In this episode, Dr. David Sinclair and co-host Matthew LaPlante discuss why we age. In doing so, they discuss organisms that have extreme longevity, the genes that control aging (mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins), the role of sirtuin proteins as epigenetic regulators of aging, the process of "ex-differentiation" in which cells begin to lose their identity, and how all of this makes up the "Information Theory of Aging", and the difference between "biological age" and "chronological age" and how we can measure biological age through DNA methylation clocks. #Aging #DavidSinclair #Longevity Thank you to our sponsors: Athletic Greens - https://athleticgreens.com/sinclair InsideTracker - https://insidetracker.com/sinclair Levels - https://levels.link/sinclair Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/davidsinclair Lifespan book: https://amzn.to/3sUqurT Dr. David Sinclair Social: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidsinclairphd Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidasinclair Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidsinclairphd Matthew LaPlante's Social: Twitter - https://twitter.com/mdlaplante Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:14 Goal of the Lifespan Podcast 00:07:11 Acknowledgement of Sponsors 00:10:45 Aging is a Controllable Process that can be Slowed & Reversed 00:16:42 Organisms with Extreme Longevity 00:21:47 Genes that Regulate Aging: mTOR, AMPK, Sirtuins 00:21:55 mTOR & Rapamycin 00:24:33 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) & Metformin 00:30:57 Sirtuin Proteins as Epigenetic Regulators of Aging 00:35:33 Ex-Differentiation 00:43:30 Measuring Aging - Biological Age vs. Chronological Age 00:49:30 "No Law That Says We Have To Age" 00:50:33 Episode Summary & Key Takeaways - Why Do We Age? 00:54:00 Information Theory of Aging 00:57:59 Aging is a Medical Condition 01:01:00 Aging Myths - Telomeres & Antioxidants 01:01:55 Options for Subscription and Support Links: Weapon fragments in bowhead whales - https://bit.ly/3eP7rqP Rapamycin extends lifespan in mice - https://go.nature.com/3F0yud3 Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial - https://bit.ly/3eU9ABk Metformin improves healthspan and lifespan in mice - https://go.nature.com/3JSRZbs Metformin reduces all-cause mortality - https://bit.ly/3pWNiWc Reprogramming to restore vision - https://go.nature.com/335iysI DNA methylation age - https://bit.ly/3sUAUYB Genome-wide methylation profiles & human aging rates - https://bit.ly/3ETPXnK Reversal of epigenetic aging in humans - https://bit.ly/3eUior3 Danish twins study - https://bit.ly/3eToU13 Please note that Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair is distinct from Dr. Sinclair's teaching and research roles at Harvard Medical School. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Lifespan with Dr. David Sinclair podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed. Special thanks to our research assistants, Adiv Johnson & Sarah Ryan.