How do we live longer and healthier? Studies, research and scientific advice from renowned professors and doctors at the International Conference on Longevity and Gerontology

Studies, research and scientific advice from renowned professors and doctors at the International Conference on Longevity and Gerontology
The fourth edition of the Longevity conference brought the latest research findings in the field of longevity to the Romanian specialist community. Leading researchers in this field of science shared with conference participants the latest findings that help us live longer and healthier lives.

Perhaps the most important scientific event in the field of longevity, the conference organised on 29 March by the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, in partnership with the Romanian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, under the auspices of the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance, brought together doctors and researchers who contribute to the study and clinical practice of active longevity.

Leading representatives from the world’s largest longevity centres presented current research findings on the causes of ageing, clinical management of ageing, epigenetics, medical services available in ageing prevention and longevity control through lifestyle medicine.

Thus, the Scientific Senate brought medical and scientific data on recent advances in ageing management to specialists and those concerned about longevity through the personalities who were speakers at the event:

– Professor Guillermo Lopez Lluch, Professor of Cell Biology at Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Spain;
– Professor Andrea Maier, Co-Director of the Centre for Longevity Health, National University of Singapore;
– Professor Gabriel Prada, Head of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University of Medicine Carol Davila;
– Univ. Dr. Ovidiu Peneș, PhD in medical sciences, specialized in age management;
– Radu Băila, Member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

The conference themes and topics covered were:

– The importance of mitochondrial health and antioxidants in the fight against aging;
– Biomarkers of aging and how they can be used to separate chronological age from biological age;
– Public health programmes and policies that focus on increasing life expectancy;
– The concept of “Health Longevity Medicine” and optimising life expectancy by tracking and optimising ageing processes across the lifespan;
– Vitamin deficiency in the elderly and the link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases;
– Genomics and its use to predict profiles for ageing, cancer or immune response;
– Stress management and life extension.

In conclusion, the International Conference on Longevity and Gerontology highlighted significant advances in the management of ageing and underlined the importance of taking a proactive approach and preventing disease and other age-related health problems. The six pillars of lifestyle medicine are whole foods, predominantly plant-based diet, physical activity, restful sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections.

Fight ageing with coenzyme Q10

Professor Guillermo Lopez Lluch, from the Department of Cell Biology at Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Spain spoke about the importance of mitochondrial health and antioxidants in the fight against ageing. The scientist argued that the level of coenzyme Q10 in the blood is closely related to the level of exercise a person gets, but differs between young and old. In addition, blood coenzyme Q10 levels are closely related to a person’s cognitive function and executive abilities. Research clearly shows that people with low levels of coenzyme Q10 in their blood show impaired cognitive function and reduced executive abilities. In all degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, there is damage to endothelial cells. In response to a question in the Q&A session, Professor Lopez Lluch recommended a daily dose of 100 milligrams of coenzyme Q10, but warns against using dry pills as they do not work. He also stressed the importance of taking coenzyme Q10 in an appropriate and personalised way, as some people respond better than others to the same dose and mode of administration.

When our internal organs start to age

Andrea Maier, Co-Director of the Centre for Longevity Health, National University of Singapore spoke about biomarkers of ageing and how they can be used to separate chronological age from biological age. Maier stressed how important it would be to know the age of our internal organs especially since the performance of internal organs starts to decline from the age of 20 and this process continues throughout life, with a significant curve in the second half of life.

Maier also said that Singapore aims to increase life expectancy by 3 years in the next decade, and to achieve this goal, there are programmes that focus on pre-clinical, clinical, practice and public health policy. Health Longevity Medicine is about optimising life expectancy by targeting ageing processes across the lifespan. For this reason, no human is ever at an inappropriate age to be interested in and benefit from this branch of medical concern.

Longevity health medicine, the new approach to increasing life expectancy

Maier explained that ageing processes run in our bodies throughout our lives and that we should be concerned about this regardless of our age. Thus, he defined this as “Health Longevity Medicine” and refers to optimising life expectancy by targeting ageing processes throughout life. This is an approach aimed at preventing or delaying chronic diseases and other age-related conditions, as well as increasing quality of life in general.

Vitamin deficiency leads to cognitive decline and other serious conditions

Professor Gabriel Prada, Head of the Discipline of Geriatrics and Gerontology, UMF Carol Davila, certified with the highest professional degree in the field of geriatrics and gerontology, focused on the management of nutritional disorders and vitamin deficiencies within the ageing phenomenon. He pointed out that the elderly are prone to vitamin deficiencies, which can contribute to a range of health problems such as osteoporosis or anaemia. Prada stressed the importance of a balanced diet and recommended that the elderly reduce their intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol and increase their daily fibre intake. Another important point mentioned by Prada was the increased vitamin D requirements of people over 70. He also highlighted the health benefits of Mediterranean and Nordic diets, including in preventing and delaying cognitive dysfunction.

Prof. Gabriel Prada highlighted the importance of managing nutritional disorders and vitamin deficiencies in the elderly. With increasing life expectancy, older people are more prone to vitamin deficiencies, reduced bone and muscle mass and increased body fat. As metabolism slows with age, the energy needs of the elderly decrease and they need to reduce their intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol while increasing their daily fibre intake.

Prof Prada also suggests that a Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables with vegetable oils that do not contain saturated fat, may help prevent cognitive dysfunction, while a Nordic diet may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. In addition, up to 18% of people in long-term care facilities do not have sufficient nutritional intake. Vitamin B6, B1 and B12 deficiencies are also common in the elderly. Alcohol can cause and maintain vitamin B1 deficiency, and anti-acid treatment for acid reflux can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Furthermore, patients over 65 with vitamin B12 deficiency may show clinical symptoms and signs of disease even if levels of the vitamin in the body are normal by current standards.

Link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimer’s

Although there is no evidence that B12 deficiency causes Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, studies have shown that taking this vitamin slows the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s. Signs of B12 deficiency are similar to some manifestations of dementia, such as memory problems, apathy and behavioural disorders.

We are closer to understanding genetic predispositions for disease

Taking his cue from the words of US President Bill Clinton, Ovidiu Peneș, a doctor of medical sciences specialising in age management, said that although the human genome is now fully known, in other words we know how the book of life was written, the question is how to interpret this information, how to read this book.

Today, genetic variations can be analysed to influence disease susceptibility, disease progression, therapeutic response and adverse drug reactions. Genomics can be used to predict profiles for ageing, cancer or immune response.

Polymorphisms, which are small differences in the genetic code, make a difference between individuals. The human genome contains more than 4 million polymorphisms, and studies have investigated the link between certain polymorphisms and the development of specific diseases. Therefore, understanding genetic polymorphism is essential in the development of personalised age management therapies.

Over 75% of people who come for a check-up have stress-related problems

Dr. Radu Baila, Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, discussed stress management through a lifestyle medicine perspective. Over 75% of patients in Western countries who visit primary care physicians have stress-related problems. There is a recognised link between depression and stress. The focus should be on a person’s ‘health span’, not just the years they live. A healthy lifestyle can add 12-14 years to someone’s life.

Good to know

Unhealthy lifestyle causes microbiome dysregulation, epigenetic changes and cellular stress and damage leading to inflammation. Stress can be managed by understanding its impact on health and taking steps to combat it.
Inactivity, caffeine and light pollution at night are major contributors to poor sleep management. Stress and physical activity are linked and even 10 minutes of exercise can improve energy levels and reduce negative moods.
A diet rich in green leafy vegetables is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

More information on the topics covered at the International Conference on Longevity and Gerontology can be found in the full recording of the event: