The Hindu Business Line : The science of staying young

AMONG people on this planet, the fastest-growing segment is "the so-called oldest old, aged 80 and above," writes the editor in the latest issue of Scientific American, a special on aging. The comparatively younger ones, that is 65 and older, constituted a meagre one per cent at the beginning of the 20th century, but now make up 10 per cent. The United Nations has projected that by 2050 one in five would be in that category.

It is not enough simply to live longer, notes the edit. "No, we want to live better, more youthful days while we're living longer." Thus, the theme is not `the story of growing old' but `the science of staying young.' A fit gift for your old man.

The blurb of the first article can make the `young' squirm with envy: "People in their late 90s or older are often healthier and more robust than those 20 years younger." There is a mention of a 100-year-old man who had seen "19 American presidents take office." If we aim to lay claim to that many PMs, credit would be due to a wobbly democracy rather than agile aging.

On the never-dying pursuit of immortality, we may draw lessons from worms, flies and pigeons, notes another article. "No sex + less food = long life," is a tell-all equation that describes experiments on animals. There could be practical problems, though: "Put a fly in the fridge, and it will live eight or nine times as long... But humans probably would not want to live longer if they had to chill out and hibernate." Want to try out?

An area that men have to do some catching up with women is longevity, to reduce the skew that exists in widows outnumbering widowers. "Doctors are not sure why women live longer," is a comment that may be in sync with what most men may be puzzling in their heads too. One reason that is offered is that women take care of their own health better than men do. "Women are more diligent about check-ups and preventive care. They are better at listening to their bodies and reporting discordant signals to their doctors."

How about postponing aging? "The situation of aging research in 2004 is like that of atomic physics in 1929," is a line that does not stir much hope. Yet, a more important question, "Why did aging evolve in the first place?" seems to have some answer. That aging arises in sexually reproducing species because "the force of natural selection declines after the start of adulthood."

Turning to no smoking, getting off alcohol, and so on are good, but "there's one toxin you just can't dodge: oxygen." But you thought the gas added life? Yes, oxygen helps you churn out energy, "but the conversion isn't perfect."

CR is credit, but it stands for caloric restriction. It is tough to cut down caloric intake by the suggested 30 per cent. How about "a pill that mimicked the physiological effects of eating less without actually forcing people to go hungry?" That must be the handiwork of a manipulative accountant!

"Whether they're counting minutes or years, biological clocks keep our brains and bodies on time, perhaps even on schedule for death," is the blurb of a piece on what's ticking inside us. And just one parting warning: "No anti-aging remedy on the market today has been proved effective."

So, rather than worry about age, remember to live this moment happily, healthily.

SayCheek@TheHindu.co.in

More Stories on : Trends | Say Cheek | Lifestyle

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
No sign of rain gods

Dust-filled AC ducts pose health hazard

Harry Potter helps Pogo score good ratings

Helplines by embassies for Gulf NRIs

A new lease of life

Parthiv Patel to don gloves for Reliance

A chunk of past-glory

Kerala inventors to be feted

The science of staying young