The Medical Advisor

Introduction Milk has long been promoted as a nutrient-rich staple for bone health and overall wellness. However,  claims—such as those from NOVOS Labs —suggest that milk may actually accelerate aging by activating pathways like IGF-1 and mTOR. But how strong is this claim? In this evidence-based review, we separate biological theory from real-world human data, and examine whether milk truly impacts aging—or if the concern is overstated. The Biological Argument: Why Milk Could Influence Aging Milk contains bioactive compounds that can influence key aging-related pathways: 1. IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1) Milk consumption is associated with modest increases in IGF-1 IGF-1 promotes: Growth and repair Cell proliferation 👉 In animal models, chronically high IGF-1 is linked to shorter lifespan 2. mTOR Activation Milk proteins (especially whey) activate mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) mTOR regulates: Protein synthesis Cell growth 👉 Overactivation of mTOR is associated w...

Milk can accelerate aging in various ways. Given milk impacts aging, which is a process that by definition takes a long time, it takes decades for these effects to manifest. However, milk can even have immediate pro-aging effects, like increasing insulin resistance or increasing the production of insulin drastically, as we will discuss below. In this article, we will explain several mechanisms by which milk can accelerate aging. How milk stimulates pro-aging growth pathways Milk is made by nature to make calves grow quickly. That’s why milk contains many substances to stimulate growth. However, growth stimulation also accelerates aging. One red thread through all aging research (biogerontology) is that too much stimulation of growth leads to faster aging. More precisely, milk contains various substances that stimulate growth receptors in cells, like insulin receptors, mTOR receptors, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors, making cells age faster. In biogerontology (the scienc...

Dairy milk has been a staple food for humans for thousands of years.1 However, it was only during the 20th century that it has been vilified, supposedly because of its fat content. Hence, you’ll see plenty of milk alternatives sold in grocery stores, one of which is almond milk. Almond milk is now one of the best-selling alternatives to dairy milk. Global Almond Milk Market size is expected to be worth around USD 25.4 Bn by 2032 from USD 8.5 Bn in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032 — a whopping 198.82% growth. But despite the extraordinary expansion, a closer look reveals that almond milk isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If you’re a regular consumer of this alternative dairy product, I recommend you remove it from your pantry right away. The bar chart shows that cow milk is rich in SFAs and low in PUFAs. Whereas, oat milk and soy milk are significantly higher in PUFAs. Compelling Reasons to Avoid Almond Milk One of the reasons to avoid almond...

C15:0, also known as pentadecanoic acid, is an odd-chain saturated fat primarily found in dairy products, some fish, and certain plants. The story of C15:0's importance begins in an unlikely place — with dolphins. Since Venn-Watson and her team’s groundbreaking work with dolphins, scientific interest in C15:0 has surged, and there are now more than 100 papers on C15:0 and its benefits. However, despite the increased research, few people have heard of C15:0. Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist, was brought on board the Navy's Marine Mammal program about 20 years ago to help understand aging in dolphins and protect their health. The Navy has been caring for a population of dolphins for over 60 years, and these dolphins are living much longer in captivity (40 to 50+ years) compared to their wild counterparts (around 20 years). As these dolphins aged, researchers noticed they developed conditions similar to humans, including chronic inflammation, high cholestero...