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Here's today's feel-good story:
Scientists have found a way to dramatically extend the longevity in mice by injecting elderly rodents with a grape seed extract which increased their remaining time by more than 60%.
“The plant chemical has high potential as a clinical intervention to delay, alleviate, or prevent illnesses.” Corresponding author Dr. Yu Sun, of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, said.
"Zombie" or "senescent" cells that have stopped dividing and naturally accumulate as we get older are flushed out by a flavonoid known as PCC1.
“Ageing-associated functional decline of organs and increased risk for chronic disease is driven in part by their accumulation. Here we show PCC1, a component of grape seed extract, increases the healthspan and lifespan of mice through its action on senescent cells.” Dr Sun explained.