Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a protein, IL-11, as a key driver of aging. IL-11 is linked to fat accumulation, muscle loss, and other hallmarks of aging. By blocking the effects of this protein in preclinical models, scientists observed:
- Improved metabolic health
- Preservation of muscle mass
- Reversal of certain aging signs
- A potential 25% increase in lifespan
This breakthrough suggests that targeting IL-11 could one day become a revolutionary anti-aging therapy. While research is still in early stages, it opens a promising path for extending healthy human lifespan and combating age-related decline.