This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.
In *Why We Die*, Venki Ramakrishnan delves into the complexities of aging and death, discussing how recent advances in molecular biology are reshaping our understanding of these processes. The book explores the biological and ethical implications of extending human lifespan, questioning whether death serves a necessary biological purpose and what the social costs of immortality might be.
Episode #334. Can we turn back the clock on our biology? Join me as I sit down with Nobel Prize-winning structural biologist Dr Venki Ramakrishnan to discuss why we age, how we age, and the scientific advancements helping us live longer and healthier lives.
In this episode, you'll learn about the core reasons behind aging, the role of ribosomes and DNA damage in this process, and the science behind popular longevity interventions. Dr Ramakrishnan shares his insights on misleading anti-aging claims, how much control we truly have over aging, and the truth about "biological age". We also explore practical ways to slow down aging and extend our healthspan.
Specifically, we discuss:
- Introduction to Aging and Longevity Science (00:00)
- Ribosomes and Their Role in Longevity Research (00:57)
- Controversies in Anti-Aging Research (05:09)
- Understanding the Biology of Aging (11:25)
- Genetics and Evolution: How They Shape Human Lifespan (22:10)
- Youthful Cells: The Future of Longevity Studies (29:38)
- Biological Interventions in Aging: Potential and Risks (46:09)
- Ancestral Living and Traditional Medicine for Longevity (52:09)
- Cellular Aging Mechanisms: A Deeper Look (56:51)
- Protein Synthesis and Its Impact on Aging Processes (01:04:19)
- DNA Damage and Repair: Implications for Aging (01:16:53)
- Lifestyle Choices That Influence Aging and Lifespan (01:24:03)
- Philosophical Perspectives on Extended Human Longevity (01:32:53)
- Concluding Thoughts on Aging and Longevity Research (01:43:21)
Learn more about Dr Venki Ramakrishnan here, and be sure to check out his books Gene Machine and Why We Die.
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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill
Author of The Proof is in the Plants
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