Slowing the Aging Process — Is it just Monkey Business?

While reading an article the other day in the New York Times that had been forwarded to me by my son, my attention was immediately drawn to the article that followed titled: One for the Ages: A Prescription That May Extend Life. Here on the front page of this article are side-by-side pictures of two elderly Rhesus monkeys, only a year apart in age, each visibly aging at profoundly different rates.  What is remarkable about this scientific study is that the aging process of these monkeys was altered merely by restricting caloric intake. The younger, more vibrant of the monkeys (shown pictured on the left), had a daily caloric intake of about one-half that of the monkey that seemed to be aging more quickly.

Aside from the external physical positives apparent in this side-by-side comparison of these two monkeys, there are other noteworthy differences as well. The bloodwork of the monkey on the right shows unhealthy levels of glucose and triglycerides, his posture is affected by arthritis, his hair is falling out, and he no longer exhibits the energetic demeanor of his cohort. Scientists have also seen many benefits to calorie-restricted diets other than lifespan, such as a reduction in neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancers. Studies conducted with mice have had similar results. As stated in the NY Times article, "Aside from direct genetic manipulation, calorie restriction is the only strategy known to extend life consistently in a variety of animal species." Prolonging the length as well as the quality of life in humans is at the forefront of these studies. It is estimated that with a 30% reduction in our daily caloric intake, humans can reap some of the same benefits that are seen in these laboratory studies. Some of those involved in this research went so far as to claim that restricting calories may be more beneficial than exercise in the prevention of age-related disease. Still there are many who believe that not only is it unlikely that large numbers of people will willingly choose to drastically limit their caloric intake, but they still aren’t convinced that the benefits are as extreme as seen in the pictures of the two monkeys. Even if dietetic restriction doesn’t catch on amongst the population at large, it has at least initiated debate within the scientific community that aging, or at least the rate at which aging occurs, is not set. Studies such as the ones being done with these monkeys make it evident that manipulation of the aging process may be possible. Though these findings are inconclusive, the scientific community is optimistic and therefore requesting large dollars from the government to fund further research. Currently, there is an ongoing study with a newly synthesized form of resveratrol, which is an antioxidant found in large quantities of red wine. This could be a first in the class of anti-aging drugs. Something tells me that finding "the fountain of youth" and then bottling it in pill form will be a miraculous find indeed. Now, merely a personal suggestion, but while they are at it, perhaps they could also market a "PM" version. On occasion one might choose to substitute in one of these little pills with dinner and afterwards peacefully retreat to a comfortable reclining spot beside a crackling, warm fireplace to enjoy some soothing music and then woosily drift into a peaceful sleep to let the wonders of modern medicine melt away the unkind physiological effects of time. In the morning, you would awaken refreshed — no migraine, no noticeable ill effects whatsoever of a past evening of overindulgence of the aged spirits of that scrumptious red fruit. You feel younger. You look younger. It’s true. You longed to be the monkey on the left (your evolutionary ancestor); and by gosh, it worked. You sit at the breakfast table eager to begin the new day. After you satisfy that sudden, curious itch that’s occurred first under your left armpit, then your right, you push aside your usual plate of assorted pastries and instead reach into the fruit bowl, where you carefully select one of your newest favorite fruits and begin to peel the yellow skins away to satisfy your morning caloric needs. As you peer over with newfound affection at the bottle of this wonder drug, you somehow notice for the first time, in small, almost unreadable print, the words: "Possible Rare Side Effects: ……"