Category Archives: Longevity Medicine

A recent review paper: "Calorie Restriction (CR) research has expanded rapidly over the past few decades and CR remains the most highly reproducible, environmental intervention to improve health and extend lifespan in animal studies. Although many model organisms have consistently demonstrated positive responses to CR, it remains to be shown whether CR will extend lifespan in humans. Additionally, the current environment of excess caloric consumption and high incidence of overweight/obesity illustrate the improbable nature of the long-term adoption of a CR lifestyle by a significant proportion of the human population. Thus, the search for substances that can reproduce the beneficial physiologic responses of CR without a requisite calorie intake reduction, termed CR mimetics (CRMs), has gained momentum. ... The first results from a long-term, randomized, controlled CR study in nonhuman primates showing statistically significant benefits on longevity have now been reported. Additionally, positive results from short-term, randomized, controlled CR studies in humans are suggestive of potential health and longevity gains, while test of proposed [CR mimetics] have shown both positive and mixed results in rodents. ... Whether current positive results will translate into longevity gains for humans remains an open question. However, the apparent health benefits that have been observed with CR suggest that regardless of longevity gains, the promotion of healthy ageing and disease prevention may be attainable."

View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20534066

Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/

More data from primate studies: "Caloric restriction (CR) reduces the pathological effects of aging and extends the lifespan in many species, including nonhuman primates, although the effect on the brain is less well characterized. We used two common indicators of aging, motor performance speed and brain iron deposition measured in vivo using MRI, to determine the potential effect of CR on elderly rhesus macaques eating restricted and standard diets. Both the CR and control monkeys showed age-related increases in iron concentrations in globus pallidus (GP) and substantia nigra (SN), although the CR group had significantly less iron deposition in the GP, SN, red nucleus, and temporal cortex. A diet x age interaction revealed that CR modified age-related brain changes, evidenced as attenuation in the rate of iron accumulation in basal ganglia and parietal, temporal, and perirhinal cortex. Additionally, control monkeys had significantly slower fine motor performance on the Movement Assessment Panel, which was negatively correlated with iron accumulation in left SN and parietal lobe, although CR animals did not show this relationship. Our observations suggest that the CR-induced benefit of reduced iron deposition and preserved motor function may indicate neural protection similar to effects described previously in aging rodent and primate species." You might recall that iron buildup is associated with lipofuscin accumulation in our cells, which damages the process of autophagy, which in turn leads to degeneration.

View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20534842

Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/

PopSci examines medical tourism for stem cell therapies, an entirely rational response to the unnecessary costs and delays imposed on medical development by the FDA: "The FDA thinks all stem-cell procedures should undergo clinical trials for safety and efficacy before companies begin selling them as therapies. Its formal review process, the agency maintains, is the only way to protect patients from treatments that are ineffective or downright dangerous. But with multistage clinical trials lasting up to five years and costing as much as $100 million, a growing number of doctors and patients have started pursuing other options. ... In a controversial move in 2005, the FDA reclassified autologous stem cells that are manipulated by growth factors or other compounds as drugs. This criterion holds whether the cells are derived from a patient's own body or from someone else's. Many believe that the policy change gives the agency more authority than Congress ever intended it to have. Grekos's theory is that pharmaceutical companies are pressuring the FDA to treat autologous stem cells as a drug in order to secure their own future profits." Clinical trials are taking place overseas, as the article notes. The quality of therapies offered varies widely, as is true whether or not a market is regulated: this means you have to do some legwork to find out who is well regarded. But at least the option is available - there has to be freedom to experiment and to choose if there is to be rapid progress.

View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-06/offshore-operations-crossing-atlantic-pursuit-stem-cells

Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/

Here is a dense scientific post from the SENS Foundation that might be better read back to front, starting with the research partnership announcement at the end. Some fraction of degenerative aging is caused by an accumulation of various forms of amyloids between cells, probably the best known of which is that involved in Alzheimer's disease. One goal for the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) approach to aging is to establish a general technology platform that can be used to remove any form of amyloid: "In late 2008, we reviewed then-unpublished work by Dr. Mark Pepys, who was working on an ambitious project anticipated to allow for the disaggregation of nearly all disease-associated amyloids. ... I am therefore delighted to have the privilege to be given permission [to] make the first public announcement that the Supercentenarian Research Foundation has recently helped to facilitate a collaboration between researchers already working in amyloid diseases, to develop antibodies to cleave aggregated wild-type and mutant transthyretin - the form responsible for senile cardiac amyloidosis (a prevalent, but not exclusive, cardiac amyloidosis in supercentenarians)."

View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.sens.org/node/831

Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/

Via EurekAlert!: "A team of researchers has developed a method to produce cells that kill tumour cells in the lab and prevent tumours forming in mouse models of cancer. ... In this research, T cells were transformed into cells similar to another type, Natural Killer (NK) cells, which commonly act against viruses and cancer cells. ... We had shown that a gene called Bcl11b was essential for normal development of immune system cells - and of particular interest in the development of T cells. Here we can see the fruits of that work: we show, for the first time, that we can modify the developmental fate of immune system cells to produce a novel type that - if we can see the same effect in humans - could be of enormous value in cancer treatment. ... the Bcl11b gene was active only in T cells in the immune system and that its activity was needed at the earliest stages of production of T cells. When the team knocked out the Bcl11b gene, the mice produced no T cells. ... Remarkably, the mice lacking the Bcl11b gene produced a new type of immune system cell - the Induced T to Natural Killer cells. This is the first time we have seen these cells ... Even more important, we can see that these reprogrammed killer cells can attack cancer cells, whether in test tubes or in mouse models. ... The ITNK cells killed melanoma and lymphoma cells in experiment in test tubes and were much more efficient than unmodified Natural Killer cells in the mouse and in human."

View the Article Under Discussion: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-06/wtsi-mck061010.php

Read More Longevity Meme Commentary: http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/

Kiwifruit, a world favorite, is now being seen as one of the leading “super foods” around because of myriad of health benefits, including its prebiotic potential and anti-cancer potential.

In a recently published Journal of Functional Foods, researchers from the NZ Institute of Plant and Food Research claim that pectin that has been derived from kiwifruit may help improve the levels of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

The humble pectin… was actually a health superstar!

The same pectins (the researchers found a total of six varieties of pectin in the species Actinidia deliciosa) the study says, may also help protect the good bacteria as they flourish in the digestive tract.  A growing body of studies suggest that the once humble pectin (usually used as a gelling agent for fruit jams and as material for encapsulating supplements and drugs) can provide the following benefits:

• Better digestion with pectin’s natural fiber content
• Prebiotics
• Increased heart health with its capacity to lower LDL (low density lipoproteins) or “bad cholesterol”

Compared to inulin fiber, the pectins from kiwifruit showed an enhanced effect on the good bacterias Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The pectins also helped the body fend off bacterial invasions by lessening the adhesion of bad bacteria like Salmonella typhimurium.

Prebiotics?

The majority of health-inclined individuals around the world know of prebiotics. But how about prebiotics? What do they do?

Probiotics are compounds that encourage the growth and flourishing of good bacteria or essential bacteria in the digestive tract.  They directly contribute to the growth of the organisms in the intestinal flora.

Prebiotics on the other hand, protect the bacterial growth in the intestinal flora.  Since prebiotics are non-digestible substances they can also help carry away waste from the intestines.  Prebiotics are also important because they prolong the life of good bacteria and  they also keep the bacteria healthy.

Other benefits of prebiotics include:

1. May help ease the symptoms of diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics
2. Also helps people suffering from traveler’s diarrhea.
3. Helps reduce the pain and inflammation associated with gastroenteritis.
4. Helps normalize and regulate bowel function.
5. May help improve colitis
6. Can help reduce the incidence of irritable bowel problems.
7. Helps the body absorb calcium
8. Can help strengthen the immune system

Natural sources of prebiotics include:

• Whole grain products
• Leguminous foods
• Onions
• Fresh honey
• Fresh and cooked greens
• Garlic
• Yogurt, milk and other dairy products
• Different types of berries
• Bananas
• Apple cider vinegar (raw, not cooked)
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Other grains (gluten-free)

Amazing benefits of kiwifruit

Does kiwifruit offer other benefits other than prebiotics? Yes! Here are some of the main benefits of getting your healthy dose of kiwifruit everyday:

1. Kiwifruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, including ascorbic acid (vitamin C – one kiwifruit has more vitamin C than a regular orange), beta carotene and potassium. Potassium is brain food that increases one’s alertness and also improves one’s memory.

2. According to research performed in Italy, kiwifruit can also help improve the health of the respiratory tract. Seven portions of the fruit every week can yield respiratory benefits (respondents, children aged six to seven, showed less wheezing and shortness of breath compared to other respondents who received little or no kiwifruit throughout the testing period)

3. Kiwifruit  can also help ward off the effects of age-related macular degeneration.

4. Kiwifruit is a potent source of natural antioxidants, which can help reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer, heart disease and can also improve one’s vision.

5. Kiwifruit is a natural source of soluble fiber, which improves the digestive function and also helps transport human waste more efficiently.

6. Kiwifruit may be helpful in reducing harmful mutations or changes to one’s DNA. This is important in keeping your DNA pristine for the next generation (your children, who will be receiving your DNA – and all that comes with it, including risks to certain types of diseases, etc.)

7. Kiwifruit, because of its high soluble fiber content, can help individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes (or type-2 diabetes) and people with high cholesterol. Natural fiber has been known to control blood glucose levels and bad cholesterol levels.

8. Also due to its high fiber content, kiwifruit may also help prevent deadly colon cancer.

9. Kiwifruit is a natural source of the nutrient inositol. Recent studies show that inositol is very beneficial as a supportive treatment for depression.

10. It contains the compound arginine, which is capable of dilating or opening up constricted blood vessels.  As such, it is not only good for people with hypertension but is also very beneficial for males suffering from impotence or erectile dysfunction. Arginine has been long used for the treatment of impotence in males.

11. In China, a study made use of kiwifruit to see whether Chinese athletes can last longer during the rigorous physical exertion during training.  With the addition of five percent carbohydrates to kiwi juice, the athletes were able to last longer – their blood glucose levels remained stable after taking the kiwi juice.

12. Amazingly, this small fruit also has a high percentage of the natural brain chemical serotonin. This compound has a relaxing effect when utilized by the body.

Kiwifruit is a type of fruit that provides the best ratio of calories to fiber & essential nutrients.

Sources:
foodnavigator.com
nutrition.about.com
mayoclinic.com
bodyecology.com
kiwi-fruit.info
whfoods.com
calharvest.com
bimuno.com

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