Can we reverse AGEING?

Ageing, or senescence, is one of the most complex phenomena in human biology. Mitigating – and reversing – its effects requires a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted physiological processes that contribute to aging.

- Dr Sly Nedic

Scientists are continuously searching for the fabled ‘fountain of youth’, while advances in technology have the public eagerly awaiting some miraculous intervention that will undo ageing. Billions are spent every year searching for that extraordinary breakthrough but, for now, we at least know that we will not age as quickly and poorly as our parents.

In principle, the younger ‘ageing population’ – in their mid-40s – is more concerned about its aesthetic aspects (facial and body appearance). Those in their mid-50s are, however, looking for integrative antiageing interventions to prevent dementia, heart attacks, arthritis, cancer, and other age-related detrimental diseases. Among the youngsters, some millennials are very pro-healthy living, exercising vigorously, embracing veganism, using preventive genetic testing for healthy guidance, and are extremely open to earlier antiageing interventions.

The latest research

The majority of research is done to prove that biological ageing (epigenetic ageing) can be reversed, irrespective of chronological ageing (how old you are). Two recent studies caused much excitement among anti-ageing researchers. One was the first clinical trial designed to reverse aspects of human ageing-related to immunity. Decreased immunity is a massive problem in ageing populations, and contributes to cancer, autoimmunity and infectious diseases. For this purpose, human growth hormone (HGH), DHEA and metformin (an antidiabetic drug) were used in older adults (aged 51-65).