Episode 173: Anurag Singh on urolithin-A’s ability to optimize mitochondrial efficiency

Our guest today is Dr. Anurag Singh, the chief medical officer at Timeline Nutrition, a Swiss life-science company that focuses on ways to improve mitochondrial and cellular health. Anurag is particularly known for his research into the gut metabolite, urolithin-A, which has been shown to improve muscle strength, protect immune systems and optimize mitochondrial efficiency.

Anurag is an MD in internal medicine with a Ph.D. in immunology. He has led more than 50 randomized clinical trials, many of them focusing on urolithin-A over the past decade.

In today’s episode we talk to Anurag about his investigations into urolithin-A and the role it plays as a postbiotic that enhances mitochondrial function. Foods that contain the polyphenols needed to produce urolithin-A include pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries and walnuts.

Show notes:

[00:02:48] Marcas starts the interview by mentioning that Anurag grew up in India, in Lucknow, and asks what Anurag’s childhood was like.

[00:03:56] Marcas follows up, asking Anurag what he was like as a kid, given the competitive environment he grew up in.

[00:04:47] Ken asks Anurag if it is true that, at an early age, his parents noticed he was gifted in biology and encouraged him to think about pursuing medical school.

[00:05:47] Ken asks if Anurag started medical school at only 18 years of age.

[00:06:28] Marcas explains that Anurag went to India’s Armed Forces Medical College for training in internal medicine and asks if it is true that this is one of India’s top medical schools.

[00:07:07] Marcas explains that it is typical for graduates from the India Armed Forces Medical College to serve a few years in the Indian army after graduation. Marcas asks Anurag to tell the story of how he was able to go to the U.S. post-graduation rather than serving time in the army.

[00:08:00] Ken asks if Anurag’s interest in medical research led him to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology.

[00:08:56] Ken asks Anurag what his Ph.D. research was on.

[00:09:37] Marcas mentions that in 2009, Anurag accepted a position at Nestlé at a time when the company was entering into the space between food and pharma. Marcas asks Anurag how this move came about.

[00:11:20] Ken explains that Anurag quickly became medical director at Nestlé and started initiating clinical trials around food and allergies, as well as research on aging and how the immune system declines with age. Ken asks Anurag to explain what his time at Nestle was like.

[00:12:53] Marcas mentions how the shift from practicing physician to research scientist is an interesting course and asks Anurag to talk about a mentor who gave him the advice that led to his career shift.

[00:13:55] Ken mentions that in 2014 Anurag joined a Swiss company, Amazentis, as chief medical officer, and later became the lead for their medical and clinical research strategies. Ken asks Anurag to talk about the company and the work he does.

[00:15:00] Ken asks Anurag to describe the relationship between Amazentis and Timeline.

[00:15:42] Marcas asks Anurag to elaborate on his biotech approach to nutrition science, and how hard biology is used in his nutritional approaches at Amazentis.

[00:18:02] Marcas asks Anurag to give listeners an overview of the function and importance of mitochondria.

[00:19:15] Ken asks Anurag if there are any other benefits to good mitochondrial health, other than an increased energy supply.

[00:20:24] Ken asks Anurag to define the terms “mitochondrial biogenesis” and “mitophagy.”

[00:22:13] Marcas pivots to discuss age-related frailty and healthspan, specifically bringing up a study Anurag conducted on a Dutch population comparing active seniors to sedentary seniors.

[00:25:09] Ken mentions that Marcas likes to refer to exercise as medicin