From the beginning of time, humans have continuously sought after immortality. The fountain of youth is still yet to reveal itself and so in its anticipation, there have been many attempts, through religious belief and technology which has conjured up all sorts, in the hopes of creating something that will help keep our ticker ticking.
Research conducted by Orbis Research has found that on average consumers spend £33 billion on anti-ageing products. These consist of anti-wrinkle creams, lactic-acid-based creams, collagen peptide tablets and Q10 antioxidant coenzyme pills. Pitcock research suggests that an estimated £428 million was spent in venture capital investing in the US anti-ageing market. With this in mind, let's take a look at the extreme technology that can help live on forever.
Protecting Nerve Cells
Many have sought after a pill that will help keep them alive forever, Elysium Health has created a supplement called Basis. The supplement contains a chemical called nicotinamide riboside which is a form of Vitamin B. The chemical converts to an enzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) which plays a significant role in protecting nerve cells, metabolism and cell-ageing. Levels of NAD+ diminish at a considerable level over time. Although the pill is promising, there have been no studies conducted on humans yet with trial underway. However, some studies have suggested to show promise in older mice, making them look and behave younger while reducing age-related disease.
Dietary Research
Following research on ageing, Researcher Kenny Wilson at the Buk university observes fruit flies in the world's oldest independent anti-ageing research laboratory in California. Observing and working with fruit flies has helped to identify the FOXO gene. It is the gene responsible for assisting the young adapt to dietary changes and one which disrupts the metabolism of the elderly. This is the truth for both fruit flies and humans, proving there much to be learnt. Working on a specific gene can explain how and why dietary restrictions can help increase life expectancy.
Replacing Limbs
Skorpion Medical, an Italian biomedical company, has successfully been able to 3D print a head. This small step is an example of the advances in the prototyping assistive tech that could become available for the elderly. 3D printed limbs could help with personalised devices for arthritis patients, along with being used for walkers and hearing aids. As part of their services, Skorpion Medical print off unique orthopaedic and orthodontic implants to support and/or replace damaged limbs. They can also help falling teeth and model organs to help surgeons prepare for operations.
Slow Tissue Ageing
In 1970, Japan opened its first cryo-sauna, long before smartphones were even a thing. The Cryomed Clinic in Tokyo is just one of the hundreds of private clinics it has worldwide. The clinic offers cryotherapy, which is thought to help keep the skin young. The idea was inspired by placing ice packs on swollen tissue which is believed to help reduce the swelling and inflammation, and cryosurgery which is the process of developing extreme cold conditions to destroy tumours or diseased tissues. A cryo-sauna involves a three-minute bath in liquid nitrogen which produces temperatures of below 100C. The sauna intends to accelerate the metabolism, slow tissue ageing and strengthen the immune system.
Ultraviolet Sauna
Invented by South African engineer Andre Smith, the Hocatt Ozone Sauna offers Hyperthermic Ozone Carbonic Acid Transdermal Therapy. The sauna blasts carbon-dioxide-rich steam into a Turkish bath style cubical which helps to open the pores. Once this is done, the chamber is then flooded with ultraviolet light and ozone, which is an allotrope of the oxygen molecule. As history goes, ozone has a long line of success in being an immune system booster and an anti-inflammatory. Research has suggested that it makes anti-ageing properties as it reduces free radicals in cell mitochondria.
Although none of the above proves to help humans live longer, many options look positive in helping to extend the life expectancy of humans, concerning other living organisms and matter. Humans have a mid-range life expectancy, and although we do have the longevity to be able to live as long as some trees and corals on the sea bed, science may well be able to change that.
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