Category Archives: Longevity Medicine

From the Telegraph: "India's first set of government-approved clinical trials of stem cells on patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, liver cirrhosis and osteoarthritis are likely to begin in five cities in April this year. A Bangalore-based company, Stempeutics Research, has received approval from the country's drug regulatory agency to evaluate the efficacy of its stem cells on these four incurable diseases after safety assessments over the past year on patients with cardiovascular disease. The efficacy - Phase II - trials are likely to begin on small groups of volunteer patients offered the experimental treatment in collaborating hospitals in Bangalore, Kochi, Delhi, Mangalore and Manipal, a senior Stempeutics official said. Each volunteer patient will receive a dose of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy persons. The stem cells, coaxed to proliferate in a broth of laboratory biochemicals, will be injected at the site of illness - the pancreas, the liver, the lungs, or the bone - where they are expected to stimulate resident stem cells and regenerate the damaged or lost tissue. While private and even government hospitals have in the past offered stem cell therapy to patients with intractable conditions, the proposal by Stempeutics is the first with formal approval from regulators for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, liver cirrhosis and osteoarthritis."

Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110216/jsp/frontpage/story_13589821.jsp

The Science for Life Extension Foundation is a Russian organization consisting of advocates and aging researchers. They are similar to the SENS Foundation in that they undertake a mix of fundraising, directing research, organizing events, advocacy for longevity science, and publishing on potential methodologies to extend the healthy human life span. These two groups even share some members and advisors in common - it's a small world these days, after all, and aging research is not a large community to begin with. That is one of many things we like to see change over the next decade or two: if you want rapid progress, there need to be many researchers at work.

The Science for Life Extension Foundation has published a number of professional quality documents that can be downloaded in PDF format from their website. Unfortunately not all of them are available in English, and automated translation of PDFs remains somewhat hit and miss. I did want to direct your attention to one of the documents, however, which is entitled "25 Scientific Ideas of Life Extension." It is a very elegantly designed, very clear booklet aimed at investors. The PDF packages up a series of scientific research programs aimed at extending human life into compelling elevator pitches - but just saying that doesn't do it justice. It really is very well done indeed, and you should take a look:

I picked out one of the twenty-five that focuses on a research theme you might be familiar with, as I've mentioned it in the past. If you look back in the Fight Aging! archives, you can read more about Cuervo's work on autophagy and lysosomal receptors:

• A Little More On Preventing Decline in Liver Function With Age
• An Update on Cuervo's Autophagy Research

In experiments, livers in genetically modified mice 22 to 26 months old, the equivalent of octogenarians in human years, cleaned blood as efficiently as those in animals a quarter their age. By contrast, the livers of normal mice in a control group began to fail. ... While her paper does not show increased survival rates among the mice, le Couteur, who has advised her recently on the research, says Cuervo does have data on improved survival rates which she intends to publish.

Following the success of our 2007 conference on MolecularMechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Andrew Dillin (HowardHughes Medical Institute/Glenn Center for AgingResearch/Salk Institute, USA) will be chairing our nextconference in the series. This year, Dr. Dillin will bejoined by co-chairs David Holtzman (Washington UniversitySchool of Medicine, USA) and Sean Morrison (University ofMichigan, USA).

A study published in an issue of Cell Metabolism revealed that researchers found that the consumption of spinach can increase the performance of the power house of the cells, the mitochondria.

A team of researchers observed how doses of inorganic nitrate can improve a person’s muscle performance. They gathered a group of healthy people and asked them to take in specific amounts of inorganic nitrate.  This lasted for a period of three days and researchers then observed how their oxygen consumption responded to the change in diet. The results of the study were published in the science journal Cell Metabolism. But despite the promising results, the researchers said that they are not recommending the intake of inorganic nitrate food supplements basing on the results of their study alone. They added that they are recommending the consumption of natural sources like green vegetables and fruits to obtain the health benefit of nitrate.

Head researcher from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, Eddie Weitzberg, said that the dosage of nitrate which they used in the study is equivalent to that contained in a small spinach plate and three red beets. He added that the consumption of more vegetables and fruits can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But it is unclear which nutrients in these natural food sources are responsible for producing the effects. The researchers are looking at inorganic nitrate as one of the strongest candidate.

Nitrate: Under the Magnifying Glass

The nutritional value of nitrate is not well established compared to other well-studied nutrients. Other people are considering nitrate as a toxic substance that may produce adverse effects to the body in high amounts. But the researchers found that nitrate can be beneficial to the body by acting as a co-producer of nitric oxide assisted by good bacteria present in the mouth. Nitric oxide had been found by decades of scientific research to be beneficial in opening up the blood vessels, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Swedish researchers found another health advantage of nitrate and its resulting nitric oxide. The mitochondria is responsible for providing power to the cells. But levels of protein decreases in the process of increasing its efficiency which in turn makes the mitochondria become leaky. Weitzberg said that the mitochondria is not fully efficient in normal circumstances and added that no machine is.

The study showed that the increase intake of nitrate through diet can have an immediate effect to the body by increasing the efficiency of the mitochondria. But researchers are still finding a way to determine the long term effects of eating inorganic nitrate to people. Weitzberg said that their next study will focus on observing the effects of inorganic nitrate to people with health conditions concerning the mitochondria like mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The researchers concluded that other studies had been consistent in saying that eating fruits and vegetables can have positive effects to the body like the prevention of certain diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But despite this, they added that the mechanisms responsible for producing these effects are still not for certain. Weitzberg also said that certain organisms in the mouth need to be present in order to fully take advantage of the health benefits of nitrate; the use of strong mouthwashes can kill these microorganisms and may prevent the production of the nitric oxide in the body.

Health Benefits of Eating Spinach

Spinach is an epic vegetable with tons of health benefits but which is dreaded by most kids. It has more nutrients than any other vegetable and is very available throughout the year; but it has the best flavor during its season which runs from September to October. The vegetable belongs to the family of beets and Swiss chard and has a similar taste with the other vegetables in its group. Spinach has a distinctive mild and sweet taste which makes it perfect for making salads, but the taste becomes more robust and acidic once cooked. The three types of Spinach available in the market are baby spinach ideal for salads, smooth-leaf and savoy.

The Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Health Benefits of Spinach

Studies had found that spinach has more flavonoid content than other vegetables. Researchers had identified more than a dozen favonoids in spinach which are effective in reducing cellular inflammation and the risk of developing certain types of cancer. The evidences indicating that the potential antioxidant value of spinach is strong enough for research to extract these compounds for controlled laboratory studies. And they found that the compounds are effective in reducing the cell division rate of human stomach cancer cells.

Studies using laboratory animals also showed that the extracts can inhibit the growth of skin pappilomas or skin cancer cells. In addition, a related study found that women with higher intake of spinach have lower risk and incidence of breast cancer than women who ate less of the jade green vegetable.

Spinach is also a good source of carotenoids and other antioxidants like vitamin E, beta-carotene, manganese, vitamin C and zinc that have been found to inhibit inflammation and reduce cancer risk. The peptides in spinach can also lower blood pressure and help in treating and lowering the risk of certain diseases like atherosclerosis and other blood-vessel related problems.

Two other important and powerful antioxidants can also be found in spinach. These are zeaxanthin and lutein which can naturally be found in certain areas of the eye like the macula and retina. Though there hasn’t been any large scale study which investigated the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin in preventing eye problems like macular degeneration, studies have found that the consumption of spinach can increase the concentration of lutein in the blood.

Spinach for Bone Health

A cup of boiled spinach contains around 100 percent more of the body’s daily requirement of vitamin K; this nutrient is essential in preventing the excessive activation of osteoclasts which are responsible for breaking down the bones. In addition to this, vitamin K reacts with certain microorganisms in the stomach to produce vitamin K2 which is an important component in the production of more osteocalcin in the bones. Osteocalcin helps in storing more calcium in the bones to make it stronger. There’s a reason why Popeye always had a can of spinach with him.

Sources
eurekalert.org
whfoods.com
spinachwords.com
buzzle.com

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A study conducted by a team of researchers from London found that drinking cherry juice rich in polyphenols can boost recovery after exercise.

The body experiences a series of interconnected metabolic processes during exercise. You will begin to notice heavier and faster breathing, faster heart rate and your muscles will begin to heat up and feel sore. This is the body’s natural response to mild and extreme physical activities, and this can intensify to higher levels depending on the intensity of the physical activity. Exercise demands different systems in the body to respond according to the increased demand for energy. Body heat, breathing and blood circulation will be affected.

Different forms of exercise call for the action of specific muscle groups. Other more strenuous forms of exercise may require the use of multiple muscle groups. But in any case, exercise means muscle activity. The muscles will demand other systems in the body to respond and produce energy. Each system in the body will either work more, work less or focus on muscle activity. The heart, for example will start beating faster to speed up the circulation of blood and energy throughout the body while the stomach temporarily slows down in digesting food in order to channel more energy into the muscles.

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is an essential biochemical fuel needed by the body to supply the muscles with energy. ATP needs to be burned in order for it to be transformed into usable energy. And this process will require oxygen, the elimination of metabolic wastes like lactic acid and carbon dioxide which are produced in the process, and the omission of heat out of the body.

After about 30 minutes to an hour of exercise, the body is tired and exhausted. And recovery is needed before doing the same routine all over again. The body will need at least 24 to 48 hours of recovery for muscle and tissue repair, especially when weight lifting. There are natural techniques to hasten and improve recovery after performing an exercise. A study conducted by a team of researchers from London found that the simple habit of drinking cherry juice can help the muscles recover faster.

Cherry Juice for Faster and Better Recovery

Researchers from London found that cherry juice can boost the muscle recovery after strenuous exercise. Previous studies had reported that the antioxidants in cherries can help the body overcome the oxidative damage caused by exercise. The study, conducted from the London South Bank University Sports and Exercise Science Research Center, focused and looked at the antioxidant property of cherry juice and its potential in hastening muscle recovery.

The study was published in the Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise. The researchers observed that people who were subjected to a week of drinking a certain branded cherry juice after a series of intensive exercise routines can help speed up recovery time and create better results compared to those who consumed control beverage. The cherry juice used in the study was from Montmerency beverage company. Lead researcher, Dr Joanna Bowtell, said that Montmorency cherry juice can improve the recovery of isometric muscles after exercise due to its strong antioxidant property.

A related study published in the Journal of Nutrition reported that the consumption of at least 45 cherries in a day can reduce the circulation of inflammatory markers in the body. This is due to the anthocyanin and flavonoid content of cherries, the researchers said. Reducing the amount of inflammatory compounds in the body can help reduce the muscle damage caused by exercise and lessen recovery time.

The researchers gathered a group of 10 competitive weight lifters to participate in the study and divided them in half. The first group was asked to drink cherry juice 7 days before and 2 weeks after a series of single leg knee extensions. The second group was subjected to the same process but with fruit concentrate in place of the cherry juice. At the end of the study, the researchers found that the recovery of the first group was faster than that of the control group but there was no noticeable difference between their energy production.

The industry of food nutrition in North America costs around $3.2 billion while Western Europe accounts for $713.6 billion of the industry. Researchers and sports scientists are continuously on the lookout for better ways of improving the performance of athletes by creating new exercise programs and products that promote better and faster recovery. But for individuals who simply want to improve their performance and enjoy a healthy life, there are several natural ways of hastening recovery time without spending too much.

Natural Ways to Speed Up Recovery after Exercise

The body needs time to recover. The length of time needed for the muscles to repair may vary depending on the intensity of the exercise. Resting between exercise days will not only let the body perform its natural recovery process but this will also help avoid injuries in the future. So make it a point to get enough sleep and sufficient nutrition after each exercise.

Stretching is not only needed before doing any form of physical activity, but stretching after each exercise can also help the muscles recover faster. Moving around or maintaining the same exercise but at a lower intensity for a few minutes will help remove lactic acid from the body. Lactic acid substances are produced in the combustion of ATP and may result to muscle stiffness.

Get enough nutrients from the food you eat and replace lost fluids. During exercise, the body makes use of available and stored energy. Refueling by eating the right kinds of food will help the body recover better and faster. Drinking a lot of fluids during and after exercise is also recommended to avoid dehydration, promote the flow of nutrients and support certain metabolic processes.

Taking an alternation of cold and hot baths a few hours after heavy exercise will help in alleviating muscle soreness and prevent injury. Contrast water therapy will help get rid of waste products faster by repeatedly dilating and constricting the blood vessels. Some athletes alternate 30 seconds of cold water with 2 minutes of hot water for four times with a short rest in between.

The key to faster recovery is using an exercise routine that allows time for recovery. Over-training without sufficient rest may only defeat the purpose of exercising.

Sources
nutraingredients.com
sportsmedicine.about.com
health.howstuffworks.com

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Cocoa is famous for its numerous health benefits, and one study gives us another reason to reach for that dark chocolate and give in.

A lot of people are in love with chocolates – and there is really nothing wrong with this, as long as the right kind of chocolate is consumed.  Dark chocolate is definitely way better than milk chocolate.  Aside from the health benefits provided by its rich cocoa content, it does not contain the same amount of sugar as the milk chocolate.  So the next time you feel the temptation to eat chocolate, give in – as long as it is of the dark kind. Remember this:  the darker the chocolate is, the higher is its cocoa content.

Recently, a group of researchers coming from Meiji Seika Kaisha’s Food and Health R&D Laboratories released the results of a study that they conducted regarding the effects of cocoa towards the promotion of a healthy heart.  The Japanese company’s researchers revealed that cocoa’s capability to potentially increase the levels of high density lipoprotein, or the good form of cholesterol, is linked to the presence of a protein that can enhance apolipoprotein A1 levels.  Also known as Apo-A1, apolipoprotein A1 is a compound that is needed for the body’s production of HDL cholesterol.

The researchers wrote in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that polyphenols present in cacao may be responsible for acting on pathways that are responsible for the metabolism of cholesterol.  They looked at the human intestinal cell effects of polyphenols found in cacao such as procyanidin, catechin, and epicatechin.  Results have shown that these polyphenols raised the protein levels of Apo-A1 while simultaneously lowering alipoprotein B levels which carries LDL cholesterol to the cells.

The Health Benefits of Cocoa

Aside from its polyphenol contents, the health benefits of cocoa are also taken from its component called flavonoids, which serve as major antioxidants to prevent any possible damage to the cellular system.  Free radicals bring about oxidative damage inside the body which could be factors in the development of chronic diseases like heart failure and cancer. The powder of cocoa can also help in lowering blood pressure and improving the blood circulation of every individual. Compared to green tea, just one cup of cocoa has about three times the antioxidants that a cup of green tea has.

Numerous health experts believe that cocoa can only work to your advantage if you would take it in quantities that are just enough. Overconsumption, of course, has its drawbacks.  When choosing a cocoa formulation, go for something that contains the least amount of cocoa.  There are a lot of cocoa powders that are available in the market today which contains various additives such as hydrogenated oils and corn syrup that are high in fructose. Hence, choose to consume the unprocessed type of cocoa powder.

Researchers from Cornell University said that the most ideal way of taking full advantage of cocoa benefits is through drinking. Taking in a cup of hot cocoa every once in a while can work as a great antioxidant just like wine and tea. It can also help steer one away from the impairment of the immune system and other inflammatory processes.

Show Some Love to Your Heart

To live with a healthy heart requires a lot more than just having a healthy diet. It also includes regular exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle. Here a few tips on how to ensure that your heart remains healthy all the time:

• Limit your consumption of foods that have lots of trans-fat.  These are usually found in fried foods and margarine.
• If you have a sweet tooth, then you must also limit your sugar intake. High amounts of glucose in the blood could lead to the development of diabetes, and this interferes with blood viscosity.  A blood that is too viscous would cause problems in circulation and other organs of the body will not have their fare share of blood.  Because of this, the heart has to pump doubly hard to ensure that blood is supplied to all organs.  Overworking the heart could lead to its enlargement (cardiomegaly), or worse, heart failure.
• Only utilize extra virgin olive oil and add some garlic when you cook to help in lowering your cholesterol along with adding some Omega 3 fatty acids.
• Exercise for about 3 to 4 times a week and then stick to this routine.  Lifting weights is not required but doing cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercises can work wonders to your heart.  So set some time each day where you can perform exercises that you are capable of doing. What is important is that you have the desire to start incorporating changes in your lifestyle, one step at a time. Remember to stay hydrated too and warm up before each exercise session.
• To add up to your healthy diet and exercise, try your best to steer away from any kind of vices like smoking and drinking too much alcoholic beverages.
• Manage your stress levels and implement ways to cope.  Attend a yoga class, meditate each day or just simple do deep breathing exercises.  Take time to rest, get lots of sleep since this will help your body heal.
• Watch out for your weight too since obesity is one of the primary causes of heart disease.
• If your cholesterol level is high then you can naturally lower it by using several herbal extracts along with fish oil. It could help for you to know that 20% of your cholesterol level is sourced from the foods you consume while the rest of the 80% is produced by your liver. If your fat levels are high, then you must go easy on your carbohydrate and sugar consumption. To lower this, you can take in fish oil, some sufficient amount of vitamin C and even green tea.

Your heart’s health, and your general health as well, is in your hands – and the first step is to make the decision to start living healthy.  Each of your action and decision affects you, and the people around you, so nothing is really too small.  You see, even your choice of chocolate has the potential to affect your longevity.

Sources
nutraingredients.com
naturalhealthezine.com
healthy-heart-guide.com
womenfitness.net

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