In an earlier essay I commented that if all that was needed to significantly increased lifespan was simple lifestyle changes, we would hear about it from 700 year-olds. Obviously, I said, it couldn’t be that simple.
This is true. But it doesn’t mean that there are no ways to substantially increase lifespans. It only means that it can’t be a matter of simple lifestyle changes.
So what DOES look promising? One thing is telomerase. For many people this word is completely unknown (one clue is the fact that the word is not in many spellcheckers). So what is it all about?
Telomeres are little ‘tails’ on the tips of chromosomes. Every time a cell reproduces, a little bit is snipped off the telomere. This means that the chromosomes are unable to replicate themselves indefinitely. Eventually the telomeres become so short that the cells are no longer able to reproduce.
Telomerase can re-lengthen the telomeres. This could have implications for longevity, since the number of times a cell can reproduce is obviously relevant to how long the individual can stay youthful.
Obviously this would not effect all of the changes that take place over time. But it could have valuable impacts, So it’s worth keeping an eye on.
For today’s more obscure question (virtually impossible to research, I’ve found), have you ever noticed that you’re more prone to tiredness when you’re subject to eyestrain? I certainly have. Often when I’m suffering from prolonged eyestrain, I find myself falling into microsleeps. And if I still have things to do that involve more eyestrain, it’s essentially hopeless. Now if only I could convince myself of that, and give up! But that’s matter for another page.
treraia 