An increasing number of people are exploring methods to turn back the clock on biological aging, whether through Botox injections or biohacking podcasts. Their goal: looking younger at the cellular level.
Scientists have long demonstrated that cells can reverse aging processes. Shinya Yamanaka even won a Nobel Prize for her success at doing just this in mice.
Lifestyle
Aging is an unmistakable global trend. As populations age, individuals become more at risk for age-related diseases such as heart disease and dementia – two major killers who affect older populations more severely than younger ones. But it doesn’t have to be inevitable – scientists are working on solutions to slow or reverse cell aging processes within humans.
Researchers are exploring various strategies to turn back the clock on cells, with promising results. One such approach involves resetting a cell’s genetic code – known as decelerating aging – while another calls on the body to produce more stem cells which can replace damaged ones and restore tissue health.
Sinclair’s lab has used epigenome-modification techniques on mice multiple times and are currently testing this strategy on primates – this research may one day lead to anti-aging drugs that work effectively in people.
Scientists are also conducting studies on telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that wear down over time and become more vulnerable to damage. Their aim is to extend their length, protecting cells from premature aging while prolonging health throughout their lives. While this type of treatment remains experimental, remembering to prevent age-related conditions is just as essential.
Although we can’t completely turn back the biological clock, lifestyle changes can make an enormous difference to how our bodies age. These can include getting enough restful sleep, exercising regularly, eating a diet rich in plant foods and cutting down alcohol intake; plus taking steps to reduce stress. Meditating, cutting back on alcohol consumption or finding ways to manage emotional strain are all effective approaches to curbing physical deterioration as we age.
Diet
Reversing aging has gained widespread attention thanks to longevity bros and biohacking podcasters, but it doesn’t involve just using Botox to slow your biological clock or turning back time as scientists would term it. Instead, reverse aging means slowing down or turning back your “biological age.”
Scientists have long attempted to reverse biological aging processes in laboratory animals such as mice. While they have yet to achieve complete success in doing this, scientists have managed to slow and even reverse biological age in some of these cells.
To this end, they have conducted extensive studies into how diet affects DNA methylation – an integral component of certain forms of aging processes – with diets high in plants having a positive influence on cellular methylation rates and significantly lowering biological age.
A healthy diet can also reduce inflammation and improve many blood biomarkers related to ageing, including cholesterol levels, glucose levels and insulin production; homocysteine and C-reactive protein markers; as well as other indicators.
These findings allow scientists to more effectively simulate diseases associated with aging and determine their optimal treatments. For instance, scientists can create mice that age prematurely at an early age and study how these mice develop Alzheimer’s disease – this can provide significant advances in the fight against debilitating disorders since it allows researchers to better comprehend what causes them as well as ways they may be stopped or reversed.
Supplements
Supplements may help relieve many age-related symptoms such as inflammation, atherosclerosis and brain health issues; however, completely reversing the effects of aging is currently impossible with supplements alone; therefore establishing an ideal environment including regular exercise, sleep, stress reduction techniques and diet to slow the aging process and enhance biomarkers is vitally important.
Supplements and natural products have long been touted for their anti-aging benefits, however further research must be completed on them to prove their efficacy. Some supplements have shown to positively impact common signs of aging such as cholesterol reduction, reduced blood pressure levels and regulation of oxidative stress levels.
omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon and walnuts as well as plant seeds such as chia and flax have been proven to benefit cardiovascular and brain function, reduce inflammatory processes and ease joint pain.
Supplements and natural products with anti-ageing properties include sulforaphane, an organic sulfur compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli that has been demonstrated to increase roundworm lifespan while protecting against heart disease associated with ageing. Sulforaphane can also be found in fruits like strawberries and has been thought to inhibit aging by improving cell repair mechanisms and prolonging lifespan.
To help promote healthy aging, it’s essential that supplements have a strong reputation. Make sure they follow FDA regulations and follow good manufacturing practices when manufacturing the supplements you choose, along with mindful consumption such as timing or method. A registered dietitian can assess your individual health needs and recommend specific supplements tailored specifically for you – creating an individualized plan will ensure maximum benefits from both supplements and lifestyle changes.
Exercise
Most of us understand the importance of exercise when it comes to maintaining our health, but many don’t realize its power in reverse aging now. Reversing aging has become popular thanks to longevity bros and biohacking podcasts, and means turning back your actual biological clock (i.e. cell age). Animal studies have proven its viability.
Simply, you can slow your biological age by decreasing physical stress on your body that leads to premature cell aging. One great way of doing this is through endurance exercise such as walking, hiking, jogging, cycling or cross-country skiing for sustained periods.
Sooner or later, scientists’ dream of turning back time will become a reality. Scientists are exploring various means for doing just that and though biological age reversal won’t likely come as quickly as swapping out parts like the Ship of Theseus (like with organ donation), it may not be that far off either. Scientists may soon be able to replace proteins responsible for human aging with synthetic counterparts giving us one step closer towards immortality.
