Anti-ageing medicine Proxofim
Written by: Editors
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The media is bustling with reports about Proxofim, a medicine developed by researchers that successfully delays ageing. It’s easy to see why. After all, everyone desires a more extended life free from the difficulties associated with ageing. What the Dutch researchers didn’t anticipate, however, was the wonder drug’s immediate usefulness. Companies eager to break into the lucrative anti-ageing market have started offering this golden egg on the Internet, and at least one subject has already taken the medication. According to the discoverers, this is very risky since it is still unknown if Proxofim is safe.
What is Proxofim?
Proxofim was discovered by Peter de Keizer, a scientist at Erasmus MC in the Netherlands. The chemical eliminates damaged cells that contribute to many age-related diseases. As a result, it can potentially counteract the adverse effects of ageing. Proxofim restored youthful vitality and a healthy sheen to the fur and kidneys of the test subjects: elderly mice. And since mice are 80% genetically similar to humans, Proxofim has a significant possibility of helping elderly people.
Nothing is certain, but Peter de Keizer stresses that this is an opportunity. Preclinical toxicology studies with larger types of animals still have to be carried out before the anti-ageing drug can be tested on humans. This medicine kills certain types of cells. But it can be potentially dangerous if it also affects healthy cells. As De Keizers' colleague Marjolein Baar says in an article in De Volkskrant: "Of course, the adverse effects of ageing are awful. But who knows, the adverse effects of this medicine may be much worse."
Do not use yet
According to Darren Moore, a 50-year-old American who claims to have used Proxofim for several months, the anti-ageing drugs works miracles. He feels healthier and has a fuller head of hair since taking the drug. However, the researchers say that this doesn’t tell us anything and emphasise that Proxofim is not safe for use yet. It will take about three years before clinical trials with critically ill test subjects can get underway. Even if these trials are successful, it may be some time before the rejuvenation research substance hits the market.
The everlasting desire for rejuvenation
People have a widespread desire to find a magic substance that will counteract the physical ravages of ageing. Rapamycin, recently touted as a new miracle medication, has mostly fallen out of the public’s radar. Metformin, a substance used to treat diabetes, had similar hopes as a fountain of youth. As far as we know, the use of this substance has not been further developed. So it remains to be seen if Proxofim can live up to expectations. Keeping the medication under lock and key at the lab is safer until then.
Ageing healthily without adverse effects
Can’t wait until the anti-ageing medication Proxofim becomes available? The single most important thing you can do to age healthily is to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat healthily. Incorporate nuts, wholemeal products, low-fat proteins, healthy fats and lots of fruit and vegetables into your diet. This diet, popularly known as the Mediterranean diet, has positive effects on quality ageing!
- Limit risk factors such as stress, alcohol, smoking and unhealthy foods.
The good news is these healthy lifestyle habits are not expensive and have zero adverse effects. What more could you want.
Why risk your health taking an experimental anti-ageing drug that hasn't been tested on humans?