TIME: The Scientific Search for Youth
TIME recently interviewed James Kirkland, MD, director of the Center for Advanced Gerotherapeutics and a professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, about pioneering research into efforts to slow or reverse aging.
Kirkland told TIME investigators today are more focused on extending healthspan—the number of years people can live independently, actively and in good health—rather than lifespan alone.
“We are not focused on trying to work on longevity,” he said. “Hopefully we live to 100 or something like that, completely functional, and just not wake up one morning.”
Kirkland told TIME he aims to develop a medication that stops or reduces damage caused by senescent cells—dying cells that release harmful signals contributing to aging and age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
The process of senescence, a major factor in the aging process, “can impact literally hundreds of conditions,” Kirkland said, and learning more could lead to medicines that help people live well for a longer period of time.
Other potential new treatments to help avoid age-related health conditions, and reverse or slow aging, include gene therapy and fasting regimens. Studies also are underway to explore how the gut microbiome is linked to healthspan.
Turning back the clock has far-reaching societal and economic implications: By 2030, age-related chronic diseases are expected to total $47 trillion worldwide in lost productivity and healthcare expenses.
Researchers emphasize that much more investigation on how to improve quality of life in later years is needed.
Click here to read the complete article from TIME.