Optimal Being

Summary:  Researchers uncover a link between acylspermidines, a family of metabolites, and sirtuins, enzymes critical in aging and disease. Recent studies indicate sirtuins’ role in age-related diseases, making them promising therapeutic targets for longevity and health span. The discovery of sirtuin-linked acylspermidines in C. elegans and mammals opens new avenues for understanding and potentially manipulating these pathways. This breakthrough in biochemistry brings us closer to uncovering the roles of acylspermidines in lifespan and cell proliferation. Key Facts: Acylspermidines, newly discovered metabolites, reveal an unexpected connection between sirtuins and cellular metabolism. Sirtuins are enzymes implicated in age-related diseases and are potential targets for extending health span and longevity. This study highlights the importance of uncovering hidden biochemical pathways in understanding aging and disease processes. Source:  Boyce Thompson Institute In a significan...

Supplementation with spermidine may slow down cardiovascular aging. This is suggested by a German animal study, published in GeroScience, in which researchers gave mice a fairly high dose of spermidine. Study German molecular scientists from Hanover Medical School gave middle-aged to elderly mice spermidine via their drinking water every day for 6 months. A control group was given drinking water without any additives. After 6 months of supplementation, the researchers compared both groups of mice with each other - and with a group of relatively young mice. Results Old mice lose some of their fur, but spermidine supplementation counteracted this. In the heart muscle of older mice in the control group, the researchers found signs of mild and severe degeneration due to aging. However, spermidine supplementation reduced the signs of severe degeneration. At the molecular level, aging leads to a decrease in the telomeres in the DNA of the cells. The more intense aging processes, the faster t...