The search for longevity

This week the findings of two scientific articles on improving longevity in mice and monkeys made it to the pages of the lay newspaper. The newspapers were speculating on the possibility that one day we might be able to pop a pill daily and prolong our life.

The researchers in Maine, USA, fed a drug called rapamycin to male and female mice aged 600 days of age to see its effect on survival (Nature 2009, July 8 epub). Compared to control mice, rapamycin extended the survival of female mice by 14% and male mice by 9%. (Rapamycin is a powerful drug used to suppress the body’s immune system and is used to prevent organ rejection in patients who have received an organ transplant. Patients who are taking immunosuppression agents, such as rapamycin, are at increased risk of getting all kinds of infections. They are also at an increased risk of developing cancers.) The researchers discussed about the mTOR signaling pathway as possibly being involved in the regulation of mammalian lifespan.

In a different study from the University of Wisconsin, the researchers examined the effect of calorie restriction on longevity in rhesus monkeys (Science 2009; 325: 201 – 204). This 2 decade long study examined the outcome in 2 groups of monkeys – one group of monkeys were allowed to eat as they like while the other group of monkeys were allowed a diet with 30 percent fewer calories. The study found that 80% of the calorie restricted monkeys are still alive compared to only half of the monkeys allowed to eat normally. The calorie restricted monkeys had fewer cancers, less cardiovascular disease, better preserved brain function and no diabetes. (Diabetes is a common problem in monkeys.)

While many are searching for the longevity pill, perhaps the more interesting questions to ask are – Are we doing something which is shortening our lifespan? Are we doing something which is accelerating our aging process? If you eat more than required, you start to put on weight. It is well established that overweight / obese people have increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, diabetes mellitus and joint problems. If you smoke or drink excessively, you can develop respiratory problems, lung cancer and chronic liver disease. All of these do contribute to a reduced lifespan.

To me, eating more than necessary, smoking and drinking hastens our aging process. Until the day when a safe and effective longevity pill is available, you might consider adopting healthy lifestyle habits. It might just be the right longevity pill for you!