Living to 120 becomes a reality: Dementia needs to be overcome – The Economist

Today, living to 100 years or more has become a reality, with centenarians now making up almost 0.03% of the population in the US and UK, writes The Economist magazine in Technology Quarterly. Experts also emphasize that reaching the 120th anniversary has now become a completely reasonable goal.

As experts note, progress has been made in extending life expectancy thanks to the fight against infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases and similar causes of death. The only thing scientists haven’t yet been able to stop is dementia, but that problem too can be solved.

“After years of false starts, the idea of ​​​​a real elixir of longevity is gaining momentum. Behind it is a group of passionate and ambitious scientists and passionate and self-interested billionaires. They are increasingly joined by ordinary people. The importance of correct behavior and a healthy lifestyle the idea that it could add years, perhaps even decades, to their lives,” emphasizes the Economist.

Important

Researchers list ways to help extend life by: controlling biological processes; rejuvenating cells and tissues by changing “epigenetic” markers on chromosomes that tell cells which genes to activate; development of drugs that destroy “senescent” cells; It “initiates” the body’s healing mechanisms, which weaken over time.

One of the reasons scientists are concerned is the human brain, and it has nothing to do with diseases like dementia. It’s just that the brain may not “catch up” with the body.

“Slowing down physical aging will not change the fact that the brain has a limited capacity and has probably been adapted to a normal lifespan through natural selection. So society will need to find ways to adapt to normal brain aging: for example, older people may increasingly ask more questions.” questions that they themselves remember the answers to from their daily assistants,” the publication emphasizes.

However, according to Economist sources, none of the ideas for overcoming old age have yet been officially tested in humans. One reason is that regulators do not recognize old age as a condition that can be treated, making it difficult to enroll such studies.

“But some trials are currently ongoing. The Targeted Aging with Metformin study (docile) will follow 3,000 Americans ages 60 to 70 to find out whether the drug actually helps overall survival,” according to the release report.

Today, opportunities to overcome aging are more accessible to people with reasonable incomes. Observing such interest from the wealthy in startups specializing in longevity technologies, some experts have expressed fears that these benefits will mostly be enjoyed by the wealthy, who will eventually become the dominant class of longevity majors.

“But as technology spreads, it becomes cheaper. Any development that enables people to live healthier for longer and benefit more from what the world has to offer is cause for celebration,” says the Economist.

The most obvious positive consequences of longevity will be the psychology of a healthy lifestyle, as well as an increase in working life, balancing of gender issues and preservation of family values ​​\u200b\u200bover several generations. However, experts of the publication note that the most important thing in the work is the desire to preserve a full life, and today these efforts are beginning to give their first results.

let’s remind this Focus He wrote that scientists have proven that climbing stairs will help you tone your body and live longer.

Previously Focus He wrote that longevity depends partly on our genes and partly on lifestyle and the right habits.

In addition, researchers are talking about a new era of “supercentenarians”: by the end of the century, people will be able to live up to 130 years, and some – up to 180.