The Molecular Basis of Lifespan Becomes Clearer
It's always good to see the basic concepts of healthy life extension permeating throughout the scientific community - and being expressed more forcefully, since scientists tend to be conservative for reasons relating to funding and common human nature. So I am pleased to see this abstract from the Journal of Hypertension:
Objective: Although the quest for longevity is as old as civilization itself, only recently have technical and conceptual advances in genomics research brought us to the point of understanding the precise molecular events that make us age. This heralds an era when manipulations of these will enable us to live longer, healthier lives. The present review describes how recent experimental strategies have identified key genes and intracellular pathways that are responsible for ageing and longevity.Findings: In diverse species transcription factors belonging to the forkhead/winged helix box gene, group O (FOXO) subfamily have been found to be crucial in downstream suppression of the life-shortening effects of insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signalling pathways that, when upregulated, accelerate ageing by suppression of FOXO. The various adverse processes activated upon FOXO suppression include increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are pivotal for the onset of various common conditions, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, each of which shortens lifespan. In humans, FOXO3a, as well as FOXO1 and -4, and their downstream effectors, could hold the key to counteracting ageing and common diseases. An understanding of the processes controlled by these FOXOs should permit development of novel classes of agents that will more directly counteract or prevent the damage associated with diverse life-threatening conditions, and so foster a life of good health to a ripe old age. Just like caloric restriction, lifespan can be increased in various species by plant-derived polyphenols, such as resveratrol, via activation of sirtuins in cells. Sirtuins, such as SIRT1 in mammals, utilize FOXO and other pathways to achieve their beneficial effects on health and lifespan.
Conclusion: Lifespan is tractable and basic mechanisms are now known. Longevity research complements and overlaps research in most major medical disciplines. Current progress bodes well for an ever-increasing length of healthy life for those who adapt emerging knowledge personally (so-called 'longevitarians').
I think the author coined "longevitarians," since that's the first time I've heard it, but we'll let that pass. The rest is quite to the point - and the more scientists who stand up to say it, the better. We know more than enough to make a serious start on the fight to cure aging! If you would like to learn more about the science here, you can find a very educational discussion on FOXO and related areas of genetics in a Fight Aging! post from early 2004.
I believe that this rearch may have a big impact on the way people in later generation react toward life;and the way they see it. And as an American we can do anything setting our mind toward it. With money of course.