Studies on anti-aging are underway in various laboratories, using drugs like rapamycin and metformin, calorie restriction and cell reprogramming as promising approaches.
Sinclair lab scientists genetically added Yamanaka factors, or proteins known as rejuvenating agents, to an harmless virus and administered this injection directly into aged mice’s eyes for rejuvenation purposes – potentially leading to whole-body regeneration over time.
Lifestyle Changes
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables that are low in sugar, fat and cholesterol are key components of overall good health as you age. Staying physically active and getting enough restful sleep also play a key role. Don’t delay in visiting your physician regularly for health screenings either – studies have revealed how doing so may slow the aging process by helping detect and treat health problems early.
Lifestyle changes may be easier than you realize. Small steps such as eating better, sleeping more and drinking less alcohol are all effective in improving quality of life. If you want a more comprehensive transformation, work with a health coach or therapist who can guide the process; just remember to be patient as changing habits may take some time and patience is key!
Studies have also demonstrated the power of lifestyle modifications to reverse aging. An eight-week program with dietary modifications, supplement regimens, stress management guidance and relaxation exercises was shown to decrease their biological ages by up to 11 years!
This case series was an expansion of a pilot study conducted on men, and is believed to be the first time lifestyle interventions have been shown to positively influence biological age. Given that all participants at baseline were considered healthy, disease-accelerated aging does not become a confounding factor – suggesting these lifestyle interventions can be applied across individuals regardless of diagnosed diseases or their presence or absence.
Though these findings are impressive, it’s essential to remember that the best way to prevent and treat chronic disease is through living a healthier lifestyle. Not smoking, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and following a nutritious diet are all effective in slowing the aging process within our bodies as well.
Anti-Aging Supplements
Dietary supplements can play an essential role in helping maintain overall health as we age, as well as countering signs of aging. Oral supplements claiming to slow the visible signs of aging have become increasingly available online and in stores; such products (often called anti-ageing pills or longevity pills) can help you look and feel your best as we get older.
Polyphenols have emerged as one of the most promising anti-aging supplements, proven to mitigate oxidative stress, inhibit inflammation and regulate mitochondrial function and apoptosis in cells. Some research indicates an association between polyphenols and increased lifespans; one such compound being Resveratrol from red grapes and wine; this molecule promotes youthful gene expression while supporting healthy insulin response as well as helping prevent adipocyte differentiation; it also boasts antioxidant properties which may reduce cell proliferation while simultaneously inducing apoptosis.
Coenzyme Q10 is another polyphenol with great anti-ageing potential, helping improve your skin health by diminishing fine lines and wrinkles while also lowering blood glucose levels – this may prevent conditions like heart disease and diabetes by keeping the levels lower over time. You can find coenzyme Q10 in foods like beef, poultry, peanuts, green vegetables as well as supplements with increased bioavailability such as curcumin. For optimal effectiveness when taking curcumin supplements look for ones with increased bioavailability as it will ensure maximum absorption!
Studies have demonstrated how certain supplements can extend the lifespan of mice by slowing cellular aging processes. One such patented dietary supplement increases their lifespan by improving mitochondrial function and decreasing oxidative stress; researchers believe this may also slow human aging as trials in human trials continue – although they’re still at an early stage.
As the anti-aging industry is still relatively young, it’s difficult to predict which supplements will provide desired effects. Yet many scientists remain hopeful; for instance, one recent study demonstrated how TAME (an acronym for Telomerase Activator Treatment and Metabolic Enzyme Activator) significantly slowed aging in mice by reversing cell senescence; this finding may spur other researchers into creating similar medications and ultimately increase human lifespan and healthspan.
Gene Therapy
Genes inside our cells control many aspects of our behavior, from hair color and eye colour to how well our bodies function. But there are times when genes develop incorrectly from birth or over time due to mutation, leading to disease or premature aging; researchers are currently exploring gene therapy as a possible solution.
Gene therapy utilizes a vector, or carrier, to transport genetic material into cells. This process can either add new genes, replace damaged ones or turn off those responsible for disease. Traditional gene therapies relied upon viruses as carriers of genetic material; but in more recent times scientists have developed more precise ways of altering genes: sending short sequences of nucleic acids called oligonucleotides directly into the body can influence how cells assemble working proteins from genetic code, while CRISPR-Cas9 allows precise genome editing using DNA editing tools.
Therapies that treat certain diseases but are expensive or only available through select academic centers may only treat symptoms, not address the root cause of health issues. A pilot program seeks to give Medicaid recipients access to life-changing treatments that address underlying causes for their ailments.
Some of the most promising research in this area involves using gene therapy to slow the aging process by altering a protein function, perhaps creating a drug to increase activity of proteins that maintain youthful cells or help reduce inflammation as a cause of chronic diseases and deaths in older adults.
Other studies are dedicated to turning back time by eliminating mutations that cause disease or adding in protective genes that can prevent cancer, commonly referred to as somatic gene therapies. As these interventions only impact somatic cells such as those found in organ tissues like hearts or skin, mutations may continue passing down through future generations and cannot prevent an already present mutation from spreading further.
Some individuals oppose this form of genetic engineering due to concerns that it would create an enhancement. They cite how genetic disorders remove an avenue of discrimination against disabled individuals; however, they do not believe this implies genetic modifications of people to make them look normal.
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing involves looking at a person’s DNA in order to detect specific gene mutations that could potentially lead to diseases, and can either be harmful or innocuous (having no impact). Genetic tests also tell a doctor what your risk for certain disorders might be; this process is known as predictive or presymptomatic testing and can help prevent or treat conditions before they manifest themselves. Genetic tests also help identify carrier status for diseases which is crucial if someone wants to protect their children from inheriting an illness that has already affected them.
Scientists researching anti-aging treatments have discovered that certain genes can be switched off to make cells act younger, resetting the aging process, and rejuvenating damaged neurons in mice eyes using three of these genes – although none of their experiments are quite ready for human clinical trials yet.
Sinclair and her team formulated a drug known as ICE to accomplish this purpose, which temporarily cuts mice DNA at 20 different points before quickly repairing itself – mimicking normal damage that occurs from daily exposure to chemicals, sunlight and environmental factors that create DNA fragmentation and disrupt normal function of DNA molecules. Mice treated with ICE appeared older, including loss of hair color and reduced energy levels compared with mice that hadn’t received the treatment.
The team then searched for genes that could reverse the aging effects of senescent cells and also assessed genome-wide transcript profiles to measure how far back in time cells’ “transcriptome clock” has turned, to enable identification and activation of safe yet effective genes for rejuvenating cellular rejuvenation.
Scientists have also developed gene editing tools, allowing scientists to switch off genes or erase their expression. CRISPR, one of the most exciting gene editing tools available today, has already been used successfully to reverse aging processes in mice – Dr. George Church has led this field and anticipates CRISPR will soon become available for human clinical trials.
