Is there a magic pill to help people live younger longer?
Dr. Lewis Lipsitz: I think everyone wants a magic pill. In fact, it was once William Osler, in the turn of the 20th century who said the thing that distinguishes man from the animals is the desire to take medications. Everyone looks for a magic pill, but in fact, there probably is not a single intervention that will help people live longer and better. We are talking about a poly pill, however, something that might have multiple components – vitamins and other types of interventions – that actually has been shown to prevent disease and prolong successful life. What would the poly pill be? Dr. Lipsitz: Scientists are beginning to understand a number of interventions that might prevent disease in late life. One of the perhaps most important vitamins in our diet is vitamin D. We’ve always known vitamin D as the vitamin that builds strong bones, but we also know now that it builds strong muscles, may have a role in improving the functioning of our brain, prevents falls, and may even prevent
