Many scientists are investigating why some people live past the age of one hundred. They think that this advanced age is related to a greater resilience against the damage that ageing causes. Resilience here means how well the body can withstand the problems that getting older brings with it. This can arise from healthy habits or from differences in our genes.
Although centenarians reach an impressively advanced age, they are often also very vulnerable. This shows that simply growing old is not enough; it is also about how healthy and vital a person remains. Therefore, researchers are now focusing more on ways to truly counteract the ageing process, rather than merely slowing it down slightly.
Understanding which processes in our bodies are most important in ageing can help in finding better treatments. Ideally, those treatments should ensure that people not only live longer, but also continue to feel younger and fall ill less often. We call this rejuvenation.
For anyone who wants to grow older in a healthy and strong way, it is important to know that ageing is not just a matter of time, but also of how resilient our body remains. This is where the focus of future research and potential new therapies lies.
Source: Reason
