Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is the primary and most abundant ketone body the body produces in a state of ketosis. This molecule does more than just deliver energy to our cells, but it speaks to our cells on several levels influencing several systems involved in the aging process.
Dr. Verdin explains the mechanisms for which ketone bodies are protective against aging.
The work done by Dr. Eric Verdin and others is providing evidence that ketone bodies have longevity benefits. In 2018, two papers were published in Cell Metabolism showing the lifespan extension of ketogenic diets in mice. Dr. Verdin's research is largely focused on understanding the mechanisms for which ketone bodies elicit their anti-aging effects, and whether this is translatable to humans.
Dr. Verdin is the president and chief executive officer of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. A native of Belgium, Dr. Verdin received his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Liege and completed additional clinical and research training at Harvard Medical School. He has held faculty positions at the University of Brussels, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Picower Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Verdin is also a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
