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Even though the cell systems are constantly dividing, the atoms within are not. .In fact, science tells us that our bodies represent a unique rearrangement of atoms, most of which are billions of years old. These cell systems determine our life span- which is about 115 years and hasn't changed for over 100,000 years. It appears that we are living longer (even though most of us are not living 115 years) because medical science and technology have helped us to defeat and prevent diseases that were shortening our life span .
Studies show that all living things from insects to birds to animals and humans appear to have genetic clocks. Each insect and animal within a species lives approximately the same amount of days or years. One study even determined that identical twins died within three years of each other; they developed from the same sperm and egg, therefore, they are closer genetically than fraternal twins or other siblings.
Life expectation and life extension are two different things. Life expectation is living to ones' genetic clock. In humans, studies have shown that each cell system has its own clock and each individual has his or her own rate of decline. Life extension on the other hand, is extending life beyond ones' clock (and studies have shown that no one is achieving this yet).
Scientists are Pursuing the Following Research in an Effort to Unlock the Mysteries of Aging and How to Prevent it:
1. Fruit Flies: In essence, the longest living fruit flies have been bred scientifically to each other, doubling their life spans. This is not a practical solution for society as we are not going to start breeding people with longevity genes.
2. Undernutrition: (Without malnutrition) Reducing caloric intake in rats 30% while supplying them with necessary nutrients caused them to live 30 to 40% longer. It also eliminated or slowed down the causes of many diseases including cancer. This research has been expanded to many other animal species with the same results. There are scientists who believe that this will work in humans as well. Humans, would have to reduce their caloric intake to about 1400 calories per day; there would be fewer calories to burn; and body temperatures would drop. While there is ample evidence that undernutrition would extend life and eliminate many diseases, there is no real proof that undernutrition works in humans. And, research shows that very few people would be willing to dramatically change their lifestyle to increase their longevity.
3. The Study of Telomerase: Telomerase is an enzyme found in cancer cells; it keeps them living to infinity in lab dishes, leading scientists to proclaim that cancer cells are immortal. If telormerase is what keeps cancer cells alive, scientists have deduced that perhaps they can keep normal cells alive as well using this enzyme. (Normal cells in lab dishes divide about 50 times and then die). Scientists are now injecting these cells with telomerase and the normal cells appear to be living in lab dishes without end, and have shown no signs of becoming cancerous. However, injecting or ingesting telomerase into cells within the body may not have the same effect as in a lab and could lead to cancer.
4. Growth Hormones: Many people, including some medical doctors, are injecting or ingesting growth hormones and make claims that they feel younger and stonger. But the majority of doctors and scientists are against the use of growth hormones, because no one knows what the long term effect will be.
Results of anti-aging theories can only be measured longitudinally. There is no proof that something that makes us feel good today is going to keep us young and healthy.
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