Scientists say transfusion of young blood may help end age-related sickness

Fictional tales of vampires feeding on blood of young maidens to live forever have been around for a long time now. But can there be any truth to the idea of surviving effects of ageing with young blood?

A large number of start-ups have been considering the idea of using blood transfusion from younger people to help treat age-related ailments. The experiments are also seen as one of the most promising ventures of modern medicine by leading physicians.

While it doesn’t allow anyone to live longer, young blood can help humans live without diseases including cancer, dementia and heart conditions until their death. Injecting old people with young blood can cost around Rs 6 lakh if the service is made available for public in future.

The process may lead to 10 percent reduction in blood cholesterol levels as well as 20 percent fall in proteins called carcinoembryonic antigens which are found in people who have cancer. It also reduced protein which forms toxic clumps in brains of people suffering from dementia.