Lifestyle interventions remain the key to physical and mental sharpness

Numerous scientific studies have unlocked clues that could help alleviate age-related health and cognitive decline. Experts are focusing on new mechanisms and approaches for achieving a younger biological age as we reach a new dawn for healthy human aging. Unlike chronological age — which is your age in years — biological age refers to how old your body seems to be. It is determined using physiological hallmarks of aging such as cellular senescence, telomere shortening, genomic instability, deregulated nutrient sensing, and stem cell exhaustion. Calico Labs, a Google startup that is devoted to anti-aging research and development, has been a leading player in induced tissue regeneration (ITR) research. This is a field of biology that investigates how drugs can be used to reset the age of cells to renew body tissue, brain cells, and neurological functions. A study completed at the lab has already shown that an experimental drug known as integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB) dramatically reverses age-related decline in memory and mental flexibility in mice. A June 2021 study published in Plos Biology linked a protein found in red blood cells to cognitive function. The protein — known as erythrocyte adenosine A2B (ADORA2B) receptor — helps supply oxygen in the body and thus promotes healthy cognitive function. Scientists demonstrated that boosting levels of the protein in mice improved memory and cognition. Numerous other studies focused on anti-aging are entering the clinical trial stage. But while scientists do their best work to develop therapeutic interventions, what you eat, how you sleep, physical activity, and lifestyle habits maybe your best option yet to maintain physical and mental sharpness Inflammaging is a chronic low-grade inflammation that tends to develop with aging. It is believed to expedite the process of biological aging and worsen many aging-related diseases. Studies have shown that lifelong aerobic exercise protects against inflammaging and cancer. Experts recommend that you get at least 150 – 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Choosing your diet well can also go a long way to protect against inflammaging as well as boost your health and wellbeing. Anthocyanins contained in blueberries, cranberries, and cherries contain nutrients that protect the brain and lower the risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Acetylcholine is another important nutrient that has been shown to help brain cells communicate and retrieve memories. It needs to be actively replenished since its levels decline as you get older. Food sources of acetylcholine include fish, beans, cruciferous vegetables, poultry, nuts, whole grains, and seeds. Scientists recommend that a healthy adult should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Other lifestyle factors such as drinking lots of water and healthy beverages and avoiding tobacco and drug consumption are also important for your overall wellbeing. It appears that even as the fields of longevity and gerontology continue to gain momentum, the secret to a long and healthy life may be found in simple lifestyle changes.