#57: How To Reverse Ageing (Part 1 of 4). The History of Longevity Research
24th Jun 2020
My guest today is Sue Armstrong, journalist and author of the fantastic book “Borrowed Time – The Science of How and Why We Age”.
We have a conversation about all things related to ageing, why it occurs, why there’s renewed interest in it and what we can do about it. Sue beautifully lays out the history of longevity research in her book, the origins of this fascinating scientific discipline and what the latest research means for you.
Sue is a writer and broadcaster specialising in science, health and development issues. As a foreign correspondent, she covered EU affairs from Brussels for 3 years. Based subsequently in South Africa for 8 years, she reported for a variety of media - notably New Scientist magazine, BBC World Service radio, and various UN agencies including the World Health Organization, for whom her major focus was the AIDS epidemic then spreading explosively in East, Central and southern Africa.
On the show today we discuss:
- How Sue's career got started as well as her experience reporting on Nelson Mandelas release from prison
- Her time spent researching and reporting on HIV
- The origins of ageing research and interrelated tales of mavericks, worms and fruitflies
- The different theories of why we age
- Cellular senescence
- The ageing immune system
- Calorie restriction and its pros and cons
- Whether the quest for longevity is a narcissistic endeavour
- True gerontology vs the “immortalists”
And definitely go and check out Sue’s book - ‘Borrowed Time - The Science of How and Why We Age’ which is a really super interesting read.
Episode guests
I am a writer and broadcaster specialising in science, health and development issues. As a foreign correspondent, I covered EU affairs from Brussels for 3 years. Based subsequently in South Africa for 8 years, I reported on issues and events across the region and beyond for a variety of media -- notably New Scientist magazine, BBC World Service radio, and various UN agencies including the World Health Organization, for whom my major focus was the AIDS epidemic then spreading explosively in East, Central and southern Africa. I now live in Edinburgh, Scotland. I have made many documentary features on science for BBC Radio 4 and the World Service, and am the author of several books of popular science.
References/sources
- “A Matter of Life and Death: inside the hidden world of the pathologist”, published by Canongate, 2010
- Full set of conversations in online archive at the Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland
- “p53: the gene that cracked the cancer code” published by Bloomsbury, 2014
- “Borrowed Time: the science of how and why we age” published by Bloomsbury, 2019.
- “AIDS: Images of the epidemic” published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1994
- Access over 800 research backed recipes
- Personalise food for your unique health needs
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- #138 Why We Will Live Past 200 years with Sergey Young
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- #98 A Brain Healthy Diet with Dr Dean Sherzai and Dr Ayesha Sherzai
- BONUS EPISODE: Squats, Purpose and Plants. Your Healthy Ageing Prescription
- #72 The Cancer Series (2 of 3). Integrative Oncology with Dr Catherine Zollman
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Relevant recipes
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Free!Picnic Friendly 3.9
Courgette and Pea Quinoa Tart
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Free!Dessert 4.8
Banana, Cacao and Buckwheat Bread
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Free!Pasta 4.2
Spinach, Pea and Broad Bean Pasta with Fennel and Pistachio
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Free!Budget Friendly 4.8
Easy Overnight Oats
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Free!Budget Friendly 4.5
Curried Red Lentils
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Free!Pasta 4.5
Creamy Cashew & Mushroom Pasta
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Free!Pasta 4.8
Spicy Mushroom and Lentil Lasagna
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Free!Budget Friendly 5.0
Aubergine and Cumin Crusted Fish Traybake
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Free!Healthy Breaktime 3.7
Crispy Sumac and Nigella Seed Chickpeas
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Free!Budget Friendly 4.8
Dr Rupy's Midweek Risotto