Key points from article :
Humanin is a protein produced by mitochondria in several species including humans.
Higher levels of humanin are found in animal species that have longer lives.
Modifying genes in worms and mice to make higher amounts of humanin increased their life spans.
Lower levels of humanin increase the risk of disease and lower resistance to toxic exposures.
Humanin levels were much lower in the Alzheimer's patients.
Potential to be an effective treatment for a large number of age-related diseases.
Research by University of Southern California published in the journal Aging.
