The Biology of Slowing & Reversing Aging | Dr. David Sinclair

About this video

Dr. David Sinclair, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, joins Huberman to discuss why we age and how to slow or reverse aging through behavioural, nutritional, supplementation and prescription interventions. Huberman presents Dr. Sinclair’s view that aging is a disease that can be slowed or halted rather than an inevitable natural consequence, and previews his work on sirtuins and the epigenome. Dr. Sinclair describes resveratrol as one way to activate sirtuins, like an accelerator pedal, but argues sirtuins also need NAD as fuel. He says NAD levels decline with obesity, aging and never experiencing hunger, while an enzyme called CD38 increasingly breaks it down. Dr. Sinclair says he takes NMN, a precursor the body uses to make NAD in one step, and states that taking NMN for about two weeks doubles NAD levels in blood on average, based on unpublished clinical trial measurements he describes.

Key takeaways

• Dr. Sinclair argues aging should be viewed as a disease that can be slowed or halted.
• Dr. Sinclair describes sirtuins as needing NAD in order to function.
• Dr. Sinclair says NAD declines with age and obesity while CD38 breaks more of it down.
• Dr. Sinclair says he takes NMN and that it doubled blood NAD in about two weeks in measurements he describes.
• Huberman frames aging interventions across behaviour, nutrition, supplements and prescription drugs.

Episode details: published December 27, 2021 · 3.7M views · 2:10:43 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The science and protocols described are Andrew Huberman’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices.

← Previous: Science of Social Bonding in Family, Friendship & Romantic Love · Next: The Science of Making & Breaking Habits →

All Andrew Huberman videos · Andrew Huberman profile · Huberman Lab (official site)