19. Biological Aging Clocks, mTOR & Rapamycin: A Reality Check with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein

In this episode of MD Longevity Lab: Playing the Long Game, Drs. Nisha and Vikas Patel sit down with world-leading aging researcher Dr. Matt Kaeberlein to cut through the noise in longevity medicine. We discuss why most biological aging clocks fall short, what mTOR actually does, how rapamycin works (and why it’s widely misunderstood), what truly moves the needle for healthspan, and where AI and preventive medicine are headed. This is an evidence-based conversation focused on clarity, nuance, and long-term thinking—without the hype. Topics Covered • Why biological aging clocks are unreliable at the individual level • mTOR explained and its role in aging biology • Rapamycin: risks, benefits, and unknowns • Fasting and caloric restriction myths • What actually improves healthspan (exercise, sleep, connection, hormones) • AI, wearables, and the future of longevity care • The Dog Aging Project and slowing aging in companion animals About Our Guest Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, PhD is a world-renowned scientist in the biology of aging, founder of Optispan, and co-founder of the Dog Aging Project. He is known for prioritizing evidence over hype and for advancing translational longevity science. Links & Resources • Follow Dr. Matt Kaeberlein: @mkaeberlein • Optispan & the Optispan Podcast: https://www.optispan.com https://www.dogaginginstitute.org 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — link in bio 📝 Subscribe: mdlongevitylab.substack.com 🌐 Visit: www.mdlongevitylab.com 📞 Book a 3-hour appointment: 224-208-3720 📖 Book coming soon — by Dr. Vikas Patel. Stay tuned. 📲 Follow @mdlongevitylab ⚕️ MD Longevity Lab — Play the Long Game Dr. Kaeberlein also hosts the Optispan Podcast, available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. If you’d like to support his valuable work advancing longevity science in companion animals, donations to the Dog Aging Institute (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) are tax-deductible and help make this research possible.