In this episode, Optispan CEO Matt Kaeberlein explores common beliefs about longevity and healthspan.

Key Points:

This episode delves into the science of ageing, focusing on extending healthspan through biological research, while debunking myths like detox diets and the idea that thinness equates to health. Matt also emphasizes caution when extrapolating results from animal studies to humans.

• Longevity Science and its Goals: The focus on increasing healthspan (the period of life spent in good health) through targeting the biology of ageing is compared to traditional medical approaches. The goal is to maintain health rather than just treat diseases once they occur​.
• Debunking Detox Diets: The podcast critiques extreme detox strategies, emphasizing that while removing processed foods may benefit health, there is little scientific evidence supporting detox diets for longevity​.
• Sauna and Longevity: Though some studies suggest saunas may trigger protective biological responses (hormesis), there's no conclusive evidence that sauna use increases lifespan in humans​.
• Thin Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy: Being thin doesn't guarantee good health, particularly when visceral fat (fat stored around organs) is present, which can lead to metabolic issues despite low body weight​.
• Caution with Mice-to-Human Studies: While studies on mice provide valuable insights, they often fail to predict human outcomes, especially in fields like cancer research. However, ageing studies may be more reliable as they are performed on older mice, mimicking human ageing processes​.