Is It Possible to Reverse Aging?

Since the dawn of time, humans have tried to reverse aging. Diane de Poitiers, the royal mistress of King Henry II, drank gold to preserve her beauty. Pope Innocent VIII attempted to cheat death by injecting himself with the blood of children. Tech tycoon Bryan Johnson takes 111 supplements daily, among many other super strict routines. Now in his mid-forties, he claims to have the lung capacity of an 18-year-old.

Everyone gets older. But is there anything you can do to alter the course of the inevitable? A wave of scientists is saying yes, and they have years of research to back it up.

No one knows for sure why humans age. There are over 300 theories on this biological phenomenon – each one presents a plausible explanation, but the potential causes can be categorized into cellular and environmental.

For decades, the consensus was that aging occurs either from the accumulation of mutations in DNA or because the body loses its ability to repair DNA damage over time. On the other hand, recent studies have pointed out that genetics only account for 25% of lifespan. This means environmental stressors and lifestyle choices, such as sun exposure and diet, might be the major drivers of aging.

Both sides of the argument hold merit, so aging is likely caused by a mix of reasons. At the same time, this conclusion implies that the dream to “grow younger” is a fifty-fifty scenario. You might not be able to reverse aging by changing your DNA through mind control, but you can slow down the clock by prioritizing healthy habits.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could “reboot” your body to make it look and feel new again? According to Harvard geneticist Dr.David Sinclair, it’s not a pipe dream.

Sinclair theorizes that aging is mostly due to the degradation of the epigenome – the molecular structure that tells the DNA what to do – rather than genetic mutations. In other words, it’s possible to reverse aging by erasing the epigenetic instructions and replacing them with new ones, which he likens to recovering the software of a computer. He has applied this rejuvenation method in resetting brain function, mobility, and vision of old mice and found that it de-aged the rodents by 50%. His next goal? Do the same for humans.

What about stopping the signs of aging on the skin? A 2018 study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham revealed that restoring the mitochondria back to their original state is key to reversing wrinkles, saggy skin, and even hair loss. Living to 150 with a tight body and firm skin might not be so far-fetched after all.

Here’s the biggest bummer: you can turn back time, but not yet. Research on longevity is still in the early innings. Scientists have recently begun experiments in nonhuman primates, though there’s no way of telling when anyone can get their hands on the age-reversal treatments.

You might wonder, what steps can you take in the meantime to keep your skin – and body – in its prime?

Your aging clock begins ticking from birth and only moves faster once you hit your twenties. So, it’s never too early to take better care of your skin health. Get into the habit of washing your face at least once a day and applying SPF every morning.

You can also add POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Day Serum to your AM skincare routine. Powered by hexyl-retinol, it speeds up skin repair by up to 10 times. Plus, it improves skin elasticity, fades dark spots, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles after four weeks of use.

Before bedtime, don’t forget to apply POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Eye Cream. It also contains hexyl-retinol and has 3x the power to blur fine lines and brighten dark circles.

Numerous research has shown that can help decrease levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body – the two main factors of skin aging. Dr. Sinclair is also a fan of intermittent fasting (IF). He usually skips breakfast and waits 16 to 18 hours between large meals, a practice he has done since his early thirties.

Dr. Sinclair’s IF method is one of the most popular approaches to fasting. However, it’s important to find a plan that fits your lifestyle. Be sure to talk with a doctor or nutritionist first before planning to fast, especially if you’re underweight or have underlying medical conditions.

If you want to reverse aging, then you should eat less sugar. It’s as simple as that. Sugar, when consumed in excess, can wreak havoc on your body’s cells and hormones. This triggers a slew of problems, including breakouts (a.k.a. sugar face). But what to do if you’re craving sweets? Eat your ice cream or chocolate in moderation. Think of it as an occasional treat rather than an end-of-every-meal snack.

Yes, it is possible to reverse aging, but the science may take several more years to find practical applications. Nevertheless, it gives hope that you, along with everyone else, will have the chance to live a healthier and more meaningful life. Isn’t that the ultimate goal?