Does Fasting Really Extend Your Life? — A Top Aging Scientist Weighs In

For nearly a century, one intervention has shown more consistent promise in aging research than almost any diet trend: eating less. In this clip, Dr. Pankaj Kapahi of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging explains why dietary restriction extends lifespan in the lab — and why there's no single "fasting pill" that works the same for everyone. We get into the metabolic shift from burning sugar to burning fat, the glycation process that has our bodies slowly "toasting" with age, and the everyday habits the research points toward: a 10–12 hour eating window, more fiber, fewer simple carbohydrates, whole foods, and the Japanese principle of eating to roughly 80% full. What works depends on age, sex, metabolism, and health history, and the science here is still evolving. This isn't medical advice — evidence is suggestive, not prescriptive, so talk with your physician before changing how or when you eat. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Beyond the diet noise 00:21 Dr. Pankaj Kapahi: why dietary restriction extends lifespan 01:06 Why there's no universal "fasting pill" 01:48 Metabolic flexibility and aging 02:03 The Warburg effect: burning sugar vs. fat 02:37 Glycation and AGEs: how the body "toasts" with age 03:16 What the research points to: timing, fiber, and the 80% rule ABOUT FOREVER YOUNG Forever Young is an award-winning documentary that provides insider access to the longevity revolution — and the deeply human questions it forces us to face. The film features leading aging researchers from across the globe. ▶ Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/gT2V-USKm6g ▶ Coming to Apple TV on May 26th https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/forever-young/umc.cmc.4t1561uviumw4ofcri0ufql7v ▶ Go deeper on the science at our Substack: https://foreveryoungfilm.substack.com ▶ More about the film: https://foreveryoung.film ▶ Instagram: @foreveryoungdoc #Longevity #Fasting #ForeverYoung #HealthyAging #CaloricRestriction