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Ageing is an inevitable journey for everyone, though some influencers may suggest otherwise. However, the science of longevity is offering hope for slowing, or even reversing, the biological processes of ageing.
While claims from social media biohackers often lack credibility, scientists are uncovering mechanisms behind ageing that could revolutionize medicine and improve health spans. This research extends beyond cosmetic fixes, aiming instead to address the fundamental biological drivers of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular issues, and dementia.
Ageing significantly increases health risks. For instance, while high blood pressure doubles the risk of a heart attack, simply being 80 instead of 40 multiplies it tenfold. By decoding these biological patterns, scientists are working toward medicines that don’t just treat diseases but prevent them altogether. Early findings in laboratories suggest that such advancements are not just a distant dream but a tangible future.
A promising avenue lies in understanding the biological hallmarks of ageing—key processes that underpin multiple age-related diseases. By targeting these hallmarks, scientists believe they can simultaneously address a wide range of age-related conditions. For example, rapamycin, a drug derived from bacteria found on Easter Island, shows immense potential.
Known for its role in treating cancer and organ rejection, it has also demonstrated the ability to increase lifespan in mice by 20%. Even older mice, equivalent to 60-year-old humans, benefit from this intervention, suggesting the possibility of late-life treatments.
Existing medications are also being re-evaluated for anti-ageing properties. Diabetes drugs like SGLT-2 inhibitors and metformin, as well as weight-loss treatments, are showing signs of improving health spans. Since these drugs are already approved, their safety profiles are well-documented, making human trials a logical next step.
Innovative treatments targeting senescent cells—those that stop dividing and contribute to ageing—are another frontier. By removing these dysfunctional cells, scientists have extended the health and lifespan of mice while improving their physical capabilities. With over 20 companies exploring senolytic treatments, the future could hold medicines designed explicitly to tackle the ageing process.
Groundbreaking research into cellular reprogramming offers yet another pathway. Inspired by how newborns reset biological ageing during development, scientists are exploring gene-based interventions to reverse ageing in adult cells. Early trials in mice suggest potential, with one study showing a 25% increase in lifespan when specific genes were activated later in life.
Combining these approaches may yield even more dramatic results. Trials using combinations of drugs like rapamycin and acarbose have already extended mouse lifespans by nearly 40% in males. Such multi-targeted strategies reflect the complexity of ageing, which involves numerous biological pathways.
With advancements in understanding the ageing process, the future of healthcare could shift from treating symptoms to addressing root causes. Human trials for these interventions are on the horizon, potentially heralding an era where ageing is not only slowed but redefined. While immortality remains a fantasy, extending the healthy years of life may soon be a reality for many.
The study is published in the Medical Research Archives.
