Do Monkey Testicles Make You Live Longer? The Secrets Of Human Aging With Nicklas Brendborg (#117)

Introduction to guest:

Nicklas Brendborg is one of the most promising research talents in molecular biology and a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen.

He was the featured young scientist at Novo Nordisk International Talent Program and was awarded the Novo Scholarship.

Enjoy the show…And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

More from Nicklas:

Books: Nicklas Brendborg

Twitter & Insta: @nbrendborg

Key quotes and takeaways from the show:

People used to have monkey testicle tissue grafted onto their thighs in an attempt to live forever.

It’s probably more realistic that we will live longer by keeping the brain in the body than to separate it.

The oldest person to have ever lived (on record), lived for more than 122 years so we know humans can live at least that long. We know other mammals (species of whales) can live for over 200 years. We know that Greenland sharks (not mammals but still complex animals) can live for more than 400 years. This evidence suggests we can live longer as humans.

A theory: animals that have evolved in safer environments tend to live longer because there is more benefit of putting energy into surviving than reproducing. Animals that are often hunted are more likely to die young so energy is focussed into reproduction, rather than keeping them alive for longer.

There is a species of jellyfish that, when stressed, reverts back to a polyp and effectively restarts the ageing process. We don’t know how many times it does this during its life.

It is possible for us to live a lot longer, regardless of modern medicine.

Not all living things age like humans; for example, salmon and lobsters.

Spermidine can be found in some varieties of wheat germ, beans and mushrooms.

Training for a longer life: (1) Work your cardiovascular system by increasing your pulse rate (aerobic exercise), and (2) Lift weights to increase your bone density and muscle mass (strength training).

There was a study where a 70 year old triathlete and a 40 year old triathlete had their thigh muscles scanned for bone density and muscle mass and scientists could not tell the difference… With the right training and nutrition regimen, you can maintain bone density and muscle mass into old age.

For longevity: get your essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients only. Avoid overeating.

Vitamin D supplementation has no impact on longevity of life (unless you are clinically deficient).

Fish oil supplementation has a tiny impact on longevity of life. It isn’t really worth it if you eat fish.

Be careful about longevity statistics and Blue Zones… One of the most common frauds in history is for people to lie about their age.

The probability of someone dying increases dramatically after they lose some form of meaning in their life. For example, after the death of their life partner or after they reach the Millennium… The placebo effect is real.

Optimism impacts longevity of life.

You can be so extreme about your physical health that it can negatively impact your mental health; for example, worrying about eating a chocolate bar.

Stem cells can produce new cells.

Nature is beautiful, terrifying and horrible.