Longevity for Dogs: Our Sentinels for Human Aging?

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mkaeberlein What can dogs teach us about human aging? Quite a lot, it turns out. Dogs share our homes, our environments, and many of the same age-related diseases, but they experience aging over a much shorter timescale. That makes companion dogs a uniquely powerful population for understanding why individuals age differently and, potentially, how we might extend healthy lifespan in both dogs and people. In this episode, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite moments from three recent conversations on the Longevity for Dogs podcast with Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler, Dr. Evan MacLean, and Dr. Audrey Ruple. We explore some fascinating, and sometimes surprising, questions: Can epigenetic clocks tell us how quickly a dog is aging? Why do large dogs live much shorter lives than small dogs, yet seem to age cognitively at about the same rate? What can canine dementia teach us about Alzheimer’s disease? How important are social connection and social isolation for healthy aging? Can dogs serve as “sentinels” for environmental risks that also affect humans? What do we actually know about diet, exercise, obesity, and healthy longevity in dogs? And could we someday dramatically extend healthy canine lifespan? One of the things I find most exciting about this work is that we don’t have to choose between improving human health and improving animal health. By studying aging in companion dogs, we have an opportunity to learn fundamental biology that may ultimately help both species live longer, healthier lives. These conversations originally appeared on Longevity for Dogs, a podcast from the nonprofit Dog Aging Institute. If you enjoy this episode, check out the full conversations and other episodes exploring the science of canine aging and longevity. https://www.youtube.com/@LongevityForDogs Guests: Dr. Noah Snyder-Mackler — Arizona State University Dr. Evan MacLean — University of Arizona Dr. Audrey Ruple — Virginia Tech DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this channel is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices. More places to find me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkaeberlein/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkaeberlein/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberlein Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.kaeberlein/ --- Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it. On this channel I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!