The Youth Pill; Unravelling the secrets of ageing

The consequences of ageing are well known to all, but the scientific study of the exact biological processes has been fairly recent and also controversial. Evolutionary biologists are much divided as to the causes and reasons for growing old.

It would seem that ageing per se is not inevitable as shown by the fact that both cancer cells and very simple life forms are stubbornly resistant to the passage of time.

Recent technology now makes possible a serious study of the ageing process, with one notable and useful advance being the ability to sequence DNA quickly. The inevitable false leads and blind alleys in the research as well as the successful hunches are brilliantly described in a groundbreaking book “The Youth Pill” by David Stipp, a former medical writer for the Wall Street Journal.

So what has the new research brought up? Apparently, there are genes that boost the lifespan by at least 30 per cent, and one interesting conclusion has been reached. It is that ageing is related to a low level chronic inflammation of many bodily tissues and the level of insulin which controls the metabolism of glucose.

For decades scientists have known that a near starvation diet given to laboratary animals can reverse or slow the ageing process, enabling them to extend their lifespan by at least 40 per cent with improved health en route. In humans there is some preliminary evidence that fasting helps to slow down the years and induce new health. This means that humans may have the potential to live to 150 years! Limiting diet in this way can lower blood sugar levels and reduce production of harmful chemicals arising from respiration.

Mr Stipp explains that low calorie diets activate genes that enable cells to repair themselves and that are designed to help people survive hard times. However, near starvation is not a pleasant way to live even if it is to 150 years so that is why scientists have come up with the idea of manufacturing pills called calorie restriction mimetics. Several companies have since been set up to sell these pills that may enable us to lead longer and healthier lives.

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