Geroprophylaxis – can human life be prolonged?

Abstract:

In vitro studies conducted by three biologists from the USA, who were awarded the Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine for their research in telomeres and telomerase function, add a new dimension to the attempts to slow down the aging process. Telomeres avoid shortening, i.e., cell aging, by using telomerase enzyme. Research shows that telomere shortening should be slowed down if life is to be prolonged, i.e., cells should go through a larger number of mitoses than what they were programmed to do. An immunosuppressive substance, rapamycin, causes numerous adverse reactions and is used today exclusively for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection. Astragalus, a substance contained in some legumes, could activate telomerase in humans and prevent telomere shortening and cell aging. However, it could also result in an increased risk of the development of malignancies. Attempts to slow down the aging process are based on the antioxidative effect of some chemical compounds, such as vitamins C, A, and E, minerals, and trace metals. Phytochemicals are also used for that purpose, while omega-3 acids could prove useful in DNA reparation. 

Key words:
aging; astragalus plant; fatty acids, omega-3; metals; minerals; nutrition; sirolimus; telomerase; telomere; vitamins