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LIFE EXTENSION UPDATE DECEMBER 15 2000
IN THIS ISSUE DECEMBER 15 2000: LIFE EXTENSION UPDATE EXCLUSIVE:
Mutations to "I'm not dead yet" gene nearly double lifespan in fly;
PROTOCOL: Prevention; FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK: TMG tablets,
Chronoforte; BOOK: Formula for Life; LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE: "Eat to
Live, Don't Live to Eat", SUPER SALE
Mutations to "I'm not dead yet" gene nearly double lifespan in fly
The December 15 2000 issue of Science reported an exciting experiment that
confirmed the genetic basis of aging by nearly doubling the average adult
lifespan of the fruit fly through the insertion of mutations into a single
gene. The gene, named Indy, which stands for "I'm not dead yet", is
expressed most abundantly in sites of intermediary metabolism in the fly.
The gene product most closely related in mammals are membrane proteins
that transports Krebs cycle intermediates, known as dicarboxylate
transporters, found in the liver, colon, small intestine, placenta, kidney
and brain. As calorie restriction most likely confers its well known
life extension benefit through metabolic effects, this genetic mutation
may mimic calorie restriction through the metabolic state it creates. So
far, only one other life extending mutation has been accomplished in the
fruit fly, and that is the loss of function to the Methusaleh gene which
extends lifespan by 35%, but whose gene product and location in tissue is
unknown.
The mutant flies were kept in a environment that was
temperature-controlled to 25 degrees C. At this temperature, 45% achieved
1% maximum lifespan extension. Maximum lifespan is the longest observed
lifespan for a species, contrasted with mean, or average lifespan. When
another group of flies with the same mutations were kept in environments
in which the temperature was 18 degrees, nearly all experienced the
increase in mean lifespan that was observed in nearly 50% of the flies
kept at 25 degrees, and nearly half were able to live 1% longer than the
maximum lifespan for the species. A total of 5,430 mutant flies were used
in this study. Flies in whom the genetic insertion was removed reverted
back to a normal lifespan.
The females of the mutated lines retained their fertility 40% longer than
the control flies who did not receive the mutations. This extension of
the period of fertility occurred without a delay of the onset of
fertility.
The study authors conclude that a reduction in the amount or efficiency of
a dicarboxylic cotransporter in the mutant flies could be creating a state
similar to calorie restriction, and that further investigation may lead to
genetic and pharmacologic interventions for lifespan extension.
PROTOCOL
Prevention
Don't count on the new media or popular health publications to keep you
fully informed about new medical findings. An article published in the
December 25, 1996, issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) showed that 200 mcg of supplemental selenium a day
reduced overall cancer mortality by 50% in humans compared to a placebo
group not receiving supplemental selenium. This 9-year study, published in
the American Medical Association's scientific journal (JAMA), demonstrated
that a low-cost mineral supplement could cut the risk of dying from cancer
in half.
In the prior week's issue of JAMA (December 18, 1996), an article was
published indicating that folic acid could substantially reduce
cardiovascular disease risk. The selenium cancer study received some media
attention, but the folic acid cardiovascular study did not. The fact is
that the news media have not been consistent in reporting on studies that
substantiate the disease-preventing role of dietary supplements, even when
these studies appear in the most prestigious medical journals in the world.
One of the most compelling reports that high-potency supplements extend
lifespan in humans was published in the August 1996 issue of the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study involved 11,178 elderly people,
who participated in a trial to establish the effects of vitamin
supplements on mortality. This study showed that the use of vitamin E
reduced the risk of death from all causes by 34%. Effects were strongest
for coronary artery disease, where vitamin E resulted in a 63% reduction
in death from heart attack. In addition, the use of vitamin E resulted in
a 59% reduction in cancer mortality. When the effects of vitamin C and E
were combined, overall mortality was reduced by 42% (compared to 34% for
vitamin E alone). These results are the most significant evidence yet
presented about the value of vitamin supplementation, yet the media failed
to report on it.
If you are healthy now, and want to stay that way, the Life Extension
Foundation has designed protocols that incorporate the best-documented
disease-preventing nutrients and hormones.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061187/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
html
FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK
TMG tablets
TMG's unique biological effect makes it a critical component of a
disease-prevention program: it is the most effective facilitator known of
youthful methylation metabolism. Published research shows that methylation
is related to a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease,
cancer, liver disease, and neurological disorders. Enhancing methylation
improves health and slows premature and, perhaps, normal aging. The
research shows three specific benefits:
Methylation lowers dangerous homocysteine levels, thus lowering the risk
of heart disease and stroke.
Methylation produces SAMe, which may have potent antiaging effects and has
been shown to alleviate depression, remyelinate nerve cells, improve
patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and protect against
alcohol-induced liver injury.
Methylation protects DNA, which may slow cellular aging.
TMG should be taken with cofactors vitamin B12 and folic acid. If you take
the Life Extension Mix and the Life Extension Booster, you will get these
cofactors.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061188/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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Chronoforte Capsules
Getting older is a challenge, but it is the diseases of aging that people
fear most. Modern medicine has done little to prevent the underlying
disorders that accelerate the aging process and bring about the
vulnerability, pain and suffering that we connect with growing old.
Newly identified mechanisms of aging have shed light on natural therapies
that may counteract biochemical changes that result in degenerative
disease. The following is a summary of these new findings:
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is a dangerous chemical messenger that
incites the immune system to attack healthy tissues throughout the body.
Elevated TNF-a causes systemic inflammatory cascade that may result in
painful arthritis along with lethal neurological or vascular
complications. Increases in TNF-a play a role in the catabolic wasting
effect seen in cancer and pathological aging. Nettle leaf extract has
shown a potent inhibitory affect against TNF-a.
Scientists have developed a better molecular understanding as to how
carnitine and lipoic acid promote youthful cellular levels of glutathione,
sustain mitochondrial energy production and protect against immune
dysfunction. Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid are popular
supplements Foundation members take to maintain healthy cellular function
throughout the body.
The process of glycation is a fundamental cause of many aging-related
diseases including the neurologic, vascular and eye disorders so common in
the elderly. In fact, glycation is a major factor in aging itself.
Carnosine specifically interferes with the glycation process.
Immune impairment makes aging humans vulnerable to infectious disease and
cancer. A well-designed study found that seniors taking zinc and selenium
had significantly fewer infections over a two year period, but that
vitamin supplementation alone did not have a major effect. In this study,
the zinc and selenium supplement cut the number of infections by nearly
two thirds compared to placebo.
Based on the accumulating body of research showing specific mechanisms by
which the diseases of aging can be prevented, The Life Extension Buyers
Club has formulated a product called ChronoForte that provides the
following in six capsules daily:
Acetyl-L-carnitine HCl 2000 mg
Alpha Lipoic acid 300 mg
Carnosine 1000 mg
Nettle leaf extract 1000 mg
Zinc 15 mg
Selenium 100 mcg
Biotin 3000 mcg
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061189/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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BOOK
Formula for Life
With all new and updated information, Formula for Life is the ultimate
guide to nutrition, disease prevention, and life extension strategies - as
well as an important companion to any traditional medical treatment. Here
you'll find:
How to take nutritional supplements
"Friendly" and "unfriendly" foods
The definitive answer on DHEA and other hormone supplements
A natural alternative to Viagra
Life-saving cancer survival strategies
Alternative prostate therapies
Macrobiotic diet.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061190/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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LIFE EXTENSION MAGAZINE
"Eat to Live, Don't Live to Eat", by Brain Manning Delaney
A breakfast business meeting. Sunday brunch with the kids. Lunch with a
colleague. Dinner and dancing. A midnight snack. Eating has become a
pastime and business facilitator, something to do for fun or discuss a
deal over. It has become so ingrained in our lifestyles that our
appointments and social gatherings are routinely scheduled around one such
event. Eating now serves a social, even financial purpose. So much so that
we have forgotten the reason why we engage in the activity to begin with:
to live.
In an age where science is at the frontiers of revolutionary advances, it
would seem unnecessary to take life extending measures that, on the
surface, appear to lessen quality of life. Calorie restriction (CR) could
be so classified, given the extent to which food and eating are an
integral part of our contemporary lifestyle. But a closer look reveals the
wisdom of eating to live, and the possible folly of living to eat.
Giving food consumption its original and sole responsibility back is
partly what a calorically restricted diet does. Its purpose: life
extension. In study after study conducted on a variety of laboratory
animals, CR has been shown to dramatically extend life span. While it may
prove challenging to break the social barriers that tie us to food, the
promise of living longer may help us do just that.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151061191/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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SUPER SALE
Now is the time to purchase a year's supply of all of your nutritional
supplements to obtain the lowest prices of the year. To view a list of
items offered by Life Extension, go to: http://www.lef.org/newshop/ Click
on any of the categories to see the discounted prices.
Please email ddye@lifeextension.com if you have any questions about this
issue of Life Extension Update, back issues, or other life extension
topics. The Life Extension Foundation wishes you a happy, healthy holiday
season.
For longer life,
Dayna Dye
Editor, Life Extension Update
ddye@lifeextension.com
Life Extension Foundation
www.lef.org
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