Recent data points to a new mechanism of aging: the accumulation of sphingolipids. Ceramides, a common class of sphingolipids, build up in aging muscles, driving down their function and affecting the functional ability of older adults. Thus, it has been reported that inhibiting ceramide production in cells could prevent sarcopenia, or muscle loss associated with aging. Administration of myriocin (a drug shown to inhibit the production of ceramides) to aging mice slowed down sarcopenia, maintaining their muscle strength. It has been reported that the effects were related to muscle stem cell operation -when ceramide production has been inhibited, the number of muscle stem cells and their operational ability has been better preserved. The study opens up a new research approach regarding the effect of ceramides on aging and stimulates the development of prospective therapeutic strategies involving sphingolipids in humans.