Aging has long been considered an inevitable biological process, but recent advances are challenge this notion, framing aging as a modifiable disease. There are in fact, many studies going on now that are working to prove this to encourage the FDA to announce that aging is a disease. This paradigm shift opens the door to interventions that not only extend lifespan but also enhance your healthspan—the period of life free from chronic disease and disability. By targeting the molecular and cellular hallmarks of aging, researchers are developing strategies to delay, prevent, or even reverse age related diseases.
Did you know???
Aging is the single greatest risk factor for developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Imaging if we can target the CAUSE of these diseases!
The Biology of Aging: A Treatable Condition
Aging is driven by cumulative damage to cells and tissues, including genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and chronic inflammation. These processes contribute to the onset of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Viewing aging as a disease allows scientists to treat its root causes rather than merely managing symptoms of age-related illnesses.
Metformin: Metabolic Mastery
Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, metformin has emerged as a promising anti-aging drug. It activates AMPK, a cellular energy sensor that enhances autophagy, reduces inflammation, and improves insulin sensitivity. Studies show metformin may reduce all-cause mortality and delay the onset of age-related diseases. It also boosts NMN production by inhibiting miR-146a, a microRNA that suppresses NAD+ synthesis, thereby enhancing cellular repair and longevity pathways.
Resveratrol: The Sirtuin Stimulator
Found in red wine and grapes, resveratrol activates sirtuins—enzymes that regulate DNA repair, inflammation, and mitochondrial function. By mimicking the effects of caloric restriction (fasting), resveratrol promotes cellular resilience and has shown potential in extending lifespan in animal models. Fun fact, one glass of red wine will not do the trick, you'd need about 1,000 glasses per day so obviously drinking wine is not a way to get the amount needed.
NMN: Fueling Cellular Vitality
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair. NMN supplementation has been shown to restore NAD+ levels, activate sirtuins, and improve mitochondrial function. Research led by Dr. David Sinclair (he has a great book called Lifespan) suggests NMN can reverse aspects of biological aging and improve muscle function, insulin sensitivity, and cognitive performance.
Senolytics: Clearing Cellular Debris
Senolytic activators like fisetin and quercetin selectively eliminate senescent cells—damaged cells that no longer divide but secrete harmful inflammatory signals. Removing these cells rejuvenates tissues and reduces the burden of age-related diseases. Senolytics have demonstrated efficacy in improving physical function and reducing disease markers in preclinical studies. Once was once (when you're young) a way for the body to stop damaged cells from replicating (thought to be the reason you don't see cancer in young folks) turns into overdrive as we get older, now causing more harm than good. Taking a senolytic activator can help clear out the zombie cells once and for all!
Toward a Healthier Future
Other compounds such as rapamycin, berberine, and urolithin A are also being explored for their anti-aging properties. Together, these interventions form a toolkit for targeting aging at its core. While more human trials are needed, the evidence suggests that aging is not a fixed fate but a dynamic process we can influence.
By embracing aging as a modifiable disease, we move closer to a future where growing older no longer means growing sicker. Instead, it becomes an opportunity to thrive—longer, healthier, and more vibrantly than ever before.
Sources: Current Anti-Aging Therapeutics, https://www.nmn.com/news/metformin-anti-aging-effects-nmn, David Sinclair’s NMN: A Deep Dive - The Peptide Report
Catherine Colley
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