From the fountain of youth

Recent scientific research has found ways to reduce the effects of aging on cognitive and physical functions in lab animals.

Professor David Rollo of McMaster University is currently engaged in research on the aging process. He recently reported that he has managed to create a supplement which is able to slow down mental and physical decline in mice as they age. Although the supplement has not been able to significantly increase the life span of the mice, they are remaining highly functional at later stages of life.

The supplement, consisting of ingredients such as Vitamin B, Garlic and other vitamins and herbs, has been mostly effective in improving motor functions, memory and learning skills as the mice age. Although it has been effective in test animals, CBC reports that the researchers have warned people not to attempt replicating it at home, as it has not yet been tested on human subjects. However, if the supplements are able to pass human testing, they would provide a way to improve human functionality later in life.

Professor Jeffrey Stuart of Brock University's Biological Sciences Department explained how this form of research is not only useful because it has the potential to slow down aging in humans; it also helps reveal information about diseases that are related to age. Stuart listed Cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders as areas that research on aging has the potential to illuminate.

"Increasing life span is really about ameliorating the onset and progression of a number of age-related diseases," he said. "If we focus on aging and extending longevity, it is likely that we will actually be discovering things that impinge at a very fundamental level on the individual diseases mentioned."

Stuart also explained how these diseases are linked by the fact that they develop with age, and how this link could mean that it is more effective to study aging in general, rather than studying each disease individually.

"The question [remains]: is the fact that they all seem to develop with age because they are related at some level? The answer is likely yes," he said. "That's a good reason to focus on studying aging per se, rather than each disease in isolation."

One of the main ethical issues that could arise from attempting to lengthen life spans is the increase in elderly people, resulting in an overall older population. However, Stuart explained that research that would increase life spans will likely also improve functionality at older ages. Rather than being dependant or non-functional, the elderly population would remain independent and as long as they do not retire at 55-years-old, they would still contribute to the economy.

"If they are old, decrepit people then maybe not so much," he said. "But, if they are old, highly functional individuals with tons of experience that can be highly productive then why not?  There are solid economic arguments to support the benefit of this kind of thing."

Overall, scientific and medical research is continuing to improve and extend human life spans. Research on aging, and reducing the effects of aging, is a prominent area of study and constantly growing. This research continues to find ways to improve functionality at older ages, increase life spans and discover more about age-related diseases. Therefore, there is currently much potential for improved human longevity.