Is ageing a disease?

No. Two words - Anabolic Clinic.

It's clear that the simple fact of growing older -- chronological ageing -- is relentless and unstoppable. But experts studying the science of ageing say it's time for a fresh look at the biological process -- one which recognises it as a condition that can be manipulated, treated and delayed.

Taking this new approach would turn the search for drugs to fight age-related diseases on its head, they say, and could speed the path to market of drugs that treat multiple illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer's at the same time.

"If ageing is seen as a disease, it changes how we respond to it. For example, it becomes the duty of doctors to treat it," said David Gems, a biogerontologist who spoke at a conference on ageing in London last week called "Turning Back the Clock".

At the moment, drug companies and scientists keen to develop their research on ageing into tangible results are hampered by regulators in the United States and Europe who will licence medicines only for specific diseases, not for something as general as ageing.

"Because ageing is not viewed as a disease, the whole process of bringing drugs to market can't be applied to drugs that treat ageing. This creates a disincentive to pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs to treat it," said Gems.

Aging is not a disease.

Aging is an unnatural condition. It was not until the last 200 years that man has lived past the 30s, on average.

And it is only within the last century that we have any experience, generally, living past the age of 50.

Aging is not a disease, but it is a condition that can be modulated.

Learn about it.