Scientists astonished: cold activates a hidden system in the body – that slows aging

A new study in Nature reveals how exposure to moderate cold activates a cellular mechanism that clears damaged proteins and slows aging. The mechanism, involving the substance BH2 and the enzyme CAT-4, was also tested in human nerve cells and may pave the way for treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Huntington's.

A new study published in the scientific journal Nature reveals how exposure to moderate cold may slow aging processes and extend lifespan in certain organisms. The researchers discovered a biological mechanism that helps cells clear damaged proteins, which can accumulate with age and cause severe damage. The study was conducted on tiny worms living at a temperature of about 15°C, and identified a substance called BH2 and an enzyme called CAT-4 responsible for its production. Tests on human nerve cells showed that activating this pathway helps reduce the accumulation of harmful proteins in human cells as well, indicating potential for developing treatments for diseases like ALS and Huntington's. The researchers emphasize that the study has not yet proven that cold exposure extends human lifespan, but it opens the door to developing future drugs that activate the same cleaning mechanism without the need to cool the body.