This NutritionFacts.org podcast dives into the discovery and implications of rapamycin, a ground-breaking compound derived from soil bacteria on Easter Island. Once studied as an antifungal, rapamycin has since been shown to extend both lifespan and healthspan in various organisms, offering new hope for slowing ageing and enhancing quality of life.

Key Points:

This episode explores the discovery of rapamycin, a compound that inhibits the mTOR enzyme to extend lifespan and improve healthspan across species. From reversing age-related declines in animals to promising early trials in humans, rapamycin offers a ground-breaking approach to ageing science.

• Origins of Rapamycin: Originally identified as an antifungal agent, rapamycin was later discovered to inhibit mTOR, the universal regulator of growth in plants and animals, positioning it as a potential anti-ageing compound.
• Lifespan Extension: Studies on mice demonstrate rapamycin can extend both average and maximum lifespans, even when administered late in life, suggesting its potential applicability to humans.
• Anti-Cancer Benefits: By suppressing mTOR signalling, rapamycin inhibits tumour growth, exemplified by its success in treating Kaposi's sarcoma and other cancers in clinical settings.
• Healthspan Improvements: In animal studies, rapamycin reverses age-related declines, such as cognitive and physical dysfunction, artery stiffness, hearing loss, and even periodontal bone degeneration.
• The Dog Ageing Project: Early trials on companion dogs suggest rapamycin may improve heart function and vitality in middle-aged animals, with increased activity observed among treated dogs.
• Human Implications: With promising results in animals, research is turning to explore how rapamycin could benefit human health and longevity, paving the way for future breakthroughs.