Ученые разделили научные факты и мифы о долголетии на конференции в Джексон-Хоул

Alex Viveros moved to Jackson from Washington, D.C., where he spent just under a year reporting on health and science. He is a graduate of Tufts University and MIT’s science writing program, and has fond memories of leading his undergraduate college newspaper. It wasn’t lost on Martin Brenner whom he was addressing when giving tips on longevity — the science of living better for longer — during a talk at Poppy on Aug. 19. “It is kind of funny, we’re probably talking to one of the healthiest counties in the country,” Brenner, a pharmacologist and the CEO of biotech company iBio, said. “We know you’re healthy and fit, and please keep it that way, because there’s no better replacement [than] exercise.” Brenner sat alongside geroscientist James Peyer, the CEO of biotech company Cambrian Bio, in a panel set to separate longevity fact from fiction. Longevity is an increasingly hot topic across the country, with people perhaps thinking of eccentric billionaires looking to live forever. The goal of living better, for longer, has been supported by what Peyer called “the most exciting field of academic biology in the world right now.” But because of that success, opportunistic businesspeople have co-opted longevity, slapping the term onto unproven supplements, foods and even hotel stays, Peyer said. His goal, during the talk, was to separate fact from fiction. He hoped to “focus in on what real science there has been,” Peyer said. “And then secondly, paint a picture of how a couple of companies — including ours — are taking these discoveries and turning them into real medicines.” The topic likely resonates with people in Jackson Hole. Around 40 people attended the talk. Last year, emergency medicine physician Dr. Tobin Dennis launched a longevity clinic in Wilson that focused on exercise and diet to improve the quality of a person’s lifespan — science which Peyer backed up in an interview before the talk. There was, of course, the fiction. The two scientists blasted unproven treatments, saying doing so might endanger someone and cause a lifespan to shorten. That included many peptide and unlicensed stem cell treatments. However, GLP-1 is a peptide, which is the scientific term for a short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which suppress hunger, have taken the world by storm. The scientists said the drugs may have longevity benefits, including reducing the risk of illnesses like cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in obese people. Scientists are investigating whether non-obese people may have additional brain health benefits. The tradeoff with GLP-1s, though, is that people may lose helpful muscle, as well as fat. Brenner’s company is working on a drug that would hopefully maintain and build muscle mass while burning fat. As we age, our metabolism slows down. Peyer’s company’s drug, which is entering Phase 2 clinical trials, hopes to speed up older people’s metabolism to that of a much younger person. It’ll probably be a while before either of the scientists’ drugs see the market. When pressed for a quick tip, Peyer said he follows a “fast-mimicking” diet, where he drastically lowers the number of calories he eats for five days, three or four times a year. But overall, patience might be your best bet. “Drug development is a long-term process,” Brenner said. “It’s not something you do overnight.” Alex Viveros moved to Jackson from Washington, D.C., where he spent just under a year reporting on health and science. He is a graduate of Tufts University and MIT’s science writing program, and has fond memories of leading his undergraduate college newspaper.