The fountain of youth. In a magic pill?
Diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease treated effortlessly. Increased life spans.
And the deliriously happy faces of the drug-company folks who can get all of this packed into pill form first.
I know it sounds a bit like science fiction—or nirvana—but welcome to the type of modern, cutting-edge science that is going on in labs today. The trick is finding a way to make all of this marketable and available—to you.
Venture capitalists are pinning high hopes that it can be done. And they’re doing it by investing millions in one company in particular that’s looking at resveratrol, a molecular compound, to see how best to package it. If you’re wondering why “resveratrol” sounds familiar, think red wine. Resveratrol has been widely touted as the primo ingredient that makes the reds such a healthy choice.
So why is Big Pharma hustling to get a synthetic version of something already found naturally in food?
The potential for ridiculously insane profits, of course!
Emerging research has shown that resveratrol activates a gene called SIRT-1, which is one in a class known as the sirtuin genes. It’s believed that this gene plays a role in the life spans of mammals, so of course, researchers are looking for a way to tinker with it. In fact, they’re tripping all over themselves to get out a synthetic formulation of this natural compound.
They’ve been spurred on by past research findings. Prior studies have shown that in animals, when this gene’s activity is increased in lab animals, the aging process slows down. Also, the devastating diseases that we consider part and parcel of old age either become nonexistent or at least don’t kick in as soon.
And it appears that resveratrol plays the mimic. Let me explain.
Take caloric restriction. It has been shown in mice that when you reduce their caloric intake by 30 to 40 percent from what is considered a “normal” intake amount, you can extend their average life span. (The diet they’re given is very nutritious—there’s just a lot less of it.)
It turns out that resveratrol imitates the process of caloric restriction without giving up the calories or having to watch what you eat as carefully.
And this is where pharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists enter the picture. If they can provide an increased life span in pill form… well, who wouldn’t stand in line for such a “wonder” drug?
Talk about a blockbuster!
I know this is very exciting research. Who doesn’t get excited at the thought of a legend come to life—a real “fountain of youth”?
But along with the excitement comes the mainstream media and drug-company PR firms to over hype the findings. It doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t something to those findings. I would just caution against anyone’s getting ahead of themselves before all of the facts are in. Especially since this is a compound that’s found naturally! Drug companies will be falling all over themselves to produce a pill and charge a small fortune for it—and it’s still just a synthetic product of a natural substance you can get for a fraction of the cost.
Whatever type of pill is eventually produced, the researchers will have to first work out the kinks. You know where my mind is on that. Do they really expect to be able to successfully duplicate nature? Please. Researchers are going to need to take a hard look at what the side effects of tinkering with our genes in such a way might be—especially with something man-made. Another question is whether or not humans will experience the same beneficial effects as what has been found in mice.
Early studies are showing a lot of promise when it comes to the benefits of resveratrol. Currently, there is research focusing on a treatment for diabetes. On the near horizon, trials will also begin for treating Melas syndrome—which causes accelerated aging in those with the disorder.
Researchers, in an effort to leave no stone unturned, are looking at other compounds beyond resveratrol that will also serve to activate sirtuin genes. Their goal is to find any means in pill form to stymie the aging process.
I will keep you posted as new developments take place.
In the meantime, you can get resveratrol naturally from red wine, cranberry juice, grape juice, peanuts, and blueberries. Your own anti-aging regimen should include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and in the widest range of colors you can find. That’s because they’re full of vitamins and antioxidants—known to fight the damaging effects of free radicals in your body, which will most certainly age you fast.
And the last time I looked, blueberries didn’t have a list of side effects that required a whole pamphlet!
