A groundbreaking meta-analysis has found that an anti-aging drug called rapamycin is as effective in protecting cells and cognitive function as dieting or fasting, despite not reversing aging. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Glasgow, involved 167 studies on lifespan-extending therapies across eight vertebrates.
Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, regulates cellular functions like growth and repair, promoting healthy aging. It gained FDA approval for other uses, including preventing organ rejection and treating rare lung disease. The study found that rapamycin extended lifespan in all eight groups, similar to dietary restriction, but with better biomarkers across males and females.
This breakthrough highlights the potential of drug re-purposing in improving human health and lifespan. Rapamycin is currently under investigation in human trials, assessing safety and efficacy.
Source: https://newatlas.com/aging/anti-aging-drug-diet