LEMURS may hold the answer to reverse ageing, stunned scientists have claimed.
The cute creatures have a mysterious secret enabling them to turn back the clock on cellular ageing.
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And it may explain why dwarf lemurs can live up to twice as long as other primate creatures similar in size.
The unique trick all starts during their lengthy seven month hibernation, new research has revealed.
There are tiny caps on the ends of chromosomes we and other primates like lemurs have called telomeres.
These work like the plastic tips you find on the end of shoelaces, preventing them from fraying.
Every time a cell divides, small chunks of telomeres are shed in the process, resulting in telomeres getting shorter with age.
Being over stressed, living a sedentary lifestyle or skipping too much sleep can negatively affect telomeres even faster.
Eventually, telomeres become so stubby that they no longer provide protection, and cells lose the ability to function.
However, scientists have discovered that dwarf lemurs have a special way of keeping their telomeres from shortening and even making them longer, effectively rejuvenating their cells.
Dwarf lemurs hide out in tree holes and underground burrows for a lengthy winter slumber.
Their heart rates drop to less than eight beats per minute and only take a breath every ten minutes or so during this period.
They can also stay pretty cold too, only briefly waking up to warm themselves on a weekly basis before heading back to sleep.
Scientists made the unexpected discovery after following 15 dwarf lemars and noticed that their telomeres got longer during hibernation.
“The results were in the opposite direction of what you’d expect,” expert wildlife biologist Lydia Greene explained.
“At first we thought something was off with the data.”
However, the anti-ageing effects are only temporary.
Two weeks after the animals came out of hibernation their telomeres went back to their pre-hibernation length.
But scientists are stumped as to exactly how lemurs extend their telomeres in the first place.
If they can figure the lemurs’ secret out, it could help researchers create new ways to prevent or treat age-related diseases in humans without increasing the risks of runaway cell division that can lead to cancer.
The findings were published in the Biology Letters journal by a team from Duke University and the University of California, San Francisco.
Why is turmeric good for anti-ageing?
A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that turmeric and curcumin may help prevent DNA damage and aid in DNA repair.
This is promising news for disease prevention and slowing the ageing process. It also:
Boosts Collagen Production: Collagen is a protein that maintains the skin’s elasticity and firmness. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Turmeric helps stimulate collagen synthesis, thereby promoting firmer and more youthful skin.
Improves Skin Health: Turmeric has been shown to improve various skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and promote a clearer complexion.
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