Free Republic

A combination of intermittent fasting and a specialized biomedical bandage can restore bone healing in aged mice to levels seen in young animals, according to research. "Key to bone repair is a type of cell called osteoprogenitors, which create new bone tissue," explains Joshua Reeves. First, they analyzed the changes that occur in the bone of mice during aging, finding a clear decline in both bone structure and healing capacity with age. The team noticed a reduction in blood vesselspwithin periosteal bone-forming tissue, beginning in adulthood. They also observed changes in aging osteogenic (bone-forming) compartments, including increased actin levels and...

Health issues for people over age 60 commonly involve eye-related conditions such as dry eyes. More than 70% of people in this age group are believed to suffer from meibomian gland disorder, the most common cause of dry eyes. A study reports that the loss of sex steroid hormones produced by the enzyme 3-hydroxyl-steroid dehydrogenase, or 3-HSD, causes the condition, but it can be treated with nicotinamidemononucleotide, or NMN, which is a non-steroid agent. "Meibomian glands are found in the eyelids and have a role in producing the oil that coats the eyes. Without this oil, tears evaporate, " notes...