The quest for the fountain of youth is getting a boost from researchers at Washington University. A compound found in some natural foods including broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage, avocado and edamame can boost metabolism. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a compound that is shown to slow the process of aging in mice by boosting the production of another compound, NAD, that is critical for metabolism. Researchers found NMN could help extend people’s life spans by activating a gene called sirtuin. Sirtuins are one of the key regulators for aging and longevity. By enhancing sirtuin activity, researchers were able to slow down the process of aging and extend the life span of mice. NMN is now being used in a human clinical study in Japan.