Did scientists just discover the fountain of youth?

When you get old, your bones become less dense and more brittle. That’s called Osteoporosis AKA bone atrophy. And it used to be something we all had to accept as part of growing old.

But now there may be a substance that effectively reverses the aging process for our bones.

In a new study published in the journal Nature Aging, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and the CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Ageing Research at the University of Cologne found that sodium acetate, a metabolite acid, can strengthen the marrow and the overall integrity of aging bones when added to stem cells.

Experts suspect proteins called histones trigger the decline of stem cells in bone marrow as we get older. In the Cologne study, the researchers were able to alter the way genes interact with each other without changing the genes themselves, in addition to increasing stem cell activity — all by administering a sodium acetate solution. After the solution was added to the bone marrow stem cells of aging mice, the cells converted the acetate into a building block that restored stem cell activity. In turn, that increased the production of bone cells.

“We wanted to know why these stem cells produce less material for the development and maintenance of bones as we age, causing more and more fat to accumulate in the bone marrow,” first author Andromachi Pouikli said in a press release.

After seeing results with mice, the researchers then determined that it might work in humans, too. Looking at cells from older people who suffered from osteoporosis, the most common form of bone atrophy, they found that sodium acetate did indeed improve bone integrity and increased the production of bone cells.

Though the researchers were doubtful sodium acetate, which is available as a food additive, would work this way if ingested, they said sodium acetate treatments might help existing stem-cell therapies for osteoporosis.

Natural ways to improve bone integrity

There are several ways to protect your bones into old age. In addition to avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, you should eat certain nutrients shown to delay bone atrophy. Most experts recommend adults 50 and under shoot for 2,500 milligrams of calcium a day. Those 51 and older should limit themselves to 2,000 milligrams a day.

Dark leafy greens like Chinese cabbage, kale, collard greens, and turnip greens are great, low-calorie sources for calcium. Dark greens also have a lot of vitamin K, which can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.

A study published in the JBMR Plus journal, the companion to the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, recently identified the exercises that contribute the most to overall bone health in older people: regular strength training, sprint training, and impact-type training, jump squats, high knees, running, and jumping jacks.

Check out 5 simple habits from Harvard scientists that will add 10 years to your life.