The science of reversing the biology of ageing is the new mantra in focus today – being frequently inseminated by scientists, the big pharma and of course, by some of the health-obsessed tech entrepreneurs – some being billionaires themselves like Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder) and the like.

These buff billionaires as they are known, have found their newfound fitness in anti-ageing theparies. Party conversations on ‘reversal of ageing’ have now become an in-thing in wealthy gatherings.

These are the folks who no longer worry about money and go to great lengths to patronise expensive portions, powders and pills, or anything new and upmarket that relates to enhancing their looks and how they feel.

These guys are unwilling to accept the natural biological processes of ageing. Add to this mix are the companies on the other end which spend millions of dollars to find solutions and tricks to change or tweak the complex biology of the human body – and promise eternal youth to their wealthy clients, for profit.

From a chemical approach to reprogramming cells to a younger state – to a cocktail of six drugs from growth hormone, metformin – to a drug used to activate the enzyme AMPK – to an anti ageing molecule called spermidine (first isolated from sperm) – to genetic manipulation are some of the options to choose from. Other treatments like botox, high intensity focused ultrasound, laser, etc;.. continue to evolve.

Interestingly, the same chemicals and components that delay programmed cell-death are found within our own bodies. Our bodies are much smarter in delaying the process of ageing – just that, we have misused our bodies and the environment in the last few decades – that has resulted in premature wear and tear.

Longevity is an achievement of a long life – hoping that we experience many years of quality life with loved ones and have time to explore the world – but to say ‘we (scientists) are working on increasing the average lifespan of humans to 120 to a thousand years’ is overstretching.

It’s just a Retreaded Life

Living to a ripe old age doesn’t necessarily mean healthy and happy longevity if it is burdened by disability, disease and boredom. Hasn’t over population and the environment become a global challenge for us? Scientists are yet to conclusively determine the human carrying capacity of Earth – We have consumed more resources in the last fifty years than the whole of humanity before us.

In fact we should find ways to solve this major problem of population growth and environmental limitations! Otherwise, we will have to face nature’s wrath of limiting environmental factors like food, water, living space, and disease.

The answer is within ourselves. Numerous studies have shown that maintaining a minimum quantity and quality of exercise decreases the risk of death and increases longevity.

Zareer Patell- Blackbelt, Fitness, Personal and Online Trainer and Fitness Columnist since 1972

PS: Avail the convenience of ‘Online Sessions’ on a ‘One-on-One’ basis…!