PROVO, Utah—Leading international scientists gathered at the University of Tokyo to share research and insights on how to remain youthful as we age. “The International Symposium on Aging and Anti-Aging: From Molecular Biology to Nutritional Science" was hosted by the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo and sponsored by Nu Skin Japan on Sept. 24.
“Only through the process of scientific discovery can the real contributors to aging and age-related diseases be identified," said Joe Chang, Ph.D., Nu Skin chief scientific officer and executive vice president of product development. “This symposium provides an excellent forum to bring together several international scientists who have devoted their lives to researching aging at the physiological and genetic level. Nu Skin is, therefore, proud to sponsor this symposium that highlights such discoveries that impact healthy lifespans."
Tomas Prolla, Ph.D., co-founder of LifeGen Technologies and professor of genetics at the University of Wisconsin, presented some recent research on behalf of his colleague Richard Weindruch, Ph.D., co-founder of LifeGen Technologies and professor of geriatrics and gerontology at the University of Wisconsin. Weindruch is the lead scientist on a comprehensive laboratory study of nutritional regimens and their effect on the aging process and age-related diseases in diverse populations. Prolla described Weindruch’s landmark study that has already shown how nutritional intervention resulted in a three-fold reduction in the risk of developing diseases of aging, a reduction in the rate of age-related muscle loss, as well as a slowing of the process of brain atrophy that normally occurs as part of the aging process.
Prolla also presented his own research on the role of mitochondria, in preventing age-related diseases. Mitochondria are an important sub-cellular organelle involved in the cells’ energy production. Prolla went on to outline how his findings suggest novel methods for intervening in the aging process.
In addition, several leading Japanese scientists delivered presentations on aging in organs using the heart as a model system, evidence of the role of specific antioxidants in slowing aging and how oxidative stress affects brain aging.