Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University won a Nobel prize for developing proteins that convert adult cells to stem cells, leading to some reverse of the aging process in mice. Other researchers, however, caution that results may still be premature.
Your biological age can be more malleable than chronological age — and reverse it could reduce mortality. Longevity medicine startups have garnered billions in investments from some of the wealthiest executives worldwide.
1. Harvard researchers find a chemical cocktail that reverses aging in mice
Harvard researchers have made an extraordinary breakthrough: they discovered a chemical cocktail which reverses aging in mice. According to reports, their research could lead to the creation of a “Fountain of Youth” pill.
These scientists, led by David Sinclair, published their findings this week in Aging journal. In less than one week they identified six chemical cocktails which can restore a youthful genome-wide transcript profile and reverse transcriptomic age of senescent cells.
As we age, our genes begin to degrade and fight each other for dominance – leading to cell aging and disease; but thanks to new research this trend may be stopped before it takes root.
The team screened over 1,000 molecules for their effects on cell aging. They employed high-throughput screening to identify chemicals that would help turn back time on old, senescent cells without harming or altering them – without incurring risks associated with genetic engineering, which are both risky and expensive processes.
Scientists suggest the cocktails may do the same for human cells and even living animals; however, there remains much work to be done before we see these miracle pills on pharmacy shelves. First and foremost, proof must be shown that it works on animal models before it can be tested on humans.
Though the research appears encouraging, longevity experts remain dubious of its significance. According to Dr. Luigi Fontana’s Manual of Healthy Longevity & Wellbeing he points out that researchers did not address inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction issues, both key elements for increasing life span.
Matt Kaeberlein, a biogerontologist from University of California Berkeley, tells Business Insider that although the cocktail appears to have some positive effects on cellular aging, it’s too soon to determine whether it can actually extend lifespan in animals. Furthermore, since research was done using Petri dishes instead of real animals for this study, many questions arise as to its potential real world applications.
2. Scientists discover a way to reverse aging in humans
Scientists are closer than ever to creating an anti-aging solution in humans. A small clinical study in California has demonstrated that biological aging can be reversed, potentially leading to longer lives for nine healthy volunteers given a cocktail of drugs including growth hormone and two diabetes medications for one year, with their biological age decreasing on average by 2.5 years while immune systems showed signs of renewal. While this development is exciting, other factors could impact one’s biological age such as diet, exercise, stress levels and environmental exposures that cannot be predicted or managed directly by any single factor alone.
Reversing human aging is a long, drawn-out process; any anti-ageing therapies will take decades before becoming widely available for public use. Even then, any approved therapies must first pass a safety and effectiveness review before mass production can occur. Meanwhile, maintaining a balanced diet, regularly exercising, and getting enough restful sleep are important measures that may help in slowing aging processes.
Scientists at Harvard Medical School have recently unveiled an anti-aging chemical cocktail to combat mouse aging. Utilizing four “Yamanaka factors”, the researchers were able to transform mouse cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and rejuvenate aging tissues like muscles, brain, and eyes of mice.
Results were recently published in Aging journal. According to their research team, cocktails created using these compounds can extend mouse lifespan by decreasing inflammation and the accumulation of senescent cells; increasing GDF11 protein levels known to boost muscle strength; as well as raising levels of another known muscle strength-promoting protein GDF11. They hope these discoveries may pave way for new anti-ageing drugs for humans.
Discovering an effective new regenerative therapy cocktail is an exciting development; however, it must be remembered that research so far is limited to mice. Before being tested on human trials and potentially becoming commercialized treatments on the market – in the meantime it is vitally important that one stays up-to-date on latest advances in regenerative medicine research and therapy.
3. Scientists find a way to reverse aging in dogs
Ace, an American Kennel Club champion and beloved family member, displayed signs of heart murmur when his heartbeat began to fluctuate irregularly. Abraham Smith hoped that drugs could slow the progression of this condition that can cause heart failure or death in dogs; unfortunately conventional medicine offered little relief.
He then read about a study published in Science Advances that involved injecting old dogs with an array of immune-enhancing drugs designed to slow their decline; some even started showing early signs of anti-aging! The drug regimen provided significant protection and even early signs of reversed aging in some of these animals.
Scientists are celebrating this new development in canine longevity research, but experts remain skeptic. Some claim certain treatments could reverse biological age measured by factors like telomere length and epigenetic markers; yet few billionaires have invested their wealth into longevity research thus far.
Loyal is a San Francisco startup testing LOY-002, an oral medication for dogs which could extend their lives similarly to how rapamycin extended lab mouse lives (the company has a heartfelt tagline of “Giving Our Best Friends More Time.”)
However, even some researchers involved with Yamanaka’s work assert that suggestions that reprogramming factors can reverse animal aging are premature. Chemicals do not make animals young again – rather, they restore an initial youthful state.
Harvard geneticist David Sinclair has been one of the loudest voices voicing doubts and criticism against longevity research. Sinclair has made headlines as an activist within this movement by founding multiple biotech firms focused on lengthening life and delaying aging; his investments total millions and fans are numerous; yet when Sinclair tweeted that one of his firm’s beef-flavored chews had been proven “proven to reverse aging in dogs,” this caused outrage within the field and even lead to his resignation from an important scientific group focused on longevity research. He eventually apologized and left this board board before.
4. Scientists find a way to reverse aging in humans
Scientists have long searched for ways to reverse human aging. Recent research shows that this process can be slowed or even reversed – leading people to live longer and healthier lives. Researchers conducted this research using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT works by providing large quantities of oxygen directly to individual cells – helping reduce cell aging rates as well as improving cellular functionality and helping slow the aging process overall.
Shai Efrati of Florida’s Aviv Clinics told The Jerusalem Post that this study provides proof that one can reverse the aging process by targeting telomeres – parts of cells which protect themselves against damage and wear and tear; damage can accelerate aging processes leading to diseases like glaucoma, heart disease, and cancer. The experiment took place at both University of Miami and Stanford Medical Schools with 35 elderly participants receiving HBOT for 90 minutes every five days for three months at both locations as well as engaging in exercise programs while eating healthy food choices, engaging in regular physical activities as well as getting ample restful sleep each night.
Though the results of the study were promising, scientists still face an uphill battle before being able to reverse aging in humans. Aging is an intricate and inexplicable process which scientists are still grappling with; currently they’re exploring methods to reverse it in mice before one day making strides in doing it for us as well.
Even though turning back time on aging remains an idealistic goal for most, there are still numerous steps we can take to improve our health and well-being. Avoid processed foods, increase fruit and vegetable intake, exercise regularly and get enough restful sleep. Consider getting a DNA or microbiome analysis test which can provide insight into whether you may be predisposed to certain diseases and reduce their risks.
To live longer and healthier lives, it’s essential that we start taking good care of ourselves early. Good health is essential in order to prevent disease and delay aging; to help slow this process we should avoid stressors such as sleep deprivation and take anti-inflammatory supplements like Acetylsalicylic Acid which has been shown to decrease inflammation while improving brain function.
