I’ll bet you didn’t know that the US market for anti aging will hit $72 million dollars in 2009? This information comes from Nutraceuticals International, a trade publication. The baby boomers are on a quest for immortality and are fueling this current boom.

Scientists are unlocking several key factors in the aging process, generating headlines about how it might be slowed or reversed. For example, in studying metabolism, researchers have zeroed in on proteins called sirtuins, which apparently control age-related illnesses in other organisms. Resveratrol, a substance found in small amounts in red-grape skins and red wine, is believed by some scientists to boost sirtuins in humans. Of course this has triggered excitement about its potential benefits.

Other researchers are exploring the effects of the enzyme telomerase, which could thwart the natural tendency of chromosomes to break apart as cells age. Stem cells hold out the promise that doctors might someday be able to regenerate body tissue or even grow new replacement organs.

However, you should know that no drug, nutritional supplement or medical regimen has been proven to extend the human life span. Vitamin B-12 shots have a fairly miraculous energizing effect on individuals who are B-12 deficient but little to no effect on those who aren’t. To date, there are no double-blind, controlled studies on healthy human beings showing any particular substance leading to greater longevity.

A decade ago, you had to be a big-league or Olympic athelete to have your own chemical guru. Hollywood stars and hip-hop artist picked up on the trend of personalized supplements and steroid regimens. Thousands of anti-aging clinics have now opened across the country offering those with extra cash the chance to look and feel younger.

Anti-aging is definitely the buzz word for the new millenum. In 1933, Time magazine reported the secret to long life as given by an aged Chinese man named Li Ching Yuen. Li supposedly lived to the age of 256. What was his secret? “Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a piegon and sleep like a dog.” Doesn’t sound like anything money can buy!