://www.uab.edu/cas/biology/people/faculty/steven-n-austad
CONNECT WITH AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:
Website: https://www.livelongerworld.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aasthajz
Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajz/
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Training lions
7:15 Learning from Long-lived species
9:55 Bowhead whales live 200 years
12:55 House sparrows & longevity
14:40 Study "successful" animals
18:10 Naked Mole Rats
20:45 What do bowhead whales die from?
26:05 Why do ocean animals live longest?
31:05 Beyond Caloric Restriction
36:00 Intermittent Fasting & Circadian Rhythm
42:40 Caloric Restriction for Healthy people?
46:24 Will coffee shorten your life?
49:43 The Blue Zone Myth
55:50 Young Blood, I can't get you of out my Mind
1:00:26 Hormones & Health (Growth Hormones for longevity?)
1:05:18 Sex differences in longevity
Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/p/saustad
POPULAR EPSIODES:
- Richard Miller on Longevity Supplements: https://youtu.be/42PzfNs9egA
- Matt Kaeberlein on Rapamycin: https://youtu.be/BL67DhNepfg
- Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8
- Nir Barzilai on Metformin & Centenarians: https://youtu.be/YlkBE8N7sl8
- Morgan Levine on Epigenetic Clocks: https://youtu.be/am3YKiTpCHo
Thanks for watching & if you enjoy the episode, let's spread the message on longevity.
You can support my work by sharing, subscribing, leaving a review on Apple podcasts, donating on Patreon, or signing up as a premium member. Aging is universal. Let's unite in this fight. Stay in good health - Aastha.