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Peter Thiel has invested millions in longevity research. Here's the billionaire's antiaging routine.

Nov 18, 2023, 02:17 IST
Insider
Peter ThielNeilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Times
  • Peter Thiel is a billionaire who has invested money into antiaging research.
  • To fight his own aging, he eats paleo, exercises, and takes specific medications.
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Like many of the ultra-wealthy, tech mogul and billionaire Peter Thiel wants to live a longer life, The Atlantic recently reported. And like some of his peers, he has invested heavily in technology and science aimed at extending life.

The 56-year-old has reportedly invested millions in the research of antiaging scientist Aubrey de Grey, and even has a plan to be cryogenically frozen upon his death and revived when technology allows, according to The Atlantic.

In his day-to-day life, Thiel has looked into a variety of things to extend life — both conventional and unconventional.

"I've looked into all these different, I don't know, somewhat heterodox things," Thiel told The Atlantic.

Here's some of what the billionaire does in his personal routine to live a longer life.

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He eats a paleo diet

Claudia Totir/Getty Images

The paleo diet rose in prominence in the early 2010s, and is supposed to emulate how humans ate over 2 million years ago — long before modern agriculture, or technology to live longer.

The diet shuns processed foods and instead promotes an unprocessed diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean meat.

Thiel previously told Bloomberg TV in 2014 that he is also anti-sugar, and has tried to limit his intake.

A 2022 paper found that diets key to longevity were high carb, low protein, and primarily plant-based. Although the paleo diet emphasizes carbs from plants, for many people on the paleo diet most calories come from protein.

He works out with a trainer

Thiel works out with a trainer to live longer — a move supported by longevity researcher and physician Dr. Peter Attia.

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Attia told Dan Harris on his podcast that he believes "longevity, both through lifespan and healthspan, is impacted more through exercise than any of the other variables we have."

The Department of Health recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise, or a combination of both. Researchers have found that people who meet these recommendations have a lower risk of death than people who don't.

He takes human growth hormone pills

Thiel told Bloomberg TV in 2014 that he was taking human growth hormone pills, also known as HGH.

Thiel told Bloomberg TV that he believes HGH can help "maintain muscle mass, so it's less likely to get bone injuries and arthritis and stuff like that, as you get older."

But HGH can also have side effects that include carpal tunnel syndrome, swelling, muscle pain, joint pain, and potentially an increased risk of cancer.

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Ironically, some research has shown that people and animals with high levels of natural HGH are more likely to die at a younger age than those with naturally lower levels of the hormone.

He takes metformin

MetforminFrancis Dean/Corbis via Getty Images

Thiel is also reportedly taking metformin, another popular medication amongst those hoping to live longer.

Metformin is a pill prescribed to help manage diabetes, and can help regulate blood sugar as well as decrease appetite and aid in weight loss. It can also have negative side effects, like lowering testosterone.

Research has shown that it may also help delay crucial parts of the body's aging process on a cellular level, including delaying stem-cell aging, reducing telomere shortening, and encouraging more recycling of dysfunctional cell components.

Many biohackers hope that the medication will help keep their organs younger and healthier.

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