Based on a study using worms and nematodes, Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that genes that increase longevity may not significantly increase healthy lifespan. Scientists say that their study reveals that if we want to find the genes that help us remain physically active as we age, the genes that will allow us to play tennis when we're 70 similar to when we were 40, we have to look beyond longevity as the sole criteria, and have to start looking at genes that contribute to health-span as well.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, took four different C. elegans mutant specimen that are known to live longer than typical nematodes and measured their resistance to heat stress, oxidative stress and activity levels on solids and in liquids as they aged. What they found is that the mutant nematodes were living longer, but most of their extra time was not healthy time.
I find this article interesting because it shows how advanced science has become, to the point where lifespan and "health span" can be altered, and will probably eventually be studied and tested on humans.
Everyone wants to live forever! And this definitely seems like the place to start as far as looking into the mechanisms of aging and health. It seems that most of the"anti-aging" stuff that we know of comes from plants, and it'd be interesting to see that kind of discovery made in humans.
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