A brand new Smart Ageing Summit has taken place in Oxford this month, which saw experts

from across the globe discuss the latest breakthroughs around healthy aging and longevity meet in the historic setting of the University of Oxford’s Keble College.

 

The event, hosted by the non-profit  Oxford Longevity Project , brought

together internationally-recognised longevity experts, scientists and clinicians who have

been featured in The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times, The Express, Healthline and Liz Earle.

 

Speakers included former paratrooper, educator and Warden of Keble College, Sir Christopher Ball; Oxford University Emeritus Professor of Physiology, Denis Noble; Ex-Team GB Triathlete and Longevity Doctor Dr Tasmin Lewis; Australian Longevity Doctor and Founding Trustee of the British College for Functional Medicine, Dr Olivia Ly Lesslar; Oxford GP and former cancer researcher, Dr. Paul Ch’en; Oxford University Emeritus Prof of Physiological Biochemistry and CEO of Oxford spinout, deltaG, Kieran Clarke; Oxford University Immunologist and CEO of preventative medicine start-up, Added Health, Dr Michael Stein; and Director of Ageing Research at King’s College London, Dr Richard Siow.

 

Attendees learnt from the experts on the latest ‘A-Lister’ anti-ageing protocols; holistic

health for age-related diseases and longevity; and the dangers of the current, popular weight loss drugs; and ketones for mental acuity and healthy ageing, among

other topics.

 

“We all know that connecting with our tribe and living in vibrant communities is one of the keys

to longer, healthier lives, so we hope we have promoted everyone’s longevity by bringing this group of leading researchers and practitioners together with attendees from around the world in the intimate setting of an Oxford college. We look forward to hosting this at Oxford again next. year,” says Leslie Kenny, Co-Founder of The Oxford Longevity Project.

 

The event was sponsored by longevity supplement company, Oxford Healthspan.

 

Key Quotes from the event

 

Dr Michael Stein on the dangers of GLP-1 agonist weight loss drugs like Ozempic:

 

 

“The important message to keep in mind is this is a powerful regulator. It’s mimicking the factors of a hormone called glucagon, which we all are producing all the time. And the industry has very cleverly created a small molecule and changed its chemistry to be much more persistent in your body, unlike glucagon, which is rapidly cleared.

 

The side effect which is also part of its maximum action is two other things. One is it is a central appetite suppressant, which is why most of us think ‘Well, that’s a great idea!’ And the second one not so great, is that it delays gastric emptying, which is why you tend to eat smaller meals when you take these meds or get the injection.

 

Now that’s a significant problem because we know that with the injectable there are those side effects because most people suffer initially with severe or moderate to severe gastrointestinal side effects because of that delayed gastric emptying. It’s not surprising people get constipated, get nausea or vomit, etc. We’ve no idea what the long-term side effects of these drugs are going to be.”

 

“Do we think that a weekly injectable is going to inject us out of this problem? I would argue it’s not.”

 

 

Sir Christopher Ball, 88, on how to live to 100

 

“I aim to live to 100 plus and here’s what you can do.

 

All we need to do is to remember the first five letters of the alphabet A B, C, D and E. A is avoidance (Avoid the temptations of smoking and drinking alcohol and unprotected exposure to sunlight) . B is breathing (Breathe slowly through your nose outside in the fresh air for five minutes each morning). C stands for cold showers for two minutes a day. D is for plant-based diet, and E is exercise.

 

Eat broccoli to delay the onset of cancer and adopt a regular bedtime routine. Respect your Circadian rhythm and climb the stairs. Avoid lifts and escalators. Don’t drive but walk instead or run for the bus.

 

Eliminate bad stress and enjoy a good life – live into the future not out of the past.

And remember that while genetics may load the gun, it is our choices that fire the bullets. Choose wisely.”