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MEAT THAT CAN ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE

Steak: Lifesaver?

Monday March 26,2007
By Jo Macfarlane

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EATING specially-treated meat could add up to 10 years to your life, scientists reveal today.

Steak or chicken enriched with natural isotopes – atoms with slight variations – could help the body resist signs of ageing, a study has found.

Even eating the special meals “every now and again” could promote the benefits, which make the body’s DNA fight off attacks by ­cancer-causing free radicals.

The isotopes form stronger bonds in the DNA where links are weakest. Making them stronger helps to defend the body against ageing, the researchers say.

In particular, this may prevent the damaging effects of oxidising free radicals – the highly-reactive molecules in the body which cause great damage to DNA and which are thought to be one of the chief causes of ageing.

Experts on ageing are calling the implications of the breakthrough “profound”.

The Oxford University study, led by Mikhail Shchepinov, has so far tried the idea only on worms.
It increased their lifespans by 10 per cent and researchers believe that, if the same process is applied to humans, it could extend lifespans by up to 10 years with no apparent side-effects. They want to enrich meat with the isotopes by adding them to animal feed.

This would create steak or chicken with the isotope naturally present so it would not have to be added directly to meals. It could also be used in pet food.

Dr Shchepinov, formerly based at Oxford University, argues that the molecular bonds, which are vul­nerable to free-radical attack, can be made harder to break by replacing normal atoms with stronger ­isotopes.

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He told Chemistry & Industry Magazine, published today: “Because these bonds are so much more stable, it should be possible to slow down the process of oxidation and ageing.”

Isotopes used in animal feed would allow them to be passed to humans in meat products, such as steaks and chicken fillets, says Dr Shchepinov.

One expert on ageing, Aubrey de Grey, chairman of the Methuselah Foundation, called it “a highly novel idea”.

He added: “It remains to be seen whether it can be the source of practicable therapies, but it is a prospect that certainly cannot be ruled out.”

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MEAT THAT CAN ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE

I think the goverment would back this meat because then they could say they have a valid reason to increase the state pension age.

• Posted by: Penny1 • Read Full Comment
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