Biotechnologist, Founder, CEO, SRW Laboratories
Auckland, New Zealand
@gregmacpherson
+ 64 21 720 892
gregmacpherson@accesscorporate.com

Greg Macpherson is a pharmacist, biotechnologist, cellular health expert and author of, Harnessing the Nine Hallmarks of Aging: to live your healthiest life. For more than a decade, he has been working in the biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on the aging process at the cellular level. This work led him to discover ways to harness the nine identified, scientific hallmarks of aging, which is the premise of his book that addresses the natural aging process, how to age more favorably, and simple strategies to slow the aging process and build a functional health span. Beyond theory and concept, Macpherson has used his entrepreneurial spirit to further develop solutions to this new paradigm of aging, described in his book, by launching SRW Laboratories, a science- and research-based company that curates the latest biotechnology research to formulate natural products designed to help slow the onset of aging and disease, and develop evidence-based solutions for those who are experiencing age-related health concerns or who want to improve their health span. SRW, which stands for science, research and wellness, is Macpherson’s natural world laboratory that will develop the preventative formulas for cellular health from nature required to slow down the aging process based on the nine hallmarks. With aging being the single biggest risk factor for developing disease, Macpherson said his mission to slow the aging process at a cellular level could help millions of people delay the onset of diseases associated with advanced aging like Alzheimer’s and heart disease and increase health span.

Question: Why is it important to understand aging?

Answer: Aging is the single biggest risk factor for poor health. Despite the hundreds of billions of dollars that have been spent on the biggest issues associated with advanced age like cancer, Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, we are not making the progress we should. By understanding how we age and strategies to slow it down, we can delay or bypass the onset of these life-threatening health conditions. The benefit from a societal perspective in achieving this will be significant.

Question: How did you become interested in studying the topic?

Answer: I have always been interested in combining my background in pharmacy with the latest in technology to find ways to improve health. Earlier in my career this involved creating solutions using web technology and later, robotics. Biotechnology is now entering a phase where we can harness our understanding on how to slow the aging process. It’s a fascinating rabbit hole to do a deep dive into and it aligns with the very reason I got involved in pharmacy—to help people improve their health.

Question: What are the “nine hallmarks?”

Answer: The nine hallmarks of aging were first published in the Cell journal in 2013; they are: genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, intercellular communication decline, stem cell fatigue, cellular senescence, loss of proteostasis and nutrient sensing dysregulation.

Question: How can cellular repair and protection be achieved? What is a good age to begin?

Answer: One of the key results from the hallmarks of aging paper was the identification of targets for researchers to focus on to slow and even reverse the aging process. Understanding these targets has given us the ability to use molecules like Hobamine to reduce the lifetime impact of oxidative stress on our cells and cellular machinery. We also have insight into the advantages of boosting NAD levels (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) in the cell and the benefits of reducing the burden of senescent cells on our body using molecules like fisetin. Like all preventative strategies, it’s never too late to start, but getting started earlier in life will provide the best outcome for the most robust health span.

Question: Do those methods change as you get older?

Answer: Just as fashion changes through the years, we need to continue to update the support we give our cells throughout our lifetime. Caring for your DNA with Hobamine starting in your 30s, boosting NAD as it declines in our 40s and being vigilant in removing senescent cells during our 50s are all specific strategies. When we developed our Cel supplement line with SRW Laboratories, we combined and organized all the key cellular health ingredients by decade into specific designer products to make it easier for consumers to know which nutraceuticals would be most beneficial to them now according to their chronological age so they could reduce their biological age.

Question: Other comments?

Answer: We are fortunate to be the first generation of humans with advanced understanding of cellular aging and access to superior supplements that leverage that knowledge. However, the importance of exercise and a healthy diet, including fasting to support autophagy and sugar reduction, should not be neglected as these two interventions are still the best way to maintain optimal health.