9 Major Anti-Aging Breakthroughs for Health and Lifespan

In the TIME Magazine article Google Vs. Death we were informed that the search engine giant Google has created a division or underling company called Calico that is looking into the matter of longevity, anti-aging and the general pursuit of the proverbial “Fountain of Youth.”

One can’t help but think, “What would they be researching? What is the most current, cutting-edge science available in the the life extension arena? Are we even close?” This article addresses the 9 most promising areas of scientific research that are making serious leaps towards extending the human life span.

Telomerase ( Subject of 2009 Nobel Prize ) SIR2 and Sirtuin Proteins ( Enzymes that turn off aging genes ) Melatonin ( Natural hormone acts as biological clock ) Antioxidants ( Preventing DNA damage ) Caloric Restriction ( 30% increase in life-span ) Hormones ( human hormones affecting aging ) Therapeutic Cloning and Stem Cells Herbal ( Isolating longevity compounds ) Nanotechnology ( Advanced Medical Robots )

Telomerase

Nobel Prize Subject – The role of telomeres and telomerase in human aging was the subject of research that jointly awarded Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2009.

What are telomeres? Telomeres are the ends or tips of your chromosomes. Chromosomes are the structures that house your DNA. As a popular analogy, if your chromosomes were shoe laces, think of telomeres as the plastic coated tips at the ends. Now, what happens when those plastic tips eventually wear down to nothing? Your shoe laces begin to fray, then unravel and not too long after that you say sayonara! The same occurs with chromosomes and telomeres. As you age, it is the natural state of affairs for your telomeres ( the protective ends of your chromosomes / DNA ) to become shorter in length. As this occurs the incident of more genetic damage occurs and then manifests as increased aging.

What is telomerase? Telomerase is an enzyme that adds the protective sequence of DNA known as telomeres to the ends of your chromosomes. Going back to our shoelace analogy, you only get so many pairs of shoelaces and once they fray and disintegrate that’s the end of life for us. If we can manage to continually repair those tips then we can extend our lives.

The first supplement created with the use of this research is currently available and licensed by TA Sciences called TA-65 and can be found here. It is fairly expensive, however, it’s current price is in meager comparison to its original offering. The price may continue to be driven down as initial investment costs are recouped.

An excellent book regarding the matter: The Immortality Edge: Realize the Secrets of Your Telomeres for a Longer, Healthier Life by Michael Fossel, Greta Blackburn and Dave Woynarowski.

Here is a great TedMED talk delivered by Calvin Harley on telomerase and it’s anti-aging properties.

Sirtuin Proteins

Turning Off Aging Genes – Dr. David Sinclair, PhD discovered through his work with yeast cells ( much to the chagrin of his opponents ) that there are a group of proteins, now labeled as sirtuins, that enzymatically turn off a group of genes that promote the process of aging.

Genes and Aging – Most people do not know that different genes are active in your body during different times in your life. There is somewhat of a sequence of genes that become activated as you age. Some of these help us mature and age in a positive context but some of them promote our biological decline resulting in the degenerating physical appearance and health effects of aging. We actually don’t want ALL of our genes turned on because many of the genes that become activated later in life are like these mentioned genes. They are programmed cues for aging and eventual death.

Pac-Man-Like Gene Deactivators – Using the analogy of David Sinclair, sirtuins are like little enzymatic chompers that come in and deactivate or turn off the aging genes that have inevitably been flipped on as mature adults.

Resveratrol and Sirtuin Activators – Resveratrol a compound that was isolated from red wine and received a lot of media attention is an activator of sirtuins and can therefore activate their anti-aging effects. Please take note that the amount of resveratrol in wine is insufficient to activate therapeutic levels of the anti-aging proteins. It would take 200 glasses of wine to achieve the levels of resveratrol needed to stimulate the anti-aging cascade. Don’t attempt to do so! However, hundreds of other sirtuin activating compounds have been discovered and the most potent 3 are currently undergoing clinical trials. They were sold to Glaxo-Smith-Klein and are intended to be marketed towards diabetic conditions. This is a narrow band of their potential clientele and far-reaching capabilities but pharmaceutical companies must choose from one of a few narrow categories. The FDA doesn’t really endorse the concept of clinical efficacy for anti-aging compounds. With that in mind… think of this as a great success and step forward in very promising research.

Sirtuin Analogues or Bioidentical Entities – Perhaps more research and science will be able to implement a process able to create and pharmacologically deliver sirtuin proteins, benefiting us with their ability to curtail biological aging.

Here is David Sinclair at TEDx Sydney in 2013 sharing his work on sirtuins and anti-aging.

Melatonin

Preclinical studies have shown that melatonin supplementation increases lifespan by 20% in lab animals.

Isn’t That The Sleeping Hormone? Although melatonin is primarily known in the public sphere as a sleeping aid, it is much more than that and continuing research shows that to be increasingly true. Melatonin is a naturally occurring human hormone produced and secreted by the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a small ( size of a grain of rice ) pine cone shaped gland located in the middle of the brain that releases melatonin, serotonin and as theorized by the work of Dr. Rick Strassman, DMT ( The Spirit Molecule ). Melatonin is also secreted by the intestines and various other tissues throughout the body.

Biological Clock – Melatonin helps regulate our bodies in numerous ways, many of which we aren’t fully aware of yet. It regulates our circadian rhythm, also known as our daily 24-hour biorhythm or light-dark cycle. When we are in darkness the pineal gland produces melatonin.

Anti-Aging – Melatonin is actually being found to be a powerful anti-oxidant and it is not limited like other antioxidants in crossing the blood-brain barrier. Melatonin crosses the blood-brain barrier and provides the brain relief from oxidative stress, enhances mood, cognition and prevents cellular damage related to aging. It also aids the body’s immune system tremendously. There is an obscene laundry-list of clinically demonstrated benefits of melatonin including decreased LDL ( bad ) cholesterol levels, increased HDL ( good ) cholesterol levels, cancer adjuvant therapy, protectant against diabetic complications, fights obesity, delays alzheimers and prevents osteoporosis.

An article entitled Beyond Sleep: 7 Ways Melatonin Attacks Aging Factors discusses melatonin and anti-aging in more detail with references to clinical studies given.

Another interesting read discusses the pioneering research work and applied melatonin therapies of Dr. Roman Rozencwaig in How Melatonin Combats Aging: A Pioneering Doctor’s Ideas And Clinical Experience.

And here a research study found in the PubMed database Melatonin, Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases.

Antioxidants

Free-radical scavengers – Antioxidants are compounds that are known to scavenge or bind to and neutralize harmful oxidative free-radicals that would otherwise wreak havoc on body tissues and DNA. Some of the most natural processes of aging comes from the oxidative damage endured by our bodies. If we can minimize this damage, especially that done to our DNA than we can retard or slow the effects of aging. This has caused quite the stir in the popular health community. Everyone gets their ears piqued when they hear things like blueberries have antioxidant properties. Looking at these compounds and understanding them better can help elucidate further age extending strategies.

Most Promising Antioxidants

1. Alpha Lipoic Acid – Not only an antioxidant but an anti-inflammatory that regenerates glutathione ( another important natural antioxidant within your body ) but is also a crucial antioxidant preserving the integrity of DNA mitochondria ( body’s energy factories ), it increases insulin sensitivity, rejuvenates damaged skin and helps aids in fat loss.
2. Coenzyme Q – Touted for its heart-fortifying properties, this antioxidant has also been researched to aid in heart disease, migraine headaches, cancer, blood presure, periodontal disease, Huntington’s disease, pediatric heart failure, lifespan, Parkinson’s and radiation injury.
3. Carnosine – Shown in research studies involving fruit flies, bacterial cultures and mice to extend life spans up to 20%. Besides relieving oxidative stress, carnosine also chelates or binds to dangerous heavy metals allowing the body to dispose of them, decreases glycation ( which causes inflammation ), helps eliminate harmful DNA cross-linking proteins, protects chromosomal telomeres, preserves optimal mitochondrial function.
4. Vitamin C – We all know this is a necessary vitmain and a deficiency can cause scurvy, making the body unable to produce collagen the elastic protein providing skin its strength and resiliency. We also know that high doses help boost our immune system and are found in cold combating products like Emergen-C.
5. N-acetylcysteine – NAC treatment is actually first-line treatment in acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) overdose and so we immediately see the power of this antioxidant powerhouse. It is a powerful preventative supplement against influenza, COPD and helicobacter pylori. It also restores glutathione levels.
6. Green Tea Extract – Studies have confirmed, in culture dishes and animals, benefits such as cancer protection and heart health as well as protection against brain cell loss, bacterial and viral infections, allergies, arthritis as well as decreased bone mineral density.

Caloric Restriction

Caloric restriction can increase the sirtuin proteins that help turn off those aging genes. A scientist in the 1930’s conducted research on rats demonstrating that decreasing caloric intake to the extent that it was above malnourishment but did not allow for fertility, actually increased the lifespan of the rats by 40%. This has been the foundation for numerous subsequent studies showing the same results in multiple organisms and animals. While starving ourselves is not something many of us want to do to extend our lives, our technology and scientific understanding has progressed to the point where we can discover the mechanism behind this and then make appropriate biological applications to serve us.

Why does this work? We have just recently discovered that inducement of the SIR2 or sirtuin proteins that turn off aging genes are part of the equation. I am sure there are other significant pathways that are contributing the anti-aging effects of caloric restriction. We shall see what else develops down the pipeline.

Hormones

Oxytocin, insulin, human chorionic gonadotraopin (hCG) and erythropoeietin (EPO) have been researched with mixed results demonstrating anti-aging properties.

Organ Cloning and Stem Cells

Cloning? That’s right. Don’t think we’ll ever see the day? We already have. In 2006 we saw the first successful bladder transplant from a cloning procedure using the patients’ own cells.

Read more in this article Bioengineered bladders successful in patients.

Researching stem cells and learning ways to possibly repopulate our bodies with younger cells is a promising line of thought to the aging problem. There are ethical debates that surround this topic, especially in the attainment of stem cells from aborted fetuses and such. However, most do not oppose acquiring stem cells from more ethically sound sources such as the umbilical cord.

Organ Replacement – It is usually one or more of our organs failing that causes our health decline and eventual death. Being able to replace a dysfunctional organ at will would significantly add years to the human life span. Again, thoughts of organ harvesting and “biological meat markets” so to speak, have been grey areas and sometimes provoke disturbing thoughts of dystopian futures.  These thoughts and sentiments have found their way into prominent Hollywood movies and other popular media.

Herbal

Mimicking and extracting from nature have been the most fruitful methods of modern science in discovering amazing breakthroughs in health therapies, treatments and supplements.

Rasayans – These are known in the ayurvedic or traditional indian medicine system as“longevity herbs” and serve as a promising body of natural sources to discover important compounds to aid human health… especially in the aging category. These include but are not limited to:

• Bacopa monnieri
• Ocimum sanctum
• Curcuma longa
• Centella asiatica

China’s Immortality Herb – There is a Chinese tea that claims to increase the health and ultimately, the longevity of those who drink it. The tea is made from the herbaceous plant Jiaogulan ( Gynostemma pentaphyllum ) which is actually a quite nice and decorative climbing vine.

Nanotechnology

Advanced Medical NanoRobots – The subject of discussion for decades by the futurist Ray Kurzweil, which is also found in his recent book The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology, we have a long way to go before we understand the body enough to even utilize non-existent microscopic technology able to repair our body. Thoughts of an Outer Limits episode with disastrous consequences comes to mind. The concept, if perfected and free from concern, would be a revolutionary godsend, albeit one that, at this time, still seems too creepy to fully entertain.

Resveratrol is most commonly known for being one of the healthy compounds in red wine.

What is resveratrol?

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Resveratrol is most commonly known for being one of the healthy compounds in red wine.

It has been demonstrated through scientific studies that resveratrol has a number of beneficial effects on our health.

1. Antioxidant

2. Protects the heart and cardiovascular system

3. Is showing promise as an anti-aging compound

4. Anti-Diabetic effects

5. Prevents some types of cancer

6. Protects the skin

7. Anti-inflammatory

8. Neuroprotective or in other words it protects the brain

9. Trans-resveratrol increases testosterone levels

10. Has Antiviral effects

11. Reduces opioid tolerance

Resveratrol in Further Detail

Antioxidant – Body needs oxygen for metabolism but natural byproduct is free radicals that attack tissue and dna. Resveratrol acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing or stopping free radicals from causing our bodies damage.

Heart – Increases NO (nitric oxide) production which relaxes your arteries and blood vessels causing a drop in blood pressure and better blood flow throughout your body. This increases nutrient absorption, sexual function and overall health. It also prevents against platelet aggregation that causes blood clots. Clots can be dislodged resulting in heart attack (aka MI or myocardial infarction)  or stroke (aka TIA or transient ischemic attack).

Anti-aging – Besides its antioxidant properties we discussed it also activates a group of proteins recently discovered, called the sirtuins, that have a profound effect on anti-aging. Resveratrol activates these anti-aging proteins.

Anti-diabetic – Resveratrol has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels after meals, increase insulin sensitivity and decrease common diabetic symptoms such as polyphagia (which is excessive hunger) and polydipsia (which is excessive thirst) and body weight loss (decrease in muscle, increase in gut).

Cancer – In lab studies involving mice, melanomas were prevented by topically treating the skin with resveratrol. Taking resveratrol by mouth did not afford the same protection. Perhaps the the stomach acid and digestive enzymes inactivates the anti-cancer ability of resveratrol or perhaps the concentration of resveratrol becomes to dilute. High concentrations directly to the affected area seem to be necessary. The same was shown with lung cancer. If taken orally resveratrol did not protect against cancer but if it was administered into the peritoneum or body cavity than it did afford this protection.

Skin – It protects the skin against harmful UVB exposure effects. It is starting to be used in beauty products. In a research study published in Experimental Dermatology the use of resveratrol and metformin protected against collagen degradation due to UV radiation.

Neuroprotective – Reduces beta-amyloid plaques or accumulations that result in Alzheimer’s disease.

Testosterone – Trans-resveratrol increases testosterone and has recently begun to be marketed in bodybuilding supplements.

Antiviral – Without any irritation or toxicity to the skin, resveratrol, when applied to the affected area, stops the virus from replicating. It has also been shown to enhance the effects of traditionally prescribed anti-HIV drugs. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of herpes, HIV, varicella-zoster, influenza and HCV (human cytomegalovirus).

Opioid reduction – When injected into the spinal column of opioid addicted lab animals the dependence on opioids such as heroin or morphine were alleviated.

Resveratrol Product Recommendation

Resveratrol anti-aging and longevity

What we can do for the aging?

Dr David Sinclair will give us a solution.

Resveratrol and it’s real health benefits

Resveratrol and it’s real health benefits

Curious people around the world wonder what the health benefits of resveratrol are. By using experimentation and extensive research, it will take a long period of time before a solid determination and complete list of health benefits can be produced and documented for resveratrol.

However many people already take red wine, and these people that have been drinking red wine in moderation may already be looking and feeling some of the health benefits that resveratrol provides. For folks not drinking red wine, eating grapes daily, drinking grape juice or taking resveratrol supplements maybe the best way for them to take a little resveratrol on a daily basis.

Many studies however have used resveratrol in amounts that would equal about 500 bottles of red wine, so it may be practical to consider resveratrol supplements over the alternatives.

Doctor’s will only recommend moderate red wine intake on a daily basis for minimal cardiovascular effects. While benefits such as protection from degenerative diseases will have people consider the amounts of resveratrol that can only be found in dietary supplements.

While taking resveratrol you have the ability to increase muscle health and increase your levels of energy. The evidence in studies show that sirtuins can be activated by resveratrol, helping strengthen them and help ward off degneterave diseases.

Better heart health is also a benefit of resveratrol, as it helps protect against cholesterol. Studies also point out that resveratrol activity improves brain and kidney health.

Scientists have found that resveratrol can improve breast health in women and prostate health in men. This is only a small list of benefits that are linked to resveratrol, others studies show protection from cancerous tumors such as melanoma, liver cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer. Works as an anti-leukemia agent as well as protects from lymphoma.

In studies resveratrol targets cancer cells selectively to help to stop them from spreading. The three steps of cancer are initiation, promotion and progression. In studies Resveratrol targets all three stages. Other benefits of resveratrol include it’s intense anti-oxidant, cardio protective and anti-aging properties.

With all the research being done on resveratrol, no scientists have concluded any risk regarding resveratrol supplements. In most studies resveratrol has been tested on animals or cell cultures, and these findings of the independent university studies, promote resveratrol for a large variety of uses.
The uses that have been suggested include the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and improvement of cholesterol levels. Because of the studies, the potential of resveratrol to prevent cell damage through cell renewal is being considered and tested, as well as weight loss from resveratrol supplements.

Resveratrol supplements may help increase the lifespan of a regular person, while maintaining skin elasticity, smoothness and providing skin improvement.

If you consider resveratrol supplements, we must acknowledge that all supplements are not the same. Some vary in purity, which may cause stomach issues. Some are coarse and not be absorbed properly, some use micronized resveratrol without standardized particle size measurements which can vary in efficacy from one batch to another. Look for standardized micronized resveratrol between 1-2 microns, as this guarantees the best particle size for absorption for your body. The particle size should always be seen on the label, and never hidden as it assures the product’s quality.

The television show called 60 minutes made an episode that featured the resveratrol product. Resveratrol studies used in the program showed mice that used the resveratrol supplement, seem to defeat aging. The 60 minutes episode on resveratrol was a major hit and helped the resveratrol supplement market by providing educational and scientific information to the public in a concise and informative manner. The 60 minutes episode has been translated and shown around the world.
If you are interested in feeling and looking younger, then the resveratrol supplement maybe the best natural product available for you. Resveratrol supplements is associated with weight loss and impressive overall increases in endurance and stamina.

Resveratrol Media Coverage

    

 

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What is Resveratrol? Benefits of resveratrol (video)

The Health Benefits of Resveratrol

In an Australian study of overweight hypertensive men and post-menopausal women, researchers monitored resveratrol’s effect on the brachial artery, the major artery of the upper arm. Impaired blood flow in this vessel is linked to risk factors such as obesity and hypertension. After consuming of a highly bioactive form of resveratrol, participants demonstrated a significant and rapid increase of blood flow within the hour. 

Within the last decade, resveratrol—a polyphenol found in red wine—has stormed into the nutritional supplement arena with a reception befitting a superstar. While I was originally a bit skeptical of the benefits of resveratrol given one falsified study, I’ve kept my eye on it and I’m firmly convinced it’s the key to better heart health and longevity.

So, what is resveratrol and what are the benefits of resveratrol? It’s a flavonoid antioxidant present in grape skins and red grape juice. In plants, it’s naturally synthesized as a defense mechanism to protect against invading fungi.  In many laboratory studies, involving cell cultures and animals ranging from fruit flies to mammals, resveratrol supplementation has been found to promote longevity.  

But what really impressed me as a cardiologist was research showing resveratrol helps to keep your blood flowing as it should…

Health Benefits of Resveratrol Studied

Resveratrol works its heart-support “magic” in two ways. First off, it protects the endothelium, the delicate inner layer of your arteries, from oxidative free radical damage. Second, resveratrol helps to protect the production of nitric oxide, the critical chemical produced by the endothelium that keeps blood vessels optimally dilated.  

But heart health is just a tip of the iceberg. There have now been more than 4,400 studies on the benefits of resveratrol to date, showing that it helps to protect your entire body.

The Health Benefits of Resveratrol

• Protecting the endothelial lining of your arteries—so blood flows as it should. 
• Reducing oxidative stress, which prevents premature aging of cells.
• Blocking the production of nf kappa b, a powerful, noxious inflammatory agent.
• Cellular support that improves mental function, and promotes oral/dental health. 
• Cancer suppression by preventing cancer cell replication and enhancing cancer cell death in a variety of laboratory cell culture studies.  
• Muscle health, by reducing muscle wasting associated with diabetes and cancer.

Now it’s your turn: Do you include resveratrol in your supplement program?