Why Do We Age and Can We Slow It Down?

Have you ever wondered why we age and die? Or if it’s possible to slow down aging—or even live forever? These are the kinds of questions that have fueled the career of Venki Ramakrishnan, a 71-year-old Indian molecular biologist.

In 2009, Ramakrishnan won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on ribosomes, the cellular structures responsible for producing proteins—the very building blocks of life. Now, he's diving into even bigger questions in his upcoming book Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality, which is set to be published in March.

In an interview, Ramakrishnan shared some interesting insights. He pointed out that our modern lifestyles are much more sedentary than those of our ancestors, who were constantly on the move as farmers, hunters, and manual laborers. On top of that, many of us don’t realize how crucial sleep is for repairing our bodies.

“Simple things like staying active and getting enough sleep help maintain muscle mass, regulate mitochondrial function, control blood pressure, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of dementia,” he says. “The problem is, it’s not always easy to stick to these habits. People often just want a quick fix—a pill that lets them live how they want. But that’s the challenge we need to overcome.”

It’s a reminder that while science is making huge strides in understanding aging, the real key to living longer—and healthier—might just be the things we’ve known all along: staying active and getting good rest.

At One Life, we believe that living our best life isn’t about waiting for a miracle cure or shortcut. It's about taking small, meaningful actions every day to care for our bodies, minds, and overall well-being. The science may be advancing, but the power to age well—and live fully—has always been in our hands.

Remember, the choices we make today shape the quality of our tomorrow. Let’s embrace the opportunity to live stronger, healthier, and more vibrant lives right now.

Warmly,

Cassio Founder, One Life