Dr Peter Attia and Dr. Brian Kennedy on the Science of Aging
Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Brian Kennedy unpack the science of aging and reveal why Urolithin A may be a breakthrough in longevity research.
What to know
Dr. Brian Kennedy joins Peter Attia on his podcast to discuss his research on hallmarks of aging, emphasizing the networked nature of aging.
Kennedy considers mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation central to the aging process.
Urolithin A, a gut-derived compound, has strong evidence supporting its impact on mitochondrial health.
Kennedy believes that Urolithin A may have a more nuanced impact on mitochondrial health, promoting renewal and potentially the creation of new mitochondria as well.
Dr. Brian Kennedy and Dr. Peter Attia on Urolithin A
On a recent episode of The Peter Attia Drive podcast, Dr. Peter Attia sat down with Dr. Brian Kennedy. Dr. Attia is a renowned physician, engineer, and longevity expert best known for his evidence-based, in-depth approach to extending healthspan.
Kennedy is currently a professor and director at the National University of Singapore's Centre for Healthy Longevity and a former President of the Buck Institute of Aging. He has dedicated his life to uncovering the molecular mechanisms of aging and translating them into interventions.
Dr. Brian Kennedy and Dr. Peter Attia on Urolithin A
Reframing The Hallmarks of Aging
The conversation opened with a deep dive into the foundational framework that has shaped modern aging research: the hallmarks of aging. This conceptual model outlines key biological features (eg, mitochondrial dysfunction, genomic instability) that accompany the aging process.
Dr. Attia pushed the conversation further, asking whether some hallmarks might be more causally upstream than others.
Dr. Attia: “Do you see a rank order or a seniority of them in terms of causality? So, for example, one of the hallmarks is mitochondrial dysfunction… How do you think about the interconnectedness through the lens of causality?”
Kennedy acknowledged the complexity but emphasized mitochondria and inflammation as a central node in the aging web.
Kennedy: "I like the idea that mitochondria might have been a primary one. Every time we do an experiment, we keep coming back to inflammation. All of the interventions that extend lifespan reduce chronic inflammation, or almost all of them."
The Promise of Urolithin A in Aging Research
The conversation naturally transitioned to one of the more promising molecules gaining traction in longevity science: Urolithin A.
Our gut derives Urolithin A from certain polyphenol compounds. Clinical research has shown that Urolithin A can actually promote mitophagy and improve muscle health.
During the podcast, Dr. Attia asked Dr. Kennedy about his experiences and studies involving Urolithin A:
Dr. Attia: "Did you guys do a study on Urolithin A as well?"
Kennedy: “We haven't published it yet, but I am happy to talk a little bit about it. We don't have human data, but the mouse data is really good on Urolithin A. I think a lot of these supplements are impacting exercise, and so it's kind of a win-win."
While Kennedy’s lab has not yet produced human data, 11 human clinical trials have been done with Mitopure®, a clinically validated Urolithin A supplement.
Urolithin A and Mitochondrial Turnover
The discussion turned toward the mechanisms of Urolithin A. Studies have highlighted Urolithin A's ability to promote mitophagy. Kennedy highlights that there may be a more nuanced mechanism that involves the activation of additional mitochondrial renewal pathways.
Dr. Attia: "Is this the one that, in theory, enhances mitochondrial function?”
Clinical studies have shown that Urolithin A enhances mitochondrial function by activating a mitochondrial clean-up process called mitophagy. It is through this cellular renewal process that Urolithin A has its impact on cellular energy, muscle, and skin (when applied topically).
Kennedy revealed that his lab has identified new molecular targets for Urolithin A that may help explain its effects. This data has not yet been made public, but is hinted at during the episode!
Kennedy: "Urolithin A...we have targets we haven't published yet.
Dr. Attia: “Oh, you do? Okay. Yeah. Did you guys discover the target?”
Kennedy: “Yeah, we've got a couple of new targets that we haven't published yet. So that could explain some of the effects."
Final Remarks
What this conversation makes clear is that the future of longevity science won’t come from targeting isolated symptoms of aging; it will come from addressing the interconnected systems that drive it. Mitochondrial health sits at the very center of that web.
The scientists at Timeline have spent more than 15 years studying and developing Mitopure®, a highly pure form of Urolithin A that directly targets the health of our mitochondria. Mitopure has been rigorously tested in placebo-controlled human clinical trials and is clinically validated to:
- Produce signatures of improved mitochondrial and cellular health[1]
- Improve muscular strength by 12% after 6 weeks[2]
- Overcome the limitations of gut microbiome productions with direct supplementation[3]
By advancing both the science and clinical validation of Urolithin A, we aim to help establish a new standard for translating longevity research into meaningful benefits for human health.
Authors
Written by
Freelance writer
Reviewed by
Senior Manager of Nutrition Affairs
References
- ↑
Andreux, P. A., Blanco-Bose, W., Ryu, D., Burdet, F., Ibberson, M., Aebischer, P., Auwerx, J., Singh, A., & Rinsch, C. (2019). The mitophagy activator urolithin A is safe and induces a molecular signature of improved mitochondrial and cellular health in humans. Nature metabolism, 1(6), 595–603. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-019-0073-4 (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-019-0073-4&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1757086573035720&usg=AOvVaw0gV2n_LTZCasdU4rDiRBwM)
- ↑
Singh, A., D'Amico, D., Andreux, P. A., Fouassier, A. M., Blanco-Bose, W., Evans, M., Aebischer, P., Auwerx, J., & Rinsch, C. (2022). Urolithin A improves muscle strength, exercise performance, and biomarkers of mitochondrial health in a randomized trial in middle-aged adults. Cell reports. Medicine, 3(5), 100633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100633 (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100633&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1757086573036519&usg=AOvVaw3CPv5se4tCKl1aUc5-Svb4)
- ↑
Singh, A., D'Amico, D., Andreux, P. A., Dunngalvin, G., Kern, T., Blanco-Bose, W., Auwerx, J., Aebischer, P., & Rinsch, C. (2022). Direct supplementation with Urolithin A overcomes limitations of dietary exposure and gut microbiome variability in healthy adults to achieve consistent levels across the population. European journal of clinical nutrition, 76(2), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1 (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1757086573034332&usg=AOvVaw0KiH-84n0-OGa8Syu6Ng6a)
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