Supplements Shown to Extend Lifespan - Top Longevity Program Results

Summary

This video explores the National Institute of Aging's Intervention Testing Program (ITP), which rigorously tests compounds for their potential to extend the lifespan of mice. Over 20 years, ITP identified nine molecules—including acarbose, canagliflozin, aspirin, and rapamycin—that have shown life-extension effects in mice. The video discusses the mechanisms and potential side effects of these compounds, highlighting the promise of rapamycin as a leading candidate for human longevity. It also touches on the importance of considering sex differences in the effects of these molecules and the need for further clinical trials to confirm their impact on human lifespan.

Takeaways

• 🧪 The National Institute of Aging's Intervention Testing Program (ITP) is the world's most rigorous program for investigating the effects of longevity molecules on mice.
• 🐁 Over 20 years, ITP has identified nine molecules that extend lifespan in mice, including acarbose, aspirin, canagliflozin, captopril, glycine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), protandim, rapamycin, and 17 alpha-estradiol.
• 💊 Acarbose, a diabetes drug, has shown to extend median lifespan in male mice by 22%, but its effects on muscle mass and strength might be negative for older adults.
• 💊 Canagliflozin, another diabetes drug, extended median survival in male mice by 14%, but had no effect in female mice, suggesting sex differences in response.
• 💊 Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory drug, extended median survival in male mice by 8%, yet daily intake in humans, especially the elderly, has been linked to a higher risk of mortality.
• 💊 Glycine, an amino acid, increased maximum lifespan in mice by 4 to 6%, and its high intake might mimic methionine restriction, a known life extension strategy.
• 💊 Captopril, an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure, extended median lifespan in female mice by 4 to 5%, but its side effects make it less appealing for recreational use.
• 🌿 NDGA, found in creosote bush, increased lifespan in mice by 10%, and is being investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• 🌿 Protandim, a herbal supplement, increased median survival in male mice by 7%, but its proprietary blend and high cost make it less attractive.
• 💊 Rapamycin, known for its life extension effects, increased median survival by 14% in females and 9% in males, and is considered the most promising longevity molecule.
• 💊 17 Alpha-estradiol, a non-feminizing estrogen, increased median male lifespan by 19%, and might counteract the shortening effects of androgens like testosterone.

Q & A

What is the Intervention Testing Program (ITP) and what does it do?

The Intervention Testing Program (ITP) is considered the world's most rigorous peer-reviewed program for investigating longevity molecules and their effects on mice. It started in 2002 and has been running for over 20 years, testing dozens of different compounds for their potential to extend lifespan.

How many molecules has the ITP identified that can extend lifespan in mice?

Over the 20 years, the ITP has identified nine molecules that have extended lifespan in mice: acarbose, aspirin, canagliflozin, captopril, glycine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), protandim, rapamycin, and 17 Alpha estradiol.

What is acarbose and how does it affect lifespan in mice?

Acarbose is a diabetes drug that blocks glucose absorption. ITP studies found that it extended median lifespan in male mice by 22% and by only 5% in female mice, with maximum lifespan increasing by 11% in males and 9% in females.

What are the potential negative side effects of acarbose on muscle mass and strength?

Acarbose may lead to a decrease in muscle mass, hand grip strength, and walking speed, particularly in type two diabetics. It might also blunt the muscle growth signal in response to resistance training in older adults.

How does glycine supplementation impact lifespan according to the ITP study?

The 2019 ITP study found that glycine supplementation increased maximum lifespan in both male and female mice by 4 to 6%. It is thought to mimic methionine restriction, which is known to extend lifespan in animals.

What is the potential issue with the high methionine and low glycine intake in the average human diet?

The average human diet is high in methionine, primarily from animal proteins, and low in glycine. This imbalance could theoretically reduce longevity, as glycine is thought to counterbalance methionine toxicity and extend lifespan.

What is rapamycin and how does it show potential for life extension?

Rapamycin is a known life extension molecule in animals and has shown to increase median survival by 14% in females and 9% in males in ITP studies. It also extends life expectancy by 60% when given to middle-aged mice for only three months.

What are the current clinical trials investigating regarding rapamycin and human longevity?

There are several clinical trials investigating rapamycin's potential to enhance immune system function when used transiently in elderly people, and its effects on health, brain function, and general well-being when taken off-label by longevity enthusiasts.

What is 17 Alpha estradiol and how does it affect male mice lifespan according to the ITP?

17 Alpha estradiol, also called non-feminizing estrogen, increased median male lifespan by 19% in the ITP study. It is thought to counteract the shortening effects of androgens and testosterone on lifespan.

Why might 17 Alpha estradiol not extend lifespan in female mice?

17 Alpha estradiol might not extend female lifespan because it works in the presence of elevated male hormones, androgens, which are not present in the same levels in female mice.

What is the practical takeaway from the ITP studies for individuals interested in longevity?

The practical takeaway is that while certain compounds like acarbose, glycine, and rapamycin have shown potential in extending lifespan in mice, it's important to consider the specific effects and potential side effects for each compound. For example, the speaker personally takes glycine and is considering rapamycin in the future, but recommends against taking pharmaceuticals like acarbose recreationally without medical need.