Scientists have discovered a gene that could play a major role in how we age.
This exciting finding might lead to new treatments that slow aging and help prevent diseases like heart problems, diabetes, memory loss, and weak muscles.
The gene is called EDA2R, which stands for Ectodysplasin A2 Receptor. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications and was led by Dr. Ildus Akhmetov from Liverpool John Moores University. He worked with researchers from Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
EDA2R is closely linked to inflammation. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system, but as we get older, even low levels of inflammation can hurt our health. It can damage tissues and organs slowly, causing long-term diseases. The scientists looked at a large genetic database and found that EDA2R was connected to aging in many parts of the body.
To double-check their findings, the researchers also studied animals. They saw that when the EDA2R gene became more active, the animals aged faster. They showed more inflammation and had more problems with their blood vessels.
In lab experiments, scientists made EDA2R more active in cells. They saw that this triggered harmful signals and led to poor muscle health—just like what happens in older people. But when they blocked the gene, the problems were not as bad.
The team also looked at blood samples from over 5,000 people. They found that people with higher levels of EDA2R also had higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a sign that there is inflammation in the body. This means that EDA2R may be causing inflammation throughout the body and could be one of the reasons people get age-related illnesses.
Dr. Akhmetov said this discovery is important because it might help people age in a healthier way. He believes that lowering the activity of EDA2R could help prevent problems like heart disease, memory loss, and muscle weakness.
Even more promising, some everyday actions might already help reduce EDA2R levels. Staying active, eating fewer calories, and using the supplement ginkgo or the diabetes drug metformin all seem to lower this gene’s activity.
This is good news. It suggests that people might already be doing things that protect them from aging too quickly. It also gives scientists a new target to focus on when trying to make new treatments for aging.
If you want to reduce inflammation, there are other options too. Turmeric, a common spice, may help. Eating more plant-based foods and getting enough vitamin D could also keep inflammation levels lower.
By understanding more about the EDA2R gene, researchers hope to find better ways to keep people healthier as they grow older. This could mean a future where aging doesn’t have to come with as many health problems.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
The full study is available in the journal Nature Communications.
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