Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson views himself as a modern explorer, pushing the boundaries of human longevity through an intense regimen of supplements, diet, exercise, and strict lifestyle routines. He likens his quest to the voyages of 16th-century sailors, aiming not to explore new lands but to extend human life. Johnson’s daily life includes taking 111 pills, maintaining a vegan diet, exercising for an hour, and going to bed early. However, the scientific community remains skeptical about whether such extreme measures can genuinely extend human life significantly.
Research shows that while a healthy lifestyle can extend life by up to 14 years, living beyond 100 is extremely difficult, primarily due to genetic factors. Studies have found that the chance of survival from age 93 to 100 is as challenging as making it from birth to 93. Although healthy habits are important, they may not be enough to overcome the exponential increase in illness and mortality with age. Furthermore, life expectancy in the UK has stalled, making the pursuit of extreme longevity uncertain.
Experts like Oxford University’s Lynne Cox argue that genetic factors largely determine extreme longevity, and no lifestyle intervention has yet been proven to add decades to life. While exercise and diet can promote health, there are limits. For example, excessive exercise doesn’t necessarily prolong life, and calorie restriction, while shown to extend the lifespan of certain animals, may not be beneficial for humans, especially if it leads to malnutrition or other health risks.
Calorie restriction has produced mixed results in animal studies, with evidence of extended lifespans in worms and mice, but less clarity in primates like rhesus monkeys. For humans, the benefits are harder to verify. Moreover, extreme calorie restriction can be harmful, particularly for older individuals who are already at risk of losing muscle mass. Popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic have shown the potential to reduce age-related diseases, but their long-term effects on lifespan are still unknown.
The concept of “blue zones,” regions where people supposedly live longer due to lifestyle factors, has been challenged. Research by Saul Newman suggests that much of the data on centenarians is inaccurate, with many cases of people living past 110 unverified. In some regions, missing birth certificates and potential pension fraud have skewed the statistics. Longevity appears more closely linked to wealth and genetics than to specific lifestyle habits.
Studies on centenarians in the US have shown that long life is more likely tied to genetics than lifestyle. Research on Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians reveals that many of them did not lead particularly healthy lives but still lived long, disease-free lives. These findings suggest that specific genes, particularly those related to growth hormone levels, may play a more significant role in slowing aging than diet or exercise.
Cellular aging, driven by processes like cell senescence, is another area of interest in longevity research. Some drugs, such as rapamycin and metformin, have shown promise in extending the lifespan of animals and improving health in humans. However, these drugs can have side effects, and their benefits are mostly seen in older people. Other substances, like compounds found in fruits and vegetables, may help eliminate senescent cells, but their long-term impact on human lifespan remains uncertain.
More experimental approaches to longevity, such as epigenetic reprogramming and telomere lengthening, carry risks like cancer. While longer telomeres are associated with longer lifespans, they also increase cancer risk. Despite some promising findings, researchers are cautious about using these techniques in humans without further trials.
While there is promising research in the field of longevity, no proven method currently exists to significantly extend human life beyond 100. Extreme regimens like Bryan Johnson’s may offer some benefits but could also carry risks. Experts caution against mixing multiple interventions without solid evidence, as it could do more harm than good. Johnson remains optimistic about his approach, though some researchers are wary of its long-term consequences.
