David A. Sinclair is Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and a pioneer of epigenetic medicine. In this book, he explains how to increase health and longevity. Our epigenome takes damage over the decades. This damage causes us to age and makes us susceptible to disease.
Prof. Sinclair is researching how to reactivate the right genes and thus heal and rejuvenate the body. His research findings open up unimagined possibilities for medicine, but they can also lead to socio-political upheavals.
David Sinclair “The end of ageing” – Book review
David Sinclair is Professor of Genetics and Co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at the renowned Harvard Medical School. He is known as a pioneer of ageing research with a focus on epigenetics.
His book “Lifespan”, as it is called in English, or “The End of Ageing“, is probably the most important book on the reversal of the ageing process at the moment and a New York Times bestseller. It provides an unmistakable overview of new and older developments in the field of ageing research.
David Sinclair believes that old age should be seen as a disease that can be treated today and even avoided altogether in the future.
One fact is that human life expectancy has never been as high as it is today. Although we are living longer and longer, we are not necessarily living better. Most people become seriously ill in the course of their lives, especially in old age. With his research, Sinclair wants to prove that a long life is still possible, but that it can be healthy and happy in the future.
Sinclair’s book already touches on a number of scientific studies, but in some places a more comprehensive scientific examination would be desirable. In his work, Sinclair reports on various great individual cases who were able to reverse their ageing process. One of the reports is about his own father, who started taking metformin and NMN at the age of 70 and has since undergone remarkable, positive changes and is still healthy and happy today.
Ageing can be slowed down
In some animal experiments, researchers discovered a long time ago that ageing can be slowed down by certain stimuli. In humans, the following measures are very likely to work:
- Physical exercise
- Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting
- Low protein diet
- Heat and/or cold
Unfortunately, all of these things, whether it’s freezing, starving or doing tons of sport, are exhausting and can also be very unpleasant. In his book “Lifespan”, David Sinclair and other scientists have therefore discovered that ageing can be slowed down with far less effort. For example, by taking certain substances that can raise the NAD level, which keeps cells healthy and young. One such very high-quality and reliable substance is nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). To explain: after feeding NMN to old laboratory mice, they not only became measurably more lively, but also lived longer.
However, the prescription diabetes drug metformin is also said to slow down and stop the ageing process. Studies disclosed by David Sinclair in his book found that people treated with metformin suffered less frequently from various diseases – including various forms of cancer. Mice that were given metformin lived measurably longer on average than the comparison groups.
The third substance mentioned by Sinclair is resveratrol. Thanks to resveratrol in combination with calorie restriction, the lifespan of mice was extended in various experiments. On average even by 20 percent. In addition, the mice contracted significantly fewer diseases than those in the comparison group.
In his bestseller, David Sinclair mentions time and again that he is not a doctor, but a scientist. This is also the reason why he largely withholds practical tips. At the end of his book, however, he does give a few pieces of advice and also mentions that these are all measures that he himself takes in the fight against ageing.
- He takes NMN, resveratrol, metformin, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and aspirin daily
- He uses the stairs instead of the elevator and regularly does endurance and weight training
- He visits the sauna and then also the cold bath
- He has his blood tested regularly
There are also things that Sinclair strives for but does not regularly manage to achieve.
- Dinner Cancelling (means skipping dinner)
- Sleeping in a cold environment
- A BMI in the optimal range for him of 23 to 25
However, he certainly avoids the following things:
- Smoking
- Sugar, bread and pasta
- Meat
- Ready meals from the microwave
- UV radiation, X-rays and CT scans
To summarize the book Lifespan by David Sinclair and him as a person per se, it can be said that he is a very thorough scientist and not someone who allows himself to be blinded by his wishful thinking. After reading his book and understanding the information it contains, it therefore makes perfect sense to at least purchase the freely available substances resveratrol and NMN.
However, to see the supplementation of these substances as a substitute for a healthy diet and an active lifestyle is not only too optimistic, but can even end up being dangerous.
It’s the mixture that makes the difference and protects people from illness and early death, even in old age.
Note: According to European and German law, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a chemical that is not suitable for human consumption. NMN is not a dangerous or prohibited substance and its sale is permitted. The use of NMN is your sole responsibility. Keep out of reach of children and adolescents. For scientific, research and laboratory use only.
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