Longevity and Health
Here’s Why Some Scientists Believe We Might Live 1,000 Years.
Some scientists say we can live much longer if we develop integrated solutions.
Longevity is a hot topic in the press and on social media. Looking at the research, tools, services, and therapies, we can see that longevity is a booming industry.
Biomedicine, Biotechnology, HealthTech, AgeTech, Gero-science, Stem Cells, Nanomedicine, Neurotechnology, Genetic Engineering, and the Internet of Bodies are the central research constituents of this industry.
Throughout history, humans tried different ways to expand their lifespans. Through scientific and technological breakthroughs, some improvements were made. However, the progress is still negligible. Mental health issues such as dementia still have no viable solution.
For example, according to various records on the Internet, the oldest person who lived was 122 years and 164 days. Jeanne Calment from France was born in 1875 and died in 1997.
Currently, the five most aged people who still live are Kane Tanaka (Japan), who is 118 years old, Lucile Random (France), 117, Nabi Tajima (Japan), 117, and Marie-Lousie Meilleur (Canada), 117 years.
Despite these dreary stats, some scientists believe that we can increase the current lifespan by around ten times, asserting humans can live at least 1,000 years, provided we invest in longevity research, science, technology, and governmental support.
One of the widely debated topics is chronological aging versus biological aging. While chronological age is just a number, what really matters is people’s biological age from longevity and healthspan perspectives. Therefore, scientists work on identifying biological pathways to aging.
The focus of scientists and technologists is to crack the code to longevity. They believe that current research funds are too low to encourage researchers to conduct comprehensive research studies.
To this end, some organizations offer big prizes. One of them is the Palo Alto Longevity Prize. This organization offers a one-million-dollar reward for a life science competition dedicated to ending aging.
Cambridge scientist and author of Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime, Aubrey De Grey, believes that “most of the fundamental knowledge needed to develop effective anti-aging medicine already exists.” He thinks that science is ahead of the funding.
Dr. Grey’s work aims to identify and promote technological approaches to the reversal of aging. As one of the eminent scientists and technologists, Dr. Grey believes humans can live at least 1,000 years.
By using lab studies, some scientists managed to stop aging and reverse aging in animal models. Harvard professor David Sinclair is one scientist who works on reversing the aging process. He is one of the most optimistic scientists in the field.
The medical communities have mixed thoughts and feelings about aging. For example, even though aging is recognized as a medical condition by renowned organizations such as the World Health Organization, some physicians still see it as a natural process that does not require intervention.
We need to distinguish lifespan from health span. Lifespan is living longer, whether healthy or not. However, healthspan is living healthier. It is the part of life during which we are mostly in good health. In my opinion, longevity and health are personal responsibilities.
Healthspan has a tremendous impact on the economy. For example, just extending the quality of life for one year contributes three trillion dollars to the US economy. This is wonderful for citizens and the economy. The imperative question asked by some longevity advocates is why research funds are not allocated to such a critical mission and are wasted in space programs.
Scientists identified some indicators of aging. One of the most critical theories recently developed relates to Telomeres' research which got the Nobel Prize.
In 2009, Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, and Jack Szostak were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase.
Telomeres are distinctive structures found at the ends of our chromosomes. They shorten with each cell division. The shortening of this structure is an indicator of aging.
So, one of the research focuses is finding a way to stop this shortening process. These structures are believed to be around 10,000 nucleotides long in young people.
In addition, targeting the key molecules and preventing cell death is a significant emphasis of longevity research. Therefore, stem cell research has a considerable focus, especially in regenerative medicine.
Another Nobel-winning research related to longevity was autophagy, as I introduced in this article titled Why And How We Should Initiate Autophagy.
Biological rhythms also play a vital role in longevity and healthspan. They include concepts like circadian, diurnal, ultradian, infradian, circalunar, circannual.
SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) in the hypothalamus regulates our autonomic nervous system, as mentioned in this article: The Importance of Biological Rhythms & Psychological Aspects in Fat Loss Journey.
Transhumanist communities pay massive attention to longevity. They believe that we can significantly increase the human lifespan by using technology and science. Moreover, some transhumanists also consider recycling their biological body and brain using technological devices.
However, ethical and legal issues surround these aspirations.
The secret to longevity seems to relate to our genes which inform life energy. Unfortunately, we cannot do much about our genes at this stage, even though some promising genetic interventions such as gene editing have been created.
The feasible solution relates to epigenetics, giving the flexibility to turn off bad genes and turn on good genes.
Our lifestyle changes and the environment cause epigenetic changes. For example, scientists identified several longevity genes, such as Sirtuin genes, numbered as SIRT1, 2, n.
In addition, I read research papers showing exposing the body to extreme heat, such as via sauna, activates SIRT2 genes. As I mentioned in an article, saunas can improve cardiovascular health.
Aging has many variables and biological markers. Chronic inflammation is considered a key marker of aging. Calorie restriction and autophagy are known contributors to longevity. Stem cells are another promising research into longevity.
The best contributor to aging research is a synergistic approach combining all these approaches and producing collaborative results. To this end, the Buck Institute is creating collaborative research with a multi-million-dollar fund.
The initiative is led by Dr. Eric Verdin, MD, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. The Buck Institute is a large organization bringing many research institutes and scientists together. Their studies on aging include both scientific and lifestyle interventions.
Besides established companies, many entrepreneurs invest in longevity research for business and philanthropic purposes.
As a result, well-known investors and entrepreneurs, especially from Silicon Valley, significantly influenced longevity research integrated with emerging technologies.
Biohacking became a norm among these entrepreneurs. I introduced biohacking in this article covering various aspects of it to eliminate confusion by looking at it from legal, ethical, scientific, technology, engineering, & business angles: A Holistic View of Biohacking from Multiple Perspectives.
Many longevity startups are covering various aspects of aging technologies. Proscia, Mammoth Biosciences, Locus Biosciences, Deep Genomics, Beddr, Seed Health, and Viz.AI are just a few to mention.
Some longevity research institutes and thought leaders introduced the term “the 4P of Longevity” within the medical context covering concepts of Personalisation, Precision, Prevention, and Participation. The 4P idea can provide valuable input into healthspan too.
Immune aging is a new term that we encounter during the COVID pandemic. You can find more information about the human defense system in this article.
A chronically activated immune system is a problem for aging. In addition, COVID causes neurological complications that I discussed in an article covering the neurological effects of the virus.
Undoubtedly, quality of life matters. No one wants to live a long life miserably. On the contrary, we desire healthy and joyful life as we age. Therefore, health span is a more critical point than lifespan.
Another perspective is death is not necessarily the end of life. Instead, death is seen as a transformation to a new life in some cultures and beliefs. As a result, people accept death and even celebrate it as an essential episode.
Finally, we have evidence that optimism contributes to longevity psychologically. According to recent research studies, optimists live longer than pessimists.
Nevertheless, considering our millions of years of experience on this earth, especially participating in several funerals recently, I believe that in the end, we all will experience death whether we accept it or not. So perhaps, from the psychological aspect, the critical point, in my opinion, could be to re-frame mortality as a valuable life extension.
One of the key indicators of aging is telomeres, as I explained in the attached article.
Protect Telomere Lengths with 2 Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Here’s How I Initiate Mitophagy and Make My Mitochondria Denser in 7 Steps
I No Longer Do Keto and Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss as I’ve No Fat to Lose.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
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What I Learned about Longevity from a 105-Year-Old Centenarian
Why Longevity Is Personal Responsibility & What We Can Do
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