Most of us would rather stay warm than live in a cold place. What if we told you that living at a lower temperature can lead to a longer life or a healthier old age? At least, a new study from the University of Cologne in Germany suggests that this may be possible.
Scientists conducted a study on Caenorhabditis elegans (C.elegans ) type worms to understand the genetic effect of cold. Let’s say from the beginning; especially C.elegans worms have many genetic similarities with humans. For this reason, scientists often use worms during genetic research. It has also been known for a long time that the cold has an effect on longevity and a healthier old age. However, there are dozens of unanswered questions about the reasons for this.
Low temperatures prevent the accumulation of bad proteins that cause diseases in the elderly.
While carrying out this study, the equivalent of the PA28γ/PSME3 proteasome activator found in humans and degrading protein wastes, in C.elegans worms was used. A slight decrease in temperature was found to be sufficient for the activator to work and to prevent the accumulation of harmful proteins.
More importantly, scientists discovered that proteasome activity can be achieved by genetic engineering. In other words, there is no need to cool the air conditioner extra and increase the electricity bill. Because if the studies on this subject continue, it has been seen that treatments that can prevent the accumulation of ‘bad protein’ without lowering the body’s temperature are possible.
What is bad protein?
Bad protein expression may not make sense to most of us, let’s explain it right away. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which occur more in advanced ages, basically occur as a result of the accumulation of these bad proteins. For example, Alzheimer’s occurs largely as a result of the accumulation of amyloid beta and tau proteins in the synaptic spaces between nerve cells and in the spaces in the brain. These disease-causing proteins are also commonly referred to as ‘bad proteins’.
So what will this research do?
As you can imagine, this research will not directly reveal a permanent cure for Alzheimer’s or similar diseases. However, it reveals important findings for both ‘healthy aging’ and treatments for aging-related diseases. The findings in this study may only enable the treatment and prevention of diseases. Of course, eradicating age-related diseases can both save billions of dollars spent on diseases and increase the average welfare of societies.
In summary; Scientific findings prove that living in a cold climate prolongs life compared to living in a hot climate and is associated with a healthier aging period. So we can expect someone living in Siberia to be a longer-lived and healthier elder than anyone living in Ecuador. However, with their studies on these findings, scientists aim not to move all people to a cold climate, but to make them equally healthy no matter where they live.
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