LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE NOVEMBER 23 2001
IN THIS ISSUE, NOVEMBER 23 2001
LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: Long-lived mice surive even longer
with calorie restriction
WHAT'S HOT: Hemochromatosis mutation associated with shorter lifespan
PROTOCOL: Obesity
FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK: Chromium capsules, All in One Weight Loss
Capsules
REVERSING AGING: An interview with Stephen R Spindler, PhD
LIFE EXTENSION WEEKLY UPDATE EXCLUSIVE
Long-lived mice survive even longer with calorie restriction
Readers of Life Extension Weekly Update may recall the June 8 issue which
described Snell dwarf mice, genetically engineered to live longer than
average mice. Another mutant mouse is the Ames dwarf, bred to live
approximately 50% longer due to the longevity gene Prop1, and who resemble
calorie restricted mice. In a study reported in the November 22 2001 issue
of the journal Nature http://www.nature.com , a team of researchers
including Donald K Ingram of the National Institute on Aging sought to
determine if calorie restriction could further lengthen the lifespan of this
long-lived strain.
Forty-five Ames dwarf mice two months of age were divided into groups who
received calorie restricted diets or unrestricted feeding. Fifty-three
normal sibling mice were divided to receive the same regimens. The calorie
restricted mice received diets gradually lowered in calories to a target
range of 70% of that of similar animals fed ad libitum. The amount of food
provided to the restricted animals was kept constant after the animals
reached two years of age, in contrast to the unrestricted animals, whose
level of food consumption naturally declined.
Both normal mice and Ames dwarf mice who received calorie restricted diets
lived longer than the controls in their groups. The Ames dwarf mice
experienced a significant extension in lifespan, outliving all groups.
While the Ames dwarf mutation appeared to delay the age at which the
age-dependent increase in mortality risk first becomes noticeable, calorie
restriction appeared to reduce the rate of aging itself. The researchers
conclude that the Ames dwarf strain is not an imitation of a calorie
restricted mouse, with separate pathways involved in lifespan extension.
However, both groups of mice were found to have smaller body size, and lower
levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, glucose and thyroid hormone,
factors that may contribute to slowing aging and longer lifespan. They
write, "This supports the idea that hormonal regulation of metabolic
pathways in response to altered food availability may be a way of regulating
lifespan that is deeply rooted in evolutionary history."
WHAT'S HOT
Hemochromatosis mutation associated with shorter lifespan
In a study appearing in the November 12 2001 issue of the journal Archives
of Internal Medicine, researchers studying the genetics of 1,784 individuals
found that mutations of the HFE gene that are associated with hereditary
hemochromatosis are found less frequently as a population ages, confirming
an association with a shorter lifespan. Hereditary hemochromatosis is a
genetic disorder of iron metabolism, affecting only one out of every 200 to
300 people, yet one in eight to ten individuals are carriers. The disease
occurs most often in males, and is characterized by iron overload and the
deposition of iron-containing pigments in the tissues. It is considered 100%
fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151067519/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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PROTOCOL
Obesity
We've learned in the last three decades that smoking reduces our life span.
Likewise excess body fat also reduces our life span.
"Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women,"
according to the Journal of Experimental Gerontology. Obesity contributes to
sudden death relative to heart disease, according to the American Heart
Journal.
Those with existing disease, such as diabetics, already have a 2 to 3 times
normal risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Add a little body fat and
those risks increase dramatically. If you are suffering with a chronic
disease, weight control is of utmost importance to your health and
longevity. To attain optimal health and longevity, a person must be at or
below their ideal body weight. Today's lifestyle and access to fast food
makes that a hard goal to reach.
The risk of disease is not just confined to adults; recent studies have
identified that children and young adults also face increased health risks
if they are overweight or obese.
While it may seem that the medical community has only recently become
concerned about the health consequences of body fat distribution, the
research goes back almost 100 years. Just after the turn of the century,
insurance companies pooled data on the risk of body fat. They found
increased weight and increased girth led to higher mortality.
Research, as we mentioned earlier, connects body weight, particularly being
overweight, to many of the most deadly diseases. Researchers have found
that, for example, obese patients have high rates of sudden, unexpected
cardiac death.
Most dieters need help in taking off pounds. They need dietary aids to
jump-start the weight-loss process to give them the encouragement they need
to stay on the program long enough to succeed. That's why we recommend
nutrients that fight diseases while taking off pounds. Nutrients make you
look and feel better while you're losing weight, and it's easy to continue
to take them year-after-year to stay healthy and fit.
Those seeking significant fat-loss effects should commit to a 2- to 3-month
program that would involve the following schedule:
First thing in the morning take:
1. Three 1000 mg CLA capsules.
2. One DHEA capsule (take with an antioxidant like Life Extension Mix).
3. One chromium-niacin capsule.
4. One heaping tablespoon of soy protein powder (soy can be taken at another
time of the day if desired).
Five minutes before lunch take:
5. Six 500 mg chitosan capsules with an 8-ounce glass of water (some people
need only three chitosan capsules).
6. One 1000 mg ascorbic acid capsule.
7. One 200 mcg chromium-niacin capsule.
8. One DHEA 15-25 mg capsule.
Five minutes before dinner take:
9. Six 500 mg chitosan capsules with an 8-ounce glass of water (some
people need only three chitosan capsules).
10. One 1000-mg ascorbic acid capsule.
11. One chromium-niacin capsule.
12.One 500 mg magnesium capsule
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151067520/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK
Chromium capsules
Chromium picolinate is a patented version of the trace mineral chromium.
Studies show that chromium picolinate has lowered serum cholesterol and
glucose, burned fat, and built muscle. Picolinic acid is produced in the
human body, apparently for the purpose of improving the cellular uptake of
trace metal ions. Scientists have demonstrated that several minerals in
picolinate form are many times better assimilated than most other forms of
the same minerals.
Chromium polynicotinate is an equally well assimilated form which may have
more benefits for certain conditions than does the picolinate form. A recent
study on antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder (depression)
in 5 patients showed that chromium polynicotinate supplementation led to
remission of dysthymic symptoms and concluded that "Preliminary observations
suggest that chromium may potentiate antidepressant pharmacotherapy for
dysthymic disorder". Another study on chromium polynicotinate in rats
prevented the sucrose-induced elevation of systolic blood pressure and
decreased measures of lipid peroxidation.
Both forms of chromium reduce high serum glucose levels which can contribute
to aging via a destructive process known as glycosylation (also called
nonenzymatic glycation), in which glucose molecules bind to proteins and
interfere with their function. People with diabetes have a highly increased
rate of protein glycosylation and this plays a major part in their increased
risk of atherosclerosis and many other diseases. For many diabetics,
chromium enhances the ability of insulin to lower serum glucose levels.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151067521/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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All in One Weight Loss capsules
The All-In-One Weight Loss Formula contains a wide range of natural,
nonstimulating agents that have been shown to help induce fat loss.
Here are the actions of some of the ingredients contained in All-In-One
Weight Loss Formula:
Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) works by inhibiting an enzyme called ATP
citrate-lyase that causes excess sugar in your blood to be converted into
fat.
Chromium works by enhancing the efficiency of insulin so that excess glucose
is absorbed by energy-producing cells and not converted into body fat.
Chromium also lowers cholesterol levels by about 7%.
Gymnema sylvestre extract works by reducing your craving for carbohydrates,
especially sugars. Many people cannot control their carbohydrate cravings
and remain overweight even though they follow an otherwise prudent diet.
Fiber from chitosan, pectin, guar gum, and psyllium husk works by absorbing
some of the dietary fat that is normally absorbed into your blood stream.
Since eating and digestion cause the production of free radicals (which is
why you should take antioxidant vitamins like Life Extension Mix with every
meal), we have also included a low-potency antioxidant blend to the
All-In-One Weight Loss Formula. Folate is also included to help prevent the
conversion of dietary proteins into the atherogenic agent, homocysteine.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151067522/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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REVERSING AGING
An interview with Stephen R Spindler, PhD
L.E.: Has anyone else ever suggested that calorie restriction could reverse
aging, not just slow it? Or is your finding truly unique?
S.S.: As far as I know, there had been no suggestion in the literature
before our study that calorie restriction could reverse age-related changes
in gene expression. I think the assumption has been that it prevents
deleterious age-related changes in gene expression. It had been our
assumption as well, and we've published a number of papers on gene
expression where we just assumed that calorie restriction was preventing
deleterious changes. What these studies showed for the first time was that
in fact that assumption was incorrect. Calorie restriction can reverse the
majority of the deleterious age-related changes in gene expression that we
found.
http://www.lef.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi/id=151067525/sgroup_id=699/welcome.
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Visit our website at www.lef.org and take part in our poll. This week's
question: how often do you take your Life Extension Mix?
If you have questions or comments concerning this issue or past issues of
Life Extension Weekly Update, or on any other life extension topics, email
ddye@lifeextension.com or call 1-800-841-5433 extension 7716.
The Life Extension Foundation hopes that you all had a happy Thanksgiving
Day, and that you at least tried not to overeat!
For longer life,
Dayna Dye
Editor, Life Extension Weekly Update
ddye@lifeextension.com
Life Extension Foundation
www.lef.org
1 800 841 LIFE
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