Studying the Genetic Component in Longevity

Scientists are reporting the results of a detailed study on the gene-expression patterns in C. elegans with and without mutated daf-2 genes, which affects longevity. The mutated daf-2 gene leads to a doubling in lifespan. The research shows that several metabolic processes are repressed by the presence of the mutated gene. MORE...

At One Extreme of the Aging Phenomena

Scientists have identified the pygmy goby as the shortest lived vertebrate animal, with a livespan of just 59 days. That creature, and another fish that was the previous record-holder for shortgevity, Nothobranchius furzeri, may shed light on why we age as we do. MORE...

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Failed to Prevent Fractures

In a blind study of more than 5,000 persons over the age of 70, researchers failed to find any significant effect from taking daily supplements of 1,000 mg calcium and/or 800 i.u. vitamin D3. The main thrust of the study was to examine the incidence of bone fractures due to osteoporosis, but they also looked at mortality, frequency of falling and quality of life. MORE...

Scientists put Mice in Hibernation-Like State

Scientists report the first successful attempts to induce a hibernation-like state in mice, and hope the simple process used will work on larger mammals and even humans. Simply spiking the air with a preponderance of hydrogen sulfide put the mice into a lowered metabolic state, and returning normal air revived them. If this process works on humans it could have numerous medical applications, allowing doctors to 'buy time' in crisis situations. MORE...

CoQ10 Safety

In a three month study involving 2,664 patients taking from 50 mg to 150 mg of CoQ10 daily, no major adverse side effects were reported. About 1.5% of the patients reported minor adverse effects, though the researchers considered about 1/3 of those to be unrelated to the treatment. Of the remaining reports, epigastric discomfort, appetite suppression, nausea and diarrhea were most common. MORE...

Sirtuin Activation

Scientists have found a naturally occuring chemical called nicotinamide that interferes with the functioning of the sirtuin (also called Sir2) enzyme. Sirtuin has been shown to play a role in extending the lifespan of yeasts, worms and flies, and is known to have some effect on diabetes, inflammation and cancers in humans. Controlling sirtuin's functioning could lead to treatments for these diseases, and possibly even have anti-aging applications. MORE...

The Role of Telomeres in Aging and Cancer

Telomeres are small stretches of DNA at each end of every chromosome that shorten with each replication until the chromosome is unable to replicate further. This may be a cause of aging, since cells with chromosomes whose telomeres are depleted will not be able to replicate to replace dying cells. In cancer, a chemical called telomerase helps rebuild the telomeres, allowing the cells to reproduce out of control. MORE...

Cranberry Effects on Atherosclerosis

In animal studies, cranberry powder was found to have a positive effect on the health of blood vessels in animals bred to have high cholesterol and atherosclerosis. The study suggests that cranberries may not only help prevent heart disease by improving cholesterol levels, but may actually be beneficial to those who already have atherosclerosis. MORE...

Pregnenolone Description and Effects

Pregnenolone is an important precursor hormone that has been shown to have beneficial effects on memory and in allieving auto-immune illnesses. Although studies began in the 1940s there has been relatively few studies done in recent years, so the working of Pregnenolone is not fully understood. It may interfere with the action of drugs prescribed for seizures or depression, and its effects on dependant hormones has not been well studied. MORE...

IGF-1 and Growth Hormone - Good News - Bad News

In a study of laboratory rats, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) deficiency was shown to reduce cancer and kidney disease, but increase cartilage degeneration and impaired memory and learning functions. Since many people seek to increase HGH (human growth hormone) and IGF-1 later in life, this study raises the fear that such supplementation could lead to higher cancer risk. MORE...

Another Study Confirms Mediterranean Diet Benefits

In a study of nearly 75,000 Europeans, a Greek researcher found that a Mediterranean style diet was positively correlated with a longer lifespan. The high levels of anti-oxidents in the diet was cited as the most likely reason for the life extending effect. MORE...

Memory Enhancement Study Results

Using mice that were given a compound to artificially induce Alzheimer-like symptoms, four chemicals were tested for their effect on the cognitive functions of the animals. An artificial compound PRE-084, and three naturally occurring hormones - DHEA, pregnenolone and progesterone were tested. All except the progesterone were found to help improve the impaired memory function, while progesterone was found to interfere with the beneficial effects of the other hormones. MORE...

Blueberries for Youthfulness

In laboratory studies, blueberries have been shown to have a profound effect on the health of older animals, presumably due to high concentrations of beneficial anti-oxidents. Test animals given blueberry supplementation to their normal feed showed improved memory and better balance than the control animals. MORE...

Description of L-Glutamine and its Biological Functions

L-Glutamine or simply Glutamine is one of the most prevalent amino acids in the body. It is synthesized by the body, but in times of stress, needs may exceed the available supply. Glutamine may be formed by the biosynthesis of glutamate and ammonia, a process that rids the body of excess ammonia. There are no known side-effects from glutamine supplementation in healthy persons, though certain illnesses that interfere with the functioning of the amino acid, such as diabetes, cancer or neurological diseases, may be exacerbated by exess glutamine. MORE...

Description of Coenzyme Q10

Description from the National Cancer Institute, which published a description of coenzyme Q10, describing its function in the body, and reviewing the sparse medical literature available on the chemical's effect on cancer. MORE...

Description of Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Human Growth Hormone (hGH) description, including effects, natural levels, tests for measurement, and associated chemicals and their interactions. This site does not go into great detail regarding the effects of hGH supplementation to retard aging, but gives a good overview of the hormone and its relationships to other hormones and nutrients. MORE...

Human Growth Hormone

The full story on aging is as yet incompletely known. Why do we age? What changes us, and what can we do about it to halt, reverse, or at least slow down this process? One factor which is important in the aging process, is the hormonal system, particularly the adrenal glands and the thyroid gland. Human growth hormone (abbreviated HGH) is produced in the pituitary gland, a tiny gland at the base of the brain which regulates the endocrine glands. MORE...

Dietary Caloric Restriction Prevents Plasma Melatonin Decline

A study at the Gerontology Research Center in Maryland shows that a calorie restricted diet will prevent the age-related decline in plasma malatonin levels of rhesus monkeys. This study suggests that peak plasma melatonin levels might be useful as a biomarker of aging in humans and other primates. MORE...

Human Longevity in the Future

Many of our social systems are dependent on assumptions about our lifespan, including our personal planning for the contingencies of old age. Demographers predict that lifespan will not increase in this century, and may even decrase -- but that scenario ignores one important factor: the advancing rate of technological developments. MORE...

Triple Helix in Telomerase Structure Described

Telomeres and telomerase are important factors for understanding both aging and cancer. While the molecular makeup of telomerase has been known for some years, the physical structure is less well understood. This is the first major piece of telomerase for which the structure is known, and it shows a surprising triple helix shape. MORE...

Caloric Restriction and Resistance to Environmental Diseases

The biological mechanisms for life-extension through caloric restriction make perfect evolutionary sense. In times of abundant food supply, rapid growth and fecundity are favored over endurance and longevity. Conversely, when food becomes scarce reproductive performance and growth are sacrificed in favor of extended total and reproductive life spans, thus increasing the probability that sufficient individuals will survive to restore the population when conditions improve. MORE...

Caloric Restriction For Longer, Healthier Life

You are what you eat, but you cease if you eat too much. Of all the supplements and regimes that claim to possess the secret of giving you longer life, only one method has been scientifically proven to extend life -- caloric restriction. But that proof comes from animal studies, and there are questions as to how effectively it may be applied to humans. There are also concerns about how late in life one can start such a program and expect it to have much effect. MORE...

Caloric Restriction Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

One of the biggest reasons people don't live into healthy old age is cancer, one of the biggest killers for people of all ages and both sexes. Breast cancer is a particularly common form of the disease, especially among women. One of the risk factors for breast cancer is excessive weight -- and this report shows that going to the other extreme, anorexia nevosa, while posing it's own health risks, actually reduces the risk for breast cancer dramatically. MORE...

Caloric Restriction and Longevity

Researchers at the U S National Institute on Aging examined the role of restricting calories in slowing down the ageing process, and identified three salient indicators of caloric restriction: lower serum insulin levels, lower body temperature, and higher DHEA levels. MORE...