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?	Susan Galbraith of Fayetteville, N.Y. asks: During the NewsHour's discussion of this topic, a researcher hypothesized that eating a very low calorie diet is "like a 911" signal that puts body functions into an emergency mode. Aren't there negative side effects from being kept in a state of constant emergency mode? Dr. Stephen Helfand responds: I do not think that Dr. Sinclair meant that there is an induction of a "constant emergency mode." Dr. David Sinclair responds: Caloric restriction (CR) results in low fertility. You can learn more about the diet at http://calorierestriction.org/. The good news is that our molecules influence the CR pathway lower down and don't seem to have the unwanted side effects. We published this work in the journal Nature in '04 and showed that worms and flies fed resveratrol can eat all they want, live 15-30 percent longer, but they do not suffer from reduced fertility. They can have their cake and eat it, too.