Does the naked mole rat hold the secret to eternal youth?

He may not win any beauty contests himself but the naked mole rat has certainly got US scientists in a flutter: with an estimated lifespan of 30 years he’s outliving the average mouse by 26 years or more.
What’s his secret? It would appear that hyaluronic acid is the key to his longevity. A team led by researchers from the University of Rochester in New York found that the naked mole rat’s tissues were rich in high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA), a gooey sugar that is involved in tissue repair.

The researchers think the substance gives the naked mole-rat its distinctive, elastic ‘baggy’ skin, which it
needs to squeeze through underground tunnels.

And now scientists are beginning to explore the possibility that HMW-HA may also have profound benefits for humans. Similar versions of the substance are already licensed to relieve pain in arthritis, it is often used in skincare and cosmetic fillers to treat wrinkles and in 2010 the Japanese village Yuzurihara was dubbed the ‘village of long life’ after the inhabitants, whose diets are rich in hyaluronic acid, were found to live on average 10% longer than people elsewhere in the world.

Naturally present in the synovial fluid of the joints, the fluid in the eyes and most abundantly in the skin,
hyaluronan is a clear, odourless liquid which is essential for good health; it’s the principle compound for
retaining water and plays an important role in transporting nutrients around the body.

As we age however, levels of hyaluronan dramatically decrease, especially in those over the age of 50
when it becomes more important to keep the whole body hydrated. Replacing lost hyaluronan can be of
huge benefit, as it not only significantly improves skin texture and condition (by minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles), it also helps maintain healthy joints and eyes.

Voted best VMS (Vitamin, Mineral Supplement) product of the year 2012, Syno-Vital™ Oral Hyaluronan
comes in convenient 5ml liquid sachets and should be taken daily in a glass of water. It is one of the most
water-loving molecules in nature and is safe and easy to drink.

A one month supply (30 x 5ml sachets) costs £30.99 and is available from health stores nationwide.

Call 01274 889047 or visit www.modernherbals.com
Link to BBC news article: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22961694