New Research May Lead to Drugs That Prolong Life

Scientists at the Institute of Healthy Ageing at University College London (UCL) may have finally arrived at the fountain of youth. By genetically engineering mice, they have successfully extended their life span by 20%, which is almost half of their total lifespan. The modified mice also showed resistance to diabetes and displayed positive physical and mental effects compared to the control group. Their T-cells, vital for immune function, were also healthier.

The genetic manipulation, which served to block the S6 Kinase 1 (S6K1) protein, replicated the beneficial effects of low-calorie intake. It has been known since the first half of the 20th century (1930s) that reducing the calorie intake by 30% of rats and mice increased their lifespan by 40%. More recently, the same effect has been observed in primates.

S6K1 is involved in the body's response to changes in food intake. According to research leader, UCL professor Dominic Withers, blocking the action of the S6K1 protein helps prevent a number of age-related conditions in female mice. "The mice lived longer and were leaner, more active and generally healthier than the control group. We added 'life to their years' as well as 'years to their lives." The male mice in the experiment showed little difference in life span although they also displayed the effects of better health.

There are drugs already available that serve to counter S6K1 and related molecules in the body. One is metformin, which is used against Type-2 diabetes. Another is rapamycin, which is used as an immunosuppressant for donated organ recipients. Drug company Sirtris Pharmaceuticals have found that resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant recently found in grapes activates the production of sirtuin proteins which produce the same health effects of calorie intake reduction. The company is now currently doing tests on concentrated resveratrol on select patients with diabetes and cancer.

Resveratrol is known to concentrate in human skin when taken internally and has been shown to promote cellular rejuvenation, at the same time destroying abnormal cellular growths that may lead to cancer. Resveratrol is found in grape skin and seeds.

With more research, the scientists hope to eventually make it possible to have drugs that when taken, could add years to people's lives. But before that happens, it could be that by simply eating more grapes, people can potentially look younger, be healthier, and live longer. To bad that the seeds, which contain other antioxidants beneficial to cells, aren't eaten at all because of their bitter taste. The next best thing are grape seed extract antioxidants.

Proflavanol Grape Seed Extract antioxidant

Genes for Controlling Aging Identified

Fast-aging mice have been created at the University of Wisconsin by geriatrics-science researchers. Basically, what they did was just change two letters of the mouse DNA. This resulted in a modification of the energy producing factories of cells, the mitochondria. The gene, the researchers say functions as the quality control checker to assure that copies of the mitochondrial DNA do not result in mutations.

Thus, when the two letters were changed, the mitochondrial DNA accumulated mutations that resulted in faster aging of cells, or more specifically, the self-demise or suicide of cells. The researchers are careful to say that normal aging is not the result of faulty spell checking of DNA. They believe there is a set of genes that can actually prolong life by inhibiting mitochondrial mutations. If they can find it, it may result in new ways to prolong the lifespan of organisms.

The Wisonsin researchers are now trying to stop or reverse the rapid aging of the mice.

Dark Circles Under Your Eyes? Fix Them with Something Cold

The area around the eyes are sensitive to stresses coming from the body's bad habits. For example, staying up late can stress the tissues around the eyes, especially those below them. The result are dark bruise-like circles that show how much you're punishing your eyes. These circles become obvious with aged skin. Skin exfoliation can help in improving skin texture, but the problem with dark eye circles lie deeper.

While sleeping late and overworking the eyes can be avoided, sometimes, these are necessary to get things done, like when you have a job deadline to meet. In such cases, it may help to have a plan so that you are ready when those circles appear. The best and tested way to cancel out those marks is to use something cold. This usually gets rid of the appearance of stress and skin aging.

There are people who use cold cucumber slices; some use a cold glass of water; others even use ice cubes. But sometimes, you only need something that has the right temperature - you don't really need to have something that's icy-cold - you only need a rmedy that's just-right-cold. In the video above, fashion icon Losmir suggests using cold tea bags! Watch it to see what she has to say.