Breakthrough Discovery- Reduce Signs of Aging
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against aging.
(This is the way it always starts…please read on.)
By restoring youthful levels of a specific part of the telomerase enzyme, they have significantly reduced signs and symptoms of aging in…(wait for it)…lab models.
If these findings hold true in human studies, it could lead to new treatments for age related disease.
(And finally) “This discovery is a significant step forward in understanding and potentially treating the aging process. More research is needed to confirm the safety and efficacy on humans.
And there you have it.
A story I have read many, many times before.
Please don’t get me wrong. We should be encouraged by all of the research. The aging industry is expected to grow to over $64 billion by 2026, a 45% increase from 2020. There are many interesting solutions in the pipeline.
However, as of now, there is no “silver bullet”. There is no “magic pill” to stop, slow down or reverse aging, in spite of the many claims that we have seen. We will talk about some of these claims in future conversations.
Please forgive the “click bait” title of this article. It was the same title that I clicked on hoping for the answer, but instead inpired this discussion.
So, where does this leave us?
We are not back at square one. Quite the contrary. There are many supplements and
geo-protective pharmaceuticals being explored that address many of the Hallmarks of Aging. And let’s not forget the many lifestyle changes that have been proven to help slow the aging process.
Here is the quick summary of the current situation:
In animals, we have learned how to meaningfully slow or reverse aging.
In humans, we have promising candidates (see below), but no magic bullet yet.
The first true “anti-aging” drugs might be approved in the next 5-10 years.
And finally, in the meantime, there are many things we can do to improve our health, and our health span. We will talk much more about this topic in future conversations.
Enjoy your day,
Just a little extra-
Here’s a quick overview of where we are with (some of the leading) drugs that slow aging (according to AI).
1. Rapamycin and similar compounds
Rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) is the most famous drug shown to extend lifespan in mice, worms, and other models.
In humans, low-dose Rapamycin and related compounds (like everolimus) are being tested mostly for immune rejuvenation and preventing age-related diseases.
Some small trials suggest benefits, but long-term studies in healthy humans aren't finished yet.
2. Senolytics
These are drugs that clear out senescent ("zombie") cells, which accumulate with age and drive inflammation.
Examples: Dasatinib + Quercetin, Fisetin.
Early human trials (small scale) show improvements in things like lung function and physical frailty.
Bigger clinical trials are in progress.
3. NAD+ boosters (like NMN, NR)
NAD+ levels decline with age, affecting metabolism and DNA repair.
Supplements like Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) and Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) aim to restore NAD+.
Some positive animal data, but human trials are mixed — effects are probably modest.
4. Metformin
An old diabetes drug that seems to reduce age-related disease risk (heart disease, cancer) in observational studies.
The TAME Trial (Targeting Aging with Metformin) is a big, famous trial aiming to test Metformin specifically for anti-aging — it's still being organized due to funding and regulatory issues.
References
September 2, 2024. Breakthrough Discovery- Reduce The Signs of Aging.SciTechDaily
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