Longevity and Healthy Aging
Researchers, Podcasts and Books

Longevity Superstars: Researchers, Movers and Shakers

The field of aging science and longevity is blessed with the brightest people anywhere – and their numbers are swelling.

Some of them are public figures, thanks to their books, podcasts, and work in organisations funding research.

Many more brilliant minds in the healthy aging field are not well known outside of academic or business circles. Whether you agree with every opinion, longevity superstars including David Sinclair, Nil Barzilai and Morgan Levine are all moving the field forward rapidly.

The Age Well Times covers research which has actionable outcomes. Synthesising the advice and research from academics, best-selling authors and podcasters is a big part of this.

Some people need an ‘enemy’ or cause. I’m more of a sponge, soaking up information without the need to take sides where there is a dispute or reputational slurs. I don’t shy away from highlighting disputed research or worldviews. It is up to you to decide whether to follow any individual scientist or public figure.

Inspirational People in Longevity:

The list of people below will never be complete – and that is a huge positive.

It is a list of those that have inspired my journey so far. All do brilliant work to educate and advocate for healthy aging – including people that excel in related disciplines. Your suggestions for who to include are welcomed.

David Sinclair:

Harvard professor, researcher, and author. The book ‘Lifespan: Why we age and why we don’t have to,’ was my introduction to the world of aging science. The sense of amazement and optimism it generated are still vivid three years later. In a recent series of YouTube videos, Dr Sinclair covered longevity from multiple perspectives. He has a new book on the way. The inevitable publicity (and podcast tour) will be a key step forward for educating the public on the latest research.

You’ll find my detailed review of Lifespan here.

Nir Barzilai:

A true heavyweight when it comes to aging, gerontology, and clinical research. Nir is best known outside of academia for his work on ‘Blue Zones.’ Searching for genes which contribute to longevity, and the relationships with nutrition which allow their expression. He is a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, founding director of the Institute for Aging Research and has published more than 270 papers. More recently Barzilai is involved in the TAME study, the first clinical trial that will cover aging as a measurable objective. His book ‘Age Later: Health Span, Life Span and the New Science of Longevity’ is a must read.

Aubrey de Grey:

Few people have worked as tirelessly to advocate for the field of longevity research. While no longer involved in the SENS foundation, de Grey holds important roles at the American Aging Association and Gerontological Society of America. His distinctive beard and enthusiasm for the field make his numerous media appearances memorable. Aubrey de Grey is the co-author of ‘Ending Aging.’ de Grey recently started the Longevity Escape Velocity foundation – more on that soon.

Rhonda Patrick:

The longevity field needs more people like Dr Patrick. She is a rare researcher that can articulate and educate on health and aging topics brilliantly – making things accessible to non-academics. Rhonda has an impressive list of published articles, covering vitamin D, apoptosis, and mitochondrial pathways. Online you will find interviews, guides, and deep dives on YouTube, via the channel ‘FoundMyFitness.’ Dr Patrick is also a popular speaker at longevity conferences.

Morgan Levine:

As a founding partner and principal investigator of Altos Labs, Levine is refreshingly sober in her outlook compared to the more outspoken voices in the longevity field. Her background is academic, as a professor in the department of Pathology at Yale, Morgan ran the laboratory for Aging in Living Systems. Interviews show a mix of optimism that aging can be solved, alongside caution that the complexity our biology mean that breakthroughs will take many years, if not decades. Levine is the author of the best-selling book; True Age: Cutting Edge Research to Help Turn Back the Clock.

Shinya Yamanaka:

When the sharpest minds in longevity research acknowledge that they are standing on the shoulders of giants, then you must include those giants in your who-is-who list. Yamanaka won a Nobel Prize in medicine in 2012 for his work on reprogramming stem cells. The four transcription factors used to take stem cells back to a pluripotent state are now called Yamanaka Factors. He is a professor at Kyoto University and president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.

Peter Attia:

Famous for his podcast ‘The Drive,’ Peter Attia trained as a medical doctor before going into research and then media. His goal to become a fit and healthy centurion drives his personal habits. No two episodes of the Drive are alike – with diverse guests from medicine, neuroscience, and fitness. Deep-dives into research, genes, food, and drug pathways are intense and educational – though you will need to focus to get the benefits.

This list is already growing. If you think I missed anyone vital – do let me know.

Books: Longevity and Aging

For me, it all started with Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have to, by David Sinclair.

These days, my Kindle has 17 longevity books (update, 23!). They range from the general (Jellyfish Age Backwards) to the specific (Get Acid). Some are written for the layperson, others for readers that are already familiar with the science. This is only a selection, a quick search found 73, and that is just the ones that use the word longevity in the title.

We all have limited reading time, and who wants to waste time on second-rate longevity books when there are so many gems out there?

To make this task easier, I have created detailed reviews – each includes my five key take-aways.

With the number of new books being published, keeping up will be as challenging as it is entertaining. I welcome recommendations, both for aging-focused books and for those covering the related science, psychology, and sociological / ethical factors.

A great starting point is my article with my top 5 longevity books. This page will be updated as new titles are published – keeping the competition for the top spots fierce.

Longevity Podcasts and YouTube Channels

I’m a big fan of YouTube and enjoy multiple longevity-focused channels.

Their premium subscription is fantastic value, removing all those pesky adverts. Along with podcast platforms, you get the opportunity to learn from the best. While longevity specialists are my mainstay, there are many more related channels covering neurobiology, health, fitness, and futurology.

Go to channels for me are Peter Attia, Rhonda Patrick (Found My Fitness), David Sinclair’s occasional videos, Steven Gundry, Brad Stanfield, and Mark Hyman’s channel. I also enjoy the related work of Andrew Huberman, Erik Berg, and Sten Ekberg. There are many others doing excellent work.

I’d love to make videos of my own one day, let’s just say my face is better suited to Microsoft Word, and leave it there for the moment.

Highlighting the Best Longevity Videos and Podcasts

Here at the Age Well Times I highlight the key channels, podcasts, and new entrants to the space. If there is a notable episode, you will see an article with my five take-aways, just like with the longevity books.

When healthy aging hits the mainstream (non-specialist) podcasts, then new people are attracted to the science. You’ll see those episodes summarised here too.

Foundations, DAOs and Organisations Supporting Longevity Researchers

Along with the brilliant minds, the anti-aging space is blessed with organisations and non-profits pushing the space forward.

They are government backed non-profits, collectives, and charitable foundations. DAO is a new format. These are decentralised organisations, collectively supporting research through grants. The best known is VitaDAO.

Here are some notable supporters of longevity research:

• FightAging.Org
• Liefspan.io
• The NIH
• LLRC Org UK
• Methuselah Foundation
• VitaDAO

Alongside commercial interests, these organisations are vital to a balanced, healthy ecosystem. By lend your support alongside your own longevity journey – then you can contribute too.

This area of the site is next on my hit-list. Don’t forget to bookmark the Age Well Times today and check back for updates soon!