Anti Ageing Pill?

An anti-ageing pill that could extend our lives up to 10 years has moved a step closer with the discovery of a key component of the ageing process.

23:23 08 April 2016

A recent study has found that we can live up to a decade longer by switching off protein molecules called GSK-3, which are responsible for shortening our natural lives.

 

In the experiment that involved fruit flies – which also have the GSK-3 protein, it was found that the molecule could be inhibited by low-level lithium use, which extended their lives by 16per cent.

 

Dr Jorge Ivan Castillo-Quan, lead author of the study, said that the knowledge about the molecule and its mechanism could unlock the secret to pushing back the onset of age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s, cancer, and diabetes.

 

“We’re excited about GSK-3. It could mean that all sorts of diseases related to ageing could be prevented for the near future if it was to become a therapy starting in middle age. I think that’s an even more exciting perspective than life extension.”

 

“There’s a lot of controversy about lifespan extension. But this also concerns extension of health. For example if this drug could delay Alzheimer’s from the age of 75 to the age of 90 that would be extremely good. We don’t necessarily want to live to 110 or 120 but we want to live healthier for longer.”