Long Livity and Anti-Aging

Exciting progress is being made in the field of aging, with new molecular indicators that can measure and manage the processes that affect deterioration associated with age. These findings are closer than ever before to be applied to older adults. Currently, diet is the most accessible form of intervention, but it's critical to distinguish between current myths and realities.

An article published in Cell in 2013 served as a knowledge map about aging, summarizing for the first time the molecular indicators of aging in mammals. The authors have updated and extended this knowledge in the same journal, verifying the conclusions of the analysis carried out a decade ago.

The researchers identified nine indicators of aging, molecular signatures that mark the progress of the process and on which it was possible to act to prolong life. They also point to four primary causes of aging: genomic instability, shortening of telomeres, epigenetic alterations, and an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation.

A recent study reviews new interventions to delay aging and age-related diseases that act on telomeres. For example, telomerase activation through a gene therapy strategy has shown therapeutic effects in mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis and aplastic anemia.

Dietary interventions are related to a key indicator of aging: the dysregulation of the nutrient-sensing mechanism. This mechanism is the sophisticated network of molecular signals that alert all mammals that food is available. "Acting on the diet is one of the most accessible ways to intervene in human aging," according to the researchers.

Clinical trials based on dietary restriction in humans become complicated due to poor compliance, although they suggest positive effects on immunity and inflammation. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the association of different types of diets with longevity and disease prevention.

Certain types of diet in population cohort studies are associated with a lower incidence and prevalence of certain diseases. For instance, the Mediterranean diet has been shown in various studies to be associated with lower cardiovascular risk and lower risk of cognitive impairment, especially due to its vascular component. Eating nuts is associated with less dyslipidemia.

A fiber-rich diet is also associated with less colonic digestive pathology, such as constipation and colon cancer. A diet low in fatty meats and rich in fruits and vegetables is linked with less prostate, breast, and colon disease. A diet with adequate protein intake is related to better muscle mass at all ages, whereas a diet rich in calcium products, such as nuts and dairy products, is connected to better bone mass and less osteoporosis and its consequences.

In conclusion, each of the aging indicators should be considered an entry point for future exploration of the aging process and the development of new anti-aging drugs. Eating a balanced diet and consulting with a healthcare provider are always important to determine the best approach for individual needs.

Dr. Tugan Tezcaner

General & Laparoscopic Surgeon

Valiant Hospital, City Walk, Dubai

Reference: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/988578?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_230224_MSCPEDIT&uac=6453DJ&impID=5194725