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Fasting and caloric restriction have been shown to have a significant impact on longevity. Restricting when and how often we eat can activate key defense mechanisms in our bodies, such as mTOR, Sirtuins, and AMPK. These mechanisms help repair DNA, stabilize the epigenome, and protect against aging and disease. Studies have shown that fasting can extend lifespan and improve overall health, and it has been observed in various populations and religious groups. Mimicking fasting through supplements or certain drugs, like metformin, can also provide similar benefits.
Eating less often is a key factor in maximizing longevity. The podcast highlights that eating less frequently, rather than simply eating fewer calories, can have a significant impact on overall health and lifespan. Prolonged fasting periods allow the body's defense mechanisms to activate, leading to benefits like improved mental and physical energy, stable blood glucose levels, and reduced risk of age-related diseases. It is emphasized that the focus should be on packing our meals into shorter periods of time, which naturally results in consuming fewer calories and activating the body's natural defense systems.
Plant-based diets, such as vegetarian and vegan diets, have been associated with increased longevity and improved health outcomes. Research shows that predominantly plant-based diets can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and slow down biological aging. Additionally, the Mediterranean and Okinawan diets, which include plant-based foods along with limited amounts of fish, have been linked to longer lifespans. These diets, characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, promote optimal health and provide essential nutrients for overall well-being.
One of the main points discussed in the podcast is the practice of intermittent fasting and the fasting mimicking diet. Intermittent fasting involves periods of not eating or consuming very few calories for extended periods. This practice has shown benefits in terms of deep cleansing and autophagy, the process of protein recycling in the body. The fasting mimicking diet, on the other hand, is a diet that mimics fasting by lowering mTOR activity and reducing certain branch chain amino acids. This type of diet has been found to have positive effects on cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, indicating its potential benefits for overall health and disease prevention.
Another main idea discussed in the podcast is the concept of Zeno Hormesis. This idea suggests that consuming plants that have experienced stress can be beneficial for health and longevity. Stressed plants produce compounds known as polyphenols, such as resveratrol, quercetin, and fisetin, that activate pathways in the body associated with health and longevity. Choosing organic, local, and colorful plants can increase the likelihood of consuming these beneficial compounds. By incorporating a Mediterranean-style diet, reducing meat intake, and focusing on plant-based nutrition from stressed plants, individuals can potentially improve their overall health and longevity.
In this episode, Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss how frequently we should eat, what food we should avoid, and what food we should pursue. They discuss the science behind how a "low energy state," which can be induced by a period of fasting, combats aging and promotes health. They also walk through research that points to the benefits of a mostly plant-based diet for slowing aging and offer key insights into when to eat and what to eat to maximize longevity.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/davidsinclair
Lifespan book: https://amzn.to/3sUqurT
Dr. David Sinclair Social:
To stay up to date with David's work to democratize biological age testing and insights, visit tallyhealth.com.
Matthew LaPlante's Social:
Timestamps:
(0:00:00) Introducing Ep. 2: What to Eat and When to Eat for Longevity
(0:01:10) Sponsors
(0:04:36) A Starting Place for Longevity: Eat Less Often
(0:08:04) Caloric Restriction is an Evolutionarily Conserved Anti-Aging Strategy
(0:09:52) Dietary Longevity Strategies are Accessible (and Save Money)
(0:11:39) A Low Energy State Triggers a Genetic Pathway Involving Sirtuin Activation
(0:13:10) NAD+ is Elevated by a Low Energy State
(0:15:23) Fasting, mTOR, and AMPK
(0:17:37) Data in Humans vs. Model Organisms
(0:21:24) Evidence that Fasting is a Pro-longevity Intervention in Humans
(0:24:00) Evidence that Fasting can Attenuate Human Disease
(0:25:11) Different Fasting Regimens
(0:29:42) Focus on Time-restricted Feeding (≥ 16 Hours of Fasting)
(0:33:26) Continuous Glucose Monitors
(0:34:24) Genetics Influence How an Intervention Affects Aging
(0:36:51) A Trick for Fasting: Filling your Body with Fluids
(0:38:44) Intermittent Fasting with Adequate Nutrition (IFAN)
(0:40:00) Things to Avoid: Excess Sugar and Protein
(0:45:16) Branched Amino Acids, Red Meat, and mTOR
(0:47:53) Plant-Based Diets Protect Against Aging
(0:51:44) The Okinawa Diet and Blue Zones
(0:54:16) Xenohormesis
(0:58:16) Main Takeaways
(1:04:12) Obesity, Eating Habits, and Aging
(1:05:54) Metabolic Winter Hypothesis
(1:06:44) Preview for Ep. 3: Beneficial Stress
(1:07:23) Subscription and Support
For the full show notes, including the peer-reviewed studies, visit the Lifespan podcast website.
Please note that Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair is distinct from Dr. Sinclair's teaching and research roles at Harvard Medical School. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed.
Special thanks to our research assistants, Adiv Johnson & Sarah Ryan.
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