Humans have pursued eternal youth and increased longevity for millennia. The Vikings believed in magical apples that could preserve the life of all who ate them, Medieval Britons believed in the age-reversing Holy Grail, and Ancient Greeks sought the Fountain of Youth that would restore bathers to their younger selves.
By Indiana Lee
While there’s no evidence to suggest that we can really turn back the clock, recent advancements in technology support the idea that anti-ageing is possible.
Cell reprogramming and gene therapy might offer us a better chance of a long life, while high-tech plastic surgery can restore your face to its former glory. However, almost all approaches to anti-ageing contain some precarious pitfalls that you should be aware of.
Age Reversal Technology
Scientists aren’t yet able to turn back the time and restore you to your 20-something self. However, recent advancements in anti-ageing technology suggest that we can at least mitigate the effects of growing older.
Some scientists have even experimented with the idea of cell reprogramming. Cell reprogramming alters your DNA, causing your cells to return to an embryonic-like state. This is particularly helpful if you’ve suffered a stroke or heart attack, as reprogrammed cells may be able to treat the damaged area.
Recent advancements in gene therapy may be able to turn back time, too. Gene therapy — which works by “turning off” faulty genetic code — can be used to treat polygenic complex diseases. These polygenic complex diseases are usually associated with ageing, as your genetic code has more time to develop a fault given a greater length of life. Hypothetically, small amounts of mutated DNA can be removed and replaced with the correct sequence.
Some speculative research suggests that we may be able to dive even deeper into the structure of the cell and replace the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes. These protective caps (telomeres) keep the cell alive but, over time, shorten. Some researchers speculate that we may be able to lengthen the caps in the future, meaning your body has more resources to replenish itself with.
Artificial Intelligence
Anti-ageing research requires extreme attention to detail and a massive amount of data analysis. Reading reams of genetic code and compounds takes an unimaginable amount of effort and time. However, artificial intelligence (AI) can speed up anti-ageing research and help scientists make breakthroughs sooner.
Experts from Integrated Biosciences used AI to analyze 800,000 senolytic compounds with the hope of identifying those compounds which may cause age-related conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer. Researchers used machine-learning models to identify a few compounds that seemed to be present in age-related diseases and were able to minimize the expression of the compounds in 80-week-old mice.
Clearly, senolytic compounds need much more research before human trials can begin. However, the rapid advancement of AI suggests that breakthroughs in anti-ageing studies will become increasingly common as our ability to capture and analyze large data sets improves.
Cosmetic Changes for Health
DNA strands and cells form the backbone of human health and ageing. However, surface-level changes to your appearance can have a positive impact on your self-image and esteem. This can help you age with grace, as surgical procedures can help you feel at home in your own skin.
Botox and fillers may not make you any younger, but cosmetic surgery can improve your health if you’re currently undergoing a long-term health plan. For example, if you’ve recently recovered from cancer treatment, you may want to explore restorative cosmetic surgery after your care is completed.
Alternatively, if your body has been through significant trauma, plastic surgery can be a good way to health your body and mind. Cosmetic surgery is particularly powerful for folks who have suffered third-degree burns or who may have received injuries to the face. Going under the scalpel can remove some of the physical reminders of the accident and help you approach later life with renewed purpose.
Bariatric Surgery
Carrying unwanted weight isn’t just a strain on your mental health. According to the World Health Organization, obesity can lead to heart disease and stroke as well as diabetes and other aging illnesses.
The decision to undergo bariatric surgery shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before going under, you should pursue every other possible avenue to reduce your weight and improve your diet. You’ll also need to undergo a lengthy follow-up process to ensure that the surgery is a success.
It’s important to note that bariatric surgery isn’t a silver bullet that will “cure” your obesity. Though you may lose weight rapidly, you need to commit to lifestyle changes that help you exercise more frequently and eat healthily. This will ensure that the surgery is a success and will give you a chance at living a longer, healthier life.
Alternatives to the Scalpel
Plastic surgery and bariatric operations can improve your quality of life and life expectancy. However, your body is not made from clay and your plastic surgeon cannot perform miracles. Even one sitting for plastic surgery will require months of recovery and you may have to come in for multiple follow-up appointments after the initial procedure.
Before pursuing invasive procedures, consider making lifestyle changes that improve your health and well-being. For example, if you’re constantly fighting chronic fatigue, you may want to consider a sleep holiday.
As the name suggests, a sleep holiday involves visiting a destination with the goal of improving your quality of sleep. Today, sleep retreats and restores exist to help you find your perfect slumber and reset your circadian rhythm. This is particularly important if you’re concerned about longevity, as sleep gives the body a chance to take out the trash and recover after a long day.
You can also buy high-tech supplements that are designed to improve your health and minimize the effects of ageing. However, before purchasing a supplement, be sure to read the label and side-step any products that contain toxins. Instead, opt for goods that include International Herbal Grade-10 Scale, as these products are certified to include clinically backed natural herbs.
Improved Health Tracking
Prioritizing your health and well-being is vital for longevity and graceful ageing. However, it can be difficult to know if you’re on the right track — particularly if you aren’t used to exercising and eating healthy foods.
Today, you can lean on a range of health-tracking devices to track your progress and improve your vital signs. Widely available health tracking devices (like FitBits and AmazFit) can record key metrics like heart rate, exercise, hydration, and calories burnt. This gives you a clear indication of your activity level and can help you make lifestyle changes that improve your longevity.
The data collected by tracking devices can be given to your doctor, too. This is particularly important if you’re currently on a health plan, as your physician will be able to monitor your progress remotely.
Conclusion
Everyone wants to live a long, healthy life. Technology can support your longevity and counter the effects of ageing by helping you to live a more active, health-conscious lifestyle. Even small changes, like drinking more water, supplementing your diet, quitting smoking, and minimizing alcohol consumption can have a huge impact on your well-being and help reduce the risk of age-related conditions like stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
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