The dream of reversing aging has captivated humans for centuries, and today science is closer than it ever has been to achieving that goal. Which is to say: It’s still pretty far away.
That’s not for lack of trying. Some researchers are attempting to reprogram cells to make them biologically younger, which has been shown to reverse features of aging in older animals. Unfortunately, this can also induce cancer. Other researchers are studying drugs called senolytics, which aim to clear aging cells out of the body. However, they can also destroy other cells humans need to survive.
Transfusions of blood from young mice appear to rejuvenate older mice, but companies offering this unproven treatment for humans are charging a lot for a potentially dangerous therapy. And while some longevity enthusiasts are taking the drug rapamycin because studies have shown it helps animals live longer, it also weakens the immune system and hasn’t been proved to work in people.
I find these efforts intriguing and worth pursuing. But most people don’t simply want to live until 110. They want to extend the amount of time they live free of serious disease, a concept known as health span.
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