Access to the "Fountain of Youth" May Already Be Inside Us!
Posted: Saturday, July 02, 2011
by Christofer French
Rain Dancer Associates, LLC
In late March of 1513, Ponce de Leon sailed his ships from Puerto Rico and landed on Florida's east coast near present-day St. Augustine. He claimed this beautiful land for Spain. Since he had discovered this country of lavish landscape and beautiful beaches, he named it La Florida ("place of flowers"). He decided to continue his exploration of this land and sailed down the coast. He encountered some rough currents at one point and named the area Cape Canaveral (“Cape of Currents"). He died at the Age of 61 because of complications from a wound. This journey was sparked by tales. Indians told him of a “Fountain of Youth" and it has naturally intrigued us since then. The desire to defy mortality, or just extend life has been a part of our psyche for much longer than this story would indicate, but it does give us something to hang our hopes and wishes on.
Nobel Prize Awarded for Research Concerning the “Ends of Chromosomes"
The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to three scientists who have solved a major problem in biology: how the chromosomes can be copied in a complete way during cell divisions and how they are protected against degradation. The Nobel Laureates have shown that the solution is to be found in the ends of the chromosomes – the telomeres – and in an enzyme that forms them – telomerase.
Telomerase is the enzyme that makes telomere DNA. These discoveries explained how the ends of the chromosomes are protected by the telomeres and that they are built by telomerase.
Telemerase and Cancer Cells
Cells age or the medical term “senescence", from which the word “senile" is derived, when the telomeres are shortened. Conversely, if telomerase activity is high, telomere length is maintained, and cellular senescence is delayed. This is the case in cancer cells, which can be considered to have a kind of “eternal life". Certain inherited diseases, in contrast, are characterized by a defective telomerase, resulting in damaged cells. This award was given because the work of these 3 individuals recognizes the discovery of a fundamental mechanism in the cell, a discovery that has stimulated the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Theoretical Increase in the Human Lifespan
Telomerase is the enzyme that regenerates telomeres. Telomeres form the end pieces of our DNA strands in chromosomes. Without telomerase, telomeres shorten every time a cell divides. As we age, cumulative divisions increase, and the length of the telomere caps decreases. Eventually, the strands get too short to permit cells to divide and regenerate accurately. Cells become senescent - old. Eventually, when enough of our cells become senescent, we die.
Therefore, if we could somehow lengthen the telomeres in human cells, we could theoretically greatly increase human lifespan. The potential of telomerase-activating compounds, therefore, extends far beyond lifespan extension. Numerous diseases which befall us could be positively treated also.
Astralagus Root – Ancient Chinese Herb
As we have already stated, Telomeres are the protective ends of chromosomes that slowly shorten and wear out each time cell division occurs in the body -- a process central to human aging. The theory is that telomeres act as a kind of countdown clock, so when they wear out, cell division stops and tissues quickly degrade and die. Telomerase enzymes work to renew telomeres, although they are not produced as the body ages over time. According to a study published in a 2008 edition of the "Journal of Immunology," substances within Astragalus root -- called cycloastragenols and astragalosides -- have the ability to activate telomerase enzyme production, which could prevent telomere depletion and rebuild new ones. In theory, cell replication is not degraded and tissues age slowly. Two patented forms of astragalus root extract are known as TAT2 and TA-65.
Lots of Research, No Guarantees
This anti-aging enzyme has captured the attention of the scientific and the research community. Of course a topic such as anti-aging has fantastic broad appeal in the investment community. This new "young forever enzyme", currently has no publicly traded company doing real telomerase gene-activation research now. Of course this realm is the realm of no guarantees and even though it makes everyone’s ears perk up actually stopping or reversing the cellular aging process is still billions of dollars and probably years away from actual demonstration.
“Transformational Technologies"- Investment Interest and Curiosity
Life expectancies have changed much over the last few decades for various reasons that have to do with technological change, drug development and aging knowledge and research.
Big things are happening in regenerative medicine and anti- aging technologies. “Transformational Technologies" is the adventurous nomenclature having to do with the ingenious innovation taking place in laboratories around the world, but especially in America, in which new knowledge and investment dollars can bring new benefits to the world.
Telomerase research is still in the early stages, but the financial implications of success at extending life spans through regenerative medicine would be unfathomable.
Emotional Stress, Coronary Artery Tissue, Positive Effects of Meditation
Elizabeth Blackburn et al. (one of the Nobel Winners) has shown work that reveals that mothers caring for their very sick children have shorter telomeres when they report that their emotional stress is at the greatest point. She also found telomerase active at the site of blockages in coronary artery tissue. This could be why heart attacks can come on so suddenly: Telomerase is driving the growth of the blockage. The ability of science to plot and follow the growth and retreat of this enzyme, is thus leading researchers down roads that might not have been previously envisioned.
In 2009, it was shown that the amount of telomerase activity significantly increased due to psychological stress. Across the sample of patients, telomerase activity increased by 18% one hour after the end of the stress. Telomerase activity was examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Thus the ability to moderate the impact of psychological stress on one’s life style, circumstance and situations could definitely affect the presence of increasing or decreasing telomerase in one’s own system.
Could Meditation Lead to “Self-Directed Control" of Telemerase Growth?
A study in 2010 found that there was -- "significantly greater," telomerase activity in participants than controls after a three-month meditation retreat. The recommendations of teachers and counselors concerning the larger and long term effects of meditation and similar practices could have even more positive evidence from these kinds of studies.
Transcendental Meditation Program has been proven to reduce mortalities during a 17 year longitudinal study. In other words, there is conclusive evidence that people live longer when they practice Transcendental Meditation.
As well as keeping people alive longer, the Transcendental Meditation Program also helps to improve many aspects of the physiology that normally degrade with age. Research has shown that practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation Technique are particularly less susceptible to stress-related conditions like high blood pressure, weight gain and depression.
In time, the up and down regulation of telomerase will most likely be measured in coinciding studies to demonstrate the relationship with telomerase increase with many of these habits and practices that for years have shown to be positive in the quest for longer life and less suffering during that longer life. It is truly exciting to anticipate the studies that will be undertaken in this regard in the future.
As one attempts to “connect the dots" in this brand new “news" (I speak of the layman and consumer at this point); one can see possible evidentiary connections behind the phrases: “This will help you live a long life", or “do this too much and it will kill you". Until now these general utterances of faith and threat had to do with the common sense or historical evidence that certain things will “wear you out" and others will “continue to protect you". With the knowledge of telomerase and how this enzyme affects human ageing literally, it would appear that our underlying wisdom and traditional observations may have an actual literal basis or way to demonstrate the accuracy, truth of falsehood of these kinds of statements. As research increases, and it is doing so now, scientists will be able to see how telomerase and the drugs that may spring from its study, can affect human health for generations to come.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/395135-longevity-with-astragalus/#ixzz1QthZNV55
"The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine - Press Release". Nobelprize.org. 1 Jul 2011 http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2009/press.html
This Article has been viewed 634 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Most interesting! Thanks for sharing this information with us. It never hurts to meditate for all the benefits we derive from relaxation, deep breathing and ridding ourselves of stress and so much more. The information you divulge makes it even more beneficial. Amazing, lots of great information and many thanks for a great deal of helpful info.Yes. This is amazing new information. Thanks for your comment.
Interesting info--enjoyed learning...thanks.
SteveThanks very much, Steve. Appreciate your review and comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.