Life Extension® provides $2 million for new Age-Reversal Study
Until recently, no one thought it possible to reverse the consequences of aging in severely degenerated organisms.
That all changed on November 28, 2010, with publication of a landmark report in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.
In this unprecedented study, Harvard-affiliated researchers lengthened telomeres in aging mice and achieved rapid reversal of genetically programmed organ and tissue degeneration caused by short telomeres.1 The aged mice showed new brain cell growth, restored sexual function and fertility, and regeneration in every tissue examined.
These senescent mice dramatically reversed genetically predisposed damage, in particular to the brain and central nervous system, after their telomeres were lengthened.
Life Extension is funding similar research
The findings of this Nature study were not a complete surprise to Life Extension scientists, as we have been funding similar research in conjunction with BioTime, Inc.
Just last year, this joint research succeeded for the first time in reversing the aging of human cells in the laboratory setting…including restoring telomere length in some instances. The scientists we funded transported aged human cells back in time to their original embryonic state, enabling them to differentiate into any cell the body might need to self-regenerate. This age-reversal study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Regenerative Medicine.
The latest study published in Nature demonstrates that it is possible to take mammals in a severely degenerated condition and systemically reverse aging pathologies using only one mechanism, i.e., telomere lengthening.
Life Extension provides $2 million for new age-reversal study
Based on our analysis of the current state-of-the-art, we believe there are more effective methods to restore telomere length and reverse aging processes.
In order to prove our hypothesis, the Life Extension Foundation® provided $2 million in funding on December 31, 2010, to a company called ReCyte Therapeutics (a subsidiary of BioTime) for a new series of studies. The first will be on a group of mice, utilizing several cell rejuvenation mechanisms (including telomere lengthening) in a real world model of aging.
The initial goal of this research is to rejuvenate the vascular systems of these mice in a way that protects them against heart attack and stroke. The research will also be aimed at restoring youthful bone marrow function to reverse immune senescence, thus conferring protection against cancer, infectious disease, and autoimmune disorders.
If these age-reversing effects can be documented in this mouse model and other biological systems, our research funding will then be used to attempt to develop authentic rejuvenation therapies in humans.
Don’t Get Left Behind…
Based on regenerative medicine technologies being developed right now, we may be only a short time away from making old people young again!
For those who don’t know, telomeres are small units of DNA at the end of our chromosomes. As long as they remain intact, telomeres keep chromosomes from fraying and the genes inside from unraveling. As our cells divide, telomeres progressively shorten until cells become dysfunctional or die. When this happens, we grow older, become afflicted with the diseases of aging, and, eventually die.
The good news is that certain nutrients that health-conscious individuals take today such as fish oil, vitamin D, carnosine, and multivitamins may help protect telomere length.2,3,4,5,6
Even more exciting is new research that Life Extension is funding to significantly lengthen telomeres with the objective of reversing aging processes in human beings!
Your supplement purchases enable this research to happen! Each time you purchase a Life Extension nutrient formula to keep you healthy today, you simultaneously support research aimed at identifying methods to extend telomere length and reverse degenerative aging processes.
The time of year to stock up!
Since 1980, the Life Extension Foundation has boldly proclaimed that aging will eventually become a reversible condition. It has taken 30 years, but scientists have finally succeeded in reversing the systemic consequences of aging in an in vivo model.1
Every year around this time, Life Extension members stock up on the most advanced nutrient formulas designed to forestall age-related degeneration via multiple mechanisms—including protecting vital telomeres. The reason members purchase large quantities now is that all products carry an extra discount during the annual Super Sale.
Members have more reason than ever to ensure they are well supplied with nutrients that protect against premature telomere shortening. To order your supply of premium-quality Life Extension formulations today, call 1-800-544-4440 or shop online.
For longer life,
Member, Board of Directors
P.S. Look forward to in-depth reports on new anti-aging research programs the Foundation is funding in Life Extension Magazine® issues you will receive this new year.
1. Jaskelioff et al “Telomerase reactivation reverses tissue degeneration in aged telomerase-deficient mice”; Nature. 2010 Nov 28. (online)
2. Farzaneh-Far R, Lin J, Epel ES, Harris WS, Blackburn EH, Whooley MA. Association of marine omega-3 fatty acid levels with telomeric aging in patients with coronary heart disease. JAMA. 2010 Jan 20;303(3):250-7.
3. Richards JB, Valdes AM, Gardner JP, Paximadas D, Kimura M, Nessa A, Lu X, Surdulescu GL, Swaminathan R, Spector TD, Aviv A. Higher serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with longer leukocyte telomere length in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1420-5.
4. Babizhayev MA, Yegorov YE. Smoking and health: association between telomere length and factors impacting on human disease, quality of life and life span in a large population-based cohort under the effect of smoking duration. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Jul 31. [Epub ahead of print]
5. Babizhayev MA, Vishnyakova KS, Yegorov YE. Telomere-dependent senescent phenotype of lens epithelial cells as a biological marker of aging and cataractogenesis: the role of oxidative stress intensity and specific mechanism of phospholipid hydroperoxide toxicity in lens and aqueous. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Apr 19. [Epub ahead of print]
6. Xu Q. Multivitamin use and telomere length in women, Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6): 1857-63.