The Surprising Link Between Space Travel and Aging with Dr. David Furman

Dr. David Furman is an associate professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. He's done groundbreaking research on inflammaging, which is chronic, low-grade inflammation that can accelerate the aging process.

With the help of hosts Ashley Reaver, MS, RD, CSSD, and Dr. Gil Blander, he'll explore that on this episode of Longevity by Design.

You'll discover how David's team developed a new inflammatory age test, which is soon to be available from his company Edifice Health. The test uses five key proteins to assess an individual's inflammatory state and predict future health risks.

You'll also learn about the surprising link between space travel and accelerated aging, which stems from the impact of microgravity on the body.

There are insights here you can take into your daily health routine. To that end, you'll hear some practical tips on combating inflammation and promoting longevity. You can do this through lifestyle choices and a deeper understanding of your own personal health data.

Episode highlights:

Introduction: 00:00:00
Why have you decided to be a scientist and not a painter: 00:04:00
1000 Immunomes: 00:06:00
What is the immune system: 00:16:00
Biomarkers related to the immune system: 00:18:00
The development of frailty during the aging process: 00:21:00
what inflammation is: 00:27:00
Lifestlye dependent chronic stress: 00:31:00
Inflammation-related biological clock: 00:34:00
Epigenetic age: 00:38:00
Centenarians and inflammatory markers: 00:48:00
Space flight and inflammation: 00:51:00
Astronauts aging: 00:55:00
Microgravity as a stressor: 00:59:00
Future of David's work: 01:04:00
Summary: 01:06:00


Not All Biological Age Clocks Are Created Equal

While various biological age clocks exist, including epigenetic and glycan clocks, David's research highlights the benefits of protein-based clocks like his inflammatory age test. Unlike other clocks that closely correlate with chronological age, inflammatory age reveals more about an individual's biological state and potential health risks, offering valuable insights beyond simply reflecting the passage of time. Additionally, understanding how specific proteins link to inflammation allows for actionable lifestyle and dietary changes to positively impact those markers and potentially slow down the aging process.

 

Lifestyle Choices Directly Impact Our Inflammatory Levels

Many modern lifestyle factors, often a far cry from our evolutionary past, contribute to chronic inflammation. These include exposure to environmental toxins like plastics and pesticides, poor sleep quality, disruptions to our circadian rhythm, social isolation, and chronic stress. By minimizing these exposome factors and adopting healthier habits—such as consuming whole foods, prioritizing sleep hygiene, and managing stress—we can potentially lower inflammation and support healthier aging.

 

Space Travel Offers a Unique Perspective on Accelerated Aging

Astronauts, despite being otherwise healthy individuals, experience accelerated aging due to the stressors of space travel, particularly the effects of microgravity. This provides valuable data on aging mechanisms that can be applied to Earth-bound research. By studying the physiological changes astronauts undergo, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of aging processes and potentially develop interventions to mitigate age-related decline for everyone.