Can a Pill Provide the Fountain of Youth?

One Team of Researchers at Harvard Medical School Thinks So...Sort of

One of the reasons we age and suffer from age related diseases such as cancer is because of the a part of the source of a cells power (the mitochrondria) wears out. Thanks to groundbreaking a research, an innovative new drug company that was recently purchased by GlaxoSmithKline is working on the fountain of youth in a pill. This pill would rev up mitochondria, keeping us healthy and energetic later in life, and possibly extending our lives as well.

The research conducted by David Sinclair and his team of researchers at Harvard Medical School focuses on a group of enzymes called sirtuins. When these enzymes are activated, they invigorate mitochondria.  In turn, Sinclair found that the siruin known as SIR2 could be activated using resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, that is often often given credit for the longevity and health of the French.  

Now Sinclairs team has discovered a compound that has the same effect as resveratrol, but is 1,000 times more effective. This is what they would like to bring to the market in pill form.

 The implications are potentially huge for the health and longevity of people. If the pill that Sinclair and his team makes it to market, it could mean a huge reduction in debilitating human diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It could even potentially reduce baldness and wrinkles.  It could also extend our youth, so that we remain energetic, healthy and active into our 80s or 90s. It may also increase lifespan by up to 10 years, possibly more.

While this will not offer immortality like a true fountain of youth, it may enable 80 year olds to feel like 40 year olds, and it will increase the average human lifespan dramatically, so that many people will be able to watch their great grandchildren grow.

The drug Sinclairs team is working on could be on the market as early as 2014. If it really lives up to what early tests indicate, this will be a huge breakthrough in improving the health and longevity of mankind, and drastically improve the quality of life of those who take it.

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