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Scientists have found evidence of a broad range of "anti-aging" effects caused by giving older mice (but not younger mice) nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a compound found in various vegetables and other foods. High-grade NMN for human consumption is not yet commercially available:
Scientists in the US claim to have discovered a natural compound found in avocado, broccoli and cucumber that has "remarkable anti-ageing effects in mice" – and could also work on humans. The researchers, who have started clinical trials involving a small group of people, said older mice given the compound, called NMN, in their water saw an array of beneficial effects. Their level of physical activity increased, bone density and muscles improved, the immune system and liver performed better, their eyesight improved and they even lost weight.
[...] As animals get older, they produce less NAD [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide] and it is thought this is a part of the ageing process. Attempts to add extra NAD failed, so the researchers looked for a way to boost its production in the body. They gave mice NMN, also found in cabbage and edamame, in their drinking water to see if this would boost levels of NAD and have a rejuvenating effect. Asked if this worked, lead researcher Professor Shin-ichiro Imai, of Washington University in St Louis, said: "The answer is basically yes. As a matter of fact, NMN has remarkable anti-ageing effects in mice. "Those NMN [fed] mice definitely have longer health-span – entire lifespan, we're not sure, but if this keeps working in this way they could have a longer lifespan as well."
[...] However, while there was no sign of it in the study, there could be a significant catch – NAD might also give an energy boost to cancer cells. "Some tumour cells are known to have a higher capability to synthesise NAD, so we were concerned that giving NMN might increase cancer incidence," Professor Imai said. "But we have not seen any differences in cancer rates between the groups [of mice]."
Long-Term Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Mitigates Age-Associated Physiological Decline in Mice (DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.09.013) (DX)
Previously: Elysium Health Pitches an Anti-Aging Pill (that pill used nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a precursor to NAD).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 30 2016, @05:02AM
In addition to cancer, the other problem with anti-aging is that it would result in overpopulation.
Unless we colonize Mars. Send all the people age 100+ to Mars.
(Score: 1) by tftp on Sunday October 30 2016, @05:35AM
Send all the people age 100+ to Mars.
It's the middle-aged people who make laws. As those lawmakers are going to become old themselves pretty soon, they will make sure that it's the young people who are sent to other planets to breed, fight, and and die.
(Score: 2) by blackhawk on Sunday October 30 2016, @09:25PM
Let's make all the old buggers renew themselves at Carosel instead! Oh wait, I'm an old bugger...scratch that idea.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 31 2016, @04:47AM
Best sci fi flick of the '70s. Way better than, well, you know.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 31 2016, @02:28PM
In addition to cancer, the other problem with anti-aging is that it would result in overpopulation.
A big fat citation needed on that.
From what we can see around us, living longer makes people more selfish and hedonist, and thus more prone to decide not to become bogged down by rearing children. It is already a big problem in most countries with long life expectancy and it is about to become even bigger.