Lower body temperature may slow ageing in mice

Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School suggests that cooling the body might help slow down the aging process. Tests on mice indicate that adopting hibernation-like behaviors could be more effective than anti-aging creams or exercise for older adults wanting to maintain a youthful appearance. The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, reveals that entering a state similar to hibernation, where body temperature and energy use decrease, may help reduce signs of aging. Siniša Hrvatin from MIT stated that lower body temperature appears to play a key role in this anti-aging effect. Researchers also noted that understanding how to control body temperature could assist in determining why some people's biological age does not match their chronological age. They highlighted that biological aging can vary greatly among different organisms. Previous studies have indicated that fasting and a nutritious diet can also help slow aging. In related findings, doctors at the Mayo Clinic suggested that balance tests, like standing on one leg, could be an indicator of biological youth. Hrvatin emphasized that aging is a complex issue that scientists are just beginning to understand.