Scientists discover ‘youth molecule’

As the story goes, Ponce de León never found the fabled Fountain of Youth. The Spanish explorer, however, didn’t have a molecular biologist on his team.

He could have used one.

That’s because a modern team of them recently found that a protein released by our muscles can reverse some age-related declines in muscle and bone. As you might expect, the protein surges during exercise.

The protein is composed of the cardiotrophin-like cytokine [Pronounced CAR-dee-oh-troh-fin-like SIGH-toh-kine] factor 1 molecule, or CLCF1. And scientists say it can help even an active 80-year-old outperform a sedentary person half their age.

The hope is that the “youth molecule” might eventually lead to treatments for age-related muscle loss and osteoporosis.

Our CLCF1 levels fall as we age. But even then, exercise can temporarily revive production to more youthful heights.

A team of South Korean scientists recently published a study in which they gave elderly mice the protein. A 20-month-old mouse, by the way, is the equivalent of an 80-year-old human. The mice were then able to regain the bone density and muscle strength of much younger members of their species.

Researchers also learned that, by blocking the protein, exercise lost its anti-aging benefits.

While this is a mouse study, researchers are confident the effects of the protein apply to humans as well. For example, just as in mice, the protein levels decline with age.

That might explain why bones and muscles become weaker as we get older. Supplementing the body’s store of this protein, however, helps counter that natural depletion over time.

Perhaps the Fountain of Youth does exist. It’s in your local gym.