Healthspan Explained: A Miniseries | Episode 3: How Clinical Trials Work

How do scientists know if a new treatment actually works? 

In Episode 3 of our HealthSpan Explained miniseries, host Dr. Shruti Naik is joined by physician-scientists Dr. Tom Marron and Dr. Fanny Elahi to explore the science behind clinical trials—and why they're the foundation of modern medicine. 

As excitement grows around longevity research and anti-aging interventions, separating evidence from hype has never been more important. The team explains how randomized clinical trials, placebo controls, biomarkers, and precision medicine help researchers determine whether treatments are truly safe and effective—and why anecdotes and supplements alone aren't enough. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Why randomized clinical trials remain the gold standard in medicine
• The difference between FDA-approved drugs and dietary supplements
• How placebo and nocebo effects influence medical research
• Why biomarkers are transforming the future of clinical trials
• What "precision clinical trials" could mean for personalized medicine
• How the XPRIZE Healthspan Challenge aims to redefine healthy aging 

Medicine doesn't move on hype—it moves on evidence. Discover how today's clinical trials are laying the groundwork for tomorrow's breakthroughs in longevity and healthspan. 

Learn more about XPrize Healthspan: https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2025/mount-sinai-researchers-in-semifinals-of-101-million-xprize-healthspan-a-competition-seeking-innovative-approaches-to-aging-well 

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