People with the gene variants are also 80 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s
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Scientists are on the verge of developing a ‘long life’ super pill, which could help people last past 100, according to experts
It follows the discovery of three different genes which all significantly increase the chances of living past 100.
Two of the genes increase the production of so-called good cholesterol in the body, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, while the third helps to prevent diabetes.
People with the gene variants are also 80 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, studies show.
Lead scientist Dr Nir Barzilai said: “The advantage of finding a gene that involves longevity is that we can develop a drug that will imitate what this gene is doing. If we can imitate that, then long life can be terrific.”
Professor Judith Phillips, president of the British Society of Gerontology, said the discovery would change how people look at growing old.
She said: “It’s a huge opportunity because the ageing population is growing anyway. They would be a huge resource because people would be able to work longer and they would have a healthier life, and it would revolutionise the way we look at older people.”
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