If it works in mice ... it’s a good clue it will work in humans, right?

So say Harvard University researchers who think they’ve discovered just how it is that human beings age.

Restricting calories and getting enough exercise have been thought to hold back the effects of aging.

But now there’s an explanation: synapses. These are basically junction boxes within cells that send messages back and forth. As we age, the “connections” between muscles deteriorate and complete messages don’t get through. They’ve discovered that there are vast differences in the synapses of the young and old, at least when it comes to mice.

Scientists concluded two things. Restricted calories decreased abnormalities in elderly mice, and only one month of exercise (in this case, running on a wheel in a cage) reduced changes related to aging.

Remember the “monkey study” from last year? Researchers studied primates for 20 years, dividing them into two groups: those that could eat what they wanted, and those that had their calories slightly reduced. Many more of the “low-cal” group are still alive.

And what about the research that exercise helps to stave off cognitive impairment, especially in women?

This is one more signal to us to eat a proper diet and get off the couch and get some exercise.

We can, to some degree, hold back time when it comes to mental and physical aging.

So where do we start? It starts at the doctor’s office. We need to ask for specific diet guidelines or a referral to a nutritionist who can map out just what we need to be eating on a daily basis. We need to ask about exercise programs suitable for our age and condition. Then we need to actually do what they advise -- eat right and get enough exercise.

Making a Will

Your age, health status and list of assets don’t matter -- we all need to have an upto date will. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

Writing a will is one of those projects that you don’t want to do yourself. One of those do-it-yourself legal packages might be a place to start, but only to use as a reference.

Make notes, look at a copy of any previous will you’ve written and pencil in any changes you’d like. Create a list of your assets: real estate, antiques, family heirlooms and anything else of value.

Decide how your belongings and money are to be divided up. Are there children and grandchildren? Have they expressed a desire to have particular items? Do you have favorite causes?

Your safest course is to find an attorney to draft up the final version.

An attorney can advise you on the tax implications of any steps you want to take, as well as your state laws. For example, in many states the law outlines how much of the estate must be left to a spouse, or perhaps you need to create a trust.

Find an executor. Be sure to ask if that person is willing to handle the details. Settling an estate can be time consuming (depending on how many debts you leave and how many property assets you own). You may need to find an attorney to act as executor. Granted, an attorney will have to be paid out of the estate, but in most situations that might be your best route.

An adult child is often asked to handle estates, but that can cause ill feelings if there are siblings.

No matter which route you take to produce your will, remember that you need witnesses to your signature, and they can’t be anyone who benefits from your will.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ gmail.com.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.