Show Notes
What if aging is not just damage — but a biologically regulated process shaped by metabolism, inflammation, and gene expression? In this episode of Decoding Longevity, Dr. Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on the molecular biology of aging. We explore how metabolism influences epigenetics, why immune aging may be central to healthspan, and what today’s longevity science actually tells us about extending healthy human life. From NAD+ and ketone bodies to inflammaging, biomarkers, rapamycin, metformin, and epigenetic reprogramming, this episode breaks down some of the most important ideas shaping the future of longevity research. We also discuss the growing hype surrounding longevity medicine — and why rigorous science, clinical trials, and evidence still matter. Featuring:Dr. Eric VerdinHosted by Dr. Raghav Sehgal & Dr. Macsue Jacques Follow Decoding Longevity for more conversations on aging biology, longevity science, AI, and the future of medicine.
Buck Institute of Aging: https://www.buckinstitute.org/ Eric Verdin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-verdin-490212/
More from Decoding Longevity
What if the future of medicine is not about what is “normal” for everyone, but what is normal for you?
What if we could slow biological aging itself—not just treat the diseases that come with it? In Episode 34 of Decoding Longevity, Raghav Sehgal and Dr. Macsue Jacques sit down with Professor Matt Kaeberlein to explore the biology of aging and what it might mean to actually intervene in the aging process. They discuss mTOR and rapamycin, the debate around rapamycin in humans, and why Matt believes some recent evidence has been misunderstood. The conversation also covers the Dog Aging Project, the TRIAD trial, Aura Biomedical, AI-powered lifespan research, and the future of longevity biotech. From yeast and worms to dogs and humans, this episode explores how we can move from understanding aging to potentially changing it.
Could a shingles vaccine also influence dementia? In Episode 33 of Decoding Longevity, Dr. Raghav Sehgal and Dr. Macsue Jacques are joined by Dr. Moshe Shay Ben-Haim to explore his team’s findings linking the Shingrix vaccine with improved survival and cognitive preservation in people living with dementia. They discuss trained immunity, latent viruses, epigenetics, and what this surprising connection could mean for the future of neurodegeneration and longevity research. Importantly, the findings are observational and do not establish Shingrix as a treatment for dementia.
What if your immune system is one of the engines driving aging?
Can two people of the same age be aging at completely different speeds? In this episode, Dr. Raghav Sehgal and Dr. Macsue Jacques speak with Associate Professor Daniel W. Belsky about the science behind DunedinPACE and why measuring the pace of aging may be more valuable than estimating biological age. The conversation covers the Dunedin Study, aging biomarkers, the CALERIE trial, and the ARPA-H FAST Initiative—offering a look at how researchers are building the next generation of tools to evaluate longevity interventions. Follow Decoding Longevity for more conversations with leading researchers shaping the future of healthy aging.