According to Tyler Durden, on a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero. Nevertheless, people are always looking for ways to extend their life. Everyone knows that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two keys to living longer. However, the medical field is always testing new drugs and their effects in order to increase human lifespan. For the past few years, a new drug called resveratrol has been examined by scientists, and the results have been somewhat positive. Resveratrol is an antibiotic that plants produce when under attack by bacteria and other harmful substances. Scientists have been testing the side effects of using this drug in humans and other animals, and in creatures such as flies and worms, there was a noticeable increase in lifespan. More recently, a 2006 study of resveratrol increased the lifespan of a fish over 50%.
This antioxidant is unique because its chemical structure activates what are known as SIR genes. Flies, worms, and yeast have these types of genes, but humans also have their own variation of the gene. In those species, the resveratrol activated the SIR genes and increased their lifespan. While it is unknown at the current moment whether or not the resveratrol will work the same way in humans, it is being pondered in the science field. Additionally, aging is caused by the inability for cells to replicate themselves perfectly. However, resveratrol has been proven to help cells in their replication, so that they can replicate with perfection for a much longer period. Therefore, this can increase the life span of those that take resveratrol on a regular basis.
These life extending effects of resveratrol have only seen to be common when a sufficient amount of the antioxidant is taken. While red wine and red grapes do contain some resveratrol, the amount in these foods is not sufficient enough to inherit the life extending properties of the drug. Therefore, those who wish to take resveratrol are advised to purchase the antioxidant in its pure form. This will give the user the maximum benefit.