Ageing as a Fatal Inborn Error of Metabolism: A Paradigm Shift in Understanding Human Senescence (Simplified Summary)

What This White Paper Is About

Imagine if ageing wasn't just something that "happens" to us, but rather a condition that we are all born with - like a very slow metabolic disorder that affects everyone. That's the revolutionary idea this white paper explores.

Key Concepts

What Are Metabolic Disorders?

Think of your body as a complex factory:

·       Enzymes are the workers that process materials

·       Metabolites are the materials being processed

·       Energy is what keeps everything running

In metabolic disorders, some workers (enzymes) don't function properly, causing materials to pile up or run out.

How Is Aging Similar?

As we age:

·       Our metabolic "workers" slow down

·       Materials get processed incorrectly

·       Energy production decreases

·       Waste products accumulate

The Evidence

1. Enzyme Decline

Just like a factory with ageing equipment:

·       Key enzymes lose 20-50% of their activity by age 80

·       This affects how our bodies process nutrients and create energy

2. Energy Crisis

Like a phone with a degrading battery:

·       Our cells produce less energy as we age

·       This affects every organ, especially high-energy ones like the brain and heart

3. Waste Accumulation

Similar to a city with a failing waste management system:

·       Toxic byproducts build up in our cells

·       This causes inflammation and damage

Why This Matters

For Medicine

·       We already treat 275 metabolic disorders successfully

·       These same approaches might work for aging

·       Early detection could lead to prevention

For You

·       Ageing might not be as inevitable as we thought

·       Future treatments could extend healthy years

·       Understanding ageing differently opens new possibilities

What's Being Done

Current Research

Scientists are:

·       Testing drugs that work for metabolic disorders in ageing

·       Developing ways to measure "metabolic age"

·       Creating personalised treatment approaches

Promising Treatments

·       Senolytics: Drugs that remove damaged cells

·       NAD+ Boosters: Supplements that restore cellular energy

·       Metabolic Modulators: Medications that optimise the metabolism

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that:

1.      Ageing is a metabolic process we're all born with

2.     It shares features with treatable genetic disorders

3.     New treatments based on this understanding are in development

4.     The goal is not just living longer, but staying healthier longer

What Can We Do Now

While research continues, evidence suggests these help:

·       Regular exercise (especially strength training)

·       Balanced nutrition

·       Good sleep habits

·       Stress management

·       Regular health check-ups

Looking Forward

This new understanding of ageing opens doors to:

·       Treatments that address root causes, not just symptoms

·       Personalised approaches based on individual metabolism

·       A future where ageing is manageable, not inevitable

This simplified summary is based on the scientific white paper "Ageing as a Fatal Inborn Error of Metabolism" by CortexBio. For the full scientific details, please contact us. info@cortexbio.co.uk