In the latest episode of Dr. Peter Grossman’s “Beauty and the BS” podcast, Dr. Aubrey De Grey returns to continue the first episode of the Longevity Series under the title “Unlocking the Secrets of Preventing Aging.”
As a controversial figure, Dr. De Grey is a visionary who has been working to find ways to prevent, and possibly reverse, the effects of aging. This leading name in gerontology shares his knowledge with us, helping us see that the journey to finding the answer to reversing aging isn’t as clear-cut as we think.
Medical Field Focus
Dr. De Grey began the episode by sharing his focus on the medical field. One of these is finding universal anti-cancer approaches, through gene therapy. Defined as a technique that modifies a person’s genes to treat or cure disease, it appears to be an effective intervention.
Zombie Cells
He also speaks about death resistant cells, explaining that even though these cells don’t divide, they are still toxic, and can become resistant to being killed off. These damaged cells are called zombie cells because instead of dying like normal aged cells, they stay alive. As we age, they begin to accumulate and cause sterile inflammation. This promotes aging, and the various conditions associated with it, including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and even cancer.
What is Aging?
Dr. Grossman explains how aging is typically encompassed by frailty, cancer, dementia, and general suffering. He also sheds some light on why he sees the concept of aging gracefully as an oxymoron. Dr. De Grey shares that external beauty is a consequence of internal health. Essentially, we must be healthy in order to reap the benefits of looking youthful. He shares that the outside is the easy part. Dr. Grossman explains that beauty is about maintaining cognition and being free from disease.
Anti-aging Vs. Longevity Vs. Rejuvenation
Dr. De Grey actually prefers to not reference “anti-aging”. He explains that while it is well meant, it brings too much baggage. So instead, he refers to longevity. He sheds some light on how rejuvenation is the perfect term for defining the turning back of the biological clock, and how cosmetic companies had previously hijacked the word.
As an expert in the field, one would expect Dr. De Grey to be vocal about longevity regimens. However, this isn’t the case, with him saying very little on this. He explains why, while also imparting some knowledge on how to increase your lifespan through your habits and lifestyle potentially. However, he does explain that nothing exists today that can substantially postpone the problems of late life.
Background Story
Dr. De Grey shares what made him opt for gerontology (since he was initially a computer engineer working in the early phases of Ai), since he didn’t start out in the longevity industry. As the founder of the SENS Research Foundation, along with the Longevity Escape Velocity Foundation, Dr. Grossman speaks to him about what’s next for him. To find out more, click on the link below to listen to the full episode:
Twitter: @BeautyandtheBS
Instagram: @beautyandthebs
