Tuning The Metabolic Engine
Funded longevity research today is largely based on determining ways to "fine-tune" our metabolic processes - calorie restriction mimetics such as those sought by Sirtris are a good example. The Scotsman looks at another methodology: "We found making the metabolism in cells less efficient meant more oxygen was consumed and fewer free radicals were produced. In effect, a pharmaceutical target would pump up the metabolic rate to reduce the free radical production. Because free radicals also play a role in causing cancer and other diseases, reducing the number produced can not only increase the length of time someone lives, but increase their healthy lifespan." This sort of work is not expected to bring more than ten or twenty extra healthy years, however - going beyond this requires better technology.