A study by the US National Institute on Aging has shown that eleven substances investigated have no effect on the lifespan of mice. This programme, called the Interventions Testing Program (ITP), extensively tests whether certain molecules can slow down the ageing process. Despite earlier indications from smaller studies, these agents appeared to have no effect in a large number of mice.
The ITP focuses primarily on small molecules and supplements that were previously considered promising in the fight against ageing. An example is α-ketoglutarate, for which a human study was also conducted, but which did not show a positive result. The studies show that results can vary greatly due to factors such as dose, age at which treatment begins and animal species used.
The results support the idea that searching for chemicals that favourably influence metabolism is probably not the best way to slow down ageing. Small benefits are sometimes visible in a single study, but are not confirmed by larger-scale and more rigorous research. This highlights that carefully designed therapies aimed at repairing cell and tissue damage offer more promise.
This is important to know for people who want to age healthily. It encourages a scientific approach focused on repairing damage in our bodies, rather than simply taking supplements.
Source: Reason
