LONGEVITY with Nathalie Niddam #373 NEW Longevity Breakthroughs & The Science of Stress | Kiran Krishnan on Bioactive HERBS and the Myth of Cheap Supplements
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Sep 26, 2025 Kiran Krishnan, a scientist and entrepreneur renowned for his work on microbiomes and probiotics, dives into the fascinating world of herbal medicine. He discusses the transition from spore-based probiotics to ancestral remedies, shedding light on novel Ashwagandha bioactives and their potential for longevity. Key topics include the risks of commercial herbal products, findings on ASHX4’s effects on lifespan, and significant improvements in physical metrics and stress levels among trial participants. Kiran also shares essential biohacking tips for healthy aging.
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Root-Only Ashwagandha Matters
- Commercial ashwagandha often uses aerial parts (stems/leaves) to lower cost but brings potentially toxigenic compounds.
- Ayurvedic texts specify root-only use because roots lack those toxic aerial compounds.
New Bioactives Hidden In Ashwagandha
- Kiran's team reanalyzed ashwagandha with modern chemistry and found actives beyond the seven known withanolides.
- They isolated four novel compounds labeled ASHX4 that were not present in standard extracts.
ASHX4 Shows Longevity Signals Preclinically
- In-silico modeling and C. elegans testing predicted ASHX4 would affect longevity pathways and extended worm lifespan ~25%.
- Preclinical cell studies echoed those lifespan and cellular resilience effects across tissues.