Lifespan : Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To

This is a fascinating book covering the latest advances (including from his lab at the Harvard Medical School in Boston and others) in ageing research. Dr Sinclair starts by discussing our attitudes towards ageing – most people think of it as inevitable. As a result, while many serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, dementia and others have received considerable funding, ageing still continues to receive a small fraction of that. Also, grants awarded to ageing are often used up for research into diseases more prevalent typically in old age (such as dementia), rather than ageing itself. The fact though is that ageing leaves you more susceptible to many diseases and also invariably affects quality of life for many. The advances in medicine have improved the average age by greatly reducing early deaths and fighting diseases. Humankind has so far however not been able to raise the maximum age – very few make it past 100. Ageing need not be considered inevitable says Dr Sinclair, and should rightfully be declared a disease. There is now a reasonably good understanding of why we age. While side effects such as telomere shortening were known since some time, the underlying cause may be simpler and more focused. It is the result of the survival circuit (which all organisms have) being unable to cope with increasing damage which can no longer be repaired. Research is reaching a point where this can be arrested – in a few years. Even if medical intervention to significantly increase lifespan is years out – there is a lot we can do even today. There is evidence that intermittent fasting, exercise (such as yoga and some strenuous), a careful diet plan (lots of veggies, nuts avoiding meat, processed foods, dairy & sugar) and some already available medication (the evidence though is not fully conclusive) can do a lot to extend lifespan. He also cites his personal example and that of his father, who remains active well into his eighties. I looked at some of his photos and he certainly looks well younger than his age of 50+! The last section covers what we can expect in the future and the impact of arresting ageing on society and nations. This section is unnecessarily longer than required, and goes into some simplistic ethical discussions (as expected steering clear of the speciesism and animal cruelty rampant in medical research). This is an excellent and very readable book which I strongly recommend all read. My rating: 4.5 / 5.

A really good book about why we age, and also gives advice regarding how to stay young through dieting and exercising. The author argues that ageing is the mother of all diseases and the rest of them like cancer, diabetes, etc derive because of ageing and hence he urges to allocate more resources in solving the ageing disease rather than the branching diseases. We all thought that ageing is normal and everyone goes through it, but this book really challenges that perception.

Just came in!! It's a go to for people who deal with live in a much more higher level. As human beings, it's our duty to learn and evolve ourself. Everything is possible only when "YOU CAN & YOU WILL" change your life 🧬 Science is not something apart from life 🧪 🔭 Rather it's a part of our lives, whether we approve or not !!!

Quest for reversing Ageing Just finished this great book by @David Sinclair - Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To Old age followed by death is considered as inevitable truth of human life. Scientists know for some time - that there is no law of physics, chemistry or biology that ordains it to be so. Billions of dollars are spent on researching cancer and heart diseases - but the truth is, even solving them forever, will increase average human lifespan just barely by an year. 'Ageing' by far is far more potent killer 'disease', but is accepted in society as 'untreatable' and 'inevitable'. Solving ageing will perhaps be by far the biggest jump our species will take towards alleviating suffering & pain. This author himself heads Harvard lab working on understanding & solving aging. He brings together the latest research which absolutely points to one conclusion - it will soon be possible to program human cells and bodies to be remain young forever. Diverse range of approaches have already identified the key biochemical clocks and at-least few ways to hack it. The book rightly spends some time exploring social, political, cultural and ethical concerns of living till the ages of 150-200 years and eventually forever. These issues are great thought experiments to ponder over. No wonder this space is getting hotter amongst thinkers, entrepreneurs and VCs.

Excellent concept but can not buy justifications that aging is a disease

I was excited to get this book and as I started, initial few pages were so much of heavy biology terms that I had to try hard to maintain focus. People might lose interest in the beginning. But gradually, it came to the points worth noting which most of us already know. Overall, average book.

Yes , although hard to sink in all the claims made in this book.. it's marvelous read providing compelling evidence about slowing aging and improving vitality. If all the claims made in this book come out to be true in next 20 or 30 years..I am definitely looking to a very happy and prosperous future ..living past 100

| Lifespan | A book by David A. Sinclair, gives us insights about Why We Age- and Why We Don’t Have To This book gets you closer to the changing life sciences in the field of ageing. It gives answers to the questions that humankind has been wondering since the age of dawn 🍂Can we slow down ageing? 🍂Can we live forever? 🍂Can we reverse the process of ageing? Finally, the answers to these questions have been answered in terms of biological potency and chances of getting to meet your Great-great-grandchildren It shows how technology plays a pivotal role in gene modulation, Horvath clock, etc The book is mainly divided into 3 parts – past hypothesises, present innovations and future path It’s a thought-provoking book which challenges your stigma about how ageing is the inevitable truth and how it might take a turn in the future 🍁Pros: • Insightful and Provocative • Gives health related tips to naturally slow down ageing ☘️Cons: • Terminologies are a bit challenging to understand • Some form of research is needed at the time you’re reading this

This book is a very comprehensive view of not only the current research in anti-aging, but a sincere consideration of the implications of prolonging average lifespan and health span. Dr. Sinclair makes the science understandable while also bringing personal passion to the issue of aging and long-term health - it really means something for him. The book discusses WHY we age at a biological level, what that means for the pathways in which to stop that biological process, and the current research of what health practices, lifestyles, and most importantly which molecules can prevent or slow the process. After all, our bodies do not simply say "Well, looks like we are 60, time to start shutting down." There must be something happening at a cellular and biological level in our bodies that causes us to be "60" and not "20", so what is it? And given that there must be a process, why should it be impossible to intervene in it? On this premise, Dr. Sinclair discusses how a loss of information and DNA degradation contributes to a loss of cellular function that precipitates aging. He then goes on to explain not just THAT diet and exercise are helpful in increasing health span, but WHY - a much more scientific approach than just saying "eat your grems, they're good for you." Beyond that, and most interestingly, he relates the latest research on naturally-occurring molecules that can reactivate cellular function, and the promise such molecules may have - which to-date have demonstrated little to no negative side-effects and have moved into human trials. Because Sinclair himself is leading much of the research in his Harvard lab, this is not just another health book from another health guru attempting to peddle "advice" for money. It is a true attempt to communicate actual findings from esteemed research laboratories, and an attempt to do so so that the public can understand the latest science themselves instead of waiting for a patented pill to be offered via a doctor's office years from now with only half-baked information. I also want to note that, per his numerous statements in public forums, interviews and the book itself, Dr. Sinclair does not promote or profit from the sale of any commercial product - such as NMN, Resveratrol or NR. Though his name is invoked on many websites to give clout to commercial products, he makes a point to never endorse or sign a deal with any such commercial producer, precisely so that his integrity and the validity of the research cannot be called into question. Any stake that he has in any related company is disclosed and the nature of the involvement discussed, but again, he purposely does not profit from or endorse any commercial product. Personally, I recommend coupling or preceding the book with podcasts on which he has been a guest so that you can get a light, layman's background in the science before delving into the depth of the text itself. While the text is reasonably easy to follow, the information is still weighty and may be benefit from hearing a more high-level version first.

This book opened my eyes to longevity and gave me hope. everything written is scientific and evidence-based. Finally, I am looking at following David Sinclair's diet and daily routine. I have already started fasting in between days eating what I needed to survive, and taking some vitamins. I am still searching about resveratrol as there is confusion in the literature on this topic. Overall one of the best books. I will recommend people reading it.

Libro imprescindible para quién desea prolongar sus años de vida saludable. Me fue recomendado por un eminente oncólogo español, por lo que el contenido técnico viene respaldado por alguien que sabe mucho de esto. El libro consta de tres partes: 1. La primera parte explica una serie de conceptos técnicos que los legos tenemos dificultad en comprender en detalle, pero eso no impide entender de qué va la cosa. El capítulo 2 lo encontré especialmente arduo. Aviso esto para animar a quien se atasque en éste, a que siga adelante. No es necesario entender cada concepto. 2. La segunda parte es el meollo del libro. Explica no solo lo que hoy se sabe para mejorar la longevidad con salud, sino también todas las investigaciones que se están haciendo en este campo, que son muchísimas y promisorias. Esta parte no puede dejar de leerse. 3. La tercera es un repaso del mundo que se viene y de cómo va a estar impactado por el incremento de la longevidad y vida útil de las personas. El autor es una persona informada e inteligente, y tiene opiniones bien fundamentadas y válidas, pero sin duda donde ha volcado sus conocimientos especializados es en la segunda parte. Mi amigo oncólogo me recomendó este libro sobre el envejecimiento. Le contesté que ya había leído otras cosas sobre el tema. A eso me insistió que este era “EL” libro sobre el tema. Tenía toda la razón. Supera en mucho cualquiera de mis otras lecturas sobre este tema. Además de ser útil para nuestras decisiones de vida, el libro deja unos conocimientos interesantes que permiten intuir en qué tipo de empresas se puede invertir para rentabilizar financieramente lo que se viene. Lo vamos a necesitar para vivir esos años extra…

everyone should read this, especially the politians

Well written. Well researched. A fantastic read.