Mice rewind the aging clock in new Harvard research. How soon humans?

Summary

Research from Harvard Medical School has shown that aging in mice can be reversed, particularly in terms of strength and endurance, and this could have implications for human aging, with potential treatments on the horizon.

Abstract

Recent research at Harvard Medical School has turned the tables on aging by rejuvenating mice, significantly improving their physical capabilities. This breakthrough, which could herald a new era in human aging, involves revitalizing the tiny blood vessels that support muscle growth, leading to an increase in exercise capacity by up to 80 percent in mice. David Sinclair, a professor at Harvard and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, discusses the science behind this success. While the research is still in its early stages, it suggests that humans may one day be able to age more gracefully, maintaining not just wisdom and compassion but also physical strength, agility, and memory. The article also emphasizes that while science catches up, regular exercise is currently the best tool we have to combat aging.

Opinions

The research implies that aging doesn't have to mean inevitable decline in all aspects of health and fitness.
There is an optimistic view that humans could soon benefit from similar anti-aging treatments that have been successful in mice.
The importance of reviving the microvasculature is highlighted as a key to supporting muscle growth and overall physical rejuvenation.
David Sinclair and other experts advocate for exercise as a critical component of slowing down the aging process while we await scientific breakthroughs.
The article suggests that the global population's "extra years" of life should be spent in better health, not just longer life.
There is an emphasis on the potential for breakthroughs in aging research, encouraging readers to expect and look forward to such developments.

Maybe sooner than you think!

Getting older can mean getting better in many ways. For example, better in knowledge, skill, wisdom, and compassion.

So why can’t we get better in other ways too, areas where we normally decline? For example, better in strength, agility, disease resistance, and memory?

Maybe we can!

One key is to revive the tiny blood vessels that, over the years, do a poorer and poorer job of supporting muscle growth. It’s been done with mice, increasing their exercise capacity by up to 80 percent. Greater increases are possible and human applications are more than a gleam in researchers’ eyes.

Research leader David Sinclair explains why and how it works. He’s professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging at Harvard Medical School. Click to view:

For technical details, see “Rewinding the Clock” by Ekaterina Pesheva.

While waiting for breakthroughs, what can you do to fight aging NOW?

Exercise, says Sinclair and other experts. It’s the best way to slow aging while science tries to reverse it. Of course, good diet and other healthy habits also keep us going longer, stronger.

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Since 1900 the global average life expectancy has more than doubled. Most of us now have more than 30 “extra years” to spend. We spend too many of them in sickness and disability. Spending them better is the opportunity of our lifetimes.

This alert features Level 3 of Smile Longer: Expect breakthroughs. To review the power of all 4 levels, CLICK HERE.

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