Rapamycin for Longevity: The Anti-Aging Miracle Drug?

Although the human lifespan has increased over recent decades, the human health-span has been unable to keep pace. While we are living longer due to scientific advancements, the number of years we spend without age-related diseases has not increased proportionately.

Lifestyle interventions often recommended too late in life tend not to be sufficient to prevent, halt, or reverse age-related decline. Research scientists are increasingly focusing on potential pharmaceutical interventions to combat the negative aspects of aging. One pathway of exploration aims to repurpose existing medications for geroprotection and is proving remarkably successful in early trials.

Continue reading

Longevity and Alcohol: Exploring The Complex Connection

Even though drinking alcohol is common among the population, current research has not provided a definitive answer as to the health benefits and consequences of drinking alcohol. On the one hand, drinking alcohol has been repeatedly discussed in scientific papers as protective against certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, and light-to-moderate alcohol intake has even been related to reduced mortality risks. On the other hand, several studies suggest that even moderate amounts of alcohol can have a detrimental impact on health, and in most cases, the substance causes more harm than good.

The complexity of the risk relationship between alcohol, health, and longevity continues to confuse patients and clinicians and remains a subject of intense research and controversy. There are very few studies available on the connection between alcohol and longevity, but emerging scientific findings aim to add to the body of knowledge and outline the adverse effects of alcohol on biological aging.

Continue reading

Exercise for Longevity: Aerobic Activity or Strength Training?

More than just a vital component of maintaining optimal health, regular physical exercise is one of the most impactful lifestyle interventions for longevity.

Compared to being inactive, studies have found that exercising can reduce all-cause mortality by up to 30%. Experts have deemed the benefits of transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to an active exercise regimen comparable to the health differences between smokers and non-smokers.

Research also suggests that patients who stop exercising or fail to exercise throughout their lives experience a heightened risk for disease and mobility loss and an overall lower life expectancy. On the other hand, older adults who exercise regularly are more likely to experience improvements in many areas of health: mental health, emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and cognitive function. And daily physical activity can reverse specific age-related processes, prevent heart disease and cancer, and optimize organ health, among its numerous other benefits.

Not all exercises are created equal. So, what is the optimal exercise regimen for elongating the lifespan and promoting long-term health and happiness? Experts in the field continue to explore this question while new research reveals more about the ideal routine for longevity.

Continue reading