For most of history, aging has been treated as inevitable. Today, a wave of well-funded companies and research labs is betting that the biology of aging can be slowed, or even partly reversed. The science is exciting, but it’s important to separate early results in mice from what’s possible for people today.
Aging as something that can be changed
Many researchers now see aging less as simple wear and tear and more as a set of biological processes that can be influenced. One leading idea is that cells gradually lose their “instructions,” the chemical marks on DNA (known as epigenetic marks) that tell each cell which genes to switch on or off. Some scientists compare this to a software problem rather than a broken machine, and believe it may be fixable.
Scientists can now estimate a person’s “biological age” from these DNA marks using tools called epigenetic clocks. Your biological age can be older or younger than your age in years, depending partly on your genes and partly on how you live.
Who’s working on it
- Altos Labs launched in 2022 with about $3 billion in funding and backing from high-profile investors, and brought together leading scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, to study how cells can be rejuvenated.
- BioAge Labs studies blood and tissue samples from large biobanks to find markers linked to healthy aging. It found that people with higher levels of a protein called apelin tended to live longer, with better muscle and cognitive function. A drug targeting this pathway improved muscle strength and endurance in old mice, and human testing was underway.
- The Salk Institute in California used a technique called partial reprogramming, which briefly switches on genes that can return cells to a more youthful state. In middle-aged and older mice treated over long periods, several tissues showed signs of reversed aging, and the treatment appeared safe in the animals.
Reality check
These results are promising, but they come with big caveats:
- Most findings are in mice. Many treatments that work in animals don’t work, or aren’t safe, in people.
- Reprogramming carries risks. Pushing cells too far toward a younger state can, in theory, raise the risk of tumors. Researchers are working to control this carefully.
- There are no proven anti-aging drugs yet. Be skeptical of supplements, clinics or products that claim to reverse aging.
The longest confirmed human lifespan is 122 years. Some researchers argue biology doesn’t set a hard limit, but extending healthy years, not just total years, is the main goal of most of this work.
What you can do now
While the science develops, the best-proven ways to support healthy aging are everyday habits:
- Move regularly. Combine aerobic activity with strength training to protect your heart, muscles and bones.
- Eat a mostly plant-forward diet. Patterns like the Mediterranean diet are linked to longer, healthier lives.
- Sleep well. Aim for 7 to 9 hours for most adults.
- Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol. Both have a major impact on how you age.
- Stay connected and keep learning. Social ties and mental challenges support brain health.
- Keep up with checkups. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar prevents many age-related diseases.
The bottom line
Scientists have reversed some signs of aging in mice, and billions of dollars are fueling the search for therapies that work in people. Those treatments aren’t here yet, but healthy habits can already add healthy years to your life.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual needs.
