A groundbreaking study is exploring whether a mix of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and anti-inflammatory treatments can combat age-related illnesses. This research aims to discover if these interventions can extend the healthy years of life for older adults.
The study involves healthy participants aged 65 to 80 who are undertaking HIIT exercises, characterized by short but intensive bursts of cardio paired with resistance training. Alongside the physical regime, participants consume daily capsules of spermidine, a supplement marketed for its potential to support healthy aging, and a generic anti-inflammatory medication. For more information, visit the study’s page.
Dr. Thomas Marron, overseeing the study at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, explains, “As we get older, the immune system is shifting away from good inflammation,” referring to the body’s initial response to injuries or infections that promotes healing. Instead, aging leads to chronic inflammation, a phenomenon known as inflammaging, which contributes to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia. More on Dr. Marron can be found here.
The researchers hope to reduce this harmful inflammation and promote healthier aging. Study participant Robert Profusek, a septuagenarian lawyer, shares, “I’ve reached the age where I worry about aging well.” He acknowledges the benefits he’s noticed after several months of HIIT, which takes him just 15 minutes daily.
The study’s ultimate goal aligns with Profusek’s desire to maintain vitality, especially as the number of centenarians in the U.S. is expected to quadruple by 2050. Discover more about this demographic shift here.
While interest in anti-aging solutions is rising, Dr. Marron cautions about the plethora of unverified products online. “There’s no science behind it,” he notes when questioned by patients about various anti-aging products.
The current study combines HIIT, spermidine, and two generic drugs — lamivudine and rapamycin. Lamivudine is an antiviral, while rapamycin, usually prescribed to prevent organ rejection, is investigated for its anti-inflammatory potential. Further details on these drugs can be found here and here.
Professor Philip Iffland from the University of Maryland advises on the potential side effects of these medications. Research is ongoing to map inflammatory markers using advanced proteomic analysis, which will track changes in over 5,300 proteins in blood samples. This analysis is crucial for understanding the body’s response to inflammation.
The research team, now semi-finalists in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition, hopes to demonstrate a significant reduction in inflammation. Ten finalists will eventually share a $10 million prize to advance longevity research further. For more about the competition, visit XPRIZE Healthspan.
“It’s a moonshot,” states Miriam Merad, Director of the Precision Immunology Institute at Mount Sinai, who leads the study. The aim is to extend not just lifespan but also the quality of life. As Profusek concludes, “If you can do something like a regimen like this, to make your vitality extend,” it’s an opportunity worth pursuing.
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