Author: Maria Torroella Carney, MD, FACP

Have you ever felt like your body was slowing down; like your aching muscles weren’t as strong as they once were? One day you begin to notice you’re not moving with as much grace, or even that it takes a little longer to make it through the newspaper every morning, or to remember what you had planned to do today.

“When did this happen?” we ask ourselves. “Why is this happening to me?”

You are not alone in wondering. Two new studies give some insight into how certain molecules affect aging and could actually lead to longevity breakthroughs. One of these studies published in Nature reports a new finding that aging is not a linear decline (as it can sometimes feel). In fact, there may be two points during your life when you may notice these changes more than others, in your mid-40s, and again at age 60.

Another study published in Cell identified a new molecule, Telomerase Enzyme Reverse Transcriptase Activating Compound (TAC), that has reverted cells to their younger versions in animals.

The Stanford University study published in Nature and led by Dr. Michael Snyder supports what we have long known– that there are biological changes that occur with age. Their work has provided more clarity to human physiological decline. With this increased understanding comes an opportunity to make changes in how we live.

One such change that Dr. Snyder’s team recognized – the first instance of changes identified in your mid-40s – were related to alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism; cardiovascular disease, skin, and muscle. Later changes identified at age 60 were more related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, skin, and muscle. In the past these changes were thought to occur primarily in women and mostly related to menopause, however this study has shown that both instances of these changes occur in both men and women. What does this mean:

In our 40s, we should be mindful in our consumption of alcohol and caffeine and focus on a mediterranean diet.
In our 60s, it is important to stay active, minimize harm to our kidneys, and be attentive to vaccine recommendations.

The Cell study is out of the University of Texas – MD Anderson and led by Dr. Ronald DePinho. His animal studies identified a molecule that reversed cellular aging that occurs because of the decline in function of Telomerase Enzyme Reverse Transcriptase (TERT). Theoretically, by making more TERT, cells will not die (or even decline), which would slow down the cellular aging process. This is the first documented case of the reversal of aging cells – surely an incredibly exciting study which will prompt further investigation to determine its applications.

While aging is not synonymous with disease, aging can increase one’s risk for disease and injury. Understanding the factors contributing to aging, including the molecular and physiological changes more clearly will help us answer the questions “What is normal aging?” and “What can we do to promote healthy aging?”

These two studies highlight the importance of cell function – specifically the way cellular elements and their changes manifest changes in our bodies and minds as we age. Learning how we affect these molecules and proteins – what causes more damage (e.g., smoking or alcohol) to them and in turn accelerates aging vs. what behaviors might prevent harm (e.g., diet, exercise, cholesterol and hormone levels) will help us promote healthy aging. Learning more about what contributes to healthy aging at both the macro- and micro-levels is critical to longevity and quality of life.

If you could take a medication that would slow down your cellular breakdown – preserve your body’s grace a little longer, keep your mind sharp enough to best your grandkids once in a while – would you?

These studies bring us a step closer to that possibility! In the meantime, consider the following tips to promote your own healthy aging:

Live Healthy: Monitor your exercise, alcohol intake and sleep
Promote cognitive health by socializing with others
Encourage safety by living in an age-friendly home
Receive Age-Friendly Care*

Maria Torroella Carney, MD, FACP is an internist, geriatrician and palliative care physician with public health experience at Northwell Health, and a Katz Institute certified physician. Age-friendly care*, an initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is modeled on the evidence-based 4Ms of age-friendly care: What Matters Most, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Northwell Health is one of the largest healthcare systems to adopt the 4Ms of age-friendly care.