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?	John Schneider of Starkville, Miss. asks: How might expending calories on regular exercise affect one's rate of aging -- after accounting for the healthful effects of exercise on (among other systems) the cardiovascular system? Dr. Stephen Helfand responds: It is not clear how exercise helps in the aging process if one removes the effects of pathological processes such as heart disease. Exercise is good for a variety of important reasons, however I do not believe that a direct effect on increasing longevity has been demonstrated. Dr. David Sinclair responds: Exercise is important for keeping our bodies flexible and strong, and for preventing some diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But exercise cannot do what CR (calorie restriction) can, at least if you are a rat. In rats, CR slows almost every aspect of aging including cancer, neurodegeneration, even grey hair and cataracts. These rats live approximately 40 percent longer, something exercise alone cannot do. That said, I imagine that some of the benefits of exercise might be due to the activation of the same "survival" genes as CR.