Slowing the Aging Process: Two Blood Proteins Could Be Key to a Long and Healthy Life
Two blood proteins have been shown by scientists to influence how long and healthy a life we live, research suggests.
Developing drugs that target these proteins could be one way of slowing the aging process, according to the largest genetic study of aging.
As we age, our bodies begin to decline after we reach adulthood, which results in age-related diseases and death. This latest research investigates which proteins could influence the aging process.
Many complex and related factors determine the rate at which we age and die, and these include genetics, lifestyle, environment, and chance. The study sheds light on the part proteins play in this process.
Some people naturally have higher or lower levels of certain proteins because of the DNA they inherit from their parents. These protein levels can, in turn, affect a person’s health.
University of Edinburgh researchers combined the results of six large genetic studies into human aging – each containing genetic information on hundreds of thousands of people,
Among 857 proteins studied, researchers identified two that had significant negative effects across various aging measures.
People who inherited DNA that causes raised levels of these proteins were frailer, had poorer self-rated health, and were less likely to live an exceptionally long life than those who did not.
The first protein, called apolipoprotein(a) (LPA), is made in the liver and thought to play a role in clotting. High levels of LPA can increase the risk of atherosclerosis – a condition in which arteries become clogged with fatty substances. Heart disease and stroke are possible outcomes.
The second protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), is primarily found on the surfaces of endothelial cells – a single-cell layer that lines blood vessels. The protein controls vessels’ expansion and retraction – and function in blood clotting and the immune response.
Levels of VCAM 1 increase when the body sends signals to indicate it has detected an infection, VCAM1 then allows immune cells to cross the endothelial layer, as seen for people who have naturally low levels of these proteins.
The researchers say that drugs used to treat diseases by reducing levels of LPA and VCAM1 could have the added benefit of improving quality and length of life.
One such example is a clinical trial that is testing a drug to lower LPA as a way of reducing the risk of heart disease.
There are currently no clinical trials involving VCAM1, but studies in mice have shown how antibodies lowering this protein’s level improved cognition during old age.
The findings have been published in the journal Nature Aging.
Dr. Paul Timmers, lead researcher at the MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The identification of these two key proteins could help extend the healthy years of life. Drugs that lower these protein levels in our blood could allow the average person to live as healthy and as long as individuals who have won the genetic lottery and are born with genetically low LPA and VCAM1 levels.”
Professor Jim Wilson, Chair of Human Genetics at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “This study showcases the power of modern genetics to identify two potential targets for future drugs to extend lifespan.”
Reference: “Mendelian randomization of genetically independent aging phenotypes identifies LPA and VCAM1 as biological targets for human aging” by Paul R. H. J. Timmers, Evgeny S. Tiys, Saori Sakaue, Masato Akiyama, Tuomo T. J. Kiiskinen, Wei Zhou, Shih-Jen Hwang, Chen Yao, Biobank Japan Project, FinnGen, Joris Deelen, Daniel Levy, Andrea Ganna, Yoichiro Kamatani, Yukinori Okada, Peter K. Joshi, James F. Wilson and Yakov A. Tsepilov, 20 January 2022, Nature Aging.
DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00159-8
One of the most important ways to ensure you have a great day is to get a good night's rest. Yet one-third of Americans report they get less than the recommended amount of sleep, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This can not only leave you feeling groggy—which leads to a higher incidence of accidents and motor vehicle crashes— but can also cause serious health issues down the line, including an increased likelihood of heart disease, obesity, depression, and diabetes. "Getting enough sleep is not a luxury—it is something people need for good health," the CDC warns.
NyQuil Cold & Flu Medicine
Excedrin Migraine
Excedrin contains caffeine, which is obviously a stimulant that makes your brain more alert,
Sudafed
One key ingredient in Sudafed for relieving nasal congestion is pseudoephedrine. "Pseudoephedrine will often make it difficult for people to both go to sleep and stay asleep," says Kerr.
Benadryl
This medicine forces the brain to spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep. This means reduced sleep quality. And when you wake up after eight hours of slumber, you will be likely to feel like you've had only five."
Beta-Blockers
A few examples include Lopressor, Toprol, Tenormin, and Betapace. But they've got a long history of disturbing sleep. "Beta-blockers may cause nightmares and nighttime waking. By slowing the secretion of melatonin, the body's hormone devoted to regulating your internal clock, beta-blockers have been known to promote chronic insomnia.
If you need to take beta-blockers, consider taking melatonin supplements.
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