Reading this article brings back a sense of déjà vu for me, as it wasn’t very long ago that I was reporting the same thing. But now, it seems we can look forward to even longer lifespans, perhaps five decades past a hundred. New drugs that can increase lifespan are currently being developed, which may be released within the next 5 to 10 years, it seems?!
Apparently, these drugs are based on the active ingredients in resveratrol, which is actually a type of defensive “plant toxin” that helps the plants combat diseases which threaten them. Resveratrol has in recent years, been touted to be a very powerful antioxidant, anti cancer agent, and was shown to increase lifespan in some small organisms, at least. But is it true that such a common element found in red wine and red grape juice can significantly boost the upper limits of human lifespan?
Resveratrol’s main claim to fame is its ability to activate Sirtuin 1, an enzyme within the body that is involved in regulating aging. The effect is similar to that achieved by regular fasting/caloric restriction. Although resveratrol’s benefits have yet to be confirmed fully till today, apparently some researchers don’t think so, and are actively trying to synthesize the active ingredients in resveratrol to create the “perfect” anti aging drug from them. I look forward to the day these become mass available.
Of late, there has been renewed focus on finding the proverbial silver bullet for anti aging, but I’m afraid there are none in that sense. Take for example, the so-called “Easter Island anti aging pill” or rapamycin. Rapamycin or sirolimus is a drug that actually suppresses the immune system, and is used in preventing organ transplant rejection in people who have received organ transplants.
What’s strange about rapamycin, is it comes from bacteria living in the soils of remote Easter Island.
Some have jumped on its apparent ability to extend life based on lab tests done with mice and touting it as a “fountain of youth” drug, but whether the drug can really extend life in humans remains to be seen.
Any life extension regimen will always incorporate a balanced and holistic approach taking into account diet, mental state and outlook, adequate rest, exercise, and not neglecting the spiritual side of man. Of course, it’s nice to imagine we can pop a pill and not have to worry about aging, but I don’t believe it is ever going to be that easy. Stalling the aging process will always need a degree of long term focus and effort (to stay young). Nonetheless, resveratrol and rapamycin both appear to have potential to fill up part of the gaps in this quest.
