Lifespan

Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To

David Sinclair’s book “Lifespan – Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To” is a quite fascinating book for me. I’ve been enjoying reading it, however I feel like some commentary is worthwhile.

David is enchanted by technology and what will be coming soon in the future. Well, I love data and technology too, however we must keep in mind that all this information isn’t valuable if we don’t know what to do with it.

Overloading an individual with data, but not providing them with something to do about it, or worse yet giving them bad suggestions, may do more harm (anxiety) than good.

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Let’s use an example that is simple and widely used for a long time now: high blood pressure

Yes, if we know that an individual has high blood pressure that is valuable information. This information can be used (or abused). Industrial Medicine reacts with “we must lower your blood pressure” and typically immediately prescribes a pharmaceutical. This is where Functional Medicine differs, in Functional Medicine we wonder “Why is your blood pressure high? Can we improve the cause?” Perhaps calcium is depositing in your arteries reducing flexibility of your blood vessels? In which case we might recommend vitamin K2.

But if you just tell an individual they have high blood pressure, that might be of no value or even harm them (by causing anxiety).

Another side note: The IFM (Institute for Functional Medicine) was a terrific organization, but alas over the years it’s been influenced and corrupted by Industrial Medicine money. Far too often I find doctors of any flavor to be more focused on profit than on helping the patient.

David has some excellent discussion of NAD and mTor. Teasing out the role of various molecules is fascinating research. Unfortunately we don’t yet have great data on how effective different interventions actually are. We tend to have supplements where the claims are at best “boosts” or “helps with”. There is also often a disconnect between the dosages used in research vs the (low) dosages commonly sold to the public. If 2,000 mg of something achieves amazing results, don’t expect 50 mg to do the same thing!

Cost also is a huge factor. The person who can’t afford their rent really isn’t helped by staggeringly expensive new technologies. Luckily costs tend to come down, but being healthy is still more for the well off than for the average person.

Let’s also consider that living forever isn’t necessarily a good thing. Possible problems: excessive paranoia of accidental death; boredom; over population.

Most of us studying longevity point out that what is really critical is more healthy years, not just more years.