Would You Want To Live Forever?

Anti-aging Possibilities

Have you ever wondered if it would be possible to live for hundreds of years? Or wonder what it would be like to never age? We may be closer to answering these questions than you once thought, thanks to the rapid advances and new discoveries of modern-day science.

Telomeres Anti-Aging Capabilities

We are born with 15,000 base pairs attached to the end of our chromosomes. These ends or our chromosomes are referred to as telomeres and begin shortening the very moment we are conceived. Every time a cell replicates we lose 50 to 100 base pairs.  So it is no wonder that the rapid growth from conception to birth results in a 1/3 shortening of our telomeres. Fortunately, the same rapid growth that occurs prior to birth, slows as we age. Research has shown that it’s the next 5,000 base pairs that count, and once we reach that last 5,000; well, all bets are off. Telomeres protects us from disease and infection which is why older individuals are more susceptible and have stronger reactions to colds or flu.

For years scientists knew that telomeres were involved in the aging process, but to what degree? Does aging lead to shorter telomeres, or do shorter telomeres cause aging?

Telomerase, the enzyme that activates telomeres, was discovered in 1984 by two scientists, Carol Greider and Elizabeth Blackburn, who later went on to receive the nobel peace prize for their discovery. Their ground breaking research confirmed that telomeres were indeed the culprit of aging, which lead to the question; how do we stop our telomeres from shortening?

It was not long after that the Geron Corporation conducted further research on telomerase in the attempts to find, and develop, a product that would slow down, or even stop telomere shortening.  With these goals in mind researchers stumbled upon astragalus root;  a medicine that has been used in Chinese culture for centuries. The chemicals found in astragalus root act as a telomerase activator however, only on a very minute level.

The next step was to provide large enough quantities to individuals in a pill form, and along came TA-65® and Product B™. Proponents of these natural telomerase activators claim that they drastically improve ones overall health and help the body fight off infections.  The thought process behind this is that telomerase will only be distributed to those chromosomes with the shortest telomeres. However, these products are not strong enough to turn on telomerase, and only slow down the aging process, rather than stop, or even reverse aging.

Telomeres Turned Off

Perhaps what is most fascinating is how fixed the telomerase gene is once turned off. The field of epigenetics and nutrigenomics have shown us that genes are much more “plastic” then was once believed. Our environment, methylation, sulfation, and our diet, just to name a few, can turn genes on or off.

However, telomerase, the gene that controls our telomeres appears to be controlled by several factors, and it is the uncovering of these chemicals that scientists are currently exploring. Dr. Ron DePinho of MD Anderson, conducted an experiment with genetically engineered mice.  In this experiment he was able to take mice that were in their 60’s and bring them back to their 20’s by turning on the telomerase gene. His research miraculously showed that he was able to reverse aging.  Equally important, his research revealed that other age related factors such as methylation, oxidation, and sulfation decreased as a result of telomerase activation. This has led Dr. DePinho and other researchers to suggest that telomeres are the “kingpin of aging.” Now one must remember that these were mice who were genetically engineered so Dr. DePinho could manipulate the telomerase gene. To have the same results in humans they would need to genetically alter embryos. Since this is not possible, scientists must find alternate methods of turning on the telomerase gene.

Dr. Bill Andrews was one of the chief researchers at Geron during their discovery and he is currently working on developing chemicals that can strongly ‘turn on” telomerase. The goal is to find chemicals that are just enough to stop aging without posing any potential harm. This “potential harm” refers to concerns of several other physicians and scientists who caution against proclaiming telomerase as the “miracle cure.” Dr. Michael West was the founder of the Geron corporation and currently CEO of Biotime. He to believes that telomerase activators have their role in modern-day health care, but warns that we need to be cautious to whom such supplements are provided to due to the lack of substantial research. His main concern is whether or not using telomerase will increase the risk of cancer. Cancer cells are able to overcome telomere shortening and do not go through normal cell death (apoptosis), and thus become immortal.

At the present time results are inconclusive, but even with that said there are many physicians and scientists like those listed above who think supplementation does make sense for some individuals. Preliminary research has been done, but additional funds are needed and further research to back up such claims. What we do know is that there are many individuals that have provided amazing anecdotal reports about the positive impact telomerase has had in their lives. It does appear that telomerase may offer a way to enjoy a healthy, long, and productive life.

There are also many other natural ways that we can increase our telomeres, some of these include; hormone replacement therapy, low stress, exercise and a healthy diet can slow the aging process. For more information check out our past blogs, resources, and contact Vitali-T Medical Clinics for more information.

 

Barlow, et al. Long-Term Hormone Implant Therapy-Hormonal and Clinical Effects. Obstetrics & Gynecology Vol. 67, No. 3, March 1986. Page 321-325.

Blackburn EH, Greider CW.  Identification of a specific Telomere Terminal Transferase Activity in Tetrahymena Extracts. JScholarship Vol. 12, 1995. Pages 405-413.

Blasko, MA, et al. Telomere Shortening and Tumor Formation of Mouse Cells Lacking Telomerase RNA. Cell Vol. 91, No. 1, 3, October 1997. Pages 25-34.

Rudolph KL, et al. Longevity, Stress Response, and Cancer in Aging Telomerase Deficient Mice. Cell Vol.96, No. 5, 5, March 1999. Pages 701-712.

Sahin  E, et al. Telomerase Dysfunction Induces Metabolic and Mitochondrial Compromise. Nature Vol. 470, Issue 7334. Pages 359-365.