Thread by @RyanBethencourt

1/Short thread on #Longevity
Longevity is a complex challenge, it appears that humans have a rough cap to #lifespan at about 120 years of age (even if you eat healthy, exercise and get lucky with great genes and a great environment).

2/ So the question is how can we fundamentally move past the 120 year cap? #longevity #lifespan

3/ There's promising data around #calorierestriction and #MTOR activating molecules like #rapamycin, which in other species can extend #lifespan by 10-15% (which if we're lucky, for the few it might extend the human lifespan cap to 132-138 years of age). discovermagazine.com/mind/the-two-f…

4/ Past that, about 50% of the causes of death in humans are some how linked to #organfailure (whether it's failing function, malfunction or cancer within a vital organ). If/when we're able to regrow entire organs, this may significantly extend human lifespan as well.

5/ That 120yr cap is also a fascinating question on whether our regenerative capacity (from our tissues stem cells) taps out. Perhaps if we could regenerate our own #stemcells and replenish them in #aging human bodies we may also be able to significantly slow the aging process.

6/ These three areas I highlight are only one of many potential strategies to extend human #lifespan, there are more and entirely new pathways being explore (like removing senescent cells or using factors in "young blood" to revitalize tissues).

7/ One thing is for certain, we've finally entered an era where #lifespan extending drugs are entering the clinic and may offer promise to those living today. 120 years is the cap to beat for all of us!