Email from Bill December 2, 2007
In November 2006, Sirtris scientists and Sirtris co-founder, Prof. David Sinclair from Harvard Medical School, published consecutive papers in the journals Cell and Nature showing that resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator found in red wine, could reduce the impact of a high fat diet, increase stamina two fold and significantly extend lifespan of mice. Unfortunately, it was estimated that a person would need to drink 1000 bottles of red wine to obtain an equivalent dose of resveratrol. Now, scientists at Sirtris have developed SIRT1 activating molecules that are chemically distinct from resveratrol and are 1000 times more potent.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/071128/20071128005806.html?.v=1
You can just imagine the social implications of a drug that doubled stamina in athletes and allowed people to live a lot longer, as well as reversing many diseases of aging. How much would it sell for? Under what conditions could doctors prescribe it? Would it be banned for athletes? -- and if everyone else was taking it, would that mean athletes wouldn't get to live as long? Would this company's patent hold up world-wide? Would the social security retirement age have to change dramatically (of course)? Would the increase in stamina apply to mental functions as well as athletic (probably). On a national level, imagine the advantage a nation of poeple with greater stamina and longevity, and less disabling disease, would have relative to other nations. Basically, competition at every level would virtually force everyone to take it. Proving that you take it would lower your life and health insurance premiums. Of course, the quest would quickly be on to find more of the same. And of course, larger doses of old fashioned resveratrol may work just as well. Even now, some companies are selling 500mg pills that are equivalent to maybe 200 bottles of wine (depending on the wine, which is a poor yard stick, but there might be a couple milligrams per red wine bottle.).