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news & review Longevity News and Review provides readers with the latest information in breakthroughs pertaining to the extension of the healthy human lifespan. These news summaries are compiled by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M; www.worldhealth.net), a non-profit medical society composed of 20,000 physician and scientist members from 90 nations, united in a mission to advance biomedical technologies to detect, prevent, and treat aging related disease and to promote research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process. Dr. Ronald Klatz, M.D., D.O., A4M President, and Dr. Robert Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., D.O., FAASP, physician co-founders of the antiaging medical movement, distill these headlines and provide their insightful commentary.
Vitamin D Supplements Add Years to Your Life far smaller study [Freedman DM, Looker AC, Chang ‌ Maybe? SC, Graubard BI." Prospective Study of Serum Vitamin D and Cancer Mortality in the United States." The therapeutic role of vitamin D, "the sunshine J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007 Oct 30; [Epub ahead of vitamin," for bone health, has become well print]] indicated no benefit of vitamin D as a cancer established. A number of recent studies have protectant. Until the weight of more substantial correlated vitamin D deficiency with adverse health research rules against it, vitamin D supplementation is consequences, such as cancer, cardiovascular a prudent option for those who cannot obtain vitamin D disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and otherwise (via daily sun exposure)." some infectious diseases. A meta-analysis of these studies, completed by Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Exercise with Supplements Benefits Older Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health Adults (Boston, MA USA), found that those individuals taking vitamin D supplements had a 7% lower risk Aging is associated with lower muscle mass and an of death than those who did not supplement. "The increase in body fat. Mark Tarnopolsky, of intake of ordinary doses of vitamin D supplements McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) seems to be associated with decreases in total and colleagues studied the effect of exercise and two mortality rates," concluded Dr. Giovannucci and his dietary supplements, creatine (an amino acid colleagues. [Giovannucci E., "Can Vitamin D produced in the body to provide short bursts of Reduce Total Mortality?" Arch Intern Med. energy to muscle cells) and conjugated linoleic acid 2007;167:1709-1710.] (a fatty acid, supplementation of which has reduced body fat in animal studies), on muscle and body fat Dr. Klatz observes: "The role of vitamin D as a in older adults. The researchers studied 19 men and protective nutrient against cancer has been under 20 women age 65% for a six-month period. All frequent scrutiny by researchers, as is the case with so subjects participated in strength-training exercise many natural/nutritional therapeutics. Most recently, a twice a week. Half took creatine and conjugated MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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linoleic acid supplements every day, whereas the remainder of subjects were given placebo (fake supplements). By the end of the six-month study period, the researchers found that the group taking the supplements was able to work their muscles for a longer period, had greater strength in their thigh muscles, and demonstrated greater reductions in body fat. [Tarnopolsky M, Zimmer A, Paikin J, Safdar A, Aboud A, Pearce E, Roy B, Doherty T." Creatine monohydrate and conjugated linoleic Acid improve strength and body composition following resistance exercise in older adults." PLoS ONE. 2007 Oct 3;2(10):e991.;Print
health. A study completed by Pamela Sparks Stein of the University of Kentucky ((USA) and colleagues has established tooth loss as a predictor for the onset of dementia later in life.
The researchers analyzed dental records and brain function test results amassed over a twelve-year period for 144 participants in the Nun Study, a longitudinal study of aging and Alzheimer disease. Among the subjects who were free of dementia at the first cognitive exam, those with no teeth or fewer than nine teeth had a two-fold or greater increased risk of dementia, as compared to those having 10 or more teeth. Remarks Dr. Goldman: "Confirming studies are [Stein PS, Desrosiers M, Donegan SJ, Yepes JF, needed, but this study shows the potential therapeutic Kryscio RJ. " Tooth loss, dementia and role of two supplements, creatine and conjugated linoleic neuropathology in the Nun Study." J Am Dent acid, to boost muscle strength and mass while reducing Assoc. 2007 Oct;138(10):1314-22.] body fat. In the meantime, aging adults need to understand the value of strength training. It benefits Comments Dr. Klatz: "The mouth is often overlooked strength, muscle endurance, body composition, blood by medical practitioners as a source of disease. An markers, and functional performance and improves estimated 500 species of microorganisms live in the health and well-being." mouth, and each individual organism readily and rapidly reproduces in that warm, dark, moist environment. The The Dental-Dementia Link mouth contains tissues that are highly absorbent, thus giving these microorganisms direct entry access to your Numerous studies have linked dementia, the body. Indeed, some experts have found a proven causal progressive loss of intellectual abilities of sufficient association between poor periodontal health and severity to interfere with social or occupational cardiovascular disease, why not with Alzheimer's functioning, to the subsequent deterioration of oral disease?"
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VOLUME 2007 chapter 2
Brain Adapts to Respond to Psychological Stress
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In humans, stress can play a major role in the development of a variety of mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Research completed by Vaishnav Krishnan, of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX USA) and colleagues have found that, in a mouse model, the ability to adapt to stress is driven by a distinctly different molecular mechanism than is the tendency to be overwhelmed by stress. Dr. Krishnan and team also mapped out the mechanisms – components of which are also present in the human brain – that govern both kinds of responses. Study co-author Eric Nestler commented that: "The fact that we could increase the animals' ability to adapt to stress … means it may be possible to develop compounds that improve resilience. This is as great opportunity to explore potential ways of increasing stressresistance in people faced with [stressful] situations." [Krishnan V, Han MH, Graham DL, Berton O, Renthal W, Russo SJ, Laplant Q, Graham A, Lutter M, Lagace DC, Ghose S, Reister R, Tannous P, Green TA, Neve RL, Chakravarty S, Kumar A, Eisch AJ, Self DW, Lee FS, Tamminga CA, Cooper DC, Gershenfeld HK, Nestler EJ. "Molecular adaptations underlying susceptibility and resistance to social defeat in brain reward regions." Cell. 2007 Oct 19;131(2):391-404.]
wasting, increase in abdominal fat, Type 2 diabetes, psychosis, premature aging, and death. Long-term oversecretion of cortisol due to chronic prolonged stress can lead to hypertension and hypoglycemia, both with deadly consequences. It's important for everyone to identify their individual triggers of stress, and to develop ways to avoid flipping the stress switch." Discovery of Gene Associated with Lifespan AND Healthspan
Recent studies have shown that changes in insulin/insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-1) signaling can increase the lifespan of mammals. In a study conducted by Domenic Withers, of the Centre for Research and Ageing at University College London, and colleagues, researchers found that male mice without a gene called IRS-1 lived 20% longer. Female mice without the gene had even better longevity, living 30% longer on average. In addition to longer lives, the mice absent of the IRS1 gene were much healthier as they aged, maintaining good immune function, healthy skin and bones, and good eyesight. IRS-1 is involved in regulating the function of insulin, and this study contributes to a growing body of scientific data suggesting a link between the genes that regulate insulin and how well an animal ages. This study is the first to show that mammals can stay healthy as they live longer. [Selman C, Lingard S, Choudhury AI, Batterham RL, Claret M, Clements M, Ramadani F, Okkenhaug K, Schuster E, Blanc E, Piper MD, AlQassab H, Speakman JR, Carmignac D, Robinson Dr Klatz remarks: "Psychological stress is an IC, Thornton JM, Gems D, Partridge L, Withers insidious trigger of disease. People who are unable to DJ. Evidence for lifespan extension and delayed relieve daily stress suffer a variety of health age-related biomarkers in insulin receptor substrate consequences, most commonly fatigue, frequent headaches, and stomach upset. The emotional response 1 null mice. FASEB J. 2007 Oct 10; [Epub ahead of print]] of stress is a function of the release of the hormone, cortisol. In times of stress, the adrenal glands atop the Dr. Goldman observes: "This study is groundbreaking kidneys release cortisol. Unfortunately, long-term in that it clearly demonstrates the capacity to delay the cortisol release accelerates the aging process. onset of age-related illnesses such as osteoporosis, Unrestrained cortisol secretion can inhibit immunity, slow protein synthesis (necessary for tissue repair), lead diabetes, and poor immune function. If scientists find a way to manipulate the IRS-1 gene in humans, the to loss of nerve cells, brain damage, bone loss, muscle MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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benefits to healthspan and lifespan could be unprecedented."
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Low Testosterone in Men Linked to Earlier Death
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Declining testosterone levels in aging men are suspected to be an underlying cause of many of the symptoms and diseases of aging. A study completed by Gail A. Laughlin, of the University of California/San Diego (USA), and colleagues, has found that older men with low levels of testosterone may die earlier than their age-matched counterparts having normal testosterone levels. In addition, insufficient levels of circulating testosterone were found to contribute to abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome. [Laughlin GA, BarrettConnor E, Bergstrom J. "Low Serum Testosterone and Mortality in Older Men." J Clin Endocrinol
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Metab. 2007 Oct 2; [Epub ahead of print] Dr. Klatz comments: "Testosterone levels in men decrease gradually over time, due to factors such as reduced activity, nutritional deficiency, diabetes, and HGH deficiency. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as andropause. By age 60, many men have less than half the level of testosterone as they did when they were in their teens. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has a multitude noteworthy benefits, including to increase lean body mass, decrease fat mass, improve cholesterol profile, including to decrease "bad" cholesterol (LDL), reduce bone fractures, improve cognitive functions, including visual spatial perception, improve mood, including remission of depression, as well as to boost sexual performance. Seek the guidance of a qualified anti-aging physician, preferably one who has been certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM).
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VOLUME 2007 chapter 3
Obesity and Disease Risks Increase After Menopause Nearly two-thirds of American women are overweight or obese. Postmenopausal women thus are a particularly vulnerable population, facing the health consequences of excess weight and the multitude of health problems with which it is associated. Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of obesity and its associated chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, cancer, osteoarthritis, and mental health problems. [Dennis KE."Postmenopausal Women and the Health Consequences of Obesity." Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. 36 (5), 511–519. doi:10.1111/j.15526909.2007.00180.]
Schatzkin A, Lacey JV Jr, Albanes D, BallardBarbash R, Adams KF, Kipnis V, Mouw T, Hollenbeck AR, Leitzmann MF. "Adiposity, adult weight change, and postmenopausal breast cancer risk." Arch Intern Med. 2007 Oct 22;167(19):2091102.]
New analysis of data from The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification (DM) Randomized Controlled Trial found that women eating a lowerfat diet was 40% less likely to develop ovarian cancer (as compared to women eating a regular diet). In addition, the women who started with the highest fat intake and changed to the lower-fat diet had the greatest reduction in ovarian and breast cancer risk. [Prentice RL, Thomson CA, Caan B, Hubbell FA, Anderson GL, Beresford SA, Pettinger M, Lane DS, Lessin L, Yasmeen S, Singh B, Khandekar J, Dr. Klatz observes: "Women are at greater risk for Shikany JM, Satterfield S, Chlebowski RT. "Low-fat being overweight/obese as compared to men, and dietary pattern and cancer incidence in the Women's women tend to experience age-related weight gain. As a Health Initiative Dietary Modification Randomized result, they increase their risk of developing a host of Controlled Trial." physical diseases, many of which ultimately may J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007 Oct 17;99(20):1534significantly and negatively impact quality of life." 43. Epub 2007 Oct 9.] In Women, Slowing Metabolism Associated with Increased Disease Two recent studies demonstrate the role of diet and weight and the onset of disease in aging women. An unwitting contributor to this relationship is the role of slowing metabolism, which triggers unwanted weight gain – as well as the associated medical problems (see preceding news summary).
Remarks Dr. Goldman: "Substantial health benefits occur with regular physical activity that is aerobic in nature (such as 30-60 minutes of brisk walking, 5 or more days of the week). Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity, but even small amounts of activity are healthier than a sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise in middle age can help men and women their healthspan and lifespan." Alzheimer's - Herpes Virus Link
A National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD, USA) involving more than 99,000 women tracked weight and body measurements at ages 18, 35, and 50. The women also reported any diagnosis of breast cancer. Women who were not overweight/obese at age 18 but were considered overweight at age 35 and 50 had almost 1.5-times the risk of developing breast cancer (as compared to women who maintained a steady normal weight). [Ahn J, 22
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In lab tests, Ruth Itzhaki of Manchester University (United Kingdom), and colleagues, found that brains infected with the herpes simplex virus, HSV1, also had elevated levels of the beta amyloid protein characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous research has found that HSV-1 is found in the brains of up to 70% of people afflicted with AD. Researchers from the University of Rochester www.spamanagement.com
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news & review Comments Dr. Klatz: "Currently, about 2.4 million Americans, or about 10% of the population age 71 and up, has AD. The discovery of the link between HSV-1 and AD heralds a significant new research opportunity for a vaccine to protect against a possible viral cause of Alzheimer's."
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Medical Center (New York, USA) found the HSV-1 virus is more likely to cause a problem in people who carry a mutant version of the ApoE4 gene, which is carried by the vast majority of AD patients. [Itzhaki RF, Wozniak MA. "Viral infection and cognitive decline." J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Jan;55(1):131.]
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VOLUME 2007 chapter 4
Alzheimer’s Accelerated by High Blood Pressure, Other Cardiovascular Conditions Cardiovascular factors speed the decline in mental functioning that occurs in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Michelle Mielke, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected by the Dementia Progression Study and found that people with AD who also had high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (a common disturbance of the heartbeat), or angina (chest pain) also exhibited accelerated progression of mental decline. [Mielke MM, Rosenberg PB, Tschanz J, Cook L, Corcoran C, Hayden KM, Norton M, Rabins PV, Green RC, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Breitner JC, Munger R, Lyketsos CG. “Vascular factors predict rate of progression in Alzheimer disease.” Neurology. 2007 Nov 6;69(19):1850-8.] Dr Klatz remarks: “More than 26 million people worldwide were estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease in 2006; by 2050, AD will afflict more than 106 million people. As disease of epidemic proportion, it is now critical to identify not only risk factors that increase the risk of AD, but to elucidate mechanisms that affect the rate of disease progression. Interestingly, folic acid, which has recently been reported to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease [Luchsinger JA, Patel B, Tang MX, Schupf N, Mayeux R. “Measures of adiposity and dementia risk in elderly persons.” Arch Neurol. 2007 Mar;64(3):392-8] is also a critical nutrient necessary to maintain healthy vasculature [McCully KS. “Homocysteine, vitamins, and vascular disease prevention.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1563S-8S]. Thus, there very well could be a connection between a person’s cardiovascular condition and their onset of AD.” Over-the-Counter Pain Medications Reduce Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
symptoms. Researchers have identified specific neuroinflammatory markers to be present in the brains and spinal fluid of those afflicted with PD. Angelika D. Wahner, of the University of California/Los Angeles (USA), and colleagues found that regular use (on the order of two or more pills a week for one month or longer) of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a type of over-the-counter pain medication, reduced the risk of Parkinson’s. Of the study participants, those who regularly used non-aspirin NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, reduced their risk of PD by as much as 60%. Women who regularly used aspirin reduced their PD risk by 40%, and this reduction was most pronounced among those taking aspirin regularly for two years or longer. [Wahner AD, Bronstein JM, Bordelon YM, Ritz B. “Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may protect against Parkinson disease.” Neurology. 2007 Nov 6;69(19):1836-42.] Dr. Goldman observes: “The number of individuals with Parkinson's disease in 15 of the world's largest nations will double over the next 25 years. In the 5 nations comprising Western Europe (France, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy) and the 10 most populous nations worldwide (China, India, Indonesia, the United States, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Japan, and Russia), experts have projected that the number of individuals with Parkinson's disease in these 15 countries will grow from 4.1 to 8.7 million by the year 2030. The greatest growth in PD cases will occur in developing countries in Asia. By 2030,PD will affect an estimated 5 million people in China alone. The suggestion that regular use of NSAIDs can be protective against PD offers a simple, cost-effective, easily distributable, and generally safe preventative measure to combat this major public health issue.” Sleep for A Sound Emotional State
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive, Sleep deprivation has been found to impair many of degenerative neurological disease characterized by the body’s biological processes, including the tremor, rigidity, stooped posture, and other immune system, metabolic function, cognitive 26
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performance (specifically, learning and memory), and more. Matthew Walker, of the University of California/Berkeley (USA), and colleagues found that sleep deprivation also causes emotional instability. The researchers identified that the amygdala, a particular area of the brain that governs emotional responses, becomes overactive in healthy people who do not get adequate sleep. As a result, these otherwise healthy people take on emotional reactions that are otherwise characteristic of psychiatric illness. [Yoo SS, Gujar N, Hu P, Jolesz FA, Walker MP. “The human emotional brain without sleep — a
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prefrontal amygdala disconnect.” Current Biology, Vol 17, R877-R878, 23 October 2007.] Dr. Klatz comments: “In the past, it has been presumed that sleep disorders were a result of psychiatric issues. This study suggests that it may be possible that poor sleep may actually cause or contribute to psychiatric problems. With nearly half of the public reported to have a good night of sleep just a few nights a week or less (National Sleep Foundation, 2005 poll), the role of quality nighttime rest becomes an important issue in maintaining emotional as well as physical wellness.”
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VOLUME 2007 chapter 5
The Correlation Between Aging, Weight, and Disability
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USA), and colleagues analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for the period 1971 to 2002. The researchers found that overweight increased the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. In addition, individuals who were overweight (as well as those who were underweight) had an increased risk of death from causes other than cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Specifically, overweight/obesity was correlated to increased risk of death from diabetes and kidney disease. Obesity also raised the risk of death from cancers of the colon, breast, esophagus, uterus, ovaries, kidney, and pancreas. [Katherine M. Flegal, PhD; Barry I. Graubard, PhD; David F. Williamson, PhD; Mitchell H. Gail, MD, PhD. “Cause-Specific Excess Deaths Associated With Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity.” JAMA. 2007;298(17):2028-2037.]
The inability to function independently is on the rise in obese men and women age 60+. Dawn Alley and Virginia Chang, from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA USA) examined the association between obesity and disability by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). They found that functional impairment among obese individuals increased by 5.4% between 19992004 as compared to 1988-1994. In the 19881994 timeframe, obese individuals were nearly twice as likely to have a functional impairment (as compared to their normal-weight counterparts). From 1999 to 2004, the likelihood of functional impairment increased to almost three-fold. [Dawn E. Alley, PhD; Virginia W. Chang, MD, PhD. “The Changing Relationship of Obesity and Disability, 1988-2004.” JAMA. Remarks Dr. Goldman: “According to the World 2007;298(17):2020-2027.] Health Organization, globally, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, at least 300 million of them Dr. Klatz observes: “As this study shows, excess obese. People are becoming obese due to the availability weight can result in significant impairments to of food, changes in the kind of food eaten, and functional independence as we age, thus directly decreased exercise. Industrialization, urbanization and hampering quality of life. To combat gaining pounds as mechanized transport have reduced physical activity, you age, engage in regular physical activity that is thus more than 60 per cent of the global population is aerobic in nature (such as 30-60 minutes of brisk not sufficiently active. It’s important for people to walking, 5 or more days of the week). Additional health understand that by failing to maintain a healthy weight, benefits can be gained through greater amounts of they leave themselves at an increased risk of dying from physical activity, but even small amounts of activity are a multitude of causes.” healthier than a sedentary lifestyle.” Vitamin D Slows the Aging Process Overweight/Obesity Once Again Associated to Lengthy List of Causes of Death Vitamin D inhibits the body’s inflammatory response and thus reduces the turnover of Body Mass Index (BMI) is the the ratio between leukocytes (a type of white blood cell). Researchers height and weight. The number indicates whether a have previously established that the length of the person is underweight, overweight, or within a leukocyte telomere (the endcap of the chromosome) normal weight range. Individuals with a BMI of as a predictor of aging-related disease, decreasing as 25.0 or greater are considered overweight and those a result of increased inflammation. J. Brent with a BMI of 30.0 or greater are considered obese. Richards, from King's College, London School of Katherine M. Flegal, from the US Centers for Medicine (London, United Kingdom), and Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA colleagues measured leukocyte telomeres in more MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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than 2,000 women and found that those with longer telomeres had higher levels of Vitamin D stored in their bodies. After factoring for age, the researchers determined that women with higher levels of vitamin D were more likely to have longer leukocyte telomeres. Reports the team: “The difference … was … equivalent to five years of telomeric aging.” Dr. Richards observes: “These results are exciting because they demonstrate for the first time that people who have higher levels of vitamin D may age more slowly than people with lower levels.” [J Brent Richards, Ana M Valdes, Jeffrey P Gardner,
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Dimitri Paximadas, Masayuki Kimura, Ayrun Nessa, Xiaobin Lu, Gabriela L Surdulescu, Rami Swaminathan, Tim D Spector, and Abraham Aviv. “Higher serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with longer leukocyte telomere length in women.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1420-1425.] Comments Dr. Klatz: “This study shows that higher vitamin D concentrations, which can be readily achieved by nutritional supplementation, modulate the aging of key immune system cells. It clearly underscores the potentially beneficial effects of vitamin D on aging and age-related disease.”
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VOLUME 2007 chapter 6
Beta Carotene Supplementation Benefits Aging World’s First Cloned Embryo from A Monkey – Mens’ Brains Are Humans Next?
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In that oxidative stress contributes to age-related cognitive decline, antioxidant supplementation has been found to protect the brain. Francine Grodstein, of Harvard Medical School, and colleagues found long-tern benefits for men taking beta carotene supplements (50 mg every other day) for fifteen or more years. Long-term beta carotene supplementation was associated with a significantly higher score on tests of general cognition and verbal memory. Because beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, the team suggests that beta carotenes exert their protective benefits on cognition by preventing the build-up of plaques associated with beta-amyloid deposits, which are associated with loss of cognitive function and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. [Grodstein F, Kang JH, Glynn RJ, Cook NR, Gaziano JM. “A Randomized Trial of Beta Carotene Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Men: The Physicians' Health Study II.” Arch Intern Med. 2007 Nov 12;167(20):2184-90.] Remarks Dr. Goldman: “Upwards of 12 million people in the United States and European Union suffer from Alzheimers. In the US alone, the disease costs more than $100 billion annually. This is the first study that looks at long-term antioxidant supplementation and how it can avert the cognitive decline so common in the aging population. It shows that beta caraotenes should be considered as a critically important preventative measure to ward off cognitive decline, as their supplementation is both safe and cost-effective over the long-term.”
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Shoukhrat Mitalipov, of the Oregon Health and Science University (Beaverton, OR USA) and colleagues have created the world’s first cloned embryo from a monkey. Using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the same method that led to Dolly the Sheep and other genetically duplicated animals such as mice, pigs, cats, cows, and dogs, this marks the very first time a cloned primate has been successfully produced. Dr. Mitalipov harvested 304 eggs from 14 female monkeys, and produced 35 early-stage embryos from the SCNT procedure; this in-turn led to two lines of self-dividing embryonic stem cells. The researchers comment in their published paper that: “Our results represent successful nuclear reprogramming of adult somatic cells into pluripotent embryonic stem cells and demonstrate proof-of-concelt for therapeutic cloning in primates.” [J. A. Byrne1, D. A. Pedersen, L. L. Clepper1, M. Nelson, W. G. Sanger, S. Gokhale, D. P. Wolf & S. M. Mitalipov. “Producing primate embryonic stem cells by somatic cell nuclear transfer.” Nature advance online publication 14 November 2007.’] Comments Dr. Klatz: “Dr. Mitalipov’s breakthrough research paves the way for cloning of human cells for use in medical research and therapeutics. No longer do scientists need to harvest embryos to use in stem cell therapies; soon they will be able to be created in the laboratory without the ethical dilemmas currently plaguing stem cell therapeutics.”
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Trio of Studies Demonstrate Benefits of Fish for Brain Health Data from studies from New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Norway provide compelling evidence for the benefits of fish consumption, specifically for the omega-3 fatty acid the food contains, on cognitive health. In the Dutch study, led by Carla Dullemeijer, of Wageningen University (Wageningen, Netherlands), the researchers followed more than 800 men and women, and found that those with increased levels of circulating omega-3 fatty acids experienced far lower declines in less decline in speed-related cognitive performance assessment over three years. In the New Zealand study, Francesca Crowe, of the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand) and colleagues found that study subjects with higher blood levels of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), a type of fatty acid found in fish, and higher ratio of EPA to arachadonic acid (AA), were found to perform better physically, while subjects with a higher EPA to AA ratio reported higher mental well being. In the Norway study, led by Eha Nurk of the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK),researchers followed more than 2,000 elderly Norwegians to determine the relation between consumption of seafood and cognitive performance. The team found that study participants who ate at least 10 grams of fish a day performed significantly better on cognitive tests, compare to those who ate less than 10 grams of fish daily. [Carla Dullemeijer, Jane Durga, Ingeborg A Brouwer, Ondine van de Rest, Frans J Kok, Robert-Jan M Brummer, Martin PJ van Boxtel, and Petra Verhoef. “n–3 Fatty acid proportions in plasma and cognitive performance in older adults.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1479-1485; Francesca L Crowe, C Murray Skeaff, Timothy J Green, and Andrew R Gray. “Serum phospholipid n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and physical and mental health in a populationbased survey of New Zealand adolescents and adults.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1278-1285; Eha Nurk, Christian A Drevon, Helga Refsum, Kari Solvoll, Stein E Vollset, Ottar Nygård, Harald A Nygaard, Knut Engedal, Grethe S Tell, and A David Smith. “Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study.” Am J Clin Nutr 2007 86: 1470-1478.] Dr Klatz remarks: ”Inflammation is a powerful negative process in the body, contributing to chronic diseases from arthritis to Alzheimer’s. The omega-3 fatty acids and EPA MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
oil that fish contains, are potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Regular, frequent consumption of cold-water fatty fish, such as wild salmon, halibut, and herring, is an effective and healthful way to preserve cognitive function as we age.“ Vitamin C + Calcium = Less Abdominal Weight In a study of 900 Iranian women ages 40 to 60, Leila Azadbakht and Ahmad Esmailzadeh, of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Isfahan, Iran) found those who consumed more vitamin C and calcium were more apt to have less abdominal weight, including fat. The possibility of being obese and middle-heavy was greatest in women with low vitamin C intake (less than 56 mg), low calcium intake (less than 398 mg), and low dairy consumption. [Azadbakht L, Esmaillzadeh A. “Dietary and non-dietary determinants of central adiposity among Tehrani women.” Public Health Nutr. 2007 Sep 3;1-7. (Epub ahead of print).] Dr. Goldman observes: This is yet another study confirming the role of dairy to inhibit fat and fatty acid consumption, as well as the influence of calcium on body weight. This study once again reinforces the message of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical exercise.” Low Vitamin B-12 Increases Risk of Age-Related Cognitive Impairment In that elevated homocysteine is associated with cognitive impairment, Robert Clarke, from the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK) and colleagues investigated whether vitamin B-12 could effectively reduce the occurrence of dementia. Whereas the team found that a doubling of homocysteine levels caused a 50% more rapid decline in cognitive function, it also discovered that a doubling of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) levels, a marker of B-12 deficiency, slowed cognitive decline by 30%. [Robert Clarke, Jacqueline Birks, Ebba Nexo, Per M Ueland, Joern Schneede, John Scott, Anne Molloy and John Grimley Evans. “Low vitamin B-12 status and risk of cognitive decline in older adults.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 5, 1384-1391, November 2007.] Comments Dr. Klatz: “This study continues in a long line of research elucidating the value of Vitamin B-12 as a safe and cost-effective preventative measure to ward off the loss of cognitive function as we age.” www.spamanagement.com
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Human Skin Cells Reprogrammed to Act Like Stem Cells Two separate teams, one from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA), and the other from Kyoto University (Japan), reported that they had successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. Thee University of Wisconsin team, led by James Thomson (who first developed the initial human embryonic stem cell line almost ten years ago, employed somatic cell nuclear transfer to use four factors to reprogam human skin (somatic) cells to pluripotent stem cells. In the Kyoto University work, Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues inserted four genes into human skin cells to reprogram them into “induced pluripotent cells,” which look and act like stem cells. [Yu J, Vodyanik MA, Smuga-Otto K, Antosiewicz-Bourget J, Frane JL, Tian S, Nie J, Jonsdottir GA, Ruotti V, Stewart R, Slukvin II, Thomson JA. “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells.” Science. 2007 Nov 20; [Epub ahead of print]; Takahashi K, Tanabe K, Ohnuki M, Narita M, Ichisaka T, Tomoda K, Yamanaka S. “Induction of pluripotent stem cells from adult human fibroblasts by defined factors.” Cell. 2007 Nov 30;131(5):861-72.] Dr Klatz remarks: “This is a pair of landmark advancements that circumvents a number of ethical and practical obstacles to stem cell therapeutics. These researchers have identified a potentially abundant source of stem cells for therapeutics that can treat a wide variety of aging-related disorders.” Cancer Risks of a Carb-Related Carcinogenx Increased dietary intake of acrylamide, a carcinogen created when starchy (carbohydrate-rich) foods are baked, roasted, fried or toasted may raise the risk of endometrial cancer by 29%, and ovarian cancer by 78%. Janneke Hogervorst and colleagues from Maastricht University (The Netherlands) analyzed data from more than 62,000 women in the Netherlands for a 11.3-year period. Where the average acrylamide intake was 8.9 mcg per day, the highest intake, at 40.2 mcg per day, was associated with the greatest increases in risks of both endometrial and ovarian cancers. Dr. Hogervorst’s team found that the risks were even more pronounced in people with no history of smoking, where the highest
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acrylamide intakes were associated with a 99% increase in risk of endometrial cancer and 122% increase in risk of ovarian cancer. [Hogervorst JG, Schouten LJ, Konings EJ, Goldbohm RA, van den Brandt PA. “A prospective study of dietary acrylamide intake and the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer.” Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Nov;16(11):230413.] Dr. Goldman observes: “This is one of a few long-term, human studies that correlates dietary factors to increased cancer risks. Acrylamide first made headlines five years ago when scientists at the Swedish Food Administration first reported that high levels of acrylamide caused cancer in laboratory animals. Since then, animal studies continue to show the risks associated with the compound. This observational study points to the importance of making prudent dietary choices, to reduce or eliminate one’s consumption of highly processed carbohydrates.” Bulky Biceps, Trim Waist Correlate to Longevity in Men The size of a man’s waistline and the muscle mass of his biceps provide snapshot of mortality risk in aging men. S. Goya Wannamethee and colleagues from Royal Free and University College Medical School (London, United Kingdom) studied more than 4,100 men ages 60 to 79, and found that those with a waist circumference less than 40 inches (102 centimeters) and above-average muscle mass in their upper arms were up to 36% less likely to die over a six-year period (as compared to those with bigger waists and smaller arm muscles). The researchers also found the combination of waist size and arm muscle mass to provide a far more accurate gauge of death risk as compared to body mass index (BMI) measurements, which the team found was linked to mortality only among very thin men. [Wannamethee SG, Shaper AG, Lennon L, Whincup PH. “Decreased muscle mass and increased central adiposity are independently related to mortality in older men.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Nov;86(5):1339-46.] Comments Dr. Klatz: “These findings emphasize the role of life-long fitness in longevity. Fitness is a key element in the anti-aging lifestyle, and men who choose this lifestyle can indeed live longer and better lives.” www.spamanagement.com
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High Testosterone Linked to Reduced Deaths in Men
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health, and self-assessment surveys, did not. [Hardy SE, Perera S, Roumani YF, Chandler JM, Studenski SA.” Improvement in usual gait speed predicts better survival Men with higher levels of testosterone are apt to have in older adults.” J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 increased longevity. Kay-Tee Kaw, from the University Nov;55(11):1727-34. Epub 2007 Oct 3.] of Cambridge School of Medicine (Cambridge, United Kingdom),and colleagues tracked more than 11,600 Remarks Dr. Goldman: “Walking is an excellent physical British men for a period of up to 10 years. The team activity for aging men and women. This study shows the found that men in the upper 25% of natural positive longevity value of modest improvements in one’s testosterone levels have a 41% lower risk of dying from walking speed. That is a goal which most active adults can heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions, readily strive to achieve and reach..” cancers and all other causes (compared to men with the lowest levels of testosterone). Comments Dr. Kaw: “Low Multivitamins and Multiminerals for Multiple testosterone seems to predict increased risk of total Benefits mortality in cardiovascular disease and cancer.” Genevieve Major, from Laval University (Quebec, [Khaw KT, Dowsett M, Folkerd E, Bingham S, Wareham Canada), and colleagues completed a survey of 267 men N, Luben R, Welch A, Day N. “Endogenous Testosterone and 320 women ages 20 to 65, and found that the men and Mortality Due to All Causes, Cardiovascular who regularly took a multivitamin/multimineral Disease, and Cancer in Men. European Prospective supplement had lower body weight, fat mass, and body Investigation Into Cancer in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) mass index. Similar findings were recorded for women; Prospective Population Study.” Circulation. 2007 Nov moreover, women who routinely took a 26; [Epub ahead of print].] multivitamin/multimineral supplement reported reduced hunger levels. [Major GC, Doucet E, Jacqmain M, StDr. Klatz observes: “Anti-aging medical researchers have Onge M, Bouchard C, Tremblay A. “Multivitamin and previously found that low testosterone levels put men at dietary supplements, body weight and appetite: results elevated risks for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack from a cross-sectional and a randomised double-blind and stroke, as well as cancer. This large-scale, long-term placebo-controlled study.” Br J Nutr. 2007 Nov 1;1-11. study validates what we in anti-aging medicine have known [Epub ahead of print].] for at least a decade already. It also suggests a potential therapeutic value for testosterone supplementation in aging Comments Dr. Klatz: Previously, Dr. Ranjit Chandra and men, where administered and supervised by a qualified colleagues from Memorial University (Newfoundland) found physician.” that a dietary supplement containing 18 vitamins, minerals, and trace elements helped healthy men and women age 65 Walking Speed Correlates to Longevity and over to improve their short-term memory, problemsolving ability, abstract thinking, and attention span. The Older adults who can boost their walking speed over time supplement also improved immunity, reducing the rate of live longer. Susan E. Hardy, of University of Pittsburgh infection-related illness by more than 50% (as compared to School of Medicine (Pennsylvania, USA), and colleagues those who did not take it). Both this and the new Laval followed 439 adults, ages 65 and over, and found those University study demonstrate that people who take a daily who improved their walking speed over a one-year period multivitamin, multimineral supplement enhance their ability were 18% less likely to die over the next eight years. to live independently and without major disability. This Overall, the study found that walking speed during the translates into sizeable savings on health care costs, due to first year of study was the only factor to predict the reductions in expenditures otherwise spent treat disease and subjects’ long-term survival; other tests of physical functional decline.” MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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Fifteen Percent Reduction in Worldwide Salt associations between cardiovascular fitness, clinical Insake Could Prevent Almost 9 Million Deaths measures of body fat, and death in older adults. The researchers studied more than 2,600 adults ages Reducing salt intake around the world by 15% 60+, for a 12 year period, during which there were could prevent almost 9 million deaths between 450 deaths. The team found that those who died 2006 and 2015, reports a study by Perviz Asaria were older, had lower fitness levels, and had more from Kings Fund London (United Kingdom). High cardiovascular risk factors than survivors. However, salt intake has been identified as a contributory there were no significant differences in body fat factor to increasing high blood pressure, a major measures. Across a wide variance of body fat levels risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The (excluding the most obese), fit study subjects were researchers focused on low- and middle-income found to have lower death rates than unfit subjects. countries carrying 80% of the burden for chronic Higher levels of fitness also corresponded to lower disease in the study analysis. While they found that all-cause death. In their published report, the simple dietary changes could reduce salt intake by researchers comment: “The results add to the 30%, a 15% reduction in salt intake was found to existing evidence that promoting physical activity in potentially correlate to saving 8.5 million lives older adults provides substantial health benefits, from cardiovascular deaths. even in the oldest old.” [P. Asaria, D. Chisholm, C. Mathers, M. Ezzati, R. [Sui X, Laditka JN, Hardin JW, Blair SN. Beaglehole, "Chronic disease prevention: health “Estimated Functional Capacity Predicts Mortality effects and financial costs of strategies to reduce in Older Adults.” J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov 4; salt intake and control tobacco use." The Lancet [Epub ahead of print].] Chronic Diseases Series, Published Online December 5, 2007, doi:10.1016/S0140- Dr. Goldman observes: “Physical fitness and body 6736(07)61698-5.] physique, both individually and synergistically, play a complex role in lifespsan and healthspsan. This study Dr Klatz remarks: “In the western world, people shows that regular physical activity, sufficient to keep consume on-average 10 to 12 grams of salt daily, most people out of the low-fitness category, enhances mostly unknowingly as salt is frequently added by food functional capacity and promotes living longer and in producers/manufacturers, if not by the individual when better health.” cooking or serving foods. While salt is a vital nutrient involved in many body functions, overconsumption can The Toll of Childhood Obesity on Life markedly raise blood pressure, putting people at-risk for Expectancy a fatal cardiovascular event. In general, people should reduce their consumption of processed and prepared The worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity is foods, which are common sources of high concentrations progressing at an alarming rate, and the disease is of salt.” now projected to take its toll on life expectancy. For the first time since the Civil War, life expectancy in Fitness Level, Not Body Fat, Predicts Longevity the United States is expected to drop by two to five in Older Adults years, as the generation of obese children reaches adulthood. In a study of 276,835 Danish Men and women age 60+ with higher levels of schoolchildren, Jennifer Baker, from the Institute cardiorespiratory fitness live longer than unfit of Preventive Medicine, Center for Health and adults; this correlation is independent of levels of Society (Copenhagen, Denmark) and colleagues body fat. Xuemei Sui, of the University of South found a direct correlation between increased boy Carolina (USA), and colleagues examined the mass index (BMI) in children ages 7 to 13 and an MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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increased risk of heart disease in adulthood. Further, the team notes that this risk increases with increasing age. They suggest: “Because more children are becoming heavier at progressively younger ages, our results suggest that a focus should be placed on helping children to attain and maintain appropriate weight to prevent future adverse health consequences.” [Jennifer L. Baker, Lina W. Olsen, Thorkild I.A. Sørensen. “Childhood Body-Mass Index and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Adulthood.” New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 357:2329-2337, December 6, 2007, Number 23.]
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Dr. Klatz comments: “Worldwide, children are becoming heavier at younger ages. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 19% of children ages 6 to 11 are overweight. Not only does excess weight cause orthopedic and joint problems, hormonal imbalances, and social stigmatization, it is now definitively correlated to an increased risk of coronary heart disease in adulthood. Parents must set an example to their children by themselves engaging in regular physical activity and exercising prudent measures of dietary management such as portion control, reduction of processed and prepared foods, and increased daily consumption of raw, natural foods. Otherwise, as this report shows, the next generation of adults will be plagued by premature disease and death.”
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Omega-3 Cuts Brain Plaque Buidup Characteristic of Alzheimer’s Disease Greg Cole and colleagues from the University of California/Los Angeles (UCLA) have shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, cuts the buildup of plaques from betaamyloid deposits that are associated with brain cell damage and the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Specifically, the researchers found that DHA boosts production of a protein, LR11, that is known to destroy the brain plaques characteristic of AD. The team found that the protective effects of DHA on LR11 persisted in models of cells from mice, rats, and human brain cells. The researchers encourage the intake of supplemental fish oil (one of the most potent sources of omega-3s) as a interventive measure at the earliest stages of the onset of Alzheimer’s. [Qiu-Lan Ma, Bruce Teter, Oliver J. Ubeda, Takashi Morihara, Dilsher Dhoot, Michael D. Nyby, Michael L. Tuck, Sally A. Frautschy, and Greg M. Cole. “Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Increases SorLA/LR11, a Sorting Protein with Reduced Expression in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Relevance to AD Prevention.” The Journal of Neuroscience, December 26, 2007, 2 7 ( 5 2 ) : 1 4 2 9 9 - 1 4 3 0 7 ; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3593-07.2007.]
fat digestion that is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other conditions. In their study, the researchers identified that red wine polyphenols prevented the production and build-up of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood. The team reported that: “Our study suggests that red wine polyphenols exert a beneficial effect by [this] novel function -- absorption inhibition.” [Shlomit Gorelik, Moshe Ligumsky, Ron Kohen and Joseph Kanner. “A novel function of red wine polyphenols in humans: prevention of absorption of cytotoxic lipid peroxidation products.” The FASEB Journal. 2008;22:41-46. Published as doi: 10.1096/fj.07-9041com.] Dr. Goldman observes: “This study continues a line of recent and exciting studies correlating a multitude of health benefits with red wine. Resveratrol, a compound that is found in the skin of red grapes and is a constituent of red wine, has been associated with a number of antiinflammatory, anti-viral, and neuroprotective effects. This study’s identification of the role of red wine polyphenols in reducing fat digestion by-products could serve to help explain the “French paradox” that the incidence of coronary heart disease is relatively low in southern France and the Mediterranean countries despite high dietary intake of saturated fats. Combatting Fatigue and Improving Mental Function in the Very Old
Dr. Klatz remarks: “Currently, about 12 million people in the United States and Europe suffer from Alzheimers. Some projections estimate that number will triple by 2050. Consequently, the discovery and/or further substantiation of simple and effective natural, non-drug approaches that may counter the biological mechanisms behind the disease will become increasingly important in the coming decades.”
As we age, our natural levels of L-carnitine drops; yet L-carnitine is necessary to help cells to produce energy from fat. As a result, many older people suffer from weakness, impaired mobility, poor endurance, and declining mental health. Mariano Malaguarnera and colleagues from the University of Catania (Italy) report that L-carnitine, an amino acid available as a nutritional supplement, can Wine Polyphenols Combat Effect of Fatty lessen fatigue and boost mental function in the very Foods old. In a group of people age 100 and over, the Italian researchers found that L-carnitine Joseph Kanner from Volcani Center (Israel) and supplementation reduced cholesterol levels, boosted colleagues have discovered that red wine muscle mass, and reduced fat mass. Those taking polyphenols mitigate the levels of a by-product of the supplement also reported significant reductions 46
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news & review centenarians: a randomized and controlled clinical trial.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):173844.] Dr. Klatz comments: “L-carnitine levels reach a lifetime low starting at age 70, which may contribute to many of the common complaints of aging – weakness and lack of endurance, mobility issues, poor memory and attention, etc. This study is a striking demonstration of a simple, natural, and safe approach to curb these aging-related issues.”
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in mental, physical, and overall fatigue. They scored higher on a test of mental function, and were able to walk significantly farther than those who did not take the supplement. L-carnitine supplementation was well tolerated by the study subjects, with no serious side effects. [Malaguarnera M, Cammalleri L, Gargante MP, Vacante M, Colonna V, Motta M. “L-Carnitine treatment reduces severity of physical and mental fatigue and increases cognitive functions in
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Vitamin C Lowers Stroke Risk A ten-year long European study involving 20,649 men and women has found that increased blood levels of Vitamin C reduce the risk of stroke by 42%. Phyo Myint, from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and colleagues found that both consumption of Vitamin C-rich foods and dietary vitamin supplements were equivalent in providing stroke-reducing benefits. They found that an optimal blood level of Vitamin C was reached after study subjects ingested five servings of fruits and vegetables. Further, the team reports that “the strong inverse association between plasma Vitamin C and stroke suggests that plasma Vitamin C is likely to be a good biomarker [affecting] stroke risk.” The researchers propose that Vitamin C can be a reliable predicative risk indicator of stroke, independent of other risk factors such as age, blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol, diabetes, and body mass index. [Myint PK, Luben RN, Welch AA, Bingham SA, Wareham NJ, Khaw KT. “Plasma vitamin C concentrations predict risk of incident stroke over 10 y in 20 649 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer Norfolk prospective population study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jan;87(1):64-9.]
period, Thomas Wang, from Harvard Medical School, and colleagues have found that low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke by 62%. The researchers further found that study participants with low vitamin D levels and high blood pressure were at a 113% increased risk of a cardiovascular event, as compared to those with normal blood pressure and higher Vitamin D levels. [Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, Jacques PF, Ingelsson E, Lanier K, Benjamin EJ, D'Agostino RB, Wolf M, Vasan RS. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.” Circulation. 2008 Jan 7; [Epub ahead of print].] Remarks Dr. Goldman: Previously, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis and certain cancers. Recently, a number of studies have shown that Vitamin D may be helpful in treating high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other aging-related infirmities. Simply by boosting Vitamin D levels, via increased consumption of foods rich in the vitamin, by supplementation, or perhaps even by a 15-minute daily exposure to sunlight, an individual may be able to significantly reduce their cardiovascular risk.” Legumes Lower Diabetes Risk
Dr. Klatz observes: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Europe and the United States, and is a significant cause of long-term disability. This large-scale, long-term study identifies Vitamin C as both an indicator and predictor of stroke risk. Increase your daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, to consume five to ten servings a day; alternatively, select a natural-source Vitamin C with cofactors (for best absorption and utilization by the body).”
An increased consumption of legumes, such as peanuts and soybeans, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes (“adult onset,” also known as diabetes mellitus). Raquel Villegas, from Vanderbilt University (Tennessee, USA), and colleagues from the Shanghai Cancer Institute (China) followed 64,227 Chinese women for 4.6 years and used questionnaires to assess dietary intakes of the subjects. In those study subjects with Low Vitamin D Linked to Increased Heart a high intake of a variety of legumes, the researchers Disease Risk found a 38% reduction in diabetes risk. In particular, a high intake of soybeans was associated Heart tissue is rich in Vitamin D receptors. In new with a 47% risk reduction. analysis of data from the Framingham Offspring [Villegas R, Gao YT, Yang G, Li HL, Elasy TA, Study, involving 1,739 subjects over a five-year Zheng W, Shu XO. “Legume and soy food intake 50
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and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the Shanghai in the EU, it affects 4%. Around the world, experts Women's Health Study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 predict the numbers of cases of type-2 diabetes to rise as the global population ages. This study suggests that Jan;87(1):162-7.] simple changes in our everyday dietary choices can Comments Dr. Klatz: “Type-2 diabetes is a leading reduce the onset of type-2 diabetes. Ask your doctor to cause of long-term dependence and disability. In the check your HbA1c level, a long-term indicator of glucose United States, the disease affects 7% of the population; in blood, at your next physical examination.”
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Healthy Lifestyle Choices Can Extend Lifespan age 20+ for 23 years has identified longevity by 14 Years benefits of light drinking and regular physical exercise. Morten Grongbaek, of the University of Kay-Tee Khaw, from Cambridge University (United Southern Denmark, and colleagues found that the Kingdom), and colleagues, followed 20,000 men light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, along with and women, ages 45 to 79, for 13 years. They engaging in moderate aerobic activity, reduces the questioned the study subjects about their lifestyles risk of heart disease. Study subjects who neither and conducted blood testing to measure Vitamin C drank nor exercised were found to have a 30 to levels (an indicator of daily fruit and vegetable 49% higher risk of heart disease than those who intake). Those study subjects with the lowest engaged in one or both of the activities. number of healthy behaviors were four-times more [Pedersen JO, Heitmann BL, Schnohr P, Grønbæk likely to die, most notably from cardiovascular M. “The combined influence of leisure-time disease. The team found that study participants with physical activity and weekly alcohol intake on fatal the lowest healthy lifestyle scores had the same risk ischaemic heart disease and all-cause mortality.” of dying as someone with the highest healthy Eur Heart J. 2008 Jan 9; [Epub ahead of print].] lifestyle scores who was 14 years older. The lifestyle change with the biggest benefit was smoking Dr. Goldman observes: “This study is one of the cessation, associated with an 80% improvement in largest that examines the combined effect of drinking lifespan. The second most significant change was and exercise on lifespan. By finding that people who are increased consumption of fresh fruits and physically active and consume alcohol in moderation vegetables. Thirdly, moderate drinking; and were among the least likely to die of heart disease, the fourthly, staying physically active, rounded out the researchers underscore the importance of regular, yet four most beneficial lifestyle choices to extend modest and simple beneficial daily behaviors.” lifespan. [Khaw KT, Wareham N, Bingham S, Welch A, Acrylamide and Increased Risk of Breast Cancer Luben R, Day N. “Combined Impact of Health Acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen, is Behaviours and Mortality in Men and Women: The formed most notably when foods high in starches EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Study.” (potatoes, for example) are cooked at high PLoS Med. 2008 Jan 8;5(1):e12. [Epub ahead of temperatures (such as fried, roasted, baked, or print].] toasted). Tobacco smoking also generates substantial amounts of acrylamide. Henrik Dr Klatz remarks: This study validates the anti-aging Frandsen, from the Technical University of lifestyle, to both extend lifespan as well as prolong Denmark, and colleagues have completed the first healthspan -- the length of time that we are able to live epidemiological study to report a direct association productively and independently. It also demonstrates the between acrylamide and the increased risk of breast applicability of the anti-aging lifestyle across a broad cancer. The team showed that the risk of breast base of the population. The physician members of the cancer doubles with a tenfold increase in the levels A4M submit that healthy lifestyle choices can bridge of acrylamide in hemoglobin. Further, the study our longevity sufficiently such that next-generation showed a stronger association for estrogen-receptor biomedical technologies can be effectively implemented positive breast cancer, with increased blood levels of and further lengthen the healthy human lifespan by acrylamide. 30+ years.” [Thonning Olesen P, Olsen A, Frandsen H, Frederiksen K, Overvad K, Tjønneland A. Drink and Exercise, In Moderation, for Longer Life “Acrylamide exposure and incidence of breast In a study involving nearly 12,000 men and women cancer among postmenopausal women in the MEDI CAL SPAS • April 2008
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Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study.” Int J University of Maastricht (Netherlands) examined data from more than 62,500 women and found that Cancer. 2008 Jan 8; [Epub ahead of print].] increased dietary intake of acrylamide raised the risk of Comments Dr. Klatz: “Acrylamide may be among the endometrial cancer by 29% and ovarian cancer by 78%. Choose to steer clear of starchy foods cooked at greatest emerging contributors to disease in modern society Acrylamide first made headlines in 2002, when high temperatures, and do not smoke (or stop smoking), and cut your exposure to acrylamide and its potential scientists at the Swedish Food Administration first cancer-causing effects.” reported that high levels of it caused cancer in laboratory animals. Prior to this study, a team from the
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Anti-aging medicine is the fastest-growing medical specialty throughout the world and is founded on the application of advanced scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age-related dysfunction, disorders, and diseases. It is a healthcare model promoting innovative science and research to prolong the healthy lifespan in humans. As such, anti-aging medicine is based on solid scientific principles of responsible medical care that are consistent with those applied in other preventive health specialties. The goal of anti-aging medicine is not to merely prolong the total years of an individual's life, but to ensure that those years are enjoyed in a productive and vital fashion. Visit the A4M's World Health Network website, at www.worldhealth.net, to learn more about the A4M and its educational endeavors and to sign-up for the FREE E-Biotech Newsletter.
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BACKGROUND TO THE Dr. Robert Goldman is the Chairman of the Board of the American Academy of AntiAging Medicine, past President & Chairman of MCII and the Founding President of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, USA. He is currently Chairman of the International Medical Commission overseeing sports medicine committees in 176 nations. Dr. Goldman has spearheaded the development of numerous international medical organizations and corporations and has received a number of awards including the International Olympic Committee Tribute Diploma for the Development of Sport and Olympism, The Gold Medal for Science and The Grand Prize for Medicine.
A4M PRINCIPALS Dr. Ronald Klatz, President of the A4M and past Vice President of MCII, has served as the developer or administrator for over 100 scientific patents and has received a number of awards in recognition. In his capacity as A4M President, he oversees continuing medical programs for more than 20,000 physicians in over 90 nations, health practitioners and scientists of the Academy worldwide. He is a respected advisor to several members of the US Congress and devotes much of his time to research and education.
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