Active aging: muscles and immune response
This month Arsenio Iglesias passed away at the age of 92, a veteran Spanish football coach who led my hometown club, RC Deportivo de La Coruña, to their first-ever title. Arsenio achieved this great feat, his first major title, at the age of 65 — an age at which many already want to retire — after several adventures as a player and coach in different Spanish clubs.
Arsenio used to go running every morning until a neurological illness and other comorbidities began to hinder him from maintaining that routine.
In the same month, at the age of 73, Bruce Springsteen started his European tour after completing the first part of his American tour. Can we imagine our loved ones at that age, doing big rock tours with the effort it takes to be on stage for three hours, rehearsals, travel, etc.?
Bruce maintains a tremendously strict diet and physical routine. For example, he does strength and power training in the gym every day.
He acknowledged suffering from mental health issues, with recurring episodes of depression, just like his father.
A few weeks ago, I started reading the book “OUTLIVE” by Petter Attia about the scientific evidence supporting the advantage of active aging. It’s a book that I’m reading little by little along with others that I’ve also started, and I promise to share reflections on it when I finish. But it is evident that we can not only extend our lives with good exercise, rest, and nutrition habits, but preventive medicine is obviously more cost-effective and economical than treatment medicine. Our last years, don´t have to be a pain in the neck.
Muscles, immune response, and interleukin-7 are related in several ways. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a protein of the immune system that plays an important role in the regulation and functioning of immune cells, including T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Let’s go point by point:
1. Function of interleukin-7: IL-7 is produced in different tissues of the body, including muscles. Its main function is to stimulate the production and growth of T lymphocytes and NK cells. These cells are essential for the immune response as they help fight infections, eliminate cancer cells, and regulate the immune response in general.
2. Exercise and immune response: Regular physical exercise, such as strength training or aerobic exercise, can have a positive impact on the immune response. During exercise, different molecules are released in the body, including IL-7. The IL-7 released by the muscles can act as a growth factor for T lymphocytes and NK cells, promoting their production and optimal function.
3. Muscles and immune response: Skeletal muscles not only play a role in movement and locomotion but can also influence the immune response. Muscles produce and release various molecules, including cytokines and chemokines, which can regulate the immune response. The IL-7 produced by the muscles can act synergistically with other molecules to modulate the immune response and promote healthy immune function.
Muscles, immune response, and interleukin-7 are closely related. IL-7, produced in both muscles and other tissues, plays an important role in the regulation and growth of T lymphocytes and NK cells, contributing to an effective immune response.
Furthermore, regular physical exercise can influence the immune response by releasing IL-7 and other molecules by the muscles.
According to the United Nations Population Division, the global life expectancy at birth increased from 46.5 years in 1950 to 71.7 years in 2022, and it is expected to rise to 77.3 years by 2050.
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, with an average of almost 85 years for both sexes, and Spain follows closely with over 82 years.
The study of longevity genes is a constant evolving field of science and research. It is estimated that around 25% of the variation in human lifespan is determined by genetics.
In the Catalonia region of Spain, for example, the age group with the highest average healthcare expenditure per person per year is reached between 80 and 84 years of age (€2,723 for women and €3,388 for men).
So we have a lot of information at our disposal to take action regarding maintaining active aging, knowing our genetic risk factors, and contributing to the sustainability of healthcare systems.
Since February 2019, I have been monitoring and actively practicing prevention medicine scenarios that can be elevated to patterns and algorithms.
Someday we will talk in depth about this matter…
In memoriam Arsenio Iglesias Pardo (1930–2023)
EDUCATIONAL PILLS:
Medical Affair International Master. Program which is part of Educational offer by Biotech and Pharma School. In memoriam Professor Cesar Nombela. Certified by Avila Catolic University. Information
Advanced Management Program. IE Business School. Educational executive programs. Information
READING PILLS:
Celebreting active aging. US Department of Health and Human Services
A framework for the Economic evaluation of Digital Health interventions. OKR
FDA clears AFib alerts for Samsung smartwatches. Cardiovascular Business
Towards Expert-Level Medical Question Answering with Large Language Models. Arxiv
European Health Union: Commission proposes pharmaceuticals reform for more accesible, affordable and innovative medicines. EU Pharmaceutical legislation
Preventing chronic diseases. Petter Attia
(ES) Claves sobre la revisión de la legislación farmacéutica europea. Farmaindustria
(ES) El pequeño libro de la filosofía estoica. Javier González Recuento y Guillermo de Aro
(ES) Auto- insuficiencia farmacéutica. El País
(ES) La IA predice la estructura de casi todas las proteínas conocidas por la ciencia. Agencia SINC
(ES) El mercado de los datos en salud. Salud con cosas, por Miguel Ángel Mañez.
(ES) #164 Proyecto BluePrint. Suma positiva, por Samuel Gil.
STARTUP PILLS:
Europe, Middle East, Africa. Growth academy: AI for health. Google for start-ups. Apply until July 10.
Last hours to invest: Stimusil y Prospera Biotech. Capital Cell
(ES) Iñaki Berenguer, el gurú de las startups que quiere alargar 20 años la esperanza de vida financiado por Juan Roig. El Español
PODCAST PILLS:
Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek. Acquired
The podcast #29 with Jesús Fernández- Villaverde, about the economics of population decline. Faster Please!
(ES) El futuro de la Silver Economy: Revolucionar el cuidado a domicilio de la población mayor, con Adriá Buzón de CUIDEO. Product Hackers
EVENT PILLS:
Europe, Middle East, Africa. Growth academy: AI for health. Google for start-ups. Apply until July 10.
Partnering with Disease Registries: the value and impacto for RWE generation. Live webinar, June 29 2023. Health Economics
(ES) Pacientes impacientes. Julián Isla Gómez. Tedx Gran Vía Salón
(ES) Premios New Medical Economics 2023. Bases. Categorías. Plazo de presentación, hasta el 30 de junio.
