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 conducted by a team of Australian researchers found that the increased supplementation of vitamin D and calcium can result to a significant increase in bone density and reduction in osteoporosis risk.

There are approximately 75 million people who suffer from the health condition in Japan, Europe and the United States. And according to statistics, women are four times more likely to develop the health condition than men.

A study conducted by a group of Australia researchers found that the supplementation of 400 IU of vitamin D3 and 800 milligrams of calcium can notably increase the bone strength and density of peripubertal female identical twins. The study was published in Osteoporosis International, a publication dedicated to discussing the issues on osteoporosis. The health condition is characterized by low bone density resulting to an increased risk of bone fracture and deformation of the wrist, spine and hip area.

The traditional approach in preventing osteoporosis aims to increase the person’s bone mass. And this can be achieved though calcium and vitamin D supplementation at pubescent years and in pre-menopausal age where the osteoporosis risk is noted to be higher. The bone build-up during the puberty years accounts to around 35 percent of a person’s adult bone mass.

Vitamin D and Calcium:  Effects on Osteoporosis

The researchers from the Australian Catholic University gathered a group of 20 identical twins and divided them into two groups. The first group was given a combination of vitamin D and calcium food supplement while the other served as the placebo group. The study lasted for six months and was the first to use pQCT, or peripheral quantitative computed tomography, to examine and measure the responses of the study participants’ bone structure. They found that the combination of vitamin D and calcium resulted to an increase in the study participants’ bone strength and bone density in the arm and shinbone by 4 to 66 percent depending on the specific bone area tested.

Earlier studies had already provided scientific evidence that calcium and vitamin D intake improves bone density and strength. A randomized trial conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Sheffield in the UK, for example, found similar results. The study was published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the study, the researchers observed that the supplementation of 792 milligrams of calcium resulted to an increase in the study participants’ bone mineral content and bone density. They also observed that the effects were reversed once the supplementation stopped.

The annual sales for calcium food supplements was about $993 million in 2004 according to the information provided by the Nutrition Business Journal. And this is projected to increase to $22 billion by 2013 according to the survey conducted by the Ipsos Public Affairs for the Council of Responsible Nutrition.

The Relationship between Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium is an essential nutrient needed for the essential function of the nerves, muscles and the heart. The inadequate supply of calcium in the body often results to the development of osteoporosis. Studies show that the lack of calcium intake in early life can result to low bone density and increased bone fracture rate in adulthood. National surveys, however, found that people are not satisfying their daily calcium recommendation to promote and maintain bone health.

The recommended calcium intake for children and young adults aged 9 to 18 years is 1300 milligrams.  This is according to the National Academy of Science. In order to ensure that the risk of developing osteoporosis is decreased, it is important therefore, that one’s daily calcium intake is in accordance with the recommended intake. However, simply eating foods rich in calcium and taking calcium supplements is not enough. The body needs the help of precursors to promote calcium absorption so that it can be effectively utilized by the body. The active form of vitamin D is calcitriol. The substance is responsible for calcium absorption and the storage of calcium in the bones.

There are three ways a person can satisfy his vitamin D needs: these are through the skin, from supplementation and from diet. Vitamin D can be produced by exposing the body to sunlight. Exposure to the sun without any protection for a minimum of 15 minutes in a few days a week can give the body enough vitamin D to function properly. Medical experts also suggest a minimum of 400 to 600 IU of vitamin D a day from food and food supplements to promote better calcium absorption. The richest natural sources of vitamin D are liver, saltwater fish and egg yolks.

Natural Ways to Prevent Osteoporosis

Increasing the intake of vitamin D and calcium is the first step to reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis. The second step is to exercise regularly. Studies found that regular exercise, together with increased calcium and vitamin D consumption, can significantly reduce a person’s osteoporosis risk. Weight training can improve a person’s metabolism, tone the muscles and helps in maintaining health and strong bones. It is not important what kind of exercise a person does. But what is important is its frequency, intensity and consistency. Aerobics and weight training for a minimum of thirty minutes will make the bones stronger. Stair climbing, hiking, jogging and even dancing can produce enough movements keep the bones healthy and strong.

Eating foods rich in essential fatty acids is essential in keeping the intestinal lining healthy and more capable of absorbing minerals from the foods we eat. Vitamin A promotes better absorption of minerals like magnesium and calcium while antioxidants from natural sources helps reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis by protecting the bones from the damage caused by free radicals. Fruits and vegetables can also improve bone density by supplying the body with potassium and magnesium.

Get into the habit of having your bone density regularly checked. This is an important preventive measure to avoid the onset of osteoporosis. Bone density test will evaluate your osteoporosis risk and give you recommendations of whether you need to get more supplementation of vitamin D and calcium. Note that osteoporosis can remain undetected for years until you experience obvious symptoms like serious bone fracture and bone deformation. This makes early diagnosis very important.

Sources
nutraingredients.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
jacn.org
nutraceuticalsworld.com
niams.nih.gov

A new study from South Korea revealed lycopene’s potential in promoting heart health by protecting the body against damage in the DNA and in enhancing the body’s antioxidant defenses.

A recent study conducted by researchers from South Korea revealed that daily supplementation of about 15 milligrams of lycopene for a period of eight weeks helps lower systolic blood pressure and reduces inflammatory processes related to cardiovascular events while simultaneously increasing the activity of a potent antioxidant that helps to reduce DNA damage that occurs in white blood cells.  The results of the study are found in the Atherosclerosis journal.

Yonsei University, South Korea’s Jong Ho Lee, the study’s lead researcher, along with his colleagues, enrolled 126 healthy men to participate in the study.  The average age was set at 34 and average BMI was at 24 kg/m2.  The participants were then randomly assigned in one of the three groups:  one group received 6 milligrams of lycopene supplements each day for eight weeks, another group was given 15 milligrams of lycopene supplements daily for the same period, while the other group received placebo treatment.

Results showed that SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity rose by 2.37 units/ml in the group that received 15 milligrams lycopene supplements while those who received 6 milligrams lycopene supplements only experienced a 1.73 units/ml increase. The group who receive placebo supplements exhibited decreased SOD activity.  SOD is a potent antioxidant that helps combat oxidative damage brought about by free radical activity.

The Other Health Benefits of Lycopene

Studies have shown the benefits of lycopene consumption especially when it comes to promoting a healthy prostate, heart skin, bones and blood pressure levels.  Because of this, lycopene is now being used in various products such as supplement, beverages and even beauty products. As a matter of fact, according to Mintel’s database of global new products, there were about 500 lycopene-based products that were launched between the year 2003 and 2009.

Aside from the health benefits mentioned above, here are more amazing benefits that lycopene can do for you:

1. Lycopene is best known for reducing the risk of some types of cancer such as those of the prostate, breast, cervix, and the lungs. Its antioxidant property helps in neutralizing the activity of free radicals which has been tagged as the cause of most diseases that plague the human body.
2. It can also lessen sun damage to the skin by about 35%.Even just a single cup of tomatoes on a daily basis can already counteract the ill-effects of the free radicals that are given off by the UVB and UVA rays of the sun. If you want to get higher amounts of beneficial lycopene from it, it is advised that you cook the tomatoes first since heat can liberate a greater amount of lycopene from the hard cell membranes of the plant.
3. It can improve and make your skin look better and it also helps in purifying your blood. This in turn can help in lessening the number of pimples on your face.
4. Studies have also suggested that regular lycopene consumption can be of great benefit to people with high cholesterol levels, or those with atherosclerosis.
5. Ongoing studies are also being conducted as to lycopene’s role in the prevention of conditions such as cancers of the urinary tract, stomach, skin, pharynx, pancreas, ovaries, larynx and esophagus.  Others include rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory infection, periodontal diseases, Parkinson’s disease, pancreatitis, melanoma, mesothelioma, diabetes mellitus, cataracts and AIDS.  However, further studies are needed in order to truly establish lycopene’s role in reducing a person’s risk of these conditions.

Sources of Lycopene

Cooking can release lycopene from a lot of plants. But the most popular food sources that you can get a great amount of lycopene from would be ketchup, tomato sauce, tomato paste and the canned tomatoes – more so if it is from the organic kind. Here are some of the other major sources of lycopene aside from the tomatoes:

• A cup of carrot juice
• Four asparagus spears, cooked
• A cup of baked beans
• Tablespoon of salsa
• A cup of raw watermelon
• A cup of marinara sauce
• A cup of vegetable beef soup

Natural Ways to Ensure a Healthy Heart

Aside from lycopene intake, there are a lot of other ways to ensure a healthy heart.  Your diet, physical activity and lifestyle could influence not just your heart’s health, but your overall health as well.  So I just cannot anymore emphasize the importance of living healthy.  Here are some natural ways which you can easily do to show that you love your heart, and your life:

• Get sufficient sleep. When you lack sleep, you are most likely to develop high blood pressure.  This is according to the hypertension report published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Sleep normally allows your heart to take things easy and let your blood pressure drop significantly after a stressful day has passed. Furthermore, sleep gives your body the rest that it needs and allows your body to recover and heal from damage caused by physical, emotional and environmental factors.
• Eat more vegetables and fruits. Fruits and vegetables play a huge role in supplying your body and heart with considerable amount of vitamins, minerals and important nutrients that can protect your cells from possible damage caused by free radicals which are touted to be one of the major causes of heart failure.
• Go easy on your coffee intake. Yes, coffee has been said to contain antioxidants but it is also very important that you limit caffeine intake since too much would reverse its effects. Its effects won’t enable you to sleep which, again, is very important to the body.
• Lessen your salt intake. By doing this, you can cut down the risk of heart disease by 40% according to the studies made by the Department of Health. You must always opt for foods that are low processed and make it to only consume about five to six grams of a salt each day – and make sure it’s organic salt.
• Get enough folic acid. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, sufficient amounts of folic acid within the body helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. This, in turn, can also lead to a better heart condition for you to enjoy for the rest of your life.

Sources
nutraingredients.com
hubpages.com
dietbites.com
guardian.co.uk

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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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