SCIENCE OF AGING

March 2005
		Scientists have isolated a series of genes found in many different plants and animals that seem to control the aging process. Two leading scientists on the study of these anti-aging genes -- Dr. Stephen Helfand of the University of Connecticut and Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School -- answer your questions about their research. Special Report: Science of Aging

Forum Introduction What kinds of food should we eat to exploit this finding? Is there any connection between this work and the theories on telomeres? How many years away are we from human trials? Is it likely that drinking red wine, eating grapes or taking resveratrol in the form of supplements can slow down aging? Aren't there negative side effects from being kept in a state of constant emergency mode? What should the caloric intake for humans be to potentially extend health and life? How does expending calories through exercise affect the rate of aging?	Charles Bowman of Minneapolis, Minn. asks: Is there any connection between this work and the theories on the relationship between [the chromosomes known as] telomeres, [the enzyme] telomerase and aging? Dr. David Sinclair responds: Telomeres to our chromosomes are what end caps are to a shoelace. As our cells divide, our telomeres get shorter and eventually, after enough divisions, the telomeres get so short the cell stops dividing. In yeast cells, SIR2 is localized at telomeres where it stabilizes the repetitive DNA. But in yeast telomere shortening doesn't cause aging. In humans, no one knows if SIR2 enzymes play any role at telomeres, but that would be very important if it were true. Dr. Stephen Helfand responds: I am not aware of any direct connection between CR (calorie restriction) and telomeres.