From: David C. Harris (dharris234@mindspring.com)
Date: Sun Aug 24 2003 - 17:58:36 MDT
Some 18 molecules are able to stimulate the effect of calorie restriction, one
of the few things reliably shown to extend lifespans:
<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20030824/hl_nm/health_longlife_dc&e=1&ncid®
"... Sinclair and his team have been looking for what he calls the Holy Grail of
aging research: molecules that activate the enzymes that in turn influence the
genes that regulate aging.
Now, they say, they have found those molecules.
Sinclair's team partnered with BIOMOL, a Pennsylvania company, to screen
thousands of molecules to see which ones might activate the enzymes.
Not only did they find a group of 18 molecules that fit the bill -- resveratrol
being just one -- but all of them came from plants and were produced in response
to harsh environmental conditions like drought.
"We think we know why these plants make these molecules. We think it's part of
their own defense response, and we also believe that animals and fungi that live
on the plants can pick up on these clues," he said.
To illustrate that theory, Sinclair noted that red wines from regions with
harsher growing conditions -- Spain, Chile, Argentina and Australia -- contain
more resveratrol than those produced where grapes are not highly stressed or
dehydrated."
I think this is like masturbation to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The
doctors' advice will be easy to follow.
And it might explain why vegetarians look so youthful and seem to live somewhat
longer.
-- David Harris, Palo Alto, California. GPS location: 37.41988, -122.13388 (1984 World Geodetic Survey system). Active account: dharris234@mindspring.com
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