Scientists think we can “delay” the aging process, but how far can we really go?

As we age, many changes occur in our body, we become fragile, our hair turns white and our skin becomes wrinkled. We also become more susceptible to illnesses and may lose our cognitive abilities.

Aging is generally considered an inevitable part of life, but can it be delayed, prolonging our youthful years? We asked 8 experts the question: “Can aging be delayed?” Interestingly, there was a “likely” consensus of 75%. Here is what we found out.

What is aging?

All living things are made up of cells. Scientists often grow cells in the lab to study them. In 1961, researcher Leonard Hayflick noticed that on average, a human cell can only divide 50 times before going into a state of hibernation called “ senescence. ” It is believed that a buildup of senescent cells in body tissues could damage other cells and play a crucial role in aging.

There are many causes of aging and senescence at the cellular level. These include oxidative damage, accumulations of small errors in DNA, and telomere shortening. Essentially, different components of the cell undergo general wear and tear throughout the life of the cell. At some point, this damage means the cell can no longer function as before.

Can we delay the aging of cells?

While Hayflick noticed that normal human cells have a limited lifespan, some cells are able to multiply indefinitely. These cells normally come from cancer or have been genetically modified. By changing certain pathways in cells, such as the way they multiply or the maintenance of telomeres, we can overcome the normal aging process.

Aging can therefore be delayed in cells and is done regularly to facilitate research. Most importantly, these cells are not the same as healthy cells that you would find in the human body.

Can we delay the aging of animals?

Genetic manipulation can delay not only the aging of cells, but also whole animals (also called “model organisms”). Experiments to delay aging have started in the nematode worm C. elegans. Because of the ease of working with these animals in the laboratory, scientists have discovered a whole range of pathways that can be altered to delay aging.

Interestingly, one of these pathways is related to metabolism and diet. Restricted diets delay aging in a variety of animals, from flies to monkeys to dogs. Restricted calorie intake can cause cells in the body to go into “protective” mode, which slows down aging.

Dr. Gerardo Ferbeyre, an anti-aging expert from the University of Montreal, points out that “[a]While not everything that works in model organisms is likely to work in humans, some of the ideas emerging from aging research may eventually lead to antiaging therapies.

Can aging be delayed in humans?

Professor Janet Thornton, an anti-aging expert at the European Institute of Bioinformatics, points out that “[i]In humans, it is unethical to mutate and there are so many conflicting forces at work that it is difficult to assess the impact of dietary restrictions. In the laboratory, the lifespan of worms can be multiplied by 10; in flies and mice, the maximum increase is only 1.5 times, but an equivalent measure is not available in humans. It is likely that the human system is complex with many interconnects and buffers, so such extensions may not be accessible. “

Despite these complications, some drugs are in clinical trials to see if they can delay aging in humans. So far, it’s not clear whether these compounds will work.

Dr Marco Demaria from the University of Groningen says: “We have several lifestyle interventions clearly influencing the onset and progression of aging (diet and exercise top the list).” Many other experts have suggested improving diet and exercise in order to delay aging. People who exercise regularly and lead healthy lifestyles are generally more mobile and enjoy a better quality of life as they age.

Takeaway meals:

While aging is probably inevitable for all living things, it is possible to delay it experimentally in cells and animals. For us humans, the best way to delay aging is to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Article based on 8 expert answers to this question: “Can Aging Be Delayed?”

This expert response was published in partnership with the independent fact-checking platform Metafact.io. Subscribe to their weekly newsletter here.