How to age like fine wine (scientifically)?
- Gayatri Tendulkar
- Dec 22, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 20
“Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.” - Albert Camus
The above quote speaks directly to humanity’s complex relationship with ageing – a natural process that we often resist despite its inevitability. Ironically, as we grapple with our mortality, we also strive to delay its effects. Scientific advancements over the decades have successfully increased the human lifespan, however, this has often been accompanied by a rise in age-related diseases. As a result, researchers are now focusing on not just prolonging life but also improving its quality.
For centuries, ageing was seen as an unavoidable decline—a process that couldn't be changed. But recent scientific discoveries have challenged that view, showing that aging is influenced by a mix of genetic, molecular, and environmental factors. This new understanding opens the door to therapies that might slow ageing and improve quality of life as we grow older.
One of the most surprising discoveries came in the 1990s when molecular biologist Cynthia Kenyon found that changing just one gene could double the lifespan of worms. This breakthrough showed that ageing isn’t set in stone but can be influenced by certain pathways. Researchers have since focused on the Target of Rapamycin (TOR), a protein involved in cell growth and metabolism. In animal studies, drugs like rapamycin (also called sirolimus) have been shown to extend lifespan. As Eun Young Choi, a gerontologist at the University of Southern California, puts it, “The physical toll might not immediately manifest as an observable health outcome, but rather could affect our body at the cellular and molecular level.”
Despite the exciting discoveries in ageing research, translating them into real-world treatments for humans is not simple. Our biology is much more complex than that of animals like mice, and treatments like rapamycin come with potential risks. Genetics play a big part in ageing, but lifestyle choices and environmental factors are just as important in shaping how we grow older.
Research into "Blue Zones"—areas known for having people who live much longer—has shown how lifestyle choices matter. Things like eating a balanced diet, staying active, and maintaining strong social connections are linked to healthier ageing. These studies emphasize that ageing isn’t the same for everyone; some people stay healthy and vibrant into old age because of their environment and habits.
But environmental stressors, like climate change, could speed up ageing. A recent study of over 3,800 older adults found that chronic heat exposure is associated with accelerated biological ageing. For every 10% increase in hot days, participants’ biological age increased by about 0.12 years. This highlights how global issues like rising temperatures can make ageing harder, especially for vulnerable populations.
As we look for ways to slow ageing, ethical questions arise. Should we focus on just living longer, or should we prioritize making those extra years healthier? Many anti-ageing treatments are likely to be expensive, raising concerns about fairness and access. Clinical trials for these therapies can take years, adding to the practical challenges. It’s clear that biological fixes alone won’t solve everything. We also need to consider factors like climate resilience, healthcare, and urban planning to create environments where older adults can thrive. For example, better cooling technologies could help protect people from heat stress.
As science offers new ways to understand and slow ageing, we must decide how to approach it. Extending life holds promise, but we risk missing the point if we don’t ensure those extra years are meaningful and healthy. By understanding the challenges ageing brings, we can improve how we age and live those years to their fullest.
