Elsa Angel Rose
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal appeared wearing a temple device on the Raj Shamani podcast. The device is a tool developed for testing the gravity ageing hypothesis, which is proposed by the CEO’s ‘Continue research’ (which suggested that Earth’s gravity subtly accelerates ageing by reducing blood flow to the brain over time). Deepinder Goyal faced immense backlash and some support based on certain conditions from the medical community. Curiosity, research and execution regarding longevity and age reversal are not just limited to billionaires; people at large are aspiring for longer and healthier lives, and of course, they have their reasons. So is it really possible to live till 100 or beyond? Up until now, officially the oldest a person has survived is believed to be till 122 years of age, and this was a person called Jeanne Calment of France (fully documented and verified). With the lines between medicine and technology blurring, I guess it won’t hurt to keep researching.
BILLIONAIRES AND CEOS RUNNING BEHIND IMMORTALITY
It is not just Blinkit CEO, but tech billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Bryan Johnson and more are chasing longevity. Musk is known for making daring forecasts, but perhaps none are as provocative as his belief that humans could deliberately extend their lifespan. The 54-year-old CEO of Tesla views longevity as a challenge that can be solved, and one that, in his words, isn’t “particularly hard.” Speaking on the Moonshots with Peter Diamandis podcast, he said, “You’re pre-programmed to die. And so if you change the program, you will live longer.” Similarly, tech entrepreneur and longevity advocate Bryan Johnson has declared his goal to achieve “immortality” by 2039. On his X account, he explained, “I’m going to try and achieve immortality by 2039. One year of time passes, and I remain the same biological age. I invite you to join me.” Unlike the ordinary population, who simply follow the majority, billionaires invest in research to develop innovations. However, until any innovation is approved by the regulatory bodies, it is not ideal to give in to the purports.
INCREASING LONGEVITY, THE BEST WAY
As of now, there are no medicines for anti-ageing or age reversal. There are only drugs, supplements, or treatments that act as an adjunct to healthy ageing. Ageing cannot be considered a disease, of course, but it is definitely correlated with diseases. There is a highly recommended and effective method for achieving a healthy and longer life. It comprises three basic elements with which we are well versed, but are not interested in giving much importance, namely, Sleep, exercise and a balanced diet. Nobody has directly asked a nutritionist for a diet plan for longevity, but every time a person seeks guidance for managing diabetes, obesity, hypertension or PCOS management, the underlying goal is to clearly improve long-term health. Sheryl Afonso, a nutritionist, shared, “I haven’t had clients specifically request a diet plan framed as ‘for longevity’. However, indirectly, the intention is often there. In essence, they are aiming to prevent complications, enhance quality of life, and reduce the risk of premature illness, which is, in itself, a pursuit of longevity.
LIVE TILL 100 OR BEYOND, THROUGH TREATMENTS?
Any so-called age reversal or anti – ageing drugs have to be approved by the apex body, which is the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India. Wellness supplements or other complementary medicines can fall under FSSAI rules as well. Approval requirements depend on how a product is classified and what claims are being made. Ozone therapy, IV therapies, NAD boosters, are some of the treatments that people consider to be more wellness oriented, supportive, or preventive in nature, and as an adjunct to healthy ageing. Dr Anil Mendiratta, former IMA Goa President and senior pulmonologist, explained, “Ozone therapy involves the administration of ozone (O₃) gas to promote healing and wellness. It is gaining attention for its potential anti-ageing benefits, which include rejuvenating skin and boosting collagen production. Potential risks include side effects such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and in rare cases, more severe complications like lung damage or ozone toxicity.” NAD boosters are supplements or therapies designed to increase NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) levels in the body. Dr Anil explained, “NAD⁺ is a coenzyme essential for various cellular processes, including energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cell signalling. Potential benefits include supporting energy metabolism and anti ageing effects, since NAD⁺ levels decline with age, and some research suggests that boosting NAD⁺ may help mitigate age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.” Potential side effects and considerations for this treatment, according to the Doctor, include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhoea, or stomach discomfort, as well as possible interactions with certain medications, including blood thinners or diabetes medications. He said, “IV therapies, such as IV vitamin C and other nutrient infusions, may help with fatigue and other conditions, with potential side effects including allergic reactions and electrolyte imbalances.”
WHAT DIETS ARE WE DISCUSSING WHEN WE DISCUSS LONGEVITY?
Global research shows that diets rich in whole plant foods, antioxidants, and healthy fats -such as the Okinawan, Mediterranean, and Blue Zone patterns – consistently support longer life. These eating habits reduce inflammation, protect cells from oxidative stress, improve metabolic health, and lower chronic disease risk,” said Sheryl. In a nutshell, diets that are rich in nutrients and contain minimally processed foods play a powerful role in promoting longevity. The other two elements for increasing longevity are, as mentioned above, sleep and physical activity. Genes like FOXO3 influence ageing, but lifestyle plays the biggest role in how our genes express themselves. The nutritionist explained, “Sleep deprivation raises cortisol, the stress hormone; physical inactivity limits endorphin, our ‘feel-good’ hormone; and diet has a powerful impact on preventing chronic disease.” While exercise and sleep are important, nutrition has the most powerful impact on longevity. She added, “Exercise alone can sometimes lead to injury, and over-exercising may create hormonal or metabolic imbalances. That’s why maintaining proper nutrition alongside sensible activity and adequate sleep is key to healthy ageing.”
