Here's another Ask Matt Anything episode, with questions from Nick for Matt about topics ranging from the nitty-gritty of bloodwork and workout schedules to bigger-picture questions about upper limits to human lifespan, issues with the US healthcare system, and incentives for food companies to prioritize healthy options.

Check out the links below for further information and/or reading about some of the things we discussed in this podcast episode. Note that we do not necessarily endorse or agree with the content of these readings, but present them as supplementary material that may deepen your understanding of the topic after you listen to our podcast. This list is in no way exhaustive, but it’s a good start!

Is Aging A Disease?

One of the questions Matt addresses in this podcast is whether or not aging is a disease. The question may, at first glance, seem purely philosophical, but some argue that its answer could have implications for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval process and for how researchers conduct clinical trials. This document presents an analysis of the question by founder and investor Karl Pfleger and covers definitions of disease, the classification of obesity as a disease, the interdependence of different diseases, and more.

Longevity FAQ: A beginner's guide to longevity research

Not exactly an elevator pitch or a description for a 5-year-old, but: this FAQ provides a high-level introduction to the geroscience field. It describes the goals of research into the biology of aging and core areas of interest within the field, along with interventions that scientists have tested in mice for effects on life- and/or healthspan.

Implausibility of radical life extension in humans in the twenty-first century

This paper catalyzed some interesting debate in the longevity community. It argues that life expectancy improvements have declined since 1990, we are unlikely to see radical human life extension in the 21st century, and that survival until the age of 100 is unlikely to exceed 15 and 5 percent for females and males respectively. In response to the paper, some in the field argued that previous trajectories are not necessarily predictive of future ones, and that there are in fact developments in the works that may justify cautious optimism about radical life extension.

From discoveries in ageing research to therapeutics for healthy ageing

This review covers key milestones in longevity research over the last century, beginning with the 1939 finding that caloric restriction increases rodent lifespan. It also discusses some of the difficulties that have impeded progress in the field such as human genetic heterogeneity, the challenges of translating research from model organisms such as mice to humans, and more.

Dear Founders: age1’s 2024 wishlist for new companies to unlock healthy longevity for all

The longevity-focused venture capital fund age1 recently published this wishlist of company ideas they hope to see come to fruition. The authors present several areas that they view as needing more attention from longevity companies, including reproductive longevity, genome stability interventions, and tissue engineering.