Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that a common blood pressure medicine might help people live longer and stay healthier.
The drug, called rilmenidine, is already used by many people to lower their blood pressure. But now, scientists have discovered it might also slow down aging.
The researchers tested rilmenidine on animals and found something exciting. The animals that received the drug lived longer than those that didn’t. Even more interesting, they stayed healthier during their lives, similar to animals that eat less food.
For a long time, scientists have known that eating less, without being malnourished, can help animals live longer. This is known as caloric restriction. Animals on these diets often have fewer diseases and live more years. However, it’s difficult for humans to follow this type of diet for a long time. It can also cause other health problems if not done correctly.
This is why the discovery about rilmenidine is so important. It seems to give the same health benefits as eating less, but without needing to change your diet. The drug appears to work by targeting a special part of the body called the I1-imidazoline receptor.
Think of it like a switch. When this switch is turned on, the body begins to slow down the aging process. The team believes this switch could be a key to helping people live longer lives.
What makes this finding even more exciting is that rilmenidine is already a safe drug. It has been used for years to treat high blood pressure, and it rarely causes serious side effects. That means it might be easier and faster to study this drug for aging than to create a brand-new one.
People today are living longer than ever, but longer life doesn’t always mean a healthier life. Many older adults suffer from diseases and other health problems.
If we could slow down aging even a little, it might help people stay active and healthy for more of their lives. This could also reduce the burden on health care systems and improve the quality of life for many families.
Scientists often look for new uses for old drugs. This is called “repurposing.” Since these drugs are already proven to be safe, it saves time and money. The story of rilmenidine is a great example of how a well-known drug might be used for something totally different.
Professor João Pedro Magalhães led the study, and the full scientific report can be found in the journal “Aging Cell.” While more studies are needed to see if rilmenidine has the same effects in humans, this discovery offers hope. One day, people might take a simple pill not just to lower their blood pressure but also to stay younger and healthier for longer.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about Research shows the ideal blood pressure for older people and findings of Common high blood pressure drugs may cause memory problems.
For more information about blood pressure, please read studies about A common blood pressure medication could help you live longer and findings of 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure takes a medication that harms blood pressure.
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