Longevity Medicine
Longevity Medicine
Longevity medicine is the practice of medical care focused on preventing and
delaying or reversing age-related diseases scienceoftheworld, illnesses, dysfunctions and disabilities. It
is a healthcare model based on the application of science, research, and technology
to prolong the healthy lifespan of patients.
The goal of longevity research is to develop and test effective technologies,
treatments, products, and pharmaceuticals that will help people live longer. This is a
major challenge because age-related diseases account for 90% of all deaths in
industrialized countries.
Some of the most promising research focuses on genes (such as those for insulin
resistance and glucose metabolism) that increase the risk of chronic illnesses such
as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. By targeting these genetic defects,
researchers can reduce the severity of the condition and extend life expectancy.
One example is rapamycin, which was originally developed as an
immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients. It has now been found to
significantly lengthen life span in several animal models, including yeast and worms.
A second promising group of medicines is a class of drugs known as ‘geroprotectors’.
These include nicotinamide mononucleotide, the’red wine pill’ resveratrol and
betaine.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a chemical that increases levels of
nicotinamide adenyl phosphate (NAD+) which is a critical regulator of cellular
function. Levels decline with age and restoring NAD+ can be beneficial in slowing
many age-related processes such as neurodegeneration, muscle deterioration and
cell death.
Betaine is another important nutrient that may help slow ageing as well as other
health conditions such as cancer and heart disease. It also helps to prevent some
common aging symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline.
Metformin is a widely used type 2 diabetes medicine that has also been shown to
slow the onset of several age-related diseases in mice, such as liver and heart
damage, immune function and tendon stiffening. A study of 180,000 UK patients
using the drug over a five-year period revealed that metformin extended healthspan
by about 5 per cent.
It’s no secret that most of us want to be able to enjoy a long, healthy and disease-
free lifespan. This can be achieved through a range of approaches such as healthy
diet, regular exercise, stress management, and staying engaged with family, friends
and work.…