Cold Place May Help You Live Longer?
Jan 07, 2023
Florida is a popular place for retirees due to its warm weather and beautiful beaches, but recent research suggests that living in colder regions up north may be better for longevity and reducing the risk of age-related diseases. The study found that moderately cold temperatures prevent proteins from clustering together, which can lead to the development of diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease. The researchers used a non-vertebrate model organism, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and human cells with genes for these diseases to conduct their study.
The German researchers discovered that exposing the nematode model and human cells to cold temperatures helped to break down protein clusters and prevent further clumping. This was due to the effect of the cold on proteasomes, which are responsible for removing damaged proteins from cells. The researchers found that the drop in temperature actually stimulated the activity of proteasomes, with the help of a proteasome activator called PA28y/PSME3. The stimulation of proteasome activity by the cold was found to reduce deficits caused by aging in both the nematode and human cells.
In a press release, David Vilchez, a medical professor at the University of Cologne in Germany and the author of the study, stated that the findings demonstrate how cold has maintained its impact on the regulation of proteasomes throughout evolution, with potential therapeutic benefits for aging and related diseases.
Vilchez suggests that the findings can be extended to other animal species and age-related neurodegenerative disorders that involve protein aggregation, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS, all of which are influenced by aging.
Don't live in frigid areas?
Scientists discovered an additional method to stimulate proteasome activity, which involved increasing the expression of activator genes. This technique effectively eliminated pathological proteins even when the body temperature was at its standard level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Previous studies have established a correlation between moderate temperature drops and positive health outcomes. For instance, cold-blooded creatures such as worms and fish benefit from lower temperatures that can prolong their lifespan. This is because their body temperature is influenced by the surrounding environment. Recent research suggests that humans can achieve similar effects by regulating their body temperature.
Unlike cold-blooded animals, warm-blooded mammals maintain a consistent body temperature, regardless of external temperature fluctuations. However, experiments conducted on nematodes have shown that even a slight drop in temperature from 68 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit can significantly extend their lifespan. Similarly, reducing the body temperature of mice by only 0.5 degrees has also been shown to increase their lifespan.
Researchers have noted a connection between lifespan and body temperature in humans. Typically, human body temperature falls within the range of 97°F to 99°F, and dipping below 95°F could induce hypothermia. During sleep, the body temperature may drop to as low as 96.8°F. Additionally, a study proposes that the human body temperature has been decreasing gradually since the Industrial Revolution, which may contribute to the increased lifespan observed over the past 160 years. The journal Nature Aging published this research.
