Astronauts not only face weightlessness, but also accelerated aging that also affects sedentary people or those with night shifts. Space science, by studying these changes, offers clues to slow down deterioration on Earth through adjustments in exercise, light, and diet, according to a recent article that connects both worlds.
How microgravity guides new anti-aging therapies 🧬
Prolonged exposure to space causes alterations in bone metabolism, mitochondrial function, and circadian rhythms, similar to premature aging. Researchers apply this data to design high-intensity, short-duration exercise protocols, optimize daytime light exposure, and adjust antioxidant intake. Lawton points out that understanding these processes allows mitigating the effects of aging in daily life, using space as a testing laboratory.
The couch, first cousin of the Space Station 🛋️
Spending eight hours in front of the computer and then another three on the couch is starting to look suspiciously like floating in space, but without the views. If astronauts need two hours of daily exercise to avoid falling apart, perhaps we should consider that getting up for water doesn't count as training. Next time someone says they're in airplane mode, they should know that their body interprets it literally.