A Means to Slow the Aging Process

There is something in our genes that controls our pace of aging. Scientist believe that one day we well be able to control our aging process. Thee have been studies of cold-water fish and amphibians that seen to have a very slow aging process. We can learn from their habits or habitats and apply it to ourselves.

It has been discovered that animals had been forced to survive on less calories than they had been in the past. This caused then to become more resistant to aging elated diseases. Diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's were reduced a great deal. Calorie reduction slows the aging process. No one knows the exact reason aging happens, but here is speculation. DNA may become damaged de to radiation and mutation causing chemicals. In each animal's cell are mitochondria that use oxygen to generate energy. During this process, the mitochondria produces chemical by-products that are damaging to DNA as well as other components inside of the cells. We have genes that fight against and repair this DNA damage.

Fifteen years ago scientists began to study genes. They discovered that adding an extra copy of this gene Sir 2 caused yeast cells to live an extra 30 to 40 percent longer. Today, researchers believe that these gens among other sirtiun genes are responsible for the benefits of a healthy calorie restriction. The problem is in order to benefit from theses genes, we would have to reduce or caloric intake by 30 to 40 percent. Not everyone is capable of reducing their calories to this extent. Therefore, scientist sought ways to trigger the genes without calorie restriction.

A few sirtuim-activating compounds were discovered in 2003. The most potent seems to be Resveratol, found in red wine grapes. They have been fed to animal species such as yeast, fruit flies, worms, and even fish. In fish, their life span was increased by 59 percent, said to be equivalent to 94 in human years. The first study done on a mammal was done using three groups of middle-aged mice on three different diets. The diets were a standard diet, a high-calorie high fat diet, and a high- calorie high fat diet with Resveratrol added. The high calorie high fat dieters gained weight and developed conditions such as fatty livers, heart muscle inflammation, and diabetes related conditions. They deceased at a younger age. The resveratrol added high calorie high fat dieters did not develop any of these conditions. They were lean and physically active. They out did both standard and high fat dieters on physical endurance. Death was reduced by 30 percent.

The next step is to try the resveratrol on human subjects. There isn't enough resveratrol in red wine to just drink it exclusively. It would take about 1000 glasses to equal the amount that was given to the mice in the study. Although resveratrol is sold over the counter in capsules and tablets it is not certain their effects on humans. The manufacturer of this drug is not controlled by the FDA. Scientists are encouraging Congress to increase funding for the aging research.

Source: www.newsweek.com