Researchers finally discover enzyme that can slow ageing and boost health

Researchers might just have come across an Enzyme that can slow ageing. They concluded that fat byproducts such as fatty acids and glycerol contribute to lower life span and more chronic diseases. By conducting tests on animals in their labs, the scientists concluded that the enzyme ADH-1 could be employed to reduce the levels of these byproducts in our bodies, which may lead to lower glycerol levels and longer life spans.

What are fatty acids?

Fatty acids are called the building blocks of body fat. It's required for essential body functions but its excess becomes a major problem. It can disrupt metabolic processes and promote inflammation, leading to a reduced life span and chronic diseases.

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Research

Eyleen Jorgelina O’Rourke, Associate Professor of Biology and Cell Biology, University of Virginia, wrote for The Conversation, "My research team and I wondered whether reducing harmful fat byproducts might help slow the aging process and consequently stave off common diseases."

The researchers noted a consistent pattern while studying animals in labs: All anti-ageing interventions led to reduced levels of glycerol.

"When placed on a calorie-restricted diet, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans lives about 40% longer. We found that the glycerol levels in the body of these long-lived worms were lower than in shorter-lived worms that were not food restricted," the researcher wrote.

Conclusion

The scientists concluded that higher activity of ADH-1 led to reduced levels of glycerol. It was found that the life span of worms decreased by 30 per cent when they were given a diet with added glycerol. On the other hand, animals that were genetically modified to produce more of the enzyme ADH-1 had low levels of glycerol. They stayed healthier, lived longer lives, and didn't gain extra weight even when they could eat as much as they wanted.

"The simple molecular structure and wealth of research on ADH-1 make it an attractive target for developing drugs that boost its activity. My lab’s long-term goal is to explore how compounds that activate ADH-1 affect the health and longevity of both mice and people," said O’Rourke.