What if age were just a number and not an inevitable fate? Dr David Sinclair, a leading scientist in the field of genetics and ageing, is working on precisely this vision. The Harvard Medical School professor and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research is convinced: "We're at a turning point in medical history, where we finally understand what's driving aging - in large part how to slow it down—and we're getting insights into even how to reverse that process."
Ageing as a treatable disease?
In his bestseller "Lifespan: Why We Age - and Why We Don't Have To", Sinclair presents the provocative thesis that ageing is a disease that can be treated. He argues that it is possible to slow down or even reverse the ageing process by understanding and influencing the underlying biological mechanisms.
Sinclair's theory has attracted particular attention in the scientific debate and has also met with sceptical voices. The professor remains unperturbed: "I like to talk about reversing aging, though I get a lot of pushback, mostly from my colleagues who say that's an exaggeration. But in my lab, we're often years ahead of what we talk about. We reverse aging every day." says the scientist.
Rejuvenation at the cellular level
Sinclair's research focuses on so-called epigenetic clocks - biological markers that indicate how "old" our cells really are. Together with his team, he has already rejuvenated cells in animal experiments, for example in the eyes, muscles and brain. One particularly striking success: the restoration of sight in old mice. The aim is to extend this epigenetic reprogramming safely and effectively to humans. In interviews and his podcast, Sinclair increasingly speaks of a "reset button" for our cells - and of a future in which 100 healthy years of life could become the norm. It's not just about prolonging life, but about a high quality of life in old age.
Longevity through prevention
What does this mean for our everyday lives? Sinclair repeatedly emphasises the role of diet, exercise, cold/heat stimulation and intermittent fasting - lifestyle factors that actively influence our genes. From his point of view, all scientific findings point in the same direction: "Not constantly eating, or not constantly being in a fed state, is beneficial. And we know that’s true for diabetes, right? Diabetes is a form of accelerated aging anyway. So I’m convinced that putting my body into ketosis, lowering my blood sugar, and triggering insulin activity is turning on my body’s defenses against aging."
Longevity as part of a new wellbeing market
These findings fit perfectly with the theme of this year's International Food Innovation Conference: Beyond Nutrition – The Convergence of Food, Health and Beauty. For a long time now, longevity has been more than a purely medical issue. It is part of a new, integrated wellbeing market in which nutrition, beauty and health grow together. What used to be separate industries are merging into an ecosystem worth billions - and David Sinclair is providing the scientific foundation for that.
Dr Sinclair will be speaking virtually about his latest research findings at the upcoming International Food Innovation Conference of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn directly from a pioneer in ageing research and discover how future innovations could change the way we perceive ageing. The leading international conference on nutrition trends offers valuable insights into the latest research findings, forward-looking business models and technological innovations. Join us live to find out from David Sinclair and other pioneering thinkers how companies can adapt to this new reality now.