In the first episode of the Optispan Podcast, Matt Kaeberlein responds to inquiries about advancing healthy ageing.

Key Points:

This podcast delves into the biology of ageing, emphasizing the potential of lifestyle interventions and future therapies to slow down age-related decline. Matt Kaeberlein discusses current research while cautioning listeners against premature claims of anti-ageing breakthroughs.

• Hallmarks of Ageing: Matt explains that ageing is driven by the accumulation of various types of biological damage known as the "Hallmarks of ageing," which increase disease risk and decline in bodily functions.
• Impact of Lifestyle: Healthy habits like proper diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep can positively impact ageing by slowing down these hallmarks, while unhealthy lifestyles can accelerate them.
• Longevity Research: Matt is optimistic about the potential of interventions such as supplements, pharmaceuticals, and gene therapies, although he emphasizes that long-term proof of effectiveness in humans is still a challenge.
• Clinical Trials in Animals: He discusses the role of clinical trials in companion animals, like dogs, as a faster way to test longevity therapies due to their shorter lifespans, which could provide insight before human trials.
• Navigating Misinformation: He advises skepticism toward health claims about ageing interventions, urging people to rely on credible sources and to be cautious of products or advice making bold, unproven claims.