After a couple of slow pandemic years, the 30th American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) conference, held in Las Vegas, NV December 9-11, 2022, was back on track with over 5,000 participants. This year’s theme, Longevity, was brought to light by many amazing speakers and new products shown at the event. Andrew Heyman, MD, opened the conference citing the emerging third wave of medicine that will bring together science with the human touch. As Baby Boomers age, Longevity has become a rapidly growing field that is frequently highlighted in the media and has found focus in many research centers around the world.
Robert Lufkin, MD, discussed the pros and cons of using Rapamycin and Metformin to extend longevity. Gordan Lauc, PhD, reviewed recent research on glycans, which he says may be the most neglected molecules of cellular communication. They are involved in the pathophysiology of every disease. The role played by glycans in “inflammaging” has shown that they are one of the critical biomarkers of aging. He reminds us that we are only as young as our immune systems. Charles Brenner, PhD spoke about the importance of NAD and metabolism. NR boosts NAD which optimizes cellular health in the whole body.
A4M Founders Robert Goldman, DO, PhD and Ronald Klatz, MD, DO, talked about the vision they had 30 years ago to change the health care model. Their first conference mushroomed from a round table of a few prescient doctors to a worldwide entity that has educated over 150,000 medical specialists. Indeed, as we entered the 21st century, natural health care and improved longevity have become important topics.
In his talk: “Longevity Breakthroughs: How Exponential Technologies are Extending the Healthy Human Lifespan or Making 100 Years Old the New 60” Peter Diamandis, MD, noted how the convergence of several important factors have led to major inroads in the field of longevity. Deeper understandings of human health augmented by faster computer speed, better technology and Artificial Intelligence have allowed us to develop new theories and treatments that are far beyond anything known in history. As interest in this field grows, more capital flows into research and technology, sparking innovation and product development. As part of this biotech revolution, research on the human genome continues to reveal many of the reasons that people age in their own way. The future of healthcare will become much more focused on the individual.
Saturday’s General Session presentations dealt with hormones and what we can do to increase health and longevity. Speakers included Erika Schwart, MD; Thierry Hertoghe, MD; Pam Smith, MD; and a panel discussion about hormones with A4M pioneers. With greater understanding of the interactions between various hormones and better testing, doctors are closer to individual hormone optimization.
On Sunday, Joseph Purita, MD presented his research on Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy with a Hyperoxic Chaser. This approach has a dramatic effect on cellular metabolism for both general health and improving disease outcomes. In Kara Fitzgerald, ND,’s presentation “Younger You: Reverse Bio Age and Live Longer,” she points to the role that optimal methylation plays in keeping our metabolism healthy and the importance of diet and lifestyle factors. Jeff Bland, PhD, presented a lecture on “Reversing Immuno-senescence with Immune Rejuvenation. Ken Dychtwald, PhD’s, talk “Breakthroughs at the Tipping Point: The Future of Health, Medicine, Aging and Longevity” reminds us that the search for longevity is not a new idea but one advanced by Daoism, the search for the Fountain of Youth, Alchemy and other movements over the years. In the past, most people died before they ever reached “aging.” Demographically, the Baby Boomers have become an Age Wave. Two thirds of all the people in human history are alive today. In the US, 44% of the population is over 65, and in some countries, this is even higher. The Longevity movement is only beginning, yet most doctors know very little about gerontology or the prevention of disease. He raised an important question, though: Why does anyone want another 20 years? He talked about the importance of finding meaning and purpose in these additional years, not just watching television. Having purpose and social engagement are extremely important – not only youthfulness but usefulness.
In the final General Session presentation, Clint Pulver discussed the importance of creating an office work environment that that employees truly love. He talked about different types of management styles and the ways that they engage or disengage employees. Younger employees today want to feel engaged, appreciated and to have meaningful experiences in their careers.
Over the 3 days there were many amazing talks. Not surprisingly, many of the topics are well known to most of us: diet, exercise, stress reduction and lifestyle. Increasingly, we learn even more about why these factors are important. Continued research on the impact of metabolic syndrome and diabetes explains in more detail that a healthy glucose metabolism is critical because it impacts so many parts of the body. We dive down to find out why plant foods have so much to offer by understanding more about the nutrients and polyphenols inherent in many of our foods. We learn more details about the microbiome and how certain food metabolites can either enhance or inhibit this important aspect of our well-being. We hear more about how the use of cannabinoids, oxygen therapies, hormone replacement therapy and immune system enhancements can extend our lifespan. Better testing provides indications of emerging health problems, allowing for earlier and more bio-friendly interventions. New aesthetic treatments can help keep us fit and attractive through our later years.
One of the popular features of the A4M conference is the abundance of vendor booths where attendees can sample new products and devices that have come to market. In addition to the usual supplement companies and labs, there were a wide variety of interesting gadgets, better testing options, and an increased emphasis on genetics and the microbiome.
The afternoon tracks were divided into categories that included The Microbiome, aspects of longevity including Brain Health, Hormones, Disease Prevention, Metabolic Health, Cannabinoids, the Immune system in Aging, Hormone Therapy and Testing, The Science of Longevity and Aesthetic Advancements.
Though it was impossible for this reviewer to attend every session, a list of presenters is included here:
- Anna Cabeca, DO, FACOG
- Michael Krychman, MD
- Teresa Iribarren, MD, FAAMFM, ABAARM
- Angela Mazza, DO, FAAMFM, CDE, ABAARM
- Marcus Cobb, MD
- Deb Matthew, MD
- Chris Shade, PhD
- Rafael Gonzalez, MD
- Peter Staats, MD, MBA, ABIPP, FIPP
- Nathan Bryan, PhD
- Justin D. Saliman, MD
- Patrick Porter, PhD
- Sean Devlin, DO, FAARFM, ABAARM
- Joe Raffaele, MD
- Todd A Born, ND, CNS
- Jason Sonners, DC, DIBAK, DCBCN
- Thomas Guilliams, PhD
- Mark Tager, MD
- Yan Trokel, MD, DDS
- Alex Capano, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC
- Pete Meachum
- Alex Nance
- Jamie Reid, PharmD
- Michael Chapmnan, ND
- Deanna Minich, PhD
- Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN, CIFM
- Joseph Maroon, MD
- Nayan Patel, PharmD
- Dayan Goodenowe, PhD
- Stephen Sideroff, PhD
- Laura Neville, ND
- Emily Werner, PhD, RD, CSSD
- Jess Peatross, MD, GP
- Andrew Cambell, MD
- Mamoud S. Ghannoum, PhD
- Gheryl Burdette, ND
- Jim LaValle, Ani Rajani, MD
- Alan Bauman, MD
- Stephanie Chaney, DC
- Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS
- Aumatma Simmons, MS, ND, FABNE
- George Gillson, MD, PhD
- Varun Dwaraka, PhD
- Deepa Verma, MD
- Steven Johnson, DO
- David Bilstrom, MD
- Richard Cheng, MD, PhD, ABAARM
- Thomas Levy, MD, JD
- Marc Abreu, MD
- Wendie Trubow, MD, MBA, IFMCP
- Jessica Lasky-Su, Sc.D
- Edward Park, MD, MPH
- Jin-Xiong She, PhD
- Mark Gordon, MD, FACC
- Sharon McQuillan, MD
