Man became '10 years younger' after spending 93 days at bottom of the Atlantic

19 May 2024 , 06:07

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Dituri broke the record for the longest time living underwater at ambient pressure (Image: AP)

Imagine spending over three months submerged in the ocean and coming out 10 years younger.

Retired naval officer Joseph Dituri did just that after living in a compact pod in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean for 93 days. His extraordinary feat wasn't just an adventure – it was a groundbreaking study into what the effects were of living underwater in a pressurised envrionment on the human body. Dituri emerged from his 100-square-foot pod with extraordinary results.

Not only did he shatter the previous world record for underwater habitation, which was 73 days, but he had also turned back the ageing clock, emerging from his pod 10 years younger. After returning to dry land, medical assessments revealed that Dituri's telomeres, the DNA caps at the ends of chromosomes that typically shrink with age, were 20 per cent longer than before his dive. His stem cell count had also skyrocketed, and his overall health metrics had undergone a remarkable transformation.

Dituri's stem cell count had skyrocketed (AP)

But the benefits didn't end there. Dituri experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality, with 60 to 66 per cent of his nights now spent in deep REM sleep. His cholesterol levels plummeted by 72 points, and his inflammatory markers had been slashed in half. These transformations were attributed to the underwater pressure, which is known to have numerous positive effects on the body.

One similar form of treatment is the hyperbaric chamber, which improves brain health, leading to better cognition. Dituri's research allowed him to see how human bodies respond to pressurised environments for a longer period of time. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dituri spoke of the potential benefits of hyperbaric medicine.

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Dituri experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality (AP)

He said: "You need one of these places that is cut off from outside activity. Send people down here for a two-week vacation, where they get their feet scrubbed, relax and can experience the benefit of hyperbaric medicine." Despite the limited exercise equipment available, Dituri managed to maintain his physique by working out for an hour, five days a week, using only exercise bands.

He was able to maintain the muscle mass he developed during his time in the chamber. Dituri also saw significant improvements in his metabolism, resulting in a leaner physique. His stem cell count, already noted for its potential as a way of reversing visible ageing, was also multiplied by 10.

Florence Freeman