The cycle of life is simple: being born, growing, reproducing, dying and aging. This was natural and inevitable. However, researchers at Harvard University discovered that this is not the case and, it seems, there are ways to reverse aging.
According to dermatologist Cintia Guedes, who is also a member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, it was believed that changes in DNA were the main cause of aging. However, this new study brought another hypothesis.
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“The aging process is related to changes that affect the expression of DNA, called epigenetics,” said the doctor (via Terra).
Epigenetics, explained the specialist, are several environmental factors that alter the behavior of genes – without necessarily altering the sequence of the gene. DNA. According to her, the factors that influence the process include lifestyle choices, such as the use of tobacco or alcohol.
To reach this conclusion, the study used repairs in the DNA of mice. The study was published in the scientific journal Cell.
To simulate the factors that cause the epigenetic pattern, scientists created temporary, rapidly regenerating cuts in the rodents' DNA.
The result? Changes and malfunctions in the epigenetic pattern of mice. This made them appear older. They then performed gene therapy to reverse these changes and, as a result, managed to make the rodents look younger.
It seems that the secret behind the “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has finally been discovered.
According to the study, by activating some genes, it is possible to reverse the aging process by more than 50%. With this, in addition to biological age, it would also be possible to restore tissue function.
“The restoration would allow, for example, to reverse the deterioration of vision, the decrease in the ability to attention and the weakening of skin tissue”, highlighted the dermatologist, in an interview with the website Terra.
Calm down! This is still the first study to show that epigenetic changes are a primary factor in aging in mammals. However, the research has its limitations.
The first of them is that it was done in mice – which are mammals, but have their differences with humans, obviously. The second is that they still need to look more into the finding.
The way forward is to take better care of yourself until then: drinking water, eating a more balanced diet, using sunblock and focusing on physical activities.
Graduated in Social Communication from the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.
